[BC] The delay story

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Rolling Stones' Lyrics Get Cut
NEW YORK

(AP) They may not have flashed any body parts - except for Mick 
Jagger's well-toned stomach - but the Rolling Stones made ABC glad 
editors were on duty for the Super Bowl halftime show.

Two sexually explicit lyrics were excised from the rock legends' 
performance Sunday. The only song to avoid the editor was "(I Can't 
Get No) Satisfaction," a 41-year-old song about sexual frustration.

In "Start Me Up," the show's editors silenced one word, a reference 
to a woman's sexual sway over a dead man. The lyrics for "Rough 
Justice" included a synonym for rooster that the network also deemed 
worth cutting out.

ABC was the first network to impose a five-second tape delay on the 
Super Bowl, although it said the changes to the Stones' show were 
made by the NFL and its producers. The sensitivity no doubt reflects 
a lingering reaction to Janet Jackson's infamous wardrobe malfunction 
two years ago.

The Stones probably didn't mind, either. It brought a little rock 'n' 
roll danger to the ultimate "safe" gig and - if they're lucky - it 
distracted attention from their mediocre show.

Jagger, at age 62, is still a force of nature, strutting and dancing 
across a stage designed as a replica of their famed wagging tongue 
logo. The band's performance felt ragged - they seemed just warming 
up during the opening "Start Me Up," and a three-song set affords no 
such luxury.

The Stones chose three tough rockers, including the best song from 
their well-received recent album and one of their most enduring hits.

"Here's one we could have done at Super Bowl I," Jagger wryly said in 
introducing "Satisfaction."

It was their best, most energetic effort, and ended with Jagger 
blowing a kiss to the audience. But unlike U2's performance four 
years ago at the Super Bowl, their set was not an example of a band 
at its peak rising to the majesty of the event.

Some in Detroit felt the city's rich musical history was snubbed when 
the Stones were selected, even if the Super Bowl had Motown-themed 
halftime shows twice in the past 25 years. This year's Motown tribute 
came before the game.

Stevie Wonder was the centerpiece, singing a medley of his hits with 
the help of John Legend, Joss Stone and India.Arie.

It was a typical monument to excess, with a stage more crowded than a 
train station at rush hour, and was marred by microphones that 
occasionally malfunctioned. Brightly clad dancers hoofed it 
incongruously when Wonder sang a portion of his angry ghetto tale 
"Livin' for the City," at one point pretending to fight each other.

Most importantly, the medley format did a disservice to the 
musicians. They rushed through the songs as if at a fast-food service 
line. With hours of meaningless pregame hoopla, couldn't they be 
given five minutes more to finish a few songs?