You know that old commercial, "When E.F. Hutton talks, people listen." Well, when Barbra Streisand sings, people listen. People also spend a lot of money on tickets, but as one of one those people who's charged for a few of those concert experiences, I have to tell you that she's worth it. And what's so great for us now is that her most recent tour, Streisand: Live in Concert, is coming out on DVD and before that, CBS is going to broadcast Streisand as a special on Saturday 25, 8 PM. And on a really, really personal level, I'm very psyched because I was at the Fort Lauderdale concert that they filmed for the special, so look for me in the crowd of 15,000.
Streisand specials on CBS have always been a winning combination. In fact, back in 1964, there was a bidding war between the networks for Streisand's TV fare, whether that turned out to be specials or a variety show or a sitcom -- she wasn't yet a movie star and a lot of experts thought she'd never be one. CBS outbid NBC, giving Streisand $5 million for a ten-year exclusive contract. That turned out to be five TV specials which won over a dozen Emmys and a Peabody award. Here's a sample from her first award-winning music special, My Name Is Barbra:
Fortunately, Streisand still sounds like that! Unlike so many singers who croak their way into retirement, Barbra is still a great voice. Like I said, I was in the audience for this CBS special. She was very natural, sounded great -- with a full 60-piece orchestra behind her -- and the show was terrific, very funny and spontaneous, including a lot of interaction with the crowd.
Only the appearance of Il Divo, four tenors who sing pop-opera music and were there to back-up Barbra on a couple of songs, was a little stilted. How ironic that Il Divo is Simon Cowell's creation. He'd bounce them off American Idol in a heartbeat, but they are apparently quite popular around the world.
But the main focus of the CBS special is Streisand. This may be the last chance to catch her live in concert, although as with most divas -- Cher, Bette, Tina, Diana -- never say never.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-09-2009 @ 9:52PM
Babs Fan said...
It's great to have Streisand back on TV in a singing special. The Kennedy Center Honors was great, but she just sat there and watched. To see Streisand center stage -- and singing -- is a thrill. I look forward to the show.
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4-09-2009 @ 9:56PM
MONA said...
Great article Allison.. how true... and never ever say never with Barbra... because she is always surprising us with something.!!!
I am so looking forward to see this on TV.. I was at the 2006 show is Montreal and this will
bring back such "Memories"
AND IT CANNOT GET GRANDER THAN THAT!!!!!!
FOREVER BARBRA!!!!!
MONA
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4-09-2009 @ 10:12PM
Andy Candy said...
Can't wait for this! I will be sitting around the TV come April 25th!
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4-09-2009 @ 10:19PM
L Pounder said...
Excellent article. I was lucky enough to see Barbra twice during her tour (Manchester & London). She was fantastic and can still thrill with her famous standards.
The recent release of the concert box set only cemented her legendary status and is a must have for fans world-wide. If you have seen her live, get it, you haven't, get it.
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4-09-2009 @ 10:37PM
Eric said...
Great article,can't wait for the DVD
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4-09-2009 @ 11:05PM
Ris. said...
Amazing article. Barbra Streisand is simply amazing ; I love that woman to pieces. I can not wait to see the CBS special, I am psyched! :]
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4-10-2009 @ 12:46AM
Linda E. said...
Streisand the singer will capture your soul. I was one of the fortunate thousands that saw her live on this tour on two separate occasions and then again three times when she continued it in Europe. You will not be disappointed!!! Barbra shows why she has been at the top for almost 50 years! BRAVO!
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4-10-2009 @ 7:07AM
Jason said...
Great article. I hope this special boosts sales for the DVD release on the 28th. I saw her live on her most recent tour as well, and this release will be a terrific souvenir.
Why the terrible time slot? Saturday night is where television shows go to die! Streisand is the greatest star and deserves better. I really shouldn't be complaining, at least it's finally happening!
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4-10-2009 @ 7:25AM
ChrisFromParis said...
