Why is it ok to lip-synch at the Super Bowl and Inauguration but not on SNL?

If Pink Floyd can put out enough sound to fill Ohio Stadium, surely there are big enough speakers to take care of any NFL venue.

If you're being paid to perform, you should perform...period. Lip synching is NOT acceptable for anyone.

Good Morning, Beatle!

I'm so glad you asked this question, because I was thinking the same thing. I was pissed when I saw both Faith Hill and Jennifer Hudson lip-synching to recorded tracks. The temperature excuse is one that seems to have come out recently with these kinds of performances. It's not like it was -30 there...temps were reported to be in the 60s. Honestly, I don't understand why one is acceptable and the other isn't.

I don't necessarily fault the artist since it could have been the decision of the NFL or some other group to do that, but as a vocalist I would be upset. The National Anthem is easily one of the most difficult songs to sing and it's a huge honor to be chosen to do so. But almost anyone can sound awesome doing it when they are in studio, get multiple takes and can have the vocals cleaned up. The thrill of performing it live is a huge part of it, and it was taken away from both the performer and the spectator.

Some of my favorites:

Whitney Houston at Super Bowl XXV:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qciWEufZ2xA

Marvin Gaye at the '83 NBA All-Star Game:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A

Edit: Seriously?!? That would figure, wouldn't it? LOL...

Jimmy - you're right. The Queen of Soul can do no wrong! :)

I think the issue is that these performers bill it as a live performance. So when it turns out, that in fact, this is just some studio rendition it's disappointing. Plus who knows what tweaking has been done to the recorded version? I mean, when you get down to it, can this person actually sing or what?

I also think it's kind of trashy to lip sync the national anthem.

And as for arguments justifying lip syncing, Aretha Franklin sang live for real at the inauguration. It was pretty cold out and she's ain't exactly young. Personally, I would hire her for all future renditions of any and all songs at nationally televised events.

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2nd answerer is dead wrong. Clearly live performances can be given at large venues.

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Oh, to actually answer your question, I don't consider it okay either way. The lack of crticism for the Super Bowl lip synching probably has to do with the NFL public relations department.

What else is new with the double standard crap? Lip synching shouldn't be allowed either way. If they are as good as they claim they should be able to do it without help.

no one should ever lip synch a live performance ever if they want to maintain their credibility as singers...but jennifer hudson, imo, probably hasn't had a lot of time to practice this performance recently considering her family circumstances, so i can give her a pass on this

Because of the size of the venue - the Super Bowl stadium and the Washington mall - there is not enough equipment that would allow a good performance. However, in SNL -which is supposed to be done live - you're talking about a TV studio where lip synching should be unnecessary.

i agree that professional musicians should never have to fake it.

i think the acceptability of using recordings at important live performances proves how we've fallen into a cheating culture.

They should NEVER lip synch--it sucks!!

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No I never seen it, but I go agree with you

take care

dave

did jennifer hudson lip sync? umm i think no one should lip sync ever unless their dancing AND singin take it from me thats pretty difficult