Sweeney @ Hot Topic — Page 2

Do people really call themselves "Todd heads"?
What is "emo"?

I find the entire "I have been a fan longer" arguement from any side to be quite trite and insipid, of course someone who was not born in 1979 would not have seen the original production of Sweeney Todd, the idea of holding that against them in some way is ridiculous.
Yet, the comparison is still partially valid, there should not be this rush to negate the validity of would be fans of the movie for the same reason. Those who do not care will catch a fad and fade away, they will not need to be invalidated.

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Updated On: 9/6/06 at 07:54 PM

Yes, the fans can be annoying, but the idea that "I know better since I have been into it longer and am more 'real'" is also trite.

Part of this is because when you first discovered the show and started to love it, you learned as much as you could about it. You sought out original cast recordings and revival recordings and London recordings and Swedish translation concert recordings. You read books and websites and articles about it, see the show 10 times, post reviews of it 8 times on BWW, and talk about it constantly on boards such as this. So, you do know better/more about it than someone that just jumped on the bandwagon. It's not about "realness" as a fan; usually, I don't post all over the internet bragging about my superior knowledge because I knew it before the masses. It usually comes out in a reaction against someone who is claiming they are right beyond a reason of a doubt and are demanding credentials for why they should even consider my view on the matter.

As I've said many times in regards to Rent, it's not about *new* fans, it's about uninformed fans. And with Sweeney, the show is too brilliant and dense for someone consider themself a fan and while remaining ignorant about the complexities of it.

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Updated On: 9/6/06 at 08:03 PM

I agree completely with what Smart Penguin said.

OrangeSkittles, I can see where you are coming from with your reply. I can definitely see the frusteration that comes from having a small, genuine fan community and then having it over-run by people not interested in the same level or type of discussion and appreciation. That I can give you 100%.

What bothers me when this comes up is the implied level of elitism and the concern for APPEARING elite. Yeah, the mindless sqealing is annoying. But why "tell [them they're] wrong" at all? Who cares? It's not up to you or any fan to put them in their place. It certainly doesn't matter that you "do know better" unless you are worried about other people knowing you do.

I'm sure you ARE one of a handful of sincere fans that will be among the new ones. So what? Does it change how the show affects you to know you "mean it" and they don't?

I just can't pinpoint the reason that this bothers people so much beyond the fact that, at the end of the day, they want to be sure everyone knows they are for real. It seems so much like a pride thing. This topic wasn't even about new fans,it was about *t-shirts*. About the fact that it bothers people to see something they like become widely popular. And the reason for that is elitism.

Just let them have their fun. Really, honestly, why bother caring if every last one of them is dumb as a post? Let the whole world associate Sweeney Todd fans with screaming 13 year olds. I'm not, but if that's how people percieve it? Whatever.


EDITED:

I just read OrangeSkittle's very reasonable new post. While I still don't see why it matters to anyone if they are wrong or not, I do want to re-assert that I see why there is frusteration.

Updated On: 9/6/06 at 08:13 PM

You know what's REALLY annoying.

All those people who like Sweeney now because Mano is so dreamy.

Yeah, there are a lot of you. You know who you are.

And some of you are even complaining. These new emos are to you as you are to the fans of the original Sweeney.

Viva France!

People should be happy shows like this are getting any exposure at all. Any attention is good attention

I am one of those "wasn't alive anytime in the 70's or 80's people". Not old enough to have seen any other form of the show live. I am a fan of Sweeney just as much of plenty of the people who were fans before me. It moved me and I learned everything I could about it.

I just think that if something really moves you, you owe it to yourself to investigate it a bit, if that's at all possible.

I agree with you smartpenguin.

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I agree with a lot of you. My thoughts are that its okay if there are new fans that really appreciate it, and aren't just like "OmGZ Sweeney is so emo I luv Johnny in it". I know I shouldn't be talking because the Rent movie is what actually got me interested in broadway. After I saw it I wanted to learn as much as possible about it and all the performers and I became interested in so many shows because of it. With Sweeney Todd, I haven't even seen it live but its a show thats really special to me and I just don't want people to go with it because it's the new emo trend. I'm in middle school and I KNOW people who I can bet will be going along with it because its "emo", and it just bothers me because theres alot more to it. I can see it now with Hairspray, maybe some people will really appreciate it like I felt with the Rent movie, and maybe people will just go along with it for a couple months because Zac Efron is in it. Maybe this whole thing I've typed is a bunch of nothing but what I'm trying to say is that I just want people to like these shows for what they are and not just go along with them because its a trend.

You know, all you kids bitch and complain because your schoolmates don't understand Broadway, or theater, or musicals, blah blah blah. Then something goes mainstream, and you can't stand that either.

FRIGGIN' PICK ONE.

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I saw the Circle in the Square production in the early 90s. I guess that makes me better, faster, and smarter than most of you.
But not as better, faster, and smarter as those who saw the original, right?

Do you have any idea how truly snotty, childish, and ignorant you all sound with this attitude?

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Updated On: 9/6/06 at 10:41 PM

Here's what chaps my ass......


I loved it, but I went in knowing I'd love it. Nothing was going to keep me from loving it because I saw the original. The could have all worn panties on their head and made fart noises with their armpits and sang "Not While I'm Around" and I still would have loved it.

This show wasn't like one of those puzzles in Highlights magazine where you have to find all the hidden objects and if you found them all you were a super sleuth. It wasn't nearly as deep and profound as some people are making it out to be, so there's really no reason to get in a snit. The territoriality that has stemmed from this show annoys me.

I hate when any show gets 'claimed'. Theatre is supposed to affect people. That's why it exists. To tell truths and examine our world. Thats what makes it moving, or chilling, or whatever you ultimately feel.

Moxie, nice imagery...I actually laughed at that.

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I think some of these soon-to-be "diehard, EHMAGWAD SWEENEY/JOHNNY/ TIM BURTON IS KEWL" people just want to be accepted.
I guess theatre becomes a fad, and then people sometimes lose, or don't remember the reason why they loved it in the first place.
Yes, you could pull out the old 9-or so arguement for Rent, but that got so many people to appreciate the time they have. Some people can't afford to see a broadway show, and this is the closest they are going to get.
No, I haven't seen Sweeney Todd, but I HAVE listened to so many people RAVE about it, and how AMAZING is it, and I bet if I saw it, I would agree. But can we not spoil this whole thing for other people?
Yes, hot topic is fake punk rock.
TINKERBELL WALLETS ARE NOT PUNK ROCK!
Disney Couture is NOT PUNK ROCK!

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All right, stand still.... Now let me just... no, get your hands off the zipper; I know what I'm... SUCK IT IN! MORE! MORE!

There!

Now: dont breathe.

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