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#501

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 2:08pm

“They should've just aired the concert they did for the live audience instead!”

I’m sorry, but that would have probably lost the performance even MORE ratings. No one besides diehard RENTheads wants to watch a bunch of people stand in a row and sing into microphones all night.

EDIT: Can whoever runs this app PLEASE fix the problems with typing on here? Every time I make a comment, it deletes all my quotation marks and apostrophes right before posting, and it’s a bit annoying to have to go back and edit each time.

"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire

Updated On: 1/29/19 at 02:08 PM

#502

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 2:40pm

All of this talk of understudies or cancelling shows seems to fail to grasp the basic nature of a one-time only live event aired on television. You can cancel the opening night of a broadway show because there is a run that follows it, not an option here, and you can't just re-schedule a planned television event easily because of advertisers, airing schedules, etc. You also have understudies in place in a regular show because you are planning for the contingency for the length of the run, not a single show.

It's confusing to me that this seems to be a difficult concept to grasp. I was disappointed by the final product as well, but I understand the logistical and financial realities of the situation.

#503

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 2:55pm

Elfuhbuh said: "“

EDIT: Can whoever runs this app PLEASE fix the problems with typing on here? Every time I make a comment, itdeletes all my quotation marks and apostrophes right before posting, and it’s a bit annoying to have to go back and edit each time."

Thanks for letting us know, our programmer looked into it, and think they have gotten it fixed. If you run into the issue again, please feel free to email us at moderator[at]broadwayworld[dot]com

#504

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 3:05pm

I don't use the app but I have the same issue when I post from the mobile site.

#505

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 4:42pm

ccbway said: It's confusing to me that this seems to be a difficult concept to grasp. I was disappointed by the final product as well, but I understand the logistical and financial realities of the situation."

I would argue that FOX had a fiduciary duty to the estate of Jonathan Larson to protect the brand of RENT, to protect the brand of the actors it hires and to protect its own brand. It could have done so by hiring understudies who could get rehearsal time (remember...this is not a traditional rehearsal period for a Broadway show and understudy rehearsal for the leads can be built in over the last few months), they could have insisted that the 'final dress' which is being taped as a back up anyway to be delivered full out or they could have asked this cast to do what the original cast did so many years ago. Gather around in a group to tell the story without all the trappings they worked hard to create. Everyone knows how special that night was. I was in a production that had a 'sh*t we have to make it work' moment that people still come up to me to talk about years later. I've been in the audience for those nights. They are theater at its highest form. Those nights create good will and trust and everyone fully understands what it means to be 'live.'

Fox didn't do that. They chose the worst possible route, probably because it was the easiest...or at least they thought it was the most risk-averse. They failed to protect the RENT brand. They certainly failed to protect the brands of Jordan Fisher, Tinashe and Valentina. And they really fell down on protecting their own brand. Yes...this is my opinion. But, if you follow the business, my opinion isn't much of an outlier.

#506

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 4:50pm

Moderator said: "Elfuhbuh said: "“

EDIT: Can whoever runs this app PLEASE fix the problems with typing on here? Every time I make a comment, itdeletes all my quotation marks and apostrophes right before posting, and it’s a bit annoying to have to go back and edit each time."

Thanks for letting us know, our programmer looked into it, and think they have gotten it fixed. If you run into the issue again, please feel free to email us at moderator[at]broadwayworld[dot]com"

Thank you so much! :)

"Was uns befreit, das muss stärker sein als wir es sind." -Tanz der Vampire

#507

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 5:52pm

Why would they possibly have a fiduciary duty to protect the brand of Rent? They didn't buy the rights from the Larson family. The only fiduciary duty the producers have is to themselves and the network. Financially they only have to account for this single performance and whatever licensing they needed to pay and advertisers. If it's anyone's responsibility it's whoever owns the rights to Rent (if that is the Larson family), to ensure that the producers and Fox "protect the brand" if it's that important.

