The news today that ace composer Marc Shaiman will serve as musical director for the Academy Awards is fascinating, considering show coproducer Adam Shankman told my colleague Nicole Sperling earlier this month that “I don’t want musical numbers unless there’s an organic fit into the show.” Certainly the hiring of Shaiman (who worked with Shankman on Hairspray and has served in this capacity several times before, most recently when Billy Crystal hosted in 2004) indicates that the telecast will have some major musical component. Which is strange considering that unlike Crystal or Hugh Jackman, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are not known for their singing ability. Perhaps the guys are more comfortable with the idea of a musical number since they’ll have each other to lean on and won’t have to carry the tune by themselves.
But here’s the question: If Steve and Alec want to break the Oscar-telecast mold, should they sing at all? Or is the big-ticket musical number such a beloved part of the Academy Awards that they should put their own spin on it? At least it’s comforting to know that with Shaiman on board, the ditty will be witty—even if, coming out of Martin and Baldwin’s mouths, it doesn’t sound that great.
Image credit: Martin: Pixplanete/PR Photos; Crystal: Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Baldwin: Ben Hider/ Getty Images
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Alec Baldwin can sing-he did a concert version of South Pacific a few years ago on PBS. He does more of the “speak/singing” style, but he has better sense of pitch than many pop “singers”. Steve Martin is a banjo virtuoso.
Good catch, I’d forgotten about Alex doing South Pacific. It would be a crime to involve Shaiman and not have him write one of his signature ditties (see NPH’s great Emmy song, NPH’s great Tony song, “Prop 8 The Musical,” “Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me”, etc)
In general, I think every aspect of life should have giant musical production numbers, so I’m all for it with the Oscars, no matter who the hosts are.
Plus, Steve sang well in Little Shop of Horrors and is very musical, and Alec did the aforementioned South Pacific concert and has sung at least one line on 30 Rock (in the Midnight Train to Georgia number in Episode 210), so it’s not like any of them will be breaking a ton of new ground.
I know Crystal sings a lot but is he really known for having that great of a voice?
And let’s give Martin some credit, he does have an album of music. He’s just as capable at singing as Billy Crystal.
And Baldwin sang in one episode of 30 Rock.
These two aren’t great singers. They can sing, but it’s nothing exciting.
But hiring a Musical Director can’t really mean much, can it? They haven’t even announced the nominees, surely they aren’t writing the monologues yet.
The one thing I absolutely do NOT want to see is any of Steve Martin’s stupid banjo-playing…. Singing is fine, but banjo?? NO THANK YOU!!
Since the 2 are starring with Meryl Streep in “It’s Complicated,” the 3 of them should do a musical ditty since she CAN sing. It would be a hoot.
Good call! I saw the previews for the movie and it looks pretty good. I think having the 3 do a number of some sort will be watchable. And I’m with Maggie…I love you Steve, but no banjo.
These two are both arrogant self indulgent snobs who live in beverly hills. Maybe they should go have dinner with that charlatan Obama and laugh at how stupid americans are…
STFU.
Both are great performers, yes shortpeopledate.com