Janet Jackson’s infamous wardrobe malfunction at the 2004 Super Bowl Halftime Show is set to be the subject of a new documentary. Fittingly titled, Malfunction: The Dressing Down of Janet Jackson, includes rare footage and interviews with several people who were at the controls that night.
Set to air November 19th on FX and Hulu, the film is part of series The New York Times Presents. With directing by Jordi Gomes, previous titles include the recently released Controlling Britney Spears documentary.
The film’s official synopsis notes, “In 2004, a culture war was brewing when the Super Bowl halftime show audience saw a white man expose a Black woman’s breast for 9/16ths of a second. A national furore ensued. ‘If the culture wars could have a 9/11, it’s Feb. 1, 2004,’ said one observer. The woman was Janet Jackson, and her career was never the same. The man was Justin Timberlake; his stardom only grew. The New York Times examines the racial and cultural currents that collided on the Super Bowl stage and explores how the incident impacted one of the most successful pop musicians in history.”
The new documentary will feature interviews speaking directly to N.F.L. and MTV executives who worked the on event. Fans will also get to hear insights from members of the Jackson family, music industry insiders, and cultural critics, as well as new reporting by The Times.
Timberlake has had some time over the years to think of his actions, especially more since the airing of Framing Britney Spears. Following the documentary which preceded Controlling Britney Spears, Timberlake issued a public apology to both Spears and Jackson this past February.
“I specifically want to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for and respect these women, and I know I failed. The industry is flawed. It sets men, especially white men, up for success. It’s designed this way. As a man in a privileged position, I have to be vocal about this. Because of my ignorance, I didn’t recognize it for all that it was while it was happening in my own life, but I do not want to ever benefit from others being pulled down again.”
