Title: 'Hannah Montana' stirs a U.S. tizzy Source:
latimesonline URL Source:http://www.latimes.com/ Published:Oct 6, 2007 Author:By Geoff Boucher and Chris Lee, Los Ange Post Date:2007-10-06 12:40:05 by HOUNDDAWG Keywords:gagme, witha, spoon! Views:442 Comments:20
'Hannah Montana' stirs a U.S. tizzy
Sold-out concerts for her 54-date tour have kids, parents and even politicians making a fuss about where the tickets went.
By Geoff Boucher and Chris Lee, Los Angeles Times Staff Writers October 6, 2007
There's been parental panic in Portland, Ore., severe tropical depression in Tampa, Fla., and a mad scramble in Minneapolis. There was so much outrage among families in Little Rock that the Arkansas attorney general promised a swift investigation, as did his counterpart in Missouri after seeing the dust-up in Kansas City.
All over the country, little girls are crying that they want -- they need -- tickets to see their idol, a 14-year-old named Miley Cyrus (a.k.a. Hannah Montana) in concert, and from coast to coast that has pushed mommies and daddies to extreme measures. That's why some scalpers and brokers are asking for as much as $3,000 a ticket, politicians have been staging news conferences and Ticketmaster officials have been ducking for cover.
"Hell hath no fury like the parent of a child throwing a tantrum," said a weary Joe Freeman, vice president of Ticketmaster. "People who have been in this business for a long time are watching what's happening, and they say there hasn't been a demand of this level or intensity since the Beatles or Elvis."
Reasons for that include parents who are out of practice when it comes to buying concert tickets and their children who, apparently, are unaccustomed to disappointment. Then there are all the scalpers who use sophisticated software to scoop up thousands of seats in minutes, essentially "cutting the line" on ordinary fans trying to get a few tickets.
That's why the 54-date arena tour by Cyrus, star of the Disney Channel hit show "Hannah Montana," now has parents calculating how much it will cost them not to break their daughters' hearts.
Jennifer Cox of Raleigh, N.C., has tried -- and failed so far -- to get her 9-year-old daughter into any Cyrus show she can find across several states.
"Greensboro, Nashville, Atlanta, Washington, Baltimore -- they were all sold out," Cox said Friday. "It would be as close to her dream coming true as possible. It's unfortunate that a lot of investors bought these tickets to turn around and make a huge profit off them. There are huge Miley Cyrus fans that would love to go, but they've made the tickets unaffordable."
Some buyers are at wits' end. Take this Internet posting by a frazzled aunt in San Antonio who sounded as if she were negotiating with kidnappers, not ticket brokers: "I will meet you at a neutral location. I will pay you cash. Do not ask me for my best offer or what I am willing to pay. . . this is for two little girls who are [being] ripped off by people who are taking advantage of the loyal fans for their own personal gain."
Such anger has prompted action by politicians such as Missouri Atty. Gen. Jay Nixon, who pounced on the issue by filing lawsuits against three out-of-state ticket brokers selling seats to the Kansas City show.
"It's a blatant rip-off of the consumer," Nixon said Thursday as he announced that he had reached an agreement with promoters and Ticketmaster to release an additional 2,000 seats at two shows in his state. Officials close to the tour disputed that characterization (they said tickets would have been released anyway), but Nixon probably scored points with some exasperated parents in the Show-Me State.
If all of this fuss sounds startling, you probably don't have a daughter who dances in front of the mirror singing "Nobody's Perfect," "The Other Side of Me" or other glossy, Disney-safe hits of "Hannah Montana," one of the biggest brand names with grade-school America.
Cyrus' two albums both debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. pop charts and sold a combined 4.4 million copies in the U.S., according to Nielsen SoundScan. More than that, her TV show has been a weekly advertisement for the tour. That makes her famous with little ones even if adults are scratching their heads.
"Hannah Montana, to me, she's not a big star," said April Martin of Carrollton, Texas, who is facing the prospect of breaking her promise to her little sister about taking her to see her hero. "She understands that I don't make a whole lot of money. It's very hard to say no to a kid. . . . If kids really want something, it's really important, you want to give it to them."
The tour kicks off in St. Louis on Oct. 18 and stops in Anaheim on Nov. 3 and L.A. on Nov. 7. The resale frenzy is making other top touring acts this year -- the Police, Bruce Springsteen, Van Halen and Beyonce -- seem so last century.
On Stubhub.com, a leading online marketplace for tickets, the average selling price for a Cyrus ticket was $214 -- which was higher than the Police ($209) or Beyonce ($212). And the starting face value of a Miley Cyrus ticket ($29 to $66) is notably less than those of the tickets to see the older stars. StubHub officials called Cyrus sales "astounding" and noted that, by volume, her sales topped all others this year.
