I've received a lot of emails over the last few days asking if the news about the firing of the
Dancing With the Stars orchestra is true. The answer is yes. I think it's a big mistake by ABC since it's one of the elements that makes the show so special, but the network is looking at the bottom line: money. I know the reason given for the elimination is to "attract a younger demographic,' but that is not the case.
Here are the three things you should know about the situation:
1.
Rick Baptist: He's the person who original put the Facebook post on his page to call attention to the issue. Baptist has worked on
DWTS for years and he's well-respected in the industry. Check out his
IMDB credits to see his impressive résumé.
2.
American Federation of Musicians International: This is the official musicians' union representing professional performers in the entertainment industry. They issued
a statement on Monday regarding their dismissal:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 3, 2014
CONTACT: Antoinette Follett
(315) 422-4488 ext. 104
afollett@bentley-hall.com
AFM President Blasts ABC for firing Dancing with the Stars Orchestra
New York, NY— After 17 hit seasons performing on one of the world’s most popular TV programs, Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), the 28 men and women of the show’s live backing band—the Harold Wheeler Orchestra and Singers—have been fired. Producers say the group will be replaced with pre-existing sound recordings and a “small electric band” to “attract a younger demographic.”
American Federation of Musicians International President Ray Hair blasted ABC-TV for its decision, asking supporters to e-mail Candace.a.ashton@abc.com to demand the orchestra’s return or risk viewer retaliation. “People who love Dancing with the Stars also love the superb performances of the orchestra because it is such an integral part of the show,” says Hair. “The tight, elaborate musical productions that catapulted the show into the top 10 in 17 countries can’t be duplicated by recordings and a small combo. Viewers, whether they are young or old, will reject that as artistic fraud.”
Network sources say that a recent shift in ABC/Disney’s executive staff in charge of primetime reality series programming led to pressure on DWTS producer BBC America to cut corners and pander to a younger viewing audience. “It’s not like ABC and Disney don’t have any money and can’t afford an orchestra. It’s about the insatiable thirst for profits at the expense of music, art, and those who create it,” says Hair. “Firing the band, using recordings, and hiring fewer musicians won’t boost ratings. It will kill the show.”
ABOUT THE AFM
Founded in 1896, the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM), AFL-CIO, is the largest organization in the world dedicated to representing the interests of professional musicians. With more than 90,000 members, the AFM represents all types of professional musicians, including those who record music for sound recordings, film scores, videogames, radio, television and commercial announcements, as well as perform music of every genre in every sort of venue from small jazz clubs to symphony orchestra halls to major stadiums. Whether negotiating fair agreements, protecting ownership of recorded music, securing benefits such as health care and pension, or lobbying legislators, the AFM is committed to raising industry standards and placing the professional musician in the foreground of the cultural landscape. For more information, contact the main number at (212) 869-1330 or visit the Web site at www.afm.org.
Follow the AFM on Twitter www.twitter.com/musiciansunion and Facebook www.facebook.com/afm.org
3.
The Excuse: ABC can say it's about bringing in "a younger demographic," but having a live orchestra is a luxury. It's expensive to pay for song rights and to pay talent for rehearsals and the show. It's cheaper just to pay for a skeleton crew and song rights. However, it's a huge part of what made DWTS exciting to watch. It brought energy to the show each season and the audience will notice its absence in Season 18.
However, there is still time. The show doesn't launch until March 17, so support the Harold Wheeler Orchestra and Singers by emailing ABC:
Candice.A.Ashton@abc.com (NOTE THE CORRECT SPELLING "I" VERSUS "A" in CANDICE'S NAME)
Let's make a difference!
UPDATE: Here's the official press release from BBC Worldwide and ABC regarding Harold Wheeler:
Our talented Music Director, Harold Wheeler, will not be joining us for season 18 of Dancing with the Stars. Since season one, Harold and his band have performed brilliant music in our ballroom for our dancers and the American viewers at home. We are grateful to him and his band for their amazing work and years of collaboration. We wish him the best of luck.
