Tom Petty to play Super Bowl halftime

I didn't know it until I saw him absolutely rock at Walnut Creek last year, but it turns out that I'm a big Tom Petty fan.

Which is why I was psyched to read today that Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will play the halftime show at Super Bowl XLII (that's 42 for those of you who have forgotten your 3rd grade lesson on Roman numerals).

The 2008 Superbowl will be held Feb. 3 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

But here's something to think about. Why has the Super Bowl been shunning female performers for the past few years? Could it be because of Janet Jackson's Nipplegate in 2004? Since then, only middle aged men have graced the stage — Paul McCartney, The Rolling Stones and Prince.

So what gives? Is the Super Bowl committee being too uptight? And when they finally do invite a female performer back to the halftime show, who do you think would be worthy of the honor?