No host. Did it work?
No host. Did it work?
Theatreboy33
Broadway Star Joined: 5/19/03
#0No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 1:56amNot for me. The Tonys committee should do themselves a favor and start the search for next years host tomorrow. Make sure they have one locked down. I figured with all those presenters, we'd at least get a nice splashy opening number. The show relied far too much on a "Remember old, GOOD, Tony awards?" moments than any actual acknowledgement of the present. I'd personally would always like to see a big musical opening number put on by all the broadway straight theatre actors who can't sing or dance. Might be amusing.
#1re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 1:58amit sort of worked, but there were so many faces that I just wanted to see a familiar face more than once during the whole show.
<--- the set of A Midsummer Night's Dream that I was assistant stage manager for during the 2007 season at the STNJ outdoor stage.
-Dre- You must remember all the same that at the crux of every game is knowing when it's time to leave the table... And it's important to be artful in your exit. No turning back, you must accept the con is done... It was a ball, it was a blast. And it's a shame it couldn't last. But every chapter has to end, you must agree.
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
There's a special kind of people known as show people. We live in a world full of dreams. Sometimes we're not too certain what's false and what's real. But we're seldom in doubt about what we feel.
~Curtains~
It is a far, far better thing I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest I go to, than I have ever known.
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
~Dirty Rotten Scoundrels~
~Curtains~
~A Tale of Two Cities ~
ethanbrat
Chorus Member Joined: 5/10/05
#2re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 1:59amI liked it without a host. It was less campy (not that camp is bad). I didn't get sick of seeing the same person over and over, trying to out do themselves in the humor department. I also liked being able to see a variety of people (end their cute or not so cute clothes).
#3re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 1:59amIt worked for me. I didn't miss Jackman at all!
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
#5re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 2:00amNO. It left out alot of personality that usually goes with the show. And for those of us who attended the awards, it made for boring commercial breaks (although the Seth Rudesky stuff had me falling out of my chair)!
SueleenGay
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/9/03
#6re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 2:00amIf the alternative was having Harry do something between every award, then it worked like a dream. Actually, I think they could have cut the opening number. I mean did we really have to hear "Give My Regards to Broadway" and "There's No Business Like Show Business" again?
PEACE.
Gothampc
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
#7re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 2:00am
The host idea only works if it is someone who is truly funny or someone like Angela Lansbury who lends the event some class.
I think they are afraid to plan for opening numbers because they are afraid Debbie Allen will want to choregraph and judging by her past work, she'll mess it all up. (Shudders from the thought of Nell Carter running across the stage during the Aladdin Oscars).
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
FoscasBohemianDream
Broadway Star Joined: 1/20/06
MargoChanning
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/5/04
#9re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 2:06am
I liked it a lot. After the opening, a host's typical contributions are simply presenting presenters and providing lame jokes which just serves to take away time from winner's speeches and more interesting things. The show moved efficiently with just an announcer.
"What a story........ everything but the bloodhounds snappin' at her rear end." -- Birdie
[http://margochanning.broadwayworld.com/]
"The Devil Be Hittin' Me" -- Whitney
#10re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 2:06am
I thought it worked very well. You don't NEED a host. Hosts often waste time.
I could see someone arguing whether or not the extra time was used well.
alterego
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/5/03
#11re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 8:17amYes, it worked. There is no need for a host who makes some unfunny scripted remark introducing presenters who come on make some more unfunny scripted jokes before announcing nominees. Lets's just get straight to the nominees - it worked for me.
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
#12re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 8:28am
i think it worked well!
everyone got a little moment.
when theres one host, you get stuck with a lot of "witty banter" that wastes time, isnt funny & is a real drag by the end of the evening.
