Piers Morgan Explains Why Michael Jackson Sets His Halftime Show Standard

Piers Morgan’s reaction to Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show revealed admiration mixed with nostalgia. While he praised the performance’s theatre, choreography, and inclusivity, Morgan made clear that his benchmark remains rooted in Michael Jackson and Prince.

Morgan’s Benchmark

On X, Morgan wrote: “I thought the spectacle/theatre/choreography was best ever. But the greatest half-time show was Michael Jackson, then Prince.”

His comments highlighted how Jackson’s 1993 Super Bowl performance and Prince’s 2007 show continue to define the gold standard for halftime spectacles. Jackson’s set is widely credited with transforming the halftime show into a global pop culture event, while Prince’s rain-soaked performance remains iconic.

Praise for Bad Bunny

Despite the comparison, Morgan pushed back against claims that he dismissed Bad Bunny’s show. In another post, he described the performance as “amazing theatre/choreography, great energy, superbly confident performance, and a very welcome unifying message.”

He even suggested it could rank among the best in Super Bowl history, noting its cultural relevance: “Spanish is 1st language for 50m+ Americans!”

A Mixed but Respectful Reaction

Morgan’s comments show that his appreciation for Bad Bunny’s halftime show was genuine, but his emotional ceiling is shaped by formative experiences with Jackson and Prince. For him, no matter how ambitious or inclusive a modern performance may be, it competes against memories of those legendary shows.

The Bigger Picture

The debate underscores a broader truth: halftime show reactions often depend as much on personal nostalgia as on the spectacle itself. Bad Bunny’s performance may have been groundbreaking, but for Morgan, the shadow of Jackson and Prince remains impossible to escape.