Posted: 5/16/23 at 6:11pm
I would rather see Lea Michele do something from FG to open the Tonys than see The Lion King yet again. And even Lea feels a little unnecessary but it would honor a big story of the season and could still help open the show in a big way without a newly scripted thing. Honestly, I'd even prefer a nod to Phantom over LK. We don't need to open another Tonys with Circle of Life.
Posted: 5/16/23 at 6:42pm
I don't want to continuously go over the same point but it really doesn't make sense that an awards show few people watch is the *only* way for people in this country to learn about what's happening in theatre. Shows need to do a better job of marketing themselves.
Posted: 5/17/23 at 12:56am
HeyMrMusic said: "I also asked because Best Book and Best Score are often left off the telecast. I wonder if one of the concessions is actually to honor the writers of shows publicly. Could a stance be made live on air?"
Actually, for the past several years, Book and Score alternated being awarded on the telecast each year. Last year, Book was awarded on the telecast and Score was awarded during the whatever-you-call-it presentation on a streaming service before the telecast. If this year's modified awards follow suit, then Score will be presented during the telecast this year.
Updated On: 5/17/23 at 12:56 AM
Posted: 5/21/23 at 11:21pm
Apologies for bumping this thread for something off topic (sort of)— but I just started watching the finale of American Idol and it got me thinking… How in the [expletive] was this allowed to continue on. Do no WGA members work on Idol? I’m just confused as this is Disney who is the most powerful of those the WGA is striking.
As I’m now watching the finale (that’s already aired) I didn’t want to google this as I’d normally do; so I won’t read spoilers. So I figured I’d ask here now that I’m extremely curious and confused as to how this is happening vs.The Tonys….
Edit: what I mean Is this seems like it’s had a lot of stuff written by WGA writers. Did they get a special waiver? Is this how a broadcast looks when abiding by the unions terms to continue? Or are they Ignoring writers and it’s being picketed actually.
Updated On: 5/21/23 at 11:21 PM
Posted: 5/22/23 at 1:29am
What I found when I googled is that they claim that the show is unscripted.
Posted: 5/23/23 at 1:54pm
I had written a while ago about the process by which WGA came to reverse its decision on the Tonys. At least some of the etiology is here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/23/theater/tony-awards-wga-strike-playwrights.html
Posted: 5/23/23 at 3:13pm
Do we know if there is still a pre-network show on Pluto or did the terms of the compromise with WGA affect that?
Posted: 5/27/23 at 10:41pm
WGA is not picketing, but is asking any WGA members who are nominated not to attend. They are encouraged to prerecord an acceptance speech.
Isn’t that kind of like picketing? It certainly adds an anti-labor stigma to attending. Via Deadline
Posted: 5/27/23 at 10:52pm
Lmao what?
Pick a lane, WGA!
Guess the silver lining is that the writing awards are rarely on the main broadcast? (Not that writing categories are the only ones impacted)
Updated On: 5/27/23 at 10:52 PM
Posted: 5/27/23 at 11:03pm
How does this hurt the studios? Actors and performances are the draw. The only people it hurts are the writers who win.
I don't get it.
Also, wouldn't it be more powerful to mention the strike in an acceptance speech on national television?
Posted: 5/27/23 at 11:16pm
BJR said: "How does this hurt the studios? Actors and performances are the draw. The only people it hurts are the writers who win.
I don't get it.
Also, wouldn't it be more powerful to mention the strike in an acceptance speech on national television?"
Instead of prerecording a speech, the WGA is also allowing them to have a non-member accept on their behalf. So, I guess they could do that to make a big speech.
Sucks for Sara Bareilles. I know the strike’s important but now only those striking are missing out. Unless it spreads, in which case just picket and cancel. Idk?!
Posted: 5/27/23 at 11:28pm
This is weird. If I was a nominee in another category I would be confused as to how I could show solidarity?
Posted: 5/27/23 at 11:47pm
KJisgroovy said: "This is weird. If I was a nominee in another category I would be confused as to how I could show solidarity?"
