Riedel on the Tony Awards and Bette not performing — Page 2

Kad said: "...The 7 dubious posts pointing out the logical flaws in Rudin's argument exhibit the naivete of this board in full bloom?

Not the two other substantially longer, hysterical and outraged threads about this topic?"

In fairness to me, I DID say "another"

@Joe Dee, publicity (free or otherwise) is not the exclusive province of the needy. On your theory, why is Rudin spending a decent chunk of change on ad buys week in and week out?

To everyone who thinks the Tonys need Bette, you are completely wrong.

YOU "need" Bette.

Bette Middler performing on the Tony Awards will not boost ratings or do anything beneficial for the vast majority of people watching, except for those obsessed with her, or the show itself - but the show has proved they don't even CARE: they have a $50 million advance! Good for CBS. Would've been a terrible precedent to introduce, imo. If Dolly had been awarded this, I guarantee any of the other Best Musical nominees, which all feature extravagant sets that enhance the storytelling (save for CFA, although those trees are real), would've been insisting on doing the same.

HeyMrMusic said: "I can absolutely see a world in which this affects how Tony voters mark their ballots. While I think Bette will still win, Scott Rudin's name is the first you see in the list of producers for Hello, Dolly!

Every show every year has had to restage their numbers for the Tony Awards in some way. Sometimes it's less than ideal. But you know what's even less than that? Leaving David Hyde Pierce out to dry with a dud of a number. You know this is a bargaining tool for Scott Rudin. He could have offered "Ribbons Down My Back" or "It Only Takes a Moment" or even Bette doing "So Long Dearie" front and center with no set at all.

Rehearsing Donna is not an excuse. They made their own schedule. They knew when the Tony Awards are. Every other production is in rehearsals right now on top of 8 shows a week to rehearse their modified numbers for the telecast. This is not Scott Rudin's first rodeo.

Yeah, this is not cute. Everyone brace themselves for potential upsets.



"

So what's going to upset it? A show that closed back in January that likely a large portion of the out of town voters didn't see (not to mention the fact that no closed show has ever won Best Revival of a Musical in the history of the Tonys) or Miss Saigon?

That's my point--sure, you can say it's stingy and maybe even slightly unethical for them not to feature Bette, but from a business standpoint why should they care when they're sold out for months and are still a virtual lock for the Tony?

Broadway61004 said: "you can say it's stingy and maybe even slightly unethical for them not to feature Bette"

Unethical?!

The truths:

1. Not a lot of people watch the Tonys in TV terms.

2. The number and demo of who does watch makes it a great opportunity to advertise your show.

3. A lot of the not a lot of people who watch the Tonys tune in to see what's new; Neither Bette nor Dolly is new.

4. This is not likely to be a particularly good or memorable Tony show. Between the shows, the talent and the host, there is not much of the A team on display.

5. Scott Rudin hopes that when he is dead and gone his name will be mentioned in the same breath as David Merrick. This whole silly nonsense comes from that playbook.

Oh, of course Bette and the production will still win. If it was a different year without a breakout Erivo-like performance, perhaps this could hurt her. But she'll still win.

That said, it stinks of smugness. It'll be the elephant in the room the entire night - the biggest event of the season deciding it didn't want to perform (and didn't have to perform, which is how other producers paying out of pocket to restage their numbers).

And years from now, folks will wonder why she didn't perform, hear the story, and still not understand. But it stinks.

So is this issue definitely over? there's no time left for a last second capitulation on either side? Too bad that there wasn't some type of arbitration to bring the two ten year olds in line.

haterobics said: "BJR said: "the biggest event of the season deciding it didn't want to perform"

To be fair, they are totally willing to perform... just not at Radio City.



"

They are performing. At Radio City. Just not a number that features Bette, which is their choice.

Again, argue all you want that she should be featured, but unless you're paying for their air time, then it's their decision what they perform.

"So what's going to upset it? A show that closed back in January that likely a large portion of the out of town voters didn't see (not to mention the fact that no closed show has ever won Best Revival of a Musical in the history of the Tonys)"



So what? It's a critics' darling, one that the elites would love to use to show up Dolly! I thought it had a good chance of winning even before this dust-up. It stands an even better chance now. Of course, if Sunday in the Park With George had been eligible, it would have won in a walk. The powers that be would have been in seventh heaven. Happily, they were deprived of that thrill. But never, ever count them out. There's a backup choice at the ready.

Broadway61004 said: "Let's also not forget that Donna Murphy starts performances the Tuesday after the Tonys, which means the stage managers are busy rehearsing her during the day and scheduling a put-in rehearsal with the entire cast, most likely next week. So while I agree it would be nice for them to perform, I can also understand why they wouldn't be thrilled about finding even more extra time to re-stage and rehearse a new number. Especially when they having nothing to gain since they're sold out for months. "



I guarantee you that the stage managers and crew would be ecstatic about making extra money and making some over time.

As if Hello, Dolly! didn't also receive rapturous reviews.

This. Schtick. Is. Tired.

Is anyone else over this revival of Hello Dolly besides me? What's the point of doing a Hello Dolly number on an awards show without Dolly? I love Bette, but I think this is all so extra.

I'm going to call it - the cast will do an Acapella version of "Broadway Here I Come" in their red carpet outfits, while David Hyde Pierce runs off to Rudin.