ALW and Tim Rice now have EGOT’s!! Oh yeah and John Legend, too...

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 9/9/18 at 9:31pm

I’m sure people already think the EGOT is a joke, but John Legend winning is the last straw for me. http://www.playbill.com/article/andrew-lloyd-webber-tim-rice-john-legend-join-egot-club-with-jesus-christ-superstar-emmy-win

[dramamama611]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 5:08am

How is it a joke? I mean, most people dont care or even know it is a thing. And how is it a last straw ..you going to not "support" it?  All it is is a recognition.

Btw...was Legend a producer of the show?

Updated On: 9/10/18 at 05:08 AM

[ebontoyan]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 6:57am

Yes Legend was a producer of the show. And 3 other winners there were from his production company, which he recognized in the “green” room.

I think Legend had been very smart in getting his EGOT. His Tony and Emmy wins were as a show producer

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 6:59am

I am also confused by your post. Of the major televised entertainment awards only 15 people have ever managed to collect at least one of each in a competitive category. I would say that that is more cool than it is a joke.

I am also confused by your reaction to John Legend. He does very well as an artist in his genre of music, I think there is little denying that his academy award winning song was well written and fit the film beautifullyn he has produced a very well received Broadway production of an August Wilson classic, and a very well received production of a musical for television. Are you saying that his contributions as a producer don't merit an award, or that producers in general should not be awarded? Are you saying that despite his success as a recording artist that he is somehow unworthy of his Grammy awards? I ask because I am very curious as to why you seem to find his EGOT status so offensive.

[ArtMan]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 7:32am

Well, when I read the article, my thoughts were not as strong as Jorge, but I can see where he is coming from.  If you are a poster of a certain age (or know your film history)  there are a lot of our film legends over the years who never won anything (by way of Oscar and/or Emmy).  Some nominated multiple times, but never a winner.  So when I read someone like John Legend, who in my opinion, is just a so so singer, with a few hits, has achieved the EGOT status, yes I think it is surprising.  

[JP2]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 8:00am

Surprising, sure. But I'd argue he deserved every win he has achieved. Congrats to him.

[John Adams]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 8:23am

ArtMan said: "So when I read someone like John Legend, who in my opinion, is just a so so singer, with a few hits, has achieved the EGOT status, yes I think it is surprising."

Only the Grammys he's won are for performance. I can't really disagree regarding your assessment that he's "just a so so singer". Without googling, I can't think of a single song of his, so that tells you how far he is off my radar.

His Oscar was for writing the "Best Original Song" for the movie, Glory. His Tony and Emmy awards were both for producing (Jitney on Broadway and JCS for television). 

So... if it makes anyone fell better about his EGOT status (although his being the first African-American male to EGOT should be seen as an honorable and celebrated achievement IMO), 3 out of 4 awards were not performance-based. 

Your or my opinion of his vocal talent as a performer really doesn't matter. (Each to his own...) The man's obviously got additional skills that make him a multiple award honoree. Skills like: having the vision to pick projects that are potentially successful, and then to support/produce them.

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 8:56am

There’s a very good chance he’ll get a second Emmy in a few weeks for performance. I think he may be one of the few performers that will have a chance to doubt EGOT in two fields (creatively and performance wise) and maybe even do it a third time for producing.


He’s a killer talent, IMO.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 8:59am

How can this be anything other than wonderful?
It’s a remarkable achievement!

Congratulations to all!

Updated On: 9/10/18 at 08:59 AM

[quizking101]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 9:06am

There are two facts here:

1) John Legend is actually now the youngest person to ever achieve an EGOT.

2) <<edited by BWW staff>>

Updated On: 9/10/18 at 09:06 AM

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 9:31am

quizking101 said: "1) John Legend is actually now the youngest person to ever achieve an EGOT"

Actually, he’s the same age that Robert Lopez was when he achieved his EGOT: 39.

[John Adams]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 9:44am

ChildofEarth said: "I think he may be one of the few performers that will have a chance to doubt EGOT in two fields (creatively and performance wise) and maybe even do it a third time for producing."

EGOT is when an honoree receives an award in each of the 4 major entertainment awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

Being honored with an additional Emmy (perhaps you're referring to his nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie?) would not make him a "doubt [double?] EGOT" honoree.

[ScottyDoesn'tKnow2]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 9:49am

Yes, I think Robert Lopez is still the youngest one as he had just turned 39 by a week or so when he won his Oscar for "Let it Go" and thus completing the EGOT. John Legend had been 39 for about 8 months when he won his Emmy last night.

EGOT is EGOT. People in this generation or even the one previous to it are much more cognizant about it since it has become a thing. Before that, nobody really called it an EGOT nor did it really become a goal for people. People wear multiple hats and if they win for producing, it's still a win. If you want to just stick to performance awards, then you can look at the Triple Crown of Acting (Oscar, Emmy, Tony) for American awards or even only look into the subcategory of "performance" based EGOT winners, which I am sure is a thing.

As for John Legend being an EGOT winner but other great actors not being one, that whole thing just shows how winning awards really is dependent on your competition and timing (how people view you at the time v. how they view you and your competition in retrospect). Awards really are about narrative and timing as much if not more than it is actually about merit (which is subjective anyway). 

Last note, many people really do LOVE John Legend and find him to be an incredible talent, so not everyone will be as dismissive as the OP and other posters are. If you don't like it, it also says as much about your tastes v. other people's as well. Doesn't make his wins illegitimate.

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 10:13am

John Adams said: "ChildofEarth said: "I think he may be one of the few performers that will have a chance to doubt EGOT in two fields (creatively and performance wise) and maybe even do it a third time for producing."

EGOT is when an honoree receives an award in each of the 4 major entertainment awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.

