Next NBC Live Musical- Page 2

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 10:05am

I'm hoping with J.Lo (both as an executive producer and one of the leads) it encourages casting opportunity for POC, of all ages. I just think we need a good production of Birdie. I think NBC could pull off the production part of it but the rest depends on casting, the team, etc. I'm excited for this. It's been a while since I've seen the original movie, but I usually watch the 95 ABC version anyway since it's closer to the show (albeit a few new songs, plus it my first time "watching" the show) and then we had the Roundabout revival. What roles would give way for unknowns/cattle calls if NBC were to do that again? Kim? Hugo? Birdie?

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 10:15am

Really not excited about the choice of Birdie. There's something nice about only having one of these a year around Christmas, but oof, it'll be two years before there ~might~ be another that interests me!

[perfectliar]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 11:05am

Valentina3 said: "I mean if they West Side Story, it will be pretty political. Let's just hope they can get Tommy Kail to direct, because not gonna lie - Hairspray was a talented cast with really messy camerawork . Can we petition for Karen Olivo as Anita?"

I think everyone is missing the fact that they can't just do whatever musical they want to do. There's red tape. Meron and Zadan did an interview a few days ago where they said they wanted to do Mamma Mia! (before deciding on Hairspray) but couldn't because the rights were tied up with Universal still planning a potential sequel. It would be the same problem with something like West Side Story, which likely has its rights tied up in a potential remake.

[bdn223]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 11:06am

At least with Birdie it seems like they will be adhering closer to the original musical then the Movie adaptation centered more on Kim helping make Ann-Margret a star. They movie also removes the racial aspect of the plot around Rosie's latina heritage. The Rosie Alvarez was a character a head of her time being the brains behind the entire operation.

Has the musical aged well?.....ehhh. As we saw with the 2009 revival, no matter how much energy and great the kids are the show rest solely on the shoulders of Rosie and her chemistry with who ever her Albert is, and Gina Gershon had as much flair and chemistry with John Stamos as a rock in the desert.

So the show will be very dependent on whoever they cast as her Albert and the chemistry between them. I would not necessarily be opposed to Stamos trying to redeem himself with this production. The dream Albert would be the Neil Patrick Harris, though.

[Danster]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 11:12am

If Hairspray did not attract a good number of viewers, imagine how Bye Bye Birdie will do. 

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 11:14am

I wish NBC would just stop. They've had four chances, and they've all either been either subpar or pleasantly okay. Grease showed that this beat belongs to Fox and Fox alone.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 11:22am

Danster said: "If Hairspray did not attract a good number of viewers, imagine how Bye Bye Birdie will do."

But at least with Bye Bye Birdie, they have Jennifer Lopez.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 11:23am

BroadwayConcierge said: "I wish NBC would just stop. They've had four chances, and they've all either been either subpar or pleasantly okay."

Sorry, but executives usually make decisions from a business standpoint, not an artistic standpoint.

[Nefertiti]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 1:05pm

Its high time they should try to go with White Christmas live at this time of the year. I cannot understand why it hasn't been done before. 

[Tag]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 1:08pm

What NBC really needs to do, is get a new producing team.  Meron & Zadan have been given the 4 chances and they have pretty much struck out every time.

[BWayBound115]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 1:20pm

Still putting this into the atmosphere, James Corden as Albert. 

Maybe Sean Hayes as Mr. MacAfee?

Tyne Daly as Mrs. Peterson again?

[JohnyBroadway]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 1:28pm

I also think a lot of the success of Grease also goes to producer Marc Platt.  Perhaps NBC is missing Platt in the equation.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 1:59pm

Tag said: "What NBC really needs to do, is get a new producing team.  Meron & Zadan have been given the 4 chances and they have pretty much struck out every time."

i enjoyed many of the movies they've produced but I don't think television is their forte.

[ljay889]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 2:24pm

Cordon is ideal but I doubt it will fly with a CBS talk show.

my top choice for Albert: Zachary Levi. He would be perfection.

[NOWaWarning]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 3:22pm

After seeing Dove Cameron's lovely, confident performance last night, I would welcome her as Kim.

Do we know who's directing Birdie yet? I haven't really been impressed with Kenny Leon's work the past two years.

Also, let's hope we get a hunky Conrad Birdie. Not a One Direction knock off.

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 4:19pm

I would love for either station to do Legally Blonde. Fox preferably. 

[Nefertiti]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 4:30pm

Legally Blonde was done by MTV. I don`t think it needs to be re made. After last night's ratings they need to sit down and come up with a title that will attract a lot of viewers which maybe just like Sound of Music is based on a well known movie. The Wizard of Oz is what comes to mind but after The Wiz that its unlikely to happen West Side Story and Fiddler on the Roof should be really taken into consideration. 

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 4:40pm

A Christmas Story, please!

[jenn3258]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 4:42pm

Last night's ratings were scary. I agree that they need to come up with something that generates more interest. Maybe they are still in time to cancel Birdie after all, haven't they already done it with The Music Man last year. 

[Nefertiti]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 4:44pm

White Christmas gets my vote.

[gypsy101]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 4:52pm

they were not scary ratings, just kind of mediocre for a big live event (the same as peter pan 2 years ago)

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 5:33pm

I think they past of the ratings problem this year less with the fact that Hairspray just had a popular and successful movie within the last decade. I don't think audiences were ready to see a new version on screen just yet. 

I doubt Bye Bye Birdie will fair much better. There are two film versions already, and neither is really great. It's an old title that younger audiences won't be as familiar with, and J-Lo isn't a great actress. I think better choices should be made. 

[GreasedLightning]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 5:56pm

BroadwayConcierge said: "I wish NBC would just stop. They've had four chances, and they've all either been either subpar or pleasantly okay. Grease showed that this beat belongs to Fox and Fox alone.

 

"

I absolutely agree. 

Additionally, I don't think Legally Blonde is a bad idea at all. The MTV version was literally just the Broadway production filmed live and was never distributed. Hairspray had a musical, a film and this version all within the last 10 years. Legally Blonde was a widely successful movie with a mildly successful Broadway run that would have a ton of star casting opportunities and do well with the home audience. I think they'd kill it. 

@Fox, get on this!!!!! 

[jenn3258]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 6:20pm

Nefertiti said: "White Christmas gets my vote.

Patrick Wilson as Bob Wallace, Zachary Levi as Phil Davis, Laura Benanti, Laura Osnes could really shine if it ever had to happen

 

[jenn3258]

Posted: 12/8/16 at 6:23pm

gypsy101 said: "they were not scary ratings, just kind of mediocre for a big live event (the same as peter pan 2 years ago)

Fox's Rocky Horror which was not live delivered only about 4 million and Hairspray which my opinion had potential to deliver between 12 to 15 got less than Peter Pan so yes its scary and would hate for this tradition to see it end.

"