Veteran pop star Madonna is notorious for incorporating controversial or suggestive imagery and choreography into her performances. But her recent Super Bowl Halftime Show appearance showcased a more mature Queen of Pop.
She performed less elaborate dance moves and didn’t show skin, prompting some to say that she’s finally acting her age. But the 53-year-old artist nonetheless brought the house down with her rousing, 12-minute mini-concert.
At Dillingers Greenbelt 3, SkyCable held an exclusive, live viewing of the event for sports and pop music fans. As early as 7 a.m. the bar-resto was packed, the crowd consisting of American and Filipino football aficionados and some Halftime-anticipating guests, who caught the airing via the SkyCable-exclusive channel All Sports Network (ASN).
About an hour and a half into the show, Madonna made her grand entrance at the Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Seated on a golden throne and looking very much like an amalgamation of a Viking goddess and cartoon heroine She-Ra, she kicked off her act with her 1990 hit “Vogue.”
She lip-synched, but dazzled viewers didn’t seem to mind, perhaps already used to the practice of prerecording vocals for complicated concert performances. A collective gasp was heard when the pop icon almost fell off a bleacher set during her rendition of “Music,” but she regained her footing quickly and continued as if nothing happened.
Accompanied by dancers dressed mostly in similarly outlandish costumes, Madonna soon segued into her guest LMFAO’s songs, getting somewhat wacky while performing “Sexy and I Know It” with the pop-dance duo.
Other guests included hip-hop artists Nicki Minaj and the controversial M.I.A., who made an obscene gesture while rapping. The pair and the backup dancers looked like ancient, Egypt-inspired cheerleaders during Madonna’s performance of “Give Me All Your Luvin’,” the first single off her latest album “MDNA.”
R&B singer Cee Lo Green, accompanied by a marching band, joined the aptly called Mother of Reinvention for a mashup of “Open Your Heart” and “Express Yourself.” Green, together with a gospel choir, also sang with Madonna in “Like a Prayer.” She soon “vanished” off the stage in a burst of smoke and into a trapdoor, leaving enthralled viewers wanting more.
An estimated 117.8 million viewers reportedly tuned in for the Halftime show, the largest number in Super Bowl history.
‘Dinosaur Revolution’
This February, the four-part “Dinosaur Revolution” combines the artistic and storytelling talents of the world’s most renowned dinosaur illustrators with up-to-date discoveries about the prehistoric creature, its culture and behavior. It premieres on Discovery Channel every Wednesday at 11 p.m. starting February 22. Encores Thursdays at 4 p.m. and Sundays at 8 p.m.
‘Live from the Red Carpet’
Join E!’s Ryan Seacrest and Giuliana Rancic as they go “Live from the Red Carpet” in some of the world’s most prestigious awards shows:
On February 12, 1:15 a.m., visit the Royal Opera House in London’s Covent Garden at the 2012 Orange British Academy Film Awards, which rewards the best work of any nationality seen on British cinema screens.
Then on February 13, jet over to Los Angeles for the 54th Grammy Awards starting at 6 a.m. Adele, Foo Fighters, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Rihanna battle it out for the highly coveted album of the year honors.
Finally on February 27, 7 a.m., the 84th Academy Awards unfolds, as it rewards the previous year’s greatest cinema achievements.
E! is available to SkyCable Gold and Silver digital subscribers on channel 57.