JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It was a visually-stimulating, star-studded event watched by more than 110 million people around the world. Even though Madonna headlined Super Bowl Sunday’s halftime show, British hip-hop star, M.I.A., was the talk of the event. And parents around the country are fuming about her flipping the middle finger on network television.
“It's not appropriate, not appropriate at all. It’s primetime and millions are watching,” said mother of two, Jody Severson.
“They're entertainers and their job is to get publicity,” said local attorney and NFL agent, Paul Healy.
Healy says the Super Bowl is a chance for performers to get publicity they couldn't get anywhere else. With millions of viewers, it’s the world’s largest stage.
“Sometimes negative or even bad publicity is the goal because any publicity is good publicity. I did not know who M.I.A. was before but now I know who they are,” said Healy.
The F.C.C. mandates that networks delay their coverage so they can censor live events. That didn't work for NBC on Super Bowl Sunday.
“Make sure the entertainers are more on the conservative, wholesome side of things and that they are not going to do that,” said father Dale Severson.
But Healy says there's really no way for society to draw a morality line when it comes to the Super Bowl. Viewers expect to see the world's top performers.
The F.C.C. has not announced if they will fine NBC for M.I.A.’s obscene gesture.
