Miassing Donna Karger

[addisondewitt2]

Posted: 4/13/17 at 10:55am

As a devotee of New York 1's ON STAGE, I have to say that the class that Donna Karger brought to the show is missing as is she. I'm sure Frank DiLella is a nice guy, but his self serving "Look what I can do" attitude is becoming a bit tiring. It is NOT the Frank Di Lella show, nor should it be. Also, have to be honest, watching young actors leave their homes and take a subway to their theater is not my idea of a good time. And the gossip guy cloaked in black, is freaking ridiculous.ON STAGE, once a staple in my weekend watching is far too cutesy and sugary for me. "Where are the clowns, send in the clowns, don't bother, they're here." Can't see this new version lasting through the summer.

[Rhoda4]

Posted: 4/13/17 at 11:46am

I agree and miss Donna on the show very much.  Where is Donna?  Was she let go from the show?   I have been wondering for quite some time and I cannot seem to find any information about it.

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 4/13/17 at 12:23pm

Refer to my thread Bloodbath at NY1 in the Off Topic threads......New owner Spectrum is saving money by getting rid of old talent and using remote cameras instead of filming in studio.

I miss Donna also and found the old format more dignified. I have a feeling however that Frank is trying to make lemonade out of the internal upheaval. They could have given Donna a respectful farewell for it would have been a classy move but perhaps Spectrum could care less.....

[Rhoda4]

Posted: 4/13/17 at 12:46pm

Very sad!   Thanks for the information.  I figured it was something along those lines.   Definitely agree that a "respectful farewell" would have shown some class.

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 4/13/17 at 12:50pm

SmoothLover said: "Refer to my thread Bloodbath at NY1 in the Off Topic threads......New owner Spectrum is saving money by getting rid of old talent and using remote cameras instead of filming in studio.

I miss Donna also and found the old format more dignified. I have a feeling however that Frank is trying to make lemonade out of the internal upheaval. They could have given Donna a respectful farewell for it would have been a classy move but perhaps Spectrum could care less.....

 

"

Interesting. I obviously know nothing. I would have thought the traveling around to remote places was more expensive than just sitting in one studio. Who knew?

And yes at the very least, a farewell episode would have been polite. 

Don't get me started on Spectrum. I know we complained a lot about time Warner but I'd take them back in a second. 

[Miss Jezebel DuPree2]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 12:42pm

I hope Donna uses this time off to get a makeover before her next TV spot... she's a hot mess!

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 4:44pm

Miss Jezebel DuPree2 said: "I hope Donna uses this time off to get a makeover before her next TV spot... she's a hot mess!"

WTF?

 

"

 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 9:01pm

I think the changes at NY1 had to do with Spectrum wanting to make the show more young and more viral, so let's produce segments they can probably just use on their national problem and share on the web. I mean, they just sent Frank and a whole team to the Olivier Awards. I'm pretty sure Frank is quite enjoying making The Frank DiLella Show Starring Frank DiLella - he can barely keep the camera off him for a second. And I'm pretty sure Broadway Whispers is Frank in a wig. Only he, Stephanie Simon, and Patrick Pacheco talk in that sing-song cadence. 

[TimesSquared]

Posted: 4/18/17 at 11:16pm

I can't stand the new On Stage. Frank DiLella's idea of an interview is a childish "Complete this sentence..." game, or "What kind of candy represents your character?" Patrick Pacheco and Donna Karger asked informed questions that showed respect for the actors' and the audience's intelligence. DiLella's shallow, gushing, fanboy silliness is grating and unwatchable. Sad we lost this show to another goofy, Richard Ridge type.

The management at Spectrum, who I'm sure don't know theater from their elbow, assume this is what "those silly theater fans" must want. 

[brdway411]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 1:14am

I miss her too. But did you meaning missing?

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 3:00am

everythingtaboo said: "I think the changes at NY1 had to do with Spectrum wanting to make the show more young and more viral, so let's produce segments they can probably just use on their national problem and share on the web. I mean, they just sent Frank and a whole team to the Olivier Awards. I'm pretty sure Frank is quite enjoying making The Frank DiLella Show Starring Frank DiLella - he can barely keep the camera off him for a second. And I'm pretty sure Broadway Whispers is Frank in a wig. Only he, Stephanie Simon, and Patrick Pacheco talk in that sing-song cadence. 