#13re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 8:32am
It brought variety and allowed many voices to be heard and people to be seen. It was fine with me 
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
"THERE'S A SPECIAL KIND OF PEOPLE KNOWN AS SHOW PEOPLE... WE'RE BORN EVERY NIGHT AT HALF HOUR CALL!"--- CURTAINS
marlomanners
Featured Actor Joined: 7/13/04
#14re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 8:33amI didn't miss having a host at all. Was it me or did they have more time for the musical numbers than they have lately? They didn't seem as short as they usually do. Maybe that is due to having less time wasted by a host.
www.isawearthlings.com
#15re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 9:43am
I liked it too. Right on Sueleen and Margo, in particular.
With the strength of the Jersey Boys number, I wish they just opened with it. It would have brought the house down from the start. Instead, all I seemed to focus on was the song selection and that Harry's tux didn't seem to fit him very well.
60 for 60 was as lame as the republican puppet joke. (I saw no reason to lamblast the right, even though I live to lamblast the right). I did get a smile out of seeing Julia Roberts in total stage freight during the opening, or maybe she just gets elevator sick. (BTW, was anyone else offended by the "you people are talented" comment? Was she confirming that she's not meant for stage or was it a comment from the heart? I found it an odd statement.)
With the star power packed presenters, they need no introduction.
We all watch year after year. I wish they would take each year and showcase, in detail, what it takes to put on a show. One year, costumes, from conception to wardrobe update, next lighting, next, how sets are constructed, next music direction, and so forth. Talent comes in many forms and new professionals are needed each generation.
Updated On: 6/12/06 at 09:43 AM
#16re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 10:06amnot at all!
It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story...
AGATHA CHRISTIE, Life magazine, May 14, 1956
#17re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 10:13amI'm totally with Margo. I LOVED it! The show moved along nicely and allowed for only one person (suprise, suprise: Mr. Griffiths) to get the your-speech-is-getting-too-long music. Last year was insane. Award shows should do this more often!
#18re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 10:47amI'm surprised that I actually liked it sans host.
Hey Dottie!
Did your colleagues enjoy the cake even though your cat decided to sit on it? ~GuyfromGermany
#19re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 10:51amI liked the idea more than the execution. I would at least expect a betetr opening number than...whatever THAT was. It was just bleh. THere could have been more personality and still no host.
"We don't value the lily less for not being made of flint and built to last. Life's bounty is in it's flow, later is too late. Where is the song when it's been sung, the dance when it's been danced? It's only we humans who want to own the future too."
- Tom Stoppard, Shipwreck
NYadgal
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/04
#20re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 10:56am
I was surprised I liked it without a host, also.
I thought it absolutely worked!
"Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. . ."
#21re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 11:02am
No, it was dull and lifeless. If they were going to save time by removing the host, I would have liked to have seen the technical awards placed back into the show rather than speeches that droned on and on. Just because you have more time to talk, doesn't mean you should. You could tell people were filling in the gaps simply because they did not get the "WRAP IT" sign when they finished their prepared speeches (which was caught by the cameras at one point) and then fished around for something dramatically important to say. Gratefully thank those who contributed to your success and leave. I'm not comfortable hearing about your mother's death and how you love your father and wish your stepmother and stepsister would beat it so you two could be alone again. It's way too personal and creepy.
My favorite hosts were Angela Lansbury and Rosie O'Donnell. The broadcasts were tight and smooth and captured the spirit of the theatre. Two completely different personalities and styles that were charismatic and magnetic. Bring 'em back.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
coolphantom919
Broadway Star Joined: 6/6/06
#22re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 11:27amIt was cool to see even more actors and stage veterans!!!
#23re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 11:40amI thought it worked. no splashy musical montage opening number. I was a little disappointed on that because the past few years the openings have been really fun. (at the same time, probably difficult to organize)
"I'll eat some breakfast, then change the world."
RentBoy86
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
#24re: No host. Did it work?
Posted: 6/12/06 at 11:44amI really didn't think about it throughout the show. I thought it worked fine. I'd rather have no host than have Hugh Jackman singing and dancing every 20 mins.
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