Last night's Tony Awards was something I stopped by to see for a very short time, and then went on to other things. I like Cumming and Chenoweth, but they are like a spice. Too much is too overpowering and can't make a viewer want to stay. They are otherwise talented, but maybe hosting isn't something they should do.
I think in general awards shows have been getting worse over the years. It seems that the producers of such shows try way too hard to appeal to every possible viewer. What I think is needed is doing the show for the audience that will appreciate something geared to them. A narrowcast well-done, perhaps on a cable channel that would be a good fit. The audience will find it, as will others who are curious. If it's well-done, instead of "dumbed down" or whatever would be the correct term, people will seek the show out.
