Bruno Mars added to Super Bowl Halftime Show: now will you watch?

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I think after watching the Carolina Panthers crush the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Playoffs, CBS, the network airing Super Bowl 50 this Sunday is adding a little added star power to the show, in case of another blowout – and they’ve chosen another artist who is no stranger to halftime entertainment.

On the heels of the recent announcement that Beyonce was joining halftime headliners Coldplay for the mid-game entertainment, it’s been revealed that the artist who wowed the crowds during the 2014 match-up, Bruno Mars will also be making an appearance. Initially brought on to “curate” the event (whatever that means), the singer’s role seems to have expanded. On a clip from CBS’ Sunday Morning, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin jokingly confirmed Bey’s and Bruno’s participation in rehearsals for the 15 minute event. In the clip, Chris IDs some footprints on the stage, saying, “This may be Beyonce’s footprint. I’d say she was here about four hours ago. Let’s look for a Bruno one.”

 

I watch a lot of football and I was curious as to why the promos for the halftime show have conspicuously left out the name of the act actually performing – but I know it’s sponsored by Pepsi – I’ve certainly had that fact jammed down my throat for the past few months. The initial announcement that Coldplay would be headlining the halftime show almost immediately guaranteed a huge upswing in ratings for the kitty halftime show during Animal Planet’s Puppy Bowl. Don’t get me wrong, Coldplay is fine. They are just probably the last band I could ever imagine getting crowds pumped up during the biggest sporting event of the season. I still, personally, would love to see GWAR perform, but that’s probably just me.

In other Super Bowl entertainment news, Lady Gaga is scheduled to sing the National Anthem. That’s a solid choice. The anthem has been sung by many a diva to kick off the game – including Cher, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and, of course, Beyonce. Actress Marlee Matlin will be performing the anthem in American Sign Language.

At the rate CBS is going with this year’s halftime show, expect Katy Perry, the Left Shark, Bruce Springsteen, The Who and Prince all to make appearances. (I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Gaga sticks around after singing the anthem to lend her pipes to the proceedings.) Chris and the boys may be relegated to back-up singers by Sunday. I don’t like cats, so I’m glad they’ve added some excitement to the show, because (sorry, Peyton), I predict a Carolina blowout and think a lot of TVs could be on another channel come halftime. What are your halftime plans – kitties or Coldplay (and guests)?

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90 Responses to “Bruno Mars added to Super Bowl Halftime Show: now will you watch?”

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  1. Locke Lamora says:

    Controversial opinion – it would have been better with just Coldplay.

    • Woofles says:

      Nooooo you can’t be serious… Bruno Mars put on the best halftime show they’ve had in a decade

      • Locke Lamora says:

        I’ve never seen a halftime show. Just musically, Coldplay is more up my alley. Their old stuff at least.

      • Prairiegirl says:

        Cosigned, Woofles. He put on a fabulous show a few years back. FABULOUS.

      • Delta Juliet says:

        I agree. Honestly that half-time show was what got me to like Bruno Mars. He put on a fantastic performance.

      • PunkyMomma says:

        Yes to Bruno. He was fantastic!

      • Geekychick says:

        I agree. Bruno Mars showed all these stars what a real musical talent can do with a half-time show. It was superb! He’s a singer and an entertainer, such a rare find these days.

      • kri says:

        YES!! Bruno killed it!

      • Karen says:

        Bruno Mars was the best half time show ever!

      • Shaz says:

        Yes to this – I was glued to the set for Bruno.

      • Apsutter says:

        Completely agree! He was so good and entertaining…I remember after the game everyone agreeing that Bruno was the biggest winner from that night. The game was a blowout and soooooo boring but Bruno had such good press and his concert sold out after that. Even my dad who is not interested in that type of music at all was really into it.

    • delphi says:

      I love Coldplay (go ahead, lob things at me…I have a soft spot for pillow-weeper music). But adding my itty bitty little boo Bruno to the mix? YES. ALL THE YES. Even my 60-something year old dad loves him. His exact words during the 2014 HT show? “Now THAT is how you entertain people.”

      And while I normally feel compelled to root for the NFC representative in the SB even if my beloved Packers don’t make it (conference loyalty), I loathe Ron Rivera. And I can’t root for the Broncos because I grew up in a Cleveland family with Cleveland football loyalties, and the Broncos have been, are, and always will be evil.

      So the HT show and ads are all I have. Oh, and Puppy Bowl. Because…puppies! 🙂

    • Snazzy says:

      ha ha me too. I actually like them. Saw them perform in Paris a few years back and it was a great show 😛

    • Natalia says:

      Coldplay? HELL NO.
      Beyonce: Eh. Maybe.
      Bruno Mars: HELL YEAH!!!!

