# Janet Jackson is an ass. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 17, 2011, 3:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988 "2011-08-17T03:06:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Moonlitherial](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/21 "2011-08-17T13:17:57Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > I don’t see why anyone should go out of their way to shelter them from the economic consequences of that stage collapsing. Perfectly said. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/22 "2011-08-17T13:25:14Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > “Was” being the operative word there. As for Lady Antebellum, Maroon 5, and Sugarland, I assure you that they’re about the farthest thing in the world from obscure. I’m not a particular fan of any of them, but you’d have to be pretty insulated from pop culture to have not heard of them. I have to agree with this. Though I’ve never heard anything by Lady Antebellum nor Sugarland, I am aware of the bands. If I can do a ‘side pit’, would this have been such ‘breaking news’ at a national level if there wasn’t video? I don’t want to downplay the deaths and injuries, but if 5 people died of heat exhaustion instead of a dramatically caught on video falling stage, would CNN have felt the need to keep pushing alerts to me? ---
**Author:** ![furt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/439d5e/32.png) [@furt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furt)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/23 "2011-08-17T13:29:58Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Sorry, but who, who and who? No offense to the bands, but they’re not nearly playing/known/ubiquitous as much as Ms. Jackson was. No fan of her or her genre, but I can’t imagine that state fairs are where she thought she’d be right now. > > Oh, and no offense to state fairs–maybe they’re much bigger in the mid-west than the coasts. Janet Jackson is a 90’s retread a decade past her last hit. Sugarland is a bigger act, and Lady Antebellum is a WAY bigger act. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/24 "2011-08-17T13:49:34Z")
> [@joebuck20](#): > > > [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > > > I dunno; those are some pretty popular bands that she’s listed with. Sugarland, Lady Antebellum and Maroon 5 (at least) are at the top of their games. Which I guess is not to say that Janet is not desperate for cash; this isn’t a bottom of the barrel fair, though. > > Yeah, the Indiana State Fair is one of the biggest in the country. Also, she is an Indiana native. I should also add that the Beatles played the State Fair there in the early '60s, so yeah, they’ve drawn some big names over the years. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/25 "2011-08-17T13:57:03Z")
Tragedy? Does this stage collapsing really rise to the level of huge national tragedy? It’s unfortunate but I don’t see this as big news. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/26 "2011-08-17T13:58:10Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > I’m not sure I understand the pitting. Jackson isn’t billing the families of the victims of the accident or anything, she’s billing the State Fair people. I don’t really see why she should feel morally impelled to let the Fair out of its contract. If anything, the Fairgrounds folks are the villains here, at least so far as they were responsible for the stage. I don’t see why anyone should go out of their way to shelter them from the economic consequences of that stage collapsing. ^This +1. A pure case of misplaced pitting. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/27 "2011-08-17T14:05:07Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > I’m not sure I understand the pitting. Jackson isn’t billing the families of the victims of the accident or anything, she’s billing the State Fair people. I don’t really see why she should feel morally impelled to let the Fair out of its contract. If anything, the Fairgrounds folks are the villains here, at least so far as they were responsible for the stage. I don’t see why anyone should go out of their way to shelter them from the economic consequences of that stage collapsing. I don’t see the moral outrage here, either. I personally think she should be paid that fee, providing that there’s nothing in the contract canceling payment in these sorts of circumstances. She upheld her end of the contract, she reserved that particular date for them, and due to unfortunate circumstances, the event didn’t happen. It’s not her fault and, like **Simplico** says, it’s not like she’s billing the families or anything. The State Fair should be aware of such possible circumstances and either take out insurance for it or have a clause in the contract that clarifies what happens. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/28 "2011-08-17T14:35:48Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > … Oh, and no offense to state fairs–maybe they’re much bigger in the mid-west than the coasts. Never been to Indiana, but here in Texas, the State Fair is HUGE. I could see them being less of a big deal in the coasts, but in traditionally agricultural states, the state fairs are an entrenched and much-beloved tradition. I really hold no opinion on the subject of the pitting one way or t’other, though. Condolences to the families of the killed and injured. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/29 "2011-08-17T14:39:16Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > here in Texas, the State Fair is HUGE. Yeah, one of the biggest, if not the biggest regular season college football game of the year is held as a part of the Texas state fair, the OU/Texas game. ---
