"'FOSSE/VERDON' COMING TO FX"- Page 8

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 11:40am

Thanks for answering! So the trailer they released for this week´s episode wasn´t at all the acurate!

The trailer released last week clearly states “... this season on FOSSE/VERDON” so it’s a highlights on the future episodes.  It wasn’t a “next on FOSSE/VERDON” trailer.  

https://youtu.be/2d2dEnBtrF4

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 11:55am

Great episode, better than Ep 1 for me, since it followed the creation of just one show, and just one theme -- the give and take of their love story. I can't take my eyes off of Michelle Williams; the lady can do it all, and rules the screen.

I keep wishing Sam Rockwell could meet her more than halfway. His dance moves are fine, but his essence is missing the sweet winking come-on that is always present in Fosse's interviews. The Fosse accent with its Chicago overtones and week r's is also missing. Those stupid hair pieces are really the least of his problems. 

No matter. The show is a gift. Can't wait for next week.

[kofler22]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 12:18pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Thanks for answering! So the trailer they released for this week´s episode wasn´t at all theacurate!

The trailer released last week clearly states “... this season on FOSSE/VERDON” so it’s a highlights on the future episodes. It wasn’ta “next on FOSSE/VERDON” trailer.

https://youtu.be/2d2dEnBtrF4"

Ups! Sorry! My mistake then!! 

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 12:59pm

I enjoyed the premiere, but last night was such an improvement. The long "Whatever Lola Wants" studio scene was brilliant. I've rewatched Williams doing "Who's Got The Pain" several times. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 1:09pm

Episode 2 was leagues better than episode 1. Really got into their relationship from the beginning. "Who's Got the Pain" looked like a carbon copy of the original. And Gwen's audition for Fosse in the studio was so we'll done. Can't wait for more!!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 1:20pm

ACL2006 said: "Episode 2 was leagues better than episode 1. Really got into their relationship from the beginning. "Who's Got the Pain" looked like a carbon copy of the original. And Gwen's audition for Fosse in the studio was so we'll done. Can't wait for more!!"

ALL of the choreography seen in FOSSE/VERDON is Bob Fosse’s original choreography.   His and Gwen’s daughter Nicole Fosse is Co-Executive Producer and consultant on the series and her Verdon/Fosse Legacy team (which include former Fosse dancers) are handling the choreography.  Former Fosse dancer Dana Moore reconstructed the “Who’s Got the Pain?” and the rehearsal portions of “Whatever Lola Wants.”   

[ACL2006]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 1:47pm

I'm aware of that. I'm was just very impressed with how good it looked. Kudos to Ryan Vanderboom as Eddie as well in "Who's Got the Pain".

[evic]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 3:57pm

Did I hear correctly....when Bwen meets. On in the studio I she did something like “I hear you were a dancer

[evic]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 4:10pm

Did I hear correctly....when gwen meets.bob in the studio i think she said something like “I hear you were a dancer before you were a choreographer”.cause if that is the case then it is the most ridiculous
line ever. They both did movies in Hollywood at the same time and I would think they at least knew OF each other. Or was Gwen playing a game like when she said she didn’t see his show that he choreographed on bway? I thought this segment was way inferior to the first. But man Rockwell has Fosse’s voice and inflections down to a tee. The wig is awful. Gwen Is no saint portrayed here. That’s show biz kid.

[A Director]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 4:15pm

https://slate.com/culture/2019/04/fosse-verdon-showrunner-steven-levenson-interview.html

[darquegk]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 4:49pm

It's funny that he's doing Fosse so well, because I kept thinking Rockwell was doing Duchovny as Hank Moody, in one of my OTHER favorite "lovable asshole troubled genius in the arts" series.

[bwaybrent]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 5:10pm

The makeup department deserves an Emmy just for the fake teeth on Michelle Williams alone.

Updated On: 4/17/19 at 05:10 PM

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 9:24pm

Wow wow wow Episode 2. Michelle is just crazy good. THAT good

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 4/17/19 at 11:55pm

Episode 2 WAS much better than 1. It will be interesting to see if Rockwell is able to find some likeability within the script. As it stands his character is nonempathetic. Michelle is acting circles around him which is a compliment to her but one has to wonder if it is appropriate for the script as a whole. I am sure the director and producers hoped the outcome of the series would be complimented by an ensemble that was on equal footing.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 4/18/19 at 1:07am

dramamama611 said: "I have to admit, I found the back and forth a bit much - but, to be fair, I've been exhausted. SO, I plan to watch again before next week's episode.



"

I think we're supposed to keep track of narrative time by watching Sam Rockwell's hairline.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 4/18/19 at 1:22am

BWAY Baby2 said: "Seems like everyone ignored my question about did Verdon really contribute as much to the choreography of Fosse productions as this miniseries indicates- iris that influenced but the MeToo movement to capitalize on a current cultural moment- and after some research I found out that Gwen actually did contribute a lot to the choreography and was a lifelong collaborator with Fosse. Very interesting."

I haven't seen ALL THAT JAZZ in many years, but isn't there a scene in it where the Fosse character (played by Roy Scheider) is actually shown developing choreography with the Verdon character (played by Leland Palmer, IIRC)? Or were they working on the aborted musical that in real life became CHICAGO?

