Marlee Matlin, the Oscar-winning actress and advocate for the deaf community, recently expressed her disappointment with CBS' coverage of the Super Bowl LVIII pregame show. In a social media post, Matlin questioned why CBS introduced the deaf performers but failed to show their performances during the broadcast. This omission goes against the tradition of the past 30 years, where ASL performances have been an integral part of the pregame show.
The pregame show included performances by well-known artists such as Post Malone, who sang 'America the Beautiful,' Andra Day, who performed 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' and Reba McEntire, who sang the National Anthem. Additionally, American Sign Language interpretations were provided for these performances. Dedicating themselves to representing the National Association of the Deaf, actor-choreographer Shaheem Sanchez performed 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' in ASL, while actress, model, and dancer Anjel Piñero performed 'America the Beautiful' in ASL, and CODA actor Daniel Durant signed the National Anthem.
Matlin's criticism stemmed from the fact that CBS only aired a brief moment of Sanchez's ASL performance during 'Lift Every Voice and Sing,' with no inclusion of Piñero's or Durant's performances. Although CBS Sports did provide a separate live stream on their website for ASL performances during the pregame show and plans to do the same for Usher's halftime show, these streams were not showcased during the live broadcast.
According to a source from The Hollywood Reporter, CBS' decision to focus on the deaf performers during the dedicated live stream rather than the primary broadcast aligns with previous Super Bowl pregame coverage. The rights to broadcast the Super Bowl rotate among major networks every three years, and each network may have its own approach to how they present ASL performances.
It's noteworthy to mention that Marlee Matlin herself is intimately familiar with the Super Bowl experience. In 1993, she performed the National Anthem alongside Garth Brooks at Super Bowl XXVII, showcasing her talent and representing the deaf community on a grand stage.
While CBS did provide a platform for ASL performances through their website, Matlin's criticism highlights the importance of inclusion and representation on mainstream broadcasts. The deaf community deserves equal visibility during high-profile events like the Super Bowl, especially considering the significant role ASL performances have played in the pregame show over the past three decades.
Hopefully, Matlin's strong message will prompt networks and organizers to take a closer look at ensuring that performances like these receive the recognition they deserve. The power of art knows no boundaries, and it's essential that all communities, regardless of ability, are given the opportunity to be seen and appreciated during widely watched events.