  2. Mgsota says:

    Smart move. Bruno was AMAZING in 2014. Coldplay, who I happen to like, seemed like a really odd choice for a Super Bowl halftime show. Snooze fest.

    B R O N C O S!!!!

    • Pansy says:

      YES!!! Love Coldplay, meh on Beyoncé. They’re both great musicians, but Coldplay is too sweet for football and I never know any current Beyoncé songs for some reason. “Crazy in love” is the last one played on any radio station I listen to. But Bruno?!?! He’s a freaking PERFORMER!!!!!!
      I will never, ever get tired of “Uptown Funk.” Ever. #Curlers

    • Jib says:

      Just watched Bruno Mar’s 2014 performance at the Super Bowl – I really don’t like his music, but he is an exciting performer!! He knows how to put on a show!

      And, yes, Broncos!! I think Manning is such a gentleman and I’m so glad he’s going and not Tom Cheater Brady.

  3. Esmom says:

    I liked Bruno’s show a couple years ago but this seems weird and desperate, since it was only two years ago. If they didn’t think Coldplay was enough of a draw then maybe they shouldn’t have chosen them.

    • Chibichichai says:

      I understand their choice: they are a pretty big draw internationally and have a world tour scheduled this year. However the fact there were few US dates should have told Pepsi that they are not a big draw in the US so now Pepsi is scrambling to save the halftime show.

      • Esmom says:

        Right. Sounds like they should have done some more homework before announcing their headliners.

    • LadyMTL says:

      I’m right there with you re: Coldplay. My first reaction when I heard that they were headlining was “huh, is it 2003 again?” I know they’re still pretty popular worldwide but for the Superbowl halftime show? Nope.

      I might tune in for a few minutes here and there, just to try and catch Beyoncé and Bruno Mars, but otherwise, it’s puppies and kitties for me!

  4. Chibichichai says:

    Have Bruno and Beyoncé perform with Coldplay doing the live music? I’d see that. I was ready to do the dishes during halftime but since Bruno Mars is performing I will now be watching 😎

  5. Dangles says:

    No. Football is about masculinity and aggression. Therefore hard rock and metal bands would be a better fit. So maybe Slipknot and Slayer.

    • Naya says:

      Half time is about servicing a different demographic altogether. People who are into “masculinity and aggression” are already tuned in anyway. Thats why the performer is always somebody with a huge following among women young kids and less traditionally masculine men.

  6. Abbott says:

    I love Bruno but if he’s not headlining I just may skip it. 15 minutes of Chris Martin sob-wail and flail isn’t worth 2-3 minutes of Bruno.

    And how is Gaga making such a comeback this year?!?!

    • mia girl says:

      I almost agree.
      But even just 2-3 minutes of Bruno will make up for the rest. Bring on the funk!

    • Lizzie McGuire says:

      It’s weird isn’t it? I love Bruno Mars & he was the only reason I watched the halftime show, because I didn’t care about the game or anything else. But I wonder what Pepsi was thinking when they hired Coldplay & now they asked Beyonce & Bruno Mars too. So they don’t think people will like Coldplay? Why hire them in the first place? This is more of Beyonce & Bruno Mars show with guest Coldplay.

    • GingerCrunch says:

      I’ll def find something else to do until Bruno Mars comes on, then I’ll be dancing! Lol on the GWAR reference. Had to look that one up!

  7. Grace says:

    Even Coldplay know that they are boring.

  8. Lucy2 says:

    Don’t like cats???? How is that possible?!? 🙂
    It seems like they are trying to stuff a lot into a fairly short performance. Not a good sign?

  9. Lindy79 says:

    OK I’m not the biggest Coldplay fan but…
    Didn’t Katy Perry, Madonna and even Bruno Mars have a few guest people on their performances?
    Plus Beyonce’s actually on their new single so I pretty much figured she’d come on stage with them.(they’re new album is actually kind of funky in parts)

    I get they’re not a lot of people’s taste but ffs come on they’re better than Katy “cream tits” Perry for the superbowl, or Madonna miming and awkwardly dancing her way around the stage. If they do something like they did live with Charlie Brown it could be kind of awesome?

    Chris Martin has just done a carpool Kareoke with James Corden and its actually pretty funny

    • KV says:

      This.

      The only reason I am watching the halftime show is for Coldplay. I live in the US. I like Bruno and Beyoncé but I wouldn’t watch for them. Coldplay put on a great live show with lots of energy so I’m looking forward to this. I know it’s not cool to like them but I really don’t care… I’m actually excited about the halftime show for the first time in forever.

    • Naya says:

      True. I dont know why this is reported like a panic move when every other artist did the same. If I were Pepsi, I would keep this supporting acts under my hat and just surprise the audience on the day.

