The 6 Worst Super Bowl Halftime Shows Ever

Advertising Disclosure: When you buy something by clicking links on our site, we may earn a small commission, but it never affects the products or services we recommend.

Shocked couple watching TV
Prostock-studio / Shutterstock.com

Editor's Note: This story comes from CableTV.com.

CableTV.com recently ran down the six Best Super Bowl halftime shows of the past few decades, so it only seemed fair to weed out some of the worst.

There’s a reason you probably don’t remember these six Big Game debacles.

6. The Blues Brothers, ZZ Top and James Brown (1997)

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers ZZ Top perform at the Beacon Theater in New York City.
Bruce Alan Bennett / Shutterstock.com

Not even the combined powers of Super Bowl XXXI guests ZZ Top and James Brown could overcome the lameness of the Blues Brothers cosplay of Dan Aykroyd, John Goodman, and Jim Belushi.

As a singer and fill-in for his late brother John, Jim makes a decent off-stage cannabis farmer (see: “Growing Belushi” on Discovery).

Watch the video here.

5. Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias and Toni Braxton (2000)

Christina Aguilera on stage for CBS The Early Show Concert with Christina Aguilera, Midtown Manhattan, New York, NY June 9, 2010
Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com

It was one of the rare times when the Super Bowl aired on ABC, so network owner Disney used it to promote the Epcot offshoot “Tapestry of Nations.”

This meant no hits from Phil Collins, Christina Aguilera, Enrique Iglesias, or Toni Braxton, just unfamiliar songs and weird narration by Edward James Olmos.

Watch the video here.

4. Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt and The Judds (1994)

The Judds in concert at Hard Rock Live.
Geoffrey Clowes / Shutterstock.com

They may seem like a natural fit, but country music and the Super Bowl just don’t mix — the 1994 halftime show featuring Clint Black, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, and The Judds proved that, as it was the first and last to twang.

The “Rockin’ Country Sunday” dud was all hat, no cattle, and a waste of fluorescent lights.

Watch the video here.

3. Justin Timberlake (2018)

Justin Timberlake performs during the Rock in Rio 2013 concert on September 15, 2013 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Antonio Scorza / Shutterstock.com

He didn’t invite Janet Jackson back after the 2004 Super Bowl halftime fiasco, so it looked like Justin Timberlake thought he could carry the show himself. Nope.

Aside from a college marching band and a cover song/image projection of hometown Minneapolis hero Prince, JT alone just took the L.

Watch the video here.

2. The Who (2010)

Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend of The Who Headlining Glastonbury Festival's Pyramid Stage
Anthony Mooney / Shutterstock.com

Like ABC, CBS loves corporate network synergy — so why not roll out rock geezers The Who to perform their trio of adapted “CSI” theme songs?

“Who Are You?” (from “CSI”), “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (“CSI: Miami”), and “Baba O’Reilly” (“CSI: NY”) were fine but ultimately upstaged by the sci-fi stage itself.

Watch the video here.

1. Maroon 5, Travis Scott and Big Boi (2019)

Singer Adam Levine from Maroon 5 during a show at Rock in Rio 2017 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
A.PAES / Shutterstock.com

They have more than a few hits, but it’s unlikely you know anyone who’s ever proclaimed “OMG! Maroon 5 is my favorite band!”

Adam Levine and his backup bros went through the motions with all the generic energy of a Coldplay tribute act after being introduced by a seemingly unconvinced Pepsi logo. Did Adam at least get his shirt back?

Watch the video here.

Get smarter with your money!

Want the best money-news and tips to help you make more and spend less? Then sign up for the free Money Talks Newsletter to receive daily updates of personal finance news and advice, delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for our free newsletter today.