Is NBC going to continue to do live musical specials?

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:01pm

I was just wondering, I know that both Craig Zadan and Neil Meron were the big reasons why NBC started to do live musicals. However, they are sadly no longer with us. And, while I know that Hair (despite being a very  bad choice) was next up for them. Is that still going to happen, or any other future NBC musicals? Just curious is all.

[lise3]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:06pm

Neil Meron isn't dead. 

[JSquared2]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:06pm

Neil Meron is very much still with us --- unless you know something we don't??

[BwayLB]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:17pm

Its Craig Zadan Who is dead. And yes I want more NBC live musicals

[MrsSallyAdams]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:22pm

Ratings continue to drop but they get press and album sales from the events. As long as the folks who love musicals can pitch them as financially viable they'll keep trying. Problem is there aren't many more musicals that are suitable for this format.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:26pm

Also, the colossally low rated RENT: Live! was on FOX not NBC.

This question should be directed at FOX not NBC.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:28pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Also, the colossally low rated RENT: Live! was on FOX not NBC.

This question should be directed at FOX not NBC."

I hope NBC and FOX discontinue their live musicals. 

[Kad]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:29pm

With the exception of their Grease, Fox's broadcasts have all done substantially poorer than NBC's. 

Updated On: 1/28/19 at 01:29 PM

[Littleshopofcarrie]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:30pm

Especially following the massive success of JCS, yes.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:31pm

I thought NBC was also supposed to do Bye Bye Birdie with Jennifer Lopez and that got moved from 2018 to 2019? I haven't heard anything recently about it but they might be keeping that on the down low until Hair is over.

[zainmax]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:38pm

Yes. Bye Bye Birdie is supposedly in the works with A Few Good Men.

Realistically, without Greenblatt, NBC probably won't be too committed to these events in the future. They're not profitable for them! https://www.forbes.com/sites/marchershberg/2018/09/27/nbc-executives-exit-bodes-badly-for-future-theatre-series/

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:45pm

Jennifer Lopez did mention recently on WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE that BYE BYE BIRDIE is still on her agenda. She stated that scheduling is the issue but shes excited about doing it. No mention whatsoever on when its hoped for.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:46pm

That's interesting. I would have thought that Bruce Evans would be a fan of this type of content as well. He worked closely with Greenblatt for years.

[Call_me_jorge]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:52pm

Even if Neil were to die or stop producing these, wed still have Marc Platt doing it.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:58pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Jennifer Lopez did mention recently on WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE that BYE BYE BIRDIE is still on her agenda. She stated that scheduling is the issue but shes excited about doing it. No mention whatsoever on when its hoped for."

I can't think of one good reason why a Jennifer Lopez led live musical version of "Bye Bye Birdie" is even needed. 

[zainmax]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 1:59pm

RWPrincess said: "That's interesting. I would have thought that Bruce Evans would be a fan of this type of content as well. He worked closely with Greenblatt for years."

I don't know of Bruce Evans. Did he work on the musicals?

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 2:37pm

zainmax said: "RWPrincess said: "That's interesting. I would have thought that Bruce Evans would be a fan of this type of content as well. He worked closely with Greenblatt for years."

I don't know of Bruce Evans. Did he work on the musicals?"

I'm not sure but he worked under Greenblatt for years and then was promoted into his role. They always seemed to be on the same page about shows I follow.

 

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 2:46pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Jennifer Lopez did mention recently on WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE that BYE BYE BIRDIE is still on her agenda. She stated that scheduling is the issue but shes excited about doing it. No mention whatsoever on when its hoped for. "

Yeah, this was actually supposed to happen in 2017. But then she was juggling a tour and also her (since ended) series Shades Of Blue. In the meantime, she also got World Of Dance off and running on the same station. 

 

[BPstan]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 2:54pm

I don't see Bye, Bye happening at this point.

[LightsOut90]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 3:27pm

Why does no one remember that NBC is doing HAIR on May 19th..... https://www.nbc.com/hair-live

[sparksatmidnight]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 3:39pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Also, the colossally low rated RENT: Live! was on FOX not NBC.

This question should be directed at FOX not NBC."

No one suggested otherwise.

About the number of musicals suitable for the format, Fox seems to be taking care of it. It is rumoured they're going after original jukebox musicals next, since they can spend less, have more control and win more money that way during and after (if, say, they decide to put it on Broadway)

[BwayLB]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 4:50pm

quizking101 said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "Jennifer Lopez did mention recently on WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE that BYE BYE BIRDIE is still on her agenda. She stated that scheduling is the issue but shes excited about doing it. No mention whatsoever on when its hoped for. "

Yeah, this was actually supposed to happen in 2017. But then she was juggling a tour and also her (since ended) series Shades Of Blue. In the meantime, she also got World Of Dance off and running on the same station.

"

Get someone younger for Rosie

[SomethingPeculiar]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 5:36pm

RWPrincess said: "zainmax said: "RWPrincess said: "That's interesting. I would have thought that Bruce Evans would be a fan of this type of content as well. He worked closely with Greenblatt for years."
"I don't know of Bruce Evans. Did he work on the musicals?"
"I'm not sure but he worked under Greenblatt for years and then was promoted into his role. They always seemed to be on the same page about shows I follow."

Robert Greenblatt was personally responsible for the Broadway-related stuff on NBC: SMASH (which he championed and brought over from Showtime) and the live musicals. He loves theatre and had previously lead-produced on Broadway. (He was also the first and only openly gay broadcast TV president.) I don't know if his successor shares all the same passions.

The NYT said Neil Meron and Greenblatt might start a new producing venture together. I feel like if Greenblatt, as producer, went to his old network with a pitch, they would welcome him with open arms, barring a ridiculous proposal.

[LS7188]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 10:30pm

sparksatmidnight said: "BrodyFosse123 said: "Also, the colossally low rated RENT: Live! was on FOX not NBC.

This question should be directed at FOX not NBC."

No one suggested otherwise.

About the number of musicals suitable for the format, Fox seems to be taking care of it. It is rumoured they're going after original jukebox musicals next, since they can spend less, have more control and win more money that way during and after (if, say, they decide to put it on Broadway)"

Hmm, interesting. I say, why not give that format a few tries... It might be fun, given the right people involved.

[zainmax]

Posted: 1/29/19 at 12:37am

Here's more info: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marchershberg/2019/01/27/why-rent-might-be-foxs-last-broadway-musical/

I agree with you SomethingPeculiar. Greenblatt should do something on Bway!