Playing the halftime show of an NFL Thanksgiving game is a tough gig. Without the budget of a Super Bowl halftime show, performers are left with far fewer assets to fill out a stadium-sized extravaganza.
On Thursday, Jack Harlow took his shot at a halftime show when the Lions and Packers went to intermission in Detroit. Reviews from NFL fans across social media were not positive, with criticism aimed at everything from the set design to Harlow’s low energy.
It probably didn’t help that the home team entered halftime trailing 23–6, leaving Lions fans less inclined to enjoy Harlow’s performance.
Harlow did his best to rally the troops, shouting “This game is not over!” to fans in attendance at Ford Field.
im thankful this performance is over
— Chappie (optimistic steelers fan) (@my_chappie) November 23, 2023
This is the WORST HALFTIME SHOW I’ve ever seen in my life.
— Ying u (@yingu121) November 23, 2023
What. Did. I. Just. Watch?
— New England Sports Review (@nesportreview) November 23, 2023
this might be the worst halftime performance ive ever seen. they put no effort into any of this, id rather watch a commercial
— charles (“you look good” - andy reid) mcdonald (@FourVerts) November 23, 2023
Some fans even called for Creed, whose 2001 Thanksgiving halftime performance has evolved from bewildering to beloved in the intervening years.
Bring this back pic.twitter.com/pe0yRCkLVJ
— chris long (@JOEL9ONE) November 23, 2023
Jack Harlow was mid, Creed could have taken us higher
— Mike Gobblebascio 🦃🦃🦃 (@Guardabascio) November 23, 2023
Despite the criticism, it’s possible that Harlow’s call to action for the Lions worked.
Detroit went on to score on its opening possession of the third quarter, cutting the Packers’ lead to 23–14.