**Author:** ![Vita\_Beata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/a9a28c/32.png) [@Vita\_Beata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vita_Beata)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/30 "2011-08-17T14:52:48Z")
On one hand, I’d like to see her cancel the contract out of respect, good karma and better publicity … but on the other hand, the contract payments would most likely come from the Indiana Fair’s insurance company. I’m a Libra … perhaps not cut out for Pit arguments. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![AqualungBats5th](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@AqualungBats5th](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AqualungBats5th)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/31 "2011-08-17T15:16:58Z")
> [@furt](#): > > Janet Jackson is a 90’s retread a decade past her last hit. Sugarland is a bigger act, and Lady Antebellum is a WAY bigger act. Janet Jackson has had a couple “hit” singles in the last decade. (if you’re using the strict definition of songs making the top 40 of the Billboard weekly Hot 100. more if your definitions of said are looser). The last one was 2008’s “Feedback”. She’s long, long past her prime, but not nearly a hasbeen yet. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/32 "2011-08-17T15:27:59Z")
> [@furt](#): > > Janet Jackson is a 90’s retread a decade past her last hit. Sugarland is a bigger act, and Lady Antebellum is a WAY bigger act. The corn dog circuit is populated by acts on the way up and acts on the way down. Not necessarily newcomers or has-beens, but acts just entering their prime, and acts that are past their prime, but who can attract an audience. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/33 "2011-08-17T16:07:01Z")
It’s not that unusual for a state fair concert to have to be cancelled due to weather. In cases like that, does the performer still get paid? I assume so; they still had to go to the trouble and expense of showing up. > [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Sorry, but who, who and who? No offense to the bands, but they’re not nearly playing/known/ubiquitous as much as Ms. Jackson was. Just because they’ve never bared a nipple on national TV. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/34 "2011-08-17T16:20:57Z")
> [@Simplicio](#): > > I’m not sure I understand the pitting. Jackson isn’t billing the families of the victims of the accident or anything, she’s billing the State Fair people. I don’t really see why she should feel morally impelled to let the Fair out of its contract. If anything, the Fairgrounds folks are the villains here, at least so far as they were responsible for the stage. I don’t see why anyone should go out of their way to shelter them from the economic consequences of that stage collapsing. And where exactly do you think a state fair will get the money? And, no, just because they already have it doesn’t mean they won’t have to raise prices to get that money back. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/35 "2011-08-17T17:31:44Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And where exactly do you think a state fair will get the money? Their insurance policy? ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/36 "2011-08-17T17:41:51Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > “Was” being the operative word there. As for Lady Antebellum, Maroon 5, and Sugarland, I assure you that they’re about the farthest thing in the world from obscure. I’m not a particular fan of any of them, but you’d have to be pretty insulated from pop culture to have not heard of them. Right–so my original “She’s down to playing state fairs? Jerk or not, she is probably desperate for cash.” wasn’t completely clueless; “was” was (is?) the operative word. Again, no offense to the farm states or fair-goers or Lady Antigaga or whoever. Just that I was surprised that someone who used to sell out stadiums and blah blah blah was now playing state fairs. Oh, and Deer Creek in Noblesville Indiana is one of the secret most bestest places to see a concert. I love that place–I’ve hitchiked (in the early 90s) from the east coast to catch shows there. Not that this has anything to do with state fairs or Jackson’s fall from icon-status… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/37 "2011-08-17T17:45:35Z")
> [@Thudlow\_Boink](#): > > \ Just because they’ve never bared a nipple on national TV. International tv, even. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/38 "2011-08-17T17:47:46Z")
Y’all’ll notice Justin Timberlake ain’t playin’ no State Fairs. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/39 "2011-08-17T18:20:17Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > And where exactly do you think a state fair will get the money? > > And, no, just because they already have it doesn’t mean they won’t have to raise prices to get that money back. So if McNEIL-PPC, Inc., the makers of Tylenol had a take or pay contract with ACME to supply them with the ingredients to make Tylenol, and then hundreds of people started dying from Tylenol, and McNeil-PPC stopped production of Tylenol, and then cancelled orders from ACME, you think that it ACME shouldn’t be able to collect from McNeil under the take or pay contract, just because people died or because McNeil may have to raise the price of future bottles of Tylenol they make? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [August 17, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988/40 "2011-08-17T18:22:22Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Just that I was surprised that someone who used to \*\*sell out stadiums \*\*and blah blah blah was now playing state fairs. Have you not watched the video? The Indiana state fair concerts are held in a stadium. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/janet-jackson-is-an-ass/592988.md?page=3)