SOM adds 3 million delayed viewers- Page 2

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 9:33pm

Really? Wow. Thanks for the update.

[Platypus]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 9:42pm

A bit more about her response to the criticism: http://www.contactmusic.com/article/carrie-underwood-sound-of-music-live-performance_3987516

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 10:04pm

"I wonder if Carrie was the draw or was it The Sound of Music? ( maybe both?)"

For the majority of the 20 million viewers, it was Carrie.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 11:17pm

And I made sure to tell all 3 mil that this was the "original production staging"...so that no one would get caught unaware of this "important fact" and talk about it, causing a series of ludicrous accusations that would totally ruin one's credibility. :)

Updated On: 12/11/13 at 11:17 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 12/11/13 at 11:20pm

At least they spared you the death penalty.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 12:08am

Maybe PB needz Jeezis.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 12:14am

Or just some extra time and effort to actually check her facts and verify her findings. Since it appears that she's a teaching artist and writer, I'd expect that. At least. But perhaps not.

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 8:16am

For the majority of the 20 million viewers, it was Carrie.

Carrie in concert wouldn't have drawn 21 million viewers.

It was three things ... Carrie, The Sound of Music, and live.

If NBC wants to repeat that formula they need "big star" in "big familiar show" and live. It takes all three.

Updated On: 12/12/13 at 08:16 AM

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 9:16am

Absolutely, Besty. But I'm comfortable with suggesting that Carrie brought in the lions share of viewers and, at the very least, the highly sought after Middle America demographic. Without a doubt.

[madbrian]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 9:22am

But, that Middle America demographic might also be brought in by the show. While SOM doesn't have an 'American' hook, Oklahoma, Annie Get Your Gun, or The Music Man all do.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 9:29am

I do not completely disagree (and we were discussing SOM - not a future show), though I still firmly believe that only a music or film superstar could actually attract over 20 million viewers to a live musical theatre broadcast. As much as I love this art form, I'm not giving it as much credit as you are. I'm more inclined to give it to the star billing.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 9:32am

Glad that millions more have gotten to see SOM. Looking forward to see what surprises they come up with next year. (not meant to be sarcastic). I agree with Best12bars.

"Or just some extra time and effort to actually check her facts and verify her findings. Since it appears that she's a teaching artist and writer, I'd expect that. At least. But perhaps not." ~ Lisa

Yep, EVERY BWW msg. board poster should always fact check every post for accuracy, grammER, content etc. prior to posting. I sure learned that. (psstt I'm not a teaching artist, which most people who know me know this. Perhaps check your facts, before posting). Please don't follow my example of theatrical ignorance. Don't want anyone else to lose credibility here. See how easy it is to be 'uninformed" once or twice LOL!

PS: Namo, I've resurrected myself so often here you could call me Mrs. Lazarus! Have a great day.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 9:33am

I don't see why the fact that it was live was such a big draw. Does Saturday Night Live pull in 21 million viewers?

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 9:50am

I'm not sure why this is so hard to grasp. None of the three components alone is "such a big draw" as to see 21 million viewers tune in (or record it).

Carrie Underwood alone (meaning a concert special on TV) wouldn't draw 21 million viewers.
The Sound of Music alone (meaning no big stars, or even an airing of the 1965 film) wouldn't draw 21 million today.
A live production alone (as you say, SNL does it every week) won't draw 21 million viewers.

You put the three together, and because they are combined, you get 21 million people to watch.

It's not the individual components that get that audience. It's the sum total.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 3:12pm

"And I made sure to tell all 3 mil that this was the "original production staging"...so that no one would get caught unaware of this "important fact" and talk about it, causing a series of ludicrous accusations that would totally ruin one's credibility."

You seem to claim to be well versed in the industry, yet somehow you seem completely unaware that the film and stage versions differ. I know you said you saw a wonderful production at the Walnut Street Theatre that remained true to what ever you think The Sound of Music should be. My only guess is that you saw a preview performance in 2002. A cease-and-desist letter was promptly issued and the cast underwent emergency rehearsals to restore the show to its original form. As seen here:

"This is the second time this season Walnut Street's Sound of Music has run afoul of R&H. A representative of the writers' estates attended a preview performance of the show and found that director Charles Abbott had interpolated scenes from the film into the stage libretto, which was a violation of two copyrights — Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse wrote the libretto and Ernest Lehman the screenplay. A cease-and-desist letter was issued by R&H and the troupe went into an emergency rehearsal to restore the show within 24 hours of the letter, which was the day before opening night." playbill.com

You went on a tirade about something you knew very little about, and you caught hell for it. Put it behind you and move on. There is no need to bring it up every time someone brings up this TV production in a thread, especially since it is you that it casts in a negative light.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 3:32pm

Amen, Jimmy. Well said.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 4:37pm

Haven't a billion people or so worldwide seen the movie? I don't understand the need to discount the fact that name itself must have brought in quite a few million viewers on its own.