If a local production of a show decides to cast a tone-deaf cast to perform said show, they're not "responsible" for protecting the brand of the show they have licensed to perform. Their interest in solely based on their investment in time, costs, money, advertising, ticket sales, or THAT show etc. moving forward.

The only argument you MIGHT be able to make is that in order to protect the franchise of live musical events on Fox that they should have done something that might be arguable at least. But no one is responsible for the "brand" except those people themselves.

Updated On: 1/29/19 at 05:52 PM

#508

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 6:03pm

SonofRobbieJ said: "ccbway said: It's confusing to me that this seems to be a difficult concept to grasp. I was disappointed by the final product as well, but I understand the logistical and financial realities of the situation."

I would argue that FOX had a fiduciary duty to the estate of Jonathan Larson to protect the brand of RENT, to protect the brand of the actors it hires and to protect its own brand. It could have done so by hiring understudies who could get rehearsal time (remember...this is not a traditional rehearsal period for a Broadway show and understudy rehearsal for the leads can be built in over the last few months), they could have insisted that the 'final dress' which is being taped as a back up anyway to be delivered full out or they could have asked this cast to do what the original cast did so many years ago. Gather around in a group to tell the story without all the trappings they worked hard to create. Everyone knows how special that night was. I was in a production that had a 'sh*t we have to make it work' moment that people still come up to me to talk about years later. I've been in the audience for those nights. They are theater at its highest form. Those nights create good will and trust and everyone fully understands what it means to be 'live.'

Fox didn't do that. They chose the worst possible route, probably because it was the easiest...or at least they thought it was the most risk-averse. They failed to protect the RENT brand. They certainly failed to protect the brands of Jordan Fisher, Tinashe and Valentina. And they really fell down on protecting their own brand. Yes...this is my opinion. But, if you follow the business, my opinion isn't much of an outlier."

The Larson family (specifically Al and Julie) were Executive Producers on the project --- so you can toss that entire (ridiculous) argument right out the window!

#509

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 7:24pm

I clearly remember for NBC's Sound of Music & Hairspray they had assigned u/s. So why doesn't FOX?

A Chorus Line revival played its final Broadway performance on August 17, 2008. The tour played its final performance on August 21, 2011. A new non-equity tour started in October 2012 played its final performance on March 23, 2013. Another non-equity tour launched on January 20, 2018. The tour ended its US run in Kansas City and then toured throughout Japan August & September 2018.

#510

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 8:55pm

I think the lower ratings were due to the choice of material and casting. Had it been Bye Bye Birdie with Jennifer Lopez for example, the ratings would have been higher. I also believe timing is everything when choosing material. Even though the material has some parallels to the times we live in, I think television audiences desire lighter fare given the world is so crazy right now.

Updated On: 1/29/19 at 08:55 PM

#511

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 9:26pm

SmoothLover said: "I think the lower ratings were due to the choice of material and casting. Had it been Bye Bye Birdie with Jennifer Lopez for example, the ratings would have been higher. I also believe timing is everything when choosing material. Even though the material has some parallels to the times we live in, I think television audiences desire lighter fare given the world is so crazy right now."

this ^ RENT is not a family show and it had no stars or recognizable names and the target market doesn't watch tv

"Anything you do, let it it come from you--then it will be new." Sunday in the Park with George

#512

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 9:57pm

Robbie2 said: "this ^ RENT is not a family show and it had no stars or recognizable names and the target market doesn't watch tv"

I found this this piece interesting about who actually did tune in:

“Despite being relatively small, the audience for Rent on Fox was disproportionately young. Per Nielsen, the three-hour telecast notched a 1.4 rating among adults under 50, making it the No. 1 show on all of network TV Sunday. Consider: CBS’ 60 Minutes, with a much-hyped interview with Starbucks founder Howard Schultz, drew nearly three times the overall audience (11.2 million) as Rent, and yet its score among adults under 50 was a mere 1.1 rating. Plus, among millennial adult women under 35, Rent notched a 1.8 rating, which isn’t that far below ABC’s The Bachelor (2.3 rating). In other words, Rent didn’t reach a big audience, but it did reach a demographically desirable one for Fox.”

