Classic Ed: The Wardrobe Malfunction That Changed Everything

Justin Timberlake's position in the history of Super Bowl halftime shows is very much top of mind right now given his upcoming performance on Sunday's telecast.  Younger readers may not remember that it was Timberlake who was responsible for the brief baring of Janet Jackson's right breast during their rough and tumble performance of "Rock Your Body" at the mid-point of Super Bowl XXXVIII.  The subsequent shock waves that followed this very brief and unexpected occurance may seem quaint, if not flat-out ridiculous, after fourteen years of ever-increasing adult content available for the titillation of all on the internet.  Those people wondering why Timberlake has been invited back, but not Jackson, and why she was vilified much longer than he (even though he was equally responsible) forget that both were given the opportunity to apologize on CBS' telecast of the Grammy Awards one week later.  Timberlake seized the opportunity, while Jackson reportedly refused.  And so the grudges appear to continue.  Anyway, I couldn't help but dig out the column I wrote about it for the February 4, 2004 edition of the Jack Myers Entertainment Report to remind myself of the responses to this unprecedented outrage and my reactions to it all.  The column appears below.  (Also check out this review of the shocking 2004 Super Bowl commercials.)