Boycott YOU'RE THE ONE THAT I WANT

[GetHer]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:06am

You all have the power! If no one that ever posts on this board does NOT tune in on Sundays to that ridiculous insulting "dumbing" down of musical theatre...it will be a huge testament to the theatre community. I know you're all curious...you all wanna be in the loop...but ThIS IS NOT BROADWAY. This is disgusting reality tv taking Broadway down just like they've taken pop music, fashion, cullinary arts, and everything else down. Not only shoudl Grease NOT be coming back..but we don't need to link up Bway to Reality TV. Boycott! Don't watch it. There are other things on TV on Sunday. Go out. Please...it will save face in the long run.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:09am

Um, if you don't have a Nielson box, who is going to know if you're watching or not?

The best way to protest this nonsense is not to buy a ticket.

[Neverandy]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:11am

"Move along folks nothing to see here" the policeman says.
But the crowd is to interested in the carnage of the train wreck that curiousity manges to get the better of them.
I want to stop watching but I know that I have to. Help!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:12am

People will do what they want - who are you to tell them otherwise? I am not watching because I watched the first 10 minutes on Sunday and it was horrible. That's my choice.

[lildogs]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:15am

Hey-- I got two friends on the show....and I don't know that YTOTIW can dumb Grease down any more...

[JRybka]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:20am

Hey we are at least supporting theater. maybe more people will see the show cause of this and that will lead them to see others shows and then we will have a rebirth of theatre.

Always so negative these people. WHY? Can't we just love the theater and hope that it succeeds?

[CostumeMistress]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:20am

I agree with lildogs - it's not like they're using a reality show to cast an opera at the Met! It's GREASE, folks!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:27am

"This is disgusting reality tv taking Broadway down just like they've taken pop music, fashion, cullinary arts, and everything else down."

Exactly how is reality TV "taking Broadway down"? this is one series about one show. One of the most produced musicals in America (if not the most produced musical in America). I don't think this show is "taking Broadway down" any more than Brooklyn or Laughing Room Only already did. If the series is bad, then people won't watch it. If you don't want to watch it, then don't. But I don't see how this has any long-lasting devastating effect on the image of Broadway. It's not like Wicked or Jersey Boys are going to close because of this show. Please. the only thing I do not agree with is allowing viewers to vote for the winner and I have disagreed with that for every reality competition show that uses that device. I'm fine with everything else, though.

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:28am

Oh My God! What a GOOD IDEA! If the Dozens, possibly HUNDREDS of posters on here totally tune this out and only the other MILLIONS of people watch it will TOTALLY show the TV networks the power of Broadway!

Right on! Because the power and sanctity of a magnificent show like Grease MUST be protected! We must show them that you can't take a beautiful Broadway show filled with cheap hard on and butt jokes and toss in any old actors and expect it to sell tickets!!!!

[Hank]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:32am

Badmouthing is more effective than a boycott. Basically, just tourists will go see this for a few months, then lose interest, and this soon enough will be history.

[Act4ever]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:42am

why can't we think positively about it? What if this turns out to be the best production of Grease yet? With Kathleen Marshall leading the troops I'm really not that worried and actually may even be a little excited about it.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:45am

Start and internet petition! Those work even BETTER!!

Hank - I hate to tell you this, but tourists and stunt-casting kept the revival of Grease running for over 3 years. The show always makes money, whether it's Broadway, the West End, college, community theatre, or high school. Period. If this production flops, then it will be due to total incompetency from the producers.

[bwayfan4life]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:47am

Why are people getting so upset about this? The assumption seems to be that a Broadway show is going to star two un-talented nobody's just because they won a talent competition on tv. The people contending for the roles are going through an audition process, don't all broadway shows audition people. The only 12 that will get to the part of the show where America votes will be there because the producers would have considered them for the leads had thier not been a tv show. I am also confused because I see a lot of discussion on this board about who was good or bad in a roll and who should have been cast etc. Well, aren't the people that post here part of America. This is your chance to have on opinion and be a part of that casting process. For those that believe they are a good judge of talent, this should be what you have been asking for. The Broadway community and its fans should be the most interested in not only watching this show, but using their voice and votes to effect the outcome in a positive way. All talent has to be discovered somewhere, this show is giving us all the chance to be a part of it.

