Janet's Breast Flash: Wardrobe Malfunction Or Madonna-esque Promo Stunt?

02/02/04 5:00pm

by Elizabeth Chorney-Booth (CHARTattack)

It was a sad and pathetic display of exhibitionism by an aging celebrity.

No, we're not talking about Richard Hatch's naked antics on the surprisingly lame Survivor All-Stars premier — we're talking about Janet Jackson and the tit flash that was seen around the world.

In case you haven't seen the cover of your local tabloid newspaper yet today, yes, that was indeed Jackson's bare boob exposed at the end of the half-time show on yesterday's Super Bowl telecast.

For the half-time finale, Jackson and rumoured ex-beau Justin Timberlake performed an overly dramatic duet that ended with Justy ripping off one of the detachable breast cups on Jacko-ette's PVC corset. The cameras quickly cut away, with Janet's pasty-covered nipple only enjoying a millisecond of airtime.

With the Super Bowl being a family show and all, the execs at CBS claim to be horrified by the display. The network issued a formal apology shortly after the Super Bowl broadcast, saying that they were not anticipating such a fleshy ending to the otherwise benign half-time show.

Jackson has not made comment on the incident, but Justin Timberlake issued the following statement: "I am sorry that anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance on the Super Bowl. It was not intentional and is regrettable."

Wardrobe malfunction? We here at ChartAttack have to politely call "bullshit." If the entire thing was unintentional, why was Janet wearing an outfit on which the breast cups were loosely attached by metal snaps? Why was she wearing an ornate metal cap that completely covered her nipple? Why did Justin even make the motion to rip off the cup?

Well, not coincidentally, Ms. Jackson's new single, "Just A Little While," which was previously "mysteriously" leaked to the internet, hits U.S. radio outlets today. The song is the first single from Jackson's upcoming album, Damita Jo, which is scheduled to be released on March 30. Draw your own conclusion.

Also, keep in mind that the Super Bowl half-time show was produced by the people at MTV, who also orchestrated the equally convincing Madonna/Britney/Christina kiss at last year's MTV Music Video Awards. While that stunt didn't win Madge much credibility, it did get people talking, earning the aging Material Girl more ink than she's got in years.

While Janet's peep-show won't likely boost her cool factor one bit, at least people are gossiping about her for reasons that have nothing to do with Michael, which, at this point, is the best publicity Janet could ask for.