Halftime split

Editor's note: The following text is a transcript of a podcast story. To listen to the story, click on the arrow beneath the headline above.

MYRNA BROWN, HOST: It’s Friday the 6th of February.

Glad to have you along for today’s edition of The World and Everything in It. Good morning, I’m Myrna Brown.

NICK EICHER, HOST: And I’m Nick Eicher.

First up on The World and Everything in It: Controversy before kickoff.

Last fall, organizers announced Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny would headline the Super Bowl halftime show.

The backlash was swift, with critics objecting to everything from language to politics. And it made it all the way to the White House.

TRUMP: I never heard of him, I don’t know who he is, I don’t know why they’re doing it.

BROWN: WORLD’s Emma Eicher looked into the controversy and what’s driving the push for alternative programming.

EMMA EICHER: The frustration surrounding the plans for Bad Bunny to headline, points to a broader tension around the Super Bowl’s cultural identity. Critics claim Bad Bunny is out of step with American football’s core audience and its traditions. 

Here’s TV host Greg Kelly on AccessHollywood:

GREG KELLY: Do you think maybe we should entertain blowing off the NFL like a boycott or something along those lines? This guy does not seem like a unifying entertainer, and a lot of folks don’t even know who he is.

The Super Bowl has long traded on red-white- and blue symbolism—and this year, with the country’s 250th anniversary, the league is leaning into that tradition. Players will wear a “USA 250” patch on their jerseys. And other anniversary tributes include the commemorative coin toss and a time capsule on the field.

It's amid this that Bad Bunny has indicated he plans to perform exclusively in Spanish, while roughly 80% of Americans are English-speakers. He’s also been openly critical of the Trump Administration’s policies. Critics say that political posture—along with his musical style—limits his appeal for football fans.

But backlash against Super Bowl halftime headliners is nothing new: for decades, the NFL has faced criticism over its halftime shows.

Including the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” when Justin Timberlake tore part of Janet Jackson’s outfit in 2004.

AUDIO: [Timberlake and Jackson]

Or when performer M.I.A. made an obscene hand gesture at the cameras in 2012.

In 2020, critics widely panned Jennifer Lopez and Shakira’s performance as too provocative. The performance also featured children in cage-like structures as a visual protest against U.S. immigration policies.

At one point, Shakira sang in Spanish alongside Bad Bunny, who was a guest.

AUDIO: [Shakira with Bad Bunny]

This year is different, because now there’s competition. 

Here’s Turning Point USA spokesman Andrew Kolvet on the Charlie Kirk podcast on Monday.

ANDREW KOLVET: The American people have been underserved … this is gonna be intimate and exciting, high octane, high energy, and it’s gonna be made for TV. It’s just a totally different experience than what you’re gonna get from the other guys.

TPUSA announced its own counter-programming: the All American Halftime Show. The lineup so far features Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett.

All are country artists with conservative political associations—and several have spoken publicly about their Christian faith. 

Details about the schedule and setlist have not been released, other than the Kid Rock promise of “great songs for folks who love America.”

Kolvet says the show won’t include explicitly Christian overtones, but there might be faith-based elements throughout the performance.

KOLVET: If you’re watching the big game and you just want something that the family can enjoy but it’s gonna be excellent and like high octane entertainment … this is where you can go.

TPUSA has recently pulled off large, complex live events on short notice. 

Its year-end AmericaFest was its biggest. The September Charlie Kirk memorial—organized in about 10 days—managed VIP appearance after VIP appearance, and was produced as hours of live television, largely without error.

This weekend’s alternative halftime show will air on several streaming platforms on Super Bowl Sunday.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Emma Eicher.

WORLD Radio transcripts are created on a rush deadline. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of WORLD Radio programming is the audio record.