For two days in a row, Good Morning America promoted the idea of celebrities boycotting the Super Bowl half time show in honor of Colin Kaepernick. On Monday, T.J. Holmes touted far-left actress Amy Schumer and whined about musical bands not getting paid: “Amy Schumer even refused to do a Super Bowl ad citing the Colin Kaepernick controversy. And also, keep in mind, guys, that the artists don't get paid to perform at the Super Bowl.”
There is the 100 million people who watch the game after all. Citing a Variety story full with unnamed sources, co-host Amy Robach alerted that “performers are saying not so fast.” Holmes noted the amount of people who watch the game, but reminded, “Well, that was before Colin Kaepernick took a knee in protest.”
After that, he closed the show by quoting Jay-Z lyrics as a reason to not do the Super Bowl:
Keep in mind, guys, that the artists don't get paid to perform at the Super Bowl. It is just an honor. So you throw that into it, you throw some controversy and let's go with what Jay-Z said about it, who a few years ago turned down a Super Bowl as well. He had a song lyric in which he said, “You need me. I don't need you. Tell the NFL we in stadiums too.”
ABC on Sunday ran virtually the same segment. Weekend GMA co-host Eva Pilgrim gossiped, “This morning, it looks like the NFL needs more time to make things right with this year’s Super Bowl half time show in Atlanta.”
A transcript of the Monday show is below. Click “expand” to read more.
Good Morning America
12/17/18
7:13:29 to 7:16:46
AMY ROBACH: Now to the struggle to lock down the Super Bowl halftime show. The high profile gig, usually it's an artist's dream come true, getting to perform in front of the biggest TV audience of the year. But this time around, performers are saying not so fast. ABC’s T.J. Holmes is at the site of the Super Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta with all those details. What gives, T.J.?
T.J. HOLMES: Hey. Good morning to you. Yes. Traditionally, Robach, this is not supposed to be a difficult show for the NFL to book. You call somebody up and say, hey, do you want to perform for 100 million people at the Super Bowl, and the answer is usually yes. Well, that was before Colin Kaepernick took a knee in protest.
Now it appears some artists are protesting by taking a pass on what has traditionally been one of the most coveted gigs in all of entertainment. According to a new report, the Super Bowl halftime show is in trouble. While Maroon 5 has reportedly landed the gig, Variety says the band, known for its collaborations like this fall's team up with Cardi B, is finding it impossible to bolster the lineup for one of the most watched musical performances of the year. According to the magazine, more than half a dozen stars have turned down what it has dubbed music's least- wanted gig.
JEM ASWAD (Senior editor, Variety): We hear Mary J. Blige has said no. We heard Cardi B. Has gone back and forth between yes and no and yes and no. We hear they are talking to Lauren Hill. We hear they are talking to Usher.
HOLMES: US Weekly reported Rihanna was initially offered the slot, but turned it down as support for Colin Kaepernick. Variety says the invitation declines in part a product of the NFL’s controversial handling of Colin Kaepernick and the player's rights to protest on the field.
ASWAD: Given the Colin Kaepernick situation, they are thinking how are most of my fans going to respond?
HOLMES: Some of the most memorable halftime shows featured musical dream teams like Bruno Mars, Beyonce and Coldplay. Madonna joined by Nicki Minaj, and Katy Perry with Missy Elliott. Other stars are backing away from the big game altogether.
[Clip of Amy Schumer commercial.]
HOLMES: Amy Schumer even refused to do a Super Bowl ad citing the Colin Kaepernick controversy. And also, keep in mind, guys, that the artists don't get paid to perform at the Super Bowl. It is just an honor. So you throw that into it, you throw some controversy and let's go with what Jay-Z said about it, who a few years ago turned down a Super Bowl as well. He had a song lyric in which he said, “You need me. I don't need you. Tell the NFL we in stadiums too.”
ROBACH: Proving true right now. Has the NFL have Super Bowl officials said anything about this controversy or this problem they are having?
HOLMES: They are usually really mum. Again, Maroon 5 hasn't officially been named so any time that happens, and names are out there, the NFL will let it go and let it build up. But nothing has been said about this. Maroon 5 not officially named and it's get a little late in the game if you will. Sometime September, October, late November is when the announcement comes. And now we're in late December waiting for official word. Guys?
