>>Now as far as loyalty goes - from what I hear there is one long time act that has been playing the park that should be keeping a few other options on their back burner. I do think they know their time at the park is getting limited, so hopefully they have something else lined up.<<

I sure hope he doesn't mean Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. That and Fantasmic! are the only shows worth seeing now. Seeing BH jam the bow up his nose during "PuddlePrance" never got old, somehow. Probably because there was always someone in the audience seeing it for the first time.

Alas, with the Knott's hint, I think you are right.....:(

The only other thing I can think of (or rather, Lani thought of it) is Laughingstock.

If it weren't for the Knott's hint, I might suggest Aladdin and Jasmine, especially since there is a new Aladdin show coming.

I just posted on the "Theatre" at DL thread (DLR forum http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7924 ) how I also think Al means Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. Who are about the only thing worth watching besides the street musicians in New Orleans Square and Fantasmic! ... You think we should start leaving complaints at City Hall?

Originally posted by Hyperboy
I just posted on the "Theatre" at DL thread (DLR forum http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7924 ) how I also think Al means Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. Who are about the only thing worth watching besides the street musicians in New Orleans Square and Fantasmic! ... You think we should start leaving complaints at City Hall?

I actually hope he >is< talking about Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. While I can see that the show is reasonably entertaining (although it really isn't to my taste), I think it is a major misuse of the Golden Horseshoe theater. They desperately need to get a more traditional, burlesque-style show back into that theater.

-Jeff

Originally posted by JeffG
They desperately need to get a more traditional, burlesque-style show back into that theater.


Perhaps, but I don't think they should drop-kick Billy Hill and the Hillbillies out of the park either.

Also, you really think if Disneyland put something new in the GH Theatre, that it would be a "traditional, burlesque-style show"? Or a rubberhead show? Or maybe just leave it closed since shows cost money?

Well, they did have that Toy Story show in the GH for a while there (Billy Hill performed over at Big Thunder BBQ then). Taped soundtrack and rubberhead characters? No thanks. :rolleyes:

While Billy Hill might not be to everybody's taste, it still draws good crowds for each show, and gets a lot of repeat visitors. Ever noticed the lines that start forming 30 minutes + before each show?

It's just as likely that Al was referring to the Laughing Stock. Unfortunately, if they got the boot, they probably wouldn't be replaced at all. No "stage" means no obviously empty space where a show used to be. Disney might assume that no one would notice the difference. :rolleyes:

Originally posted by JeffG
They desperately need to get a more traditional, burlesque-style show back into that theater.

-Jeff
I doubt canning Billy Hill will accomplish that. More than likely, they'll just expand the Golden Horseshoe Variety show to seven days a week. I like the GHVS, but it's not as humorous or "varied" as Billy Hill.

I'd hate to see the Laughing Stock go, too. They're hilarious. I wonder why Disneyland would want to eliminate either of these two acts which are still very popular (I mean, come on now. They have groupies! Does the Buzz Lightyear show have groupies? :rolleyes: )

We're in a horrible horrible horrible limbo here, stuck between a rock and a hard place.

On the one hand, there are many aging entertainment offerings that are starting to run their course. Billy Hill, Fantasmic!, Alladin, Parade of the Stars. All EXCELLENT entertainment options, but considering how much DLR relies on locals and repeat customers, change is necessary. These shows/parade are fabulous, but what should drive Disney is innovation. New and better. The last thing I want is to come back 20 years later and see that the Hill Billys actually NEED false teeth.

BUT, the alternative right now isn't too pleasent either. If these shows are replaced by something of equal calliber, I will miss them but be happy to look to the future and getting to know a new lineup of entertainment. But, as we are well aware, that just isn't going to happen right now. We will get the same, lowest common denominator, pandering, patronizing crap we've come to know and hate from Ms. Hamburger.

So, it's either stagnate with good, but played out old favorites, HOPING that someone will come along that can match what came before (and who knows how long that will be). Or replace what's there with derivative crap. Honestly, while I suppose option one is SLIGHTLY more pallatable, for the most part I consider them equally horrific. I would be perfectly happy if I never had to hear the Parade of the Stars music again. I don't know what the difference is, but while I can ride Mansion or Pirates or Space or any other attraction over and over for the rest of my life, when it comes to visual/musical entertainment, I crave change and progress.

If Billy Hill wasn't pulling in the crowds, I wouldn't feel so horrible about the thought of it closing. But as it is always crowded in that theater (and not to mention most of the audience is buying food in there), I think it would be a stupid mistake. I wasn't happy about CBJ closing, but I could at least understand that numbers speak. For me, Billy Hill itself is worth the price of admission. I'd be one happy girl if all I got to do at DL is see Billy Hill and ride BTM. Both always put a huge grin on my face, and leave me wanting to experience them again and again. Everytime I've seen the show, there's something different so I don't think that it's stagnant.