M.I.A. Flips the Bird During the Superbowl Halftime Show: Big Deal or Not So Much?

M.I.A. performed alongside Nicki Minaj during Madonna's killer Superbowl halftime show. But the singer went rogue during her solo when she flipped the bird to the camera. Obviously, this has caused quite an uproar. But is it really a big deal? And why did she do it anyway? Our guess is so that she'd be a trending topic on Twitter today...

M.I.A. seen at a less offensive moment in her performance

The flip-off was immediately compared to Janet Jackson's infamous wardrobe malfunction during the 2004 Superbowl -- one of the most talked-about celebrity moments of the last decade. And now, 8 years later, we live in a world of immediate screengrabs, YouTube uploads, Twitter posts and Facebook updates such that an event like this can be discussed nearly instantaneously by the world-at-large. Can you even imagine what the reaction Janet Jackson boob-flash with all of that technology?

Check Out Madonna's Entire Halftime Show Performance!

But personally, Janet's mishap was a lot more interesting: The bodice rip. Justin Timberlake's shocked face. The metallic whatever-that-was covering her nipple. Such a dramatic moment in TV history! And the fact that no one can really confirm whether the move was on purpose. This bird-flip from M.I.A. was 100% intentional and seemed like almost immature, petulant behavior. Really, what's the point?

Maybe it was the presence of the superstar Nicki Minaj who has stolen a lot of the thunder M.I.A. used to have. No one is talking about Ms. Minaj today, that's for sure (but we still love you, Nicki!.

NBC and the NFL have apologized for the offensive gesture, but that's not quelling the anger of the Parent's Television Council.

The PTC president Tim Winter said, "NBC fumbled and the NFL lied because a performer known as M.I.A. felt it necessary to flip off millions of families. It is unfortunate that a spectacular sporting event was overshadowed once again by broadcasting the selfish acts of a desperate performer. Last week the NFL formally told the PTC – and the American public – that the Super Bowl halftime show would be 'appropriate.' Most families would agree that the middle finger aimed directly at them is not appropriate, especially during the most-watched television event of the year."

VOTE: Was BET Right to Ban Nicki Minaj's Video??

It's a fair statement, but really, did anyone actually catch the action upon live viewing? I certainly didn't and neither did anyone in the crowded living room in which I was watching the show. And believe me, everyone at my girly Superbowl party was watching purely for the halftime show (and the David Beckham H&M commercial)/

I would agree that it's unfortunate that M.I.A.'s choice of gesture overshadowed the event -- but I don't think she overshadowed the WHOLE event. Though she certainly stole away some blog posts that would have been dedicated to Madonna's AWESOME performance. How amazing was she??

We have a feeling that in spite of the immediate controversy, this won't be discussed years down the line in the same way that Janet's flash was. And while we do love us some M.I.A., we think her choice to do this was kind of lame...and not even so terribly scandalous.

Did you find M.I.A.'s flip off was offensive??