Strange's Stew / WireImage
I love the word brouhaha. I love to say it. I love to type it. It is just a good word. The only thing better than the word brouhaha - is an actual brouhaha...and I've got one for you today.
The Tony Nominations haven't even been announced yet and we may have a drama to outshine the Legally Blonde commotion from last season (you remember - they wanted to show a number on the telecast from LB even though it wasn't nominated - and all "heck" broke loose). Well, now we have the Passing Strange Sex Scandal. Well, "scandal" might be a strong word - perhaps "controversy" is more appropriate.
Apparently CBS is readying a pre-Tony special that will air on the network on June 7th (ahead of the actual Tony telecast). The show will feature numbers from many of the new musicals on The Broadway this year. Here is where the uproar comes in. The folks at Passing Strange prepared a song from their show called "We Just Had Sex". A sweet little ditty about a bunch of people having...well...having sex. I have seen the show (I recently checked out the B'way version on Wednesday night and LOVED IT. I also saw it downtown at the Public and LOVED IT there, as well). The number "We Just Had Sex" is, despite it's title, is a pretty tame song. Unfortunately, the producers at CBS disagree.
Variety is reporting (click HERE for the full article) that the standards and practices department have ruled that the song is "inappropriate for broadcast" and will not air the number. CBS released a statement saying, "the lyrics in the song offered by the musical's producers are inappropriate for broadcast television, especially for a 7 p.m. audience, when children are watching."
This sucks for Stew and the gang over at Passing Strange because they now don't have enough time to prepare another song for the show. I am not sure why they can't get another number together, but the official word is that they can't, so they will be left out of the proceedings all together. I told you this was a brouhaha, a rumpus, a ruckus, a to-do even!
This is not a small deal - a feature on a CBS television show is a priceless opportunity. That type of national exposure for a Broadway show could easily translate into hundreds and thousands of dollars in ticket sales. They could use the business too; despite opening to extremely favorable reviews, the show has struggled to find an audience. But, the decision has been made and it is final.
If you are thinking ahead to the Tony telecast and wondering what will happen there - don't fret. The producers have already announced that, should their show receive a Tony nom and a slot on the Tony's (which, um, duh - they are definitely gonna get) they will feature the songs "Amsterdam" and "Keys".
As always, I will keep you updated on any other tussles.
Whoop It Up!
In other Tony news, it has been announced that Whoopi Goldberg will host this year's 62nd Annual Tony Awards. The Tony winning star and host of The View will take on the master of ceremonies role when the awards air on June 15th. In a statement released today Whoopi said, "I'm very excited to be hosting the Tony Awards. I love Broadway and I'm thrilled to be doing anything for the first time. I'm gonna have a blast." I actually think this is an awesome idea. I love Whoopi and I bet she is going to be GREAT!
So You Want A Prize?
"Allison" - you WIN! Your Google skills are excellent (I don't believe you knew all those facts off the top of your head). Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All was the last show on The Broadway to open and close on the same night. My question is - what in the heck is Virginia Fields? I have never even heard of that - and I lived in NYC in 2005. Was I asleep?
I now have to dig around my apartment to see if I saved my program from Glory Days because that is your prize! Congratulations. And a quick note about the upcoming Broadway Bixby's Comments Section - I think Clay Aiken is ALL wrong. ALL WRONG! Discuss.
Have a great weekend everyone - and I will...
~ See You On The Aisle
Reader Comments
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Strange and Whoopi........love the tags.....
Do you want a FIRE STORM Bix????
"I think Clay Aiken is ALL wrong. ALL WRONG! Discuss." lol
congrats to Allison!
Yes, Clay Aiken is all wrong, but what were we referring too again???:)
Nice Work, Allison, my hat is off to you!!
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