[Programming note: There's still time to vote on Al Gore's Baby Bump!]
As readers of this blog know, Puerto Rican spitfire Rita Moreno is the first person to have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy and Tony - known in entertainment circles as the "Moreno Sweep." Only nine individuals have achieved the "Moreno Sweep" and Moreno herself aced it in record time. (What's that commercial she did in the late 70s where she was identified as the winner of all four prizes? I can't remember.)
Among her prizes are two Emmys: One for a guest appearance on The Muppets; the other for a three-episode stint as hooker Rita Capkovic on The Rockford Files in 1978. I've often wondered if it bothered her to play a prostitute with the same first name - or if this was a signal to audiences that she had a racy side. (Not unlike Pamela Sue Martin, TV's Nancy Drew, who posed for Playboy in July of that very same year.)
Of course I loved Rita Moreno in West Side Story. But she was genius in The Electric Company, for which she won a Grammy.
Rita Moreno and Morgan Freeman in The Electric Company.
Damn that show was good.
Anyway until recently it looked like Al Gore would become the first former Vice President to complete the "Moreno Sweep." In the last year he bagged both an Oscar (Inconvenient Truth) and an Emmy (for Current TV). I'd already begun racking my brains trying to think of the musical role that would land him theater's most coveted prize. (Gore doesn't need to worry about the Grammy. He's bound to nail one in the spoken word category.)
Now comes word that Gore is likely skipping Broadway and heading straight to Oslo - to pick up this year's Nobel. This puts the former Veep in a class all his own: the only winner of an Oscar, Emmy and Nobel.
But here's the thing: He shouldn't skip Broadway. Jimmy Carter already has a Nobel and could very well share in an Oscar for Jonathan Demme's documentary Man From Plains. An Emmy could soon follow. (Carter has always been fiercely competitive. Pundits long ago dubbed him the Chita Rivera to Gore's Moreno.)
For Gore to secure his singular status - winner of the Oscar, Emmy, Grammy, Tony and Nobel ("The Gore Crown"?) - he needs to grab his dance shoes and head to the Great White Way.
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 4)
1. Aw Mo,
This is a tough one, you're right.
I voted for Oaklahoma, but only because I thought he could pull it off.
Now, if he got drafted into the Democratic nomination and beat the pants off Hillary, then I'd vote for Cole Porter's "Kiss Me Kate."
Let's not forget "Solar Fiddler on the Roof."
If Miguel has anything to say about this, he'll probably vote for Sondheim's "Sunday in the Park with George."
You're also right about a Grammy. Just do a duet with Willie Nelson. Works every time.
Kimball '08
John Giza at 12:00PM on Oct 9th 2007
2. Everyone knows how biased I am when it comes to you. But seriously, no b.s., I love Ms. Moreno too!
She kicked major ass in West Side Story! (She obviously kicks ass in everything she does, but WSS is my personal favorite!)
AND I just saw An Inconvenient Truth on DVD this past weekend!
Ms. Moreno is the yin to Al Gore's yang. How appropriate! (My Mo is so smart!)
A queen and a king. That's why I voted for The King And I because playing a king wouldn't be much of a stretch for Gore.
Kudos to Mr. Gore!
Poetic Justice, babe!
giftedgirl at 12:19PM on Oct 9th 2007
3.
My pick The KING and I
AL possesses the qualifications for the part of the King if Siam.
He has great posture and can move with poise, He can perform the
somewhat less intricate dance moves and I'd love to see him in
those colorful costumes.
Good luck to AL on thtat tony!!!
marsha beckerman at 12:21PM on Oct 9th 2007
4. I guess of all the choices, I'd choose "The King and I". Though, I think it would be hilarious to see Al play Edna Turnblad in "Hairspray".
Game Theory for Applied Economics Nerd at 12:42PM on Oct 9th 2007
5. Marsha, Marsha, Marsha,
That's a wonderful choice if you are a producer.
But if you want to get Al a Tony, I'd suggest you cast someone with far less talent so as not to overshadow his performance.
What's Madonna doing these days?
JG
John Giza at 1:04PM on Oct 9th 2007
6.
