Super Bowl 2012: Madonna Headlines NFL's Geriatric Tour in Halftime Show

The NFL continues to do its part for the economy by providing opportunities to aging musicians.

Since Janet Jackson's unexpected halftime show exposure, the NFL decided the best way to avoid another $550,000 fine from the FCC was to choose performers who could not possibly benefit from showing their nipple (or any other part of their body) on national television.

That trend continues in 2012 as Madonna takes center stage for this year's halftime show. While known for making a spectacle of herself during the prime of her career, Madonna takes a more sedate approach now that she's long since moved "over the hill."

Her fellow halftime luminaries of advanced years include Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones and The Who; The Who looked like reanimated zombies after only a couple minutes on stage.

The only band to perform at halftime even close to their prime were the Black Eyed Peas last year. Every other performer since 2005 ceased being relevant to modern music decades before.

Madonna's selection for this year seems like an attempt to draw more female viewers. Men continue to dominate the Super Bowl viewership, but women can easily be considered a "growth market" for the NFL.

It's the best explanation; being a man, I can't reasonably discern another purpose for putting her on stage at halftime. Madonna's performance is an example of what I like to call "DVR Catchup Time."

Yes, the musicians the NFL hired in recent years are icons; Madonna is no exception. But the NFL needs to start bringing in performers with their best years ahead of them, not behind.