The Huffington Post: "Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV"- Page 2
The Huffington Post: "Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV"
#25re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/6/07 at 11:17pm
like i said......they should let all the new musicals perform not just the nominated ones.
The Jersey Boys our performing and they arent nominated.
#26re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/6/07 at 11:19pmAre you sure? I thought they were presenting.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
Boq101
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/20/06
#27re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/6/07 at 11:30pmI adored the Tony's in the 90's. They showed clips of all the shows on Broadway, nominated or not, play or musical. Then they showed behind the scenes interviews for almost every award and Rosie did one of her "let's speak on pitch to a tune from an old show" thing in the beginning. And they would also have it in a broadway theater, like Patti LuPone says, she also thinks Radio City is too overblown (look it up, Manoel Felciano's behind the scenes peek at sweeney on broadway.com)
#28re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 8:43am
I definitely liked the years that some of the awards were presented on PBS. At least they did a thorough job of highlighting the individual nominees and shows.
Also, I think they should move the awards back to a Broadway house.
What's sad, I've seen better produced shows such as Gypsy of the Year, Easter Bonnett competition and Broadway Bares, then what the Tony's have been able to pull off in recent years.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
VIETgrlTerifa
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/18/04
#29re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 9:09am
The problem with the Tonys is that it's an award that celebrates an art form that most of mainstream America hasn't been able to experience for themselves, so if anyone is interested in theatre, they need to do their own research and find sites like Broadwayworld.com to get all of their information. It also hurts that most media outlet never covers Broadway because Broadway isn't that popular anymore.
The Tonys will NEVER be mainstream, no matter how hard CBS tries. I agree with those who say that the Tonys should just be about theatre and about putting on a big show that celebrates that season in Broadway and theater in general. CBS should give it to PBS or another network that is willing to take the Tonys for what they are.
Not to be snarky, but why do people believe that Legally Blonde will boost ratings for the Tonys? It's not as if Legally Blonde is that much of a hot commodity that tweens and teens around the country will mark their calendar and have to watch just because Legally Blonde performs.
"I've got to get me out of here
This place is full of dirty old men
And the navigators and their mappy maps
And moldy heads and pissing on sugar cubes
While you stare at your books."
Auggie27
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/03
#30re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 9:15amRadio City is absolutely the wrong venue for the show. This is not like the Grammys or even the Daytime Emmys. Even though the camera is right on top of the performers, it's a quandry for the actors, playing to an airplane hanger and a lens in their face. Every show is configured for a radically smaller space, and when you see the numbers floating in the midst of that stage -- Bernadette's "Rose's Turn" comes to mind, among many others -- the shows themselves look flimsy. I remember the HAIRSPRAY finale, well-performed, looking cheesy. And farther back, the opening, truncated sequence from TITANIC, which seemed to be performed in a tunnel. Back to Broadway, where the scale serves every aspect of the show, and the camera can comfortably catch it.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
Auggie27
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/03
#31re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 9:15amRadio City is absolutely the wrong venue for the show. This is not like the Grammys or even the Daytime Emmys. Even though the camera is right on top of the performers, it's a quandry for the actors, playing to an airplane hanger and a lens in their face. Every show is configured for a radically smaller space, and when you see the numbers floating in the midst of that stage -- Bernadette's "Rose's Turn" comes to mind, among many others -- the shows themselves look flimsy. I remember the HAIRSPRAY finale, well-performed, looking cheesy. And farther back, the opening, truncated sequence from TITANIC, which seemed to be performed in a tunnel. Back to Broadway, where the scale serves every aspect of the show, and the camera can comfortably catch it.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling
#32re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 9:58amAuggie is absolutely right. There is no reason to have it in such a ridiculously large venue, other than to SELL tickets to the public. Keep it as it used to be - industry only, and in a real Broadway house.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#33re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 10:27am
It would be better to have them in a Broadway house and it would be better to move them to a network that will give them the airtime to actually feature numerous performances. (I would say PBS, but there would have to be some requirement that it be carried around the country that night -- for people not in NY, there are few things as annoying as searching through the schedule to see that your local channel either decided not to air it at all or is airing it two weeks later in the middle of the night).
