Riedel Puts Jerry Mitchell In His Place - Ouch!- Page 2

[TommyTunesSon]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 4:15pm

First of all, I love the tony awards and am so glad that they are still being televised by CBS. I actually preferred & loved those few years when PBS did the first hour, with all of the design categories & directors, etc., with brilliant montages showing the artistry behind the nominations. I hope CBS gives us this gift for years to come. The ratings are unimportant - I wouldn't want shows or actors nominated simply to try to get more viewers. I like it when they show the non-nominated shows in montages, which it looks like they are going to do this year.

My understanding of the nominating process is that the panel of nominators come to their conclusions and cast their ballots independently of one another. So this idea that they have sabotaged the tonys rings false to me. (I wouldn't have nominated Legally Blonde, either, but then again I certainly wouldn't have nominated Radio Golf for best play over Coram Boy and The Vertical Hour, either).

I do wish they would go back to something they used to do and show scenes from the four nominated plays (even Radio Golf!). I grew up loving the tony awards, it fed my love for live theatre and influenced my choices in life.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 4:27pm

The scenes from the plays are a good thing...they should still be done.

I would love to see Legally Blonde perform, but we will have to see. I wonder where he gets his info from.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 4:30pm

theaterdude, it's been confirmed by both Riedel and Variety that Legally Blonde and Lovemusik won't be performing,

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 4:32pm

Riedel cannot end anyone's career on Broadway.
He tried with Donna Murphy and she's back.


If he tried hard enough he could. If he can shut down a Broadway show, he can end a career.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 4:33pm

oh i know...i mean I read both things. I feel like Variety is more reliable though thatn Riedel. I was just still holding hope.

I find it odd that Jerry is fighting so hard...if they really do not want them to perform it is easier to give up..

"welcome to the tony's...ratings are so low....straight people turn it off."

[Fenchurch]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 4:37pm

Reidel can't do anything of the kind. He's a wart on the nose of humanity, and anyone who takes him seriously needs psychiatric help.

[Becoz_i_knew_you21]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 4:39pm

Riedel can't end someone's career. All he could do is gossip about them whether its true or not.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 4:45pm

Who do you think reads the gossip? People don't care if it is true or not.

[Julian2]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 5:03pm

"If he tried hard enough he could. If he can shut down a Broadway show, he can end a career."

Has he?

[Ourtime992]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 5:29pm

No way. Brantley maybe. Frank Rich or Brooks Atkinson likely could've done it. But Reidel? Not in a million years.

[Unknown User]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 6:51pm

How many years did PBS do the first hour? I remember 2 or 3--I really wish they'd go back to that though of course PBS (at least our local PBS) is too busy with ENDLESS pledge drives (I swear when I was a kid they only had these two times a year) and repeats of muzaky Celtic Music specials, and health style infomercials

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 7:00pm

Riedel made it his personal goal to close down a show a few years back and he did. I think it was a Weissler show (Suessical maybe?). Updated On: 5/25/07 at 07:00 PM

[allofmylife]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 7:11pm

Leaving Legally Blond off the show is a big mistake and I'm surprised the League of Producers AND the road presenters aren't up the Tony Committee's asses about that one. It's the one show this year that will tour huge and should be priming the audience right now. And since the Tonys are supported by these guys AND CBS who must be very upset about this, they should pay a little more attention and respect.

Talk about self-destructive attitudes.

[The_Jackal2]

Posted: 5/25/07 at 7:17pm

I know this is a little off topic, but thought the title said "Riedel Puts Jerry Mitchell On His Face" which I thought was kind of strange but a hilarious visual...okay, just had to share.

[scooter38432]

Posted: 5/26/07 at 6:33am

I may be in the minority here, but I'm personally fine without ever having to sit through any portion of LEGALLY BLONDE ever again.

I'm glad it won't be performing on the Tony's.

The only slight reservation I have is that, as a kid, I loved to watch the musical excerpts. They really inspired me to work in the theater. LB is certainly geared toward the pre-adolescent set, as I was oh so long ago. The LB clip may have inspired young people to embrace the theater. I'm sure the segments from the nominated shows will do the trick, though.

I have no opinion whatsoever of LOVEMUSIK.

[DirtyRottenGirl]

Posted: 5/26/07 at 7:50am

I personally enjoy Riedel and the drama he brings. I agree I would love to see Legally Blonde on the Tonys but then we would have to bring in all the other non nominated best musical shows just to be fair and who wants to see some of that stuff.(for a better word)

[jv92]

Posted: 5/26/07 at 9:00am

"I may be in the minority here, but I'm personally fine without ever having to sit through any portion of LEGALLY BLONDE ever again."

