The Super Bowl is unlike any other major championship event in that the game transcends sports and is a true spectacle in every sense of the word. People fly in from all over the world for the Big Game and with that the expect to be entertained throughout the evening. This is why there has been such a big emphasis placed on the halftime show over the years. It is all part of the experience.
That said, just because a lot of planning and resources go into creating a jaw-dropping show, doesn’t mean that the viewers always go home satisfied. In fact, we have seen some pretty brutal renditions over the years. Let’s take a look back and compare five of the worst Super Bowl halftime shows of all-time to five of the best!
BEST – The Weeknd (Super Bowl LV, 2021)
The Weeknd’s halftime show at Super Bowl LV stands out as one of the most innovative and captivating performances in the event’s storied history. Say what you will about the man formerly known as Abel Tesfaye’s artistic vision, but you have to give him credit for putting up $7 million of his own money to bring that image to life. The Weeknd transformed the Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, into a mesmerizing visual and auditory experience that aligned with the narrative progression of his recent “After Hours” album and persona.
The performance also broke new ground by using the entire stadium as a stage, expanding the space in a way that had rarely been attempted let alone done well before. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, The Weeknd delivered a show that was technically astounding, deeply personal, and objectively entertaining, making it stand out in the history of best Super Bowl halftime performances.
WORST – Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, and Toni Braxton (Super Bowl XXXIV, 2000)
There was a lot of anticipation and excitement heading into the Super Bowl XXXIV halftime show due to its star-studded cast. It was initially billed as the “Tapestry of Nations,” a nod to the diverse selection of performers, but the halftime show was ultimately viewed as a flop. The organizers and performers alike were criticized for being overly ambitious with the production, as the mishmash of artists and styles failed to create a cohesive performance, and the forced attempt to weave a narrative about global unity in was seen as inorganic and did not land.
Click on ‘Follow Us’ and get notified of the most viral NFL stories via Google! Follow Us
BEST – Prince (Super Bowl XLI, 2007)
Prince will always be remembered for his epic showing at the Super Bowl in 2007, so much so that his performance is generally regarded as the gold standard for he halftime show. Granted, he had a little bit of help from mother nature who added the special effects of torrential down pour to complement his iconic “Purple Rain” track, but he still deserves the credit for being able to execute amid all that chaos. Prince ran through a number of his hits and added on some impactful covers and the halftime show was almost universally beloved.
WORST – New Kids on the Block (Super Bowl XXV, 1991)
Attempts at innovation are not always successful and the halftime show at Super Bowl XXV is a perfect example of that. This was one of the first attempts to modernize the Super Bowl halftime show with a contemporary pop act, but it is now clear looking back that they had no idea what they were doing try to piecemeal this show together. The show had a bizarre focus on Disney songs and lacked the energy needed to really deliver on an event of this magnitude. All in all, the New Kids on the Block left viewers feeling like they watched some bizarro-world children’s TV special rather than a blockbuster halftime event.
BEST – U2 (Super Bowl XXXVI, 2002)
U2 had its work cut out for them performing at the Super Bowl in 2002, which came in the wake of the September 11 attacks. The good news, however, is that U2 was able to create a halftime show and experience that delivered on multiple accounts. One aspect that stood out to viewers was Bono’s performance of “Where the Streets Have No Name” against a backdrop of victims’ names was poignant and resonated deeply with the American public, making it one of the most impactful halftime shows. The show was a powerful and moving tribute to the victims, not to mention musically impressive.
WORST – The Who (Super Bowl XLIV, 2010)
While The Who are undeniably rock and roll legends, their halftime performance received mixed reviews—that, honestly, skewed towards negative more so than anything else. Most critics pointed out that the band’s energy seemed lacking, and the sound quality did not do their iconic songs justice, which, considering the age of the musicians should’ve been an obvious concern when The Who were being evaluated for the show. Halftime shows, like politics, are best enjoyed with our geriatrics at the focal point.
BEST – Michael Jackson (Super Bowl XXVII, 1993)
Leave it to the King of Pop to be the guy that essentially reinvented what it means to perform at halftime during the Super Bowl. Michael Jackson’s halftime show in 1993 was a seminal moment for Super Bowl entertainment. He ran through a scorching hot setlist featuring “Billie Jean,” “Black or White,” and a children’s choir for “Heal the World,” and delivered an electrifying performance that made halftime shows the must-see event that they are today.
WORST – Patti LaBelle (Super Bowl XXIX, 1995)
It is hard to make an event more commercialized than the Super Bowl already is, but that is exactly what organizers did ahead of the XXIX halftime show. The choice to feature Patti LaBelle was fine, but they decided to jump the shark a little bit and themed the entire event around “Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye,” a large blockbuster movie of the time.
This concept was ambitious to say the least, as trying to blend movie promotion, a musical performance, and the Super Bowl, proved to be too challenging of a task. The result was a disjointed and confusing show that flopped despite LaBelle’s undeniable vocal talent
BEST – Lady Gaga (Super Bowl LI, 2017)
Lady Gaga’s halftime show was an impressive trip through her best hits, but also, widely recognized for the impressive theatrics, and athleticism that she put on display. After all, the show did kick off with an insane leap from the stadium roof, then Gaga delivered a non-stop performance that included “Poker Face,” “Born This Way,” and “Bad Romance.”
Between the stunning vocals, the intense choreography, and the undeniably stylistic choices, Lady Gaga’s halftime will forever be regarded as one of the best we’ve seen.
WORST – Maroon 5, Super Bowl LIII (2019)
Maroon 5’s performance at Super Bowl LIII faced considerable backlash both before and after the show. Much of this was out of the band’s control, as much of the controversy surrounded the NFL itself rather than anything that Maroon 5 was doing right or wrong. But because the NFL was at the middle of a firestorm, there were calls for artists to boycott the halftime show, so people were quick to criticize Maroon 5’s for even performing in the first place.
The show itself was mediocre at best though anyway. The guest appearances by Travis Scott and Big Boi didn’t make a ton of sense and it just wasn’t Adam Levine’s best performance. Fans and media members alike pointed out that the show failed to deliver the kind of memorable moments expected from Super Bowl halftime shows, and it will forever go down as one of the worst halftime performances of all-time.
