Jennifer Lopez and Shakira are no Janet Jackson.
At least in terms of the number of FCC complaints.
But what they lack in volume, they make up for in quality.
WFAA in Dallas obtained complaints filed to the Federal Communications Commission after the Super Bowl halftime showing featuring Lopez and Shakira. There were 1,312 of them, according to the report.
By comparison, Jackson drew the wrath of more than 500,000 angry viewers who expressed their outrage to the FCC over a quick flash of an exposed breast at Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2004.
There was no partial nudity during February’s halftime show. But some viewers found it too sexy regardless.
Best of the complaints
Here are some highlights of the 1,312 complaints and where they originated. A search of the complaints document reveals 391 mentions of the word “crotch.”
— “What I’m [sic] the name of decency was that??? I do not subscribe to The Playboy Channel, we do not buy porn for $20 a flick, we simply wanted to sit down as a family and watch the Super Bowl. God forbid we expected to watch football and a quick concert but instead had our eyes molested.” — Spring Hill, Tenn.
— “Really? An R Rated halftime show? I chose to not go see the R rated movie Hustler but did not expect to see so much nastiness on TV. To bend over and show that thin piece if [sic] fabric between her butt cheeks crossed the line.” — Croswell, Mich.
— “As a father of 2 teen girls I feel obligated, at this point, to file a complaint as I am at my wits end. That “show” should have been reserved for late night cable TV … As a society we are talking out of both sides of our mouths and confusing kids.” — Westport, Maine
— “JLO and Shakira are beautiful and talented — but the numerous crotch shots and the grinding on the stripper bowl was beyond my comprehension. Why in the world would this be allowed on national television where children and families all around the world are watching?!” — Port St. Joe, Fla.
— “Jennifer Lopez showing her crotch and rubbing at it suggestively. Shakira showing her crotch. It would be nice if costumes and dance moves were family appropriate during football games.” — Hanover, Pa.
— “Jennifer Lopez’s performance at the Super Bowl halftime show was extremely explicit and completely unacceptable for a event where families including children are watching. Her performance involved numerous shots of her barely covered crotch and but as she gyrated and made sexual movements all over the stage. I had to send my children out of the room so that they weren’t exposed to something.” — Lehi, Utah
— “I am disgusted that this blatant erotic was allowed on TV. Shakira and JLO allowed to perform erotica during a television show that is supposed to be SPORTS. Both songs and performance with their dance moves and all of the dancers. Also, we had to be subject to a POLE DANCE and PELVIC THRUSTS by them and their dancers. UNSAT!” — Fishers, Ind.
Angriest, least angry states
According to WFAA, the complaints originated from 49 states. The one state not mad about the multitude of crotch sightings? Vermont.
The angriest state? Texas topped the list with 140 complaints.
By comparison, Adam Levine’s exposed torso (and nipples) during last year’s Maroon 5 Super Bowl halftime show garnered just 55 complaints. People were mad at that show for different reasons.
