[angus]

Why haven't there been any events or concerts announced to celebrate ALW's 60th birthday? Seems a pity, and there was a great concert for his 50th. Anyone know of anything in the pipeline?

[Annasette]

There was going to be the television birthday special that got cancelled. There was gong to be the Phantom concert at the RAH that got cancelled. There was going to be a big ALW Proms in the park that disappeared as well.

All were to be associated with the BBC. And although theoretically the birthday special was said to possibly be moved to later in the year, there just wasn't any common sense in doing that when his Birthday was in May.

It all seemed to fall apart at the time that ALW was said to have refused the golden handcuffs that the BBC wanted him take. As if he is someone for whom such could have been apropriate! He then purportedly started talking to ITV about the possibility of doing a reality casting (JCS?) with them instead. And it all smacked very much as if the BBC threw a hissy fit and put a kibosh on the previously intended events!

[Annasette]

Yes, It's 22nd March...

Yes of course it was March. I don't know why I typed May. But muddling the month doesn't affect the issue.

[Misplaced]

It all seemed to fall apart at the time that ALW was said to have refused the golden handcuffs that the BBC wanted him take. As if he is someone for whom such could have been apropriate!

Perhaps I'm missing something, but why is ALW someone for whom a golden handcuffs deal would not be appropriate? It's no more than other parties would have offered or have offered in other circumstances to equally famous and / or rich people. He's not a god. At least I don't think he is - of course I haven't read the paper today.

[Annasette]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but why is ALW someone for whom a golden handcuffs deal would not be appropriate? It's no more than other parties would have offered or have offered in other circumstances to equally famous and / or rich people. He's not a god. At least I don't think he is - of course I haven't read the paper today.

Drrrhh...Golden handcuffs can only work as long as someone is in the market to be "bought". And ALW was never going to be. His incentive for doing the television thing was about promoting his shows. It wasn't about whatever they were paying him for his appearances. It quite staggers me that anyone might think it could be.

[Misplaced]

Drrrhh...Golden handcuffs can only work as long as someone is in the market to be "bought". And ALW was never going to be. His incentive for doing the television thing was about promoting his shows. It wasn't about whatever they were paying him for his appearances. It quite staggers me that anyone might think it could be.

Ok, so I'm a cynic. I think "promoting his shows" only leads to more gold lining ALW's coffers. And hey presto, advertising for said shows paid for by the Great British Public. So...no, I'm not in the least bit surprised the BBC offered golden handcuffs, which in reality would have had nothing to do with whatever the Beeb was paying him (if anything at all?). *Shrug* Possible he was "promoting his shows" for the good of West End Theatre, I suppose, but I can't see it (e.g. he's not re-furbing his own theatres, is he, which would do a world of good for the West End?). No, I think he pulled in plenty of dosh through just showing up every week to "promote his shows." Sounds like a very excellent reason to propose golden handcuffs to me.

[Kathryn2]

Actually I tend to agree that Golden Handcuffs would not have worked for ALW, just
because when the Beeb set up these deals with people they generally then have to find more work for them to justify all the money they have paid. People end up working on or appearing on shows that are all wrong for them, until people end up sick of the sight of them.

The beeb paid a fortune to poach Graham Norton from channel 4, and then had no idea what to do with him afterwards - the first few shows they tried failed miserably. It's ok for Graham Norton to be a BBC man, as the mud doesn't stick to him when a show doesn't work.

ALW is primarily a composer/producer - apart from the musical star-search shows, what else could he do for the BBC? Trying to get him involved in other shows would just end up being embarrassing.

[theatrefan]

Well the BBC, having given up on ALW's 60th, are hosting a concert for Don Black's 70th instead! (Palladium August 17th to be aired in Friday Night is Music Night the following Friday) And a really good cast is lined up too. Sounds as if it will be a really good night.