Which best represents how you feel about Broadway shows using TV reality shows for casting Poll (BroadwayWorld.com)

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3897 votes as of Wednesday, February 10, 02:32:32 AM

Which best represents how you feel about Broadway shows using TV reality shows for casting

  A. Love it
  B. Hate it
  C. I'm ok with it as long as it remains open for professionals and amateurs
  D. I think it's unfair to those trying everyday to make this a profession
  E. Any national exposure of Broadway is a good thing
  F. It's ok as long as it doesn't get overdone or become the norm

Poll Discussion
36 Comments

Its just publicity
by Fenchurch @ 01/27/07, 02:31:53 PM

And its good for the artform as far as popularity goes.

If one is worried about denigrating the artform, I think its a big late for that.

Unreasonable expectations?
by keen on kean @ 01/27/07, 04:43:57 PM

Does this create the impression that a talented amateur who wants it badly enough can succeed playing eight professional shows a week?

C & F
by Mills @ 01/27/07, 05:51:10 PM

I'm C and F combined, it has to be both or I'm not ok with it! With the UK Maria-search, most of the finalists were drama school graduates. As long people with any level of experience can audition, and as long as it only happens infrequently, I don't mind the promotion of musicals in this way.

I'm enjoying "Grease"
by LI_Mom @ 01/27/07, 08:11:40 PM

As long as subpar talent can't make it through to the stage where the audience starts to vote, I think it's a good idea for certain shows.

Hello!
by brad3 @ 01/28/07, 04:55:51 PM

Okay, I mean really it is insane that someone is actually letting the completely brainless, inane, ignorant, obtuse, slow, unintelligent people of America decide who should star on Broadway. I mean seriously just becuase a bunch of lame shmoes think someone can sing and act doesnt mean they can.

yeah I'm gonna have to say...
by FosseForever3 @ 01/29/07, 09:29:11 AM

Hates it.

C, E, and F
by bwaylvsong @ 01/29/07, 01:34:09 PM

I like the show, and I think it will help more talented actors get seen by theatre industry professionals. However, I did not like the fact that they invited back the "comeback couple", because neither of them are very good, and if they win it will ruin Broadway's reputation.

D
by Jeanne51 @ 01/29/07, 01:37:48 PM

The "comeback couple" was horrible! David Ian should have stayed with his first instinct to get rid of them.

I don't like it.
by ahmelie @ 01/29/07, 04:06:49 PM

I don't think audiences KNOW what it takes to go out and perform 8 nights a week. And I fear they won't take acting into consideration as much as dance or voice. And the person with the best voice will be cast, regardless of their acting ability.
Not a terrible thing for Sandy, but it could be devastating for other roles.

I have no reason, other than selfish...
by anditsbeginningtosno @ 01/29/07, 05:52:14 PM

But no. I hate it; refuse to watch it too. Just no.

talent
by IAMmyownMUSICAL @ 01/30/07, 01:02:03 AM

as long as the people have talent, its okay by me. But lets not make this like american idol.

Kill It
by BobPopa @ 01/30/07, 10:58:43 AM

That's what should be done to this. I feel bad for every working actor in my profession

Talent prt 2
by Broadwayfan620 @ 01/30/07, 10:14:06 PM

I agree with IAMmyownMusical. I don't want it to turn into American Idol. Rather see it like Fame.

reality tv
by Tchycick @ 02/02/07, 11:47:15 AM

why should a 9 yr old decide who gets to be on broadway! just because there pretty. Also if they ca sing doesn't mean they can act. the show isa stupid idea!

if they pass the audition, it's more than OK
by ztJdBrVa @ 02/02/07, 03:47:24 PM

If they pass the audition, it's more than OK. And if it helps sales, it's a good business decision.

Reality TV
by qtwoot @ 02/03/07, 11:25:15 AM

Anyone who lands a role on Broadway goes through an audition process, and HAS to have the goods to get the role. If they don't have it,and they are not the right person, they won't be cast, no matter who they are. Why should these folks not have the same opportunity as any one else? All a Reality TV show has done is give exposure to talent that might otherwise not have been recognized. Reality TV is not a stigma and it doesn't reduce their credibility. Let's get real folks. The producers are smart to be keeping their eyes open for any talent.

I have faith in the directors to choose wisely
by PirateSmile @ 02/03/07, 05:01:07 PM

I think the directors in charge will hire the best no matter what. I think the publicity is great, anything to educate the television public!

JUUUUST GREAT!
by BroadwayBound5 @ 02/04/07, 12:35:38 AM

This show makes a mockery of the audition process. It makes all these schmucks think that "anyone can make it on Broadway!" I'm sorry, but this show is rediculous. This is going to bring even more talentless people into NYC to get their big break. haha, and possibly get in my way. I'm sorry, i'm just really bitter. I hate American Idol, and this is just that. DAMN YOU REALITY TV! First you take these no-talentless people and pit them against each other, and then because America is dumb enough to attach to them, they get our roles in commercials, films, and tv spots. %&@#!