One thing that was right is that more than just the Best Musical (and Musical Revival) nominees should be featured. Think about the Oscars. Yes, people get up and go to the bathroom during many of the technical awards but you pick in your office pools based on your knowledge of and interest in the film -- people would care about more awards if they could see something of what the show is and have something to root for.
"She sang each word, the angels heard ... They closed her mouth and shipped her south. The woman's done."
VIETgrlTerifa
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/18/04
#34re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 10:34am
One thing I really enjoyed at this past Oscar ceremony was that they started giving more airtime to the people who are responsible for the more technical awards. I think the Tonys need to give more insight to what it takes to make a Bway show look and sound like the way it does.
I also think they need to give attention to the shows (both musical and straight play) that opened that season. They don't have to let them perform live (let the nominated shows have that distinction) but maybe show a good montage that highlights the show or maybe let the cast of shows not nominated for Best Musical perform in some way that doesn't take away from the nominated shows.
"I've got to get me out of here
This place is full of dirty old men
And the navigators and their mappy maps
And moldy heads and pissing on sugar cubes
While you stare at your books."
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#35re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 10:35am
The Tony Awards need to decide if they are a show or an awards ceremony. They can't be both. If they are a show, then they need to remain on a big network channel and need to make it exciting, lots of razzle dazzle. If it's an awards ceremony, then they need to shuffle it off to PBS or one of the cable channels and treat it like Inside the Actor's Studio.
One of the points of the Tony Awards is publicity. It is supposed to get Middle America excited about Broadway. It is supposed to whip up in the hearts of Ma & Pa Kettle a desire to see a Broadway show, and if they can't get to Broadway, then see a show when it comes to their city on a tour.
One of the things that the Tony Awards does is act as a lifeline to those in communities that don't have culture. To be able to tune into the Tony Awards and watch five minute clips of a Broadway show is like water in the desert to some young teenager. It paints a vision for them to go along with their Broadway cast album.
Finally, one thing the Tony Awards can't do is showcase Broadway shows where the talent is mediocre. Past shows have been exciting because Broadway had excellent talent. Now, the talent is very mediocre, acting, directing, writing. If you don't believe me, ask any person who saw the 1980 broadcast. When the Evita cast performed "A New Argentina" it was like a bolt of lightning. Unfortunately, after that, producers tried to become clever and pre-tape segments or mix too much material or not spotlight high points in the show.
Ask anyone that saw the 1980 broadcast. That moment from Evita was magical and has never been repeated.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
#36re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 10:42am
>> However, when you're charging upwards of $100 a ticket and more, you'd better do everything you can to start interesting people about the theater and demonstrating to them why they should care.
Amen. It's called marketing, and Broadway is amazingly shoddy at it sometimes.
Insofar as "well, people buy tickets to them ANYWAY" (as one commentator to the original article posted)... heck, sure, they are. They're on a business trip, more often than not, and the company is no doubt reimbursing them for it, so it's not like they're shelling anything out themselves. And it's just "one of those things you do when you come to New York", like going to Graumann's in LA or the CN Tower in Toronto. But the "specialness" of a Broadway musical is, IMHO, kinda disappeared.
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#37re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 10:43am
Are you sure? I thought they were presenting.
Yes, I talked to Daniel Reichard.
#38re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 11:04am
Definitely agree alot of it comes down to money, as Mr Roxy and couple of people have pointed out. RentBoy86: "The Tony Awards will never be a "big" show because the majority of people don't go to the theater anymore. It's as simple as that."
I agree, but why don't they go? Sure mainstream tastes have changed, but I can only speak for myself. If I had more money, you'd bet I'd be going to more shows.
Alot of it also I think comes down to accessibility in shows, location and money. Broadway is of course part of what defines New York. If Broadway were in California, I maybe would have went to one show in my life. And when people don't have accessibility to things they probably won't care. As much as I love Broadway, the Tonys aren't that big a deal to me because most likely I haven't seen most of the nominees whereas artists that win Grammys and Academy Awards are everywhere. It would be a hell of a lot cheaper and easier for me if I lived in middle America to go to the record store and buy all the nominees' CDs or go to the movies, then to plan a trip to NY and see a bunch of shows.
