The Official LB MTV Broadcast Thread- Page 16

[EponineAmneris]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 9:45pm

I watched it both times and loved it!!! I think they are playing it again on Friday morning the 19th at 11.

Laura Bell Bundy is brilliant.

Any word if it's going to DVD?

[theatergeek2]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 9:51pm

I am watching it now on DVR. I am having a really great time! I think eveyone is great and I saw it live too but I agree with most of you. A lot of the "theatrical" stuff doesn't translate onto screen. Their faces look clownish and overacted. But, when I saw it live they seemed energetic and in the style of the show. I give LBB props. They did 5 shows in a row. And, she sings non stop and dances fantastically. I didn't find her pitchy. She even made me cry! I do agree that those Hills girls need to die.

[kate2]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:05pm

I heard myself yell "WORK IT!" to Andy Karl when he's dropping off the package!

Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:11pm

act 2 is dreadful.

act 1 is great.

Tracy Jai is not NOT funny.

kate shindle's voice is the best on the stage.

[broadwayfan7]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:16pm

I LOVED the taping! I saw the show on Broadway in June and loved it. It was so great seeing the sho again, bringing back all the wonderful memories. I thought the cast was terrific!

[wicked91]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:21pm

I loved the show! I've never seen it live, but I would def. buy tickets if I lived in NY. If this doesn't help their sales, they must launch a tour! That would really really help

And why would they air it Friday morning? What a bad time.

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:27pm

Did anybody hear that random comment (obviosly not part of the show) that after 'What Elle Woods' during What You Want?

[JasonM12480]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:28pm

I'll probably be one of the few nay-sayers on the topic, but I have to say that I watched the show tonight, and did my best to keep an open mind. I just cannot understand what all the hype is about. I thought the show - while very well constructed, was more or less boring, and highly unmemorable.

My biggest issue came with the music. With the exception of the opening musical number, I found just about every song boring, dreadful, and un-tuneful. There were barely any songs you could/would leave the theatre remembering. And the contrast of styles - one minute, it's a pop-oriented score, and the next, there's recetetive, and more "traditional" sounding musical theater fare. You're either an entire pop score, or you're not, and I found the mixture of the two interrupted the flow of the show completely.

As for the performances, I found everyone so-so. Kate Shindle had the strongest voice in the entire cast, and was underused, singing-wise.

Commercials should have been cut. PERIOD.

And let's be honest - MTV MUST have edited in all that cheering and clapping at random points - it's absolutely ridiculous. And, if there really was all that cheering and clapping at the most random moments, I wouldn't want to go and sit in the theater with that going on - again, it interrupts the flow and feel of the show, and frankly is a bit immature. Applause and cheers should follow a musical number - not when a dog runs out on stage, or a hot guy turns and walks away sashaying his booty. I'm sure when John Raitt came out on stage in "Carousel" many years ago, he was not greeted with entrance applause, or hoots and hollers during "Soliloquy."

Having said all this, I applaud MTV for having filmed it very well, and introducing a younger generation to Broadway, and showing that live theater (even when taped) can be "hip". Hopefully it will get people to New York to see the live show, and other shows as well.

And MTV, PLEASE - next time you get hosts for the show - get some with brains and personality, who can look at the camera when they talk. The 3 girls you got were quite laughable. I realize "The Hills" is all the rage, but come on now.

[misschung]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:33pm

It wasn't nearly as good as I expected, either. To echo what Jason said, none of the songs really had that extra punch that's needed in a production like this. They were all good enough, but serviceable.

And I think I missed a few minutes which is why I don't understand this - but what was the point of the whole Irish step dancing number?

And yeah - they need better hosts than The Hills. Those girls couldn't keep a tag sale in business

[jordangirl]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:39pm

^ I think the step dancing goes to the (to me biggest WFT? moment of the show followed thisclose by the step dancing) "Ireland" song in the beauty shop. The whole thing about Paulette's fantasy about meeting a guy names Brendan...and then when that's Kyle's middle name... Yeah...

Updated On: 10/14/07 at 10:39 PM

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 10:41pm

Having said all this, I applaud MTV for having filmed it very well, and introducing a younger generation to Broadway, and showing that live theater (even when taped) can be "hip". Hopefully it will get people to New York to see the live show, and other shows as well.

I'm only about 40 minutes in, but I agree with a great deal of this. (And everything else you said.)

The filming is really quite nice and they integrate the audience just enough to show their reactions but not so much that it's America's Funniest Home Videos-invasive.

