How we doing folks? We all Super-Bowled out? Are you happy that the Giants won? Do you want Eli Manning to schlep on over to your house and pose with you for your annual photo Christmas cards? Have you burned your Tom Brady jersey? Let’s talk about it. I’m here for you. But only for a few minutes, because what I actually want to talk about is way more important. Halftime show and commercials, duh!

Madonna's half time performance was a true triumph of lip-synching technology!

So what did we think of Madonna? Impressed by the Material Girl’s performance? The lights and stage show were visually stunning, I thought. Madonna? Not so much. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a pop legend. I’ve always liked her music. But she kind of phoned it in. Plus I couldn’t get over her lip-synching. As my friend Papphy pointed out a few weeks ago, Madonna and Elton John are not the best of friends. Well, Sir Elton was asked if he had any advice for her Madgesty and his response was “Don’t lip-synch.” Doesn’t look like she took his advice to heart. Will those two ever make it work?

But it seems like the big news to come out of the Super Bowl has nothing to do with the Giants or Madonna. Musician M.I.A. is making headlines for apparently flashing “the bird” while performing with Madonna and Nicki Minaj at the halftime show. Even with the tape delay, her middle finger was broadcast for millions to see. But that’s the kicker—I didn’t see it! In fact, so many people I’ve spoken to said they didn’t see it either! I never would’ve even known it happened had I not seen it in the news. After Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” at the 2004 Super Bowl, censors have cracked down, so it seems like someone is getting fined big bucks, all for a finger.

As for the commercials, I can’t say I’m impressed with this year’s group. Poor showing, peeps. Ad execs, go to your expensively-decorated rooms and think about what you’ve done. My favorite commercial belongs to none other than my favorite candy: M&Ms! A new M&M was introduced, a smarty-pants M&M with a brown shell at a cocktail party. Some Neanderthals at the party thought she was naked because of her brown shell, to which she replied that only an idiot would show up naked to one of these parties. Well, cue Red, who at that point screams “It’s that kind of party” and proceeds to whip off his red shell as he danced to LMFAO’s “Sexy and I Know It”, complete with full-on wiggle-wiggle! There aren’t many others worth mentioning; do an online search for Super Bowl commercials and you’ll be able to judge for yourself.

What say you, loyal readers? Did you enjoy the game? Are you heartbroken, or still too excited to even speak in complete sentences? Did you see the infamous finger? Have a favorite commercial? Add your comments below…don’t be shy!

Sir Elton John won’t be receiving Christmas cards from Madonna this year, especially after his rant at the “Q Music Magazine” awards in London where he accused Madonna of lip synching once he discovered that she was up for the “Best Live Act Award”, and wanted to know since when is lip synching considered live? Elton was receiving a song writing award and it turned out that the Material Girl did not win the Live Act award, the British band Muse won it. He thought that anyone who lip syncs onstage should be shot for cheating their fans and charging £75 (US $134) a ticket.

There is no love lost between Madonna and Elton John. Nothing like a good catfight to keep awards season interesting!

In response Madonna’s US based spokeswoman Liz Rosenberg rejected Elton’s allegations by issuing this statement: “Madonna does not lip-synch nor does she spend her time trashing other artists. She sang every note on her Reinvention tour live and is not ashamed that she was well paid for her hard work.” Furthermore, “Elton John remains on her Christmas card list whether he is nice … or naughty.”

The tension between the two Divas continued at the Golden Globes when both were nominated for “Best Original Song” and Madonna won for her song “Masterpiece”. If it wasn’t enough that both Elton and his partner David Furnish had identical looks of displeasure when Madonna’s name was announced as the winner, David was so upset about Elton’s loss that he vented his feelings in not so many expletives on Facebook, criticizing her acceptance speech for reeking of  narcissism.

Sore losers, whose side are you on?

I guess there may not be Christmas cards exchanged between Elton John and Billy Joel this coming holiday season, or maybe yes.  Apparently, Billy was mad at Elton because Elton has been speaking out in print and on television about Billy’s having a drinking problem, an issue which Billy apparently has been struggling with for years. According to Elton’s conversation with Matt Lauer on the “Today” show, Billy has been going to rehab but the facility’s program is not tough enough, in Elton’s opinion, which is why “the piano man” reverts to his bad habits after a period of time once treatment has ended.  Elton explained that he knows Billy does not consider him a friend at the moment, but he’s been outspoken because he wants his longtime buddy to experience “tough love” because that’s what he feels is necessary for him to overcome his problems.  Elton loves him and wants him to get better.

There may not be a Christmas cards exchange between Billy Joel and Elton John this year!

Elton knows what its like to careen down that dark highway:  His 20-year history of drug-taking and alcohol abuse has been well documented.  Having been sober now for 20 years, Elton only wishes for Billy to be able to be solving his issues as well.  The day after the interview, “Today” received these comments from Billy Joel:  “I do not hate Elton John.  I do not want to punch him in the face.  If he wants to call me, my number is still the same.”

I hope everything works out for Billy and for the two musicians and their relationship.   Wouldn’t it be a great Christmas card to their fans if they eventually announced that they were going to tour together again?

I have always liked Elton John ever since he first burst upon the music scene in 1970. He first appeared as a live performer at Los Angeles’ famous Troubadour nightclub, after which he began having hit singles at an alarming rate. From 1972 through 1975, the former Reginald Dwight was arguably the most successful performer on the pop scene.

Elton John's musical Christmas card to his fans brings lots of holiday cheer!

One of his greatest achievements, along with his writing partner, Bernie Taupin, was what he called his Christmas card to his fans – the single “Step Into Christmas,” which is considered by many to be the all-time, most popular Christmas single of the Rock ‘n’ Roll era. Released in 1973, the song has been a staple of radio stations at Christmastime every year since. The sound was reminiscent of the Phil Spector “wall of sound” technique – done intentionally – since both Elton and Bernie were admirers of Spector’s heavily-produced, girl groups’ Christmas album, “A Christmas Gift for You.”

“Step Into Christmas” features great opening lyrics, which pointedly announce the reason for the song’s existence:

Welcome to my Christmas song
I’d like to thank you for the year
So I’m sending you this Christmas card
To say it’s nice to have you here.

It’s a great lift hearing it again and again, even after all this time.

In a successful career that is now entering its fifth decade, Elton’s troubles with drugs and his sexuality have been well-documented. What has also been written about extensively – and rightfully so – has been his Elton John AIDS Foundation. Founded in 1992, the foundation has been one of the world’s leading organizations helping victims of AIDS, a proverbial Christmas card to thousands and thousands of people stricken with the disease. His charitable work is his way of apologizing to his fans (and himself) for having been a drug addict.

So perhaps during the next holiday season when you hear Elton’s annual “Christmas card” come on the radio, think of all the good things his foundation has accomplished and help the cause by making a contribution.