Broadway Star Joined: 9/27/03
What in Rashad's speech made her come off as "snobbish?"
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
"The only crap speech was that abortion of a comment about an important issue that came out of the Best Play acceptance."
And THAT, ckeaton, is why you will never be more than a self-proclaimed understudy. If papalovesmambo ever leaves this show, he'll be replaced by somebody else. We'll "decide to take the character in a different direction. Thanks for all your hard work in the past."
Broadway Star Joined: 6/11/03
>>>What in Rashad's speech made her come off as "snobbish?<<<
Don't get me wrong, I love to see a well-spoken person on television. My impression, however, was of someone delivering a Shakespearean sonnet, not winning a Tony or any other much desired award. Must have been prewritten and rehearsed.
In these situations, I like to see the genuine emotion come out.WE see them act every time we get to see them. Idina, Anika Noni Rose, even Hugh. Everyone knew he would win, yet he started by thanking his wife, not his producers, and ended with acknowledging the originators of the concept and the original Aussie star, and Peter Allen himself. He probably knew what he wanted to say but it came out naturally and with genuine emotion.
Not to mention the totally shocked Avenue Q company when they won for Best Musical. I've never seen such a totally overwhelmed producing team.
lets not forget audra mcdonald. pure class. in whatever she does. she is amazing.
What's wrong with preparation? If Rashaad was fumbling people would have something to say about that. Atleast she didn't go "Oh, I never thought I'd win" and then pull out the huge list.
Broadway Star Joined: 6/11/03
Nothing is wrong with preparation. I dislike the lists too. I just prefer a more natural reaction. I'm sure they all go over what they want to say, JUST IN CASE....but sometimes the emotion of the moment overtakes them and that is what pleases me, that they are so thrilled with the award they are moved to tears or exuberance.
It's just personal preference. I think Rashad is a fabulous woman and I am thrilled for her. Other speeches just moved me more.
Ms Rashad was a little TOO prepared. It came across as tripe. She reminded me of Norma Desmond. AND SO HUMBLE!!!!!
P. Rashaad's speech was very monolougesque.(Is that a word?) She is was and always wiil be a class act, but come on show a bit of genuine from the gut excitement. Debbie Allen looked more excited than she did.
Phylicia Rashad's speech was annoyingly controlled.
She chose words that were lovely, but delivered without emotion fell flat.
Speeches filled with enthusiasm and love, even if silly, were so much more meaningful.
I loved that Hugh Jackman thanked his wife FIRST. Smart.
Did Stephen Oremus go up with the Ave Q team? I didn't see him...
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/18/03
I did not see him either.. i shall go back and look to be sure.. usually someone that gorgeous stands out!
Perhaps it wasn't fair to her, but Ms Rashad went into that awards show carrying the weight of expectation of an entire class of Americans. Her being honored in that light was momentous and she was fully aware of the gravity of the occasion. At her age and station in life, had she come off as some giddy debutante, she would have lost credibility with her legion of fans that had been waiting for a long time to see someone like her honored for her non-musical work in theatre.
At her age and station a little light heartedness would have been refreshing. I'm not expecting giddy, but light. It was far too heavy and dramatic. It was an acceptance speech not a reconfirmation of her dramatic ability.
I'm thinking that maybe Rashad's "what does it take to succeed" speech was an echo of Bill Cosby's recent controversial comments. I agree with others here that it came off as self-important and mannered.
jefferson mays had the classiest speech of the night. cerveris's was also very nice, giving credit to his fellow nominees.
really enjoyed anika and idina's, very emotional and genuine.
rashad's felt too rehearsed, a little overly classy.
the happy medium was audra mcdonald, class and emotion the "all i've ever wanted was to be on broadway" thing was very touching. i enjoyed all the speeches personally. the avenue q writer was so frazzled lol it made it that much more personal
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/16/04
Michael Cerveris gave the best speech, so generous in thanking his Fellow nominees, especially nice to name them as P Diddy couldnt be bothered to get the names correct
Cerveris is as always, CLassy
I thought that Hugh's speech and approach was great as well as Audra's well put together
Idina's was the best one. Not too prepared and straight from the heart.
I loved the Avenue Q score speech- how the 2 guys traded off and managed to thank everyone between the 2 of them without any repetition. Some times speeches when there are 2 people involved repeat the SAME people or things.
Idina, Ms. Rashad, Audra, and Michael Cerveris(sp??) were the best of the night, along with the Avenue Q guys.
Idina's was totally from her heart. Fully of personality.
Michael Cerveris, for acknowledging his fellow nominees. It was sweet, what he said about Raul.
And Hugh Jackman's was good too.... actually, I can't really think of one that wasn't good.
Swing Joined: 6/7/04
Yeah, I agree that Idinas totally came from her heart and it was so cute how she included Kristin Chenoweth in it..and how Kristin blew her a kiss. No competition there at all.
I found it funny that Hugh, prolonged his speech during the commerial break. Of course were I the host AND the Tony winner I'd so pull a diva and do that too. :)
Well, Audra has been up there three times before.
I agree that with her age and station she's over the "giddyness" of it all.
I kept waiting for P. Rashad to come out and say "power to the black women" Updated On: 6/7/04 at 11:37 PM
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