Janet Jackson's Wardrobe Malfunction is Back in the News After a Supreme Court Ruling

Janet Jackson's "wardrobe malfunction" is back in the news. The United States Supreme Court has sent the case back to the federal appeals court in Philadelphia. According to the Wall Street Journal report, the Supreme Court wants the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to possibly revive the $550,000 fine that the FCC placed on CBS. The legendary Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction lasted less then a second.

On February 1st 2004, Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson were performing together during the Super Bowl half time show. The wardrobe malfunction happened when Janet Jackson's breast was accidentally exposed. CBS was fined by the FCC because of the wardrobe malfunction. 20 CBS affiliates also were fined as a result.

On April 28th, 2009, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to uphold the FCC's ban on "fleeting expletives." Although Janet Jackson wardrobe malfunction lasted less then a second, it can be considered a "fleeting expletives."

Janet Jackson may have made the term wardrobe malfunction a household name. There have been many other incidents that have happened since the Super Bowl incident.

In April 2009, Lil' Kim had a wardrobe malfunction on "Dancing with the Stars". Lil' Kim was dancing with her partner, Derek Hough,when her top came loose a bit. Her "girls" started to pop out live on the show. The wardrobe malfunction was live on the East Coast but, was edited out by the time Dancing with the Stars aired on the West Coast. The video went viral rather quickly online. You can read more about the Lil'Kim wardrobe malfunction here. Derek Hough about Lil' Kim malfunction "She desperately tried to pull a Janet Jackson!"

In January 2009, Lisa Rinna had a bit of a wardrobe malfunction live on the TODAY show. Lisa Rinna was on the TODAY show couch with Richard Simmons. With Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb watching Richard Simmons grabbed Lisa's legs that were resting across his legs and moved them upward accidentally showing the viewers a upskirt shot. The video was an instant Youtube hit.

In 2007, Godaddy.com aired a ad during the Super Bowl spoofing the wardrobe malfunction incident. In the ad Nikki Cappelli stands in from of a committee giving testimony about Godaddy.com. She has several close wardrobe malfunctions while never exposing herself. You can watch the video on Youtube here. (Caution the video may not be appropriate for work)

Britney Spears has also had wardrobe malfunction at her concerts but never live on television.

Sources
Wall Street Journal "Court Throws Out Ruling on Janet Jackson"
The New American "The FCC and "Fleeting Expletives"
CNN "Supreme Court wants new look at wardrobe malfunction"
Lil' Kim's wardrobe malfunction on Dancing with the Stars
Lisa Rinna upskirt video
US Magazine "DWTS' Derek Hough Teases Lil' Kim About Wardrobe Malfunction"
Youtube Godaddy.com wardrobe malfunction spoof ad