Worst Speech of the Tonys

[StickToPriest]

My vote would have to go to Sater, without a doubt.

[wickedfan]

Sater or Crudup's. I really disliked Crudup's.

[Weez]

I liked Crudup's.

I thought Jennifer Ehle was massively unprepared. She may not have been, but she definitely came across as such.

[Mr Roxy]

All those who went on & on & thanked everyone but the gut on the corner selling hot dogs

[D2]

I would have to agree about Sater - it was especially galling when he went on and on when the show won for Best Score. By all rights Duncan Sheik should have spoken first, and longest.

[LouieLovesTheater]

I just found Sater's speech to be very uncomfortable to watch -- he looked like he was having some sort of breakdown...I ended up Fast Forwarding though both of his speeches.

Bill T. Jones had another speech I fast-forwarded through most of...just making his way to the stage I got a bit annoyed.

[christhefish]

Christine Ebersole - Flat, Kinda Rehersed Sounding (But I Guess You Have Time To Do That When Your Name Has Been Engraved On The Trophy For Over A Year)

[Mr Roxy]

True True

[wonderfulwizard11]

I didn't like Sater's speech. Really, I dislike any where people just go on and on thanking people. It gets rather boring.

[bwaygal1]

Christine's speech was excellent.
At least it was much less selfish and self-centered than Duncan Sheik who never acknowledged the cast who brought his material to life. The same could be said of Sater.

[TapTapTapioca]

Jennifer Ehle.

[Weez]

Also, I know this doesn't technically fall under the "speech" category, but I cringed massively every time the Jersey Boys were allowed to speak. The only one who could be trusted to not come out with something horrifically cringe-worthy during the early technical awards was John Lloyd Young. The others just made me feel uncomfortable, especially all the "and Harvey Fierstein". XP

[Dirty_Rotten_Guy]

Jack O'Brien's speech

just pretty boring. and the whole "and let's not hear about the state of American theatre" was kind of random, for his speech at least.

[LouieLovesTheater]

Well Christine had to know she was going to win...so I'm not shocked she knew exactly what she wanted to say.
As for Most Prepared & Rehearsed Speech ever. I would rate that a tie between Phylicia Rashad for Raisin in the Sun (I think she thought she was doing a one-woman Maya Angelou reading instead of accepting a Tony) and John Lloyd Young last year. Both seemed like they had been rehearsing their speeches all day long.

[mattonstage]

Sater was a little off. But I really don't begrudge anyone their speeches. It's a special moment for them, and honest emotion always wins me over. I can't imagine what I would ever say in a situation like that. I would hope I was witty or moving, but who knows? You can't really say how it is unless your up there.

[jv92]

Steven Sater and Bill T. Jones annoyed the crap out of me, Sater more than anyone. I thought most of the others were genuine though.

[TheActr97J]

I was annoyed that Sater hardly let Sheik speak after they won Best Score.

[Kevinoes]

Ben Vereen and Usher, egging each other on... and they weren't even up for awards. I wanted to punch both of them. And sorry, but Usher trying to say how "honored" he was to be there: he has no place on Broadway to me.

[StageFan2]

Sater for me too. He just gave me the willies. Duncan Sheik gave me the weirds too, but not because of anything he said. It's the way his beard is crawling his neck...just weirds me out.

[CurtainPullDowner]

Totally Sater, he makes me very uncomfortable.
And I got something to tell his "wife".

[jv92]

"Ben Vereen and Usher, egging each other on... and they weren't even up for awards. I wanted to punch both of them. And sorry, but Usher trying to say how "honored" he was to be there: he has no place on Broadway to me."

Pippin was his introduction to the business? Ha! Wasn't he something like three when it opened on Broadway? I doubt he was honored too.
Vereen was amusing bowing down to Christine Ebersole. He should have just presented the award alone though.

[mattonstage]

I hope "Audrey" McDonald slapped Usher at the after-party.

[gustof777]

Ebersole's. Love her and she definiltley deserved it but it was way to rehearsed and boring.

[jv92]

"As for Most Prepared & Rehearsed Speech ever. I would rate that a tie between Phylicia Rashad for Raisin in the Sun (I think she thought she was doing a one-woman Maya Angelou reading instead of accepting a Tony)"

I loved her speech. It was one of the very best I've ever heard.

As for Ebersole's-
She was fine. She gave a good speech. Did you want her to start crying? Did you want her to say she was shocked? No. She was gracious and wonderful.

[popculture37]

Between Sater, Ehle, and Ebersole.
I actually kinda liked Bill T. Jones's speech, or at least the happy dance he did right before it. He seemed more thrilled than anybody else up there.