I was just thinking about the public information about who will present at the Tony's this year. And I couldn't help but wonder if this year we will finally be able to see more TRADITIONAL Broadway Veterans, like
Chita
Carol Channing
Patti Lupone
Brian Stokes Mitchell
Mandy Patikin
Bernadette Peters
Without more past winners it feels like an Oscar's show without Hollywood Royals.
I hate it when the Oscars trot out the same old "royalty" (especially when they had the annual shout out to Nicholson in the audience as if his presence legitimized something). I get bored seeing the same people every year. I would feel the same if the Tonys did it, too (they have in the past, but it's only really special when they bring out one or two classic audience favorites and not the same people every year).
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Honestly, I think the narrative this year will be about honoring the past (it is an anniversary year after all) but moving forward and forgetting about "traditional."
Since this is on CBS, we're probably more likely to see stars from their fall lineup like Kevin James, Lucy Liu, and the cast of Big Bang Theory. Steven Pasquale has a new show with Katherine Heigl and Laverne Cox, so maybe one of them will be asked?
I don't recall CBS stacking the presenters lineup inordinately with stars from their shows in previous years so I don't really see them doing that this year either. For example, The Big Bang Theory has been their biggest hit for a number of years now and I don't recall ever seeing Johnny Galecki or Kaley Cuoco showing up to present (please feel free to correct me if I'm misremembering).
Yes there will definitely be some presenters with a connection to CBS, but I don't see it being a case of only people with CBS shows being presenters.
Some past presenters with connections with CBS have included Wayne Brady, Jon Cryer, Alan Cumming, Neil Patrick Harris (before he started hosting), Marg Helgenberger, Lucy Liu, Jim Parsons, etc.
I remember a few years ago there was that number which basically bashed NBC for cancelling so many tv shows which had Broadway stars. I bet the executives st CBS absolutely loved that!
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Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
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