Jake Indiana’s piece of journalistic media criticism titled “Ranking Every Super Bowl Halftime Show Since 2000 from Worst to Best” is well-written and represents media criticism responsibilities that Orlik outlines in the textbook.
The first responsibility I noticed he covered is entertainment. His article contains humor and wit, capturing the reader’s attention with his first paragraph. Entertainment is essential in a writing piece like this because it gets readers to stay on the page and continue reading. He keeps his criticism of the performances lighthearted by making jokes about them. For example, when mentioning the 2003 Super Bowl performance by Shania Twain, No Doubt, and Sting, he writes, “we’re not exactly sure how this trio of performers was put together, but the most rational way seems to have been someone from the NFL drawing names out of a hat and saying ‘sure, let’s go with these three.” He uses jokes to convey his thoughts about performances, which makes a critical piece enjoyable to read – for instance he writes, “it is definitely worthy of a naptime playlist” about Paul McCartney’s 2003 Super Bowl performance.
Another responsibility covered is serving as a proxy or watchdog – in this case, a proxy. Indiana serves as a voice for the viewer through the common bond of an independant opinion. Although not everyone will agree with his reviews, unlike the average reader, he has the time and expertise to go through 21 Super Bowl halftime performances. In this case, Indiana provides his knowledge of what constitutes good media/art for the readers and viewers. The critic states “much was written about the under-appreciated quality and craftsmanship of Tom Petty when he unexpectedly passed. His halftime show exemplifies this view; a polished performer expertly showcasing some of the most legendary rock songs without fuss or frills.” This quote shows how he conveys what others thought about Petty’s performance and peoples’ thoughts on his overall career.
Indiana does a good job of keeping his readers engaged with his humorous commentary throughout, while serving as a proxy for viewers and giving clear analysis to the art shown.