Those numbers haven't escaped the notice of the tour promoter, AEG Live. Randy Phillips, the company's president and chief executive, said Friday that one obvious solution is to add shows.
"I would like to have 100 more shows," he said. "I am a capitalist, right? Every ticket we've put out, we've sold. I think, to be honest, we were surprised at the size and the extent of the momentum. I would love to have more tickets to sell."
It's not that easy. There are some child labor issues involved in some states, but an even bigger problem is Disney's plan for its young star: A script is in the final stages for a "Hannah Montana" feature film, and spring has been circled as the optimum filming time.
"Miley would like to stay on the road forever, but it's not that simple," said Gary Marsh, Disney Channel Worldwide's president of entertainment. Marsh spoke Friday by phone from Cannes, France, where he was traveling on business but where friends and relatives are still bothering him with ticket requests. "Mine are long gone; they ran out the first day."
"Hannah Montana's" success builds on the sensation of the Disney Channel's made-for-TV movie "High School Musical," whose soundtrack was the bestselling CD in America last year and whose sequel this year was also a hit. There's also the pop group Cheetah Girls, a franchise that crosses over from television to the music charts.
Overall, the U.S. market share represented by children's music has tripled over the last 10 years, according to the Recording Industry Assn. of America. At the fore of the scene is Disney, which has a long history of shaping the careers of young music stars, among them Annette Funicello, Hayley Mills, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Christina Aguilera and Hilary Duff.
With the "Montana" success, though, the model seems closer to that of "The Monkees," "The Partridge Family" and, closest of all, Ricky Nelson, the heartthrob who came into homes in the sitcom setting of "The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet" and connected through stories and songs.
"You only have to look back 50 years to see when it worked the first time. . . . It's so simple it's scary," Marsh said, adding that the scripts relay to fans "Hannah Montana's backstory, her friends, what boys she likes. . . . They feel like they know her. For us, it's the path to audience. Radio used to be the gatekeeper, but TV is the new radio."
"Hannah Montana" centers on an unassuming girl-next-door named Miley Stewart who seems to have a normal life in Southern California but has a secret identity as the world-famous pop star Hannah Montana, a sort of "Prince and the Pauper" story for the YouTube generation.
Cyrus' real-life dad, country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, also plays her father on the show a la "Ozzie & Harriet." On her "Best of Both Worlds" tour, Cyrus will perform two sets, one as herself and the other as her TV alter ego.
In August, Miley and her dad were in Anaheim at Downtown Disney to attend a premiere of "High School Musical 2." The crowd seemed euphoric when the star showed up, and, during a quiet moment of reflection, the elder Cyrus confided that even his family has days when it feels like the whole "Hannah Montana" phenomenon is beyond its reach.
"It's been a whirlwind," he said, "but she's handling it well, and I think it's just going to get bigger and it's going to get wilder. The hard thing is being a father to her during all this, honestly."
Poster Comment:
As I posted on You Tube, I heard that "Hannah" is Britney's granddaughter!
And, Britney used to have that stage presence before she got old!
I hope "Hannah" gets real rich before she turns 17 and is too old to kick it anymore!
Hopefully, her flash in the pan will last longer than her dad's, Billy Ray Cyrus. I remember when Travis Tritt was openly disgusted with Billy's 1992 hit, "ACHY BREAKY HEART".
Tritt is one of the finest talents in country music. If you listen to the closing song of MY COUSIN VINNY, that's Travis singing about a gal "with a body that was built for sin" in "The Bible Belt". And he wasn't alone in his disgust. I despised that friggin' song and the mullet-haired, comedic, oversized-Pythonesque cowboy hat-wearing line dancers it inspired. But, I won't hold that against the kid. I mean, I need someone to replace Avril Lavigne now that she's old and married. I mean, she's 23 for Christ's sake! And, like most Americans I worship youth!
Hopefully, her flash in the pan will last longer than her dad's, Billy Ray Cyrus. I remember when Travis Tritt was openly disgusted with Billy's 1992 hit, "ACHY BREAKY HEART".
Hard to believe that there are people this stupid..... well, no.... after all, this is the United States where consimerism is king.
Of all of the things going on in the United States, that people devote time to this non-sense, talking, thinking or considering, is proof enough as to how far down America has gone.
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest.
#10. To: richard9151, lodwick, rowdee, a vast rightwing conspirator, kiki, who knows what evil, christine, Zipporah, Jethro Tull (#9)
Oh, you bet. Let's turn as many 14 year olds into sex objects as we can! And then, get mad when some pediophile has sex with one.
