Can We PLEASE Get Betty Buckley Back To Broadway??- Page 2

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 6:06pm

Pgenre, can you elaborate on the Buckley situation? I've always wondered why she didn't make it to the final BROTHERS & SISTERS.
Sondheim himself has apparently said a number of times that he doesn't like her interpretations of his songs, and the thing is that while she's great, I don't think we really need her. I'll take Patti over Betty any day of the week.

[Pgenre]

Posted: 5/30/09 at 8:37pm

I'm sure there are people FAR more knowledgeable about Buckley than I, but I will do my very best to sum up what REALLY happened as a producer on the show explained it to me:
David Lindsay-Abaire wrote the pilot of BROTHERS & SISTERS knowing he wanted a big Broadway actress for the role, and rumor is Lupone was even considered at one point, but the role went to Buckley, who is most known to America as being on EIGHT IS ENOUGH forty years ago. Buckley was very difficult on set, not getting along with the actor who played her husband, but completing her work after extended days (read: overtime which in TV is the worst sin imaginable, TV is about fast-and-spot-on). The pilot was completed and slightly rejiggered and Buckley was asked to re-shoot a few scenes which, after MUCH trouble and requests for better transportation (I believe TX to NY as B&S filmed its pilot in NY, no?) and accomadations she agreed to do.

Apparently, it all went downhill from there. Buckley and Abaire fought onset and after a long time they finally finished her material.

Then at the upfronts (the biggest event in TV industry-wise, google it or watch the episode of THE COMEBACK called "The Upfronts") she didn't show up (the worst thing an actor can possibly do as ALL (and pretty much ONLY) the money people/power people are in attendance) and... these days less than 10% of shows even make it to air... the show was picked up.

Buckley should have been THRILLED: a lead-in from the then-hottest show on TV (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES) on the top network (ABC) and she's the lead in a role tailor-made to her strengths by a Pulitzer-prize winning playwright working for TV. Nope. She sent her lawyers to find a way out of her contract and tried to renegotiate for nearly twice the amount per episode (we're talkin' high 5 figures). Pure greed.

There is a very dramatic sequence of events that followed this, but as to protect Abaire and Buckley's private lives I won't go into it, but the bottom line is: she called the producer's bluff and told them either pay me twice this amount or I'm walking.

That week the first commercial for the show, prominently featuring scenes with Buckley was aired.

Two weeks later, Sally Field was in the commercial in the same role.

The rest is history.

I will end this by saying I find Field to be one of the most overrated actresses (LOVED her in THE GOAT, but that's cuz I'm sick and if you know the play you know why I'd love the actress playing that role to be one I despise (and there are only 3 or 4)) and find the show to be utter trash, but this is what happened.

Hopefully, someone will fill us in with the whole, complete story who isn't afraid of revealing ALL the details.

I honestly tried to make this as brief as I possibly could, believe it or not. The story as it was told to me was almost shocking it made her seem so insane and the events so unbelievable. That's TV for ya!

I'm just happy Tina Fey now has both Elaine Stritch AND Patti LuPone in her brilliantly-written cast of characters on 30 ROCK and I cannot WAIT until they do an episode together! Now, there is a "Bosom Buddies" I want to hear!

A Good Nightmare Comes So Rarely,
P genre
Updated On: 5/30/09 at 08:37 PM

[Marnorm]

Posted: 5/31/09 at 12:39pm

I hardly take your "account" of things with any truth. First, it was Jon Robin-Baitz that wrote the pilot and stayed on with the show for a year. AND if you recall, went to the press at the end of the year with a huge rant and diary about this time with the show and how horrible it was. He hated every minute of it and stated that Ken Olin, the director, was just horrible. They fired the line producer on set after two episodes and she was instrumental in getting ABC to do the pilot in the first place. Second, I saw Buckley in concert last year in Sag Harbor, NY. There was a reception on stage after the show and who was there??? Jon Robin-Baitz. They were hugging and laughing and he said to her, "good thing you got out when you did. It's been nothing but a nightmare." So before you start spreading inaccurate information at least try to get some of your facts straight.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 6/1/09 at 12:41pm

We all know she's not the easiest person to work with, that's no secret. However if you look at the leads in THE ADDAMS FAMILY, one of the biggest shows of the season being mounted now, I wouldn't exactly say they're known for being "easy" to work with.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 6/1/09 at 2:18pm

Aw, bring 'er back, I say!

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/1/09 at 2:26pm

Defying is known for saying some rather dumb things and belongs in one of those straitjackets shown in his avatar for that silly and junior high'ish remark. Someone mentioned Betty Buckley's erratic behavior. Does anyone have further examples? I don't know if this is true.. but once when I was waiting to see "Xanadu", I had a conversation with a FANadu. I forget her name, but she was ...er.. intense. She mentioned something about Betty Buckley having a sort of incense ceremony to cleanse the theatre she was in, after an understudy had performed her role. Hmmm. from RC in Austin, Texas

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 6/1/09 at 2:29pm

Thanks P.G. for that account. Well, we kind of get the sense how Buckley is with her co-workers. How is she with her fans? Just curious..... from RC in Austin, Texas

Updated On: 6/2/09 at 02:29 PM

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/7/09 at 12:12pm

Still want her back.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 12/7/09 at 2:04pm

To those who state that Betty is an unimpressive actress, I imagine that you have not seen much of her acting work. She is an incredibly nuanced and effective actor. I saw her in AR Gurney's Buffalo Gal during its tryout in Buffalo and she was rich and impressive. She went from stolid with tears slowly streaming down her face, betraying her austere facade to crying and heartbroken. She is a stunning actress. Even watch her cameo in Woody Allen's "Another Woman" for more proof. I love her singing, but adore her acting as well.

[Patti LuPone FANatic]

Posted: 12/7/09 at 2:34pm

Is it accurate to say that Betty Buckley is the female version of Mandy Patinkin? Still, she is a phenomenal talent. At the very least, she can do a concert version of a musical, over several nights: "Call Me Madam".... "Mame" for example? (Other possibilities?) Just wonderin'. RC in Austin, Texas

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/7/09 at 2:50pm

What shape is Betty's vocal instrument in these days

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 12/7/09 at 3:22pm

Betty sounds PHENOMENAL, Michael. She'll be doing her show at Feinstein's early in the year I believe. If you get a chance you should check it out!

[saveusmike]

Posted: 12/7/09 at 3:53pm

Do you really want Betty back OR do you subconsciously want CATS 2

?

[THDavis]

Posted: 12/7/09 at 5:31pm

Cats 2, ha ha. Dear God.

You know, I'd surprisingly be okay with waiting for the show to start because Buckley wanders in. Ha ha, I know it wouldn't work long term or for the rest of the audience though.