10 Super Bowl Halftime Shows That Were Absolute Disasters
The Super Bowl halftime show did not start as the cultural monster it is now. For years, they were treated like background noise. As the audience grew past 100 million US viewers, the margin for error shrank fast. Bigger stars showed, and expectations exploded. But when things went wrong, they went wrong in front of most of the country. That’s how these halftime shows earned their reputations the hard way.
The Who (2010)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Booked well past their peak, The Who took the Super Bowl XLIV stage looking surprised to be there. Vocals from Roger Daltrey sounded strained, and Pete Townshend appeared disengaged while running through shortened classics. The performance struggled to connect with a crowd used to modern pop spectacle.
Janet Jackson (2004)
Credit: Youtube
The final seconds of Rock Your Body changed broadcast history, as Justin Timberlake pulled part of Janet Jackson’s costume, briefly exposing her breast on live TV. The incident led to massive FCC scrutiny and higher indecency fines. Unfortunately for Janet, she suffered a long-term career fallout more than Justin.
The Rolling Stones (2006)
Credit: IMDb
Coming two years after the Janet Jackson controversy, The Rolling Stones’ performance operated under a strict five-second delay. Only three songs made the cut, including one newer track that left viewers cold. Moreover, the decision to exclude Black artists drew criticism, especially given that the game was hosted in Detroit, a city with deep Black musical history.
The Black Eyed Peas (2011)
Credit: Youtube
Critics and fans agreed that The Black Eyed Peas’ performance looked big but sounded messy. Vocals sounded off, while futuristic outfits distracted from the music. On top of those, guest appearances by Slash and Usher felt mismatched.
Maroon 5 (2019)
Credit: Youtube
When multiple major artists declined, Maroon 5 stepped in amid backlash tied to Colin Kaepernick and the NFL. The set leaned heavily on guest appearances from Travis Scott and Big Boi, reducing the band’s presence. A brief clip of Sweet Victory disappointed fans who expected a full tribute to SpongeBob SquarePants.
Elvis Presto (1989)
Credit: Youtube
An Elvis Presley impersonator magician headlined the halftime show before the NFL treated the event as prime real estate. The act revolved around a complicated card trick involving the entire stadium, which slowed everything down. Only brief snippets of Elvis songs appeared.
Aerosmith, NSYNC, and Friends (2001)
Credit: IMDb
The stage overflowed with Aerosmith, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, and Nelly crammed into under 10 minutes. Genre shifts happened almost every few seconds, leaving little breathing room. To make matters worse, several performers barely sang more than a line.
Olympic Figure Skaters (1992)
Credit: Youtube
CBS used halftime as a commercial for its Winter Olympics coverage. Brian Boitano and Dorothy Hamill skated on slick platforms while Gloria Estefan performed nearby. The odd pairing failed to hold attention, and around 20 million viewers flipped channels to Fox’s In Living Color instead.
Red Hot Chili Peppers (2014)
Credit: Youtube
When the band joined Bruno Mars onstage, sharp-eyed fans noticed unplugged instruments. The NFL confirmed prerecorded audio was used to avoid sound issues. Bassist Flea later explained the decision publicly, but the reveal frustrated viewers who expected live rock energy from a veteran band.
Snoopy and Mardi Gras (1990)
Credit: Youtube
The NFL attempted to honor New Orleans and the 40th anniversary of Peanuts simultaneously. Jazz legends shared the field with Snoopy and Charlie Brown in costume. The blend of cartoon characters and cultural tributes lacked focus, leaving viewers unsure what the celebration was supposed to be.