As Super Bowl embarrassments go, it wasn't all that.
Nonetheless, NBC issued an apology for the single extended middle finger by guest singer M.I.A. at the halftime show.
"We apologize for the inappropriate gesture that aired during halftime," NBC spokesman Christopher McCloskey said. "It was a spontaneous gesture that our delay system caught late."
The gesture, accompanied by a barely disguised expletive, came during a performance of Madonna's new single, "Give Me All Your Luvin."' At the end of her lines, M.I.A. appeared to sing "I don't give a (expletive)," although it was hard to hear clearly.
The sudden shock incident brought to mind Janet Jackson's infamous "wardrobe malfunction" eight years ago, but as opposed to the flashing of Janet Jackson's nipple during the 2004 halftime show, this hardly caused a ripple.
Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" raised a storm of controversy and put CBS in hot water with the Federal Communications Commission.
The screen briefly blurred after M.I.A.'s gesture in what was an apparent late attempt to cut out the shot. The NFL, which produces the show, had no immediate comment.
The British singer M.I.A. is best known for her 2007 hit "Paper Planes," a Grammy nominee for record of the year that memorably features a sample of the Clash song, "Straight to Hell." It was featured on the soundtrack to the movie "Slumdog Millionaire."
