"F*ck RENT"? Are they kidding? — Page 2

That makes sense.

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That's only an opinion to some people but RENT is a beloved show to many people.

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Sorry, but I don't buy it. The Lion King may be popular, but it is far from the "most beloved" show of the past or any decade. It is a must-see show, yes. A very safe, family friendly one that attracks tourists from every small town in America who flock to see it because of the safty-net that their familiarity with the movie provides. Do they enjoy the show? Of course, yes. But it is an entirley different kind of appreciation than that kind that Rent enjoys from it's fans, and from many people who certainly don't qualify as "Rentheads", but appreciate the show nontheless (I consider myself one of them).

As for Wicked and Spamalot, I think that the latter is comparable to The Lion King in the fact that it is a must-see show that will apeal to a lot of people who will see it, enjoy it, and that will be that. Of course some Monty-Phython lovers may return multiple times, but I doubt that they will be able to form a following that could possibley come close to qualifying Spamalot as "the most beloved show of the past 10 years".

And while I will say that the crazed Wicked minions are steadfast, and will surley keep the show running for a while-- the show, depsite it's attempts as social commentary, is far too generic and detached (at least in any real way) from modern culture to leave any lasting impression on the broadway musical as we know it. While I wouldn't say that Rent "changed the broadway muscial as we know it", like some would like to claim, I would say that it merits more than just a footnote in the history of the musical theater, as well as that of pop culture, while Wicked doesn't even merit that.

Wicked, from what I gather, is just as despised as it is beloved, and while Rent certainly has it's detracters, I can't imagine that anyone could find it in their hearts to not recognize at least some of it's good points. Anyway, I think history (*broadway history*, anyway) will prove my point better than I have.

Updated On: 7/31/05 at 02:55 AM

I agree with Mr.TN.

And I disagree with the assertion that having an extremely devoted core of supporters means that something is THE most popular. Besides, since when did being the most popular mean that a work of art is the best?

RENT doesn't sell seats?? excuse me, but attendance was at 85% this week, which was the SAME as the Producers. The Lion King probably WIL Lbe around forever, but that doesn't mean it's superior to RENT. You're right, other shows have won more Tonys, but RENT won the PULITZER and I think that counts for something.

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Stating that something may not be the MOST beloved in terms of box office success, and using examples to back up that argument seems pretty reasonable to me. Besides, why would RENT have to be the most beloved musical of the decade for it to have value? Besides, suggesting that there is evidence that it may not be THE most popular musical isn't even criticism.

Anyway, I think Princesses is the NEXT candidate for "most beloved" musical of the decade with a built in audience of teen and twentysomething women who are ready to make it the next big thing with a rabid fan base.

Updated On: 7/31/05 at 11:17 AM

"Rent is a cultural phenomenon, like it or not, my friend."

I know you wern't talking to me, but I feel compelled to say that even this statement is debatable. And you don't have to hate RENT to think so.

But that's neither here nor there. What all of us are stating are just opinions. NOT facts.

But what are message boards for if not to argue about things to which no consensus can ever be reached?

haha thats true nystateomind04 -- carry on :).

The fandom_wank incident gave me a whole new perspective on this place. Wank away, folks, and entertain the rest of us. :)

"it is not to dispute any value of the show Rent."

And I haven't been disputing the value of the show-- only it's place in musical theater history.

"I personally do not like Rent and I do not think it is a cultural anything."

You get to not like whatever you want, but you don't get to decide what is a "cultural anything".

"I said nothing about it's merits as a show..."

Yet again, neither did I (well, except to note that I doubt that even it's strongest detracters can't find something to like about it, but that is neither here nor there)

My orginal post...

("I'd say that, while I think that the poster of the statement comes off as a bit overzelous in his/her defense, calling Rent "the most beloved musical of the last 10 years" is actually pretty accurate. If Rent isn't, then what is? Sure, it has it's detracters, as it is bound to. But just because you don't think the show's popularity is warrented doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.")

...responded to the backlash against the statement that Rent is "the most beloved musical of the last 10 years", then you took up the notion that the number of awards it has won does nothing to prove this point, and I agree that the awards do not have much to do with a show being "beloved" or not. I took issue when you started naming off other more commercially successful shows that you think deserve the non-existent prize of "most beloved". As far as Rent's cultural identity, I say it has one, and if you want to believe that it doesn't, then you go right on telling yourself that.

And I'm getting a headache, so moving on...

"F*ck RENT" is quite offensive to put onto t-shirts. It is used as an ironic term in Apathy but should be kept there...

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