"Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot." -- Boy George (on TABOO)
"Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot." -- Boy George (on TABOO)
#1"Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot." -- Boy George (on TABOO)
Posted: 4/26/08 at 12:33pm
I'm watching a Compilation DVD of Broadway Clips from TV, and I'm watching THE TODAY SHOW and just before a performance, Meredith Viera is interviewing Boy George and Euan Morton and the subject of the reviews came up, and Boy George had the following to say:
MEREDITH: And the reviews weren't too positive...
BG: Not by every critic, only by those without taste. Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idiot.
After seeing this, and watching SHOW BUSINESS: THE ROAD TO BROADWAY documentary, it seems as if I somehow missed a huge bit of drama back in 2003-2004? I'm only aware that Rosie had the magazine lawsuit at the same time she produced the show...
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#2re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 12:41pm
Well, he's right. And his being right has to do with more than Taboo. Riedel isn't a critic. He's a gossip columnist who wishes he was.
But to answer your question, Riedel basically put the Taboo cast and creatives in a fishbowl; because they didn't have an out-of-town tryout, their entire tweaking process happened in New York, and with insider info, he was able to find out what was going wrong and stuff. It was not much unlike what he's still doing, where he sort of picks a pet show and sets out to destroy it but the drama was elevated because there was such a major celebrity with such a major lawsuit involved.
#2re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 12:56pm
Thanks! I figured that's about what happened.
Also - look what I dug up on the Tube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqKA0Tzjm4Q
"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
--Aristotle
#3re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 1:11pmAnd along with that was the Avenue Q controversy. Which I really wish had been addressed in the documentary.
Just give the world Love.
#4re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 1:19pmThanks for posting that!
#5re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 1:23pm
I don't think Riedel wants to be a critic. For starters, he doesn't have the writing skills, but I do think he likes “stirring the pot” and making headlines where there really aren't any. I have long suspected that many of his “insider tips” are actually fed by press agents just hoping to get some mileage out of his mentions – good or bad.
He is opinionated, but he loves getting free tickets to shows, he loves the theatre - good theatre - and he loves stimulating discussion.
Years ago Walter Winchell did the same thing but since his passing there really hasn't been a Broadway gossip gatherer. Riedel, obviously, wants to have the power and intimidation that Winchell had in his day. What Riedel doesn’t have is Winchell’s extensive grasp of language and ability to twist words and coin unique phrases.
Cast albums are NOT "soundtracks."
Live theatre does not use a "soundtrack." If it did, it wouldn't be live theatre!
I host a weekly one-hour radio program featuring cast album selections as well as songs by cabaret, jazz and theatre artists. The program, FRONT ROW CENTRE is heard Sundays 9 to 10 am and also Saturdays from 8 to 9 am (eastern times) on www.proudfm.com
#6re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 1:27pmVery cool video. Thanks for posting! I love that version of "Out of Fashion". That white hat he is wearing gives me flashbacks to that reverse dress thing Celine Dion wore to some awards show with the white hat!
Just give the world Love.
#7re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 1:37pmHe sells papers. Love him or hate him, we all read him.
....but the world goes 'round
Ed_Mottershead
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#8re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 2:01pm
Winchell's grasp on the American public at-large was much greater than Riedel's because his column was syndicated across the country. And his comments were not limited to the theatre -- he took on politics, was a Red-baiter and homophobe (always making cute comments like "phagville"), destroyed the careers of many gifted artists, and was a totally despicable person. His luck finally gave way in the 1950's, where he was finally reduced to doing a gossip column, of sorts, in Variety. His son committed suicide (of course, no mention of that in his column). He died a tortured, lonely, reviled person whose passing was cheered by many. Totally loathsome bastard. The character that Burt Lancaster plays in Sweet Smell of Success was presumably based on Winchell.
BroadwayEd
Updated On: 4/26/08 at 02:01 PM
MrsVampyre
Stand-by Joined: 8/26/06
#9re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 2:11pm
Michael Riedel isn't a critic, but he is a voting member for the Tonys. He's a gossip columnist. But, he loves the theatre, and his column does at least gets the theatre exposure. In real life he's actually a nice man, and loves to talk about the theatre.. the shows, and not about the people. His column is an act, and he likes to play the "bad boy".
As far as the Avenue Q controvesry.... It was up against Wicked, which was a big budget show by comparison. Typically, the Tony's go to shows with "road appeal". What the people from Avenue Q did was write a song that was sent to the Tony voters.. asking them to vote their hearts. Technically, campaigning for an award isn't within the Tony rules, and is frowned upon. What Avenue Q did was limited in scoope and not considered campaigning in the true from of the concept. It was just a song.
