While P. Diddy claimed that his show---uh, whatzitname---is more popular than American Idol, and Gwen Stefani fought off charges that she’s a “fake rock star” [as Dave Barry would say: I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP], in other music world news the New York Times lamented that Broadway is now officially “too American Idol.”
That’s right. Ben Brantley, in “How Broadway Lost Its Voice to American Idol,” despairs that that little ole reality show on Fox “may change forever the way Broadway sings.” And he thinks that’s bad.
Those of us hearty folk who have been watching American Idol since its inception are very used to Simon declaring that performances that did not appeal to him are “too Broadway.”
Simon, of course, uses “Broadway” as a pejorative only because there are only so many cute ways to state that a performance (in his mind---oh, scary) was mediocre. In fact, Simon’s whole repertoire of synonyms for B-list singing consists of Broadway, hotel, bar, wedding and cruise ship.
Which, excuse me, I’m missing something here.
Constantine Maroulis, one of this season’s more remarked upon finalists, actually did sing in Broadway musicals (“A Chorus Line,” “Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” “Rent“). Yet the AI judges selected him for the fourth season Top 12. Jennifer Hudson, an AI3 finalist who finished at 7th place, actually did make her living singing on a cruise ship. Yet the AI judges selected her for the third season Top 12.
Does this make sense?
I can just see a recording industry executive saying to Bruce Springsteen as he was starting out, “My god, man, you sound like you should be singing in a bar in some backwater town in New Jersey.” Or to Gloria Estefan before she hit big, “If I wanted to hear that, I’d go to some hotel lounge in Miami.”
Consider: if Bono sang at your post-nuptial celebration, would he still sound like Bono? Or would he sound like The Wedding Singer? Hmmm.
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Article comments
1 - Berti
Speaking of Clay Aiken, did you know he sang "Can You Feel The Love To Night" with Heather Headley at the aids benefit Broadway Cares? Their voices were amazing together. He does glory notes like no one I have ever heard, but there were no glory notes that night.
2 - Lauen
Justin, yes, yes, yes. He is the only one who should do that role. (Huff, surely you tease). And, Justin with a dynamic co-star this time who can sing, dance, and act. Julia and Carmen, please, what have you been smoking, that is funny. LOL
3 - Reg
"Finally, there simply are times when a singer has so moved his listeners---when, after being lifted by soaring riff after riff, the singer takes his listeners still higher---that the glory note is truly glorious. That’s all that can be said about it. It is an experience and one to be appreciated. Yes, there are American Idol alum that excel at this, but that’s to be commended. Clay Aiken fans, for example, swear that his glory notes are a form of transportation."
That was so well depicted that I cannot say it any better.
4 - patrice
I would absolutely LOVE to see Justin Guarini star on broadway.
He is an amazing singer, dancer and all around wonderful performer.
He definitely has the talent, charisma and the star power to put on a great show, and I would be the first one to buy tickets to see him perform!
5 - Gates
Jon Peter Lewis would be FANTASTIC on Broadway, not so much for glory notes as for convincing and entertaining performances.
But the idea of FJ2K the Musical is terrifying. Some people might find fancy vocal runs and glory notes endlessly entertaining, but a show's starts to suck pretty quick if it's all flash and no bang. Put The Evil Dead on Broadway, then we'll talk.
6 - Gates
Evil Dead. Broadway. I'm tellin' ya!
7 - Kathy
Very nice article, however, you need to check your facts before print.
You stated:
"Most importantly, however, FJ2K would be a fascinating and delightful vehicle for extending the life of popular Idol alumi. Just because “Kelly” and “Justin” were played in the film version by Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini doesn’t mean they own those parts. (And, anyway, how many times did they switch Darren on us on “I Dream of Jeanie”? Or Chrissie on “Three’s Company”? Or Harriet on “Family Matters”?)"
Please note that Darrin was on "Bewitched" not "I Dream of Jeannie" and there was only one Chrissy on "Three's Company" -- the others were different characters. As far as Harriet goes, I only remember one Harriet, however, I could ber wrong there.
Thanks!
8 - Sticker
Kathy:
You are correct and as soon as I posted I thought, uh oh, "Bewitched" and all that. However, by that time I was traveling and have just now gotten back to the pooter.
The non-Chrissie Chrissie replacement was supposedly her sister or cousin or something, no?
And, yes, I do remember being shocked at the new Harriet.
Nevertheless, I hope my point was made!
Thanks.
9 - Eric Olsen
another bold stroke, Sticker, 19 should hire you!
10 - Genie
You said: "Simon, of course, uses “Broadway” as a pejorative only because there are only so many cute ways to state that a performance (in his mind---oh, scary) was mediocre. In fact, Simon’s whole repertoire of synonyms for B-list singing consists of Broadway, hotel, bar, wedding and cruise ship."
Excuse me, but has Simon ever told any contestant, "You will make a fortune singing at weddings?" or "... in hotel bars" or "...on cruise ships" or "at theme parks?"
He did tell Clay Aiken, "You will make a fortune on Broadway," but went on to say that Clay wasn't what they had been looking for in a pop idol. Simon's point -- aside from probably wanting to insinuate that Clay was a little too Barry Manilow-ish -- had to do with the style of music he thinks will do well on pop music charts. (He tends to diss "country" stylists for the same reason.) Simon --quite rightly -- never uses "Broadway" as a synonym for "sub-par." :)
11 - Sticker
Genie:
Perhaps you can agree that we are talking about semantics here.
By using the term "mediocre," or your "sub-par," of course on one level I mean, and Simon apparently means, as measured against the standard for a pop star, meaning someone who will sell a lot of pop music. That is the context here.
I doubt, however, that few people hear Simon's "Broadway" comments in such a nuanced way. In fact, even Mr. Brantley noted something along the lines that Simon used the term "Broadway" to be dismissive of a singer's performance. In general.
Clearly, Simon uses these terms to state that the performance would not cut it in popular music.
The point worth considering, I think, is that Broadway is a branch of popular music (in the literal sense), and at some point it's inevitable that the style of singing people like to hear on the radio blurs into the style of singing they like to hear on stage.
So in the end, it seems, making a strict distinction between pop music and Broadway is not that helpful.
12 - Sticker
ETA:
I doubt, however, that few people hear Simon's "Broadway" comments in such a nuanced way
Should be "I doubt, however, that most people . . .
13 - Sticker
Eric:
I wish! But would they make me write only nice things about them? lol
14 - Eric Olsen
if you make them money you can write anything
15 - Sticker
I'll get right on it
16 - a taylor
Sticker, I LOVE your idea! Each season I am amazed and humbled by the creative minds that bring us new Broadway shows... and yours is obviously one of them. If only I had the $$$ to make this a reality (no pun intended!)
17 - Sticker
a taylor--
Thank you for your kind words. And I agree with you---if I had the $$$, I think this show would be a great investment over time b/c it would become a cult classic.
And it would always be new with different combos of idols. It would just be fun.
The classics will always be cool on Broadway, but Broadway ALWAYS needs new shows/concepts/vehicles.
So if you happen to come in to $$$, let me know. I'm interested! lol