Sports is a schmaltzy business.
There are all sorts of sappy, goofball things that occur during sporting events, be they unintelligible mascots or unofficial crowd sing-a-longs. (Think “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in the seventh inning of a baseball game.)
It doesn’t make sense to everyone, but it’s part of what makes fandom great.
So I was less than enthused to hear that singer Jennifer Hudson is slated to sing the NCAA’s traditional closing song, “One Shining Moment.”
I wish I were kidding.
The song is sung by the late Luther Vandross and has been a staple in the tournament since 1987. It serves as a backdrop to a montage of the most dramatic shots from the games - not just the missed and made baskets, but the celebrations and tears as well.
I know people who stay up well past their bedtime with little interest in the championship game, just waiting for the “Moment” to conclude the entire college basketball season.
Now, I know people who are more likely to flip the channel than listen to Hudson’s rendition.
While much of the buzz has been muted by the tournament - as it should be, of course - a simmering backlash is still there.
One blogger stated that CBS’s decision to change artists is the equivalent of superimposing Larry the Cable Guy over Marlon Brando in “The Godfather.”
Even my husband chimed in on the issue.
“Jennifer Hudson singing this song is like your favorite basketball team being down by one point with the worst free-throw shooter on the line and no time left on the clock,” he said. “You want him to be great enough to make the shot. You need him to make the shot. But you know for a fact you’re just not coming out with a win.”
Well, that pretty much sums it up.
See, Vandross’ delivery was smooth and welcoming. You didn’t have to be a fan of R&B music to appreciate the way the song was sung. His voice never really isolated fans.
J-Hud, however, lacks a voice with crossover appeal. Most people either love it or hate it, with very little wiggle room in between.
This has nothing to do with a slight to Hudson at all. I appreciate her talent, but talent doesn’t mean you can do anything. And I just don’t know that her voice is suited for something like this.
I can also appreciate CBS wanting to shake things up and offer a fresh take on things. But people love their sports, their traditions and their sports traditions.
And this could be a dangerous fix to something that was never broken.
