I’m not sure what peoples’ pathological need to tear into Madonna is.  And while I’ve succumbed to the occasional anti-Madonna sentiment or two over the years; after (what I consider to be) her bravura performance at Bridgestone’s Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show, I’ve returned, once more, to the camp of the woman whose greatest talents, perhaps, are the deft ways in which she manipulates shameless self-promotion and reinvention.

So let’s breakdown what has become the most hotly contested issue on the Internet – how she did on the Halftime Show at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium.  Mixing Norse, Egyptian and Roman themes (with a Greek key running across the top of the stage), the show was produced by Madonna’s longtime music director, Stuart Price (known to fans of electronic music as Les Rythmes Digitales, Paper Faces, and Jacques Lu Cont – and a frequent collaborator with A-list acts such as Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys, The Killers, New Order, Missy Elliott, Brandon Flowers, Seal, Gwen Stefani, and Scissor Sisters).  The five-act/eight-song set-list included “Vogue” (as a solo), “Music” / “Party Rock Anthem” / “Sexy and I Know It” (with LMFAO’s RedFoo and SkyBlu – the latter of whom was decked-out in a pair of million dollar diamond headphones by Beats by Dre that seriously redefine the concept of “bling”), “Give Me All Your Luvin’” (with Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.), “Open Your Heart” / “Express Yourself” (with Cee Lo Green), and – after an impressively speedy wardrobe change – a rendition of “Like a Prayer” (also with Cee Lo Green) that must have inspired more than one Pepsi shareholder to kick himself.

First, there is no doubt that while she was joined on-stage by some fabulously talented performers, but the buck started and stopped with Ms. Ciccone.  I mean, the drumlines from Avon, Center Grove, Fishers, and Franklin High Schools were terrific, the Cirque du Soleil guy flipping on the tightrope was great, Southern University's Dancing Dolls were delightful, and there are few things in life I adore more than a fabulous gospel choir – but, let’s face it, they were all window-dressing.  Likewise, the nearly 20cts of Bulgari diamonds dangling from her ears were dazzling; the cape, dress and coat by Riccardo Tisci for Givenchy Couture were something out of a dream; the over-the-thigh high-heeled boots by Miu Miu were fierce; and Philip Treacy's headpiece was simply beyond - but again, they were all adornment (spectacularly fabulous adornment - but adornment, all the same).

Next, it is important to keep in mind that everything (and I mean everything) done by Madonna is done with complete contrivance.  She’s a savvy businessperson, in the business of Madonna.  So when people complain (as they are, all over the Internet) that much of her performance was to promote her new album, MDNA, the only thing I can say is “Duh!”  Why else would she do it?  Shits and giggles?  Not very likely…  Meanwhile, I certainly don’t recall any snide remarks about Bruce Springsteen’s 2009 performance at Super Bowl XLIII; that just so happened to come a mere two short weeks after the release of his Working on a Dream album.  Lucky timing?  I think not.

Also, no one – absolutely no one – is better at appropriating pop-cultural iconography and motifs, then refashioning them to her best advantage to maintain and propel her relevance on the pop-cult landscape (see drag balls, Goth fashion, peep-shows, Che Guevara, Fritz Lange’s Metropolis, and – most iconic of all – Marilyn Monroe).  So why then, wouldn’t she appear like Cleopatra channeling a Roman gladiatrix, and perform alongside some of today’s hippest and incontrovertibly relevant entertainers?  It’s show business, folks.  You don’t need to like it, but please – do us all a favor, and don’t pretend not to get it.

Finally, for all the people pissing and moaning about lip-synching; who cares?  Weren’t you entertained?  Didn’t she dance and spin and gyrate – and all in one fierce-assed pair of high-heeled boots?  Yes, yes, and again, yes.  I, for one, would certainly prefer hearing her singing over a pre-recorded track than listen to someone gasping for air.

So if you’re the individual named the “World’s Top-selling Female Artist of All Time” (Guinness World Records) and are number two on Billboard’s “Hot 100 All–Time Top Artist” ranking (second only to The Beatles – making you the number one solo artist) – what do you do when the haters hate on you?  You take the well-deserved $120 million you were paid by Live Nation in 2007, and you laugh all the way to the bank.  That’s what.

Madonna
Bridgestone Super Bowl XLVI Halftime Show
Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, IN
Sunday, February 5th (NBC)

Get into it!

[Want more Madonna?  Open your heart (and your wallet) with Silent Auction Item #18-E at the Ali 70/Power of Love gala to benefit Keep Memory Alive, later this month.  The winner will receive four tickets, in the first four rows, of Madonna’s October 12th concert, at the world-famous MGM Grand Garden Arena.  Get into that groove, y’all!]