Being honored with an additional Emmy (perhaps you're referring to his nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie?) would not make him a "doubt [double?] EGOT" honoree."

 

I understand what it is. What I meant (and I still believe can be easily inferred from my post, typo and all) is that he is only 39, so he will have time to win more of each - starting with his good chance of winning a second Emmy.

[John Adams]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 10:28am

ChildofEarth said: "I understand what it is. What I meant (and I still believe can be easily inferred from my post, typo and all) is that he is only 39, so he will have time to win more of each - starting with his good chance of winning a second Emmy."

"Time" doesn't earn you EGOT status. If that were the case, many actors over 60 years of age would it.

I can't say that I agree w/you regarding him having a good chance at winning a second Emmy this year. Although my heart was with him during his live performance of Gethsemane, I think there are other nominees  who's performances didn't show that level of strain...

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 10:34am

John Adams said: "ChildofEarth said: "I understand what it is. What I meant (and I still believe can be easily inferred from my post, typo and all) is that he is only 39, so he will have time to win more of each - starting with his good chance of winning a second Emmy."

"Time" doesn't earn you EGOT status. If that were the case, many actors over 60 years of age would it.

I can't say that I agree w/you regarding him having a good chance at winning a second Emmy this year. Although my heart was with him during his liveperformance of Gethsemane, I think there are other nominees who's performances didn't show that level of strain..."

I know time doesn’t earn you EGOT status, but it gives you more chances to win.

Looking over the category, his only real competition seems to be Benedict Cumberbatch and Darren Criss - neither of which are Hollywood darlings quite like Legend. And both were in shows that didn’t get the best reviews.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 10:38am

Just for the record … so what if John Legend is getting is Emmy for producing? So are Lloyd Webber and Rice. Needless to say, Scott Rudin got his EGOT (all 4 awards) for producing. … Kinda doubt Legend will win a second Emmy for ''Jesus Christ Superstar.'' Many awards pundits are predicting Darren Criss will that category for ''The Assassination of Gianni Versace.'' And if not Criss, Benedict Cumberbatch for ''Patrick Melrose.'' … And Legend won his Oscar for co-writing the song ''Glory'' (with Common) for the 2014 movie ''Selma'' - not to be confused with the 1989 movie ''Glory.''

Updated On: 9/10/18 at 10:38 AM

[John Adams]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 10:46am

ChildofEarth said: "I know time doesn’t earn you EGOT status, but it gives you more chances to win."

Like a raffle?

ChildofEarth said: "Looking over the category, his only real competition seems to be Benedict Cumberbatch and Darren Criss - neither of which are Hollywood darlings quite like Legend."

Legend is a Hollywood darling? Huh... didn't know that. 

Cumberbatch has been nominated 6 times, winning once out of his 4 nominations for Sherlock. He seems to hold more favor than Legend, although I'm happy they've honored him for his producer role with JCS.

Updated On: 9/10/18 at 10:46 AM

[John Adams]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 10:53am

Wayman_Wong said: "… And Legend won his Oscar for co-writing the song ''Glory'' (with Common) for the 2014 movie ''Selma'' - not to be confused with the 1989 movie ''Glory.''"

Copy that

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 11:06am

EGOT is EGOT, no matter the category.  How you feel about Legend's performance has nothing to do with his wins as a producer.  That's just a very odd reaction.

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 11:08am

To me, John Legend getting his EGOT isn't a joke, but the totally unnecessary creation of the 3-year-old category of Outstanding Musical Performance in Daytime TV is. This means that anyone who comes on ''Today,'' or ''Good Morning America,'' or ''Ellen,'' etc., to plug their latest song or Broadway show is Emmy-eligible.

To me, achieving an EGOT has always been a sign of someone's versatility or mastery in four different media. Often, it's a career achievement of sorts, that takes many years to accomplish. Lloyd Webber and Rice just completed their EGOT after 38 years.

This new Daytime Emmy makes it that much easier to get an EGOT. For instance, just take Cynthia Erivo (''The Color Purple'' ) and Ben Platt (''Dear Evan Hansen'' ). They won their Tony for performing a musical on Broadway; their Grammy for doing its cast album, and their Emmy for plugging said musical on ''Today.''

So they are now only an Oscar away from their EGOT … in only a matter of a couple of years for the same artistic property.

Updated On: 9/10/18 at 11:08 AM

[devonian.t]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 11:30am

I'm not always his greatest fan, but I think ALW has earned his EGOT!  And Tim Rice twice over!

[John Adams]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 11:42am

Wayman_Wong said: "[...]To me, achieving an EGOT has always been a sign of someone's versatility or mastery in four different media. Often, it's a career achievement of sorts, that takes many years to accomplish. Lloyd Webber and Rice just completed their EGOT after 38 years.

This new Daytime Emmy makes it that much easier to get an EGOT. For instance, just take Cynthia Erivo (''The Color Purple'' ) and Ben Platt (''Dear Evan Hansen'' ). They won their Tony for performing a musical on Broadway; their Grammy for doing its cast album, and their Emmy for plugging said musical on ''Today.''"

I see your point and I agree. If I had my 'druthers, the new Daytime Emmy wouldn't exit (it would be a Clio, instead). 

[MadsonMelo]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 11:43am

Also, it's important to know that Legend WANTED to get the EGOT status.

After he won the Oscar, he was strategically with the projects that he was envolved. His producing credits in Jitney and the making of JCS wasn't by ''faith'', he wanted that.

His wife made that very clear.


Alan Menken want an Emmy really bad, but he just can't win.

[broadwaynerdnewbie]

Posted: 9/10/18 at 11:51am

Most award pundits think that the acting Emmy is Darren Criss’es to lose. And EGOT is an EGOT just becsuse you don’t like someone or how they achieved it doesn’t make it any less real or special. Moreover why do people care like?