"The fact that the left had the massive party with the celebrity cameos helps the MAGA fiction that they are not, in fact, the regime in power, but instead a stalwart group of rebels under siege by a hostile liberal world." This is such a great point. I'm so sick of their victim mentality.
FWIW my 80+-year-old (white, non-Spanish-speaking) parents loved Bad Bunny and watched the halftime show twice! They were even looking up explanations of some of the visual symbolism. I wonder if the fact that the game itself was so boring helped make BB stand out even more.
Man, that was a pretty dull game, wasn't it? You know what major event on Saturday wasn't boring, though, Sue? I'll give you a hint, it involved a firefighting dansband!
All of this. More joy, more gatherings, more learning about each other and our culture and history and lived experiences. I will admit that I was avidly watching the game as a former Seattleite and a HUGE fangirl of Jody Allen, who is the only woman owner of an NFL team and who is unapologetically someone who supports diversity and equity (and who, sadly is being forced to sell the team because of NFL rules), but the halftime show was so gorgeous and nuanced and layered and I just know that something rooted in joy and love is always going to be more fun than something rooted in fear and anger.
I actually had no idea about Jody Allen's story, but I was definitely rooting for the Seahawks and have really enjoyed the Seattleites celebrating in the streets videos.
Nuance is hard, isn't it? Corporate sponsorship, the NFL, football in general (CTE and tribalism, anyone?) I appreciate your take on BB's halftime show, its hopeful message and imagery. And dancing, don't forget dancing!
"We actually gain very little when we call them losers with microscopic crowds and D-list celebrities."
I don't pay much attention to Kid Rock, but I do pay a lot of attention to Brantley Gilbert, who has horrible, horrible politics, but a tremendous musical talent (and is easy on the eyes). I sighed when I saw him on the lineup for that counter-half time show. Of course he'd do that. But when I reach for country music, he's still one of my standard go-tos.
He's got a really good voice! And yeah, all four of the artists who performed have some clear talent (believe it or not, although I've got miles and miles of critique for Kid Rock, I also get what he was doing on those early albums and why it was successful)-- I'm not sure what's worse, the idea that they decided to go this path out of craven careerism or bc they're true believers. A bummer either way.
"The fact that the left had the massive party with the celebrity cameos helps the MAGA fiction that they are not, in fact, the regime in power, but instead a stalwart group of rebels under siege by a hostile liberal world." This is such a great point. I'm so sick of their victim mentality.
FWIW my 80+-year-old (white, non-Spanish-speaking) parents loved Bad Bunny and watched the halftime show twice! They were even looking up explanations of some of the visual symbolism. I wonder if the fact that the game itself was so boring helped make BB stand out even more.
Man, that was a pretty dull game, wasn't it? You know what major event on Saturday wasn't boring, though, Sue? I'll give you a hint, it involved a firefighting dansband!
Melodifestivalen is MY Super Bowl!
Oh I know!!
All of this. More joy, more gatherings, more learning about each other and our culture and history and lived experiences. I will admit that I was avidly watching the game as a former Seattleite and a HUGE fangirl of Jody Allen, who is the only woman owner of an NFL team and who is unapologetically someone who supports diversity and equity (and who, sadly is being forced to sell the team because of NFL rules), but the halftime show was so gorgeous and nuanced and layered and I just know that something rooted in joy and love is always going to be more fun than something rooted in fear and anger.
I actually had no idea about Jody Allen's story, but I was definitely rooting for the Seahawks and have really enjoyed the Seattleites celebrating in the streets videos.
Wow this is so beautiful, thank you so much for this.
❤️❤️
Nuance is hard, isn't it? Corporate sponsorship, the NFL, football in general (CTE and tribalism, anyone?) I appreciate your take on BB's halftime show, its hopeful message and imagery. And dancing, don't forget dancing!
A real "many things can be true at once" situation!
Garrett when you name dropped noname were you thinking about her song about the Super Bowl?
100%
"We actually gain very little when we call them losers with microscopic crowds and D-list celebrities."
I don't pay much attention to Kid Rock, but I do pay a lot of attention to Brantley Gilbert, who has horrible, horrible politics, but a tremendous musical talent (and is easy on the eyes). I sighed when I saw him on the lineup for that counter-half time show. Of course he'd do that. But when I reach for country music, he's still one of my standard go-tos.
He's got a really good voice! And yeah, all four of the artists who performed have some clear talent (believe it or not, although I've got miles and miles of critique for Kid Rock, I also get what he was doing on those early albums and why it was successful)-- I'm not sure what's worse, the idea that they decided to go this path out of craven careerism or bc they're true believers. A bummer either way.
His songwriting and arranging are pure craft. He's definitely got AN EAR.
But in his case, I'd bet the farm on him being a true believer in this instance.