Wednesday, May 17, 2006

Leave No Tony Unturned

Did you notice something about the Tony nominees for Best Musical:
  • The Color Purple
  • The Drowsy Chaperone
  • Jersey Boys
  • The Wedding Singer
Two originals. One based on a novel. One based on a movie. No TV shows.

I don't get it. TV writers love Broadway but are treated like peacocks. My proof? Take a look at these ep titles where TV writers honor past Tony winners for Best Musical. (The year at the beginning of each line is the year of the award ceremony.)
  • 2005: Jamalot (''CSI: NY,'' 11/30/2005)
  • 1998: Skeleton King (''Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!,'' 2/6/2005)
  • 1995: Eastbridge Boulevard (''The Commish,'' 5/1/1993)
  • 1993: Kiss of the Ice Cream Woman (''Evening Shade,'' 10/18/1993)
  • 1992: Crazy for You ... and You (''Flying Blind,'' 9/27/1992)
  • 1991: The Tamale Follies (''The Brothers Garcia,'' 3/10/2002)
  • 1988: Phantom of the Oil Rig (''Dallas,'' 9/22/1989)
  • 1987: Les Miseranimals (''Animaniacs,'' 9/27/1993)
  • 1986: The Mystery of Morning Wood (''The Beavis & Butt-Head Show,'' 11/20/1995)
  • 1984: La Cage aux Sanford (''Sherman Oaks,'' 9/15/1996)
  • 1978: Eight Misbehavin' (''The Simpsons,'' 11/21/1999)
  • 1976: Chorus Line Angels (''Charlie's Angels,'' 2/21/1981)
  • 1973: A Little Fright Music (''Welcome Back, Kotter,'' 12/2/1978)
  • 1972: Two Gentlemen of Capeside (''Dawson's Creek,'' 10/18/2000)
  • 1965: Fiddling on the Roof (''Melrose Place,'' 11/16/1998)
  • 1964: Hello, Dalai (''Ellen,'' 2/19/1997)
  • 1963: A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Unemployment Office (''The Stockard Channing Show,'' 3/24/1980)
  • 1962: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying to Be a Lesbian (''What I Like About You,'' 1/21/2005)
  • 1961: Bye Bye Nerdy (''Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends,'' 7/1/2005)
  • 1960: The Smell of Music (''M*A*S*H,'' 1/3/1978)
  • 1958: The Music Mac (''The Bernie Mac Show,'' 4/1/2005)
  • 1957: My Feral Lady (''Duckman,'' 6/21/1997)
  • 1956: Damn Bundys (''Married…with Children,'' 4/28/1997)
  • 1951: Lost Boys and Gothic Girls (''413 Hope St.,'' 12/18/1997)
  • 1949: Kick Me, Kate (''I'm Dickens, He's Fenster,'' 4/5/1963)
If you enjoyed this list, check out my list of TV ep titles honoring past Oscar winners for Best Picture.

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