“Hamilton”, “The Prom”, and “The Boys In The Band” during Awards Season

Hey everyone,

I know this has been discussed in various, disparate threads, but I wanted to condense the conversation here.

Thinking about a tweet from Variety that predicts Leslie Odom Jr. would get a nod for Best Actor - Motion Picture (Comedy/Musical) at the Golden Globes, I thought that “Hamilton”s eligibility for “motion picture” awards (GG-Film and Oscars) was already declared against them and that they could compete in the Television categories (GG-Television and Emmys). I’m wondering if there is going to be a united decision on this or is every different body going to make it’s own consideration.

Variety also tweeted that Meryl Streep and Jo Ellen Pellman would get nodded for Best Actress - Motion Picture (Comedy/Musical) at the Golden Globes. Though my question is not whether it’s eligible as a motion pictures, it would be that if Odom Jr. isn’t eligible, does that open up a spot for James Corden to be nominated? (pending the feedback of his performance, but bolstered by his appeal with international audiences). Additionally, could Jim Parsons also fit that category with “The Boys In The Band”?

Which connects me to my final question: Is “The Boys In The Band” going to do an awards push for motion picture categories and, since the Golden Globes seem to be the focal point of my extended query, would it fall into a comedy/musical or drama category. Considering that both acts are distinctly different in tone, I would still overall classify it as a Comedy. (I don’t think the original sets any precedent since it was only nominated for New Star of the Year - Male for Kenneth Nelson).

Lots of thoughts here, but hope to hear yours as well.

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It's unclear at the moment whether Boys in the Band or The Prom will be eligible for the Oscars. If I understand correctly, the Oscar rule change about streaming movies only applied to films that were slated to have a limited theatrical release - which in a normal year is a requirement for Oscar eligibility (more specifically, at least 2 weeks of screenings in LA). So in other words, if they weren't planning to submit the film for eligibility pre-COVID, they can't do so now just because of the rule change. At least that's how I understand it - happy to be corrected if I'm wrong. And so I believe both The Prom and BITB are ineligible for that reason, but will be eligible for the Emmys instead.

And yet, some prediction sites like Gold Derby have them listed as eligible, so maybe I've missed something.

Hamilton on the other, is likely going to be ineligible for other reasons.

I'm not as familiar with the Golden Globes as I am with the Oscars, so I don't know what their rules are. But I do know that they have separate categories for Television movies as opposed to "theatrical" releases ("theatrical" in quotes because they've almost certainly adjusted the rule for COVID, similar to the Oscars). So if the GG's current 2020 rules are similar to the rules that separate the Oscars from the Emmys, then movies like The Prom and BITB would likely be in the "Television movie" category.

Updated On: 10/30/20 at 04:34 PM

CT2NYC said: "According to the trailer, THE PROM will play in select theaters in December, before it's released on Netflix."

Ah, ok! If that's the case, then I guess that answers that question. It probably is Oscar-eligible, and probably eligible for the theatrical categories at the GGs (again, not as familiar with their rules, so I'm not sure).

As far as I'm aware though, I don't think Boys in the Band played any theatres, or intended to

I sincerely don't think you need to worry about any of these films being nominated for anything.

It's interesting discussing Boys in the Band for eligibility. The Academy rules state, as of the addendum on Oct. 6th, that a film must either have been released in theaters or have been intended to be released in theaters to be eligible. I'm thinking that "intended" is going to lead to a big grey area because producers should be able to claim intention with little-to-no evidence. Drive-ins also enable qualification, so I assume if anyone wants to do a last minute push they'll run a film at a drive-in in LA for a few days.