#513

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 10:09pm

SonofRobbieJ said: "ccbway said: It's confusing to me that this seems to be a difficult concept to grasp. I was disappointed by the final product as well, but I understand the logistical and financial realities of the situation."

I would argue that FOX had a fiduciary duty to the estate of Jonathan Larson to protect the brand of RENT, to protect the brand of the actors it hires and to protect its own brand. It could have done so by hiring understudies who could get rehearsal time (remember...this is not a traditional rehearsal period for a Broadway show and understudy rehearsal for the leads can be built in over the last few months), they could have insisted that the 'final dress' which is being taped as a back up anyway to be delivered full out or they could have asked this cast to do what the original cast did so many years ago. Gather around in a group to tell the story without all the trappings they worked hard to create. Everyone knows how special that night was. I was in a production that had a 'sh*t we have to make it work' moment that people still come up to me to talk about years later. I've been in the audience for those nights. They are theater at its highest form. Those nights create good will and trust and everyone fully understands what it means to be 'live.'

Fox didn't do that. They chose the worst possible route, probably because it was the easiest...or at least they thought it was the most risk-averse. They failed to protect the RENT brand. They certainly failed to protect the brands of Jordan Fisher, Tinashe and Valentina. And they really fell down on protecting their own brand. Yes...this is my opinion. But, if you follow the business, my opinion isn't much of an outlier."

I don't know exactly what you're ranting about, but I think you might want to, in the words of Obi-Wan Kenobi, "go home and rethink your life".

If this production of RENT was such an "affront" to your sensibilities, I would suggest that the problem lies with you and not the production.

Edit: I quoted the wrong person, and have fixed my error.

Updated On: 1/29/19 at 10:09 PM

#514

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 10:51pm

DigificWriter said:FOX made the decision they made, andit's not anyone's place to say what they * should * have done."

I can very easily say what they should have done. Even if they decided they couldn't of done it live, they should have spent the ENTIRE day Sunday polishing what they did have and rerecorded what they needed to. That Valentina's Today 4 U sounded like THAT for something that was not live was unacceptable. They denied her a second take that she should have been afforded if you were going to take away the live performance. They could have made something special, instead the producers did a disservice to the cast and put on blast on a performance the public was not intended to see (regardless that that is how a Final Dress is seen as). They should be ashamed of how they handled this. ASHAMED. If needed there were countless former Roger that they COULD have called in last minute and taught him the staging. Adam Pascal was literally there when the accident happened. They shrugged their shoulders and did not care about the cast at all. They were the hired help and had what they worked for 2 months for taken away from them because of their mismanagement and poor planning.

#515

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 11:26pm

I'm going to reiterate what I said earlier: a rock band does not go out and find a replacement lead singer "just in case" something happens to their regular frontman on the first night of a 2-night show, even if said second night is going to be preserved for release.

I also don't know what people are finding so egregiously bad about what we were shown, nor am I quite sure I * want * to know.

I'd rather enjoy what we got instead of being bombarded with negativity, thank you very much... and thankfully I did enjoy what we got.

#516

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/29/19 at 11:48pm

DigificWriter said: "I'm going to reiterate what I said earlier: a rock band does not go out and find a replacement lead singer "just in case" something happens to their regular frontman on the first night of a 2-night show, even if said second night is going to be preserved for release.

Well let me know when theatre is a rock band and I'll take your comparison into consideration. Theatre does plan. Do you know why? Because **** like this happens. Because a show that is a million moving pieces cannot come down to one person not being able to make it to showtime. It wouldn't fly in a college theatre program that has 3 performances and it shouldn't fly here. What if they didn't film the Dress Rehearsal? They'd have all been royally ****ed. They would have had to find someone else to play the role at the last minute. Good to know they had two former Rogers on set they couldn't bother to employ. Or restage what they needed to for Brennin to do the show. They had options and chose the worst one.

