The modern Super Bowl
halftime show as we know it started in 1991 with New Kids on the Block (previous
shows featured a theme with marching bands and various performance groups), and it's stayed relatively consistent
since: A pop star (or stars) takes over the field with props, backup dancers, probably pyrotechnics, and possibly even a live band, and goes through a rundown of their hits in a handful of minutes.
That's because this is the first
halftime show back in Houston
since Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake's, uh, wardrobe malfunction.