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Anti Bush Jab in "Wicked"?

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#1

Anti Bush Jab in "Wicked"?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 6:47pm

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?
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#2

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 6:55pm

No offense to you...
but that's retarded.
"forget regret <3, I love your post.....you give me hope for the next generation!" -Elphaba
#4

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 6:57pm

Why is that retarded? somethingwicked's interpretation is completely valid.
#5

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 6:57pm

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
#6

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 7:01pm

Does anyone consider GW a "great communicator" ?
"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men" - Willy Wonka
#8

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 7:02pm

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.
"forget regret <3, I love your post.....you give me hope for the next generation!" -Elphaba
#9

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 7:05pm

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?
Tonya Pinkins: Then we had a "Lot's Wife" last June that was my personal favorite. I'm still trying to get them to let me sing it at some performance where we get to sing an excerpt that's gone.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#10

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 7:05pm

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.
I got blood on my cello! - Lauren Molina
#11

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 7:08pm

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.
"forget regret <3, I love your post.....you give me hope for the next generation!" -Elphaba
#12

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 7:13pm

Craig...you took the words right out of my mouth.
#13

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 7:13pm

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.
Pretty pretty please don't you ever ever feel like you're less than f**ckin' perfect!
#14

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 7:14pm

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.
#15

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 7:20pm

Although your juvenile use of the word "retarded" as a perjorative is pretty offensive.


I'm so PC sometimes I scare myself.
Yes, we do need a third vampire musical.--Little Sally, Gypsy of the Year 2005.
#16

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 7:24pm

I'm sorry.
I don't mean to offend anyone.
I suck at being politically correct.
"forget regret <3, I love your post.....you give me hope for the next generation!" -Elphaba

Updated On: 11/30/05 at 07:24 PM

#17

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 7:27pm

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.
Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters. ~ Wicked
Everything in life is only for now. ~ Avenue Q
There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. ~ Rent

"He's a tramp, but I love him."
#19

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 8:03pm

I just love that someone else uses the word "pejorative."
"How do you like THAT 'misanthropic panache,' Mr. Goldstone?" - PalJoey
#20

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 8:05pm

Does anyone consider GW a "great communicator" ?

It says heads of state OR especially great. That's not referring to the head of state.
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird
#21

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 8:14pm

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. re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

there are other slams in the show. JLT always had fun with the way people reacted to them. re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?
that's a really big mic...
#23

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 8:23pm

Yea, I remember Bruce's stuff. I saw it over a year ago and thought he was hysterical!
"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."
To Kill A Mockingbird
#24

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 9:27pm

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.
#25

re: Anti Bush Jab in 'Wicked'?

Posted: 11/30/05 at 9:48pm

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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