I would assume "solidarity" means also not attending.
Which would basically put us back to square 1.
Posted: 5/28/23 at 3:17am
It does make me wonder if this whole shaky compromise, which reportedly happened due to the efforts of playwrights per the New York Times story, is going to fall apart.
Maybe this is all part of the deal, but it seems like it’s going to put the performers in an awkward spot. If the writers aren’t supposed to attend, should they?
Posted: 5/28/23 at 4:33am
What does Bareilles have to do with the WGA? And how many writers who are up for Tony Awards are members of the WGA? This seems very silly.
Posted: 5/28/23 at 5:03am
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sara Bareilles is a WGA member. It just raises awkward questions. If Bareilles, nominated as an actor, shouldn’t attend, what about other nominated actors (even if they’re not WGA members)?
As it happens, Bareilles is in a revival that closed months ago, so she won’t be performing and is unlikely to win.
This all may be part of the agreement, just a provision we didn’t hear about until now. The Best Musical nominees are definitely planning on performing, and they have all canceled their Sunday shows - presumably because of the logistics of getting back and forth from Washington Heights for the rehearsal and telecast.
All of this just reinforces how delicate this arrangement seems to be. I will believe the Tony Awards are happening when the telecast actually starts.
Posted: 5/28/23 at 5:50am
All of this confusion is just ridiculous. They should have just stuck to cancelling the telecast. No one watches it and them doing the free pre shows and paid telecast is just stupid.
It sounds like it’s just gonna be a mess for all parties.
Posted: 5/28/23 at 6:30am
bear88 said: "According to the Hollywood Reporter, Sara Bareilles is a WGA member. It just raises awkward questions. If Bareilles, nominated as an actor, shouldn’t attend, what about other nominated actors (even if they’re not WGA members)?
As it happens, Bareilles is in a revival that closed months ago, so she won’t be performing and is unlikely to win.
This all may be part of the agreement, just a provision we didn’t hear about until now. The Best Musical nominees are definitely planning on performing, and they have all canceled their Sunday shows - presumably because of the logistics of getting back and forth from Washington Heights for the rehearsal and telecast.
All of this just reinforces how delicate this arrangement seems to be. I will believe the Tony Awards are happening when the telecast actually starts.
"
I checked the imdb and yes, she has exactly three writing credits for projects that are musical, but I guess they let her join.
Updated On: 5/28/23 at 06:30 AM
Posted: 5/28/23 at 8:24am
Interesting it says Lin isn't a WGA member ? I thought he was ...
I assume Ben Platt may be a WGA member . That movie he wrote and is starting in is coming out in July.....
Posted: 5/28/23 at 9:19am
What a complicated situation.
But it at the end of the day you are either WITH WGA or NOT.
I chose to stand with the union.
Posted: 5/28/23 at 9:28am
It's interesting that the awards are two weeks away and there are almost no details on what's actually going to happen.
Posted: 5/28/23 at 9:31am
I totally support unions. But if the WGA is asking only their members to not attend, I dont think its a problem for others to do so. I also don't have a problem with any individuals that choose not to attend AS a sign of support. If, on the other hand, they asked for that show of support - I'd totally support it.
I love the Tony Awards and this year will be doubly so, as it falls on my birthday.....a mitzvah!
Posted: 5/28/23 at 9:36am
ACL2006 said: "It's interesting that the awards are two weeks away and there are almost no details on what's actually going to happen."
FWIW, CBS ran a commercial last night for the broadcast.
Posted: 5/28/23 at 9:47am
Was curious if there was a way to know if someone was a WGA member to see who this decision may impact. Turns out they have a directory feature (https://directories.wga.org/).
Posted: 5/28/23 at 10:23am
I really don't understand the WGA asking its members to not attend unless it was part of the "deal" (which I'm guessing it wasn't since we're just hearing about it now). Any work they did that will be honored by the Tonys is not WGA affiliated and winning a Tony can be a very special moment to experience in person I imagine. Plus why not have a chance to support the WGA in an acceptance speech.
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