Every week, we dig in the archives for videos that we find noteworthy, memorable, or just unbelievably stupid. And then, Jon McMillan breaks ‘em down for you. Why Video Hangover? Because when you watch as many videos as we do, you’re going to feel it afterwards.
“Like a Prayer”
Madonna, 1989
Not nearly as controversial as you remember. But still damn good.
It was in the first season. You probably didn’t see it.
I’ve always wondered about the last scene, where a curtain falls on the courthouse and rises to reveal that the entire drama was filmed in front of a studio audience. Does the extra layer of artifice undermine Madonna’s message about guilt and redemption, or is a commentary on artifice itself? It’s like a combination of medieval passion play and that episode of Dawson’s Creek where Dawson foiled a rape, got stigmata, and had sex with a black guy who was also a wax statue of a saint.
Shock & awe?
When it debuted in 1989, “Like A Prayer” was considered one of the most controversial videos ever to air on MTV. The taboo-tweaking use and Catholic iconography, the frank depictions of racism and cleavage, the burning crosses — as usual Madonna was in full kitchen-sink offense mode. To generate the same amount of controversy in 2007, Madonna would have to go even farther into the outrageous. For example:
- Jesus flies out of Madonna’s vagina and punches the rapist in the testicles, which she then eats in a stew
- Madonna has a three-way with St. Bartholomew and Genesius, the patron saint of epileptics and stenographers.
- Madonna waterboards the pope while using his hat as a tampon
I take back what I said: You creep me out
Here’s to you, guy who plays the rapist. You dress like “Synchronicity II”-era Sting, sneer like Billy Idol before the Botox, and leap from rooftops like some sex-crazed Spider-Man. An all-around gem of a performance. But I have to ask: What the hell are you doing to the woman during the final scene? Either you’re pretending to play her leg like a guitar, or you’re really sexually assaulting her. I don’t want to tell you how to do your job, but both seem like poor choices.
Got a candidate for Video Hangover? Email tips at stereogum dot com.
You Might Also Like
 Madonna Comments On M.I.A.’s Bird Flip |  Music’s 10 Most Scandalous Live-TV Moments |  Watch M.I.A.’s Super Bowl Middle Finger |  Madonna – “Give Me All Your Luvin’” (Feat. M.I.A. & Nicki… |
 |
 |
she has never looked hotter than in this video
The madonna in 2007 bit made me laugh
The best part of this video is when Madonna approaches the Warden at the prison and mouths, “he didn’t do it” – and the dude releases him. Man, Madonna sure was powerful in 1987.
I believe Mary “American Psycho” Harron directed it, thus the shocking (for 1987) images.
My favorite Madonna video of my favorite Madonna song (and favorite cover by John Wesley Harding).
Those burning crosses reflected on the Pepsi can.
That statue cried corn syrup.
I think it was Mary Lambert (not Harron) who directed it. She also did Material Girl.
I got an A at Our Lady Ritchie Academy.
Ah, yes xolondon. Right you are.
I think Mary Lambert gave us the film adaptation of Pet Sematary, so we’re lucky we didn’t get Madonna having sex with an undead saint.