NBC Cancels “Hair Live!”; Seeking Titles with Wide Appeal

Not too long ago, NBC announced that the musical “Hair Live!” would have life on the network and air May 19 with Broadway director Diane Paulus at the helm, reprising her position from the 2009 Tony-winning revival.

According to Variety, NBC is longer moving forward with the project. This announcement comes a week after “RENT Live” on Fox reported having the lowest ratings of any networks live musical.

NBC previously announced a live version of “A Few Good Men” with Alec Baldwin and a live production of “Bye Bye Birdie.” starring Jennifer Lopez, but the productions were both pushed back multiple times. Both projects remain in limbo.

Paul Telegdy and George Cheeks, co-chairmen of NBC Entertainment said in a statement:

“Live musicals are a part of this network’s DNA, and we are committed to continuing that tradition with the right show at the right time. Since these shows are such enormous undertakings, we need titles that have a wide appeal, and we’re in the process of acquiring the rights to a couple of new shows that we’re really excited about,”

So it is said that NBC “won’t be completely abandoning live musicals” According to an individual with knowledge of the decision, but will no longer plan on airing them as regularly as they have in the past with” The Sound of Music Live!” “Peter Pan Live!,” “The Wiz Live!,” & “Hairspray Live!”