2008 Tony Awards Nielsen Ratings -- Down From Last Year

In the Heights and August Osage may have won -- but not the Tony's themselves!

The 62nd Annual Tony Awards snagged a typically bland 6.19 million viewers and a 1.1/ 3 among adults 18-49 from 8-11 p.m.

This is a drop from last year -- the 61st Annual Tony Awards received a 1.2 rating/3 share in adults 18-49 and about 6.3 million viewers overall.

Keep in mind -- last night's show was competing with an NBA Finals game and the completion of the US Open.

But still...

WATCH VIDEOS FROM THE TONY AWARDS -- In the Heights, Gypsy, Passing Strange and more

BEST AND WORST OF THE TONY'S

Source: Mediaweek

The Best and Worst of the 2008 Tony Awards

VIDEOS OF ALL TONY AWARD MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

Every year I look forward to the Tony Awards, and every year I'm just a bit disappointed. Sure, there were some deserving winners (In the Heights, August Osage County, South Pacific, Patti Lupone, Laura Benanti, Paulo Szot, Deanna Dunagan and Rondi Reed), but there were also some ho-hum performances, a no-show from Stephen Sondheim and a disappointing Rent reunion.

Well, you win some, you lose some.

Here's my take on the Best and Worst of the 2008 Tony Awards:

The Best
1. In the Heights performs "$96,000" and wins best musical
Easily the most spirited and well-produced number of the evening, In the Heights likely sold a lot of tickets with this performance, not to mention Lyn Manuel Miranda's charming acceptance speech for Best Score. Oh yeah -- that top musical prize won't hurt the Box Office either.

2. South Pacific takes home the most awards, and beautifully represents itself with a medley
Definitely the classiest performance, South Pacific got to show off it's Tony nominees Paulo Szot, Kelli O'Hara and Danny Burstein in a mostly well put-together number (the transition from "Some Enchanted Evening" to "Wonderful Guy" seemed a bit rushed to me). Kudos to the stellar Lincoln Center Theater production for taking home all of the Design Awards, as well as trophies for director Bart Sher, leading man Szot and Best Revival. And didn't you just love Andre Bishop's speech?

3. Gypsy brings down the house, and picks up three acting prizes
I probably would have given the Featured Actor award to Passing Strange's Daniel Breaker over Boyd Gaines, but other than that I can't quibble with the prizes for Patti Lupone and Laura Benanti. And how about "Everything's Coming Up Roses"? While I would have prefered "Rose's Turn," there's no denying La Lupone -- and her speech was fabulously over-the-top. Loved it.

4. Stew and Passing Strange give the Tony's a jolt
Passing Strange doesn't easily lend itself to an out-of-context production number, but they got to show off the unique energy of the show, as well as the stellar performances of Breaker, Stew and the rest of the cast. And though Strange didn't take home any major awards (and will likely announce a closing date soon), I was happy to see Stew pick up the prize for Best Book.

5. Xanadu brings a light kick to the proceedings
There one shot at taking home a Tony disappeared early in the evening after Douglas Carter Beane's book lost out to Stew, but their production number was easily the most lighthearted fun of the whole proceedings. And don't even get me started on Cheyenne Jackson in those short-shorts!

Honorable Mentions:
-August Osage County's wins for Rondi Reed, Deanna Dunagan and Best Play
-Boeing Boeing taking out Macbeth for the Best Revival of a Play trophy
-Liza Minelli. Just 'cause.

Coming soon...the WORST of this years's Tony's. Stay tuned!

VIDEOS OF ALL TONY AWARD MUSICAL PERFORMANCES

Videos: 2008 Tony Award Performances From Best Musical Nominees

Best and Worst Moments of the 2008 Tony Awards

Videos from Best Musical Revival Nominees

Videos of the original cast of Rent, Along with Little Mermaid, A Catered Affair and Young Frankenstein

In the Heights


Passing Strange


Xanadu


Cry Baby

Best and Worst Moments of the 2008 Tony Awards

Videos from Best Musical Revival Nominees

Videos of the original cast of Rent, Along with Little Mermaid, A Catered Affair and Young Frankenstein