[PB ENT.]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 5:38pm

Jimmy, it was a joke! I was making light of the past situation because I thought it was such an overblown reaction to one person's message board posts/opinions, especially after I addressed my comments. Seems Namo is the only person on this thread who got this. I thought the stink blew over and made a joke about the 3 mil people. Guess I was wrong again. Damn! So OK...here goes... hopefully for the last boring attempt.

"You seem to claim to be well versed in the industry, yet somehow you seem completely unaware that the film and stage versions differ. I know you said you saw a wonderful production at the Walnut Street Theatre that remained true to what ever you think The Sound of Music should be. My only guess is that you saw a preview performance in 2002. .

1. I never made claims to be "well versed in the industry". These are your words. I'm an agent/reviewer/producer. Someone just posted that I was a "teaching artist". What are you people talking about? I have a full website with a profile. It's listed. It would be nice if people would also check their facts before attempting to bury a person. Many people here don't know me or read my column, because I rarely post here, anymore.
This is totally fine with me. My credibility does NOT hinge on the BWW posters. (thank god), but lies with the theater people I work with. This is a blog style opinion message board NOT a published review column, where I have all my ducks in a row and do the research I need to produce a product that thousands of Philly/NJ/NY people have read since 2001.

2. RE: Walnut St. production: What was the purpose of bringing that up again? I only cover Opening Night performances or beyond. So I have no idea why you would "guess that it was a preview performance", unless you needed an excuse to try to chime in with others attempts to pounce on this...again. I was there, Opening Night. Yes, it was the original staging, to the best of my recollection as it was 10 years ago! After covering hundreds of shows since then it's not exactly fresh in my mind. I'm not a walking theater encyclopedia or like some who keep mental stats like a baseball fan, though apparently that's seem to be protocol for some. Theater does not encompass my world, thankfully.

3. Once again, I was not aware that the NBC production had chosen the original staging until I tuned in to the show. I did not plan to watch it. Obviously I became aware of it early on. What about this fact is NOT getting through here? I like some of the original stagings but not all. Is that OK?
Yes, I made some comments on the board that I didn't clarify and think through before posting. Afterwards, they were clearly addressed and admitted as a shortcoming on my part and I MOVED ON. What part of this needs restating?. Obviously some here have a bug up their butt about me or my postings nit picking and choosing to beat a dead horse. Have at it folks. I've lost interest in playing defense beyond what I've already said. Even I'm sick of hearing myself. This place is NOT fun or even interesting anymore...hasn't been for a long time. Small wonder why many people hide/change their true identity here(which I've never understood) or why many industry people think so little of the nonsense that is discussed on public forums.

RIP SOM...keeping my shovel handy for the next burial attempt. Off to better things.

Updated On: 12/12/13 at 05:38 PM

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 7:57pm

For all her talk about who needs Jebus, do you think Carrie Underwood knows the SOM was written largely (or entirely) by Jews? I was sort of on her side until that tweet.

I know of nothing in the Gospels that suggests Jesus can cure bad acting.

[Liza's Headband]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 8:10pm

I think you're taking that tweet a bit too seriously. All things considered, Carrie Underwood is very liberal and has been known to voice those views. Why would she have a problem with Jews? Did you know there are Christians who are friendly with Jews? It exists, you know..

[SNAFU]

Posted: 12/12/13 at 10:19pm

So we have 3 Million Rubberneckers to a train wreck in this country, who know?

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 12/13/13 at 4:40am

I finally saw it last night via nbc.com

Benanti, McDonald, Borle and Rinehart walked away with this. Underwood was too stiff, I guess her nerves got the best of her and it came through in her performance. too bad because she is an excellent singer. Moyer should have softened up a bit, his Captain was just way too uptight. Production values were top notch. It was a very nice effort and I am glad it was done. Can't wait to see what they come up with next year.

[darquegk]

Posted: 12/13/13 at 9:48am

For those who seem to be taking the Jesus tweet too literally, "y'all need Jesus, " or more commonly, "y'all mothaf*ckas need Jesus" is a common idiom, especially in the south, for "you need to calm down and check yourself."

[best12bars]

Posted: 12/13/13 at 9:53am

But everybody takes Jesus comments literally, especially on message boards.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 12/13/13 at 11:12am

Then it sounds like Carrie is actually the one who needs Jesus, then.