The Weekly Media Monitor 02.12.04: Kid Tested, FCC Disapproved

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Music/Television News Update: Justin Timberlake’s Grammy Appearance Sparks White-Hot Debate Among Urban Communities

In the media:

Rafer Guzman of Newsday examines the backlash that Justin Timberlake has been receiving from the urban community for distancing himself from the Janet Jackson incident while “pretending” to still be down with the “hip-pop” culture:

“It started as a controversy over exposed skin. Now the focus is on skin color.

When Justin Timberlake ripped away Janet Jackson’s bra cup to reveal her right breast during CBS’ broadcast of last week’s Super Bowl halftime show, they sparked a public- relations disaster that drew the ire of CBS, the NFL and even the FCC. In the days following, both singers issued public apologies – but with very different results.

While Jackson shouldered most of the responsibility for the incident, Timberlake distanced himself from it, painting himself as a victim. Now Timberlake is under fire from urban radio stations that feel he betrayed not only Jackson but, in a sense, the entire urban-music community he’s worked so hard to emulate.

“It doesn’t take a genius to notice that he pays homage to a lot of African-American singing greats,” says Miss Info, a morning-show host on the hip-hop station “Hot 97” (WQHT/97.1 FM). Many callers “feel like he’s been accepted by a multicultural audience, and they want him to stand by his multicultural musical coworkers.”

Initially, Jackson and Timberlake benefited from the Super Bowl stunt, which became a popular topic in newscasts, late- night monologues and water-cooler conversation. Jackson’s new single “Just a Little While” was released to radio stations the day after the Super Bowl and became a hotly requested song. “That was fun,” Timberlake said in a television interview immediately after the performance. “We love giving you something to talk about.”

But as criticism grew and the FCC announced it would launch an investigation, Timberlake changed his tune, blaming the incident on a “wardrobe malfunction” and apologizing for any offense. Jackson went even further, claiming responsibility for the maneuver.

What has angered many black music fans is that Timberlake then seemed to turn his back on Jackson. In an interview with a CBS television station in Los Angeles, Timberlake claimed he was “completely shocked and appalled” by her partial nudity. He also described himself as a successful artist who’s above such stunts. “I’ve had a good year,” he said. “I don’t feel I need publicity like this.”

Those statements raised issues of Timberlake’s loyalty to Jackson and to black music as a whole. A former crooner in a boy band, Timberlake has essentially used R&B music to gain credibility as a solo artist, says Erik Parker, music editor at the urban-music magazine Vibe. From his Michael Jackson-esque vocals to the records he’s made with musicians such as Nelly, Brian McKnight and the Neptunes, Timberlake has ingratiated himself with an audience that often regards blue-eyed soul with suspicion.

“When that audience feels betrayed or exploited, there’s going to be some type of repercussions,” Parker says. Consciously or not, Timberlake is “abusing his white privilege.”

At urban radio stations, callers have been irate. “They’re mad at Justin,” says Wendy Williams, a nationally syndicated radio host based in New York, whose show airs on WBLS/107.5 FM. “They’ll support Janet, but they’ll look at Justin and say, ‘Your ghetto pass has been revoked. You’re no longer an honorary brother.'”

It didn’t help that Jackson’s planned performance on CBS’ Grammy awards broadcast Sunday night was canceled, while Timberlake’s went forward. (He also collected two Grammys.) In fact, CBS asked both artists to apologize at the ceremony before they would be allowed to perform, and Timberlake did so. Jackson declined to attend. Still, the perception has been one of unequal treatment.

“I did a poll about whether if Janet was to be barred, should Justin be barred also, and the resounding answer was yes,” says Ed Lover, a morning show host on “Power 105” (WWPR/105.1 FM). “My audience thinks there’s some racism involved there.”

Timberlake triumphed at the Grammy ceremony during his duet with trumpeter Arturo Sandoval, pushing aside the controversy and forging ahead with his song “Señorita.” The number proved that he was adept at not only R&B but Latin-inflected jazz.

“Our audiences are very savvy and critical, but they’re also forgiving,” Miss Info says. “If he can stand the heat, he’ll be able to come back into the kitchen.”

