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

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.

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

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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."

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

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

Has he?

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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

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.

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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.

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"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!)

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.

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

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.

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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!