Arghh! Grammar pet peeve #1: your vs you're. "Your" is a possessive pronoun. "You're" is the contraction of "you are."
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mejusthavingfun
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/12/06
#39re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 11:18amMaybe if Broadway shows were broadcast on Network television or had DVD releases this "show" might gain an audience.
VIETgrlTerifa
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/18/04
#40re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 11:45am
Maybe if Broadway shows were broadcast on Network television or had DVD releases this "show" might gain an audience.
Exactly. This is a completely missed opportunity, and people would actually want to see the shows live after seeing it on television orDVD. At least, I know I do.
"I've got to get me out of here
This place is full of dirty old men
And the navigators and their mappy maps
And moldy heads and pissing on sugar cubes
While you stare at your books."
Updated On: 6/7/07 at 11:45 AM
avab802
Broadway Star Joined: 5/17/06
#41re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 2:11pm
While I can see how broadcasting Broadway shows on TV or releasing them to DVD may make some people want to see them live, there will be just as many (if not more) people who think, "I saw that on TV (or DVD), so I don't need to go to New York and pay $100+ to see it again."
Updated On: 6/7/07 at 02:11 PM
#42re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 2:58pm
I think some people would feel that way (why pay $100+ if I can rent the DVD) but I guess (a) those people probably wouldn't have spent the $100+ to begin with and (b) from a business perspective, you probably couldn't put every show on DVD. Maybe getting exposure to some shows might build more of a theater interest in those who might otherwise not care about seeing a show when they go to NY or when a touring production comes through town.
The problem remains that something has to be done to expose national audiences to theater performers and current shows. Love her or hate her, Rosie was great for that and Broadway week on Regis and Kelly is great for that. I firmly believe that as an awards show, the Tonys are far more interesting, whether you're a theater fanatic or not, if you have any awareness whatsoever of what the nominated shows are.
"She sang each word, the angels heard ... They closed her mouth and shipped her south. The woman's done."
#43re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 3:07pmI think the success of movie musicals directly disputes the argument that people won't go to the theater if they've seen the show on DVD.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#44re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 3:10pmBut, Rath, in those cases, the movie is different than what you've seen on stage. That way, producers can angle it as "You've seen the movie, now see it LIVE on stage!!". If productions were released on video (which I think they should be for people who don't live in or close to New York) there isn't much difference from what you'd see on video and what you'd see in the theater.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
#45re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 3:12pmPeople don't make that distinction. They think they are seeing the movie onstage. It's all about familiarity - knowing they'll get something they already know they like for their overpriced theater ticket, airfare, hotel, and meals.
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#46re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 3:14pmGood point.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
Virgo
Featured Actor Joined: 9/11/05
#47re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 3:27pm
Personally, I think 7 million viewers (that's about what they usually get) for the Tony awards is pretty decent. Not everyone has access to Broadway so the Tony awards aren't going to get ratings as good as the Emmy's, Grammy's, Oscars etc. Plus, the stars of broadway sometimes aren't as "known" as stars of TV, film and music because it is limited to NY in most cases. Plus, the tony's don't get half the publicity as the other awards shows, usually the week leading up to the emmy's grammy and Oscars (especially) promotion hits full force every single entertainment news and news media is talking about it, which equals promotion, which equals more viewers.
Also, some have said that the Tony's have asked Fantasia to perform for "ratings" further proof that isn't the case. I saw a Tony commercial just yesterday and there is no mention of Fantasia performing at all, I think if she was the "ratings" ploy they'd at least promote it on their commercial.
#48re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 3:28pmSeriously, are you Fantasia's mom?
Have I ever shown you my Shattered Dreams box? It's in my Disappointment Closet. - Marge Simpson
#49re: The Huffington Post: 'Why the Tony Awards are Flopping on TV'
Posted: 6/7/07 at 3:29pmSeriously.
I am a firm believer in serendipity- all the random pieces coming together in one wonderful moment, when suddenly you see what their purpose was all along.
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