I also don't know what people are finding so egregiously bad about what we were shown, nor am I quite sure I * want * to know.

Did you hear Valentina? Did you hear the horrible sound mixing? Did you hear the audience cranked up way too high?

I'd rather enjoy what we got instead of being bombarded with negativity, thank you very much... and thankfully I did enjoy what we got."

I'd much rather watch the 2008 recording...

#517

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/30/19 at 12:12am

I'm half-way through, and I have to say, I don't see why people are hating so much? It's pretty dang good. I love the kinetic staging and how they've opened it up. I'm not sure why none of the ensemble are particularly good singers, but whatever. You'd think for a singers show you'd want a cast that could really deliver. But for the leads, I think everyone is holding their own. Sure, Valentina wasn't great, but she suits the part, and she's got a certain charm for sure. I'm curious to see more.

But re:ratings, I get it. I don't think this is ever going to draw a huge crowd. It's not a wholesome story that people are going to get around, and I'm not sure why it's being told now, but I'm happy Fox put up the $$ to make it happen.

#518

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/30/19 at 12:31am

I think that 99.5% of us agree that if FOX could go back in time and employ a Roger understudy that would’ve been a very good thing (regardless of whether it was feasible or normal operating practice) so it’s a pity that all our time machines are broken. Ironically, the one I was RENTing (from a guy named Bennie) broke Saturday afternoon.

We now have the version of the Rent TV production we’re going to get for better and worse. I doubt I’ll be inclined to go back and watch it again, but after the bad first hour it improved. And the last 15 minutes were just about perfect. I’m more forgiving now. Yes, I’d also like to use my broken time machine to get Valentina singing lessons (or even better, convince the powers-to-be to hire MJ Rodriquez instead), but, again, it’s broken. The time machine. I mean. And oh yeah, Valentina’s voice. Oh well, back to serious matters like BUILDING THE WALL and pouring bleach on gay men of color and tying nooses around their necks. Now if we could fix that...imagine the musical Larsen would’ve written about that...

#519

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/30/19 at 12:34am

And yes, I’m aware he sorta did.

#520

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/30/19 at 12:36am

So watching this from my DVR and ... not sure what show you "critics" saw but this is by far the best version of RENT that I've seen. Valentina isn't the best singer but has plenty of presence. This is the first Mimi that I thought, "Yeah, she could work in a club and is 19". Overall, I'm really enjoying it.

This does remind me of when the movie came out and this board ripped everything to shreds about it. Not a great movie, but not the worst musical by far in the last 15 years.

This production holds it's own, and I'm loving a Mark with a bit of a sense of humor. Really looking forward to the parts that board liked in the 2nd act.

#521

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/30/19 at 1:49am

A few observations from someone who was at the final dress rehearsal for Rent (Live?? err) on Fox and the final taping.

The dress was much more laid back. The line outside waiting was organized, we had great people explaining what was going to happen and did their best to answer questions. It felt very exciting and also very relaxed. We got into the studio about an hour or so before the show. Tons of energy which is hard to tel from the feed. I was in the front row.

The dress rehearsal had huge energy as we were so excited to see something special for one of the first times. Sound mixing is incredibly hard to do right quickly, especially when this performance wasn't designed for that. The only vocals when sitting there sounded questionable was Angel/Valentina. But it sounded more like Valentina was sick.

At no point was the audience instructed how to cheer, what to say or what emotion to convey. We went in raw, excited and invested. When it was broadcast, the cheering and emotion was toned down and taken out to make the story flow. But after every riff, song, and character there was tons of applause, cheering and tears.

Fun fact: The audience near the pit was so loud during the opening that it significantly distorted the audio. So that after the dress rehearsal, we were told to stay in our seats and they re-did about 2 minutes of the opening with the crowd being more quiet. Since Brennin was injured (at the time we didn't think it was going to be that bad) they just did a few bars of Rent with Jordan.

