Whatever one's appraisal of the reviews, mixed to this, mixed to that, Linda Winer nailed the real problem here: marketing the show with a brand name that doesn't match boomers' and younger perceptions. "Bandstand" is a Dick Clark era one word moniker, though obviously the term's roots are timeless. So the name conjures one thing, the show evokes another. This is a post WWII show, and WWII is a tough era to push in 2017. Those who recall it are over 80. It isn't an era with nostalgia investment (again, for boomers and younger), nor does its (admittedly beloved) music currently have a wide fan base. It's a niche piece, no matter how expertly rendered in terms of music and dance. It has no stars. It's a tough sell.
"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling