# What’s up with the Timberlake apology? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 13, 2021, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842 "2021-02-13T16:05:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/1 "2021-02-13T16:05:00Z")
So on the news this morning they mentioned a long apology Justin Timberlake posted to Instagram, specifically toward Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. I don’t really know or care much about the Britney apology. apparently he was a bad boyfriend or something, so that overdue apology was probably warranted. But the Janet Jackson Super Bowl thing- I could understand the need for an apology if he, on the spur of the moment, decided to pull part of her costume down to expose her breast, or even if he did it accidentally. But wasn’t it a pre-planned stunt that both of them were in on, to generate some ‘even bad publicity is publicity’ heat? It’s too bad that a double standard in our society focused most of the backlash on Janet, but that’s society’s fault, not Justin’s. Isn’t it? Am I being an insensitive male, or am I missing part of the story? ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/2 "2021-02-13T16:15:53Z")
> [@solost](#): > > But the Janet Jackson Super Bowl thing- I could understand the need for an apology if he, on the spur of the moment, decided to pull part of her costume down to expose her breast, or even if he did it accidentally. But wasn’t it a pre-planned stunt that both of them were in on, to generate some ‘even bad publicity is publicity’ heat? It’s too bad that a double standard in our society focused most of the backlash on Janet, but that’s society’s fault, not Justin’s. Isn’t it? Am I being an insensitive male, or am I missing part of the story? You are missing the part where only SHE got punished and he did absolutely nothing to stick up for her. ---
**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:** [February 13, 2021, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/3 "2021-02-13T16:25:22Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > You are missing the part where only SHE got punished and he did absolutely nothing to stick up for her. Yeah, it’s the stuff afterward where he seemed to care more about his career than trying to help the woman who got completely blackballed, when they were equally responsible. He actually was the one man in position to actually help with that unequal standard mentioned in the OP. He was part of it, so, when people were only blaming Jackson, he should have stepped up. You hatch the scheme together, you should be in it together. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/4 "2021-02-13T16:25:58Z")
> [@DigitalC](#): > > You are missing the part where only SHE got punished and **he did absolutely nothing to stick up for her.** [bolding mine] I addressed the first part of that but I guess you have a point with the part I bolded. ETA: also, what @BigT said. I guess I am just being an insensitive male. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/5 "2021-02-13T16:30:52Z")
Vis-a-vis the Jackson thing … I’m reminded of “Support The Troops” bumper stickers – the very least you can do to actually support the troops. The apology is a throwaway and pretty self-serving at this late date. Similarly, I’d expect a few GOP Senators to write memoirs in their retirement saying that they should have voted to convict and remove DJT. In other words: is Timberlake’s better late than never ‘apology’ a profile in _courage_ or a reminder of his _cowardice ?_ ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/6 "2021-02-13T16:40:50Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > In other words: is Timberlake’s better late than never ‘apology’ a profile in _courage_ or a reminder of his _cowardice ?_ How forced was his hand, I wonder? If there had been a growing outcry on social media about his past actions in light of the new social climate, then yeah maybe he was just apologizing to get out in front of it. Or maybe he felt genuine remorse. He was pretty young when the bad stuff happened, I can believe it might be maturity and growing a conscience. Or maybe I’m being naive. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/7 "2021-02-13T16:42:04Z")
It’s always right to do the right thing, even late. Maybe not right enough alone (i.e. he might have to do a lot more to make up for past mistakes), but righter than not doing it. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/8 "2021-02-13T16:45:22Z")
Totally agree. But I just get more cynical with age. Timberlake has a recent film out: > **[Justin Timberlake Stumbles Back to the Big Screen in 'Palmer'](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/01/review-justin-timberlake-stumbles-back-to-movie-stardom-in-palmer)** > > An earnest drama about an ex-con befriending a lonely kid marks Timberlake's first on-screen role in years. Maybe this was just a way to goose the publicity and generate more revenue for the film. Maybe. No idea, truly. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/9 "2021-02-13T16:46:26Z")
This is a good illustration of the old dictum: “Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.” ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/10 "2021-02-13T16:49:50Z")
> [@solost](#): > > How forced was his hand, I wonder? If there had been a growing outcry on social media about his past actions in light of the new social climate, then yeah maybe he was just apologizing to get out in front of it. There’s a documentary, _Framing Britney Spears_, that was recently released. While its main subject is Spears, it also shows a lot of Timberlake. And apparently it does not depict him favorably. ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/11 "2021-02-13T16:54:59Z")
Ah, right, I saw that being advertised on Hulu, I think. So the release of that doc, plus Justin’s new movie that @DavidNRockies mentioned, seems to equal ‘cynically managing public image’. Oh well. ---
**Author:** ![FigNorton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fignorton/32/5619_2.png) [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/12 "2021-02-13T17:21:37Z")
First, absolutely no one cares about his movie. He’s tried for years to be a real triple threat but he’s no actor. Maybe there’s some cynicism but come on. He dated Britney a million years ago. Obviously apologizing about being a bad boyfriend is connected to the movie about her just coming out. When was he supposed to make a public apology? 2 years ago when nobody was even remembering that they exist? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/13 "2021-02-13T17:34:30Z")
> [@FigNorton](#): > > He’s tried for years to be a real triple threat but he’s no actor. What’s the hat-trick part of the triple threat— his comedic touch on SNL? He has had some amusing moments on that show over the years. ---
**Author:** ![FigNorton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fignorton/32/5619_2.png) [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/14 "2021-02-13T17:38:27Z")
Singing, dancing, & acting are what I thought were the three. He’s likeable in his SNL bits but… ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/15 "2021-02-13T17:42:38Z")
Didn’t he apologize pretty extensively for the Superbowl stunt back when it happened? ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/16 "2021-02-13T17:43:23Z")
Ok. I guess I was considering the singing and dancing to be kind of a package deal— song and dance man, actor, and…comedian? ---
**Author:** ![FigNorton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fignorton/32/5619_2.png) [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/17 "2021-02-13T18:12:18Z")
He apologized but “extensively” would be pushing it. The real problem is that the media shit all over Jackson but not him. I guess some people think that’s partly on him but that seems a little unfair to me. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2021, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-s-up-with-the-timberlake-apology/932842/18 "2021-02-13T18:35:11Z")
> [@FigNorton](#): > > He’s tried for years to be a real triple threat but he’s no actor. He seemed to be quite a good actor in _The Social Network_.