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Glenn Beck has promoted the Christmas Sweater. AP Photo Evan Agostini
Glenn Beck recently put on a live show called "The Christmas Sweater" which was essentially a performance version of the book Beck wrote about his own life. The show was done with most roles performed by Beck himself with all of his raw emotion on display. In addition a video of the performance was shown in theaters throughout the country. A promotion of the performance sells it as "the latest incarnation of Glenn Beck's deeply personal tale of love, faith and family." Unfortunately for Beck he will not be receiving an Oscar or Tony according to reviews of the show.
According to Think Progress Beck sold just seventeen tickets in the major media markets of New York and Boston. Sales were better in more conservative areas but even in those regions theater were almost half-empty. Beck may have himself to blame for the small crowds as he charged a whooping $20 per ticket to see a performance lasting two hours and fifteen minutes. So one could chose to see a box office thriller starring acclaimed actors with millions of dollars in production or Glenn Beck's "The Christmas Sweater" starring Glenn Beck with what was clearly a shoestring budget.
In addition to the low sales reviews of the show have not been kind. Joseph Childers gives a brutal review here in which criticizes Beck for essentially changing his own story, confusing the audience, and expelling a tremendous amount of sweat during the performance. Another review by a man calling himself "The Rude Pundit" states:
Beck's performance involves lots of throwing himself on the floor, rolling around, doing stereotyped voices for every character, and crying, to the point that at some point it becomes a parody of crying."
A Google search reveals no positive reviews of Beck's recent performance being published thus far but one can find some positive reviews of Beck's show on his own website. However these reviews are of his 2008 show not the 2009 version. One admirer named "Dean" wrote:
I took my 11 year old daughter to the simulcast last night. At a time of some painful things in my life, I found it inspirational. I hope that my daughter can hold on to the message when the day comes that she will face storms of her own.
Thanks for a special evening. "
However many also went on to Beck's own website to express disappointment. For instance "john" said:
I was disappointed in the show. I think that the story itself wasn't that great. What really happened? When I was 12 I would be angry to get a sweater. Kids are selfish at that age and tend to be mean. Who cares? How is it a story of redemption? Moms love and forgive and if keeping that story inside for years has affected you so much than you have problems. Also, I didn't believe you... all the fake crying especially at the end. Why don't you work on some humility.
It was obvious that most people at the second tampa show weren't very impressed. The applause at the beginning was much greater than at the end. I applauded because it was over. Can I assume you don't give refunds?"
For some reason Beck has not allowed viewers to comment on the 2009 version of the show yet. If anyone missed out you can still see the show's encore performance on December 10th.
Comments
Of course it stunk, did anyone expect this clown and this absurd ego-manical idea for a simulcast "event" that cost twice as much as a normal movie ticket to actually be entertaining, or sell any tickets? I saw the preview when I went to another movie a few nights ago and it was all I could do not to spit popcorn everywhere as I laughed out loud at this idiot with everyone else in the theater laughing at him, too.
Can't we just have all of the channels on all TVs on the planet broadcast Glenn Beck 24 hours a day all year long? It bothers me that I'm missing watching him sleep and eat. He is the greatest American since Sean Hannity and he will save the world. USA USA USA!!!!!
Where's your disclosure that you are a left wingnut political hack? Oh, I guess your reference to 'Think Progress' should cover it. Never mind.
I saw this show and thought that it was truly inspirational, especially to people who are psychologically depressed and at their life's low. Anyone with an OPEN MIND, who can see beyond political views and just watch this with an open heart can learn much from Glenn and the individuals who shared their experiences with us. I walked out of the theater in a whole new state of mind.
And by the way, the Branford theater was full.
It takes a seriously warped & delusionalBeck cultist to think the Examiner is anything but a right-wing propaganda outlet. (See: THE OTHER RIGHT-WING MEDIA MOGUL YOU SHOULD WORRY ABOUT ) ThinkProgress is lefty but 99.9% accurate.
Anyone who would inflict someone like Beck (or any of the other Fox Freaks) on children are guilty of child abuse.
I used to LOVE Glenn. I have listened to him since 9-12-2001. I found GB while I was out repo'ing cars (former occupation) turning the dial on the radio looking for coverage of the attacks. I was hooked and listened religiously. While Glenn is quick to point out that he was also critical of Bush, which he was, sort of, he never called on me or us should I say, to march and demonstrate against Bush. He was never so bothered that he was trying to launch a third party to rid Washington of the GOP and the DNC. Glenn used to bash liberal protesters for the way the protested against Bush, and now he compares The President of The Unites States to Adolf Hitler? Does he really think the POTUS hates white folks? I loved GB before he became a MULTI-MILLIONAIRE hypocrite.
