Advertisement

Super Bowl: Madonna shines, M.I.A. shocks, Birmingham blocks

Share

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

In many ways, Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime show delivered the Full Madonna. Who else could have gotten away with that superabundant spectacle of choreography and showmanship, booming beats and cheeky camp, replete with a phalanx of blinged and buffed faux gladiators?

But what about delivering a shock to Middle America? On this score, Madonna of 2012 -- now a mom, a children’s book author, and a platinum eminence in her 50s -- appeared to play it safe Sunday night.

Advertisement

Instead, younger guest star rapper M.I.A. stepped in, quickly flipping the bird during a performance of the song ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’,’ and ‘uttering a barely disguised expletive,’ according to a report by the Associated Press.

Photos: Giants vs. Patriots

Viewers in the Birmingham, Ala., market, however, had to read all about it Monday morning, because their NBC affiliate blocked the offending moment with a few seconds of a ‘local screen shot,’ according to Joseph A. Bryant of the Birmingham News.

An employee for the station would not comment on the decision to black out the M.I.A. move, according to the reporter.

But not every market was as fast as Birmingham to block the fleeting scenes, and the finger is already posted online.

RELATED:

Advertisement

Bill Plaschke: Patriots’ act shows its age

Super Bowl notes: A meaningful day for Manning family

Reviewing the Super Bowl ads: Too much hype, not enough pop

-- Richard Fausset in Atlanta

Advertisement