Exigency; an urgent need for
change. When I think back on the
events that have led to an audience to call for change, one incident stands out
in particular—the infamous Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction of Super Bowl
XXXVIII.
Jackson’s risqué halftime
performance with former lead singer of N’Sync Justin Timberlake included
scantily clad backup dancers in a mash up of Jackson’s songs followed by
Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body”. The dance involved Timberlake following Jackson
around the stage, pausing occasionally to dance rather suggestively. By the
last lyrics, “bet I’ll have you naked by the end of this song,” the two stood
center stage and Timberlake proceeded to pull off part of Jackson’s costume.
The result? In front of millions watching from the stadium and television Janet
Jackson exposed A LOT of cleavage.
Voilà, exigence! Here was an incident
calling for change, and the public responded kairoticly. The 2004 halftime show
led to widespread debate on perceived indecency in broadcasting. On the same
day the Parents Television Group (PTG) issued a statement condemning the
halftime show. Meanwhile the Federal Communications Commission received almost
540,000 complaints from Americans1.
Following the complaints and
condemnations, steps toward change began to take place. The Federal
Communications Commission levied a record $550,000 fine against CBS, whose
network was airing the live performance, and raised an overall FCC fine per
indecency from $27,000 to $325,000. In 2005, New York Times columnist Frank Rich argued that censorship on
television was becoming more prevalent because of the incident.
Indeed, daytime soap operas began
to be wary of suggestive content and some networks even established regulations
for live broadcasts requiring time delays of up to 5 minutes. Here was an
incident that called for to the audience for change and they responded. Through
complaints, both oral and written, this incident became one of rhetorical
exigence. What’s more, thanks to kairos, the declining morality of broadcasting
was brought to the forefront of the news.
With all of this change, what did
the 2005 Super Bowl Halftime Show consist of? Paul McCartney on the stage playing
his guitar and fully clad.
1http://www.usatoday.com/money/2005-01-20-bowl-cover_x.htm
Claire, I really liked your example. I remember that halftime show... Anyway, you did a great job of using statistical information to reiterate your points. Good job!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great example of exigence and kairos! I don't think I actually got to watch this particular Super Bowl (it was during school in Singapore), but I do remember my English teacher mentioning the halftime show. I liked the statistics that you added to strengthen your piece. This is great analysis of rhetoric and was a lot of fun to read!
ReplyDeleteThis halftime show was one of the most awkward experiences of my childhood, for reasons I don't care to touch on here, and although it was a big bag of hooey (or just a glorified publicity stunt) it did make one heck of an exigence. I didn't even think about doing this, even though it was one of the most prevalent examples in the last decade. Clever thinking and great writing.
ReplyDeleteI'm in agreement with Ben: this is solid writing and smart thinking, Claire! The example selected showcases issues of kairos and exigence perfectly. Keep these quality posts going!
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping for no wardrobe malfunctions in tonight's Super Bowl!