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/18/19 at 9:14am

I haven't seen ALL THAT JAZZ in many years, but isn't there a scene in it where the Fosse character (played by Roy Scheider) is actually shown developing choreography with the Verdon character (played by Leland Palmer, IIRC)? Or were they working on the aborted musical that in real life became CHICAGO?

The ALL THAT JAZZ timeline referencing Bob Fosse’s life is 1974-75 while he was simultaneously editing his film LENNY and rehearsing CHICAGO and suffering his first heart attack.  

In the fabulous sequence of Audrey (Leland Palmer) dancing in the rehearsal room and talking to Joe (Roy Scheider) about his infidelities, they’re not creating any choreography — she’s just doing her warmups.  

[moorfx]

Posted: 4/18/19 at 12:44pm

Someone in a Tree2 said: I keep wishing Sam Rockwell could meet her more than halfway. His dance moves are fine, but his essence is missing the sweet winking come-on that is always present in Fosse's interviews. The Fosse accent with its Chicago overtones and week r's is also missing. 

I agree 100% regarding Rockwell's performance. Initially I thought the casting was perfect and I really wanted to like Sam Rockwell as Bob Fosse but it feels like he based his Fosse on Roy Scheider in All That Jazz.  Scheider had a harder edge that didn't reflect any of Fosse's natural charm; however, he gave a solid performance and created a memorable character. Rockwell seems to be going out of his way to suppress his own brand of boyish charm in order to portray a character that he dares us to like. I’ll fondly remember Michelle Williams, but I won’t remember Sam Rockwell. 

Except for that comb-over . . . 

 

 

[bk]

Posted: 4/18/19 at 3:38pm

I like Williams fine.  I'm not enjoying the show much at all, mostly because of the terrible writing and the tired back-and-forth structure, and the cutesy homages to young Bob tapping from All that Jazz, which here are just heavy-handed and annoying.

For me, Rockwell has the Fosse voice down pretty well, but he's playing it so low energy, probably basing that on footage that he's seen.  But while Fosse was soft-spoken he had an internal energy and electricity that made you not be able to take your eyes off him - Rockwell completely lacks that and the fact that he is so not a dancer or lanky is a real issue - they keep having to quick cut around that and use waist-up shots.  Williams fares better in the dance department, but it's also clear they're having to do the same with her - in the dancing she is no Verdon.  But then again, who is?  

[Hamilfan2]

Posted: 4/18/19 at 3:42pm

Is anyone going to the 92nd St Y event tonight?  They are screening (presumably) next week's episode and then doing an interview with Rockwell, Williams, Lin and others involved in the show.  I am really liking the show so far so I am excited for this event!

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 4/18/19 at 4:26pm

I enjoyed most of this week's episode. Williams is just blowing me away, and she makes every scene so much better. And the recreated dance scenes are just so well done. My issue still remains from Episode 1, and that is "Why are we supposed to care about these people?" They haven't yet established the point of the thing. Maybe it's because they assume the audience goes in with enough knowledge to care, but it still ends up leaving me a bit cold in the end.

[BroadwayNYC2]

Posted: 4/18/19 at 5:15pm

Williams is truly one of the best actresses of the generation. I feel lucky to have seen her on stage. 

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 4/18/19 at 5:29pm

evic said: "Did I hear correctly....when gwen meets.bob in the studio i think she said something like “I hear you were a dancer before you were a choreographer”.cause if that is the case then it is the most ridiculous
line ever. They both did movies in Hollywood at the same time and I would think they at least knew OF each other. Or was Gwen playing a game like when she said she didn’t see his show that he choreographed on bway? I thought this segment was way inferior to the first. But man Rockwell has Fosse’s voice and inflections down to a tee. The wig is awful. Gwen Is no saint portrayed here. That’s show biz kid. "

Clearly the line was not sincerely meant.

about 90% of the dialogue in that scene was coded.

This is a scene of manipulation. Fosse’s manipulation of Gwen to believe she needs him to keep Lola.  Verdon’s response is a mix of coy pandering, even coyer impudence and playful passive aggressive. 

Updated On: 4/18/19 at 05:29 PM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/18/19 at 11:09pm

Fosse had a pattern. He left Mary Ann Niles for Joan McCracken, left McCracken for Gwen Verdon and then spurned Verdon for. Reinking.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 4/19/19 at 12:20pm

Just finished re-watching the second episode. Fosse was a douche - he betrayed McCracken for Verdon while she was extremely ill. So utterly heartless. Gwen doesn't come off any better - - - although the writers try as they did wanted to paint her as a victim as well, but she really wasn't. Yes, she struggled with her conscience because she knew what she was doing was wrong but in the end she went ahead and did it anyway. So the way they resolve their guilty consciences over what they did is to provide a nurse for McCracken and foot medical bills. How "noble" of the both of them. 

This is not to say that McCracken was a saint - she carried on an affair with Fosse knowing he was married at the time.

If ther is anything this min-series has taught me other than the genius of Fosse and Verdon, which I was already aware of, it's that everyone in this story gets their Karma handed back to them.

Kudos to the writer to counterpoint all of this ugliness with the song "Heart" playing in the background. Genius.

Susan Misner's scene as McCracken "reading" Gwen Verdon in the powder room was priceless. She not only let her know in so many words that she was on to what was going on and that she was nobody's fool let alone anyone's victim, but she was warning Gwen what lay in store for her. It was one of the best if not the best scene in the episode. 

Updated On: 4/19/19 at 12:20 PM