Exhibit A: Super Bowl XLV. America's no-culture pop culture

First off, unless you're a corporate sponsor, steroid-abusing celebrity athlete, lobbyist, oil baron (or their favorite former president) -- you probably weren't at the actual event. (Though many at Cowboys Stadium watched on TV screens, too... when they bothered to interrupt their drinking and/or smoozing....(If some got to their seats at all....))
As The Onion reminds us (link, new window): Regular football fans? Barely tolerated. (Oh, BTW: The real bottom-line: (link) "Super Bowl sets viewership record". (No-culture pop culture entryway exhibit ; pls. see below for more...))

From yesterday's (2/6/11) New York Times article, "Singing, Aguilera Trips O'er Ramparts", take a look at some of the reader comments below the article. Many cogent ones, but I'll re-copy this one, which sums it up well for me and those who watched the spectacle with me:

"What so proudly we watched at the twilight’s last... REAMING???”

For anyone who would argue that our popular culture isn't completely, utterly unsalvageable, I rest my case."

- from Stretch Ledford, Richmond, VA

No-culture pop culture exhibit #1: For those brave/crazy enough to view it (again), embedding Christina Aguilera's TRAIN WRECK of a national anthem (at Super Bowl XLV, via YouTube, below). A disgrace, and dishonor to America and all Americans. 

As many have pointed out, it was hardly just the messing up of the words, but her painfully drawn out, caterwauling attempt at turning the anthem into some kind of five-minute, R and B "soul" effort.....Just sing the (damn) song properly, as it was intended! The national anthem is not some kind of "showcase" for marginal talent. It ain't about YOU, Christina Whoever-You-Think-You-Are. One thing that you are certainly not: A professional singer...That was made very clear to just about everyone witnessing last night's ordeal. 
(Apologizing afterward does nothing to undo the affront. If the bungled singing was some kind of bizarre "publicity stunt" (or cry for help?) in some way, few are sympathetic.)

As noted: Just all-around AWFUL:

(YT link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqjpesiIoFA&fmt=18 )

For any defenders of this singer and/or that pathetic rendition: Human beings can and do make mistakes. But this is an extremely well-paid, (alleged) professional singer stepping onto the world stage to sing a nation's anthem. I.e., to do (part of) her "job". That sorry attempt wasn't merely a "mistake"....Train wreck. Disaster. A garish one. A professional must perform better than that at such a moment.
(Perhaps she was having a medical problem....Or a possibly a little too much 'medicine' beforehand...??)

Any defenders of that performance and/or the performer, a quotation for you:

"Beware the lollipop of mediocrity; lick it once and you'll suck forever. "
-- Brian Wilson

(Actually it's being much too charitable to refer to Christina's rendition as "mediocre", in any way.... Can anyone imagine a top-notch, professional singer like, for example; Barbra Streisand. Ray Charles, or Aretha Franklin messing up (the national anthem, at a major event) like this woman did..?? ) 

Update: Yes, Christina is entitled to a chance at redemption (she'll get many, link to current story). However, for those indoctrinated via the best - like Aretha - it's not difficult to predict that Christina may do better, but will likely fall short IF she attempts to cover a song by that acclaimed singer. We will see - those who watch the Grammy's anymore. P.S. Barbra Streisand will also perform at them. Perhaps I will watch....  

2/13/11 - Grammy awards show update: (Before starting...Why is the feed for this post disabled at the moment??) The five singers who paid tribute to Aretha Franklin at the show's start did pretty well, we thought. Especially Jennifer Hudson who came closest to sounding a bit like the lady herself. Ms. Aguilera performed better this time out, with songs closer to what she apparently tries to (often) imitate. But there was still too much yelling and drawn-out embellishment in her performance. (An interesting article to read (link): "...The Hideous Cult of Oversouling", by John Eskow.)
Here are links to two early takes that include comments re the Grammy show effort: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110214/ap_en_tv/us_grammys_review
and, http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/gossip/2011/02/aretha-franklin-grammy-awards-christina-aguilera.html 

Christina deserves some credit for promptly getting back out on a big-time stage....(Though she apparently almost fell off of it.)


(Continuing with the previously posted entry here):  No-culture pop culture exhibit 1a: Whoever this LA Times fashion blog writer is decides floundering Christina's outfit is praiseworthy, but bashes the singer who properly performed (though still a bit over-embellished) "America the Beautiful"... about her pants.)


No-culture pop culture exhibit #2: I'll just link to this 2/6/11 NYT article: "The Twitterverse Responds to the Black Eyed Peas' Halftime Show" (No-culture pop culture exhibit 2a: "Twitterverse"....)

Whatever that halftime show was, it wasn't music, nor was it entertaining. (Unless you crave being yelled at/pointed at repeatedly, etc.) Enjoy the various comments reprinted in the linked article. No-culture pop culture exhibit #3: It figures that convicted felon Martha Stewart was the Twitter-er who liked it.....


No-culture pop culture exhibit #4 through infinity: Almost every aired TV commercial last night. (And every night...) Not that this fan of actual football cares one bit. Other than they help destroy any continuity to the actual game....


P.S. As just one retro-example and for a welcome change, try a listen to this former pop star's sweet voice (link). 'Old school': Someone who can actually sing. (She even had nice blonde hair too...)