Tony Moments "Drunk Dorothy" Offensive and Insulting Headline

[perpetualanticipatio]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 11:40am

Anyone else find today's headline an affront to those who have struggled with alcoholism? Would Dorothy have found it funny, given her long and public struggle against the disease? Doubtful.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 11:54am

The link in question: https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Top_Ten_Tony_Award_Moments_2_Drunk_Dorothy_20100612

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 11:55am

I don't see anything anywhere about Miss Loudon being an alcoholic. Is there truth to this?

Updated On: 6/12/10 at 11:55 AM

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 11:59am

And besides, even if she was, I'm sure she'd find it a hoot. Alcoholic or not, Miss Loudon had a great deal of success playing drunk.

[perpetualanticipatio]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 11:59am

It was well known in the theatrical community, hence the comment "on the edge of our seats" to see what she will do next.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 12:02pm

Wow. I'd never, ever heard that before. And searching the net doesn't provide any information on it either.

If she was indeed an alcoholic, the title is insensitive. I personally thought it was in reference to the song "Vodka" though...

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 12:05pm

Er..... just reread it and the "edge of our seats" comment refers to the ad-libbing and the electric performance she ALWAYS gives.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 12:07pm

I find the title a bit insensitive. Her performances were riveting and brilliant! Those are from the time when the Tonys were actually watchable.

[isntitromantic]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 12:15pm

Its offensive and insulting on many levels. Dorothy was a kind and gentle soul who did alot for BC/EFA in the early days and bequeathed a large part of her estate to that organization. Funny, Pat can't even get Loudon's last name correct.

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 12:24pm

Wow! I had no idea Miss Loudon had an alcoholic problem. I always assumed (when these videos surfaced) that the joke was just her gimmick. The Karen-Walker-is-a-drunk syndrome, y'know?

Yeah. Pat messed up on this one.

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 12:27pm

I find it most insulting to her memory as a performer: it implies, somehow, that she's not in control of those two brilliant performaces.

To paraphrase Lincoln's comment regarding Grant, find out what she was drinking and send all the other actresses a case.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 12:35pm

"...find out what she was drinking and send all the other actresses a case."

Agreed. That performance is thrilling.

[morosco]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 12:47pm

The article has been revised.

[morosco]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:03pm

Is it safe to assume that links to YouTube videos that violate copyright law is allowed on broadwayworld.com now?

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:11pm

A sincere thank-you to BWW for changing the offending title! Ms Louden was incredible!

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:13pm

Though the link in "Latest Headlines" at the top of this page still says it.

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:34pm

The headline was/is offensive and Pat is a complete ass to have written it. Dororthy Loudon was amazing and in complete control over what she was doing. She had the audience in the palm of her hand.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:45pm

Is it safe to assume that links to YouTube videos that violate copyright law is allowed on broadwayworld.com now?

He's been cleared to use any TONY footage for BWW's "Tony Moments"

You people seem to have no problem laughing at Lindsay Lohan's alcoholism.

[lovesclassics]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:52pm

Pat may have changed the headline, but the insulting nature of the article is still there.

"While she become (sic) most-known for playing the outrageous Miss Hannigan to much acclaim, it was her epic meltdown on two Tony telecasts from the early 1980s that have become infamous in theatre legend. Today we are viewing those performances."

How in any way is this a meltdown? She's brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

And even if she were on the edge (which she most definitely is not), why would anyone think that makes for a great Tony moment?

These performances are "epic" and "theatre legend" because they are superb. No other reason. I think the whole piece should be rewritten to respect and celebrate her genius, not imply some ludicrous Perez Hilton-style dirt. Shame on you BWW.

[wonderwaiter]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:53pm

Is it just my browser, or was it changed back to the original headline?

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 1:58pm

Pat may have changed the headline,

HE didn't.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:06pm

It looks like it has been changed back. Before it said Dorothy Louden. If it wasn't changed, I think BWW should seriously consider it!

[perpetualanticipatio]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:08pm

Ms. Loudon struggled with alcoholism the last twenty years of her life; Pat'sheadline not only is an insult to her memory, it is an insult to anyone who deals with alcohol addiction. If anything, this clip illustrates how willing we are to laugh at someone who is a little out of control due to addiction. I doubt very much anyone who loves someone who struggles with alcohol finds this clip amusing. Theal literated headline "Drunk Dorothy" isn't cute, its an insult. I'm quite sure she would be offended as well. Shame on BWW. And to trumpet this as an "epic meltdown" is disgusting. Loudon, whatever her condition, was a legend.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:19pm

Theal literated headline "Drunk Dorothy" isn't cute, its an insult. I'm quite sure she would be offended as well. Shame on BWW. And to trumpet this as an "epic meltdown" is disgusting. Loudon, whatever her condition, was a legend.

Lets take a stroll down a few blocks to Avenue Q where Gary Coleman is mocked nightly. Go to Google & look up Michael Jackson, Courtney Love, & Britney Spears.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 6/12/10 at 2:32pm

"Pat is a complete ass"

Truer words were never spoken.