Over-exposure

By Editorial

Enough is enough already.

When the Super Bowl halftime show overshadows the actual game, something is seriously wrong. And all because of one lewd, disgraceful act for which the performers should be ashamed.

When singer Justin Timberlake ripped off fellow artist Janet Jackson's shirt, exposing her right breast, the halftime show hit an all-time low. Not only was it unsuitable for network television, but it's only place in the entertainment world would be in a soft-core porn or an R-rated movie.

Nearly 45 million households tuned in to watch the New England Patriots defeat the Carolina Panthers in one of the greatest Super Bowls in history. Unfortunately, when the game ended, the first news flash wasn't that the Patriots had won or that quarterback Tom Brady was the game's MVP. But rather, that CBS was appalled and apologetic for the halftime fiasco.

There's no doubt that millions of kids sat around their televisions to witness last Sunday's Super Bowl festivities. And instead of being able to enjoy the second half or the game, many adults were probably stuck having to explain what had just happened to young children.

Super Bowl XXXVIII wasn't supposed to be a great game. There were no real "superstars" to make the lesser fan tune in. But after a defense-dominated first three quarters, the two teams combined for 37 points in the fourth quarter to set up a remarkable finish that ended with kicker Adam Vinatieri's 41-yard field goal to win the game.

Not only did the entertainers steal the athletes' hard-earned thunder, but they also violated media propriety, exposing the public to more than a scandalously adorned breast â€" they also exposed the degeneration of respect that media moguls have for their audience and the standards they hold for themselves.