This formal apology goes out to my SIL (sister-in-law) and Diana Ross, simultaneously. I realize now that I haven’t been giving Diana Ross the respect that she deserves. I’ve been holding a grudge against her for nearly three decades. Everything about her was bothering me. I didn’t appreciate her getting those girls kicked out of the group because of her “special” relationship with their boss. I really can’t stand that big wig of hers, but what really made me mad was the way she ruined The Wiz for me. I first experienced the play live onstage with Stephanie Mills as Dorothy and I loved every second of it. I was mesmerized by this musical. Because of my obsession, naturally I was over the moon when they decided to turn the stage play into a movie. Michael Jackson being cast as the scarecrow was just icing on the cake. Boy did the wind get let out of my sail when I first watched the movie. I was severely disappointed by Diana Ross’s portrayal of Dorothy. Not only was her singing sub par, her acting was super cheesy and way over the top. I could barely stomach it. She completely ruined it for me and I couldn’t even enjoy MJ lighting up the screen without her goofy self all in the shot messing everything up. That was the end of me and Diana Ross. After that she could do nothing right in my eyes. Leave it to Oprah, the omnipotent, to end the feud between me and Ms. Ross. I recently watched the episode where Oprah had Diana Ross on and she came across as very endearing with her kids and her interactions with Oprah. As they recapped her career I was reminded of so many songs of hers that I grew up loving and if my memory serves me correctly, I’m pretty sure I sang “Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand” in an elementary school talent show. Diana sang a couple songs and low and behold, she actually sounded pretty good, which is pretty impressive that her voice has held up this well over the years. It kind of makes me wonder if maybe she really could sing all this time and I just couldn’t recognize it because I was so mad with her. Then I was reminded of Mahogany and Lady Sings the Blues and those two movies alone are reasons to worship her. The fact remains that she sucked as Dorothy, but I’m finally willing to let that go and will no longer let that overshadow her other career highlights.
Check out both Dorothy’s and let me know if I’m wrong.
Click here for Stephanie as Dorothy.
Click here for Diana as Dorothy.
Hmm…I just watched the video of Diana singing as I was attaching it to this post and now that I listen to it with an open heart I actually really enjoyed it. She sounded good and even more than that the emotion she was singing with was very touching. Damn. Apparently I’m the one with the problem. My bad Diana.
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It takes a big person, LAH, to admit when they are wrong no matter how long it takes them to come around. I’m sure that your forgiveness will mean a lot to Diana, but don’t be too hard on yourself. Unfortunately, your judgment was being clouded by a lot of personal junk that had nothing to do with the price of eggs. But in the end, the real issue is and always will be can she sing, can she act and has she shortchanged us in any of her performances. And for the most part, no she hasn’t. I will always be mesmerized and thrilled by her performances in Mahogany and “Lady Sings the Blues.” And for that she deserves a lot of accolades.
ReplyDeleteHowever, in my opinion, “messing” with The Wiz was unforgivable. It was a stupid, overdone, self-indulgent hot mess. Re-doing the story line to fit Diana Ross was just plain WRONG! And I for one, am glad to finally have an outlet to stand up and let “you know who” formerly of Motown that you could have done something else to showcase your “favorite” star. And furthermore, Diana should never have agreed to be a part of such a spectacle. The original play should have been showcased in film just like the successful transition of “Dream Girls” from the stage to the cinema. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the story line and changing it from a young farm girl to a spinster-type older woman was and still is just plain dumb and frankly, quite unbelievable.
But now that I have been able to finally get this off my chest, I can move on and join you in thanking Oprah for bringing Diana to our attention. You are right when you say she’s been a very big part of our musical life and I’m happy to see that her life is full and at this stage in her life, she’s still got it. You go, Diana!
P.S. Diana’s rendition is good and sincere, but nothing will ever compare to the performance of “Home” by that little power house Stephanie Mill’s.
@ Sharon - LOL!! You just made me choke on my water. "Spinster-type Older Woman"? That is too funny! I sort of agree. I think some of the updates could have worked and possibly been cute if done right, but it just got to the point where it was over the top with the subway scene and the recreation of the "inner-city". You're right though. There was nothing wrong with the stage play, they really should've left it the way it was. Someone should consider remaking the movie now that so many years have passed. May I suggest Chris Brown as the scarecrow (once he completes anger management courses).
ReplyDeleteYou're a hoot LAH! Poor Chris. Perhaps as part of his treatment it would be more appropriate for him to step into the role of the "cowardly" lion. Although there is a hidden signficance in playing the "scare"crow who's stuffed with straw like a punching bag. Too much of a stretch?
ReplyDeleteI don't know. You're getting too deep with it. I was just saying from the dancing perspective, he'd be a good fit for the scarecrow. You know all those cool dancing moves MJ did when he first got down after hanging so long and could barely walk? I guess the same thing kind of happened with the tin man being so rusty and needing some oil to walk. Maybe he could be the tin man...and ask the wizard for a heart. :)
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