Prince. Beyoncé. U2. Lady Gaga. Some of the biggest names in music have performed in the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Let’s face it, though: not every performance is a momentous occasion. There have been some genuinely strange, surprising, and downright contentious halftime performances over the years that have left fans baffled or talking for weeks. Here are a few of the most outrageous Super Bowl halftime moments, ranging from bizarre musician selections to memorable accidents.
ABC ignores the New Kids on the Block
For the first couple of decades, the Halftime Show was dominated by performance groups like Up With People and marching bands. The 1990s saw the beginning of the contemporary era of halftime shows, with most people citing Michael Jackson’s 1993 performance as the catalyst. But MJ wasn’t the first pop star to compete in the Super Bowl. A Disney-themed show with hundreds of local kids was closed out by the boy band New Kids on the Block in 1991. No one at home was able to watch it live, though (watch it on YouTube). Instead of airing the halftime show as it happened, ABC chose to film a special story about the Gulf War.
The Frosty Flop: Super Bowl 1992’s Icy Halftime Show
The 1992 Super Bowl Halftime Show in Minneapolis went all in on a winter wonderland theme, but the result was more confusing than magical. Picture this: a Frosty the Snowman rap, kids breakdancing in snowflake costumes, figure skaters Brian Boitano and Dorothy Hamill, ballroom dancers, the University of Minnesota marching band, members of the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” hockey team, and even rollerbladers (because, well, it was the ’90s). Despite Gloria Estefan’s star power, viewers weren’t feeling the chilly chaos. Many actually switched over to Fox’s In Living Color instead. The lukewarm response made the NFL rethink its approach—leading to Michael Jackson’s game-changing performance the next year.
Indiana Jones Takes the Super Bowl (Without Harrison Ford)
For the 1995 Super Bowl Halftime Show, Disney took over to promote its new Indiana Jones attraction at Disneyland. But instead of Harrison Ford, audiences got stunt performers parachuting onto the field as Indy and Marion Ravenwood in a bizarre quest to rescue the Lombardi Trophy. As if that wasn’t strange enough, the show also featured Patti LaBelle and Tony Bennett, because… why not? The whole spectacle was a mix of action, music, and theme park advertising at its finest (or weirdest). If you’re curious, you can watch it online and check out Bleacher Report’s deep dive into how this wild halftime show came to be.
The “Nipplegate” in 2004
The Super Bowl Halftime Show has had its fair share of controversy, but nothing compares to “Nipplegate” in 2004. During a duet with Janet Jackson, Justin Timberlake pulled off part of her outfit, exposing her breasts on live TV. The moment shocked the nation, leading to over 500,000 FCC complaints and a massive media frenzy. While Jackson faced a backlash that hurt her career while Timberlake escaped largely untouched. The fallout was so intense that it changed live TV regulations forever. Even years later, no halftime show controversy has come close—though performances by Shakira, J.Lo, and others still spark debate.
M.I.A.’s Middle Finger Moment
The 2012 Super Bowl Halftime Show had its share of drama when M.I.A. joined Madonna on stage. Instead of just performing, the “Paper Planes” rapper threw up a middle finger at the camera, instantly stirring controversy. While viewers didn’t flood the FCC with complaints, the NFL wasn’t amused. They sued M.I.A., claiming she violated her contract. After a legal battle, she settled with the league in 2014, paying an undisclosed amount. Though not as infamous as “Nipplegate,” this moment proved that even a quick gesture can make halftime history.