From the February 16, 2022 issue of The Journal
Super Bowl LVI proved to be a very close, competitive, and entertaining game. Of course, many people tuned in for the halftime show, which (depending on who you believe) was either the best or the worst one ever.
Perhaps even more entertaining than the game or the halftime show were the wide variety of comments about the halftime show.
It was officially described as "a show for the ages".
I think it was a show for the "ages" in a different way. With some exceptions, how much you enjoyed it (or not) depended on your age.
The vast majority of folks in their late 20s to late 30s seemed to agree that it was amazing, with many noting that it took them back to the formative years of their youth. The hip-hop/rap of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, and 50 Cent had the nostalgia flowing like, well, a smoothly delivered rap.
My favorite comment from the internet was: "Everybody born between 1985 and 2000 saw the Super Bowl halftime show lineup and was like 'sweet, instead of doing a show for old people like the Rolling Stones or Paul McCartney or The Who they did one for us young people.' And then 10 seconds later it hit us."
The obvious meaning was that, while still relatively young, the stars of their youth are past their prime (meaning just maybe they are, too).
As one of my Facebook friends put it: "Now all y'all people in the 30-40-year-old range go ahead and call your chiropractor and doctor and tell them you tried to drop it like it was the 99s and 00s for the halftime show and need help now!"
However, if you were born before 1985 or after 2000, you were likely less enthusiastic about the show.
On the younger side, members of "Generation Z" mostly knew the legendary performers, but they simply aren't "their" stars, so their connection wasn't as strong.
On the older side, well, most "Old Fogies" just didn't get it. I would have to mostly include myself in that group. I was familiar with all the performers (especially Eminem due to my son being a fan), but they weren't stars that I tend to identify with.
In that general genre, you'd have to roll out somebody like LL Cool J, Salt-N-Pepa, the Beastie Boys, or Run DMC (wheelchair optional) to get me excited – or convince Will Smith to morph back into DJ Jazzy Jeff for a half hour.
I'm sure the rappers who took up the torch after those guys and gals are very talented, but I simply can't understand half of what they're saying. I guess my old ears can't listen that fast. Or is it that my old brain can't process what my ears hear that fast? I pick up a word here and there, but otherwise I'm as lost as last year's Easter egg.
I guess I've become a Super (Bowl) Old Fogey. Until next time, get off my lawn!