Posted on 12/05/2015 8:25:57 PM PST by Impala64ssa
Some folks in the Twitterverse apparently don’t know their musical history.
Angry Twitter users took to the social media platform in the days leading up to NBC’s broadcast of “The Wiz Live!†to decry what they considered racist casting. The Thursday-night live production featured an all-black cast led by Queen Latifah, David Alan Grier, Ne-Yo and newcomer Shanice Williams.
That is in keeping with the history of the stage musical, which has always featured a black cast, as well as the 1978 film starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.
However, many Twitter users vented about the casting nonetheless.
I just learned there is a black version of The Wizard of Oz called “The Wiz†– how is this not racist?
– Evan (@MJTM) November 23, 2015
This is how I feel. Remaking something with an all-black cast seems…a tiny bit racist. #TheWiz — Jessica (@90s_Jess) November 19, 2015
One user, after tweeting, “This is how I feel. Remaking something with an all-black cast seems…a tiny bit racist. #TheWiz,†deleted her tweet, then went on to explain the thinking behind that deleted tweet.
I deleted a tweet. I was trying to bring awareness. No race should be proud about excluding other races. Not the original. Not the remake.
– Melly (@4princessmel) December 4, 2015
Those complaints about race sparked a heated debate during Thursday’s broadcast. As the hashtag #TheWiz trended throughout the night, the complainers came under fire themselves.
Please have a seat somewhere far in a corner. The wiz was an all black cast. Do your research. https://t.co/of9iZxdpTH — Ms. Misha (@Michele_Myjoy) December 4, 2015
So white ppl mad bc “the wiz†cast is all black,talking about “what if we had a all white cast of the wizâ€umm y’all did… the wizard of oz
– Chardae (@Justcallme_dae) December 4, 2015
Fellow white people, I need all of you to realize that we aren’t fierce enough to perform The Wiz. We gotta stick to Oklahoma and stuff… — Jordan Milam (@Jordan_Milam) December 4, 2015
People not realizing The Wiz and The Wizard of Oz are two different shows and wondering why the cast is all black….. I’m just……..
– Kirstyn Hippe (@kirstynhippe) December 3, 2015
There’s already a “White Wiz.†It’s called the Wizard of Oz & there were no blacks in it..So they made the Wiz! The Wiz isn’t racist,stop it — Maya Beatty (@_mayamia12) December 4, 2015
Laughing at all the ppl mad at @nbc for the #Wiz stating its racist the cast is black. Umm did they not EVER watch the Wizard of Oz? Duh
– Ms. China (@mschinapojazz) December 3, 2015
So ppl are mad that this is an all black cast.. But the original The Wiz was too.. I’m confused. — Zandra Mackey (@I_am_zee_M) December 4, 2015
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron executive produced NBC’s “The Wiz Live!†with Kenny Leon serving as stage director and Matthew Diamond as TV director.
But that stuff and Richard Pryor’s comedy did a lot to improve race relations, because it got blacks and whites to laugh at and with each other, I even watch the old episodes of “In Living Color” and realize they probably wouldn’t even be able to get away with a lot of that stuff today.
It’s nuts.
“In Living Color” was a really great show.
But I suspect that today, the Wayans brothers would not be viewed as “Authentic” or “Down with the cause”.
The traction gained by Rap music and “Thug” culture may have instilled some sense of confidence or legitimacy for the cause. I don’t know.
But they seem empowered to dictate what is or isn’t acceptable and the rules can never be defined.
He was.
In one episode George agrees to give Archie free dry cleaning if he votes for him for city council.
Then he comes back later, with Archie's cleaning, hands him the bill and says: 'You aren't a registered republican. You aren't a "registered" anything!'
As for George and whether he evolved like Archie, he didn't appear in the first season.
Lear wanted Hemsley for the role, but he wasn't available, so they had Uncle Henry, Louise's brother fill in until then.
Turns out that Henry was just as anti-white racist, but he joined forces with Archie to keep a Puerto Rican family out of the neighborhood.
They’re re-running it on December 19.
No matter, The Wiz songs are not equal to those in the Wizard of Oz. It might be a matter of taste but you can't beat Some Where Over the Rainbow, Courage, If I only had a Brain, etc.
Or a black Dolly Gallagher Levi. (That actually did happen at one point. Pearl Bailey was among the many to play Dolly.)
Meanwhile, FOX is doing Grease Live next month.
“Bear Whiz Beer. It’s in the water; that’s why it’s yellow.” — The Firesign Theater
“Everybody Rejoice” and “Believe in Yourself” are good songs too, and of course, the best-known song, “Ease on Down the Road”, is quite catchy. That was the one they used in the ads.
As he's signing, Archie said, "You know, Jefferson, I always liked you."
BTW, the All in the Family theme was written by the team of Charles Strouse and Lee Adams, who wrote the score for and Applause.
It’s from Broadway, actually.
So you’re saying blacks tend to be more racist than whites?
It’s hard to bea t Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg.
Harburg once said something I find quite interesting: “Words make you think a thought. Music makes you fee a feeling. But a song makes you feel a thought.”
My family enjoyed The Sound of Music and yes she was great. We skipped Peter Pan.....I have NEVER been a fan of it and thankfully we were busy that night so the kids and my wife were not that interested. We sat down to watch The Wiz.....it was ok. Nothing earth shattering but a decent wholesome show that everyone can watch. I guess the next on is Grease....not sure if we will watch or not. Too early to tell.
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