I too have a feeling that Janney will win.
And I'm also in the camp that feels DHP deserved the award.
Interesting how the title of this thread....Will Janney Pull a DHP..........makes it sound like it's her fault if she wins.
Should she give it back if she does?
Even if her singing leaves some to be desired, Janney's acting in 9 to 5 is every bit as good as Ripley's in N2N.
On a bit of a side note, let me point out that neither the Drama Desk Awards nor the Outer Critics Circle Awards have ANYTHING to do with the Tonys, and that being nominated or even winning one of those awards does not indicate a better or lesser chance at the Tonys. There are people who have WON one of those awards and then not even been NOMINATED for a Tony.
And keep in mind that the DD's and OCC's are both made up of of comittees of around seven people, whereas the Tonys has a nominating committee of about 23 and an awards voting comittee of something like 125.
The Golden Globes are also never any indication of who will win or be nominated for an Oscar. The only pre-Oscar awards that can be counted on for predictions are the various guild awards (Screen Actors, Writers, Directors), as many of the voters in those awards also vote for the Oscars.
On Broadway however, all the awards stand completely apart from each other.
I think it's wrong to completely ignore them also. Yes, they're completely different voting bodies, but people are influenced by earlier award shows in the season, which is why people still pay attention to the Golden Globes when it comes to Oscar prognostication. Seeing the way Billy swept the Drama Desks will make people either want to do the same at the Tonys or go against that. People start paying attention more when someone or something wins an award (or glaringly loses out).
~Steven
I just feel like Tony voters are going to want to give 9 TO 5 atleast one award.. although they didn't give LEGALLY BLONDE one.
9 to 5 doesn't need Tonys. It already has Dolly's face on the billboards. I don't think they'll throw it a bone.
~Steven
Probably true, but it's numbers aren't as hot as I would've expected.
I have no idea on Janney's chances, but I think nealb1 raises an interesting point. IF Janney does win, I would hate to see a backlash against a talented woman who seems to have done nothing but embrace the Broadway experience wholeheartedly.
Is there really as much of a consensus that Ripley will win as there was for Raul? If Janney beats Ripley, it could be due to some similar reasoning on the voters' parts, but that's the only way it could really be an upset of the same "proportions." I know the Times critics' predictions both went to her, which is certainly something, but I can't say I've really paid that much attention to the widespread opinions on this one. And then of course, there's the difference between, "I want her to win," "she deserves to win," and "I think she will win."
Well, it was pretty much the strongest set of reviews for any single performance...
Why would the voters want to give 9 to 5 something? They didn't nominate them for best musical, so why do they deserve a consolation prize?
"Even if her singing leaves some to be desired, Janney's acting in 9 to 5 is every bit as good as Ripley's in N2N."
Are you serious? I've been a fan of Allison Janney for years and I really enjoyed her performance in 9 to 5, but it's not anywhere close to being as good as Alice Ripley's performance. In my opinion, Ms. Ripley's performance in next to normal is in the same league as Victoria Clark in The Light in the Piazza and Christine Ebersole in Grey Gardens.
^ Maybe just a TEENSY bit biased?
"It pisses me off when people say that anyone other than Alice deserves to win. People who say that clearly haven't seen anything from her performance and don't know what the hell they're talking about."
I know that, Jordangirl. I'm talking more about regular people, since the Tony voting pool is made up of much more than just critics. Good reviews and critics on your side don't dictate Tony wins.
This isn't me disparaging her, or suggesting she doesn't have a good chance. I hope she does. Contrary to what your tone seems to suggest you believe, I am a big fan of Next to Normal, and have been for many years, over several incarnations.
I didn't intend to have a tone. I apologize if you read one into my post. :)
Okay. Sorry.
It seemed a little defensive, and I was like "... she knows I'm rooting for this show, right?"
Am I wrong for thinking that the award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical should be the performer who is best at BOTH acting and singing? And, someone who actually continues to act while singing?
I normally use the Drama Desks as a barometer for how the Tonys will go, but I think this year it's not a good indicator. Alice Ripley wasn't even nominated, since she was nominated for the role last year. I think Janney is the biggest threat to Ripley (and I loved both of their performances), but I don't think it's smart to use the Drama Desks to guess who will win.
ETA:
Am I wrong for thinking that the award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical should be the performer who is best at BOTH acting and singing? And, someone who actually continues to act while singing?
yes to the first part, no to the second. Acting while singing is good, but you don't necessarily have to be the best singer. if that was the case, we'd have to take back Carol Channing and Glynis Johns' Tonys.
I personally would love if the four actors winning were from four different shows.
Ripley/ Janney
Billys
Olivo
Sieber
But of course I wouldn't be mind if BILLY got two (the second for Bologna.)
Distinctive Baritone you are wrong in regards to the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards.
Look how many Golden Globe winners go on to win Academy Awards for the same performances.
DG07, I wouldn't say I'm unfairly biased because I have seen both performances. Successfully playing Diana is a lot more challenging than successfully playing Violet. Allison doesn't have to go to those places emotionaly that Alice goes to. I prefer deep performances over fluff performances. Regardless of my my personal preference, substance is a a lot harder to get right and when it is done right, it should be rewarded over fluff, which is pretty easy to do.
I would like Alice to win. Janney has gusto but I am sure another good role will come Allison's way...
I love that "pull a David Hyde Pierce" is now in the BWW lexicon.
Am I the only one on this board that LOVED "9 to 5" and felt Janney was the worst part of the show? Her acting fell flat, she spoke with a lack of charisma, and just didn't give a fantastic performance. Megan Hilty was very much the best actress out of the entire cast.
And keep in mind that the DD's and OCC's are both made up of of comittees of around seven people, whereas the Tonys has a nominating committee of about 23 and an awards voting comittee of something like 125.
There are approximately 750 Tony voters.
Why would the voters want to give 9 to 5 something? They didn't nominate them for best musical, so why do they deserve a consolation prize?
The voters didn't select the nominees. The Nominating Committee selected the nominees.
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