Staff Reports
In the latest episode of “When Politics Meets Performance,” we take a ride down the entertaining rabbit hole that is the NBA’s apparent struggle with national anthem renditions. This week’s headliner? None other than Broadway star Kristin Chenoweth, who took center stage, or rather court, to sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” during the NBA Finals featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers—a game some viewers might have slept on, judging by the ratings nosedive. Chenoweth, a Tony Award-winning talent from Oklahoma, must have thought she was bringing theatrical flair, but what ensued was a spectacle of epic proportions, sparking a firestorm of reactions across the internet.
Now, dear readers, if you thought combining Broadway theatrics with a basketball court was an odd mix, you wouldn’t be alone. Some fans claimed that Chenoweth’s rendition was more befitting a drama performance than a sports anthem, complete with high notes that left many wincing. Whether this reaction was an artistic expression or something akin to auditory torture depends largely on which side of the internet you’ve been following.
The performance didn’t just serve up a talking point but reignited a familiar debate around how the national anthem is treated at major sports events. The league saw ratings tumble, and it seems they still haven’t found their footing since. Perhaps what the audience desires is less drama and more of the straightforward respect this anthem traditionally commands—a sentiment echoed through heaps of online commentary comparing Chenoweth’s style unfavorably to past infamous performances.
Tube-watchers would recall the likes of Fergie’s legendary rendition, which had players secretly snickering on-camera. Chenoweth’s performance, reportedly more “ear-piercing” than “pitch-perfect,” unfortunately finds a home in that same company of not-so-greats. The online community was swift to critique and compare, drawing parallels and ultimately revisiting the curious case of how an entire league appears to consistently miss the mark or perhaps even court controversy intentionally.
What this all boils down to is a lesson in knowing your audience—or not, as seems to be the NBA’s ongoing saga. With declining viewership already an issue, one would think picking a safer anthem bet would be wise. Then again, as some suggest, maybe this unpredictability is a ratchet added for engagement. In any case, with talent like Chenoweth being met with such mixed responses, there may be merit in going back to the basics: respect the anthem, remember the audience, and perhaps consider leaving the theatrics to Broadway.
And so, as this twist in the game of patriotism and sports performance unwinds, the takeaway might just be a nod back to a time when things were simpler, when national anthems simply rallied the hearts rather than Twitter mobs. As always, if you appreciate the anthem and this grand old country, feel free to spread the word far and wide. It seems we’re all blessed with the freedom to dial down the drama and dial up the respect whenever possible.
