Too much Hollywood @ the TONY'S?

[CCalamuso]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:07pm

Too much Hollywood at the TONY's!!! Anyone agree???

[Jason Bennett]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:08pm

Every year I think that...and yet, not good enough copy for the host...

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:11pm

NO. Actors are actors! Some can do both film and theatre, others are much stronger in just one type of performance. But an actor is an actor, whether they are on a soundstage in Hollywood or on a Broadway stage in New York.

PLUS having all these HOLLYWOOD names here are making people TUNE IN. People that probably have never watched the Tonys before in their lives. And they are being introduced to the wonderful world of STAGE PERFORMANCE. AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

I'm very grateful to the "Hollywood" people that came to participate in and/or show their support of the LIVE PERFORMING ARTS.

[wickedpoppinsfan]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:15pm

^ hes right, actors are actors, and the celebrity actors are still really great actors, but ys there are a lot of hollywood actors at the tony's.

[strummergirl]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:17pm

Too much Mark Sanchez. It just felt off.

[Jason Bennett]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:17pm

Capn, I'm not "grateful" for Hollywooders gracing us with their appearances. Often, I'm offended by it. And I travel to LA frequently, so nothing against hollywood or film or tv...

On the other hand, I appreciate your point about ratings and agree. But, there are so many substantive things wrong with the Tony's every year, it makes me sad...bad copy, tons of technical glitches, etc.

It is our WINDOW to the outside world, and frankly, I'm sad about it every year...It should be of the highest priority to our community. I've often lobbied for top-notch playwrights to do the writing...I think it's important. But, I'm just little old me me with my little old school, not enough influence...

[Piper3500]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:19pm

do people forget a lot of hollywood (and even soap actors) went to musical theatre school and may have chosen a different area or vocation with their acting because they didn't get a broadway show?

if a broadway actor wins an oscar does hollywood go this ape****?? it is acting and one should not be subjected to one genre for chrissakes.

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:27pm

i know they're not Hollywood, but did it seem like "American Idiot"/Green Day got more time in the opening then the other shows?

[CapnHook]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:30pm

Jason Bennett -- your arguments make absolutely no sense. What do Hollywood actors appearing on the program have to do with the technical glitches and a bad copy? And you are OFFENDED by Hollywood actors appearing on the telecast? OK, fine, tell Angela Lansbury to get the EFF off the stage!

And playwrights writing for the show would potentially be a disastrous decision. This ENTERTAINMENT/VARIETY program is a TELEVISION SHOW. Pending who is chosen to write, what do they know about writing for television?

You need JOKE writers. You need Bruce Vilanch and Billy Crystal.

[Jason Bennett]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:42pm

Dear Capn,

I didn't say what you said I said...Please re-read my post: "Capn, I'm not "grateful" for Hollywooders gracing us with their appearances. Often, I'm offended by it."

Did I mention the Tonys? I was referring more to the theater scene in NY, coming to star in shows, etc.

Then, I clearly switched topics to the Tonys. It's why I wrote the phase "But, on the other hand..." AFTER I agreed with your main point about ratings and tuning in. Although, unless people on DIFFERENT channels are psychic, they'd have a hard time knowing Jon Bon Jovi was going to make a meaningless appearance ahead of time in order to TUNE IN for his 30 seconds...

I neither stated nor implied the technical glitches or bad copy had anything do with Hollywood actors. Perhaps you read my post a little too quickly to see what I wrote clearly?

Next, I agree with your points about Bruce Vilanch and/or Billy Crystal. And, in that vein, I was thinking someone like Paul Rudnick...

I think my points are valid, but not if you misunderstand them and put words in my mouth, which I'm learning is a fun hobby of some posters on here (not you, necessarily), then absurd arguments about nothing ensue...But, I do appreciate you didn't just lie about me (as at least one poster keeps doing) and make up entire threads that violate the TOS of this board.

Updated On: 6/13/10 at 09:42 PM

[quitetheatrical23]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:46pm

The Tonys need ratings just like anything else on TV and every year for the past few years they've tried to feature Hollywood celebs and music acts in order to get more people to watch.

They are being pragmatic about trying to keep the show on the air, because CBS won't keep broadcasting it no matter what, the live broadcast could very well get dropped. I wouldn't be surprised if the dramatic increase in celebs/big music names on the telecast specifically over the past 3 years was due to CBS telling the ATW and the League that they needed to make the show more exciting and big name heavy and increase ratings or else they would drop it.

But the reality is no matter what, the Tonys will never have the ratings of the Grammys or Oscars, if for no other reason than more possible people can see the nominated movies/hear the nominated albums than can see a Broadway show. That aside, I think if more people tune in to the Tonys, no matter what reason they tune, that's better for everyone. It can only mean more possible ticket sales, keeping shows on for longer, or just exposure to Broadway in general.

It's also a reality that no matter how we feel about big celebrities, they usually mean success and sales for Broadway and for most things...whether or not that's good for the longterm future of theater, society, etc is another matter for philosophical debate that I'd love to have on another thread.

[Jason Bennett]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 9:52pm

I agree completely, quitetheatrical.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 10:53pm

Jason, if you're constantly having to explain what you mean, the problem is you. The burden is on the communicator. You are the problem.

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 11:23pm

What nonsense.

[TalkinLoud]

Posted: 6/13/10 at 11:24pm

People really need to stop bitching about this.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 6/14/10 at 2:10am

On the matter of too many "Hollywooders" being at the Tony's, that is a rather silly statement. The Hollywood celebs are obviously there in an attempt to bring in viewers. Chanel surfers see someone they like and stop or pause surfing, People who follow these celebs know when they are going to appear on TV, especially in the days of facebook and twitter.

As for "Hollywooders" invading the the Broadway Stage, and being insulted by it... that is really rather foolish. Keep in mind many of these actors started on the stage before they ever got their break on TV or film. As a professional actor, you go where the work is. Just because an actor makes it big on screen doesn't mean he can never return to his stage roots. I realize there are exceptions to this. Julia Roberts and the sushi guy, for example, did not belong on the Broadway stage. Ms. Roberts performance received terrible reviews and was said to have appeared as a fish out of water, and what's his name sushi guy has a terrible attitude towards the entire craft, I understand being insulted in cases like that, or perhaps by some strange stunt casting choices like Jerry Springer.
Actors like Denzel Washington, Tony Shalhoub, or Jude Law et al. are certainly Hollywooders who all made their start on the stage, and there is no reason why they should not be welcome back time and time again.