Billie Joe Armstrong last night

Did anyone else get the impression that he was mocking and disdainful of the theatre world in his Idiot intro last night (in spite of his compliments to Mayer)? Or merely full of himself?

Second question: does anyone else get embarrassed for musical theatre performers when they rock out like they think they're rock stars (like the cast of Idiot)?

Billie Joe Armstrong sounds like a tennis player's name.

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yes
yes-not during the performance necessarily but those faces they were making backstage walking to the stage were so stupid.

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My only bitch about these rock acts, in their self aggrandizing, self absorbed, self promoting manner...is that they come to Broadway looking to legitimize themselves and make a big splash, whereas on the opposite side of the entertainment spectrum; why can't Broadway have 5 minutes for a production number at the Grammy Awards? The theater award is always given off camera, in order to maintain an evening of rap and rhythm and blues which I am not into. So Green Day has a Broadway show running? Big effin deal, I couldn't care less. Why would I care when most other awards shows don't give us time of day.

I think last nights' audience made too big a stink of the opening number with Green Day performing which is something you will see on any other awards show, whether it's MTV, American Music Awards, the Grammys or whatever have you. If I have to sit thru that crap and see it win awards in my domain, then I demand 5 minutes or more at the Grammys for Broadway, Classical, and every other genre which gets snubbed out of live air time.

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sad but true

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Fame corrupts people, and makes them self centered. Look no further than precious Lea Michelle.

I'm not saying that agree with the Tony people for bringing in as much pop culture as they do. But I think to disregard it completely because the theater community feels threatened by the unfamiliar is closed minded and immature. You can't close your eyes, plug your ears, and wish away the fact that Broadway has commercialized. It's not going to change a damn thing.

ABC? CBS. They get to control 3 of the 4 awards shows (why else do you think they had Green Day on? They are in bed with them from the Grammys.)

I would love to see theater on "popular" TV more, such as when Colbert had Fela! on. And yes, Elton could do more, and should do more.

I actually don't think Gaga would be opposed to musicals, it might actually just be her cup of tea.

"My only bitch about these rock acts, in their self aggrandizing, self absorbed, self promoting manner...is that they come to Broadway looking to legitimize themselves and make a big splash,"...
PitPRo--The same thing can be said for the film stars who swoop in season after season.
Jrnelson90--I agree with you. IMO--AI is a great stage experience, but it is NOT for everyone. I met Billie Joe, and I have to say, he is a very grounded,sweet man, who is very humbled by Broadway. I am really sick and tired of the hatred on these boards towards AI , the cast and the creative team. I just don't understand it. Yes it's loud and in your face, it's meant to be...it's a ROCK musical, not HELLO DOLLY. If that isn't waht you like, then don't go! Go see the rest of the 'Typical' Broadway fare such as PHANTOM, CHICAGO, MAMMA MIA....and the rest of the "Tired" lot.

Updated On: 6/14/10 at 12:52 PM

I didn't either.

Green Day has repeatedly said that the musical is one of the highlights of their career; Armstrong was certainly not using the Tonys to give Broadway the middle finger.

The American Idiot/Green Day performances livened up a stodgy evening and they played to the cameras well (giving the telecast some decent moments), and I certainly wouldn't criticize the cast's enthusiasm. The prevailing vibe at American Idiot is rock concert, so they may as well rock out during their Tony performance and be true to form.

Oh, sweetie baby kittycat, I remember real punk very well - Sex Pistols, Clash, Ramones stuff. Green Day, by comparison to the real thing, is The Archies.

But you're missing the whole point of the discussion, and I have a feeling that you're doing so with a sense of purpose.

This is not about liking or disliking punk (or rather punk manqué); this is about perceptions of the quality of the work, which are, admittedly, subjective.

But to identify opposing points of view (and those who express them) as stodgy or dweebs is just jejune, reductive, and unhelpful to a continued discourse.

"Oh, sweetie baby kittycat, I remember real punk very well - Sex Pistols, Clash, Ramones stuff. Green Day, by comparison to the real thing, is The Archies."

Well now you've done it! I am going to run to the corner listening to Dookie on my iPod in complete crying hysterics with that comment!

Updated On: 6/14/10 at 01:42 PM

BECAUSE HE'S AN INTERLOPER!

It was not so much what he said but how he reacted to what was written on the teleprompter. In the past we have seen other performers react to the corny things they had to say but the particular line he reacted to struck a nerve.