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Tony Voting Problem

zainmax
Broadway Star
joined:1/12/17
Broadway Star
joined:
1/12/17
Tony Voting Problem#1
Posted: 6/11/18 at 2:24pm

FORBES says that voters break the rules re. seeing all of the nominated shows. Is this really a problem?

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marchershberg/2018/06/10/the-tony-awards-should-stick-to-the-rules/#53249a46549e

Also, I see two reasons for the lack of enforcement:
1. Bway League/ATW didn't think of it.
2. Bway League/ATW is lazy, and didn't care.

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dramamama611
Broadway Legend
joined:12/4/07
Broadway Legend
joined:
12/4/07
Tony Voting Problem#2
Posted: 6/11/18 at 2:29pm

This isn't a new problem.   It's been going on for years.   How do you verify that some 800 people have seen all the shows?   What about the shows that closed before the awards?  And what about the times the voter has seen a show before it became a nominee. 

You'd like to think people were more honest, it's a nice concept.  But it must not matter all that much - voters didn't need to see Billy Elliot 3 times to be sure they all equally deserved the nomination or win.

If we're not having fun, then why are we doing it? These are DISCUSSION boards, not mutual admiration boards. Discussion only occurs when we are willing to hear what others are thinking, regardless of whether it is alignment to our own thoughts.
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Kad
Broadway Legend
joined:11/5/05
Broadway Legend
joined:
11/5/05
Tony Voting Problem#3
Posted: 6/11/18 at 2:30pm

It hasn't been enforced because it's kind of unenforceable.

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
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bdn223
Broadway Legend
joined:6/14/08
Broadway Legend
joined:
6/14/08
Tony Voting Problem#4
Posted: 6/11/18 at 2:34pm

Honestly compared to the Grammy's, Oscars, and Emmy's the Tony's have the smallest problem when it comes to voters not experiencing all nominees prior to voting. 

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HeyMrMusic
Broadway Legend
joined:5/16/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
5/16/04
Tony Voting Problem#5
Posted: 6/11/18 at 2:40pm
Oscar voters are not shy about actively not watching some nominated films (like Brokeback Mountain).

Grammy voters vote for the same ol’ crap every year. I bet they didn’t even try to listen to Lemonade.

Emmy voters...you think they watch entire miniseries before voting? At least actors just submit one episode each, but series votes are tough when they have to watch several hours of each show just to “vote fairly.”

So yeah, the Tonys have less of a problem than the other awards shows. You can knock them all out in one or two trips to NYC.
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Tag
Broadway Legend
joined:11/19/05
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joined:
11/19/05
Tony Voting Problem#6
Posted: 6/11/18 at 2:51pm

Mandatory Tony voter selfies in front of the show curtain would solve the problem.  Hold up your ticket & program and smile, then send it to a committee representative.

zainmax
Broadway Star
joined:1/12/17
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joined:
1/12/17
Tony Voting Problem#7
Posted: 6/11/18 at 2:57pm

The article says that there is a self-reporting system. Using that is better than nothing.

ScottyDoesn'tKnow2
Broadway Legend
joined:1/22/14
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joined:
1/22/14
Tony Voting Problem#8
Posted: 6/11/18 at 3:04pm
I was thinking of ways where voters can check in with somebody who works at the theatre year round to show that they attended a show and then somebody sends a customized ballot to them for categories in which they’ve seen all of the show. However, that’s a lot of work.
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Kad
Broadway Legend
joined:11/5/05
Broadway Legend
joined:
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Tony Voting Problem#9
Posted: 6/11/18 at 3:06pm

The ATW does not have unlimited resources. There is no efficient way to make sure that every Tony voter- hundreds and hundreds of people- has seen everything.

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."
zainmax
Broadway Star
joined:1/12/17
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Tony Voting Problem#10
Posted: 6/11/18 at 4:57pm

I feel like the $2,500 charged for a Tony Award can pay for something.

Impossible2
Broadway Legend
joined:3/31/18
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joined:
3/31/18
Tony Voting Problem#11
Posted: 6/11/18 at 5:01pm

The Oscars are even worse for this.

I know someone who votes who gives his screeners to his bimbo wife and 16 year old daughter and they decide his votes.

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Yero my Hero
Broadway Legend
joined:3/27/05
Broadway Legend
joined:
3/27/05
Tony Voting Problem#12
Posted: 6/11/18 at 5:06pm
All Tony voters have to register on the Tony voter website, and they are required to enter the dates of every show they see. If they do not see everything in a category, that category is grayed out and they are unable to cast a vote.

The system is obviously not foolproof, as there is no way to be sure that the voter stated for the whole show, or that they even used the tickets under their name. But at least they are trying to enforce it. Technology will only make it easier.
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theatregoer3
Broadway Star
joined:3/8/13
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joined:
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Tony Voting Problem#13
Posted: 6/11/18 at 5:25pm
I literally JUST voted for the Emmy’s an hour ago and I haven’t seen every show that could be nominated. Not by a long shot. But I voted. And I think I made some good choices.
JSquared2
Broadway Legend
joined:3/23/17
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3/23/17
Tony Voting Problem#14
Posted: 6/11/18 at 5:56pm

Impossible2 said: "The Oscars are even worse for this.

I know someone who votes who gives his screenersto his bimbo wife and 16 year old daughter and they decide his votes.
"

 

Gee that doesn't sound like you have a personal grudge at ALL!

Impossible2
Broadway Legend
joined:3/31/18
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3/31/18
Tony Voting Problem#15
Posted: 6/11/18 at 6:04pm

JSquared2 said: "Impossible2 said: "The Oscars are even worse for this.

I know someone who votes who gives his screenersto his bimbo wife and 16 year old daughter and they decide his votes.
"



Gee that doesn't sound like you have a personal grudge at ALL!
"

Well I don't like his wife much and his daughters lovely and all, but she really shouldn't be having a say in who wins Academy Awards x

Updated On: 6/11/18 at 06:04 PM