Gaga on HBO

[Parks]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 4:12pm

I can't believe this doesn't have a thread already! I watched the show (well, what I could get myself to watch--about 3/4 of it) and gave up. I didn't find it all that great to watch on TV. As sad as this sounds, I think I enjoyed Britney's HBO special back in 2001 more than I did this one. Gaga just... doesn't look very exciting. And she had about 3 songs in a row that she dragged out for about 10 minutes each.

What were your thoughts on it? I think she sounded good, but the concert (given all the production values) was pretty boring.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 4:12pm

I loved every second of it and it pissed me off I wasn't there to see it live. I've watched it thrice already.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 4:22pm

I was bored by Britney's special in 2011 but can't wait to see this. Jordan, I want to watch it, so if you ever have guests over to watch it, let me know!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 4:37pm

I loved it.

[scott68]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 5:11pm

I have it DV-Red and can't wait to watch it, though I've heard it pales in comparison to how being there was.

Relatedly, anyone listened to her new promo single, "Edge of Glory," yet? I'm a fan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S08KonZiew4&feature=feedlik

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 6:10pm

It was very good. And unlike Britney, Gaga sings live. Every note. There's something to be said for that. The focus was more on music than spectacle, though she certainly had some.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 6:39pm

The gabbiness is more fun in person than on the teevee. And there's a trade off for all the close-ups and the backstage changes: you don't get to see what the actual show looks like from the audience.

[xoangel2789xo]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 7:29pm

My dad said he enjoyed it. I, however, do not have HBO.

[Jackson Heights]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 7:30pm

I didnt think it translated well.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 7:35pm

From what I've seen of it (pieced together from various online sources), it doesn't really translate as well on television. The concert itself is VERY theatrical, which was the way Gaga intended it. The HBO special works in its own way, but it definitely pales in comparison.

Nevertheless, I'm perfectly fine with anything Gaga.

[broadwayboy101]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 9:57pm

I agree with those saying it didn't translate well: the entire time, I kept thinking "This was one of my favorite parts when I was there, but now I just want it to end."

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 9:59pm

I always have that nagging feeling when I see a filmed version of a performance I've seen in person. I wonder if people who didn't see it too are even able to get it?

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 10:11pm

I saw it live and the telecast seemed stilted. The live show was amazing and the energy was palpable. I have no idea how she screams like that when talking and saves her voice for singing.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/9/11 at 10:18pm

Me neither. I saw her the first two times in December 2010 and she toured constantly for the rest of the year. I saw her again at the beginning of March 2011 fully expecting the voice to be ragged around the edges. Instead it was stronger. She really must know what she's doing.

[jakebloke]

Posted: 5/10/11 at 11:52am

I agree that it didn't translate well for the small screen. She mentioned how she used to be out in the audience and how people didn't believe in her etc a little too much for a TV broadcast. It was fine live for some reason.

Edge of Glory is fantastic in my opinion. Much better than Judas. Updated On: 5/10/11 at 11:52 AM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/10/11 at 12:14pm

I love "You and I" too. I also love that nobody's jumping on her for making it her own version of a Guns 'n' Roses song, probably because the schoolmarm queens don't realize it.

[Brian07663NJ]

Posted: 5/10/11 at 2:08pm

Saw the concert live twice and agree that the energy just wasn't able to be understood from your living room. It seriously was an event to attend. I do not remember her using so much profanity when I attended the two performances. It doesn't bother me. I think it might have been a little more because she was pumped on this being recorded for broadcast. Yes, the banter does work better in between the songs as a break not only for her, the set changes and for the audience. There was a feeling of an interaction in person while at the concert that you do not need from your couch. I am glad it was recorded not only for myself to relive but also for those who just cannot attend for any number of reasons. Twice I was on the floor standing for the entire event so it was great to see it from different vantage points as well as some of the backstage moments. When at the concert it all really felt like it moved along so much faster then it appears on the broadcast.

[Midnight Radio]

Posted: 5/10/11 at 8:52pm

She sang to me during Paparazzi... BAM! <3

[Luscious]

Posted: 5/11/11 at 10:39am

Loved every second of it! Nothing is going to fully replicate the experience of a live concert, but having the right home theatre set-up helps.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 5/11/11 at 1:38pm

I agree Jake-the speeches seemed authentic and drew me in when I saw her live, but on TV they seemed to be overbearing and self-serving. I was like, yes I know you were a nerd and blah blah blah.

I also thought it was odd that the only backstage footage they really showed was her crying that she feels like a loser. That was kinda foolish. Yes we get that she paints herself as a outlier.

Also, I was really irked that they did not show the beginning projections and the buildup to her entrance-live, that was amazing. In the telecast, it was just like, there she is. No entrance. That sucked.

Updated On: 5/11/11 at 01:38 PM

[The8re phan]

Posted: 5/11/11 at 2:54pm

far less thrilling than seeing it live.......

I too really missed the opening video and entrance -- my favorite part of seeing the show live, and I hated not seeing it again. It's also unforgivable that the entire first verse of "Dance in the Dark" was cut..... if they needed to trim anything, they should have edited "Teeth" which went on and on far too long. It's also a shame that the piano did not go up in flames, and a few of the pyrotechnics in "Alejandro" were cut (thou I understand that be pretty hard to do with over-head cameras....)

Posted: 5/11/11 at 4:09pm

Madonna's Blonde Ambition Tour translated very well for TV.
It was always interesting to watch Madonna do her thing.
gaga was a bit of a bore. and yes, the songs went on and on and on for me.

This reminded me A LOT of Blonde Ambition

Down to the black and white backstage "Truth or Dare" moments.

it was 1990 all over again.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/11/11 at 4:47pm

See, I never saw the Blonde Ambition tour and the recorded version didn't work for me. I thought "Truth or Dare" was much better in that regard, but I was thinking specfically of Madonna in that movie when Gaga did the closing credit bit as a indicator of the substantial talent differential between the two.

Posted: 5/11/11 at 5:07pm

There's no denying Gaga is the better singer of the two.
But Madonna moved and danced like no one's business. She can really dance from the heart. Gaga is very stiff and mechanical.

i think there was more message and imagery in a smart way with Madonna in the early years compared to Gaga's 'I need attention' tactics.

Gaga also needs a lot of work when working with cameras.
Madonna knew how to make love to it in the early days.

They both write catchy hooks and songs, work with great producers and know how to create attention in their own ways.

i do believe gaga studied the Madonna book real closely and just amplified everything madonna already did.

With this new album-
Born this Way and Judas are both preachy, too much, and just not as good as the anthemic bad romance.
Edge of Glory is definitely a better song.


In terms of chronology
Madonna had 20 pop hits in her first 3 years
Gaga has had 7/8 so far....

let's just sit back----eat popcorn---and see what happens.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/11/11 at 5:12pm

I haven't been able to watch it yet, since I don't get HBO at school, but I'm disappointed they cut her entrance. When I saw her in AC, that was incredibly thrilling. Still, can't wait to watch and relive it!