CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
#1CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 3:08pm
Perhaps discussed to death, but what's one more discussion?
Let's start from the very beginning...
I. OPENING NUMBER
There's nothing like a good opening number that really puts you in the mood for the evening. The more inventive, uptempo, rehearsed, and grand - the better. This number sets the mood for the evening and gets you excited about the program.
Looking back:
54th Annual -- Rosie O'Donnell-hosted montage of stars of the big and small screen who started on Broadway, with Jesse L. Martin, Jane Krakowski, and Megan Mulally. This number was fun but rather lackluster - placing a church choir behind them wasn't enough.
55th Annual -- the cast of 42nd STREET taps their way from their theatre to the subway to the entrance of Radio City Music Hall, through the aisles, and onto the stage to complete the opening number live. I thought this opening sequence was much more successful. It brought the spirit of New York and classic Broadway.
56th Annual - several Broadway stars sang the songs of Richard Rodgers to celebrate his 100th birthday. A rather blank tribute that would have been better to make a special segment later in the evening.
57th Annual - Billy Joel and the cast of MOVIN' OUT provided the opening which was very suitable.
58th Annual - Arguably the best opening number to the Tony Awards in decades, host Hugh Jackman sang an arrangement of "One Night Only" with the Radio, Urchins, and Dynamites, then kicked it with the Rockettes, then partied with the ensembles of all the nominated musicals of the season.
59th Annual - A video montage began with all the new musicals that opened that season but were not nominated, followed by all of the five nominated musicals in a live montage. This was a very nice way to give a nod to those who wouldn't be performing at the telecast and to also say "these are the five best which will perform later."
60th Annual - Harry Conick Jr. opened with his jazzy renditions of famous showtunes to a video montage of great Tony moments over the past 60 years, closing with a hord of past Tony winners rising up from beneath the stage. Boring, dull, and put me to sleep.
61st Annual - The cast of A CHORUS LINE danced it up in front of Radio City Music Hall while composer Marvin Hamlisch accompanied from atop the RCMH marquee. Then in true CHORUS LINE style, headshots revealed the actors who would be presenting later that evening.
To conclude, the opening number needs some HUTZPAH! Something original and fantastic that will bring everyone to their feet! The opening number is not a time to pay tribute to one person's accomplishments or to legends of the past - it's the time to begin the celebration of THAT SEASON. If you want to tribute the greats, do it later in the telecast.
II. HOST
Having a host is a great way to tie the evening together. While the past three years did not have one and the show still went on to some sort of success, a good host is a certain way to brighten and lighten the night. Rosie O'Donnell was a great host, as was Hugh Jackman.
But for heaven's sake, don't just give this role to ANY one who would bring ratings up. The host CAN be used to draw ratings, I wouldn't want to see Snoop Doggie Dogg up there trying to make a theatre crowd laugh.
Good choices: Martin Short, Rosie O'Donnell, Hugh Jackman, Billy Crystal, hell put non-singer Ellen DeGeneres into a production number and it'd be appropriately funny as hell!
III. ANTICIPATION
There's nothing better than NOT knowing who is going to win! This competition needs to start building not only in online blogs and message boards, not only in producers offices, but in the PRESS. Get newspapers and talk shows and the media to cover the more marketable competitions. Get people interested in the battle for the Tony so that they'll tune into the telecast come that special Sunday night.
This is an easier task to get the general public involved in caring about who wins for the Oscars, Emmys, and Grammys. They are mainstream - duh! But there are ways to get the Tonys to have similar buzz. This season, we have several appealing names who may be nominated - use it!
IV. PERFORMANCES
Having the nominated musicals perform is great. Having non-nominated shows perform to whatever extent is great as well. We already discussed the opening number. But can be equally entertaining - and ratings-drawing - are special performances. In years past, we've seen Fantasia Barrino, Tony Bennett, and Mary J. Blige perform. It's the right idea, but they were executed very poorly. You need the right people singing the right songs.
In addition, there have been SEVERAL opportunities to have stars from movie musicals sing their songs on the Tonys. CHICAGO, DREAMGIRLS, HAIRSPRAY, THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, RENT, THE PRODUCERS, SWEENEY TODD - all shows that came from Broadway. None of them used the Tonys to promote the movie/DVD (when possible). Next year we have two musicals coming to us: MAMMIA MIA! and NINE. Let's get Meryl Streep singing "Dancin' Queen!"
And dare I say it, why not have the cast of HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3 come sing a song. The HSM series is getting more and more teens into musical theatre, so lets have HSM perform so that when these tweens tune into Tony night, they also see TRUE Broadway talent perform!
