When the Super Bowl first began, halftime shows consisted of marching bands and the occasional big name performer for a song or two. Carol Channing actually did two halftimes -- 1970 and 1972! Well, times have changed and so have the expectations.

The 2009 Super Bowl in Tampa reportedly has landed Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band to anchor the Super Bowl halftime show. It'll be The Boss's first time performing for the NFL's biggest show.

One thing we can count on with Springsteen, there'll be no wardrobe malfunctions. Even if Little Steven whips off his bandana, the censors won't care. Ever since Justin Timberlake ripped the top off Janet Jackson and got a chunk of bra to go with it, revealing her breast to the ogling TV audience, the networks have been careful to keep the halftime shows purely musical.

There was little chance of violating network standards and practices with the likes of rock 'n rollers Paul McCartney, the Rolling Stones, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and Prince. Springsteen is definitely of the same stature as those four (perhaps higher to some), and he can be counted on to put on a great show. In fact, the only problem with Springsteen is that he likes to do long shows. He's been known to stay on stage for hours, singing and playing for his fans beyond the concert set. For the Super Bowl, he'll probably only have time for three songs. I'm betting that "Born in the U.S.A." will be one of them for sure.

NBC will be broadcasting the Super Bowl on February 1, 2009. There'll be an extensive pre-game show knowing the network, and we know that there'll be a one-hour The Office special after the game as well as Springsteen. If the game is as good as last year's New York Giants-New England Patriots battle, it'll be a great night of TV viewing.