I'm in the minority with you. It was an absolutle piece of crap.


I loved Theatre Talk last night, or should I say this morning. Riedel asked the three guests (The man who does the profiles for the Times. His name escapes me now, Michael Musto and the man, his name also escapes me, who reviews for The LA Times) a question Orfeh's agent ased Riedel- does Orfeh have a chance at winning? The answer- No. (And Thank God for that!)

[ruprecht]

Posted: 5/26/07 at 10:08am

JV92, you have some really big problems with Orfeh, don't you? It's pretty funny and I watched the show, that's not exactly how the conversation, OR answer went but I guess whatever gets you through the night. You'll be the first person I'll PM on the off chance Orfeh does win, just to make sure you haven't hurt yourself.

Back on topic, I think it's too much trouble for all involved if a couple of shows get special treatment. Where will it end? This is most likely the rationale behind the final decision. Plus, they all sound like big babies, all of them.

[FosterChild]

Posted: 5/26/07 at 10:18am

Look Rup , here we are again to "save" Orfeh and "jump down everyone's throat" and get blamed for turning another thread into one about her, even though it's always someone else who does it and we just try and correct. JV92, you might want to watch the re-run. As for the Tonys, who cares what shows perform, no one ever watches and this year, as has been said numerous times, it's up against the Sopranos. Really, does it even matter to anyone in the "real world". Now let's talk about Rosie quitting the View, hows that for a threadjack.

[Pinaud]

Posted: 5/26/07 at 11:32am

Despite his negative rep, practically everyone in the theatre community reads Riedel's column or has someone give them the Reader's Digest version. He doesn't have the personal power to bring down a show or career single-handedly but his continued negative buzz can affect a career or a show(like Sweet Smell of Success). Even if he blows things out of proportion, he does provide buzz and fodder for the theatre community. That's the reason why he's invited to EVERYTHING. He's a modern day Walter Winchell or Hedda Hopper.

[jv92]

Posted: 5/26/07 at 7:41pm

ruprecht-
I'm sure Orfeh's a nice person. I didn't like her in the show. I didn't like the show itself either. I thought it was annoyingly fluffy.
And I was paraphrasing the conversation on Theatre Talk. I wasn't giving a transcript.

Edit- I've watched Theatre Talk again (I Tivo-ed it, incase I fell asleep last night, which I did not.) and though I was not completely off my rocker, it was not exactly a blunt "No." I stand (slightly) corrected. Updated On: 5/26/07 at 07:41 PM

[friedrichVT]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 2:41am

Had Legally Blonde been worthy of a nomination it would be on the freakin show. It's a piece of crap. Jerry can pout and stomp his feet all he wants. His direction was lousy and this vapid musicalized version of a cute movie is frankly embarrasing. It doesnt belong on the Tonys. Cuz if it did, it would be...

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 2:57am

I still don't understand why people are saying having Legally Blonde would improve ratings in any way. Just because it was a successful movie doesn't mean the fans of the film will watch an awards show if they don't care about the awards JUST to see a couple of minutes of Legally Blonde. Besides, I have yet to meet someone who is not into theatre that knows about Legally Blonde the musical. If they don't care about the Tony Awards, a Legally Blonde appearance will hardly change anything.

I'm wtih friedrich on this one.

[ruprecht]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 9:45am

I'm going to have to agree, Legally Blonde is not capable of boosting the ratings to anything, let alone the Tonys. It hasn't bled into the public awareness the way they had hoped it would(say, like Wicked) and banking on Bundy to be the breakout star failed miserably so that's not a huge selling point either.

JV92, thanks for your last post. Orfeh, from what I know is a nice person but that's not why I love her, I love her talent and think she has one of the best voices anywhere and turned a really "eh" role into something amazing. And she's done that before which is what makes her a great actress, that's all.

[LuPonatic]

Posted: 5/27/07 at 12:42pm

In regards to people saying if Legally Blonde performs then all the shows have to perform, I say "why?" Who cares if it isn't fair, that's life! Maybe if the Pirate Queen was the squeeky wheel, they would be gossiped about too in regards to the tonys, but here it is Jerry and Legally BLonde. He cares about his show (go figure!) and wants the best for it. I would be loyal to my cast, crew, and show first, and to silly tradition second. There's always a first time!