Question:
I have heard, from a couple people, that Stephen Schwartz indirectly takes a shot at George (W) Bush in "Popular" with the line:
"Celebrated Heads of State ,
or especially great communicators,
Did they have brains or knowledge?
Don't make me laugh.
They were popular, please.
It's all about popular."
Is this (or does anyone believe it to be) true?
No offense to you...
but that's retarded.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/10/05
el. oh. el.
Why is that retarded? somethingwicked's interpretation is completely valid.
I think it's just referring to politicians and the political process in general.
That’s just how I interpreted it. I really don’t know, that could be right. Lord knows it would be accurate! lol
Does anyone consider GW a "great communicator" ?
Well I certainly don't see it as that, I think MLE's got the right idea.
No, I'm just saying that thinking that lyric it a deliberate jab at George W. Bush is a dumb idea. I mean, hey, it could be true, but if it is that's super lame.
I didn't say I believed it. I too think it's a general jab at politics. But I also know some people think it's directed towards GWB, so I just brought it up to see what everyone else thought. After all, isn't what this board is for?
Stand-by Joined: 10/30/05
Ronald Reagan was referred to as the "Great Communicator"... if this lyric is directed at anyone it is him, though I think this is more of a jab at politicians in general.
Oh no that's fine! That's why I said no offense to you.. I just thought the whole idea was retarded, not that you brought it up.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/13/05
Craig...you took the words right out of my mouth.
I think it is a much more obvious jab at ole dubbya when Nessa says, "I can't harbor a fugitive, I am an UNelected official!" When I saw the show, there was a knowing little glance at the audience. There was quite a little laugh.
Stand-by Joined: 2/2/05
I highly doubt this is a direct attack on bush, but Lance Horne did write an AWESOME parody version of the song called "Nucular" - (Nucular/He says the word Nucular) that Kathy Brier did at a benefit like a year or so ago.
Broadway Star Joined: 3/17/05
Although your juvenile use of the word "retarded" as a perjorative is pretty offensive.
I'm so PC sometimes I scare myself.
I'm sorry.
I don't mean to offend anyone.
I suck at being politically correct.
I don't think that verse is actually about Bush. I just like to pretend it is. When I do that, I replace "popular" with "nepotism." It's fun.
I agree that it's about the election process and politics in general.
This conversation sounds really familiar.
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
I just love that someone else uses the word "pejorative."
Does anyone consider GW a "great communicator" ?
It says heads of state OR especially great. That's not referring to the head of state.
I always thought it was...
someone I know suggested they change the lyric from "don't make me laugh" to "just look at Bush" during the election... but I didn't think that that would be acceptable, even if it would have been funny.
there are other slams in the show. JLT always had fun with the way people reacted to them.
OT: Bruce Vilanche made some GREAT Bush cracks when I saw Hairspray.
Yea, I remember Bruce's stuff. I saw it over a year ago and thought he was hysterical!
Understudy Joined: 11/16/04
I believe that Stephen Schwartz answered a question on his website about this where he admitted that the line was a subtle criticism of Reagan. There are several things like this in the show, like those mentioned above. Also Glinda's line, "A regime change, brought about by an unexpected twister of fate." Also, there are several lines in "Wonderful" and throughout the rest of the show that could pertain, not just to Bush, but to several historical figures.
Stand-by Joined: 7/2/05
Although I doubt it was a direct stab... I think its kinda funny nonetheless.
That would be great if it was true :)
and NO! Bush is definitely not a "great communicator"! (nor is he much else... but I won't go there...) (wrong board for that!)
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