The Last Dance finally made its way to television screens on Sunday night, and fans loved seeing Michael Jordan during his time with the Chicago Bulls. The first two episodes of the ESPN docuseries aired, and it featured the NBA legend during his earlier years with the team. A number of notable people were interviewed for The Last Dance, including former President Barack Obama. One of the things that stood out was when Obama appeared on the docuseries, he was introduced as “former Chicago resident.” Social media were surprised to see that, but according to director Jason Hehir, how Obama was introduced was no accident.
“That is a Michael thing,” Hehir told The Athletic (per CBS Sports) of how Obama became involved in the documentary. “Barack Obama is not the kind of guy that I can find his number and text him. Michael had a connection. But I was pretty adamant that we don’t have people in here who don’t have an organic connection to the story. I think the temptation is because Michael was super famous, let’s get as many super famous people in here as possible. There were conflicting philosophies amongst all the (production) partners of what makes a good documentary and what makes a documentary sizzle. I’m a filmmaker first and I just want to tell the story of this team as if they were not super famous. Who were the human beings who make up this team and how did they become famous and how did they handle that fame?”
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Another former U.S. President, Bill Clinton was also featured on The Last Dance, and he was introduced as “former Arkansas resident.” He was talking about when Scottie Pippen was playing college basketball at Central Arkansas, so like Obama with Jordan, Clinton wasn’t president at the time. Regardless of the reason, fans had some fun with the move on Twitter.
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“Barack Obama…former Chicago resident”#TheLastDance
โ Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 20, 2020
Barack Obama – Former Chicago resident.
โ Brandon Walker (@BWalkerSEC) April 20, 2020
Thatโs definitely what heโs best known for.
Man, ESPN just can’t avoid politics. I saw they interviewed former Chicago resident Barack Obama for The Last Dance.
โ Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) April 20, 2020
I will never again watch this left-leaning, science-loving, organic coffee-drinking, can’t stick-to-sports network.
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my new goal in life is to meet the person who decided Barack Obama would be “Former Chicago Resident” pic.twitter.com/B3OA1YxCu1
โ meppers_ (@meppers_) April 20, 2020
Referring to Barack Obama as โFormer Chicago Residentโ has the same energy as Michael Jordan being referred to as โRoster Playerโ in NBA Live 98.#TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/RNUxr8ILpn
โ ๐ฎ Christopher ๐ฎ (@LeChristopherAG) April 20, 2020
Soooo Former PRESIDENT #BarackObama is just a โFormer Chicago Residentโ Thats so disrespectful @netflix @espn #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/CYdBRsut4k
โ Queen B (@IamUnique504) April 20, 2020
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Did that say “former Chicago resident” under Barack Obama ๐๐๐
โ William Allen (@Will_Akashi_Sei) April 20, 2020
“Barack Obama – Former Chicago Resident”
โ The Outside of Madness (@illbelate2that) April 20, 2020
Y’all don’t think there is anything else that might be notable about him?
Best detail so far: Barack Obama, former Chicago resident.
โ Judy Battista (@judybattista) April 20, 2020
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Barack Obama “former Chicago Residentโ I never knew that’s what made him famous! LOL! #TheLastDance
โ Hikaru Nakamura (@GMHikaru) April 20, 2020
This dude name #BarackObama a former Chicago resident ๐ค pic.twitter.com/T9Mo1OrRWL
โ El George (@SirGeorgeCastro) April 20, 2020
#Former Chicago Residentโ @BarackObama https://t.co/Qh3EhiVHq8
โ Alma @Glammaa1959 (@ArcalaLourdez) April 20, 2020
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Someone titled Barack Obama as a Former Chicago Resident (#TheLastDance #MichealJordan)
โ Sudhamshu Reddy (@sudhamshureddy) April 20, 2020
So that makes Trump, Former WWE Wrestler ? pic.twitter.com/MTitBnlvsA
“Former Chicago resident” Barack Obama.
โ Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) April 20, 2020
I don’t care what side you’re on – that’s good stuff. #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/QB177aC88a
I love they called President @BarackObama a Chicago Resident. ๐๐ Not the 44th President, a โFormer Chicago Resident.โ #TheLastDance @espn
โ Graham Cannon (@BigdogCannon) April 20, 2020
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Shoutout to โFormer Chicago Residentโ @BarackObama #TheLastDance
โ Kamehameha Wavy (@all_pro_Shine) April 20, 2020
I love that they identify Barack Obama solely as โFormer Chicago Resident.โ #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/roHFShfvpp
โ 90s Kinda Girl (@divafeminist) April 20, 2020
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…Former Chicago Resident… #TheLastDance #BarackObama #formerchicagoresident pic.twitter.com/5eIQNKvFu5
โ Terry Loves Yogurt (@all_adam_h) April 20, 2020
Barack Obama. You know, the former Chicago resident. pic.twitter.com/USiyMfwSLu
โ THE L00NG TW00 (@TheLong2Podcast) April 20, 2020
No they didnโt put Barack Obama, โFormer Chicago residentโ #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/frprEOjMqt
โ Libby (@Olirayyy) April 20, 2020