As part of NBC's centennial retrospective, Variety revisits the network's recent history of producing one-night-only tuners
\n\nIn 2011, NBC was in a rough shape. The network had struggled in the waning years under General Electric’s ownership. In January 2011, Comcast became the majority shareholder, and with it came a new leadership regime for NBC Entertainment, led by industry veteran Bob Greenblatt.
\n\nOne of Greenblatt’s big ideas to liven up NBC’s schedule was to lean in to the network’s roots as the home of great entertainment specials and spectacles. NBC carried what was a landmark moment for Broadway on TV in March 1955 with its live telecast of Mary Martin performing her signature role in the beloved Comden and Green tuner. It was a smash in the Trendex ratings of the day.
\n\nGreenblatt’s experience as a Broadway producer gave him the confidence to take on “The Sound of Music Live” with the help of veteran producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. Carrie Underwood was cast as Maria, Stephen Moyer was tapped as Capt. Von Trapp. The “Sound of Music” team spent money and time setting up an elaborate made-for-live-TV production that would be beamed live from a Grumman Studios soundstage on…
Original source: https://variety.com/v/tv/