BECK: Cindy Sheehan is in the news. She has tried everything she can to think -- that she can think of to stop the war. After gaining notoriety for setting up a campsite, anti-war celebrities and the press were quick to come to the aid of her plight: "She's a mother, you know." She was probably thinking, "Great! We were just hoping this would get a little press, and look at this! We should have the home -- troops home in a week! They'll be back by -- what day is it now? It's Tuesday, they'll be back by Saturday!" Unfortunately for Cindy Sheehan, she's failed miserably every step of the way. The campaign has been hapless. She's really not a likable figure to many -- others love her to pieces. The only thing that Sheehan really has accomplished is D-list fame. I mean, she might be able to be on one of those, you know -- what do they call them? Circus of the Stars kind of things. You remember those -- you remember those shows in the '70s where they'd get all the really D-list celebrities
Glenn Beck on Cindy Sheehan: All right, so she's got this crappy book deal, she got that. And that's, you know, everybody's -- she gets to meet [actors] Susan Sarandon and Martin Sheen, which has got to be a dream come true. And here's the interesting thing: After all of that happens, the war is still going on, and I think that that is -- that's a testament to Cindy Sheehan -- it is -- and all that she can accomplish. You know, now that I've exposed the overall limpness of the Cindy Sheehan movement, which is not exactly the Viagra that people were hoping for -- that were carrying peace signs and flowers -- but I feel it's necessary, and this is really not as much -- well, it is necessary strictly for your amusement. This is for entertainment purposes only. I feel it is important to tell you about the latest horrible PR stunt from Cindy Sheehan. Again, just for entertainment purposes. Cindy Sheehan, the "tragedy pimp," as we like to call her, is going on a hunger strike. Surprisingly,
Pleae Glenn, tell us what to think!! We can't think for ourselves. We're stupid.
Is this available on DVD - the one that showed in theaters -- or will it be later?
I know we live in a cynical world, but can't anyone who isn't lock step with the liberal propaganda be 'sincere'?
You guys fight for the integrety of libs when they've been caught, lying and cheating, over and over and over and over. We're told to "get over it" and "move on"....(I think there's now a cute little 'move on' movement that started because those who thought Clinton was a lying puke should 'move on'. Now they can't 'move on' past Bush)
We need to people accountable on both side, but the double standard is so bizar!
There's no reason to think Glenn Beck is insincere unless you just want to and if you 'want to think he's insincere' like Ryan, nothing is going to convince you.
If he get's caught cheating on his taxes, stepping out on his wife, bribing someone, deliberately misleading, saying Mao is his favorite political philosopher, etc, etc. I'll stop trusting him.
Just like I don't trust Obama (or Bush).
Oh that's right, liberal scum never ever make any thing bad, every thing they touch is a masterpiece to be loved and honored for the ages. Blech! I am sure people loved and others hated it so what, not a bit different from any thing else in the world. Beck appeals to a lot of people but not 100% of the populace. Gah, just more pointless writtings from a hack. No matter how bad it was he is still more successful than any one posting here. Were there any positive reviews or did you just look for the negative to go along with the narrative you allready had in your mind while writting this garbage?
Gigi: There's plenty of reason to think Glenn is insincere -- namely, that he's trying to get your attention and/or money. He wants you to watch his television show, he wants you to buy his book(s), he wants you to come to his one-man comedy show, his one-man stage show, and his political activism seminars. In short, he has a lot to gain from being insincere.
Coincidentally, that doesn't distinguish him from anyone else in the media/entertainment industries.
Glenn Beck is very sincere in that he wants you Gigi to buy gold at a 30% premium from his sponsor Goldline. He's laughing all the way to the bank. But he's a great American Gigi and he hasn't cheated on his wife yet!!! USA USA USA!!!!!!!!!
@Mick:
In your spectacularly written stream of consciousness post, you ask, "Were there any positive reviews or did you just look for the negative to go along with the narrative you allready had in your mind while writting this garbage?" (Extra points, by the way, for the whack spelling errors.)
Did you read the article? Witt actually answered your question. A Google search revealed no positive reviews.
Please read before ranting.
The folks on the right really don't understand how the folks on the left see Beck. He's smarter than Hannity, but still not all that smart, and his frantically displayed (and uncontrolled) emotional outbursts are shallow and silly. Why not cry over the people who die every year from not having health insurance? Or the lives lost in Afghanistan and Iraq? Instead he cries because his patriotism is just that deep. Yes, it's always about Glenn.
Something else the right does not understand -- we don't think Beck, Palin, Hannity, et al. are stupid because they're conservative. We think they're stupid because they say stupid things on a regular basis and seem not to understand the more complex elements of how our government works.
Beck is already starting to lose his audience on Fox. He's little more than a fear-monger, and for those who fear Obama, that's just great. But the novelty is wearing off and people are starting to see that he's really nothing more than a very skilled con man.
I took my mother to see it. It was an ok show but not to my taste, except the music, which was super. I don't like syrupy XMas shows. It is a pretty conventional XMas story. All of the moms in my family loved it. It was a little pricy but nobody complained. I agree that it could have used a more professional treatment, a full-blown movie or a cartoon, a la other XMas specials. The Muppets could do a bang-up job with it (a Muppet Glen Beck, ha, the possibilities are endless). Anyway, it is a pretty standard feel-good XMas show, and if that is what you are looking for, I can't imagine how you could be disappointed.
George Copeland
National RNC Examiner
www.copelandweb.com
beck reminds me of that talk show host on V for Vendetta.
Glenn Beck makes Hate into Money. Fox Profits from the anger he incites. Together they are turning people against each other based on lies, hyperbole, and fear.
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