Historicist: Life in Wartime
Elsewhere in the Ist-a-Verse
CBC's How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? concludes tonight at 8 p.m. when either Elicia Mackenzie of Vancouver or Janna Polzin of Woodstock will be chosen by the public—over 650,000 Canadians—to spend October as the star of The Sound of Music, yodelling in the Princess of Wales theatre.
The show, imported from Britain where a Maria was similarly found, is a hit for the CBC, which must be a relief since the network has tried—and failed—to capture the success of Canadian Idol. (Anyone remember The One? Or Triple Sensation?) Unfortunately, the popularity of a television show doesn't always translate into real-life success. While voting for a favourite is easy (and, mostly, free), flying out to Toronto, staying in a hotel for a few nights, and shelling out cash for tickets is entirely different.
And here's a thought: could Maria the television show actually hinder Maria and her stage show? The CBC essentially set up Maria Idol and focused heavily on the singing aspect of the musical, while relegating the acting aspect to the earlier qualifying rounds. Since all of the Marias were vocally talented—one even starred as Sophie in the stage production of Mamma Mia—acting challenges would have upped the ante and allowed the audience to watch the contestants evolve into the character of Maria, whetting the audience's appetite to see the musical more.
The show also missed the opportunity to break the Marias out of the soundstage by giving them Maria-like challenges, such as living briefly in a nunnery or babysitting children. It may sound a bit absurd, but the show lacked the refreshing humour and self-awareness that it displayed in its opening, where hundreds of Maria wannabes spun, sung, and battled each other on top of a hill. After all, a show that makes the casting process open and public is all about selling personality.
We've already seen many a Canadian Idol kerplunk down the charts, losing their fanbase after the finale. If the viewers at home don't feel enamoured enough by the Maria left standing to spend their hard-earned cash on tickets, come October, the goatherd won't be the only one in the theatre feeling lonely.
Photo from the CBC Maria website.
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Those are not very nun-like frocks.
It was Triple Sensation actually - but then I suppose that only helps your point.
Wait, there are people who have to fly to Toronto? Are you implying there's a world outside TO?
I didn't know the show was on, but I'm disappointed (but not really surprised) to find it's another Canadianized import series.
Fixed!
How could I forget such a name as Triple Sensation. Doesn't that just roll off the tongue?
Party on Garth... just not south of the border.
Give the Ceeb a little credit for not going the American route of having cameras in the "Maria Mansion" showing catfights, drama and basic rating grabbing hair tugging.
Face value, it was a show about women singing. Granted, there were 4 arrogant twits mouthing off after each song, but it wasn't the Rock of Love!
Actually I read somewhere that in the UK, the stage show was a huge success and the woman cast as Maria has gone on to other roles and much acclaim. I haven't seen either but were the challenges identical? One would assume they would yield similar results.
Actually, I'd personally prefer Rock of Love to this. ROL is tawdry, unabashedly low-brow and shamelessy trashy -- exactly what programming of that genre should be. It's the point. Kudos on its execution -- well done. Regarding Maria, for me, it just holds no appeal. I'm not sure I understand it's success and how it qualified as a hit. But congratulation to the network and participants. It's fantastic to see things of this nature springboard talented people to the next level.
I love it when the voted off "Maria" is sung off stage with "So Long Farewell" by the remaining contenders. It's so cheery and cruel.
I watched the first three or so weeks, but became bored. I may buy tickets to the show because I completely love "The Sound of Music" (I totally want to spend a weekend at the Von Trapp's Vermont hotel. One day, my friend, one day.). But this show was pretty dry. Still, not a bad effort from CBC. I fantasize about the day the CBC will be as varied as the Beeb...
the Ceeb is reporting that Simon Lee, one of the judges, is charged with forcible confinement. How Does the CBC solve *that* problem?
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2008/07/29/simon-lee.html
Glad you asked. Coming this Fall on the CBC - How Do You Solve A Problem Like A Panelist For How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria, a factual entertainment show following 20 hopefuls as they criticize their way through 9 episodes of challenges leading up to the grand finale where the two finalists must survive 30 minutes locked in a room with Simon Lee!
^ kstop gets my vote for best comment of the week!