Saturday, November 1, 2025

D.L. Gardner: Two Super Bowl Halftime Shows

Why do so many people around the world watch the Super Bowl each year? You’re right! The ads and the halftime show! Only die-hard football fans tune in for the game. And only fans of the two teams really care who does what on the field. Besides, there’s a party going on!

Remember the Apple ad in 1984 that introduced the Macintosh computer to the world? You do if you saw it “live.” Who played the half-time show? For the record that was Super Bowl XVIII and featured a “Salute to the Superstars of the Silver Screen.”

Super Bowl halftime shows weren’t really groundbreaking in the early days. Four out of the first five games featured college marching bands. The games themselves weren’t really big sellers. I remember watching the first Super Bowl in 1967. The Green Bay Packers beat the Kansas City Chiefs. Bart Starr led the Packers to a 35-10 victory. It takes time to build a lasting tradition like the Super Bowl.

The NFL has already announced that Bad Bunny will be the headliner at Super Bowl LX February 8, 2026. No, this is not an ad for Energizer batteries. Bad Bunny’s real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio. He’s a native of Puerto Rico. Bad Bunny is a three-time Grammy winner and reportedly the most streamed artist in the world. That’s “streamed” with an “r” not steamed, though Bunny must be hot among some demographics.

Coincidently Turning Point USA just announced plans for its own Super Bowl halftime show as an alternative to the Bunny show. You may remember Turning Point USA is the conservative organization founded by Charlie Kirk who was assassinated September 10. Charlie’s assassination made him a household name and has energized Turning Point USA in high schools, colleges, and universities across America.

TP-USA is not just a conservative organization that attracts young people politically. Charlie Kirk was also a charismatic Christian who shared the Bible and the gospel liberally at all their rallies. Since the assassination Charlie has become the face of All-American values.

Charlie reached out particularly to Generation Z students. His impact over his too-brief life is likely one of the reasons Gen Z have moved toward Christianity. Gen Z men in particular are attending church more, and Bible sales are increasing among young people.

One of my college students told me his generation is seeking stability and meaning as well as spirituality. They are looking for a sense of belonging and support. The generations just before them had been sinking into depression and loneliness. Some have blamed social media as the primary culprit. Surprisingly TikTok and Instagram have led social media with access to Christian content.

In 2026 the question will be which Super Bowl halftime show will you watch in February? TP-USA is touting their show as “The All-American Halftime Show.” The organization will name performers later. Don’t be fooled. A fake website has already teased the following names: Alan Jackson, George Strait, Trace Adkins, Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, and Willie Nelson. Really?

Charlie’s wife, Erika is producing the show as a tribute to Charlie and good old American values:

faith, freedom, and unity. “Bad Bunny” may have name-appeal, but I’m looking forward to enjoying The All-American Halftime Show and celebrating God’s blessings with friends who love America.

Daniel L. Gardner is a columnist who lives in Starkville, MS. You may contact him at PJandMe2@gmail.com.

Kingfish note: Just.Could.Not.Resist.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Who even watches the NFL anymore, much less the Super Bowl and their lame-ass halftime shows. Their social agenda has turned off millions of fans that don’t want to be preached to. Bad Bunny? I’ll pass on that cross-dressing freak.

Tip O’Neill said...

Roger Goodell is a leftist freak.

Anonymous said...

They could resurrect Elvis, Prince, Michael Jackson and David Bowie for an halftime show and I still wouldn’t watch the stupid bowl. After NFL’s 2020 hate America kneelfest I haven’t watched a single second of professional football.

Anonymous said...

12:18, have you checked the Super Bowl ratings ?

Anonymous said...

This idiot probably doesn’t know that Puerto Ricans are AMERICANS.

Anonymous said...

I could care less if he does it. He does random concerts in PR, just shows up and starts, he did one on top of a gas station on Calle LoĆ­za right down the street from my condo. Some Puerto Ricans don’t care for him or Daddy Yankee they hate Reggaeton and say they’re sell outs. Most Spanish speakers don’t understand him because PR is all slang Spanish, I think most of his supporters are New Yoricans. Super Bowl 2023 they had a packed house at Districto T-Mobile and after the halftime show, everyone left so that should say something about how they feel about football there.

Anonymous said...

So many conservatives are such snowflakes.

Who the hell cares about the halftime show.

Anonymous said...

The expression is COULDN’T care less.

Anonymous said...

The WOKE NFL. No thanks.

Anonymous said...

Never heard of any Bad Bunny. I have, though, heard what the letters “NFL” stand for. Thanks, but no thanks. Hard pass.

Anonymous said...

I think I’m the only person who said I was taking a knee on the NFL over their BLM pandering and still doing it. I could care less about the entire league and haven’t watched a game in years. I also discovered how much time and money I was wasting on that phony rigged crap.

Anonymous said...

On what platform will the TPUSA shown?


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Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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