I am almost embarrassed to say this, but my industry is stealing from your again bigtime.
Variety reports today that ABC is shooting a pilot for a lawyer series starring Roger Bart AND Norbert Leo Butz.
Two of the best male performers on Broadway, scooped up and (willingly, of course) carried of to Hollywood. And it happens to everyone who achieves stardom on Broadway with only a few exceptions. (Although, for me, I wish Chicago Hope was still on the air IYKWIM.)
This is the sad story of Broadway. If this is a hit, they'll be off the boards for years, in their prime.
And I have no idea who or what to do about it.....
As you pointed out, they go willingly. How Hollywood lures might be a better way of putting it.
Whose values does it speak about more - Hollywood's, who we've been told time and again is corrupt and soul stealing or the artists who decide that a fatter purse is more important?
I ain't begrudging anyone their choices, but I don't think it's fair to act as though it's some big Hollywood conspiracy. No one puts a gun to these actors' heads.
Is it better to be in a well done television show or a crappy musical? I'm not sure what we're rooting for here.
"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."
Just wanted to say thanks for pointing out that Variety article. I run a Roger Bart fansite (rogerbart-online.com) and had been looking for info on this pilot.
I'd also like to add that Roger Bart has already done several movies and was a regular in Desperate Housewives... yet he keeps coming back to Broadway. So I don't think 'stealing' is the right word to use.
EDIT: does anyone know whether this means that Roger will be leaving the YF cast soon? I thought his contract was until November or at least August. Updated On: 5/28/08 at 12:00 PM
"This is the sad story of Broadway. If this is a hit, they'll be off the boards for years, in their prime."
Four words: Kristin Chenoweth and Nathan Lane
Both of them have had series offers that bombed. So guess what? They came crawling back to them that made them.
Patti LuPone was in a series for a few years, but she's come back.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
"Carson has combined his passion for helping children with his love for one of Cincinnati's favorite past times - cornhole - to create a unique and exciting event perfect for a corporate outing, entertaining clients or family fun."
"YOUR" "industry is stealing from your again bigtime."?
Variety reports today that ABC is shooting a pilot for a lawyer series starring Roger Bart AND Norbert Leo Butz.
Two of the best male performers on Broadway, scooped up and (willingly, of course) carried of to Hollywood."
And it happens to everyone who achieves stardom on Broadway with only a few exceptions. (Although, for me, I wish Chicago Hope was still on the air IYKWIM.)
Yea, Victoria Clark, Edina Menzel, Patti Lupone, Bernadette Peters and Marianne Seldes are HUGE names in Hollywood. (What is IYKWIM?)
This is the sad story of Broadway. If this is a hit, they'll be off the boards for years, in their prime.
And I have no idea who or what to do about it....."
Its a freaking PILOT. The money is great, IF the series if picked up. Perhaps it is time for you to change industries if this is so upsetting to you.
Of course, you failed to mention all the things Broadway has "stolen" from Hollywood for the last few decades.
Who knows, perhaps Norbert never would have had the chance to do DRS (a vehicle that was "stolen" from Hollywood, by the way) if someone like Mandy Patinkin had been available.
Heaven forbid that an actor gets a paying job. Yeesh, actors get into acting to act, to limit yourself to one medium is to limit your craft. Some people can transition easily to various mediums and some can't.
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Reviews and the like
Is it really true that this is a TV "drama" series? Isn't that missing the point of both their strong suits -- comedy? And since the pilot is by the originator of How I Met Your Mother, are we to assume that "drama" was a misprint, and they really meant "comedy"? I hope so.
Another plus point is that their faces and names would become more recognizable and then when they do return to Broadway more people will see them in their shows. IS HE DEAD and Norbert got excellent reviews but just not enough people knew who he was to keep the show going.
I believe when Norbert was first cast, I read that it was going to be a "dramady." So a combo of comedy and drama.
And everyone up there is right. It is just a pilot. Norbert did that "Playing Chicken" pilot a year or so ago, and that didn't get picked up, despite a positive reaction from the audience it was filmed in front of. Roger has done pilots and that 'Bram and Alice' show that lasted less than six episodes. Because they're doing a pilot doesn't mean it's going to amount to anything. Although, if it does, I think this is the cast and creator I'd want to see both of these actors working with. I love 'How I Met Your Mother,' and hopefully this show will be just as good.
Oh, please. Hollywood "stealing" stars from Broadway goes back to Audrey Hepburn and before that Clark Gable and probably even more before that.
"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”
~ Muhammad Ali
As was pointed out, it is a PILOT. Tons of pilots are shot each year but very few are greenlighted and even fewer are picked up. Shooting a pilot does not necessarily equal an instant move to Hollywood.
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LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
Screw this arguement. Sorry I j^$%#$#%^$ mentioned it because for a moment I felt a twinge of guilt. SuellenGay, it IS my industry because it's where I work. It's where I get paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to come up with ideas for movies (and I've been doing it since 1987, so yes, I do feel it's MY industry. I've made the front page of Variety several times in MY industry). I was simply trying to point out that I had a tinge of remorse about the depletion of great leading men to Hollywood. Sure it's great for new up-and-comers to get roles but stars sell shows, not unknowns.
Oh, and BTW, Kristin Chenowith and Nathan Lane ARE Broadway people. They aren't the types Hollywood readily casts. I can see why their shows flopped. (IYKWIM which BTW means 'If You Know What I Mean'). Roger Bart and Norbert Butz are exactly the type of guys Hollywood can fit into ensemble pieces like legal shows and when they leave, there's nobody to readily fill the holes created.
I was simply bemoaning the fact that as fast as Broadway makes em, Hollywood takes em.
But now that I'm so pissed, I'm going to go out and pitch a show to the networks that is PERFECT for Patti Lupone. See if you like me taking HER off the market.
TBH, it probably won't last a week. The newest law show (Canterbury's Law) only got about eight episodes in before it was canned. I think people are getting sick of all of the law shows out there.
Of course, I haven't seen it. It could be really, really amazing.
Jimmy, what are you doing here in the middle of the night? It's almost 9 PM!
Did Chenoweth, et al, say "Eff You, Broadway, I'm never coming back!"? If not, I'm not sure how exactly their returns to the stage could be considered "crawling."
This whole thread is ridiculous. As someone said before, Bart has done numerous TV and movie appearances, and Norbert is starting to show up in commercials and movies as well, and they still do Broadway. And even if they didn't, what's the big deal? Good for them, I hope the pilot gets picked up.