V. PRESENTERS
This is an area where is a "Hollywood" star does not want to perform or host, ask them to present. Having the name Zac Efron appear in advertising Tonys Night would probably double the ratings.
Though let's have the presenters be SOMEWHAT connected to the stage! Having names is great, but certainly you can get attention-grabbing names who have done work on the stage or movie musicals, too. Such as Jeff Goldblum, Kevin Spacey, Helena Bonham Cartter, Johnny Depp, Catherine Zeta Jones, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Lawrence Fishburne, Usher, Daniel Radcliffe, Clay Aiken, Judi Dench, Beyonce Knowles, Ewan McGregor, Rosie O'Donnell, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. There are more obvious ones I didn't name.
Those are the five biggies! Basically, this turned into an unnecessary rant. This has been, in my opinion, a very interesting season which has the potential to be a very dramatic Tonys telecast.
And NEXT season is going to be even more difficult!!!! BILLY ELLIOT, EQUUS, SHREK...
--Aristotle
#2re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 3:14pmI was at the 60th and yes, it was a very dull opening number.
#2re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 3:15pmI was also at the 60th, but at the dress rehearsal.
--Aristotle
#3re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 3:19pm
I saw the Hugh Jackman number live twice (at the rehearsal and from an orchestra seat that night) and thought it was by far the best opening number I've seen, before or since.)
Good analysis
#4re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 3:26pmYeah the opening of the 60th was boring. Even from 5 feet away.
#5re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 4:02pmI agree with a lot of what you said. And selfishly I don't want the HSM cast on because I wouldn't be able to sit through that, but I guess it could be good for ratings.
#6re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 4:04pm
"And NEXT season is going to be even more difficult!!!! BILLY ELLIOT, EQUUS, SHREK..."
Don't forget 9 TO 5, A TALE OF TWO CITIES, GODSPELL, DANCIN', THE WIZ, and MINSKY'S!
"Though let's have the presenters be SOMEWHAT connected to the stage! Having names is great, but certainly you can get attention-grabbing names who have done work on the stage or movie musicals, too. Such as Jeff Goldblum, Kevin Spacey, Helena Bonham Cartter, Johnny Depp, Catherine Zeta Jones, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Julia Roberts, Denzel Washington, Lawrence Fishburne, Usher, Daniel Radcliffe, Clay Aiken, Judi Dench, Beyonce Knowles, Ewan McGregor, Rosie O'Donnell, etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. There are more obvious ones I didn't name."
Ooh, good idea. Now we can add Mrion Cotillard, Javier Bardem, Pierce Brosnan, and Maryl Streep!
#7re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 4:08pm
Let us not forget the "multiple hosts" debacle of 1985: the years of BIG RIVER, GRIND, uh... and a xouple of other I don't remember.
This was also the year they made tribute to Jule Styne, A.L.W. and Cy Cloeman, all of whom had new shows premiereing THE FOLLOWING season ... and of those three upcoming shows, only one (SONG & DANCE) actually openend the follwoing season.
From Jim Dale reading his lyrics from inside his hat LIVE onstage to Tom Wopat singing ""Any Dream Will Do" to George Hearn croaking his way through Styne's "Rainbow's End" (as Long John Silver!), a Tony telecast that has "What NOT to do" written ALL OVER IT.
#8re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 5:40pmthe 58th and 59th openings were my favorite. And I wish Billy Crystal or Hugh Jackman come back and host it would be incredible.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado
#9re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 5:49pm
Wasn't Connick Jr. on pain meds when he performed on the Tony's? It shows.
I think LuPone would make a fab host this year!
#10re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 5:51pmyeah, he was, which is why is was so awful. They needed to give the poor man a break and do something else for the opening (and well pretty much the whole night)
#11re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 6:01pm
I argue it would have still been awful even without his injury and being on meds. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I don't think so.
At the dress, he was stretching backstage before he came on, noticably in pain. I felt for the guy.
--Aristotle
#12re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 6:13pm
I thought the best thing for them to do last year would have been to have the cast of the Hairspray cast do something. And I was disappointed they didn't get the Cast of Dreamgirls to do something. You would think that they would do something with the casts of all of these movie musicals that are being released.
That being said I don't think I would like to see the cast of the Sweeney movie doing anything. I love the movie, but for some reason I don't see them being able to use the cast to do anything memorable.
