Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech? — Page 2

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#26

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 12:12am

I think the phrase you're searching for is HEADDESK!

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"Shut up! It's been 29 years!!!" --the incomparable Patti LuPone in her MUCH DESERVED Tony acceptance speech for Gypsy.

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#27

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 12:17am

Wait, Tony Randall worked with a bunch of 3rd graders??! Huh?

Anyway...can we all at least agree that it's a travesty that Herman won over Sondheim that year?

#28

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 12:24am

I still take Herman as taking a stab at Sondheim.

#29

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 12:25am

Poor Jerry Herman was mistaken. Really, that speech was said with such a glow in the eye, really to relish in a long belated success, not to cut down Sodhiem.

Really, who would have the gumption to insult Sodheim. Things in text are terribly misconstrued.

Jetteson

#30

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 12:34am

I think people are just pissed Sondheim lost. I was actually suprised to read that too.

#31

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 12:39am

I agree with Margo. I've never thought it was an intentional jab at Sondheim. I think he was truly saying what he felt in the moment. Unfortunately, much like many other things said in the moment, I think there were unexpected consequenses. It was foot-in-mouth, and who can't sympathize with that? PBS just edited things to make it sound snarkier in The American Musical.

And no one grew into anything new, we just became the worst of what we were."

#32

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 1:34am

Herman definitely didn't intend to sound as if he was gloating that he'd won over Sondheim, but it did come across that way. Which I think he later realized and apologized about.

It's understandable that he'd say what he did after 18 years without a hit and probably some years of thinking that his style was considered passé.

Another speech that came off as snarky but probably wasn't intended that way was Judd Hirsch's when he won as Best Actor in a Play in 1986. My memory is that he seemed a little drunk. He mentioned each of the other nominees (Hume Cronyn, Jack Lemmon, and Ed Harris), and addressed each of them and said how highly thought of them. It came off as patronizing and condescending. When they cut to a shot of Harris in the audience, he looked like he wanted to kill Hirsch. (Though Harris probably always looks like he wants to kill someone.)

And then there was Michael Smuin's weird "sweet revenge" statement.

Updated On: 5/31/06 at 01:34 AM

#33

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 3:14am

My vote goes to John Napier..actually he gave TWO snarky speeches. He won his first award for the costums for STARLIGHT EXPRESS and seemed disappointed and ungracious and ended his speech with "Well, that's one at least."

A few minutes later his name was called again winning for best scenic design for LES MIZ. He hesitated then said "I'd like to know why (the set for) STARLIGHT wasn't even nominated. I'd give this to have been in the room..." He trailed off as people began booing and then he left the stage.

Now a funny one from year ago (though I don't remember the actress who said it) but after sweeping on stage looking radient she said something like "I'm really happy that you voted this award to me because quite frankly ...I worked my little fanny off for it!"

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#34

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 3:52am

Napier also looked totally sloshed when he won for Les Miz.

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

#35

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 8:45am

How about snarkiest PRESENTER?

Rip Torn was presenting at some awards show and was reading the nominees for one of the acting categories. Half-way through the list, after one of the nominees' names he gave a little "cheer" then continued. When that person's name wasn't in the envelope, he read the winner's name with such grave disappointment that it was unsettling. Aren't presenters supposed to try to appear unbiased? D*ck.

#36

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 9:18am

Jerry Herman is one of the sweetest men in show business, and would never intentionally insult in an acceptance speech. Let's just say his wording was...unfortunate.

Behind the fake tinsel of Broadway is real tinsel.

#37

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 9:19am

I'm snarky whenever I remember Anthony Quinn reading off the winner first for best play:

"Oh my God!"

heh.

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#38

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 9:32am

Well, it also didn't help that the way it was filmd, they showed Sondheim's face during Herman's speech.

"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy." -Charlie Manson

#39

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 9:33am

Or like Fran Drescher at the Drama Desk Awards. That's right, Fran. You read the nominees FIRST.

#40

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 9:35am

Jerry Herman gets the prize for snarkiest. I love his scores, but that speech not only insulted Sondheim, but it made all Herman scores seem like they were simple, which they aren't.

And this isn't an acceptance speech, but snarkiest loss has to go to Schwartz. Wasn't he overheard saying "I lost to a bunch of puppets"? I think the Caroline or Change group also said something similar.

#41

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 11:54am

I must admit that when I was watching the awards telecast in 1984 (expecting a sweep for SUNDAY) I was stunned when Larry Kert announced LA CAGE AUX FOLLES for Best Score. Then Herman's speech added insult to injury. Re-watching that tape recently it is clear that Herman was talking in general terms and not specifically about any one composer.

The competition that year was fierce: THE RINK (Kander and Ebb), BABY (Shire and Maltby) against SUNDAY and LA CAGE. The entertainment portion of the broadcast was built around tributes to Kander and Ebb, Sondheim and Herman with the presenters offering songs from several shows by each. The Kander & Ebb sequence included Chita and Gwen re-creating a moment from CHICAGO which is on Broadway's lost treasures.

Those curious about Jerry Herman's LA CAGE AUX FOLLES speech can see the whole thing on the DVD of the PBS special BROADWAY: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL. They use it to segue from the segment on SUNDAY IN THE PARK to the segment on LA CAGE (which in turn takes them to a discussion on the AIDS crisis and the creation of BROADWAY CARES.)

#42

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 3:54pm

Quote from Idina Menzel's acceptance speech - taken from Broadway.com - the only part which refers to Kristin:

""I am so proud to be in a musical that celebrates women, that celebrates their strengths and their differences, and to be in the company of these women this evening is a dream for me. Thank you so much. And Kristin Chenoweth, you are the grace and the light on that stage every night. This is something we built together and I love you"

Right after this she goes on to thank Mantello and her family, husband etc. She doesn't mention Kristin again.

Where does she insult Kristin?

#43

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 4:02pm

They were being sarcastic...

Updated On: 10/14/06 at 04:02 PM

#44

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 4:16pm

It wasn't snarky, but whenever anybody mentions odd ball award speaches or presenters, Liz Taylor drugged up at the Golden Globes comes to mind.

Remember that?

#45

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 4:17pm

Gladiator...

#46

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 4:19pm

Who was it that came out to help her?

My mind has drawn a blank.

#47

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 5/31/06 at 4:40pm

In support of several in this thread, the purported sarcasm in the Idina/Kristin post is incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to detect.

I am with Margo in support of Jerry Herman. I think he was simply expressing his personal joy. If it was at the expense of any other person, it was certainly not intended and reflects someone else's bias against Mr. Herman.

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#48

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 10/14/06 at 2:25pm

Not to drag a dead thread back from the past, but at the 1984 Tony Awards both George Hearn and Chita Rivera forgot to mention their co-stars both of whom were nominated in the same categories as they were, Gene Barry and Liza Minelli.

And someone had to mention what Bob Crowley when he won for "History Boys", "I should have won for the other one."

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#49

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 10/14/06 at 2:38pm

BobbyBubby- The Caroline Group had every right to be PO'd.

Jeanne and Tony had written the finest score/lyrics of any musical that season and of, probably, the past 5 or so years.

Caroline losing to Q (which I love, btw) was a travesty.

just as was Tonya losing to Idina

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#50

re: Snarkiest Tony Award acceptance speech?

Posted: 10/14/06 at 3:57pm

A few minutes later his name was called again winning for best scenic design for LES MIZ. He hesitated then said "I'd like to know why (the set for) STARLIGHT wasn't even nominated. I'd give this to have been in the room..." He trailed off as people began booing and then he left the stage.

I have to see that! Nothing better than an audience booing!

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