I think you’re right @thumper1 that the performer is usually someone known to at least a couple generations.
I knew they were going to
Miss that mark with The Weeknd.
I know some of his songs but don’t love them. I thought the skyline props looked like gravestones. That coupled with the masked dancers just gave it all a creepy vibe to me .
I couldn’t tell if it was in the Tampa stadium or recorded. The field definitely didn’t have the same markings as the one they were playing on (at the 50 yard line, the show just had the NFL logo while the game had special superbowl logos).
I recognized the last song. I was not entertained.
I liked it, as did my H, who had never heard of The Weekend. We are really into music, though, and we are open to many different genres.
The creepy masks are a commentary on Hollywood’s obsession with plastic surgery … manipulating the body in search of validation. Deep, I know. It’s not skimpy outfits and booty shaking.
Pandemic or not… Saddest SB ever. Commercials were… not that good. Alaska’s Safety Dance (which we’ve already seen a gazillion times!) was definitely in the top ones. Half time show was underwhelming (should have asked whoever did the Alaska commercial choreograph the show!). The game was bleh. Ugggghhhh!!!
I was thinking, meh, they should have had Lady Gaga again. I’m not a huge fan of The Weekend. I find his music underwhelming. But more than anything, the show just lacked energy.
I turned the sound off part way through the halftime show. This is the first time that I can remember actually turning the sound ON for advertisements.
Agree half time show was not only underwhelming, but I said “ who is he” and “ what’s going on”.
Wiki helped answer, he’s the most famous singer I’ve never heard of,
Among the world’s best-selling music artists, with over 75 million records sold,[11] The Weeknd has won three Grammy Awards, five American Music Awards, nine BillboardMusic Awards, two [MTV Video Music Awards]
(MTV Video Music Awards - Wikipedia), nine Juno Awards, and has been nominated for an Academy Award.[12] He holds several chart records, being the first artist to simultaneously hold the top three positions on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart with “Can’t Feel My Face”, “Earned It”, and “The Hills”. The Weeknd was awarded the Allan Slaight Award by Canada’s Walk of Fame.[13]<
I think he was probably good. I think the production of and the show itself were poor.
We really liked the halftime show, but we are big The Weeknd fans and have been listening to his music for a few years.
I don’t know too much about The Weeknd, but I do like the music. I agree that all the booty shaking and hip thrusting of many other super bowls is really tired and boring. So to me, this show was interesting and I liked the music. But the goal is to entertain a wide range of people of all ages, so yes, it probably did miss the mark.
The only super bowl show I can ever recall enjoying was Katy Perry. It was fun. That’s what a super bowl show should aim for.
I think this was an odd SB to begin with. These are odd times. Most of us are isolating as much as possible, yet they put on a huge sporting event, fans attended, and lots of people got together to celebrate it. Life goes on, I suppose, but it’s a stretch to call it normal.
Not impressed at all and I know a lot of people were confused by the selection of the Weeknd. Not to mention “surprise” guest stars. I can think of many current musical acts that would put on a great show.
My friend made a good point when she said that it would have been nice to have utilized the NFL cheerleaders (if even only the ones whose teams were in the SB) since they were not allowed on the field this year. They could have easily performed with the other masked dancers as the costumes allowed for that. Love them or hate them, it was something they could have considered.
I think The Weekend was not a generation spanning star and was not recognizable enough to carry the halftime show alone. Unfortunately it’s a pandemic and having other performances was not viable. And the sound quality was not good.
I suspect many did what we did. Look on with interest, have no idea if The Weekend was a person or a band. The first 2 songs weren’t familiar or particularly compelling. Then we scrolled on our devices or got up and did something else.
I thought that the anthem was amazing, wish that the halftime show could have done something to mash up two genres. And Amanda Gorman looked great and her poetry was spectacular.
Look up Prince from like 2007!
I can think of more than a dozen wonderful performers who could have captivated an audience for more than 13 minutes by doing a solo show.
I am sooo glad you said that. We actually have a home theater and I thought my equipment was going out or I blew a speaker… My daughter was like “This sounds horrible”… I didn’t mind what he did and he’s talented but just not into his music.
Disappointing halftime show. I enjoy The Weeknd’s music, but sound quality was poor and the whole production felt dark and dystopic. Perhaps the symbolism was intentional given the current sociopolitical climate. Honestly, I think they just did a bad job. Sorry, but it’s a no from me.
I just watched Prince’s super bowl show. I love Prince. He was such a great talent. But I honestly am not wowed by that performance. It’s a guy with a guitar. I like the mass choreographed dancing and cool lights. I guess I like theater!
Absolutely, but the Weekend was not one of them. It was a poor choice of a headliner when he had to perform on his own catalog
I’ll just pretend I didn’t read this… Lol 
