Do better with the Super Bowl halftime show, NFL
September 25, 2024
by Steve Thomas
The NFL recently announced that the featured performer for the halftime show at this season’s Super Bowl will be Kendrick Lamar. This is a list of all of the Super Bowl halftime shows since 2000:
| Season | Featured Performers | Producer |
| 2023 | Usher | Ricky Kirscher, VAMC Studios, Jay-Z, Roc Nation |
| 2022 | Rihanna | Ricky Kirscher, VAMC Studios, Jay-Z, Roc Nation |
| 2021 | Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar | Ricky Kirscher, VAMC Studios, Jay-Z, Roc Nation |
| 2020 | The Weekend | Ricky Kirscher, VAMC Studios, Jay-Z, Roc Nation |
| 2019 | Shakira, Jennifer Lopez | Ricky Kirscher, VAMC Studios, Jay-Z, Roc Nation |
| 2018 | Maroon 5 | Ricky Kirshner |
| 2017 | Justin Timberlake | Ricky Kirshner |
| 2016 | Lady Gaga | Ricky Kirshner |
| 2015 | Coldplay | Ricky Kirshner |
| 2014 | Katy Perry | Ricky Kirshner |
| 2013 | Bruno Mars | Ricky Kirshner |
| 2012 | Beyonce | Ricky Kirshner |
| 2011 | Madonna | Ricky Kirshner |
| 2010 | The Black Eyed Peas | Ricky Kirshner |
| 2009 | The Who | White Cherry Entertainment |
| 2008 | Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band | Don Mischer Productions, White Cherry Entertainment |
| 2007 | Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers | Don Mischer Productions, White Cherry Entertainment |
| 2006 | Prince | Don Mischer Productions, White Cherry Entertainment |
| 2005 | The Rolling Stones | Don Mischer Productions |
| 2004 | Paul McCartney | Don Mischer Productions |
| 2003 | Janet Jackson, P. Diddy, Nelly, Kid Rock, Justin Timberlake, Jessica Simpson | MTV |
| 2002 | Shania Twain, No Doubt | Jimmy Iovine, Joel Gallen |
| 2001 | U2 | Clear Channel Entertainment |
| 2000 | Aerosmith, NSYNC | MTV |
The first thing to notice here is that Ricky Kirshner, who is the son of legendary music producer Don Kirshner, has been involved with the production of the halftime show for a very long time. Also, White Cherry Entertainment is Kirshner’s company with another producer, Glenn Weiss, so in total, Kirshner has been involved in some way with the last 18 halftime shows.
Jay-Z is Roc Nation, so he has partnered with Kirscher for the last 5 halftime shows, with this season’s show being number 6. I couldn’t find any information on “VAMC Studios”.
Now take a look at the featured performers – the last 12 in a row, back to Madonna in the Super for the 2010 season Super Bowl, have all been pop or hip-hop acts, with the last 4 involving Jay-Z all being hip-hop.
We had a string of classic rock act for the 2004 through 2009 seasons. That came in the wake of the infamous Super Bowl XXXVIII show in January, 2004, which was the 2003 season, in which Justin Timberlake **accidentally** exposed Janet Jackson’s chest. That event meant, of course, the end of MTV’s involvement with the NFL.
For those of you who weren’t aware, decades ago, the NFL used to have a wide variety of Super Bowl halftime show entertainment, including things like music superstars, marching bands, and even Disney-themed events. The shows from the 1980s back to the beginning also had different producers every year, with a regular rotating list in the 1990s.
Here’s the point: I don’t think permanently handing the halftime show to two guys, Ricky Kirshner and Jay-Z, is doing the show justice. Featuring a string of mostly past their prime rappers and pop acts has gotten very boring. Personally, I’m a rock fan – to me, the high water mark came in 2004 through 2009, when we got acts like Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, and the others. I recognize, though, that that type of music isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. How about some variety, NFL? Have you guys forgotten about that?
The halftime show used to be special for me. Now, it’s just become a good opportunity to take a few minutes to do something else before the game comes back on. The NFL needs to make Kirshner and Jay-Z recognize that other types of music exist that would make great halftime acts. For example, country music isn’t my speed, but it’s incredibly popular. Can you guess when the last featured performer was a country act? If you want to count Shania Twain – who maybe more pop than country, then fine, the 2002 season. Other than her, who may not actually be a true country act, we need to go all the way back to January 30, 1994, i.e. the 1993 season, which featured Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, and the Judds. Again, not really my thing, but that’s a great lineup that appealed to a significant number of people. How about Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, Kenny Chesney, or Tim McGraw? There are a bunch of country acts who’d fit the bill.
What about Motown, which used to be regulars in the show? Again, that’s not personally up my alley, but it would have mainstream appeal. Or, get creative: the NFL could get a major comedian like Kevin Hart to do a set. It doesn’t have to necessarily be limited to music. How about? Metallica or Guns N Roses? They are both major stadium acts. Yeah, yeah, I get it, metal music is evil and bad, but it has a huge fanbase. The Foo Fighters are the go-to rock act for a variety of shows like the Grammys, etc. They’d also be great. Heck, the NFL could even go way off the beaten path and get a major Broadway production to bring 15 minutes of a stage act in. I have no idea what show that could possibly be, mind you, because that’s way out of my league, but you get the idea.
The NFL needs to find new producers who can bring a fresh perspective to this event. Send Kirshner and Jay-Z packing and bring in some new blood with fresh ideas.
Here’s the point: enough of the washed up hip-hop and pop acts. You can do better, NFL.