Janet, Justin Sued over Boobgate

Woman files a proposed class action suit; claims she and other viewers were "injured" by Jackson's breast

By Sarah Hall Feb 06, 2004 7:00 AMTags

Who knew that a slip of the nipple could cause serious injury to millions?

After catching a glimpse of Janet Jackson's mammary during the Super Bowl halftime show, a Tennessee woman filed a proposed class action lawsuit Wednesday, naming Jackson, Justin Timberlake, MTV, CBS and Viacom as defendants.

Terri Carlin filed her suit "on behalf of all Americans who watched the Super Bowl," blaming Jackson and Timberlake for causing her and millions of other unsuspecting viewers "to suffer outrage, anger, embarrassment and serious injury."

(The full legal documents can be found online at The Smoking Gun.)

The suit does not specify exactly what kind of injury was incurred; however damages sought could add up to billions. Though no figure is given in the suit, Carlin indicates that punitive damages should not exceed the combined gross revenues of all defendants over the last three years.

Apologies from Jackson apparently did nothing to soothe Carlin's wounded morality, nor did denials from the networks and Timberlake of any prior knowledge of the stunt that resulted in the infamous wardrobe malfunction.

"Families have an expectation that they can trust companies and individuals such as the defendants not to expose families to sexually explicit conduct during broadcasts of prime time events such as the Super Bowl," Carlin's suit snipes.

Carlin further accuses the networks of not having a "sufficient broadcast delay" in place to prevent unexpected mishaps like Boobgate 2004.

It seems the networks agree with her to some extent--a gun shy CBS has announced plans to air the Grammys on an unprecedented five-minute delay Sunday, presumably to protect viewers from the hijinks of wacky entertainers.

ABC may follow suit by running the Feb. 29 broadcast of the Academy Awards on its first-ever delay, albeit a mere five seconds. And NBC decided to edit out a glimpse of an elderly woman's breast from Thursday's episode of ER.

In other Jackson-flash fallout, Michael's sis will no longer be attending the 2004 Grammys, her rep Stephen Huvane confirmed to E!

Jackson was originally scheduled to present an award to Luther Vandross, but after the ailing crooner confirmed his no-show status, she was told her services were no longer needed, according to Grammy production sources.

Timberlake, who claimed to be "shocked and appalled" by the breast-baring bodice rip, is still slated to perform at the Grammys.

Meanwhile, Timberlake's bandmate, JC Chasez found himself at the receiving end of nipplevision backlash--the NFL nixed him as halftime entertainment for the Pro Bowl, fearing that his act was too racy.

Furious at being replaced by a Hawaiian-themed extravaganza, the 'N Syncer fumed that league leadership has "clearly become so disoriented it has reduced itself to bashing me and my music to divert attention from the fact that the NFL screwed up at the Super Bowl."

Memo to Miss Jackson's costumer: Next time, use duct tape--these "malfunctions" can be costly.