[Talk Host]

We recently saw (for the second time) "The Jersey Boys. For those who haven't seen or heard about it, it's a stage play about the life and times of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

As the Marquee says,"It's too good to be true." What a wonderful play with outstanding actors and singers.

Anyway, during the course of the play there were several well deserved standing ovations and one at the end.

I thought to myself, "these are really well deserved standing ovations."

So what's my point?

Have you noticed how many times people now receive standing ovations when they are NOT deserved. This happens a lot at the Savannah Center. It seems sometimes that some performers get the "standing O" just for finishing without dying.

It's kind of awkward to be the only one sitting when everybody else jumps to their feet to deliver a "standing O" for a less than deserving performance.

I believe we have watered down the honor of a standing ovation. We need a new top honor.

What can we do when they are really deserved, like "The Jersey Boys?' Stand on our seat and cheer?

[Tom Hannon]

I agree with you. Before The Beatles took over the world, The Four Season were my favorite band. Even after I converted to Beatleism (is that a word?) I was still a big fan of The Four Seasons. I saw them a half dozen times in concert. When I saw "The Jersey Boys" on Broadway I thought it was amazing. To give a "Standing O" is deserving. I have also seen other groups and singers who made a living on being a has been, these over the hill artist still get a Standing O.

[Peggy D]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

It seems sometimes that some performers get the "standing O" just for finishing without dying.

Liked this...

[SALYBOW]

This does not seem like a good idea to me. Half of us might fall off. This sounds like a better idea... But then who would get us up????
This idea needs more work.

[swrinfla]

I'm inclined to agree that a standing o is too often given.

On t'other hand, so many performances I've seen are so weak that something really quite good deserves recognition!

If you don't wish to acknowledge a good performance, I hope you'll still support the guys who try their damnedest!

SWR

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by swrinfla

I'm inclined to agree that a standing o is too often given.

On t'other hand, so many performances I've seen are so weak that something really quite good deserves recognition!

If you don't wish to acknowledge a good performance, I hope you'll still support the guys who try their damnedest!

SWR

Outcome based performance?

[Pturner]

I agree that the standing O is overdone. The top honor though is still the curtain call.

[Walt.]

Originally Posted by swrinfla

I'm inclined to agree that a standing o is too often given.

SWR

What? Next you'll be saying that amazing performers like Howie Mandell do not deserve the wildly enthusiastic response (along with the standing o) whenever he shows up on the Tonight Show.

[swrinfla]

Well, that's an interesting observation.

I have next to no use for Howie Mandell.

I have less use for Jay Leno.

So, certainly no standing o from me! :-) :-) :-)

SWR

[Irish Rover]

We saw "Jersey Boys" here at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis and the standing "O" was definitely deserved, but held until the end of the performance. What a great show.
To your point, maybe we are getting used to mediocrity and a standing "O" seems appropriate for anything that isn't lousy. It should be reserved for only the very best of performances. Just me humble O.

[swrinfla]

I've just re-read TalkHost's original.

A standing o at Savannah is "necessary" because everyone wants to get the h*** out of there as quickly as possible.

I usually sit in the peanut gallery and the theatre is nearly empty by the time I get to the exit. But, I'm still out of the parking lot in less than 10 minutes. So, what's the rush?????????????????????????

SWR