Credit: Newsday

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Chris’ Commentary:

Justin Timberlake is toeing a very fine line right now with urban music listeners around the country. Although Justin has received both critical accolades and fan acclaim for his first Michael Jackson-esque solo release, he has angered fans and critics alike for mishandling the aftermath of the pseudo-controversial Janet Jackson Super Bowl half-time performance. In fact, all Justin has to do now is embark on a torrid love affair with Tito, and he’ll hit the undesirable Jackson Family Tri-Fecta.

I do feel that Justin’s case was not helped by three related factors: 1) the Grammy officials’ decision to pull Janet off the show completely, only to re-invite her to the show if she apologizes for the umpteenth time; 2) Janet’s (rightful) decision to not attend the ceremony despite her last-minute reinstatement; 3) Justin’s conspicuous presence at the show.

Not only did Justin win two Grammy awards, he was involved in two collaborative performances that served as a striking contrast to Janet’s week of apparent exile. Whether she actually made the decision not to attend or was forced off out of the proceedings, many people have a valid argument on their hands when it comes to the choice Justin made to cut himself away from the situation completely. The above Newsday article highlights Justin’s selfishness by featuring two contrasting pairs of comments he made about the performance.

First, right after the half-time show, he was quoted as saying, “That was fun,” and “We love giving you [the media] something to talk about.” Then, when the pressure became too much for him to bear, Justin said he’s “above” such a publicity stunt and that he was “shocked” and “appalled” by such actions.

There is a tidbit of irony in the fact that Outkast secured the Grammy for Album of the Year last Sunday night. After all, one of the group’s previous hit songs contains the lyric, “I’m sorry Miss Jackson.”

It’s a line that must have run through Justin Timberlake’s mind over and over throughout the past two weeks.

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The 411: Writers’ Plugs and Media Mega-links

Here are my 411 mania picks of the week:

411 black zone: Monday Morning Black Cloud: Grut looks at Democratic presidential frontrunner John Kerry. Oh, and he doesn’t give a shit about any Grammy winners!

411 wrestling zone: Till My Head Falls Off: Matthew Michaels tries to emulate his brother’s prowess as a pro wrestling analyst. Two cheers for familial nepotism!

411 music zone: The Strokes Review: My boy Toe is just enough of a music elitist to pull off his latest album review. Hey, not bad for a Certified Public Accountant!

411 figures zone: PK’s McFarlane SportsPicks Pictorial Preview: I am always a sucker for alliteration.

411 games zone: The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Video Games: Misha’s latest import from Britain features snippets of a fascinating interview with gaming legend Shigeru Miyamoto, who helped design the Zelda series for Nintendo.

411 comics zone: The Web of Tragedy: Jim Lemoine offers commentary regarding Spiderman’s true identity.

411 movies zone: Ask 411Movies: Anything with Rip Torn in the teaser must be worth checking out! Just ask 411 movie columnist Leonard Hayhurst, whose latest can be accessed above.

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And my media mega-link of the week is

“Weird” Al Yankovic’s Official Web site!.

In honor of Weird Al’s Grammy award win for Best Comedy Recording, I am pointing you to his official Web site. His 2003 release, “Poodle Hat,” contains some of the best pop and hip-hop parodies Al has ever done.

My personal favorites are “Couch Potato,” a parody of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself,” and “Genius in France,” a style parody of every Frank Zappa song ever released. There are also memorable parodies of Avril Lavigne, Nelly, and “The Angry White Boy Polka,” which “polkas” fun at The Vines, The White Stripes, The Strokes, Papa Roach, P.O.D., Kid Rock, Eminem, Limp Bizkit, and more.

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Don’t forget to email me at chris411wrestling@yahoo.com to discuss any news or notes from the zany worlds of popular culture or pro wrestling.

That’s all for now Peace.

Chris Biscuiti (a.k.a. William Hung)

Chris Biscuiti prefers scrambled pornography to Olivia Newton-John movies.

CB is an Editor for Pulse Wrestling and an original member of the Inside Pulse writing team covering the spectrum of pop culture including pro wrestling, sports, movies, music, radio and television.