CNN's Piers Morgan Slams Madonna's Super Bowl Performance as 'Gruesome'
Madonna's halftime Super Bowl performance raised many eyebrows particularly that of CNN TV host Piers Morgan, who slammed the pop singer while on the Chelsea Handler show Monday night.
"That Super Bowl performance -- it was like watching your mad drunken aunt at Christmas, wasn't it?" Morgan quipped.
"I keep reading all these celebrities tweeting like, 'Wasn't she awesome?' No she wasn't! She was gruesome!" the British journalist said.
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"At least I've found that I have one common ground with Madonna: neither of us have sung live at the Super Bowl," he quipped. "She was lip syncing the whole damn thing. I was singing along with her and trust me, she wasn't singing."
Although Madonna, 53, received an overwhelmingly positive response to her vocals and dance performance, it was featured rapper M.I.A. who attracted the negative criticisms for flipping the bird during the live performance.
The Parents Television Council were among a long list of critics who took offense to the incident forcing NBC and the NFL to both issue apologies for the unexpected moment.
"The NFL hired the talent and produced the halftime show. Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologize to our viewers," NBC said in a statement.
"The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologize to our fans," said NFL spokesperson Brian McCarthy.
Despite M.I.A.'s rude finger incident, Madonna was praised for what many dubbed a "flawless" performance with many celebrities taking to Twitter to weigh in.
Comedian and host, Drew Carey, called the performance the best he has seen at the Super Bowl.
"Best half-time show ever. Wow. #Madonna #Super Bowl," Carey tweeted.
"Wow Madonna's production on the Super Bowl!!! Mind blowing!" singer Sheryl Crow tweeted.
Madonna has not yet responded to Morgan's criticism.
