This week, in light of Justin Timberlake’s upcoming Super Bowl performance, we revisit his infamous 2004 “wardrobe malfunction” halftime show with Janet Jackson. We dissect the public reaction to “nipplegate,” why Janet (and not Justin) took the fall, and how the controversy changed the course of both artists’ careers. We consider Justin’s new musical direction in the context his history of appropriating other cultures. And we offer Janet the forgiveness she deserves, realizing that her sexual experimentation led to some of our favorite moments in music history.

Discussed This Week:

“Is ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ the Most Radical Show on TV?” (Jenna Wortham, The New York Times)

Evidentiary Bodies (Barbara Hammer at the Leslie-Lohman Museum)

“The Lunar Eclipse and Super Blue Moon Are Here. Watch it Before Work.” (Nicholas St. Fleur, The New York Times)

“The Color of Kink” (Ariane Cruz, 2016)

“How Jesse Williams Stole BET Awards with Speech on Racism” (Katie Rogers, The New York Times)

Man of the Woods (Justin Timberlake)

History of Rap (Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”)

Janet Jackson (in Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married”)

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