    • Lilacflowers says:

      Yes, they usually pad the main act with guests artists. Of these three, Bruno interests me the most. His show a few years ago was fantastic. I find Beyoncé as boring as Coldplay

    • SusanneToo says:

      Last night’s Carpool Karaoke was hilarious. One of the best yet.

    • Jib says:

      Poor Madonna!! She could barely walk on those absurdly high heels she had, she was stiff and awkward. Didn’t she have some kind of injury. Who thought she was a good idea!!!!????!!!

  10. Margo S. says:

    The halftime show is a joke. This just looks desperate. Three acts performing?! Calm down. You’re trying to hard super bowl.

    • Esmom says:

      Good point about trying too hard. It’s a football game. When did it become such a massively important event? Too many people taking it way too seriously.

      • Lindy79 says:

        Isnt the Superbowl ad space the most expensive of the year on the networks?

      • Esmom says:

        Lindy79, yes. And it drives me crazy, the importance this football game is given.

        It reminds me of my favorite John Lennon quote: “If everyone demanded peace instead of another television set, then there’d be peace.” Priorities, people!

    • yolo says:

      Yeah, that’s a crazy line-up. Sounds like a hot mess… but then again, the half time show is when I usually get another beer and read all the stupid crap posted on fb, insta and twitter..lol
      #puppies
      #kitties
      ftw

  11. poppy says:

    surprise! super bowl halftime show interns had to report the internet was not impressed with the halftime show so keep adding acts until you run out of time.

  12. Tiffany says:

    You know the game can surprise me……hahaha…..no Carolina is going to destroy Denver.

    The only thing you cannot predict is the commercials.

  13. GoodNamesAllTaken says:

    Won’t be watching at all. Have fun.

    • Birdix says:

      There was a helicopter buzzing my neighborhood Monday — homeland security measuring “baseline radiation levels.” Getting downtown is an ordeal, forget about getting to the Ferry building, the cops (fbi?) have machine guns, the homeless have been corralled into a tent city, most of the strippers from Vegas have been imported to entertain corporate guests — and the game is 45 miles away! This is not the city I know, so I’m annoyed by The Super Bowl or at least Super Bowl City. Happy to see the bay bridge lights again though.

      • zinjojo says:

        Birdix, I’m with you! SF is such a pain right now for anyone who needs to just live their life, you know, go to work or take BART. Plus, I just love that city officials recently said they’re not quite sure how Super Bowl City is being paid for. Wut??? So I’m avoiding the city and look forward to next week when the number of tourists wandering around the financial district goes back to a more normal pace.

        But I do think adding Bruno is a good idea. I’ll watch half time now — before I planned to watch just to see if Beyonce debuts a new bump. For my family, Super Bowl is all about the food — it’s dip day!

      • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

        Wow, guys, that’s awful. Sorry you have to live with that.

  14. Nancy says:

    I would be happy with Bruno as the headliner…he was so good a few years ago. Does Chris Martin like or even know what football is…lol

    • Jayna says:

      Does Bruno?

      Have you seen Coldplay live? They have a lot of energy, and a band suits a halftime show. It’s been sorely missed that the Superbowl hasn’t had a band on in forever.

      • Nancy says:

        jayna: Nope, never seen them live. Not a big fan, come on he was married to Goop! JK, to each their own. I only watch for commercials and halftime. Bruno was awesome when he did the show. I don’t even know who is playing in the SB, so there you go. Go Cavs!!

    • Jib says:

      My husband took my daughter and her friends to see Coldplay about 5 years ago. He said they were very good! And we are in our 50s so we and have seen Pink Floyd Animal’s tour, the Rolling stones numerous times, The Who, Fleetwood Mac, Genesis, and many, many other awesome bands. He said their show was as good as most of these other ones.

  15. M says:

    I’ve watched Coldplay at stadiums (I know, I know – but whatever) and trust me they put on a hell of a show, they have also headlined Glastonbury more than any other artist (or will have once they’re confirmed for this year) – they are a phenomenal live act. I do wish people would at least watch the show before deciding that they’re so awful they had no choice but to include other acts.

  16. InvaderTak says:

    That’s funny actually. They have no idea what to do with the Halftime show do they?

  17. Lucky Charm says:

    My team isn’t playing, and I’m afraid the game is going to be heavily lopsided with a Carolina rout, so I’m going to watch puppies and kittens this year. I may dvr the SB just to watch the commercials and halftime show later. I like Coldplay too, and Bruno was awesome, but I can always ff through it if it’s as boring as the game is likely going to be.

  18. Jayna says:

    Coldplay is a really great live act. I’m happy to see a band back on the halftime show. Katy Perry? Seriously?

    Coldplay doesn’t need any help. Bruno was great when he was on, but he, doesn’t pull me in because he was on not long ago. Coldplay will pull me in.

