Frank Rich assessment on Tony Awards

Frank Rich told the truth in the NYTimes commentary on The Tonys. If you tell the truth these days you are labled "mean-spirited," "a hater," "unnecessarily negative," "jealous," or other names to try to intimidate those you dare assert an honest assessment of a show, or situation, or talent. Too bad, because discourse used to be a way for people to learn from exact and pointed and unabashed constructive criticism. Frank has a laser eye for detecting a true lack of talent or inspiration. This is show business where people pay hard-earned money to be entertained, inspired, and uplifted, not to be pandared to, or condecended to by a mass of over-paid and pampered CBS executives from on high, who, I would dare say, wouldn't know a true theatrical experience even if they pulled it out of their ass, along with their head. I applaud him, especially about the hideous way the Memorium segment was done.

Do you have a link or something?

That is one of the most bizarrely wong/wrongheaded things I've read on here in a while. Let's break it down:

"Frank Rich told the truth in the NYTimes commentary on The Tonys."

The piece was in NY Mag.

"If you tell the truth these days you are labled "mean-spirited," "a hater," "unnecessarily negative," "jealous," or other names to try to intimidate those you dare assert an honest assessment of a show, or situation, or talent."

Where did anyone do any of those things?

"Too bad, because discourse used to be a way for people to learn from exact and pointed and unabashed constructive criticism."

It isn't anymore? News to me.

"Frank has a laser eye for detecting a true lack of talent or inspiration."

OK

"This is show business where people pay hard-earned money..."

Exactly how much did you pay to watch the Tonys?

"...to be entertained, inspired, and uplifted, not to be pandared [sic] to, or condecended [sic]to by a mass of over-paid"

Exactly how much are they paid?

"and pampered CBS executives from on high, who, I would dare say, wouldn't know a true theatrical experience even if they pulled it out of their ass, along with their head."

Who are these execs you think micromanaged the Tonys. Oh, and how exactly are they pampered?

"I applaud him, especially about the hideous way the Memorium segment was done."

That's great. But it wasn't exactly a cutting edge revelation, now was it? In fact, do you want to count the number of times that very sentiment was expressed here and on other media since Sunday?

It happens I think Frank did a great job of nailing the show. I really only took exception to one thing-his criticism of Alan's short. Not that I enjoyed seeing his hideous legs, but it is obvious that Rich didn't get the rather clever jab at the Grammys since he seemed to react to them straight up.

I enjoyed the Memoriam segment as well. Despite Mr. Groban's uncertain beginning, it was nice to see all the chorus people included in more than just background in their own musical numbers.

As far as the cameras moving away from the names and photos of those being remembered, that seems to a problem on every award show. It seems this could be rectified in a staff meeting.

As far as Mr. Rich is concerned, I read it for amusement sake. I agreed with him on some points and not on others. It's not worth it to get so riled up on a magazine article.

I love it. Rich has turned into a cranky old man. Yessir, that's what a heaping pile of Broadway garbage and an endless parade of non-stars, year after year, will do to a person.

I liked the Im Memoriam segment. I found it deeply moving.

I did as well (but then, I'm a Philistine...or am I a Philisteen?). I was confused that the video didn't start closer to the beginning of the song, but I wasn't incensed or enraged or anything.

This is actually what I posted on FB about the article when people kept going on and on about so-and-so's acceptance speech:

"I'm just sort of glad I get to watch it on TV and don't stress myself out by taking the broadcast so seriously. I honestly don't get the rankling about someone not conveying their acceptance precisely how another person should think they should do it. The person winning the award earned the right to deliver their speech however they see fit and it has NOTHING to do with us or OUR expectations WE place on THEM."

Maybe Frank Rich can just cast the award winners and they can credit the names of the winners on the screen so the speeches can be performed to his personal taste.

"Performing the acceptance speech for Orlando Bloom will be two-time Tony Award winner...Nathan Lane!"

Then, the Emmys can add the category for Best Performance of a Tony Award Speech for males and females in comedy and drama.

Updated On: 6/12/15 at 06:16 PM