Janet Jackson's Boob Not Worth $.5 Million

Image from source, Reuters

We had friends over for the Super Bowl in 2004, and were having a beer and chili-fueled good time by the time halftime rolled around. We had recently gotten the HDTV installed on our 55-inch TV, and were marvelling at the picture when--gasp!--something happened.

I didn't know what it was at first, because I was exploring the acreage on the other side of the screen. But a couple of the guests saw what they thought was Janet Jackson's breast. They weren't sure. . .thought she might have had a pasty on. The total discussion of the matter might have lasted ninety seconds. By the end of third quarter, nobody in the room probably would have even remembered the event. . .were it not for the circus that ensued the next day.

Ultimately, CBS was fined around a half a million dollars by the FCC for indecency. For a half-second booby flash. Nobody who watched with me, in fact no one I've ever talked to about it, thought that made any sense. Fortunately, we were not alone.

[Excerpt]

Court overturns CBS fine over Janet Jackson flash

The U.S. government's campaign against television indecency was dealt a blow on Monday when a court overturned a $550,000 fine against CBS Corp television stations for airing a glimpse of pop singer Janet Jackson's breast during the 2004 Super Bowl broadcast. . .

Read more at: Reuters