The BWW that we knew is gone. Last night was it. People got fed up, (over 200) left. Many of them lurkers, but they are gone.
Threads are allowed to be made bullying other members, Threads are allowed to be made when Lesli Margarita calls out the boards. When Alex Brightman calls out the boards. But when the “she who shall not be named” Patti murin, calls the boards out, we can’t adress it.
Threads are deleted, preview threads are gone, users are suspended, goverment Id’s and our real identitys must be shown to PM.
None of this happend when posters bullied others.
None of this happened when we adresses being called out.
I admit it. Some of those comments were mean, but people are harsher to each other and you sit back and relax.
Broadway world changed last night. It’s not the same.
I created my account in 2006, although I've only really started posting the last year or two.
In 2006, I was a recent college grad deciding what show to see for a special New York trip. After doing some research on here, I ended up going with The Producers, who had just started stunt casting Tony Danza.
One of my first posts was to say, "Actually, Tony Danza wasn't *that* awful, and I enjoyed the show overall." I was excited about contributing. I immediately got jumped on for being a "shill." I think there were a few other posters who said "Chill out", which I appreciated. Still, it was a jarring experience.
As a 30-something I have a tougher skin, but I still don't like spending my mental energy on strangers being rude. All of this is to say that yes, we should be able to critically discuss all aspects of theater, but some of the personal insults thrown around here (both to performers and to other posters) sour the discussion for everybody.
Kitsune said: "I created my account in 2006, although I've only really started posting the last year or two.
In 2006, I was a recent college graddeciding what show to see for a special New York trip. After doing some research on here, I ended up going with The Producers, who had just started stunt casting Tony Danza.
One of my first posts was to say, "Actually, Tony Danza wasn't *that* awful, and I enjoyed the show overall." I was excited about contributing. I immediately got jumped on for being a "shill." I think there were a few other posters who said "Chill out", which I appreciated. Still, it was a jarring experience.
As a 30-something I have a tougher skin, but I still don't like spending my mental energy on strangers being rude. All of this is to say that yes, we should be able to critically discuss all aspects of theater, but some of the personal insults thrown around here (both to performers and to other posters) sour the discussion for everybody."
I have been back and forth about posting in this thread. I was not on last night. I was also confused until I was told by someone what happened and then read the last few pages.
The bottom line is that this is BWW's site. They make the rules. If any of us don't like it then we can close our accounts. I don't think anyone here was forced to join this site.
Freedom of speech? Yes, we should be able to speak freely. But there are things called tact, respect and maturity. Something that is lacking with a lot of people who post here (And all over the internet)
In reading the moderator's responses and responses of members in this thread, it seems, to me at least, that some people are forgetting some things. This is not a closed site. We are not in a bubble. People who don't participate here do read these boards. (The person who told me stopped posting here years ago but reads the site) And the people who run this site go out and conduct interviews, shoot video, attend functions interact with the actors, producers and people associated with shows, face to face, that people anonymously bad mouth and slam here. Imagine the position that puts them and the site owners in. I am sure some of those people could care less and will find some way to still justify their nastiness.
Maybe all of the information regarding the events of last night are not being put out by the mods because it went too far. And while they have restored the luxury of us to be able to enjoy the site they have given to us, they may be putting out fires that people on here started. That may not be the case, but that is how I am reading it.
So BWW, do what you need to do. Not all of us will agree with the way things are run here but again, we have the choice to leave. I plan to stay.
The Broadway community is NOTHING like the Hollywood community. I cringe when I see people criticize an actor and say “they knew what they were getting into”. No. Just because someone has a passion that leads them into the public eye does not give people the right to be mercilessly cruel. None of these posters who left would EVER have the audacity to even TWEET from a public handle their gripes to any of the performers they talk about with disdain. Not dislike, disdain. The theatre community is small. It’s local. VERY local. There is no room for nastiness hidden under the guise of privacy. If any of these “long time” posters had said an ounce of what they say on these boards to these performers’ faces, I might have a modicum of respect for them. But they don’t. This is a community filled with love and light, and if people don’t believe that what they write anonymously here is read by MANY MANY people in the industry, and deeply affects them, they’re fools. I’ve been lurking on these boards for over 15 years (truly) and have only recently seen this level of disdain towards certain performers. Whether it’s “allowed” or not is one thing, but it’s disgusting, unbecoming, and tasteless, all hidden beneath the excuse of anonymity.
_(•_&bull_/ said: "The BWW that we knew is gone. Last night was it. People got fed up, (over 200) left. Many of them lurkers, but they are gone.
Threads are allowed to be made bullying other members, Threads are allowed to be made when Lesli Margarita calls out the boards. When Alex Brightman calls out the boards. But when the “she who shall not be named” Patti murin, calls the boards out, we can’t adress it.
Threads are deleted, preview threads are gone, users are suspended, goverment Id’s and our real identitys must be shown to PM.
None of this happend when posters bullied others.
None of this happened when we adresses being called out.
I admit it. Some of those comments were mean, but people are harsher to each other and you sit back and relax.
Broadway world changed last night. It’s not the same.
Congrats, Patti. You won.
My issue comes with the mods. They let bullying happen every day, but when we bring up murin’s frozen attendance all hell breaks lose.”
The fact that the BWW we knew is gone isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In addition to putting a long overdue tighter rein (reign? I can never remember) on members’ posting behavior about negative comments about a performer’s life (beyond their performance in a show), it appears they’ll be also be dealing more directly with the bullying behavior that often happens on here between members. Surely, we can all agree that it is a win-win for everyone (except the bullies).
The issue was never saying so-and-so was out of a show for a performance. We all like to know when a performer is out of a show we are attending. It was when negative attributes were ascribed to said performer due to said absences that things began to devolve, including accusing said performer of using or exaggerating their infirmity to call out of show. (I think we can all agree that is inappropriate). And since it was becoming increasingly impossible for posters (especially last night) to separate absences without attacking the performer (for both her absences and defending herself) I think the mods are smartly being very proactive for now in deleting comments that will invite escalation. I do not envy them their jobs - it must be like herding rabid kittens - all sharp teeth and claws and foaming at the mouth.
A Canadian in NYC said: "Is WhizzerMarvin gone?????
If so, this is a true loss to this board. I always read his preview reviews before I buy a ticket.
I hope this all gets resolved but I have a feeling we’ve lost some valuable members... "
I doubt WhizzerMarvin is gone. They didn’t post last night, at least that I saw. So no reason for mods to suspend them unless there were some gnarly PMs which would seem out of character. They always even when disliking a show keep their comments professional. Whizzer mainly only comments after seeing a show with a review so I wouldn’t be concerned because they haven’t posted today. I doubt Whizzer would be so upset about last njght’s crackdown by the mods that they left. I hope I’m not wrong. I too would miss Whizzer’s presence very, very much.
To the best of my knowledge, he wasnt involved in anything that happened last night... so I doubt he's gone.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
To the best of my knowledge, he wasnt involved in anything that happened last night... so I doubt he's gone.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
CPannullo said: "So who are some of the people that appear to be suspended? I take it anyone involved in what happened last night is gone?"
I could post a list of 7 known people or say where I found said list but it would likely be deleted as linking off site to where they all went was squashed out very quickly last night and likely would be now as well.
Thats hardly 200 people.. Some were suspended, no one permanently - unless it was their choice. I wasnt a part if anything that happened but found the mods reaction extreme.
If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it?
These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.