TV
Tim Rice: Andrew Lloyd Webber Jesus Christ Superstar show sounds tacky
Published Tuesday, Jan 24 2012, 21:29 GMT | By Paul Millar | 12 comments
Jesus Christ Superstar co-creator Sir Tim Rice has publicly opposed Andrew Lloyd Webber's upcoming ITV talent show.
Lloyd Webber and ITV announced plans last Wednesday to launch a series searching for the lead for a remake of the 1970 rock opera.
Rice told The Sunday Telegraph: "I've had several meetings with Andrew and said that I don't want this done, but now it appears it's been signed and sealed.
"Andrew wants to rehash things all the time, but I really don't think Superstar needs that tasteless reality television treatment. Those shows are relentlessly downmarket, which is fine if the show is a lightweight bit of fluff.
"I am fully behind an arena show, but I just don't think you need another television series to do that - it opens up a lot of opportunities for spoofs and I think it would be ill-advised to have people voting for who should be Jesus.
"It's just possible that it might be the most sophisticated, tasteful show hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, but I doubt it. It sounds tacky and I really don't think Andrew should do it."
Threatening to overrule the programme's winner, the 67-year-old added: "They can't cast the show without my approval. I have the right to veto casting so if Andrew casts it on TV and I didn't like the person, I could say so."
Finally, Rice revealed that he has contacted ITV as he "does not feel comfortable with the concept of the show".
Lloyd Webber and ITV announced plans last Wednesday to launch a series searching for the lead for a remake of the 1970 rock opera.
© PA Images / Zak Hussein/PA Archive
© Rex Features / Ken McKay/Rex Features
Rice told The Sunday Telegraph: "I've had several meetings with Andrew and said that I don't want this done, but now it appears it's been signed and sealed.
"Andrew wants to rehash things all the time, but I really don't think Superstar needs that tasteless reality television treatment. Those shows are relentlessly downmarket, which is fine if the show is a lightweight bit of fluff.
"I am fully behind an arena show, but I just don't think you need another television series to do that - it opens up a lot of opportunities for spoofs and I think it would be ill-advised to have people voting for who should be Jesus.
"It's just possible that it might be the most sophisticated, tasteful show hosted by the Archbishop of Canterbury, but I doubt it. It sounds tacky and I really don't think Andrew should do it."
Threatening to overrule the programme's winner, the 67-year-old added: "They can't cast the show without my approval. I have the right to veto casting so if Andrew casts it on TV and I didn't like the person, I could say so."
Finally, Rice revealed that he has contacted ITV as he "does not feel comfortable with the concept of the show".
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