superbowl halftime show

Madonna made the Superbowl halftime show sizzle. She was joined by M.I.A., Nicki Minaj, and Cee Lo Green and the amazing visuals were supported by Cirque du Soleil. She gave a recent interview in which she remarked that she had been "talked into" taking the risk of performing at the Superbowl halftime show. Luckily she agreed.

Madonna performed some known classics including "Vogue" and "Music," and the song from her new album: "Gimme All Your Luvin" in which she was joined by Minaj and MIA. In a bit of controversy, MIA gestured in a familiar flipping the bird, gesture towards the end of the song.

No entertainer has a stage any bigger than the halftime show at the Superbowl, and it can make you a star or a "has been." The 2012 Superbowl halftime show was no exception. After a discussion of the exciting performance of Madonna in Superbowl XLVI, we will also highlight the past performances dating back to 2002, when U2 did its now famous 911 tribute.

In between, we heard from Shania Twain in 2003, and watched Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction in 2004. In 2005 it was "Hey Jude" by Paul McCartney, and in 2006 the Stones brought Satisfaction to the Detroit Superbowl. In 2007 Prince pranced and in 2008 Tommy Petty would not back down. Bruce Springsteen asked "Is there anybody alive out there?" in 2009. THE WHO got old before they died in 2010, and the Black Eyed Peas managed to make THE WHO almost look good.

After disappointing performances by THE WHO and the Black Eyed Peas in the last two half time shows, Madonna surprised her fans and the Superbowl crowd with an amazing performance at the XLVI Superbowl halftime show, full of visual surprises and energy.

She collaborated with Cirque du Soleil, and if you have ever seen their shows you knew this was going to be a visual feast. Comedian Dennis Miller joked about Madonna's age, (53) while showing his. Madonna looked fit and energetic, and she keeps in shape with a trainer. She was ready for the 2012 halftime show.

Cirque Du Soleil are known for their visual performance art, and anyone who has seen their show in Vegas was watching hoping for a wider camera angle so they amazing show could be viewed.

Cee Lo Green had real presence in a suit that will be remembered even more than his performance, appearing on "Like a Prayer." MIA was especially vibrant and her chemistry with Madonna was hard to miss, but so was her finger, although the censors missed it.

Guns N Roses' Slash may have been the only memorable part of the 2011 superbowl halftime show, which featured the Black Eyed Peas and some dancers who were lit up in green lights, for no explicable reason. Many reviewers felt this was the lamest show in recent memory.

Rock legends THE WHO, however, gave a performance in 2010 that was tolerable, although Roger Daltry's voice seemed to have gone through a blender. While windmill guitarist Pete Townsend still had some spark, anyone familiar with the original WHO, arguably the best live band ever, were gravely disappointed. To see the wear and tear of a hard rock life, compare the two videos with nearly three decades separating them.

Historically the early Superbowls featured marching bands, and icons like Disney, Carol Channing, Al Hirt and George Burns. The first rocker to play at a Superbowl was Chubby Cheker in 1988.

Other noteworthy early performers included New Kids on The Block, Gloria Estafan, and Micheal Jackson, singing Billie Jean, Black or White, Jam and Heal the World. In 1997 the Blues Brothers hit the Louisiana Superdome, accomapnied by ZZ top and James Brown.

Since then we have seen shows that were promarily country, some motown themed shows, and of course plenty of rockers including, to name a few, Aerosmith, Brittney Spears, 'n Synch, Mary J Blige, and Nelly all in one Superbowl halftime show vesrion of Walk This Way.

The 2002 Superbowl took place only a few months after the 911 attacks, and most Americans were still in shock. U2 had agreed to play before the attack, and this band had just the right tenor in their tribute during the half time show.

Most reviewers agree that this was probably the best and certainly the most memorable Superbowl halftime show. The show was stolen by a commercial that was only shown at halftime, and which you have to watch (below) to the end, as it is so moving.

Madonna Photo by Ms. Champers