Who was the bigger train wreck, Fran or Clint?

[ChgoTheatreGuy]

Clint by a very long shot... Why didn't they use the awards to help promote "Jersey Boys"? That has happened in the past...

[CurtainPullDowner]

I don't understand all the hate for Sting. I thought the song was beautiful (and I sat through it twice at the dress and once on the telecast). If you don't like his music, ok, but I loved the song and in the theatre the projection/visuals were stunning. I felt the biggest wreck was the ROCKY segment (I won't even call it a "number") It was an insult to the talented Ahrens and Flaherty not to feature their music (whatever it's merit), and to Andy Karl who was nominated as Best Actor and completely lost in their "performance".

[jemjeb2]

I thought it was at least good humored of Eastwood to spoof his much criticized "talking to the empty chair" bit, when they included that shot of him backstage talking to an empty chair. I thought too, give the old dude a break if he seemed a little befuddled at the mike. Who knows how any of us would handle the moment if we reached that age and were in his shoes.

[Roscoe]

Octogenarians really should consider carefully before they are seen in public addressing empty furniture as Eastwood did at the Republican Convention. It really does leave the wrong impression, and for Eastwood to follow that little stunt by introducing noted Republican bigot Mitt Romney only makes me less likely to cut him any f*cking slack whatsoever.

Trying to make light of it didn't really accomplish anything. Screw Eastwood. Let him rot.

[forgetmenotnyc]

Maybe I shouldn't be answering this thread because I missed the Fran moment, but I have seen her in other similar hosting positions & she seems to LUV making humor happen where none otherwise existed...BUT I have also seen other performers onstage with her during these kind of predictable routines get upset because it really is all very selfish & just about her trying to showcase herself over everyone else. I do find her kinda cute though, as well, so have a hard time really faulting her. Maybe that's why this thread has been taken over by folks still mad about the STING segment which is really such a different thing since it didn't involve unexpected mishaps.

I think it is the people who saw the whole LAST SHIP PBS special in the past that are the ones most intolerant of this repeat of his advance publicizing that is getting further & further away from any kind of realized theatrical production with people other than him! It also was the 1st of the questionable moments that just kind of got lots of our hackles up - preparing us, in a sense for the worst questionable moment which was the Neverland spot.

[ggersten]

If Mr. Eastwood paid attention to writers and teleprompters (or had good writers) I would have expected a joke about his familiarity with musicals given his "singing" in Paint Your Wagon. Then he would have assured everyone that he doesn't sing in Jersey Boys, but that several incredible people do sing. Then on the business of reading the nominees.
(As for his stumbling over words, recall Alan Swann's words (as credited to Norman Steinberg and Dennis Palumbo) - "I'm not an actor. I'm a movie star")

[Adair Haywind]

While I did not agree with Clint when he was endorsing Romney, the guy is cultural icon and he even lampooned himself during the show by speaking to an empty chair backstage before the commerical break. He deserves our respect. Did he mumble and trip over his words? Yes. Is the guy older than dirt? Yes. Should we cut him a break? Yes.

[darreyl102]

Old or young- if you can't do the job, then you should not be doing it.

[yankeefan7]

Why the heck they had Mr. Eastwood there is beyond me? He is the director of the movie "Jersey Boys" but is he someone we really need as a presenter on Broadway's biggest night. It is not like people are going to tune into the Tony's because he is presenting a couple of awards - Geez.

[SporkGoddess]

I figured it was also because of the Bridges of Madison County connection, but maybe not.

[The Other One]

"I figured it was also because of the Bridges of Madison County connection, but maybe not."

He referenced "Bridges" as well as "Jersey Boys" when he acknowledged the link between Broadway and Hollywood.

I don't know that Broadway ever had particularly high expectations for Clint or for Fran. If this year's Tonys damaged anyone's reputation, and that is a big "if", it would be Hugh Jackman's. Fawned over for years as a golden child who could do no wrong, he had all but worn out his welcome by the half-way point this year.

Which is not to say anyone will remember this by the time next year rolls around.