[misschung]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 11:01pm

thanks, Jordan. I definitely missed the part about her Brendan fantasy. I definitely had a wtf moment, too

[goldenstate5]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 11:01pm

"My biggest issue came with the music. With the exception of the opening musical number, I found just about every song boring, dreadful, and un-tuneful. There were barely any songs you could/would leave the theatre remembering. And the contrast of styles - one minute, it's a pop-oriented score, and the next, there's recetetive, and more "traditional" sounding musical theater fare. You're either an entire pop score, or you're not, and I found the mixture of the two interrupted the flow of the show completely."

Thank god someone else noticed this. This is why "The Wedding Singer" worked for me, the '80s motif carried throughout the ENTIRE score, and never dropped. Wicked's score has the same exact problem: poor contrast of styles and bad lyrics. I stated in my review that Yazbeck seems to have been the only one to contrast pop and traditional Broadway well, DRS and Full Monty being the examples. Sondheim's work on Assassins could also be used as an example, but the revue style helped the styles blend immensely. I have equal appreciation of all musical theatre styles, i.e. I enjoy pop, traditional and Sondheim (who I regard as a category all own his own)...but if Larson shoehorned a shuffle number into Rent, I would enjoy it much less. (and yes, I know that Larson's original intentions were to have a rock/traditional score, but of course he came to his senses [pun not intended]) Inconsistency in the score was the show's greatest weakness if you ask me...

[SporkGoddess]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 11:11pm

The constant 80's sound in TWS eventually came to annoy the hell out of me, though. And I really like 80's music, for the most part.

[Geridith]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 11:16pm

Someone earlier mentioned finding it on download sites... anyone have any specific suggestions? My usual torrent search sites aren't turning anything up... thanks!

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 10/14/07 at 11:21pm

Friend from Argentina came into town this morning. We just finished watching my DVD of this.

Hands down...this MTV presentation grows with repeated viewings. Loved the show the 2 times I saw it on Broadway and watching it again at home was a treat.

I edited the entire DVD as one uninterrupted performance, which helped even more. Those commercial breaks DID ruin the flow during the original broadcast and not only does my DVD not have those breaks, but it also doesn't have that lifeless, robotic HILLS trio.

DA-YUM!!!

[sesboa]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 8:00am

Sigh. This is one of times I really wish I lived in the U.S. Where I live (Singapore) does have its own regional MTV but I doubt this show will ever be broadcast here.

But I did enjoy those preview videos and interview videos w/ those stupid bimbos.

One gal: Where are you from originally?
Laura Bell: Kentucky.
Both gals: AWWWWWWWW!
*awkward silence*

LOL!

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 8:47am

Its on usenext

The show is fantastic fun and the recording of it was great.

The score is bubble gum but works with this show so well (it is legally blonde after all)

OhmiGod, What You Want, Ireland, So Much Better, Bend and Snap, Legally Blonde and its Remix are brilliant

[Grand Motel]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 8:57am

Actually, I find it odd that anyone has a bad thing to say about Orfeh's acting. She's actually the MOST toned down of anyone, clearly knows best how to work a camera and looks flawless. With regards to what she does nightly, she's dialed it back quite a bit but when everyone around her is still as broad OR broader, *she* would have looked like the odd ball if she'd changed her act too much. I think she split the difference wonderfully. But I'm sure the same 4 people will continue to diss but it's 4 versus 400 who think more like I do.


*edited for sp
Updated On: 10/15/07 at 08:57 AM

[GoSmileLaughCryClap]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 9:02am

I watched this last night and had mixed feelings about it. I'm not someone who was looking forward to this show or dreading it. I really had no positive or negative stuff attached to viewing it.

First, as many people have noted, it's staged to within an inch of its life. The commendable part of the staging is the smooth and quick transitions that move the plot forward. The downside is that there's literally no air left on the stage for any real emotion or quirkiness to give the show or its characters distinctiveness.

One of the problems with the score is that many of the lyrics are so tightly packed that they're indecipherable. The addition of strenuous choreography during the ensemble numbers makes the problem even worse. Although there's an enormous amount of energy on stage, very little is permitted to actually land for the audience. It's a bizarre combination of overkill and deprivation.

I had no idea how difficult the role of Elle would be! Bundy does everything except serve the audience drinks between numbers. Regardless of what anyone thinks of the show, her part is huge and demanding. I don't think that the fact that Elle doesn't completely register as a character is Bundy's fault. Key sequences that should shape her character are frenetic and distracting.

I guess the big missing qualities in this show are charm and heart. It's completely professional yet somehow hollow at the center.

