Sunday, July 15, 2007

Now The News Can Be Entertainment, In Four Part Harmonies

I rerun some of my older posts on Sundays as a way to highlight stories that you may have missed. Just think of it as 'thought recycling' and a day off, or that I am incredibly, incredibly lazy.

I just finished reading a semi-memoir of Monty Python Eric Idle. In it he talks about his musical ‘Spamalot.’ Now tonight, I read an AP story about how the bride who ran away before her wedding back in 2005 saying that she was abducted is being turned into a rock opera. I’m not big on musicals, but all of this talk has me thinking how easy it would be to turn current events into a musical.

Since I already tried to boldly predict that there would be an Elvis version of Cirque du Soleil called ‘Elvis: How To Waste The Prime Of Your Career Du Soleil,’ I guess the only thing left is to rip ideas for musicals straight from the headlines. Heck, the seventeen Law and Orders do it every night (seemingly on every channel and at every hour). The only question is whether we focus on the serious news or the lighter moments.

After watching the State of the Union address the other night and all of the politicians bobbing up and down, I think a great dancing musical could be done. ‘Songs of The Union’ could be a huge hit. It will feature songs like ‘The Ballad of the Balanced Budget,’ ‘Let’s Ignore the Serious Stuff and Focus on a New Domestic Agenda’ and the torch song classic ‘Shhh Baby, No New Taxes.’

Yes, other countries’ pursuit of nuclear weapons is worrisome, but only if we don’t treat it with song. That’s the premise behind ‘It’s a Blast.’ Imagine twenty singers and hoofers dressed like Kim Jong-Il dancing to the up-tempo number ‘My Finger’s on the Button.’ Global warming is no light issue, unless it’s being told on Broadway and titled ‘Melt.’ Early speculation is that the show’s biggest song; ‘Honey, There’s an Iceberg on the Front Lawn’ could win several Tony Awards. Unfortunately, the big e-coli musical ‘Bacterialistic’ had to be shelved after several of the producers became very ill. The fact that it was going to be a dinner theater production probably didn’t help either.

Granted, it’s still pretty early in 2007, so the inspiration for the next great musical may not have even happened yet. However, I’m putting my money on the musical version of ‘The Apprentice.’ Just tell me you can resist wanting to hear its theme song, ‘You’re Fired!’

You’re fired, you’re fired, just pick up your stuff, you’re fired
Grab a taxi, get on home, blame the others, you’re all alone,
You’re fired, you’re fired…
The Boardroom was a pain, now it’s just your teammate’s gain
You’re fired, you’re fired
It was such a simple task, too bad the other team kicked your
Fired, you’re fired…

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Why not? They made Legally Blonde into a Broadway musical.

Michael C said...

Ingenue: I still find that musical so hard to believe.

Patti said...

you should send that idea to Trump

CS said...

If they can have an absurd Saturday Night Fever dance scene in Spiderman, I think this is well within the realm of possibility.

Michael C said...

Patti: You don't think he'll sue ;-)

CS: Uh, yeah. That's a great point!

Anonymous said...

Do you know how my brain cramps thinking of what kind of musical to write for the kids at work? You seem to have your finger on the pulse of what's happening. Seriously, if I wasn't quitting my job. i would totally hire you. And let that thought keep you feeling warm and fuzzy all day long.

Michael C said...

Brandy: Ok, don't quit!!! I want a new job!! ;-)

Whenever I feel warm and fuzzy, I'm usually about to pass out...

Lis said...

I'm totally gonna sing "You're Fired" to the next hapless employee I fire... when I become my own boss. So what tune should it be sung to?

Crashdummie said...

Awww I wanna see Spamalot too.
Next stop, London!

Well not really, me & a friend have booked tickets for “My Fair Lady”… for 29th of November.?!?! Waiting has never been my thing.

Dizzie said...

Recycling... the myth of modern man! LOL

Good job - back then, and again, now...! ;)

Oh, and I do wonder what got you to repost a Monty Python-related post... *hum*

Michael C said...

Lis: Here's hoping you become boss real soon! Just sing it fast, that's what I do, no real tune it's like I guess.

Crash: My boss just saw Spamalot...he liked it alot...

Heart: I have no idea why I now feel the need to inject Pythonisms into my posts ;-)

Dizzie said...

DO look up the Philosophers song... live from LA, preferably! Just one post right there, waiting to happen! LOL

magickat said...

They actually ARE going to be making a musical based on Donald Trump. How sick is that? It will most likely suck as much (if not more) than Legally Blond. Which was DREADFUL.

Personally I like the idea of "Breakfast Club - The Musical!" The whole pot smoking scene, they could have a moving floor like those Jameroquai videos for the whole running down the halls and sliding around corners part, and "Don't You Forget About Me"... I mean seriously... we're talking BIG group number... lots of dancing and lifting... big applause.

Odat said...

Better late than never...hope you had a good Sunday...
peace

Michael C said...

Heart: I definitely will!!

Kat: That might be a project worth pursuing! I need to get my Welcome Back Kotter musical finished first though ;-)

Odat: As long as you stop by, all is well in my world ;-)

Dizzie said...

So, have you, have you, have you???????? :D

Michael C said...

Heart: Not yet, although I vaguely think I have heard it before.