February 7, 2007 3:02

Prince's half-time show under scrutiny

Critics allege he used his guitar as a phallic symbol

Several critics and bloggers who watched Prince's half-time performance at Sunday's Super Bowl are alleging that he intentionally used his guitar as an inappropriate phallic symbol.

Ever since an infamous 'wardrobe malfunction' exposed Janet Jackson's breast during her half-time performance with Justin Timberlake at the 2004 Super Bowl, the Federal Communications Commission has cracked down on broadcast decency, and the half-time show in particular has been under tremendous scrutiny.

Now, several people are alleging that the shadow cast by Prince and his guitar, which was projected onto a beige sheet during his performance of 'Purple Rain', had distinct phallic connotations.

It was "a rude-looking shadow show" that was "embarrassingly rude, crude and unfortunately placed," said Daily News television critic David Bianculli. Many bloggers agree, despite the fact that several entertainment critics have lauded Prince's performance as one of the best in Super Bowl history.

--By our Los Angeles staff.
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