''I like to think we're not going to do anything to bore viewers,'' says Gary Smith, executive producer of this year's telecast. To make sure of it, Smith will feature the Best Musical nominees, giving a national audience a good look at the much-hyped Pulitzer Prize-winning Rent, an edgy, hip rock opera based on La Boheme, as well as the energetic postmodern tap extravaganza Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk.

Still, the Andrews flap and the Herculean efforts now under way to keep viewers interested have only fueled rumors that CBS will soon dump the perennially low-rated telecast. ''The show does not get a rating,'' admits Joe Cates, who produced it from 1990 to 1992. ''Yet it's a prestigious show. CBS gets ad money from companies that have a New York presence.'' Indeed, Cadillac and AT&T are on board this year, but CBS' Tony contract expires in 1997 (though there are options to renew through 1999) and the failure to deliver stars the size of Andrews is no small loss when it comes to wooing advertisers. For now at least, execs insist the show will go on. ''CBS is thrilled to again present the Tonys as we have for two decades,'' said Peter Lund, president and CEO of CBS Inc., in a May 14 statement, adding that ''vocal disagreement over the nominations only enhances the theater's vitality.''

Meanwhile, executive producer Smith is striking a conciliatory tone toward Andrews while putting her absence in perspective. ''I think she was sincerely hurt by the Tony nominations,'' says Smith. ''But we have a great lineup of people on the show. Yes, there were others I wanted who weren't able to come. I mean, I wish Angela Lansbury had been in town.''

Originally posted May 31, 1996 Published in issue #329 May 31, 1996 Order article reprints
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