"Leave Walt Disney Theatricals new sparkling production of The Little Mermaid on Broadway alone!!!"
lakezurich will be played by Paul Groves in the BWW musical
puppetman2
Leading Actor Joined: 3/2/08
#13re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 6:14pmLuPone is not well known enough outside the theatrical community. Bring back Lansbury or get Bea Arthur. Get someone who will get middle America to tune in. Remember that CBS has said that if the ratings are bad, there will be no more telecasts.
#14re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 6:40pm
Bea Arthur? Angela Lansbury? No offense, but those are awful suggestions.
Broadway more and more is catering to younger audiences: 13, Legally Blonde, Billy Elliot, Shrek, Little Mermaid, Glory Days, In The Heights, Avenue Q, Wicked, Grease, Cry-Baby, Hairspray, Mary Poppins, Rent, Spring Awakening, Xanadu, and The Lion King all have a large portion of their market to college age and younger. About HALF the Broadway houses.
Want an appealing host that would be a great entertainer? Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Ellen DeGeneres, Will Ferrell, John C. Reilly, Queen Latifah, perhaps even Mandy Moore???
--Aristotle
zooxanthellae
Broadway Star Joined: 6/2/07
#15re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 6:41pm
And NEXT season is going to be even more difficult!!!! BILLY ELLIOT, EQUUS, SHREK...
don't foreget 9 to 5! :)
I agree, Bea Arthur and Angela Lansbury should Co-host, that would be a hoot!
Mattbrain
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/23/05
#16re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 6:45pm
NO MORE TELECASTS?!?!?!?!?
That is a truly terrifying prospect. I'm not even joking.
#17re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 6:55pm
I think the Tony Awards run into trouble when they think anyone outside the theatre community is watching. Ratings get lower each year. I say move the thing to PBS or the like, make it 4 hours and have actual theatre people present the awards and host.
So Hannah Montana should host?
#18re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 7:17pm
I think the big problem is getting people interested in these awards. The ratings are shrinking because the public simply isn't interested. Some people blame the low rating on the lack of media coverage, which a valid case. The Tonys don't get the type of media blitz coverage that the Oscars, Grammy's, Emmy's, etc, get. There's no red carpet specials or post-show party coverage for the Tonys. Maybe there should be. I think what the Tonys need more than anything else is an aggresive add campaign to really get the word out about these awards.
I also think that having non-nominated musicals like Jersey Boys, Wicked, Phantom or Lion King perform might not be a bad idea either since those are shows that (most) people are familiar with. (Although I truly don't think I could sit through a HSM performance)
Having the casts from movie musicals is a great idea and I'm surprised it hasn't been done yet. Why didn't they have the cast of the Hairspray movie perform on last year's telecast? It would've been great publicity for both the awards show and the movie. Why didn't the Dreamgirls cast perform the year before? It would be a fantastic idea to have the Mamma Mia! film cast perform a number this year. Then they could advertise Meryl, Pierce, and the rest of them.
If the ratings continue to slide, I think eventually it'll end up moving to PBS or something.
#19re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 11:02pmFor the past couple years, there has been a red carpet arrival special on the TV Guide Channel.
--Aristotle
#20re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 11:52pmand it is the most boring thing I have ever watched in my life
#21re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/28/08 at 11:57pmOh wow, I never knew there was a red carpet special! I might have check it out this year and see how it is.
ashley0139
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/3/05
#22re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 4/29/08 at 12:40amThe red carpet special is always so disappointing (to me) because they only show the "stars" who are there who don't even matter. I want to see the THEATRE people who are there. Not some random star who happened to show up and says, "Well, I really liked [random show] this year."
#23re: CapnHook's Examination of 'What Makes a Good TONYS Telecast?'
Posted: 5/10/08 at 12:52am
Two down: Host and Anticipation. This COULD be one of the better Tony telecasts in recent memory. Then again, I might have just jinxed it.
I really hope Whoopi brings some life to it. I'll never forget her year hosting the Oscars the season when MOULIN ROUGE! was nominated. Her entrance from the ceiling of the house was priceless. And for the introduction of the video clip of each nominated Best Picture, she would hilariously dress as one of the main characters from the film. Remember her royal entrance in Judi Dench's costume from SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE?
And another note: I've been watching some Oscarcasts I have on video...they've had such GREAT special performances. Cirque du Soliel, STOMP, Michael Flatley & The Lord of the Dance, Blue Man Group...and they all were connected (most times loosely) to an aspect of filming. LORD OF THE DANCE to film editing, STOMP to sound editing, they had supermodels do a runway fashion show for costumes, etc. If the Tony Awards had proper creative direction and writing, it could be quite an evening.
--Aristotle
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