'Twerking should go up there with the F-bomb': Rihanna Super Bowl FCC complaints are here (2023)

Gather everyone!It's that special time of year again: theFCC claimsabove thatSuper Bowl Halftime ShowI arrived!

Rolling Stonegot the proverbial TV executive's complaints about a Freedom of Information Act request, and you best believe people were mad about itRihannaperformance. In all, the FOIA request returned 103 pages of complaints, and nearly all of them concerned Rihanna — her gyrations, groin tightness, finger sniffing and rude texts. (There were a few exceptions, like the person who complained that announcer Terry Bradshaw "shamed" Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid by "calling him 'Grandão' three times and then 'here ginga' said").

As is often the case, the vast majority of complaints about Rihanna's performance were so outrageous thatwon't-anyone-please-think-of-the-childrenair, insist that theSuper Bowlit's "family friendly" programming and that the National Football League and its broadcast partners should be ashamed of themselves for showing such crap - as if football itself isn't built on itbrain and destroying life Violence. Like Rihanna touched her ass or something a month ago, a player doesn'tI almost died on national televisionaftergo into cardiac arrestafter onehitting in the field.

But we digress. Below is a carefully curated selection of some of our favorites.FCCComplaints about Rihanna (or, as at least two people called her, "Rhiannon"). Some of these comments have been edited for size; absolutelynonehave been edited for spelling, punctuation, or clarity.

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“The sexualization, the grabbing of genitalia, the smell of his fingers, the man taking off his jacket and twirling around while singing lyrics that are very inappropriate for a family sporting event. I will NOT watch next year if you disrespect our nation in this way.”

"Rhianna, spinning and grabbing the butt and crotch is too far for TV. It seems like almost every year performers want to do some version of that in their dance. Please put a stop to it.”

“Also, 4 of the songs she wanted to sing were about sex. This is supposed to be a family show..."

"Constant air hops and the glamor of being a stripper are not kid-friendly at the Super Bowl."

"Very disappointed to allow this to be played on such a big stage. America is better than this.”

“She opened her buttock in the crack. She rubbed her pants where her lips were three times.

"I was floored by Shakira's halftime show. She's pregnant and pumping her pelvis while holding her crotch, and another time she and her backup dancers put their hands in the cracks of their asses and pumped... I'd rather have the malfunction from Janet Jackson's Wardrobe, That Was an Accident for That Shit.

"Can we please do a halftime show where the performer isn't groin grabbing or trying to spank the lead singer? I really don't want to see 30 backup dancers playing cymbals. Eh. Also, Twerking must be maneuvering there up with the F-bomb.

“I only tuned into this play because my wife wanted to see what the halftime show was like (I recorded the game on DVR). And I didn't watch anymore. That was more than enough for me in just 20 seconds of watching... I really hope the NFL moves past the current culture's disastrous view of the future and embraces more virtuosic, family-friendly productions. And if they don't, the FCC will do something about it. Our young people are being bombarded on all fronts with all manner of negativity and vulgarity; You don't need that from America's most popular sport either."

"In 1972, Woody Allen made a filmEverything you ever wanted to know about sex* (*were afraid to ask). Around 1975, this sex comedy was shown at the drive-in theater then located in Russell Co., KY. I never forgot, particularly the white uniforms worn by the sperm characters. Rihanna's halftime show surprised me, to say the least... but the obvious Woody Allen factor did NOT escape me."

"If I went to a place where there were children and did the same movements, I would probably be arrested."

"Halftime show https://genius.com/Rihanna-super-bowl-lvii-halftime-show-lyrics"

"Why do I have to explain to my kids why Rihanna rubs the squat then sniffs her hand during a Super Bowl halftime show?"

"For the most part it was a pretty quiet halftime show and I don't hear Ree Ree but my 15 year old daughter does and I sat with her and enjoyed the show, as did many of her many fans and families of all ages as well. and literally she grabbed her pussy and sniffed her fingers and made a facial gesture at someone I don't know why this wasn't mentioned other than a few memes and Larry Elder also pointed this out.

