The Last Dance: Critical Reception, Controversy, and Ratings
When The Last Dance premiered, it did more than just chronicle the final championship run of the 1990s Chicago Bulls; it became a global cultural phenomenon. Blending archival footage with candid interviews, the docuseries provided an intimate look at Michael Jordan and the dynasty he led. While it earned widespread critical acclaim and massive viewership, it also ignited a firestorm of debate among the very teammates who lived through the events depicted.
Key Facts
- Critical Score: Holds a 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 91/100 on Metacritic.
- Viewership: Averaged 6.71 million viewers per episode, becoming ESPN's most-watched documentary.
- Major Awards: Won the Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Documentary.
- Core Conflict: Several former Bulls players, including Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant, disputed the series' accuracy.
Critical Response and Artistic Merit
Critics largely hailed the series as a masterpiece of sports storytelling. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series maintains a 97% approval rating from 62 reviews, with a consensus praising its comprehensive portrait of one of basketball's greatest teams. Metacritic awarded it a score of 91, signaling "universal acclaim."
Reviewers specifically praised director Jason Hehir for his ability to avoid formulaic storytelling. Robert Daniels of Consequence of Sound described it as a "pulsating celebration of greatness," while Brian Lowry of CNN noted that the series hit all the right notes for dedicated fans. Wesley Morris of The New York Times highlighted Hehir's technique of showing Michael Jordan reactions to controversial clips via an iPad, comparing Jordan's presence to an "incredulous Zeus."
However, not all praise was unconditional. Filmmaker Ken Burns raised concerns regarding journalistic integrity, questioning the influence of Jordan's production company, Jump 23. Burns argued that such involvement could lead to the omission of unfavorable facts. Director Hehir countered this, stating that Jordan remained at a "satellite-level" of involvement and never entered the editing room.
Teammate Disputes and Narrative Conflicts
While active NBA players praised the series for providing entertainment during the COVID-19 pandemic quarantine, former Chicago Bulls players offered a different perspective. Many felt the series molded a questionable narrative that favored Jordan at the expense of others.
The Perspective of Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant
Scottie Pippen expressed disappointment with his portrayal, later describing the series as an attempt by Jordan to "uplift himself." In his 2021 autobiography, Unguarded, Pippen was more explicit, calling Jordan selfish and insensitive. Similarly, Horace Grant claimed that approximately 90% of the series was "BS" regarding its realness, arguing that the editing was skewed to favor Jordan.
Omissions and Over-Emphasis
Several players felt sidelined or unfairly represented:
- Luc Longley: The starting center was omitted from the series, leading to a separate documentary titled "Luc Longley and the missing chapter of The Last Dance."
- Ron Harper: Despite starting all 82 games of the Last Dance season, Harper appeared only briefly.
- Steve Kerr: Some critics argued Kerr received excessive screen time due to his subsequent success as a head coach.
- Craig Hodges: Expressed disappointment at not being interviewed and criticized Jordan for discussing the team's 1980s cocaine use.
Additionally, some defenders of former general manager Jerry Krause suggested that Jordan intentionally delayed production until after Krause's death in 2017 to prevent him from offering his own version of events.
Ratings and Commercial Success
The series was a massive commercial hit for ESPN. During the 2019–20 television season, it tied for fifth among adults aged 18–49, averaging a 2.9 rating. With an average of 6.71 million viewers per episode, it served as a vital asset for the network during a period when live sports were unavailable.
| Episode | Air Date | Rating (18–49) | Total Viewers (Millions) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode I | April 19, 2020 | 3.2 | 7.25 |
| Episode V | May 3, 2020 | 2.8 | 6.68 |
| Episode X | May 17, 2020 | 2.7 | 6.57 |
Accolades
The series was recognized with numerous prestigious awards for its production quality and storytelling. Most notably, it won the Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series and the Producers Guild of America Award for Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television. It also secured wins at the NAACP Image Awards and the TCA Awards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Michael Jordan control the editing of The Last Dance?
While Ken Burns criticized Jordan's production company's involvement, director Jason Hehir stated that Jordan was only involved at a "distant satellite-level" and did not have access to the editing room until cuts were nearly ready for air.
Which teammates disagreed with the documentary?
Scottie Pippen, Horace Grant, and Bill Cartwright were among the most vocal critics, arguing that the series presented a one-sided perspective that favored Michael Jordan.
Why was Luc Longley omitted from the series?
The source does not specify the production's reason for the omission, but Longley's absence was noted by fans and teammates, eventually leading to a separate documentary about his experience.
How successful was the series in terms of ratings?
The series was highly successful, averaging 6.71 million viewers per episode and becoming the most-watched documentary in ESPN's history.
What awards did The Last Dance win?
The series won several major awards, including an Emmy for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series, a Producers Guild of America Award, and an NAACP Image Award.