If there is one thing you can count on these days, it's a lame Super Bowl Halftime Show.  Just yesterday, word got out that the Material Girl herself Madonna will be playing this year's big game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb 5th in Indianapolis.  Last year's telecast of Super Bowl XLV, which saw the Green Bay Packers take down the Pittsburgh Steelers, was the most watched television program in history so getting a big name to play halftime is of course a top priority.  Now I don't know about you, but I have no interest in seeing a up close, HD version of the above picture on Super Bowl Sunday. 

Now this is nothing against Madge, who I am not a fan of per say, but I don't like a lot of musicians so what do I know.  In her time, she was as controversial and innovative as any artist out there, but that was back in the 80s and 90s.  This is 2011 for God's sake.  Can't be have an artist who is relevant now?  The last few half time performers have consisted of safe geriatrics (Rolling Stones, The Who) to predictable live staples (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers) to unwatchable (last year's Black Eyed Peas horror show).  It is time to inject new life into the half time show, which was once one of the highlights of of the broadcast.  Now, it's the time I get up to take a much needed breather before getting my 7th plate of food.

Look at late night programs these days.  Nearly every night an indie rock artist can be found gracing the stage of Jimmy Fallon, Jimmy Kimmel, and David Letterman, while Saturday Night Live just opened their latest season with Radiohead as the musical guest a couple weeks back.  If indie rock is really becoming more maintstream, why not take a chance and show America something different.  The obvious choices, Radiohead and Arcade Fire, are already arena ready.  Can't you just picture "Electioneering" or "Keep the Car Running" being played in front of over 100 million people?  Well, maybe not, but there is a reason these bands are headlining nearly every music festival on the planet these days.  Even relatively newer bands like Cut Copy would certainly help increase the Australian viewers, not to mention introduce American to front man Dan Whitford's great dance moves.  Speaking of dancing, what about the awesomely bizarre dance and costume filled spectacle that currently is Sufjan Stevens as something out of left field.  Just think if the Bears or Lions ever made the game, Stevens would certainly have plenty of Midwest themed music to entertain the masses.

Chances are this will never happen, but a guy can certainly dream.  Looks like a another year of me stepping away from the television at half and trying to decide if eating that third plate of shrimp is really a good idea rather than enjoying the show.  After all, I guess Madonna can't be any worse than 1995's jumbo sized snooze fest of Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye, and the all star-medley of the Lion King's "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" featuring Tony Bennett, Patty Labelle, and the Miami Sound Machine can it?

Sufjan Stevens - "I Want To Be Well" by Pretty Much Amazing