Bette Midler to perform from Meh-ry Poppins at the Oscars

[DAME]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 12:26pm

She just tweeted.

https://variety.com/2019/music/awards/bette-midler-oscars-performing-mary-poppins-returns-song-1203141855/amp/

Updated On: 2/17/19 at 12:26 PM

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 12:40pm

That's.........a weird pairing of performer and song.

[DAME]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 12:56pm

No one else must have wanted to do it.  And she is their friend.  It is a very weird choice for that song.

[bfreak]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 12:57pm

I wonder why Emily Blunt isn’t doing it.

[BwayLB]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 1:40pm

I’m surprised and I want to see her nail this even if it’s a 90 second shot

[HereAndThere2]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 2:07pm

Wonderful song, wonderful movie, wonderful performer.  Can't miss.  Excellent news.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 2:40pm

bfreak said: "I wonder why Emily Blunt isn’t doing it."

Per Emily herself, don’t expect to see her sing live ever.  She’s aware of her vocal limitations and isn’t secure enough to sing on any public stage any time soon if ever.  On film is one thing; live with an audience of hundreds... no way.  Musical theater is out of the question completely.  I’m sure she was asked repeatedly to sing this at the Oscars and declined each time.   

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 2:58pm

Imagine if Julie was doing it. Even if she was just speaking in rhythm. That would really be something. But I’m always happy to see the Divine Miss M make a song her own.

[bk]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 6:05pm

Mr. Shaiman, I'm sure, asked Midler to do it as a favor and she, of course, said yes.  That's how this works.  As to Miss Blunt singing at the Oscars - it's much easier to give a musical performance in the studio, alone, with multiple takes, editing  and using all the technology available to have that performance be acceptable.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 7:39pm

Still wish she’d have performed at the Tonys

[NYadgal]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 7:45pm

Beautiful song - I’m eager to hear her sing it!

(Nothing ‘meh’ about Mary Poppins for me - I adored it)

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 2/17/19 at 9:35pm

bk said: "Mr. Shaiman, I'm sure, asked Midler to do it as a favor and she, of course, said yes. That's how this works. As to Miss Blunt singing at the Oscars - it's much easier to give a musical performance in the studio, alone, with multiple takes, editing and using all the technology available to have that performance be acceptable."

Thank you, bk.

Please save your remarks and repost them every time somebody says Catherine Zeta Jones should play Mame or Madame Rose or some other demanding vocal role.

[JennH]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 10:18am

BrodyFosse123 said: "bfreak said: "I wonder why Emily Blunt isn’t doing it."

Per Emily herself, don’t expect to see her sing live ever. She’s aware of her vocal limitations and isn’t secure enough to singon any public stage any time soon if ever. On film is one thing; live with an audience of hundreds... no way. Musical theater is out of the question completely. I’m sure she was asked repeatedly to sing this at the Oscars and declined each time."

And this, ladies and gents, is why if one is unable to do a singing role without the help of cameras/editing/etc. then maybe one just shouldn't do it at all, or the people in charge need to stop casting these people. This isn't a knock on Emily, I love her and always will, but the people in charge also need to stop ****ing around and realize that these films are still MUSICALS. It's like they're trying to stay away from/deny that it's a musical so the music and singing are sub par as heck. Once they accept that the world they're creating is one that involves music, singing, and dancing, then maybe the road to casting people who actually have the skills to do these roles will be used will be used. And like many here, this movie was SUPER meh for me as well. I legit wanted it to end halfway through. 

 

[BJR]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 11:55am

Bettyboy72 said: "Still wish she’d have performed at the Tonys "

Big same. 

 

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 12:17pm

JennH said: "And this, ladies and gents, is why if one is unable to do a singing rolewithout the help of cameras/editing/etc. then maybe one just shouldn't do it at all, or the people in charge need to stop casting these people. This isn't a knock on Emily, I love her and always will, but the people in charge also need to stop ****ing around and realize that these films are still MUSICALS. It's like they're trying to stay away from/deny that it's a musical so the music and singing are sub par as heck.Once they accept that the world they're creating is one that involves music, singing, and dancing, then maybe the road to casting people who actually have the skills to do these roles will be used will be used. And like many here, this movie was SUPER meh for me as well. I legit wanted it to end halfway through."

I don’t know, you’re applying stage standards to film. It’s a different medium and requires a separate skill set. Some actors can be brilliant on screen, yet they get lost on a live stage; does that mean they should stop acting entirely? Blunt has a perfectly pleasant singing voice that did exactly what it was asked to do: sound nice in the film. She wasn’t hired to perform this song live and shouldn’t be expected to. If anything, I appreciate that she’s willing to acknowledge her limitations. (I’ll clarify to say people cast in film musicals should have the basic ability to sing, as I think Blunt has and many in other films haven’t, like Emma Watson, Russell Crowe, etc.)

Though she did sing live on The Late Late Show with James Corden and, although it was a sketch played for laughs, sounded quite good during certain segments. 

[rg7759]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 12:39pm

And I guess Queen and Adam Lambert are opening the show. Since everyone seems to be off today

[Niles Silvers]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 7:07pm

Wasn't it a thing that the actual performers in the film could not sing the songs at the Oscars?  

[BwayLB]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 7:17pm

BJR said: "Bettyboy72 said: "Still wish she’d have performed at the Tonys "

Big same.

Me three

 

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 7:34pm

Niles Silvers said: "Wasn't it a thing that the actual performers in the film could not sing the songs at the Oscars?"

Huh? Where did you get this misinformation. Countless performers have sung songs they sung in their nominated films.

Madonna sang both Oscar winning songs: “Sooner or Later” from DICK TRACY and “You Must Love Me” from EVITA. Dolly Parton sang “9 to 5”. List is endless.

[rg7759]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 7:35pm

Niles Silvers said: "Wasn't it a thing that the actual performers in the film could not sing the songs at the Oscars?"

You're thinking of commercials, nominees can't be in commercials airing during the oscars

[EmeraldOzian]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 8:07pm

Emily had no issues singing live at Hillary Clinton's fundraiser or doing live one takes in James Corden's chat show, I wonder why she isn't doing it.

[sng]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 9:30pm

of course Emily isn't doing it after they snubbed her for both Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. 

[Tag]

Posted: 2/18/19 at 9:36pm

All anyone is going to be talking about is the Trump comb-over proscenium.