For years, TV has depended on award shows to provide fresh musical energy … and strong ratings.
Not any more. The Tonys (shown here last year, with host James Corden) are the latest to be potponed. They weren’t scheduled until June 7 and follow the postponements of the Billboard, iHeartRadio, Academy of Country Music and Kids Choice awards.
Two of those will compensate by having specials in which people perform at home. It will be pop music this Sunday (March 29) on Fox, then country music a week later on CBS.
The Tonys (for Broadway) share one trend with the Oscars (for movies): Often, the hottest contenders open just before the deadline.
This year, however, that was iffy: The deadline was April 23, in order to give time for nominations and then final voting. But Broadway closed on March 12, there’s talk of re-opening on April 13, but for now New York has one of the stiffest restrictions against crowds.
Two major plays – “Hangman” and a revival of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” – closed before opening. New musicals are doubtful for a while.
The award postponements, by their original dates, are:
– March 22: “Kids Choice Awards.”
– March 29: “iHeartRadio Music Awards.” However, there will be a one-hour, commercial-free special in its place. Elton John hosts “The iHeart Living Room Concert For America” at 9 p.;m. March 29 on Fox. It will have at-home music by Billie Eilish, Tim McGraw, Mariah Carey, Alicia Keys, Billie Joe Armstrong and the Backstreet Boys.
– April 5: Academy of Country Music awards. That’s rescheduled for Sept. 16, with Keith Urban hosting. Filling the void (8-10 p.m. April 5 on CBS) is “ACM Presents: Our Country.” Performing from home will be some combinations (Blake Shelton with Gwen Stefani, Kane Brown with John Legend, Luke Bryan and Brad Paisley and Darius Rucker in a tribute to the late Kenny Rogers), some groups (Old Dominion, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Florida Georgia Line) and lots of individuals – Urban, Carrie Underwood, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Tim McGraw, Thomas Rhett, Sheryl Crow and Shania Twain.
– April 29: Billboard Music Awards.
– June 7: Tony awards.
– June 12-14: Daytime Emmy Awards. Unlike the others, that was going to be spread over three nights and streamed, but not televised.