I just decided to cast Jennifer Lopez as Anna for Al.
marsha beckerman at 1:39PM on Oct 9th 2007
7.
HEY JOHN,
I always thought that if you play against someone better [AS IN TENNIS} That you rise to the occaision and try harder to get better??
marsha beckerman at 1:45PM on Oct 9th 2007
8. Marsha, I must agree with John.
This is Al Gore we are talking about, not Al Pacino. We can't have a Rita Moreno or a J. Lo or even a Madonna upstaging the "Goracle" in his quest for the elusive Tony.
We need someone just as phlegmatic and "wooden", more if possible, to play his leading lady. Like such as, Kathy Griffin, Denise Richards, Miss Teen South Carolina, Hillary Clinton, the NASA diaper chick, Lindsay Lohan, Ann Coulter, or perhaps even Mo's Cleaning Lady. I hear she's looking for work.
Finn at 2:22PM on Oct 9th 2007
9.
Sorry, I forgot about Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. (Not sure how that is even possible!?!)
Either one would almost guarantee "gore-ious" reviews for the former V.P.
Finn at 2:34PM on Oct 9th 2007
10. I'm totally picturing Al Gore as Billy Crystal as Yul Brynner in King-of-Siam mode as Babe Ruth.
Totally.
mo-NEEK-a at 2:44PM on Oct 9th 2007
11. Mo, All,
Not quite on the subject:
I have been reading this blog and the comments for months now. Mo, sir you rock. And quite frankly your "team" of regular commenters rock as well.You certainly are lucky with this "feature" of your blog.
Finn (hilarious), Giza, Marsha Beckerman (so quick witted), Blayze, Miguel, Giftedgirl and the Game theory for applied economics nerd person are always poignant or just entertaining.....there are others too ;-)
Great Stuff.
neonyellowflame at 2:52PM on Oct 9th 2007
12. Oh and I voted for Xanadu, but I feel compelled to join the "The King And I" camp.....
I can hear Gore now...."Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera"....
neonyellowflame at 2:58PM on Oct 9th 2007
13. Although those are all fine choices, why not just choose West Side Story? I played Glad Hand (the nerdy coordinator of the dance party scene) in my high school production of it. It was great.
Anyway, I think Gore could do West Side Story justice, let's rework one of the songs. How about the Jet song? Let's call it the 'Dem Song.'
When you’re a Democrat, you’re a Dem all the way.
From your first term in office till they boot you out after election day.
When you’re a Dem, let em’ veto what they can.
Even with all those Republicans,
Global Warming will eventually get them.
You never postpone,
Leave Tipper at home,
You’re better working on your own.
Your internet’s never disconnected.
Your multimillion dollar slide show is well protected.
Then you are set,
in the capital rotunda you see.
Which you'll never forget.
even if you play bathroom stall footsy.
When you're a Dem,
You stay a Democrat!
The Dems are in gear,
Our blogs keep the voters clickin'!
The Repubs steer clear.
'Cause every red state results in a lousy debate!
Here come the Dems,
Like a health care plan out of hell.
Someone gets in our way,
Your health insurance won’t look so well!
Here come the Dems:
Little states, step aside!
Better get the electoral vote,
Otherwise more underground torture and spies!
We're drawing the line,
So keep your Dick Cheney hidden!
We're hangin' a sign,
Says "An Inconvenient Truth"
And we ain't kiddin'!
Here come the Dems,
Yeah! And we're gonna beat
Every last buggin’ red state
On the whole buggin' United States!
Well, I think Gore would make a fine Riff.
Your friend, Blayze "Shaggy" O'Brien from the Bee
Blayze at 3:29PM on Oct 9th 2007
14. I love me some gasoline salad. I can't tell you how many grocery stores I've been going to, trying to find it. My mom used to give it to me when I was a kid. I still remember the dark green label, and trying to reach it in the cupboard.
Those videos were VERY enjoyable! I have a new appreciation for Rita. She gives just the right amount.
themkickingpoe at 3:59PM on Oct 9th 2007
15. Let's go for the gusto here...Al Gore in The Rocky Horrow Picture Show.
swampbunnyfl at 4:00PM on Oct 9th 2007