http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2014/05/29/there-are-worse-things-fox-could-do-grease-live-and-tvs-sad-affair-with-the-live-musical/ Responses to Media and Culture Fri, 12 Feb 2016 19:35:04 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.7.5 http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2014/05/29/there-are-worse-things-fox-could-do-grease-live-and-tvs-sad-affair-with-the-live-musical/comment-page-1/#comment-434280 Mon, 16 Jun 2014 12:40:18 +0000 http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/?p=24102#comment-434280 I’m also intrigued by the notion that these TV networks are not wholly interested in musicals, but are interested in very specific musicals that are deemed family-friendly (Sound of Music and Grease) and not more challenging or (to me) interesting material like Chicago, Cabaret, etc. What this suggests, it seems, is that the networks have no interest in musicals per se, but in finding something that get both older and younger folks in front of their televisions (without time-shifting). Additionally, the selected texts seem to be generally devoid of race — and when there are highly qualified people of color (like SIX-TIME! Tony Award Winner Audra McDonald), there is an issue with casting. Very interesting piece that has provided a lot to chew on.

]]> http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/2014/05/29/there-are-worse-things-fox-could-do-grease-live-and-tvs-sad-affair-with-the-live-musical/comment-page-1/#comment-433934 Wed, 04 Jun 2014 17:51:10 +0000 http://blog.commarts.wisc.edu/?p=24102#comment-433934 A very interesting article! I wonder if these upcoming musicals should be understood as a response to the newly “distracted, i-device” audiences, or instead if they should be taken simply as a new cycle in the network’s long tradition of semi-gimmicky event-based programming, including sporting events, game show events, awards shows, infotainment specials, etc.

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