See where your favorite production landed in our rankings.
The results have ranged from glittery explosions of performing prowess to underwhelming hate-watch fodder.
Here we present every live television musical of the modern era, ranked: from truly terrible to s’wonderful.
David Cotter/NBC; Peter Kramer/NBC; Tommy Garcia/Fox
(We’ve excluded broadcasts that weren’t live stage productions, likeRocky HorrorandDirty Dancing.)
Featuring stagey narration fromTyler Perry, the event came off as a tired, lackluster mess.
The production felt miscast and woefully low-energy, while also coming off as too stagey in its presentation.
Michael Becker/FOX
Many viewers responded negatively to Underwood’s performance in a role made legendary byJulie Andrews.
Without that, we might’ve been asking how you solve a problem like the live television musical.
Still, you couldn’t stop the beat when it came to the infectious enthusiasm of this live broadcast.
Virginia Sherwood/NBC
Fortunately, it marked a resounding victory for NBC.
In other words, it eased on down the road and into our hearts.
It’s a crowd-pleaser with memorable tunes, making it a natural choice for the format.
Paul Drinkwater/NBC
But no one rested on their laurels.
Not to mention, the ensemble of orphans were adorable and ridiculously talented to boot.
We won’t just love this tomorrow, we loved it today and yesterday, too.
Mitch Haaseth/ABC
as Belle, andJoshua Henryas Gaston.
But what really worked?
They finally turned to Broadway instead of film and television stars for their talent.
Jordin Althaus/Fox
Three words: Brandon Victor Dixon.
The musical theater vet stole the show with his heartbreaking, anguished portrayal of Judas.
David Cotter/NBC
Paul Drinkwater/NBC
Ray Mickshaw/FOX
Virginia Sherwood/NBC
Celina Smith in ‘Annie Live’.Zach Dilgard/NBC
ABC/Christopher Willard
Kevin Estrada/FOX
Virginia Sherwood/NBC
