Beyonce raised the bar pretty high last month.
When Joe Flacco and the Ravens held on to beat the San Francisco 49ers during the Super Bowl, many were left thinking "That was one heckuva halftime show."
Just like The Brothers Harbaugh have the next 11 months to come up with an even better repeat performance, so does Roger Goddell and company. Beyonce along with the (temporary) reunited Destiny's Child electrified crowds with her performance and an unflattering pic that will live on the interwebs forever. I was actually in a popular electronics store (that rhymes with Tries) at the time and saw at least least one salesperson doing dance moves and singing along despite how silly he looked.
That's what the NFL wants.
So who could generate the type of buzz that only a Beyonce could? Well, personally, I'd aim for a Kids Incorporated reunion, but there are other groups that would inspire excitement over say...getting me fired as Creative Director.
1. Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake - Before you laugh, keep it mind that it will have been ten years since the boobs that shocked a nation were revealed upon an unsuspecting public during Super Bowl XXXVIII. What would be better than to mark that anniversary with a reunion. People love reunions. Besides, Janet wouldn't show those things at 50, would she? Would she?
2. Rihanna and Chris Brown - Let's face it. After Beyonce, you're going to have to think outside the box...and if that box leads to a straitjacket, so be it. Like it or not, Rihanna and Chris Brown are what the kids are into and advertisers love kids and the money they get from their parents.
3. Justin Bieber - He may going through his fair share of exhaustion and his picture may be on the dartboards of many pubs across the country, but he's popular and talented. If the NFL wants to reach a new demographic--We'll nickname them "girls"--then this would be the perfect way to do it.
4. Jay Z - Call him Hova. Call him anything, but call him one of the biggest names in the music business, while you're at it. Not only would there be a chance to get a possible cameo from wife Beyonce, but the fact of the matter is that he and his associates(Which includes such artists as Kanye West, Justin Timberlake and Swizz Beats) are huge even without Mrs. Carter. Best of all, he's a native New Yorker.
5. The Cast of Glee/American Idol - I'm not fond of either, but the pure trainwreck possibilities are endless. Liquor companies should love it since I can't imagine a guy not seeing that lineup on stage and not getting hammered.
A special guest that hasn't been announced is Mother Nature. No, she's not an act, but a possible winter storm that may hit the New York area, which could complicate matters. Last month, NJ.com reported that the NFL has contingency plans to delay or move up the Super Bowl in the event of inclimate weather. If the above acts are on a tight schedule, backup performers would need to be added..which could bring that Glee vs. American Idol just a bit closer to reality.
Hey, a guy can dream.