I'm assuming Boys in the Band will be eligible, and I think they should and will do a campaign for it with how tiny the competition is this year. In any other year, I'd say it wouldn't have a chance for nominations. But with all of the studio films delaying their releases, it could easily snag some nominations with the GGs and the Oscars. It has classic Hollywood studio bait, and there aren't many others like that this year. As for GGs, I think Boys in the Band will compete as Comedy/Musical for competition reasons. Drama is stacked with Trial of Chicago 7, Mank, Hillbilly Elegy, The Father, Da 5 Bloods, and Nomadland already. So competition is much lighter over in the comedy area, and I think they can justify it by being a stage adaptation (I don't agree with the justification, but producers always BS reasons to steer their category). One Night in Miami may do the same.

The Prom will also be eligible, and they'll push hard for a GG campaign. And always with the Oscars, don't ever count Meryl out for a nomination.

GGs have not released a statement regarding Hamilton's eligibility, but I assume that it will be deemed ineligible for film and may be eligible to compete for TV. If not TV, they may give it some honorary award.

Phillipa Soo is definitely a leading actress in Hamilton. It feels wrong to put her in supporting.

The Boys in the Band and The Prom are both absolutely eligible for Oscars and are actively campaigning. The Prom has a better shot at nominations, though sentiment for Mart Crowley could yield a left field adapted screenplay nomination. Their publicity team is heavily pushing Parsons and Quinto but I think those acting races are ultimately too crowded for them to make it.

As for the Globes, Boys in the Band is entering as a Drama. I don’t think it’ll get nominated. They will eat up The Prom though. James Corden is possible considering the comedies and musicals which have backed out of the year, leaving a thin race.

Hamilton is not eligible for Oscars. Disney is aiming for Emmys instead.

I’d check out Gold Derby if you want to see a pretty comprehensive list of contenders and their odds (based on pundits and user predictions)

Scott Stephen said: "Phillipa Soo is definitely a leading actress in Hamilton. It feels wrong to put her in supporting."

I disagree with this statement as much now as I did when they put her in leading for the Tonys. Eliza is a featured role. Having the largest female role (and she doesn't even have that much more stage time than Angelica) doesn't automatically mean the role is a lead.

Category fraud seems a bit strong. I can understand the argument for Eliza being featured (or supporting in the film capture) but Eliza ends up being a significant character from start to finish. While Angelica starts strong, and gets arguably the best song of the show with “Satisfied,” she all but disappears in the second act.

Eliza has several solos, playing one person with a strong character arc, and she closes the show.

If anything, watching Soo in the movie (or whatever the filmed production is categorized as being) emphasizes her important role in the musical.

I don’t doubt the Hamilton producers wanted Soo in leading to avoid the possibility she splits the vote with Renee Elise Goldsberry, but that decision was made by the Tony group that decides such things.

I saw them together on the stage and I have never understood the Leslie Odom Jr. love.

He was very good in the role. For my $229, I thought that Miranda's performance was decidedly superior. Maybe he did not sing as well (his voice was fine), but his acting was stellar His scenes after his son's death were gut-wrenching.

I also thought that Diggs MADE you watch him every time he was on stage, not the case with Odom Jr. Jackson brought real gravitas to his role, and Goldsberry was just perfect in her role.

Bottom line, for my two cents, I felt that 4 members of the cast gave more memorable performances than did Odom.

One last point. All the praise for Odom and The Room Where it Happened. The stars of that number were the song and the staging. Odom was solid, but for me the best part of that number was when the other characters interjected comments on what was going on in the room. Odom has gotten altogether too much of the praise for that number. Shoot me.

Sutton Ross said: "He was decent whenever I saw him live, but prefer Joshua Henry and Brandon Victor Dixon. Their performances were much more heartbreaking and emotional. I found him very off putting with his refusal to do the streamed show up until the night before filming. Everyone else was fine with the numbers, what was his problem? And his performance was just terrible in the recording. He had this weird, evil lisp the entire time, which he didn't do in front of audiences. It was distracting and such an odd choice. I doubt he will be nominated for a thing."

What was off putting? He didn't believe he was receiving the money he deserved for the filming so he negotiated. If he didn't like what was offered, he wouldn't have done it. This type of self advocating should be applauded.

Great post, totally agree. He turned into a full blown cartoon character.