I did enjoy it, but now...
by LimelightMike @ 02/05/07, 04:32:03 AM

I watched the debut episode, thinking I might actually enjoy it ... Yeah, um, hi, how wrong I was! I find myself channel surfing on Sunday evenings, only to skip DIRECTLY over NBC. David Ian, try as he might, doesn't do a thing with this show, Kathleen Marshall (former TONY winner) is killing herself, digging herself a hole TOO deep, and Jim Jacobs is 'Ugh' to me to the extreme (arrogant, out-of-touch, out-of-place, etc.) I don't care for reality t.v. as is, but now that it's decided to 'take aim' at Broadway, it pisses me off even more-so. Do away with "You're The One That I Want" and just DROP the idea completely! GREASE is 30+ years old, it's over, it's done. We don't need to be reminded of some hoodlum making his mark on a vulnerable foreigner, while prancing about a T.B.A'd theatre. Honestly, pick a freakin' house before they go out and make the NEXT "pick the future of B'way" b.s.! Put it to bed, already! There's talent ALL OVER THE PLACE, I don't WANT or NEED to see this crap. Honestly!

I don't think we need to worry about it
by JBSinger @ 02/05/07, 02:52:31 PM

While I kind of detest the American Idolness of the casting process (poor Kathleen Marshall), there are VERY few shows that could be done on TV this way in America. The ratings for the ever-popular GREASE are no great shakes, so I don't think this will become a trend.

I'd still love a reality show called "summer Stock." All sorts of crazy stuff happens in those actor houses. i think it would be fun. Drama 24/7 like REAL WORLD with even more gay people!

Yuck reality tv!!
by Danniscorpo @ 02/11/07, 01:18:52 PM

I despise reality television. However, I feel it is important to support other preformers, and I support the talent that is on the show. Hopefully the right people will end up on Broadway. I would hate to see this process become the norm, however, it was supposed to be an experiment. I know there are truly talented people on the show.

I think
by melody2 @ 02/11/07, 03:57:48 PM

I think it would have been much more interesting to just show the process and follow it through to opening night. NOT the audience choosing the leads. Remember the "IT" factor? I loved that show and I think it would have been cool to just follow a REAL audition process with Equity (and non Equity) performers, then go through rehearsals, opening night and the party. For people who haven't done a Broadway show, I think it would be neat. It's a very cool process to witness.

real talent on this show
by Jeannette2 @ 02/12/07, 03:08:57 PM

I feel that the producers, etc. weeded out most of the no talent for this show for the top 12. Some people that "critics" liked I don't like. I feel that they are connecting with the song emotionally just singing the notes. Boring! One of the guys is already an Equity actor so he can most definitely do it. For me it's between two guys as who'd I like to see do the role of Danny.
I don't know why the two were invited back for a second try. If they suck let them go. Someone's got to go as I don't want to see this thing dragged out forever.
I flipped to another station for a little bit last night then flipped back in time to see one of my favorite guys come onto sing. I've grown a little bored with it myself. I want to hear them sing more Broadway type songs vs songs that aren't theatre at all. Hopefully the right two people will get the major roles in the show.

Tacky
by froggy66 @ 02/17/07, 01:05:33 AM

$$$
by froggy66 @ 02/17/07, 01:07:20 AM

They just want to save money and not have to pay an orchestra. Cheap assholes.

orchestra?
by tobiasragg @ 02/17/07, 05:11:36 PM

what does an orchestra have to do with anything? If anything, they're paying more to have an orchestra play for these few performers week after week. Let's not get carried away here.

UNFAIR
by broadwayfan3 @ 02/20/07, 05:16:55 PM

I love watching the TV shows, but I don't like the fact that these people aren't auditioning like everyone else has to!

froggy66
by bwaylvsong @ 02/21/07, 01:51:33 PM

I think froggy66 was referring to the "canned music" poll.

So sorry
by froggy66 @ 02/23/07, 04:55:44 PM

I was. Thank you bwaylvsong!

BEAM ME UP
by mhenderson8 @ 03/08/07, 10:22:42 PM

Absolutely hate this sub-stupid idea.

Phantom
by wicked_phantom @ 03/11/07, 03:52:30 PM

I have only seen John Cudia with the tour playing the phantom which is why I voted for gerry.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOPpppppps
by wicked_phantom @ 03/11/07, 03:53:58 PM

sorry wrong poll on that last message

They're Peeing on Prom Night!
by NewChaz64 @ 03/12/07, 02:59:15 PM

No one associated with this godawful reality show understands what Grease really is -- most notably (and tragically) the guy who wrote it and once knew how gritty and rough and raw it has to be to work. Instead of the rowdy, vulgar, concept musical that Grease was when it first opened (and broke all Broadway records), this will be a castrated, artificial Grease that will convince everyone that the show is just a big piece of crap. What a shame for such an authentic, insightful, adventurous piece of writing. (If you're interested, check out the website of New Line Theatre, where Grease is currently running -- www.newlinetheatre.com/greasechapter.html and www.newlinetheatre.com/greasepage.html

Publicity
by AmIOldYet @ 03/12/07, 03:00:24 PM

I don't know that a storm of out of towners circling the block to try to get in to see a revival of GREASE, which was going to have out of towners circling the block anyway, is really doing much for the "art form" one way or the other. It's not promoting musicals, it's promoting this one musical.

And lest we forget, the only reason why this show is on TV is because GREASE was an extremely popular MOVIE. We're not creating a new group of theater lovers. We're creating a group of people who want to see their favorite movie on stage.

second rate
by morganastyle @ 03/13/07, 09:31:23 PM

I hate that they are finding a way once again to take jobs away from those of us who work our ass off to work our way through the ranks. It's a joke that they think these kids are FANTASTIC. Go to northwest indiana and you will find people just like them, they are ok, but not up to broadway or off-broadway calliber, let alone brave enough to come to nyc by themselves and do it the real way.

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