NBC’s HAIR LIVE pulled from schedule

[jacobsnchz14]

NBC is no longer moving forward with its planned live version of the musical Hair.

Live musicals are a part of this networks DNA and we are committed to continuing that tradition with the right show at the right time, said Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks, co-chairmen of NBC Entertainment. Since these shows are such enormous undertakings, we need titles that have a wide appeal and were in the process of acquiring the rights to a couple of new shows that were really excited about.

Hair was originally set to air on NBC on May 19, which would have put it up against a number of other television events, including the series finale of Game of Thrones. According to an individual with knowledge of the decision, NBC is not completely abandoning live musicals, but will no longer plan on airing them as regularly as they have in the past.


The announcement also comes after Foxs live version of Rent brought in the lowest ratings ever for a live broadcast musical. The show averaged just a 1.4 rating in adults 18-49 and 3.4 million viewers. By comparison, when NBC staged Sound of Music in 2013the first live broadcast musicalthe show pulled in a 4.6 rating and 18.6 million viewers.

NBC had previously announced they would also stage live versions of A Few Good Men and Bye Bye Birdie. Jennifer Lopez was set to star in Bye Bye Birdie but the production was pushed back multiple times. Alec Baldwin was at one point attached to A Few Good Men, but that project also remains in limbo and Baldwin is no longer involved.

https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/hair-live-nbc-1203128419/

[ljay889]

Good news, if you ask me.

[Jordan Catalano]

Thank God.

[Miles2Go2]

Wonder if the was reaction to the poor reception to Fox’s Rent.

[BwayLB]

As long as NBC goes back to family friendly musicals I can live with it. Maybe Guys And Dolls or Meredith Wilson’s The Music Man

[temms]

I never for a microsecond believed this would actually happen.

[jacobsnchz14]

It’s not a wide appeal, but can I get either this or a film adaptation of Sunday in the Park with Jake Gyllenhaal? I just wanna hear him sing and make sure the world knows this.

[BrodyFosse123]

ANNIE: Live!

[SmoothLover]

It was a poor choice of material.

[LuPita2]

Knew this would happen after the terrible Rent ratings.  

[BwayLB]

BrodyFosse123 said: "ANNIE: Live!
"

I would not be too surprised if Neil Meron would be willing to do Annie again after he and Craig Zadan (RIP) produced the Wonderful World of Disney remake 20 years ago. Just use the original libretto out of respect for Thomas Meehan, a newcomer as Annie, an all star cast and Leapin Lizards.

[JBroadway]

temms said: "I never for a microsecond believed this would actually happen."

 

Really? I, for one, have no trouble believing they would go through with a misguided TV Broadcast. It's not like it would be the first time. 

Also, more broadly speaking, with all the terrible projects being produced these days in the world of theatre, I'm beginning to become numb to it. It no longer surprises me when people throw money at an obviously terrible enterprise. 

[Call_me_jorge]

I hope Netflix sees this as an opportunity to fill the void and film more theatre/broadway related content for themselves.

[Jordan Catalano]

ANNIE would be a very smart choice, especially at Christmas time. Get SJP as Hannigan and you got yourself a hit.

[jacobsnchz14]

Legally Blonde: The Musical Live starring Dove Cameron

Evita Live starring Lady Gaga

[QueenAlice]

Such a smart choice on NBC’s part. Obviously the failure of RENT both in ratings and to successfully edit an adult musical for network television influenced this. NBC should stick with family fare for these.

[Hairspray0901]

Can’t say this is surprising. This is one of my favorite musicals but I can count at least 20 reasons it wouldn’t work for a live musical on a family friendly television network...

[CapnHook]

NBC was stupid to greenlight this from the start. You cannot do HAIR on a network that censors the majority of the show. Let Netflix get in the game of producing these theatre events.

NBC should do 1776. Or GHOST. Or SISTER ACT. Or OKLAHOMA. Or RAGTIME.

[After Eight]

"NBC is no longer moving forward with its planned live version of the musical Hair."

 

Good.

Just what we didn't need: a glorification of that fetid entity known as the counter-culture.

[kelsey1389]

Disappointed (I'm dying for this show to reach a new audience) but not surprised. It's my favorite, but it wouldn't work for TV. Maybe HBO could pull it off, since they wouldn't have to censor it as much as NBC.

[disneybroadwayfan22]

The hard truth is nobody wants live musicals. Period. Theres always complaining. There is always something to bitch about. The musical isnt right. This actor is terrible. The camera work is wrong. Blah blah blah. RENT Live and its ratings are proof: No likes them or wants them. And NBC is getting the message.

[LuPita2]

^ I disagree.  The Sound of Music, The Wiz, and Jesus Christ Superstar were all excellent.  

[luvcaroline]

CapnHook said: "NBC was stupid to greenlight this from the start. You cannot do HAIR on a network that censors the majority of the show. Let Netflix get in the game of producing these theatre events.

NBC should do 1776. Or GHOST. Or SISTER ACT. Or OKLAHOMA. Or RAGTIME. "

I want all of those!

[BwayLB]

First of all Sister Act would have to be done by ABC since it’s a Disney/Buena Vista property. Secondly I won’t mind Oklahoma either.

[degrassifan]

disneybroadwayfan22 said: "The hard truth is nobody wants live musicals. Period. Theres always complaining. There is always something to bitch about. The musical isnt right. This actor is terrible. The camera work is wrong. Blah blah blah. RENT Live and its ratings are proof: No likes them or wants them. And NBC is getting the message."

Not true. People are going to complain no matter what. Same with film musicals. Just because some people didn't like Mary Poppins Returns doesn't mean they should stop making movie musicals. I welcome these musicals with open arms, and I hope they never stop producing them. Also, as someone else pointed out, The Sound of Music, The Wiz, and Jesus Christ Superstar were all excellent. Going to throw Grease in there as well. I enjoyed Hairspray Live too!