ROSIE VARIETY SHOW! FULL REVIEW

[theaterfan2]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:38pm

The show had a lot of potential.

The Rosie opening was self-depricating and fun. I would've liked to see more talk of current events with the "Rosie spin". Her black outfit and the rest of the show's overall "color pallette" was too dark. The show needed brighter lights, pastel colors, and a more "feel-good" color scheme. Since TV frames what the at-home audiences see and "feel", the show needed more pop.

Performances: Kathy Griffin should've done an ENTIRE set. She is hillarious and was underused. The Nancy Grace impersonation to get back at her was not entertaining. Kathy Griffin has talent and chops, and has proven to radiate her talent through the medium of television with her own show. Kathy needed to be in a bit. Her and Rosie should've had their own sketch.

Clay Aiken bit was dull and expected to do the "gay" joke. Corny and expected.

Harry Connick has a beautiful voice. It would've been nice to hear an entire song sung by a talented performer.

I wanted a big joyous number. A gospel choir of adults and children behind the likes of a Harry Connick singing a Gospel number. Then Rosie come out and shake a tamberine. THEN Whoopi Goldberg come out in her nun outfit. The button of the number is Rosie asking Whoopi, "How's the skinny Republican doing?" (button) sing last big note of Gospel number. (black out) This is one of many theatrical, fun ideas that I think would've made the TV audiences smile and laugh.

The Variety Acts were theatrical and did not inspire me to smile or laugh or be entertained. The cast of SNL could've done a bit. Carol Burnett could've done a bit with Rosie.

These are some thoughts. Happy Thanksgiving!

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:43pm

Here's my full review of the parts of the show that I watched:

it blew.

[appleric]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 9:57pm

I agree. It was really bad. It was like watching a telethon without the phone numbers running at the bottom of the screen.

Somebody get a Stephanie Block and let her grab her friends and put on a REAL variety show, with skits and music and dancing and a LOT of humor. That was NOT a variety show we saw tonight.

[jazzicat]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:07pm

Loved every minute, but my first thought is I think Rosie NEEDS a desk, she is too awkward just standing there and I miss the desk from her old show.

But I love the concept, love the idea of seeing rotations of awesome, amazing talent without a competition or mindless hawking of movies or pet projects. She shouldn't focus too much on skits, instead.. just let the randomness of great performances speak for themselves. I think she should do 3 min interviews with the "unknowns" as this could be their big break.ie how I always imagined the beatles on Ed Sullivan (too young to have seen this). She should also give the ledgends a chance to talk as who knows how long their precious time is.

She should also feel free to just talk in the beginning about any topic she feels warrants attention.

Imagine in one night seeing a performance of a scene from Billy Elliot roll into a performance by Jonie Mitchell cut to a Target commercial and pick up with a performance by my personal fave Dave Matthews and swoop into a performance by Yo Yo Ma. Perfection.

This is what we love about awards shows--without the awards. And Amerian Idol without Randy and Paula. It's the performances. That is what we want to see. Craftmasters doing their best.

I am so happy to have this format return, ironically during another depression. It was so relaxing to sit with my husband sipping a glass of wine. Reminded me of when I used to watch the Muppet Show every night as a kid with my parents. No wine back then.

Kudos to Rosie and her team. Can't wait until the next showing.

[JEK216]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:08pm

My full review? Rosie is completely untalented. The show was tacky, and a huge disappointment. The end.

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:14pm

Theaterfan,

No offense, but that sounded less like a review and more like what you wish she would have done.

I mean, I get that you didn't like it, but at least evaluate what you were given constructively- instead of just giving us your variety show pitch.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:16pm

Or just give Leslie Kritzer her own variety show ala THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW.

She can do it all, just like Carol Burnett. AND Leslie could do the entire show 'live'.

THE LESLIE KRITZER SHOW on NBC! I can taste it now.

[BroadwayBelle2]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:23pm

I thought it was going to better.

