johnat_one I am amazed at the reviewer who make the claim and that David Alan Grier as the lion was OK but not sure if he were Broadway material. That is laughable firstly because he was probably the best actor in the whole production of the Wiz live! And gave the necessary histrionics that were needed for this theatrical production. Secondly, he has been in several Broadway plays and musicals as the star and actually was nominated for a Tony for Best Male performance in his very first outing in a Broadway musical playing Jackie Robinson the famed baseball player. I feel that this production of The Wiz was flawed but had much to recommend it. Shanice is an up and coming star and has a wonderful voice. If she were only slightly occasionally off key, it was probably due to nerves. Anyone in their first production and a live televised one at that would probably have a case of the nerves. My main fault with this production is what it has been for the other NBC live productions: the producers should be less concerned with ratings by placing pop stars in the major roles and place more emphasis on the acting by getting solid, proved actors to play the lead roles. Mary J Blige is not an actress. Queen Latifah, although having starred in several films, was totally miscast as the Wiz. I thought the actor who played the scarecrow was quite weak. However Neyo as the tin-man proved to be one of the better actors and singers as well. Overall not bad! Certainly a better production, though not smooth in its execution, then the past two. Maybe they are getting better as they go and the next will far exceed even this one. We can only hope!

mike48128 Apparently, there are thousands of people out there who never saw or knew about "The Wiz"? How dare they make a black version of the Wizard of Oz? Well,it's only been around as a play and movie since 1975! What a major improvement over the scary and depressing movie! I love the fact that the Good Witch of the North is "low on batteries" and her glitzy fireworks fizzle! Not as long as the 2 previous "live" NBC shows. Just under 2 hours without 54 min. of commercials. For all ages, and, well, just for everyone. It's presented as a live Broadway play and needed a live audience! The staging reminds me of "Wicked", and I am comparing it to "Wicked" in a very positive way! The use of "Cirque Du Soleil" talent is genius, but the battle scenes seem small and are not that impressive. The opening tornado scene is a bit hard to understand for a very brief moment. The "grey storm people" in strange costumes represent the tornado, as they are spinning around and around like a "whirling dervish". They should have been more "airborne"! The video-photographer takes a few scenes to find his "composition". Dorothy scowls a bit due to her face not being fashion model-perfect. She is just a "plain girl" from the farm. Then she sings! She totally "owns""Home" and it is sung in both acts. It's a song requiring both range and power. Great choreography and dancing. The dancing poppies are very slinky-sexy and steal the show! The laser-generated backdrops are most effective. A simplified "Oz" story with 1970's "jive" talking. The Wicked Witch's coal factory replaces the dreadful "ghetto sweat-shop" from the movie. The "Oz-Man" mechanical head sure reminds me of "Wicked"! The stage pyrotechnics are effective! The best thing I have seen on broadcast TV this year! The only people that won't like this are people who don't like musical plays. Many of the songs flow into each other. Songs that were "minor" in the movie get full-treatment here! It will be on Broadway again! Yes, there are a few chorus and "Cirque" people who are white, Asian, etc. Why not? Far superior on the DVD without an hour of Walmart commercials! Includes the "Making of The Wiz" as a bonus.

Irishchatter I've just watched it there and I just was so happy that it wasn't like the movie! The songs were absolutely brilliant and well done. You are able to dance with them and in the movie, it was dull as hell. I'm just so pleased that they made a recreation of 'The Wiz!' because it very much needed it years later. I found it quite enjoyable and moving, the dancing was literally spot on and to me, it's like I'm in another world watching the whole action! I was thrilled to see Amber Riley, Ne-Yo, Mary J. Blige and Queen Latifah involved in this. This really deserved well known stars, it makes the whole movie fun to look at and be excited for what happens next! I sound like a child but still, this was just the best. I can't describe it, everything about it was just wonderful!This is worth your time folks, make your kids watch it too!

carol blank What a treat to watch all of these professionals. The dancing was amazing as were the acrobats. The choreography was very hip and interesting. It reminded me of the old black and white movies where the dancing was at least as important as the singing and the acting. There isn't enough of that in many of the musicals I have seen recently. The scenery changes were flawless as was the scenery itself. I loved the emerald dancers and would love to know a little more about who they were and if they are dancers on Broadway. The costumes were also fun. Dorthy's was probably the least inspired which I found kind of odd. Shenile just sealed her future.