Updated On: 1/10/07 at 11:47 AM

[keeka]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 11:59am

I am really just not understanding why people are so upset about this. If you ask my this is a brilliant marketing ploy to lure tourist to NYC and to the Theatre. And really, how many New Yorkers are going to see Grease anyway?

So in the end you/we can boycott the TV show but it's not going to make any difference. People are still going to watch it and they are still going to buy tickets and other people are going to have jobs and make money.

[loverly]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 12:16pm

I don't love the idea, but if it raises theater's profile in the world, I am all (or mostly) for it.

[James885]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 12:20pm

I think that the show is going to sell tickets no matter how many people here on BWW or any other theatre site tune out. Tourists make up a huge chunk of Broadway audiences these days and tourists are the people who are going to watch and vote and go see the revival when it opens this summer. Personally, I don't have a problem with it because all the people watching and buying tickets for Grease will (hopefully) translate into increased revenue for Broadway as a whole. The same people who will see Grease this summer may also decide to see Hairspray or The Drowsy Chaperone or Spring Awakening while they are here. So if it helps Broadway out, I'm for it.

Plus like CostumeMistress said , it is just Grease, it's not like they're holding a reality show for the leads of Sweeney Todd or Ragtime.

Updated On: 1/10/07 at 12:20 PM

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 12:25pm

If people stop watching Grease, the message won't be "People hate TV dumbing down Broadway." The message will be "People don't care about Broadway."

I'll keep watching, at least until the competition rounds, which for Maria were MILES better than the auditions.

[Danielm]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 12:36pm

"Basically, just tourists will go see this for a few months, then lose interest, and this soon enough will be history."

Yes, just like tourists lost interest in Phantom, Cats, Mama Mia, The Producers, etc...

Really, I don't have a problem with the show. I think it's a great way to get an audience. And really, can whatever the show is be any worse than the production a few years ago with its weird casting? --Rosie O'Donnell, Linda Blair etc...

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 12:37pm

Again with the Linda Blair. Why does everyone hate on her? She was VERY GOOD in the role. Did you see her?

[keeka]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 12:39pm

Don't forget Zena the Warrior Princess was also in the cast at one point in time!

[doodlenyc]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 12:44pm

I saw it with Marcia Brady...that's the reason I saw it at all.

[rockfenris2005]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 12:59pm

"I told you, I'm not Xena... I'm Lucy Lawless." Sowi, Simpsons quote *blushes*

I'd like to see a reality show putting together a NEW musical

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 1:00pm

Oh yeah THAT would bring in the hefty ratings.

[Broadway Bob*]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 1:09pm

Again with the Linda Blair. Why does everyone hate on her? She was VERY GOOD in the role. Did you see her?

I saw her. She was dreadful! She could barely rmemeber her lines. Her singing was completely off key. Her stage presence was non-existent. There was literally NOTHING good about her in this show except the spinning head billboard in Times Square that made me laugh. It's telling that out of all the mediocre B and C-list celebs to go through that revival, Blair was the ONLY one bad enough to actually be let go by the Weisslers.

As for YTOTIW, I have to admit, much as I hate American Idol, I enjoyed myself watching this. I with all those who say, if it gets people into theater and at least a few of them stick around to explore other things, then I'm all for it!

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 1/10/07 at 1:13pm

Very interesting. When I saw it, her voice was very strong and beautifully textured. Her acting was crisp and funny. Her dancing was adequate, and she looked great in the costumes.

By the way, the reason she was fired by the Weisslers had nothing to do with her performance.

Updated On: 1/10/07 at 01:13 PM