    • Scarlet Vixen says:

      I’m not a fan of Kary Perry’s music or her schtick, but she put on a heck of a Half Time show. She pulled out all the stops AND had Missy Elliot and Lenny Kravitz. It was definitely entertaining, so I give her that.

      And the trend for literally decades has been for several acts to perform together, so this is not an act of desperation or a last minute deal. Bruno Mars had Red Hot Chili Peppers. Janet and Justin Timberlake. Madonna had Ceelo & MIA, etc. And there have been some hella random partnerships: Gloria Estefan with Stevie Wonder & Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. Aerosmith with Britney, N’sync & Mary J Blige. Shania Twain with No Doubt & Sting. Phil Collins with Xtina, Toni Braxton & Tina Turner.

  19. Lilacflowers says:

    Padding the halftime show is no reflection on Coldplay. They add extra acts almost every year. If they didn’t, we would never have had Janet Jackson’s infamous wardrobe malfunction with Justin Timberlake

  20. Nev says:

    Except for Coldplay these artists all recently did the Super Bowl. They could’ve went all hip hop instead. Should’ve asked Kanye. BORING. Imma be watching Downton Abbey anyways.

  21. Miss M says:

    I used to like coldplay. Adding Mars to the mix makes me want to see thr halftime show.

  22. Skins says:

    I’m not sure, but I don’t think Elton John has ever done the show, he would be a great choice. Or maybe Paul McCartney, its been over 10 years since he did it. Coldplay? Meh

    • Jayna says:

      Elton says he won’t because you basically have to lip sync and he refuses. Plus he’s older and his vocals have definite degradation to them to try to perform live for the Super Bowl.

    • MB says:

      Elton John? Paul McCartney? Way to pull in that young demographic!

  23. kri says:

    It’s as if the NFL people announced Coldplay, then they all woke up the next day and said to each other”No more Fireball/Goldschlager Jello-O shots!” I still don’t get why they ever chose them, and now they are scrambling to make up for it. Bruno had one of the best hows so I’m psyched for this.

    • Jayna says:

      Yet, when Bruno was chosen, everybody I knew was saying, Who is he, or why was he selected for the Super Bowl? I only know a few songs, etc.

      He proved a lot of people wrong and wowed. But my point is he wasn’t embraced when he was first announced.

  24. Josefina says:

    Not a fan of Bruno. He’s the epitome of sappy mommy music.

  25. QQ says:

    Can’t Coldplay Just Go home to cry into their pillow and let Bruno and Beysus handle it?

  26. Lama Bean says:

    Dear Corey, thank you for gracing us with that pic of Beyonce again. She looks a hot a** mess and I needed a laugh this morning.

    Super bowl? I just don’t care for some reason.

  27. prissa says:

    Didn’t they suggest Rihanna was also performing? What was that super bowl promo that she was in about? So possibly Coldplay, Beyonce, Bruno Mars and Rihanna??? All for a 12 minute time slot? I’m confused.

  28. Melody says:

    Just a handful of naked models away from making it a VS runway show now…

  29. Jericho says:

    A Celebitchy sports writer!! Huzzah!!!!

    • Jen43 says:

      I know. I had to scroll up to see who wrote this.

      I’m truly hoping it isn’t a blowout. Thats not much fun to watch.

      • Tiffany says:

        Jen, after watching the NFC game, it is not looking good for Denver. That was a** kicking galore.

  30. AceMom2 says:

    O.M.G.! I just went down the rabbit-hole into PUPPY HEAVEN on Animal Planet’s puppy bowl site. They are all super adorable!! <3 Had no idea this was even a thing, but now that I do it's puppies/kitties all the way 😀 Oh, and I'll watch the halftime show for Bruno – he killed it in 2014. Coldplay is fine, I like some of their stuff but I can't with Beyonce…. never understood her appeal.

  31. CK says:

    Is Coldplay still singing? Yes? Then no I probably won’t watch. Although if they reenact the video of Hymn for the Weekend featuring Beyonce, I’ll watch just to relish in the upcoming backlash.

  32. word says:

    They don’t think Coldplay is enough of a draw obviously lol. Beyonce and Bruno? Yes will watch!

  33. iheartgossip says:

    NOW – I will watch.

  34. lucy says:

    Nope.

  35. Sarah01 says:

    Love Bruno Mars, he’s talented and makes great music!

  36. nikko says:

    Just finish watching 2014 half time w/ Bruno Mars. They need him!

  37. celtlady says:

    Might skip the kittens now that Bruno is set to perform. The rest of the lineup = yawn.

  38. Dee says:

    Not sure why they picked Coldplay in the first place – they’re a great band, but so not appropriate for a huge, ‘Murrrican football game. If they wanted a band to play, why not someone like Fall Out Boy? That would be a great show!

  39. Steph O says:

    GWAR!!! Why are they not paying you to put together the halftime show?!