Aren't we fortunate to live at the time as this amazing talent? How upside down have the entertainment values become, to have a Streisand concert - Yes, a Barbra Streisand Concert, good people! - airing at such a bad slot? It's like hastily putting A Picasso up in the third annex of a local museum. Anything she does is worthy of International attention. I'll try to catch you in that crowd, Allison.
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4-10-2009 @ 3:36PM
Rob said...
What an amazing concert tour! Barbra is still at the top of her game. I was so fortunate to attend both of her sold out South Florida shows. What other entertainer has had top rated television specials in the 1960's, 70's, 80's, 90's and beyond? I predict more Emmy Awards for her....
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4-10-2009 @ 8:51AM
Bob T. said...
A terrific article Allison!I have been looking forward to seeing this concert again after I attended the NYC Concert in 2006.This brief preview only makes me want to have the dvd set even more!She is truly the best in the business. I've been a devoted fan for over 30 years.This new dvd set will be the icing on the cake... for now!Loved seeing the video of "People" again!
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4-10-2009 @ 10:01AM
PeoplewhoneedBarbra said...
This time European Barbra fans have had the pleasure of savouring first than others this special "The Concerts" 3-DVD set, being this last one, the Fort Lauderdale event, the brand new gem of the set.
You'll enjoy certainly a fabulous show... Can be it differently being Barbra there? I can't imagine it otherwise. But that "crowd interaction" is too much interaction for my taste.
About Il Divo, let me add that not counting their solo performances they actually backed-up Barbra in three songs (the same many of you most probably already own on the "Live in Concert" CD that was released almost two years ago). I hope however their weight will be rightly balanced in the whole TV special and you'll be offered to enjoy Streisand at her best.
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4-10-2009 @ 10:09AM
ROGER said...
STREISAND IS AN AMERICAN TREASURE. LIKE SINATRA AND ELVIS, SHE IS AND WILL FOREVER REMAIN A TIMELESS STANDARD BY WHICH ALL OTHER SINGERS ARE MEASURED.
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4-10-2009 @ 1:15PM
Mazz said...
Thank you TV Squad for informing us of this EVENT! Great article. Can't wait to see this long overdo special on CBS!
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4-10-2009 @ 5:57PM
Tina said...
I couldn't agree more with the article. Barbra still sounds fantastic and as for the price of a ticket- she's worth it! I hope everyone takes advantage of seeing the TV special and owning the DVD's- and they don't even have to buy a ticket! I saw her in Chicago for the '06 concerts and will never forget it. I'm so glad to finally have the concert dvd as a personal souvenir. Too bad the time slot is not the best. Anyone who gets a chance to see the tv special will be amazed! No one compares to Barbra!
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4-10-2009 @ 8:06PM
heck said...
Streisand will always be the Greatest Star. Thanks for the article. Looking forward to the special.--Heck
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4-10-2009 @ 10:21PM
LG said...
Thank you so much for the reminder about the CBS special. I'm not worry about the time slot, Barbra is a rating magnet no matter what night she's on, her millions of fans will be watching (or taping).
I'll make sure to tell my folks. My mother LOVES Il Divo.
I like them too. I think they gives a new richness to "Somewhere" and I think the banter with them after Evergreen is quite cute and funny.
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4-11-2009 @ 12:13AM
Robin Lipman said...
Great article as always Allison! I am sooooo looking forward to reliving this concert! Having been in the audience at her Ft. Lauderdale concert as well as 9 additional U.S. cities on her tour, and 7 of her 2007 European concerts, seeing Barbra live has been the greatest experiences of my life! I would give my last penny in the world to see her ANYWHERE in the world!
There never has been, and never will be ANYONE as AMAZING as Barbra!
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4-11-2009 @ 1:42AM
Eric said...
Barbra Rules!!!!!!!!
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4-11-2009 @ 5:50PM
Mickey Mouse said...
I attended this concert as well and I cannot wait for the DVD to be released. It's Barbralicous!
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