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puppetman2
Leading Actor Joined: 3/2/08
#2re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:41am
I doubt the Tonys really lost that many fans from sports--outside of NY, I doubt there are more people that won't watch the Tonys because of sports than people that won't watch the Tonys because of whatever would be on that channel otherwise.
No matter what date you're going to conflict with something, and nothing is going to give them a large Tony boost. Maybe a really relevant/popular host? I can't think of someone appropriate--Whoopi is still very well liked.
#3re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:46am
"Shows are dark on Monday nights." You mean as opposed to them all playing on Sunday nights? WTF?
Some people love Broadway. Some could care less. I think you're reaching to try to think that Sunday night is a bad time to have them.
#4re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:47am
Get Hugh Jackman back, and have him wear Cheyenne's 'Xanadu' costume. That should pull in... well, probably a load of gay men, and they're probably already watching. Foiled!
joe5
Broadway Star Joined: 5/17/06
#5re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 10:49amIt being the last award show of the season. I do think it does get lost in the shuffle. Now that shows seem to be opening year-round. And not just limited to Fall and Spring. I really think it should be looked into. If you lose the ratings to The Price Is Right. Something is wrong bigtime with the Tonys. Just my thoughts about this.
Rotel1026
Broadway Star Joined: 8/12/06
#6re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:14amThere is nothing wrong with the Tonys, you can argue that the show needs to be improved but popular culture just doesn't involve the theater like it once did. If you don't live in New York, you don't see much coverage of theater. People are just not all that inclined to watch a show about a bunch of actors they've never seen in shows they've never heard of being handed awards.
#7re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:17amI don't think changing the date will make a difference, there will always be something else on, you know?
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
Cages or wings? Which do you prefer? Ask the birds. Fear or love, baby? Don't say the answer Actions speak louder than words. (Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#8re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:32am
Moving it to Monday night won't make a difference based on the excuse "Most shows are dark on Mondays." Some shows actually have Monday night shows.
This problem won't necessarily be solved by changing dates, but rather changing networks.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
dramamama611
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/4/07
#9re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:33am
Most folks don't care about B'way. And many that do care don't see enough of the shows to religiously tune in. When I was young I tuned in to find out what was out there: we didn't HAVE the internet then!
I would be sad if they stopped televising them, but not suprised. I would almost thing that A&E or Bravo would pick them up if one of the major networks didn't want it anymore.
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.
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#10re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:35am
"I would almost thing that A&E or Bravo"
Or PBS, which is also a arts-heavy channel. Then wouldn't they air it without commercial interruption?
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
#11re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:41am
well they could start by showing it in the uk.
hundreds of channels, you'd think that ONE would show it.
i mean, why should countries with no renowned theatre industry get to see it, and the uk which has the west end, doesn't?
bizarre.
#12re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:44amI don't think this year's game would have necessarily taken Tony viewers away. Different demographics.
"My understanding is that he is leaving show business to pursue a career as a thermometer." -- David Mamet on Jeremy Piven's early departure from the cast of Broadway's 'Speed-the-Plow'
#13re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 11:55amSomeone mentioned changing networks. I don't think any network would want to air the Tonys. Maybe ABC.
Broadway Shows I've Seen: Hairspray, Chicago, Little Shop of Horrors (2003), The Wedding Singer, Spamalot, Riverdance, Rent, Beauty and the Beast, Spring Awakening, Wicked, Legally Blonde, Phantom of the Opera, Sweet Charity (revival), Drowsy Chaperone, The Lion King, Dreamgirls(2010 Tour).
DrewBill
Stand-by Joined: 4/22/08
#14re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 12:37pm
Broadway is not relevant to most Americans, so I don't think the endless hand wringing over how to change the Tonys will make any difference whatsoever.
Ultimately, I imagine the telecast will be dropped by CBS, and probably picked up by PBS, A&E, or Bravo. It will end up as a smaller, more "niche focused" broadcast. Which in the long run, may be a good thing?
Okayfine
Stand-by Joined: 6/2/08
#15re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 12:41pm
dramamama - I had the same thought re: A&E or Bravo. In fact, I think it would be more appropriate. Can't believe the audience #s would change all that much. Most of the people in my acquaintance outside of NYC who watch the telecast admit to doing so to more easily plan their vacations.
As now, people who love theatre will watch & no one else. I don't think theatre junkies are the same folks as basketball junkies, but I could be wrong.
millie_dillmount
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/22/04
#16re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 12:45pm
"I don't think any network would want to air the Tonys."
I think you're wrong. Again, A&E, Bravo, and PBS are all potential outlets for the Tonys sometime in the future. They are very arts-oriented channels.
"We like to snark around here. Sometimes we actually talk about theater...but we try not to let that get in our way." - dramamama611
LePetiteFromage
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/19/08
#18re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 12:54pm
There is nothing wrong with the Tonys, you can argue that the show needs to be improved but popular culture just doesn't involve the theater like it once did. If you don't live in New York, you don't see much coverage of theater. People are just not all that inclined to watch a show about a bunch of actors they've never seen in shows they've never heard of being handed awards.
I don't think this is necessarily true currently given the recent resurgance of Broadway musical movies. With the recent releases and successes of Chicago, Hairspray, Sweeney, Rent, Dreamgirls, Phantom, and the upcoming Mamma Mia, Broadway is definitely relevent to a wider range of audiences. Watching the movie musicals is step one--getting people to watch the Tonys is step two, followed by a trip to Broadway as step 3.
joe5
Broadway Star Joined: 5/17/06
#19re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 12:57pmTV is free, movies are alot cheaper. And coming to NYC is very expensive for alot of folks.
#20re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 1:36pm
i mean, why should countries with no renowned theatre industry get to see it, and the uk which has the west end, doesn't?
Us not getting the Tonys is sad, but not exactly a problem. Perhaps if we want a televised theatre awards ceremony over here, it'd be more appropriate to aim for the Oliviers.
BBC4 would surely be a nice home for televised Olivier awards...
#21re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 1:39pm
The vast majority of this country has no interest in Broadway.
You could sandwich the Tony's between the Superbowl and the AI season finale on the same channel and still no one would watch.
....but the world goes 'round
Updated On: 6/17/08 at 01:39 PM
#22re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 2:21pm
I read some where that it was up from last year. They said it came in at # 3. Is that good or bad?
Updated On: 6/17/08 at 02:21 PM
joe5
Broadway Star Joined: 5/17/06
#23re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 2:30pmAgain it was up against the NBA Finals. But seeing that the game was on at 9 in the East, and 6 in the West. It only overlapped a little bit. And then beaten by The Price Is Right. I would say not good.
etoile
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/2/03
#24re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 2:31pm
Should the date for the Tonys be changed BACK to Mondays?
Regardless of the ratings the Tony Awards attract the type of audience the advertisers court.
Rest in peace, Iflitifloat.
DrewBill
Stand-by Joined: 4/22/08
#25re: Should the date for Tonys be changed
Posted: 6/17/08 at 2:48pmJust about every other advertisement was for a drug company. I'm in advertising, and I can tell you that when your primary advertisers are drug companies, they're expecting an older (read: elderly) audience. And that is not the most desirable demographic for any television program.
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