All you asking for PMs need only wait until January 16th, they just announced a Press Tour that they're releasing the Pilot on iTunes and other streaming services then.
I'm pretty sure this hasn't been brought up yet, but is anyone else bothered by McPhee's audition scene? I haven't seen the pilot yet so I'm just going off the video that was posted yesterday.
First of all, her body language is completely closed off and demure. She doesn't look to be really selling the song and giving the energy that the role needs. Also, why in the world is she singing a contemporary song in a pop voice with Christina Aguilera riffs in an audition for Marilyn Monroe? Wouldn't something by Cole Porter or Frank Loesser be more appropriate? Music from when Marilyn was actually alive?
The whole scene just looked like she was auditioning for Idol, not a Broadway musical.
Angus, it might be part of the character, but if we're being realistic, an unassuming girl who is unaware of her talent shouldn't be in serious consideration for a lead role.
Marilyn Monroe, or shall I say Norma Jean thought she was ugly and worthless. She literally changed her entire appearance form the ground up for fame, love, fortune, and all that jazz... She continued to struggle with issues of self worth to the very end.
Marilyn Monroe was also a victim of the press. They watched her every move, they criticized her looks and her acting ability...
"I am beautiful, no matter what they say... your words can't bring me down"
If that's not Marilyn Monroe's anthem, I really don't know what is.
Becca, I hope this show is great, but knowing the way these Hollywood scripts are written, I wouldn't be surprised if they fall back on that old stupid scene where McPhee will start off all shaky and timid, and it will look like she's going to blow it, but they give her another chance because they feel sorry for her, so at the last second she rallies and they realize they have in front of them the greatest star of her generation.
I hope it's great too. From what I've seen in the previews, it looks like Hilty's character is going to be sympathetic as well, which is nice. I would hate for her to be a stereotypical bitchy diva who gets shown up by the heartland of America down to earth girl.
And Bobby, I know that Marilyn as a real person had a terrible personal life and was very self deprecating, but if I was the casting director of this show, I'd want to know that the actress can do the big crowd pleasing numbers that will bring in tourists and can be shown during the Thanksgiving parade. The ballads seem less important.
The whole scene just looked like she was auditioning for Idol, not a Broadway musical.
I disagree. I thought the audition scene was wonderful, and the song choice did not bother me at all. As for the subdued body language, I thought it was fine. Much better than having her flailing her arms and overdoing it.
I read that the plan for Season 1 is now to end it at out of town previews and focus season two on preparing for Broadway. Originally, I think they wanted to make each season a different show - glad they changed their minds.
"if we're being realistic, an unassuming girl who is unaware of her talent shouldn't be in serious consideration for a lead role"
What a load of nonsense. It doesn't matter if you are unassuming or overly confident, if you are right for the part (physically, vocally etc.) you should be, and would be considered. Yes, there are many egotistical performers in TV and theatre, but not everyone is that way.
weird, I just started watching it right now! Are you not on the East Coast or Central time? I know its Available the 16th and I checked at 12:05 EST and it was up...
It's also available on Amazon -- although at 6am it wasn't yet free -- but it is now.
I enjoyed it. For a PILOT, I thought it was quite good, albeit a tad stiff. I can see the potential.
The bigger fear is, of course, can it find an audience? Are there enough people that have an interest in live theater? I hope so, I'd like to see where this goes.
As for who should get the part -- it's fiction, so who cares about the realilty of it? I'm going to assume that one is going to be cast as the understudy so that they can keep them both around.
SPOILER: in the season's previews at the end, it becomes obvious that Hilty's character sleeps with the director -- so she will lose sympathy with the audience. (And I thought she also comes off pretty bratty in those previews -- but not the pilot.)
I'm not going to give a detailed review because I'm sure there will be quite a few of those. Personally, I thought it was a bit rushed which most pilots are but I did enjoy it. I did enjoy pointing out familiar faces in the baseball number (Spencer Liff, Alex Wong and Curtis Hallbrook). I'll keep watching though so I guess that's what they want!
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joined:10/12/08
Posted: 1/6/12 at 07:30pm