Super Bowl Halftime Show 2012: Madonna's Performance Will Be Huge Disappointment

When Madonna was announced as this year's Super Bowl halftime show performer, those with fond memories of her from the 1980s were probably stoked, but the rest of us couldn't help but think that the NFL could have done better.

I fully understand that Madonna is a pop icon, but her time has already come and gone. At the age of 53, I can't help but feel like she is doing anything she possibly can to stay in the spotlight.

Her strange relationship with New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez was one example of that, and this is yet another.

Madonna has never had the opportunity to perform at halftime of a Super Bowl during her illustrious career, so in one respect you could say that she is deserving. At the same time, though, Madonna isn't a sign of the times currently like she was 25 or 30 years ago.

Her performance might be nostalgic for people in their 40s, but what about for everyone else? I have to admit that Madonna is obviously in great shape for her age, but does anybody really want to see a 53-year-old woman in fishnet stockings gyrating on a stage?

I can't speak for everyone, but I know that I certainly don't. Ever since the Janet Jackson debacle in 2004, it seems like the NFL has generally gone the safe route by sticking with older performers. Madonna, Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones, Prince, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen and The Who all fit that profile.

They went a bit more contemporary last year with the Black Eyed Peas, but there wasn't much of a risk there. Compared to all the other acts since Jackson, Madonna may be the most risque, but ultimately she is just somebody who is trying to relive the glory years at this point.

I'm not saying that older artists shouldn't be allowed to perform at halftime of the Super Bowl. Some of the shows have been very good over the past few years, but Madonna isn't a good fit. It's safe to say that the biggest part of her act was always sex appeal, but at her age, it's time to get away from that.

Newer music can be awful at times, so I can appreciate what the NFL is trying to do in terms of appealing to an older demographic. With that said, it's probably time to get a bit more modern.

Maybe Madonna will shock us all and put on a performance for the ages, but if people are expecting the iconic performer they saw throughout the '80s, they are likely to be sorely disappointed.