[A Director]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:24pm

When The Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan, they were not unknowns. It was their first trip to the U.S. It was rare for Ed to perform with any of the performers who appeared on his show. He knew his talent was limited. Sad to say, that is not true of Rosie. As Nathan said of Doug Henning, Rosie is a triple threat, she can't sing, she can't dance, she can't act. The first year she hosted the Tony Awards, she was good; after that it was down hill fast. Her fifteen minutes of fame are long gone.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:27pm

Rosie has long admitted that she has no talent. By performing she by no means is acknowledging that she thinks she has talent. She a) thinks it's cute, and b) wants to because she is a fan of these performers.

I mean, if you have the opportunity to sing with Liza Minnelli...are you going to reject the offer?

[jaystarr]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:28pm

I agree with everyone. The show sucks! Too bad I am a big Rosie fan!

I will say it again.... Its BORING, UNINSPIRED and a TOTAL DISASTER! It's good I had TORCHWOOD (on DVD) to see after that show or else it would have been a complete waste of my evening!

Gosh! It's like watching the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at Rockfeller on NBC!

J*

[A Director]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:41pm

I mean, if you have the opportunity to sing with Liza Minnelli...are you going to reject the offer?

Yes, because Liza Minnelli can sing; neither Rosie nor I can. A good host should let those with talent shine.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:45pm

It's a good thing I've been engrossed in the Top Chef marathon all day.

[yankeegal]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:47pm

I'm with BrodyFosse123 - Leslie Kritzer would blow Rosie out of the water!!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:50pm

Yes, because Liza Minnelli can sing

That was Liza singing on the show? I thought that was Rick Skye.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:53pm

When I saw Liza in August at the Horsehoe Casino in Hammond, Indiana she was better than she was here. She did have the same outfit on, though.

[jaystarr]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 10:57pm

I think LIZA is better live-I mean to see her in person! Phyllis- I think Liza has a thousand of that same outfit! She was wearing one of those outfit in ACT 1 in her show in Woosocket, RI last Saturday!

J*
Updated On: 11/26/08 at 10:57 PM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 11:00pm

I wonder if what she's doing at the Palace is based on what she did in Indiana.

Alanis is on now. I'm not a fan of the bangs. Same with Chelsea Handler's new bangs. I implore the ladies of BWW who feel the urge to get bangs - resist. Please.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 11:01pm

I'll try.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 11:01pm

Thank you.

[DrTheatre]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 11:19pm

I am watching it now...people that were saying, that it has potential are correct. It's not there yet. I like the concept, but I also do not like when I feel like I have to applaud for someone...I like to be surprised and applaud for the sheer fact of knowing that this person is there..........seems to forced there for I did not really like the show...I hope it does get picked up though...just so we finally get something new on TV.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 11:23pm

It was kind of like America's Got Talent, Home Shopping Network and the third hour of the Emmy telecast all rolled into one. I would bet that if you held a gun to the head of an alien who had no idea who Liza or Rosie were, they could not tell you wich one of them is known for their singing.Where were the judges? The awards?
Rosie's main problem is that she thinks she is Judy Garland when she is closer to Ed Sullivan. And really, who wanted to hear Ed sing with his guests? Just introduce them and get off.
Painful, pitiful and downright unwatchable.

[mr.scribble]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 11:34pm

though the show was overall just terrible (it hit rock bottom when Baldwin attempted to pick up Rosie) I thoroughly enjoyed Jane Krakowski (except the stripping bit didn't work), Jennifer Cody as Little Sally got a chuckle out of me, and the anti gravity was decent and as a Conan fan i was disappointed to see him so underused though it was a pleasant surprise to simply see him there

[Patash]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 11:38pm

I actually sort of like Rosie and was expecting so much from this.

But this "Variety Show" was way too much variety and not enough show!

Horrible disappointment.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 11/26/08 at 11:54pm

I'm pretty sure Liza was off because she was singing with off-key O'Donnell. Still loved that they opened with "City Lights" from The Act.