Viola Davis Becomes an EGOT With Grammy Win

1stGent said: "Way to discredit and diminish the work of legendary black artists for your…opinion."

You're misunderstanding. I'm trying to discredit ALL co-producers, not merely the aforementioned Black individuals. I'm sure there are far more white folks than Black who have won Tonys for co-producing.

And of course, one can still be talented and a legend without being an EGOT, which is the primary point.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "1stGent said: "Way to discredit and diminish the work of legendary black artists for your…opinion."

You're misunderstanding. I'm trying to discredit ALL co-producers, not merely the aforementioned Black individuals.I'm sure there are far more white folks than Black who have won Tonys for co-producing.

And of course, one can still be talented and a legend without being an EGOT, which is the primary point."

Not the look you think it is.

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "We should really view Viola Davis as the first and only Black artist to win an EGOT!

Whoopi Goldberg, John Legend, and Jennifer Hudson all won their Tonys for being co-producers of Broadway shows. (Millie, Jitney, and A Strange Loop, respectively.) They were passive investors with no creative or business role on those shows. They (and other Broadway co-producers) are undeserving of the Tony. It's unlikely the League will crack down on this, since it does help some shows get financed, but it really does need to be addressed. It greatly dilutes the honor of winning a Tony on merit."

First, that's in really poor taste. Second, why diminish the work done by producers? Is their work of lesser value because it is not the most obvious thing on stage? There would be nothing on stage for you to see without them. They find the investors, they develop the show, they help secure the cast. They make sure the director gets everything that is needed to get the show running, and reins them in when things might get out of control. Don't diminish someone else's work because you aren't sure what they did on the project; it's not a great look, and the look is even worse when you are singling out POC to make your ill-conceived point.

jimmycurry01 said: "First, that's in really poor taste. Second, why diminish the work done by producers? Is their work of lesser value because it is not the most obvious thing on stage? There would be nothing on stage for you to see without them. They find the investors, they develop the show, they help secure the cast. They make sure the director gets everything that is needed to get the show running, and reins them in when things might get out of control. Don't diminish someone else's work because you aren't sure what they did on the project; it's not a great look, and the look is even worse when you are singling out POC to make your ill-conceived point.

"

You are talking about the work of producers — real producers, which is award-worthy. I am talking about the work of co-producers, who for making a passive investment get some perks including name above title, but they have no role in the advertising or creative development or reining in director or making the tough choices that face a real producer every day. I am aware of the extent to which each of the 3 individuals were (not) involved with each show, hence making the distinction and educating others here. There’s nothing controversial or in bad taste about it.

I would love someone to sit down with Legend, Goldberg, and Hudson — and the lead producer who brought them on — to interview the EGOTs on the intricacies of Broadway producing and the specific functions that they performed each day of their respective show’s run, to educate the public about the role of a producer.

Updated On: 2/6/23 at 09:59 AM

JanMaxwellsBag said: "Whoopi joined the Millie producing teamearly in it’s development,years before it even had any fully staged production.

But also, who cares? They put up some money! Let them get a Tony it’s not that deep.

I love award shows. I love red carpets. I love crazy speeches. I also acknowledge that winning a major award can open doors for people to get projects made and themselves cast in things. But, to quote Ms. Heidi N Closet, “At the end of the day it doesn’t fvcking matter!”"

Right? It's just a statue, and a few days in the press that most people will forget in a week.

Congrats to Viola Davis. What a career (so far)!

ErmengardeStopSniveling said: "1stGent said: "Way to discredit and diminish the work of legendary black artists for your…opinion."

Thank you for saying this.

It is amazing and sad to me how some people always find a way to tear other people down - especially people of color or people of different faiths.

My original post was to celebrate Viola and her incredible success.

I would like to know when we can get her back on stage!!

HeyMrMusic said: "Eek.

Let’s just say she’s the first to win all four awards for performance since Audrey Hepburn in 1994. I believe Helen Hayes, Rita Moreno, and John Gielgud are the only others to have this distinction. It is quite an achievement."

According to the Tony Awards website, Gielgud’s first Tony was a Special Award in 1959. His only competitive win was for directing Big Fish, Little Fish in 1961.

Thanks for the clarification. I admit I was confused by his first Tony win, but categories and doling out of the awards have drastically changed since he won.

And agreed, it’s both impressive and meaningless. How people win awards is somewhat arbitrary, but we love when it happens to truly gifted people like Viola.

There’s been some discussions on Reddit as well that are dismissing the work for producers. Just so frustrating and disappointing.