December 10th, 2013
12:24 PM ET
NBC's planning another live musical for 2014The only "Sound" NBC heard after its risky live musical event on Thursday was the deafening response of ratings. The network may have been criticized for its live "Sound of Music" starring Carrie Underwood, but it could still boast that 18.6 million viewers tuned in. And now, they want to see if they can pull that off again.
According to the New York Times, NBC is looking to adapt another Broadway classic for the small screen in 2014. (Before "The Sound of Music" was a 1965 movie starring Julie Andrews, it was a stage production.) Like "The Sound of Music Live!," next year's show would also air around the holidays, and would be produced by Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. What they don't yet know is just which musical they'll take on. The duo, along with NBC entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt, are "circling a couple of" family-friendly musicals, and could potentially turn this into an annual event. As far as all of the snark that erupted online during Thursday's hate-watching, Greenblatt welcomes it. “There is no snarkier universe than the Broadway world. It just sort of invites it," he told the Times. "It’s OK. I’d rather have people deeply engaged than ignoring it. Somebody I once worked for said to me once, ‘Everybody hated it but the audience.’ And I’ll take that.” |
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The perfect muscial would be "O Calcutta". That should play well on television and think of the audience it would attract.
Sorry, I was doing things a man would do that night...
If they use Underwood again, I say do Oklahoma! with her playing "Laurey."
I suggest that musical they broadcast should be "O Calcutta". I don't even like musicals, but I sure I would watch.
Please choose "Wicked". I'd LOVE to see it again.
The article said a "classic" Broadway musical. And that they mean the original, actual meaning of the word. I say they do Oklahoma!
They're doing 'Cats,' only with a cast of dogs.
Interested in seeing more musicals but please hire broadway actors. I don't need to see a TV/music celebrity in the lead role.
I was dubious at the beginning (a very good place to start), but Carrie Underwood got better in her role as the musical progressed. NBC, please continue the musicals. This reminds me of the glory days of 1950s live TV and beyond, which I remember. Playhouse 90, Peter Pan with Mary martin, Cinderella with Lesley Ann Warren. TV is a powerfdul medium and can do so much better than the reality shows that plague it these days. Younger audiences need to be exposed to better TV and us old-timers would love to see some good TV again. Sound of Music was a terrific beginning.
At the very beginning
I'm fine with live musicals. Even like the idea. But, Christ, hire people familiar with stage acting–or acting at all! Not a wooden singer who's agent bought her the gig. Half the time the entire cast seemed like deer in headlights up there. This idea could work if you focused on getting Broadway trained actors and not random "stars" who don't have the necessary skill set–set as in more than one skill–just because some subsidiary owns their recording contract or whatever.
NBC, if you are listening – you need to revive Peter Pan as done by Mary Martin!
On Peter Pan, but not like they did with Mary Martin. Peter Pan should rightfully be portrayed by a male actor. Someone like Peter Dinklage would be perfect casting. Or Tom Cruise.
don't politicize the entertainment blogs. Ty.
It's in their nature.
They'll do Peter Pan but with Justin Beiber and Miley Cyrus because...ratings!