Nerve Endings Firing Away

“Its is bouncing out of his hands and wobbling wildly; ninety million people stare at it” — nope it wasn’t the football in the dying moments of SuperBowl XXXVIII but the naked breast of Janet Jackson. The Super Sunday completely lived up to its triple X-rating as we were subjected to a “classless, crass, and deplorable stunt”. Not my words, but the conservative words of Michael Powell, the head of the Federal Communications Commission.

Frankly I don’t understand what the hullabaloo is about, considering the diminishing standards of American television. The weight of the ink used to discuss this lame issue far outweighs the sagging Jackson tit. Sure, it was uncalled for and downright cheap to pull off the pre-planned stunt. And it was pre-planned; the Jackson album due in few weeks, she could certainly do with the extra publicity. Look what a little kiss with a certain pop diva did to the image of Britney…call it Justin T’s sweet revenge. Families with children were flabbergasted at this blatant outpouring of human anatomy but frankly, in this age of easily accessible pronography and lewd lyrics and antics from underage pop stars, it is almost impossible to maintain the purity of innocence.

The government is doing no good by launching a full-scale investigation. In fact, it is just ensuring that the issue keeps popping up and thus gives enough leg room to hardcore conservatives to harp on their non-existential family values. Bush was caught with his pants down on the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction issue and his allies are just peeved that Justin stole their “wardrobe malfunction” excuse. The subject of almost all late night shows, the dubious nature of intelligence that led to the most criticized war of this century is not yet subjected to an external bipartisan inquiry and when the infamous Jackson clan sibling does something slightly deplorable, a full-scale inquiry on the television diminishing standards is launched within hours.

Last I heard of this issue was that Janet had already apologized twice and is banned from the Grammy and MTV and CBS have washed their hands off the responsibility. But CBS and MTV were fully aware of the content of the program including the featured stars and the chosen songs. They could have exercised their censorship powers at the planning stage. But I think in this election year, the conservatives are not going to let any opportunity pass easily to lecture us on the moral values.

This Sunday too promises to be a super Sunday. Nope, Janet will not expose her second breast but the Grammys will be the cynosure of all attention. The five second delay in the live telecast and allegations thrown left, right and center, I do not expect any stunts this year. Britney can wear her shocker dress a la J Lo next year. Let Taliban ruled Afghanistan be the theme for this year’s Grammy. I bet Beyonce will look hot in her burqa and teenage girls will drool over Justin in a turban.