I saw both shows that year, and Wicked deserved the Tony nod, but not the win. The staging was/is more or less typical. The music has some memorible songs. But it was a standard big Broadway production. Avenune Q, was creative with the use of the puppets, fresh,new, and not a big budget production. The music was just as good if not better than Wicked, which is why it deserved the win over Wicked.
#10re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 2:15pm
being a brit, i think the main trouble with taboo was that it was a very british show with very british humour, and i presume unless you are a gay, you wouldn't have gone to see it. and i iamgine it was probably made a little worse as they'll have tried to make it more american.
a little like why rent doesn't really work over in the UK, its too american for the average theatregoer to understand
"Lateness is a choice" - Sir Trevor Nunn
MrsVampyre
Stand-by Joined: 8/26/06
#11re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 2:25pm
Taboo's biggest problem.. was Roise O'Donnell. She was a nightmare, and kept telling the creative team how to do the show.
She was very disruptive to the show, but supporive of the cast and concept. She simply didn't know enough about the business, and when to step back and follow the advice she was given.
Ed_Mottershead
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#12re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 2:30pm
I saw Taboo in late previews and found it fascinating with some great performances. I come a family whose lineage goes back to way before the American Revolution, so I don't think its being too British was a factor. And some very gay-themed shows have done very nicely over here. No, I think the problem stemmed from a hard-to-follow book, which I felt was rife with confusions. But a fascinating show.
BroadwayEd
Updated On: 4/26/08 at 02:30 PM
#13re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 2:47pmI saw it about two weeks before it closed, and I don't think the Broadway version was "too British," or inaccessible to American audiences. All of the restructuring that was done turned what had been a solid story into a mess with loose ends that never got tied. That's what turned people off, I think. The story was difficult to follow. It's sad to think what might have been with that show.
BkCollector
Broadway Star Joined: 2/6/08
#14re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 2:49pmI don't read him, but he is an idiot.
BkCollector
Broadway Star Joined: 2/6/08
#15re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 2:49pmI don't read him, but he is an idiot.
#16re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 2:54pm
the original book had quite a decent plot going for it, but what confused me when they took it to broadway is they took 'touched by the hand of cool' out of it, which in alot of peoples eyes was one of the best songs in the show.
but on the other hand, alot of the song arrangements were changed and ended up being alot more powerful. and the ensemble numbers had been made alot bigger than in the uk, particularly 'i'll have you all', ehich was a big improvement on the uk version.
it is a shame it didnt work in the usa though, as it is a fantastic show.
"Lateness is a choice" - Sir Trevor Nunn
#17re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 3:56pmIf you don't read him then how do you know?
....but the world goes 'round
#18re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 4:11pm
" I come a family whose lineage goes back to way before the American Revolution"
...because no one else can say that.
-Benjamin
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
--http://www.benjaminadgate.com/
#19re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 4:17pm
I love me some Riedel.
He may be a bitch but he's no idiot!
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
#20re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 4:55pm
I loved Taboo and wish I saw it more than 4 times. I didn't find it too British either.
One thing Rosie did towards killing the show was to cut scenes which developed characters so that we could know and/or care about them. That was one of the main criticisms back then-that there was no character development.
<-----I'M TOTES ROLLING MY EYES
Ed_Mottershead
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#21re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 5:09pm
B3, the point I was making is that my family can trace its roots to before the American Revolution. Why do you say "...because no one else can say that."? They did keep records in pre-Revolutionary days and some of my ancestors were buried before 1776. I know because I've seen their grave sites. Explain, please.
BroadwayEd
Updated On: 4/26/08 at 05:09 PM
#22re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 5:24pm
" I come a family whose lineage goes back to way before the American Revolution"
...because no one else can say that.
Actually, not that many people can; most of America's population immigrated in the 1800s. Not sure what this claim has to do with a sense of humor; I've only heard it discussed at WASP dinner parties where it's touted as a status symbol and I would hardly recognize them for their knowledge of comedy.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never knowing how
Wanting life but never knowing how
Ed_Mottershead
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/20/05
#23re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 5:38pm
Orange Skittles, FYI:
Your statement that "most" Americans immigrated (BYW, the word is "emigrated") after the 18th Century is incorrect. Your claim about WASPs would certainly not be applicable to my past, whose families were farmers who would be considered lower middle class in today's jargon. The family settled in North Carolina somewhere in the latter part of the 17th Century. My only point in the whole comment was regarding the assumption that only a British person could appreciate the humor. Please mind your own business and speak not of what you don't know in the future.
BroadwayEd
Updated On: 4/26/08 at 05:38 PM
#24re: 'Michael Riedel is not a critic, he's an idot.' -- Boy George (on TABOO
Posted: 4/26/08 at 6:01pmMrsVampyre, the Avenue Q campaign was a bit more than "just a song". I am friends with a Tony voter and we have talked about that year and what went on. I think decorating the outside of the theatre was also a bit much. I have never seen a show do that before.
Just give the world Love.
