Posted: 4/6/15 at 12:43am
CBS broadcasts The Late Late Show, so they would probably let him take a week off and would use the show to help gain exposure for him with theatre crowds. It would be a smart move but would be a bit difficult, as his show is based in Los Angeles.
Posted: 4/6/15 at 8:37am
Just a reply to those who are suggesting performers currently performing in a show on Broadway- do you want to kill them? Doing their shows, rehearsing the Tony show, and a dress rehearsal the morning of the ceremony...pretty impossible unless the producers give them permission to miss some shows.
Posted: 4/6/15 at 8:38am
I am an idiot- I suggested Chita......oops. But the fantasy of her hosting got to me.
Posted: 4/6/15 at 8:46am
littlebro - Being the host and a producer of a nightly talk show is extremely demanding and taxing. Being the host (and potential producer) of a major awards telecast is also extremely demanding and taxing. Corden would need much more than just a week off to handle both duties. While it makes sense from a PR angle, it's probably not feasible. We are talking multiple weeks of rehearsals & preparations for the Tony Awards host.
Posted: 4/6/15 at 9:17am
While I agree with most of what you said, I doubt a first time host would be given producer duties, at all.
Posted: 4/6/15 at 12:38pm
Seeing as James holds tremendous stock at CBS, never say "never." It's fairly typical for the host to be given a Producer's credit as he/she is actively involved in the development of their material; regardless of their background (cultural icon, actor, model, singer, comedian, etc.)
Posted: 4/6/15 at 1:00pm
What is really needed is someone who loves Broadway and has shown this by numerous events promoting Broadway.
And, that person is no other than Rosie O'Donnell.
Posted: 4/6/15 at 1:03pm
Rosie O'Donnell is not presently culturally relevant enough to headline an awards show.
Posted: 4/6/15 at 2:27pm
I think if Corden gets it, they'll likely just have The Late Late Show taped in NY since Letterman finishes in May and the Ed Sullivan will be vacant for a while before it is due to be refurbished in time for Colbert starting in September.
i wouldn't be surprised if it's him or Colbert.
Posted: 4/6/15 at 3:49pm
They will begin the refurbishment immediately following Letterman's finale, so that option is not really feasible.
Posted: 4/6/15 at 3:53pm
Listen to Liza, she is a genius
Posted: 4/6/15 at 4:03pm
"They will begin the refurbishment immediately following Letterman's finale, so that option is not really feasible. "
How long will the refurb take? I'm guessing Colbert will want to do a test run at the Ed Sullivan I guess it'll done by August at the latest. If the Ed Sullivan is unavailable then surely there is studio space in NY that could be used.
Posted: 4/6/15 at 9:01pm
If it were not for the fact that the Tony broadcast is the same day as the last performance of "it's Only A Play", I would have said that Nathan Lane would be a good choice.
If they could get Whoopie, it would be a home run..
Posted: 4/7/15 at 7:04am
Not sure if this has been mentioned but Corden is hosting the CFDA Awards this year which are June 1st in New York, that's the week of the Tonys, yes? It's highly unlikely he'd do both but he will be in the city that week.
Posted: 4/8/15 at 11:13am
During a recent Periscope Vlog, Paul Wontorek claims that he and his staff at Broadway.com have already figured out who's gonna be hosting, it just hasn't been confirmed yet.
@16:15
Posted: 4/8/15 at 1:47pm
hmmm. Stephen Colbert and Jim Parsons seem like the two most viable possibilities. I wish they said who gave Broadway.com the info, since that may point towards who it is. Parsons could also plug his show opening in the summer which makes me think its going to be him.
Posted: 4/8/15 at 2:08pm
As a wild guess, what about Jane Lynch? She will be a co-lead for a new CBS show this fall. She recently hosted the Emmys and won a hosting Emmy last year for Hollywood Games Night and performed at the Tonys as Miss Hannigan in Annie.
Posted: 4/8/15 at 3:26pm
Since GLEE's popularity has sharply declined over the last couple of years, I highly doubt they would go for Jane. She is not a huge name who will attract viewers. Jim Parsons or Stephen Colbert are smart guesses and would both be respectable choices.
Posted: 4/8/15 at 3:26pm
Since GLEE's popularity has sharply declined over the last couple of years, I highly doubt they would go for Jane. She is not a huge name who will attract viewers. Jim Parsons or Stephen Colbert are smart guesses and would both be respectable choices.
Posted: 4/8/15 at 4:59pm
I thought it might be good to have David Hyde Pierce and Kelsey Grammer co- host. They both can be funny and dignified when necessary. David Hyde Pierce is Tony award winner and Kelsey Grammer is in "Finding Neverland" so they are "Broadway" people. Might be good TV to has a "Frasier" reunion - lol.
Posted: 4/9/15 at 10:11am
What about Josh Gad? He's a Broadway guy, and is on a very fast rise to being a pretty big star. Not to mention that he's hilarious.
Posted: 4/9/15 at 10:14am
I saw Jim Parsons was mentioned. It think it would be a smart move for CBS because he's one of their biggest stars cause of Big Bang Theory, and it's good promotion for An Act of God. Same reason Neil hosted; HIMYM was huge and CBS already had a built-in fan base.
