The Susan Sequel

Hi friends. I know, it’s been a while (despite my New Year’s resolution to write more). I’m stuck at the airport waiting for a flight and figure better late than never. Luckily, something is bothering me this week and, believe it or not, it does not involve Donald Trump’s impeachment (although that topic does get me fairly hot & bothered). No, the topic de jour is none other that the much discussed Super Bowl halftime show starring Shakira and Jennifer Lopez (if you haven’t seen it or read about it, please come out from that rock you must live under).

Full disclosure, I LOVED the halftime show and the group of people I watched with seemed to love it as well. It was glitzy, glam, energetic and a lot of fun. Shakira & JLo (43 & 50, respectively) each rocked their performances, looking absolutely stunning while doing it (can we please discuss what hair products JLo used that kept her hair perfect coiffed throughout her dizzying performance). I loved that the show payed homage to Miami’s Latin roots, was a spectacle of sight & sound and starred two badass female performers (well, 2 ½ as JLo’s daughter was a superstar in her own right). Most of all, I loved that these two amazing performers not only looked insane but looked like they had the best time celebrating (and who isn’t all about that)?

Well, apparently a lot of people aren’t all about that. In fact, I was surprised to hear that there was so much backlash to the show, even from a couple of friends of mine. And, while I certainly respect everyone’s opinions on this, I have to say I disagree with anyone who thinks that it wasn’t a celebration of femininity, talent and all around fun. The first argument from the pearl-clutching crowd is their chagrin at JLo’s performance on a “stripper” pole. To which I argue, why the hell not!! I’m telling you, if I looked half as good as JLo at 50, I would carry that damn pole with me everywhere (and put on quite a show myself, I might add)! I’m 52 and will 100% admit that I spent the majority of the halftime show staring in admiration at JLo’s body and fierce athleticism (that pole work is no joke, her upper body strength must be insane).

The next argument I’ve heard is about how scantily dressed both Shakira and JLo were. In reality, I can’t believe this is actually an argument (has anyone seen Lizzo perform)? If you have a problem with scantily clad performers, blame society, not the NFL halftime show. I don’t recall any outrage over Adam Levine taking his shirt off and parading around last year (or he is just too hot) or complaints about the teeny-tiny outfits worn by any variety of cheerleader at a given event or gasps at the bikinis worn by the bimbos on the Bachelor each week (what is with those girls). Again, if I, at any point in my life, looked like Shakira or JLo, you would be hard pressed to find me wearing clothing, much less a skimpy, yet tailored bodysuit like JLo.

Which brings me to the favorite argument I’ve heard… that the gyrating and ass-grinding was “just too much” for the Super Bowl halftime show and not “family friendly” enough for such a momentous event (collective sigh). There is a simple solution to this… change the damn channel. Where does it say that the halftime show must be family-friendly and for all ages? Who determines what, exactly, is family friendly (I would have watched this with my family if my kids were home). You will never find one thing that will appeal to all ages and I’m okay with that (unless it’s the Wiggles singing “fruit salad” and then we’re in business). If you don’t want your kids watching, turn it off. If you feel uncomfortable watching with your kids, turn it off (it’s what I do any time Donald Trump appears on screen). And, if we’re being honest with ourselves, these same kids probably see a lot worse daily on social media (have you seen what kids watch on YouTube or TikTok)? And, if we want a true “family friendly” Super Bowl event, we should probably do away with all the commercials glorifying beer and alcohol consumption (or are those okay because they make us laugh).

Clearly, people are going to have to agree to disagree on this one. However, if you are more offended by the halftime show than you are by the lies & gaslighting Donald Trump spews on TV every day, then the problem might actually be you, and not the halftime entertainment (couldn’t leave a blog without going political, could I). And, in my humble opinion, using the State of the Union address as a vehicle to award Rush Limbaugh the Medal of Freedom is way more offensive than Shakira or JLo could ever be (SOTU is also shown on prime time TV). For those of you not aware that of what a scumbag Rush Limbaugh is, let me enlighten you with a few of his top hits: “We need segregated buses… This is Obama’s America.”; “Obama is an angry Black guy”; “Let the unskilled jobs that take absolutely no knowledge whatsoever to do — let stupid and unskilled Mexicans do that work; “The NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it.; “Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women access to the mainstream of society.” and “Women still live longer than men because their lives are easier.” (unfortunately, there are 100’s more where this came from).

Sadly, this man and Mother Theresa now share the same award. If this doesn’t offend you, then I don’t know what else to say. I’ll take two strong, beautiful and talented women parading around to entertain us any day over what’s happening in Washington DC. I am proud to live at a time when these women are celebrated for their jaw-dropping accomplishments rather than vilified for unimportant reasons. And, if I ever change my mind, I have a lot left to watch on Netflix. So chill people… chill.