In stark contrast, the final taping was a clusterf!ck and nothing was really explained (including the numbers on our wristbands. There was understandably much more security including an (adorable) bomb sniffing dog. Unlike yesterday, there wasn't a host to rev the audience up and also explain how this live taping would go. We finally found out that this wouldn't' be taped live about 15 minutes prior to the east coast feed. I had traveled to NYC with friends and I felt bad for them. I was excited and new whatever happened would be an experience in my love affair with the show.

Fox realized rather quickly (as did we) there was TONS of negative comments on social media and that the comments started to negatively trend. Very quickly we were told we could record musical numbers and so on with Fox's approval. They kept reminding us to record and share all over social media with their custom hashtags. The only stipulation was that once the show went live -phone away! It's funny that this idea has somewhat of an adverse effect.

Before the taping we were told, "if you feel joy -share joy. If you feel tears- share the tears..."

For us, it wasn't really fully explained that when the cast came out they were singing LIVE. Since for the first few numbers they were terrifically in sync, people thought the cast were pantomiming through the songs to the pre-recorded audio feed. During the first commercial break I believe, they reminded us that the band and performers were all singing LIVE. They also stressed this is something the cast wanted to do since the really wouldn't get a full "opening night" performance. The cast was having a great time and did what they could do entertain the audience and themselves. It wasn't full costumes. Valentina didn't have the wig, etc. It was great to see them band together, and embrace "live theater". Things weren't perfect for our little Rent on Fox in Concert sing along and it made it feel fun and real (Mimi didn't come in at the right time in Another Day, Vanessa I think flubbed a line in Over The Moon (I could be wrong). The negative: since they didn't use most of the television blocking, the side I was on didn't get played to. So yet again, we were watching the feed from last night's dress for a visual while listening to the cast live. At times the actors would come around and try to shake hands, etc but performance-wise a huge chunk of audience really was left out. The big bonus though: we got the finale and Seasons of Love facing towards us.

100% agree with the person who posted and said they should have cleaned up some numbers on Sunday before releasing it. Fox should have known a non-live theater experience billed for months as Live with a loyal fan base would be pissed!

Live theater is live theater. I wish they could have worked him into the wheelchair as crazy as it seems. It would've added another layer to the night's show (especially when we talk about ANYTHING can happen when it's live!). Also Rent's message about inclusion -but instead they decided to use the dress rehearsal footage. Did anyone at Fox look at the footage before airing? Did they have any type of test audience to ask? Did they think people would be so mad.

Also, Rent is certainly not family friendly so it would not have attained high numbers -maybe if they had some celebs in there. I wonder how many people tuned in just for the OBC.

Also their marketing of the show was not great. They assumed everyone knew what Rent was about. Their commercials were very vague. From the looks of the commercials, I would've though the show was a feel good show about best friends living....somewhere? and they sing? And they may be a drag queen??

Kudos for keeping Christmas Bells in (mostly intacted) and not cutting a zillion numbers which is impressive. Also loved the same-sex kisses on tv..on Fox!

Rent on Fox - Audience Footage

https://www.facebook.com/broadway.pride/videos/539886656524334/

https://www.facebook.com/broadway.pride/videos/957700474619475/

Updated On: 1/30/19 at 01:49 AM

#522

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/30/19 at 2:03am

Akitarent, thanks for the recap. That was great!

#523

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/30/19 at 2:32am

I've been trying to replay Valentina's songs back in my head to see if I can figure out why people have been complaining, and I still don't get it.

#524

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/30/19 at 8:35am

"Hey, you played this part 20 years ago and sure, we edited the script and you know absolutely nothing about the blocking so that not only you can act but also appear on the cameras but would you like to come down here and see what can you make of it? Thanks!"

do people even think about what they're saying?

#525

RENT Live on Fox

Posted: 1/30/19 at 10:43am

DigificWriter said: "I've been trying to replay Valentina's songs back in my head to see if I can figure out why people have been complaining, and I still don't get it."

There were several instances where she was pretty off-key and her voice was weak.

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