"If 100 people gyrating and grabbing their buttocks and crotches on the NFL Superbowl (Fox) halftime show on live TV isn't rude, I don't know what is."

"The scratching of my groin and anus and the smell of my fingers make me vomit. The devil sequence was obviously unchristian and therefore inappropriate."

"I'm not a prude nor is Karen but this to me is on top if not behind what Janet and Justin did!!! Is it because she said she's pregnant now?... And FYI - I live in Pa but NOT I have a favorite team. I was just watching the game to enjoy time with my family."

“The show was supposed to have an R/X rating and was NOT suitable for children. How awful that we got to the point where grabbing your genitals and mimicking masturbation is in prime time. The group I was with was completely offended.”

"You have no morals or decency? Same goes for the Grammys every year. It's Sodom and Gomorrah."

“The pornographic depiction of Rihanna and company at the Super Bowl and pornographic devil worship at the Grammys. I don't care what people love, but kids shouldn't be exposed to pornography and as an adult I don't want to see that."

“Very close to pornography. Not only is the star turning, ... These comments could also apply to Sam Smith's Satanic Ritual performance, as well as others at the Grammy Awards show a week ago.

"There is no credible artistic expression associated with the artist fondling Rihanna's genitals and then sniffing her hand during her halftime show at Superbowl 57 ... The lewd act only attracted lewd interest."

"I don't want to see a woman touch herself (more than once) and then lick her fingers. I don't want men (or women) simulating the sexual act (especially pushing a woman). It was disgusting and terrible for families to be exposed without warning .”

"The Super Bowl is for everyone, including kids!!!! She needs to be fined as well as whoever approved this vulgar show!!!!!!"

"I would like an answer on how your agency will protect my family from seeing such vulgar things on TV again."

"That was disgusting and my 7 year old will never ignore an adult performer repeatedly grabbing his crotch and ass. Shame on the NFL."

"Rihanna continued to imitate acts of coming of age, followed by an exaggerated act of sniffing her fingers. This is inappropriate for a live sports broadcast on national television."

"I think even YOU are aware of the lewdness imposed AGAIN on the families who have relied on you AGAIN to protect us from the prevailing lewdness that inexplicably and NECESSARILY finds its way into the Superbowl halftime show... Enjoy." It's nearly impossible to accidentally make the same "mistake" EVERY year you seem to enjoy it, I just assume the degradation of human dignity you continue to "allow" is premeditated and needs to be dealt with in court. Therefore, on behalf of ALL innocent children and their now humiliated mothers, if not all parents, I will seek a public apology and redress in court and am simply writing to inform you of this intent.”

“Pornography on the most watched family show of the year. Makes Janet Jackson's nipple panties look like a teacher.

“It is neither provocative nor artistic. It's all been done before and leaves no deep message other than the sad humiliation of the people who do it. It is offensive and humiliating for the public to see a strip club dancing.”

"We didn't need to see a pregnant woman repeatedly touching her crotch during the performance."

"Singer Rihanna, who conducted the halftime performance, should never have been allowed to appear on the airwaves of the American people... This is outrageous to thousands of families and children watching the Super Bowl. Above all, it is an affront. to the law of God”.

"The music was lewd, as was the way she and her dancer played each other. Each of them should have gone to the bathroom before the start of the program, instead of waiting.

"Her 'fantasy' featured what appeared to be painted breasts. From all angles, it looked like bare, bare breasts colored red. Yes, this color is not her natural skin tone, but the sexuality of the design cannot be denied. .. I am asking for a full investigation and if both are found guilty they should be fined dollars in addition to the highest fine ever imposed by the FCC.

“Over the last four years there have been indecent words, gestures and attire (not) paged. Halftime shows take place during prime time. In this year 2023, children were subjected to repeated groin rubbing and subsequent finger-sniffing/licking of the hand that rubbed a pregnant woman's crutch. How do you explain that to the kids?”

"The Super Bowl is an American tradition and is basically more of a family vacation. I shouldn't have to watch someone rub and sniff their vagina on the show. What's next?"