But why stop there?! Why not go for the 8 year olds as well!
Ah, hell! LET'S START WITH 3 YEAR OLDS! Well, three years and one day... that way, the Talmud can be blessed with your desires as well!
I am curious as to what is the matter with you people? Does the major media have that much control over your thinking?
Most of us have been having fun with the tongue-in-cheek humor.
If the funny comparison between her career and her Achy, Breaky dad's didn't clue you in, then it remains a mystery how you missed the significance of Steely Dan's lyrics to HEY NINETEEN.
And, most of us don't regard Avril Lavigne and Miley Cyrus (a.k.a. Hannah Montana) as "rock goddesses" or objects of worship, so we don't require group therapy to suppress any secret desires. (and consequently we don't telegraph Freudian clues either)
A concert artist based on a TV show is not without precedent here, either. (Remember The Monkees?) And, the adults here aren't likely to be swept up in what is a pre and early teen phenom. It's already been mentioned that it's something some of our kids would enjoy, so, we'd more than likely relate to parents attempting to secure tickets than to the artist.
Now, a fellow guitarist and lifelong friend of mine has taken a special interest in one of his students, an 11 yr old guitarist named Austin Taylor.
In addition to having his own Wikipedia page he is also featured in a You Tube video playing with my friend and his mentor, H. M. Johnson.
Do you understand why he or I would be interested in seeing a young person pursuing that which we also have loved our whole lives or, do you find that "unseemly" as well?
I can see no reason why we should let the disturbed ravings from the obviously dark corners of your mind interfere with our fun.
THE THRILL IS GONE by Austin Taylor and The H.M. Johnson Band
If you don't trust yourself around children then, I won't quarrel with that.
I'm betting (and praying) that you don't have any kids because you defaulted to what could only be described as unhealthy thoughts while the rest of us, parents, mentors, and educators don't have to avert our eyes to avoid temptation.
If the funny comparison between her career and her Achy, Breaky dad's didn't clue you in, then it remains a mystery how you missed the significance of Steely Dan's lyrics to HEY NINETEEN.
I did not read it. I am not going to read it. Have not a clue as to who her dad is.
Most of us have been having fun with the tongue-in-cheek humor.
I do not consider this humor, under any circumstances. A girl this young is being promoted, as a sex object, to bring forth the idea of earlier and earlier sex. Read the Talmud. Oh, heck, I forgot; the major media is only wrong when you do not agree with what they say. If they agree with your thinking, they are, obviously, correct, cause your thinking could never be wrong, right?
Now me, personally, ANY time I find myself in agreement with something that comes from the major media, I stop and search out what is wrong with my thinking!
objects of worship, so we don't require group therapy to suppress any secret desires.
Oh, no, not at all! Let's see...... $3000 for a ticket. Nope. No rock worship there.
adults here aren't likely to be swept up in what is a pre and early teen phenom. It's already been mentioned that it's something some of our kids would enjoy, so, we'd more than likely relate to parents attempting to secure tickets than to the artist.
Oh, I see.... you are just enablers; I get it. And then you wonder why your own children have such a different outlook on sex and money and what is right and what is wrong. And when someone suggests that, just maybe, THEY could have what whoever-the-hell-is-the-hot-of-the-moment is, well, what the hey! Go for it kid! Damn the cost!.... to yourself...
he is also featured in a You Tube video playing with my friend and his mentor, H. M. Johnson.
Oh, by all means.... make him a target. Please yourselves, without teaching the child. Sounds about right. And then when he has the problems that come with what you are promoting, moan about how far he COULD have gone.
I can see no reason why we should let the disturbed ravings from the obviously dark corners of your mind interfere with our fun.
Um, yes, of course, my disturbed ravings. Because I refuse to accept that a 14 year old should be promoted as a sex object. Yes, obviously, something is wrong with me, and not with those who promote such.
to what could only be described as unhealthy thoughts while the rest of us, parents, mentors, and educators don't have to avert our eyes to avoid temptation.
Nice try, beanbrain, in trying to reverse things. As we are told in the Bible, AVOID TEMPTATION. And do not tempt others. In fact, it is our MORAL obligation to NEVER do anything that would tempt others. Naturally, that part would go right over your head, right?
Nothing changes the fact that you are happy about a young girl that should NEVER be put into the position that she is currently in, and, it is being done, by her parents, for money. Remember that 7 or 8 year old girl killed in Colorado a few years ago? The so-called Child Beauty Queen? Using your logic, what her parents did to her was perfectly alright.
And your promotion of the stupidity says volumes about you and your priorities.