[BreeDaniel]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 9:10am

That's an interesting post Gosmile and there are point I agree with but Bundy's lack of camera technique doesn't help and the fact that Mitchell is far more skilled at choreography than directing didn't help. I also think Orfeh has been as well received as she has (not just for the MTV thing) for the very points you bring up, she seems to be the only character you can connect to, with any "real emotion or quirkiness" and bad material or not, she was able to rise above it. Borle, who i'm not fond of does his best too but being next to Bundy's frenetic energy doesn't help or lend creedence to his subtle acting style. He just seems like he's in a different play.
Updated On: 10/15/07 at 09:10 AM

[James885]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 9:39am

I Tivo'ed the airing and just finished watching it a few minutes ago. Pretty good show....not spectacular or outstanding, just good.

My biggest issue is that the whole show seemed very rushed. I mean, they hit all the important points in the plot and everything but it seemed like someone hit the fast forward button. That being said, I liked the first act a lot better than the second act, which got boring and tedious in some parts.

As for the score, it's serviceable with some good, catchy songs and a few bad ones. Most of the songs I enjoyed were in the first act. The only songs I liked in Act 2 were Whipped Into Shape (great engery!) and Legally Blonde Remix. The "Irelend" song seemed really out of place in Act 1, and Blood In The Water served it's purpose plot-wise, but was very forgettable.

Great cast all around, Laura Bell Bundy had such terrific engery anytime she was onstage that I can even forgive the little flub at the end of So Much Better.

Overall I think MTV did a good job filming this show, although one thing that did get on my nerves was the constant yelling and screaming from the audience anytime anything even remotely funny or interesting happened on stage.

[GoSmileLaughCryClap]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 9:56am

The whole time I was watching Blood in the Water, I kept thinking of John Cullum doing Don't Be The Bunny from Urinetown and how hilarious it was. It's true that Blood in the Water is a perfect character and plot song, except the song is bad, and not funny.

[TheBoyDownstairs]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 10:10am

I really didn't think I would enjoy this show, but was looking forward to seeing it. Perhaps its because I went in with such low expectations, but I really enjoyed it.

Is it a great work of art? No. But it was definitely an enjoyable experience and I may try to get a discount ticket and see it live. Definitely not worth paying full price for though.

First act is definitely way better than the second act, most of the catchy tunes are in the first act. Omigod You Guys was a great opening number, I loved it.

[ClumsyDude15]

Posted: 10/15/07 at 11:11am

I had to work the day this aired so I taped it.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. I love the show itself.
The Hills girls, as much as they work on their own show, had little exicitment when they were interviewing people or even talking about the show itself.

:Nit-Picks:

When they cut the sound of the laptops turning on before Blood In The Water it came off very awkard on screen. I don't know if it seemed that way to anyone else, but it did.

The change of Orfeh and Micheal's lines was annoying, but I guess MTV has an issue with those words and all, but no loss.

Annaleigh kept making the most hilarious faces during the beginning of "What You Want" behind Laura's head, it was hysterical. Annaleigh came off looking like a star. Tracy Jai comes off much better live in the theater than she does in the recording. I really enjoyed her the last time I went, but I did enjoy Leslie before her as well. I still miss Dequina, I feel Asmeret lacks something to her performance that Dequina brought, but Asmeret is still a wonderfully talented performer.

The cuts to the audience was annoying, because it through you off as to what was going on during the show. Also the commericals were annoying: I thought originally this was to be aired without commerical, I believe it said in the original article [Not sure.]

I loved the wide-shots during "What You Want" and "Positive" which were wonderful and made you feel like the show happened around you.

I love Laura Bell, and despite some of the flaws she had trying to translate just playing the role for the audience in the theater and not just for the MTV audience, I say she did a bang up job, that is a tough role to play. I think she came off as very charming and adorable, as she does in the theater. The last note in So Much Better seems like it's hit or miss with her: Either she nails or misses it completely: During the taping she looked like she was straining herself to hit, but hit something. According to people who went, that was better than seeing her live during the taping.

I love Christian Borle, and he just comes off as geeky and adorable as he does in theater as on TV. However I wish they would have had Noah play Emmett, just cause I wanted more Noah.

Orfeh and Andy were fantastic, I think they got the most applause it seemed after their respective parts [Orfeh after Ireland and Andy during the UPS Guy entrance].

Kate has a huge voice and it boomed during "Legally Blonde Remix". She came off very well on TV.

I love the ensemble people: Natalie as Enid was hysterical, of course, I love Noah as Aaron/Guard.

Overall, I enjoyed it. I've seen the show twice and may see it again. This reminded me how much I actually loved seeing it live.