I think Frank is doing the best he can with the cut backs. There could be some sort of effort to appeal to the U Tube generation but the demographic is older. I thought the old format had a warm respect for the theater, was more intellectual  and served as a calendar for openings and what was currently  in the works. I am sure that many seasoned artists find the new format to be insipid. It reminds me of Talk Stoop. I wish they would at least go back to the formal reviews. But at least Spectrum did not cut the program all together. I also think the program would be stronger if Frank did not try to carry it all and other talent was used.      

 

Updated On: 4/19/17 at 03:00 AM

[Skimbleshanks2]

Posted: 4/19/17 at 6:18am

DILELLA is tragic ... and an awful interviewer. I've seen him host talks before and every time my husband I say "How did he get that job?!" ... his questions are painfully awkward ... ugh ...

 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/2/17 at 7:19pm

Frank DiLella was so frustrating to me on NY1's OnStage coverage this this morning. I just felt bad for Roma and Pat, I used to like when it was just those two having a conversation between the, and you could tell Roma was just uncomfortable, like she knew Frank was itching to yell out some question or retell some personal connection, so she never got the chance to really settle.

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/2/17 at 11:32pm

everythingtaboo said: "Frank DiLella was so frustrating to me on NY1's OnStage coverage this this morning. I just felt bad for Roma and Pat, I used to like when it was just those two having a conversation between the, and you could tell Roma was just uncomfortable, like she knew Frank was itching to yell out some question or retell some personal connection, so she never got the chance to really settle.

 

"

I agree but don't miss Donna and why is it all about Frank now...he's charmless and his style is so wooden.He needs a side kick someone fun not so boring like him!

[SmoothLover]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 1:16am

I do have to wonder what really went down because it is like she vanished. In all of the articles I read she was not one of network staples mentioned in the cuts. The articles were more about Shelly Goldberg, Neil Rosen and John Schiumo if I am spelling their names right.

I hope she is in good health and enjoying her time away.

As I mentioned in another thread Frank should get some broadcasting coaching.

He needs a lesson in stillness. When he talks to the camera his head wiggles around and his mouth goes in many directions. He does better when someone is asking him questions for he comes across more authentic. If he could eradicate those bad habits he would appear more professional.

And now for a non sequitur: I am in love with Michael Hertzenberg. 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 5/3/17 at 12:53pm

SmoothLover, yes to Michael Herzenberg. Can't decide which is hotter, with the beard or clean-shaven.

 

But if I had to hear Frank talk about Rachael Bay Jones at his Birdland show, or bringing back to the Olivier to Andy Karl, while poor Roma and Pat had to sit there...

[Robbie2]

Posted: 5/4/17 at 10:49pm

Now going way back...WEHT to Paul Lombardi...far more better looking and charming than Frank.

If my memory serves me correctly didn't he do theater reporting back 10 years ago or so?

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 2/9/18 at 8:39pm

"@RomaTorreNYC

To longtime fans of #OnStage, very happy to report my dear friend and colleague Donna Karger will be on this weekend to explain her sudden absence from #NY1."

 

I hope it's not bad news. That said, I gave up on The Frank DiLella Show Starring Frank DiLella some months ago (when they stopped the 9:30am airing I completely forgot about it) so I'll be checking the state of things when I tune in this weekend. 

[Papi2013]

Posted: 2/9/18 at 8:52pm

Please post a link of the program for those of us not in the city.  THANK YOU.  ??????

[broadwayjim42]

Posted: 2/10/18 at 11:16pm

Donna was back to discuss her 12-year-old daughter's serious health crisis, which began in December, 2016. Her now mostly recovered daughter was with her along with William Finn, who experienced the same brain injury. She spoke of how one of the songs from "A New Brain" helped her through and how showtunes in general helped/inspired her daughter's emotional and physical recovery, which took months and two surgeries. 

I hope we get to see more of her. The show itself has settled down since it's become the Frank show and if the old format was scripted within an inch of its life, it was visual comfort food.

 

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 2/12/18 at 9:41am

I always ask who is Frank related to (or sleeping with) to get these jobs? As others have said his interviews are strange and he doesn't even just read prompter/copy well.