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest.
austin taylor's great! my brother and sister-in-law are guitarists and I'm going to send them the video. I must admit I'm not used to hearing "the thrill is gone" quite so high pitched, but it grows on you. he's a darn good guitarist.
what the hell hapened to this thread? I was forced to do a little research about hannah montana, and disney seems to be going for cute and trendy but definitely NOT sexy. if nothing else, I would say she offers a wholesome alternative to the britneys and lindsays.
I learned today that "leave it to beaver" is 50 years old, and was the first tv show to show a toilet. they only showed the tank, not the seat - whew! wally and the beav were keeping a turtle or a lizard or a fish or something in it.
Hannah is dressed conservo and there is no crass exploitation of a youngster. At least not yet. (Of course in three years she may be tonguing Madonna on live TV.)
I suspect that she's being managed by someone who saw how Britney disgusted people, and hopefully she won't go down that road.
Regarding Austin, I have high expectations for him!
And because he's my homie (I was born and raised in Norfolk) and my friend's student I'm particularly interested in seeing him do well.
Personally, I thought that that the kid KICKED ASS - just wonderful...he has no idea what the words mean, but in ten, or twenty, or so, more years, he may have a clue.
I do not consider this humor, under any circumstances. A girl this young is being promoted, as a sex object, to bring forth the idea of earlier and earlier sex.
This girl is not being promoted as a sex object.
Though our media is corrupted, every now and then something innocent will come along.
Little girls often idolize bigger girls and want to be like them, I see nothing harmful at all in this Hannah Montana and her young fans. There is nothing sexual about it, it's the same as little boys who admire their sports stars.
Personally, I thought that the kid KICKED ASS - just wonderful...he has no idea what the words mean, but in ten, or twenty, or so, more years, he may have a clue.
Last week my friend Henry told me that he spends hours with Austin and the little chap never gets tired or loses interest.
This is how Brad Paisley started out as a youngster in WVA, and he is one of the finest artists alive today.
I'm hoping that being the protege of Henry Johnson during the peak years of his learning curve will result in a world class Son Of The Commonwealth that we'll all be proud of.
Though our media is corrupted, every now and then something innocent will come along.
Little girls often idolize bigger girls and want to be like them, I see nothing harmful at all in this Hannah Montana and her young fans. There is nothing sexual about it, it's the same as little boys who admire their sports stars.
Sorry you feel that way, Diana. That such is done with a 14 year old and that people do not recognize it says a lot about how far down the morals of America have sunk. You may want to try this post, just put up;
Real estate bust and foreclosure boom comes home to a neighborhood built on easy credit
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest.
Sorry you feel that way, Diana. That such is done with a 14 year old and that people do not recognize it says a lot about how far down the morals of America have sunk.
So, you don't feel that our support for a talented 12 yr old boy guitarist reflects poorly on America's morals, but a gifted 14 yr old girl singer/dancer is evidence that we're sinking into the pits and exploiting children?
Brenda Lee was 11 when she started making hits.
Brenda dressed appropriately then as "Hannah" does today, but apparently you get aroused anyway.
Maybe the problem isn't America's morals any more than Ted Bundy's problem was "those girls I sneaked in and murdered were sleeping in sexy PJ's and they had it coming for getting me excited!"
"BOYCOTT AIR TRAVEL! LET'S PUT THOSE TSA IDIOTS ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE!
And your point is? No child of 11, or 12, or 14, has the skills, experience, and armour to protect themselves from the predators of this world. Nor, do they have the knowledge needed to make decisions which put them into such situations. Nothing you can say will ever change that. That means that they are being exploited.
Next, I suppose you will suggest that they are only being given an opportunity. To do what? Screw up their lives? Spears was about this age I imagine when she got started. Wonderful outcome. Presley is another; wonderful ending. The list is rather endless.
There is a new post (35% of Americans....), and the following from that post pretty well describes you, hound. And your TV-driven oppinions as to what should be done with children in America.
The essential features of Americanistic Personality Disorder include pervasive patterns of extreme self-absorption, profound and long-term lapses in empathy, a deep disregard for the well-being of others, a powerful aversion to intellectual honesty and reality, and a grossly exaggerated sense of the importance of one’s self and one’s nation. These patterns emerge in infancy, manifest themselves in nearly all contexts, and often become pathological.
These patterns have also been characterized as sociopathic, or colloquially as the “Ugly American Syndrome.” Note that the latter terminology carries too benign a connotation to accurately describe an individual afflicted with such a dangerous perversion of character.
When a man who is honestly mistaken hears the truth, he will either quit being mistaken or cease to be honest.
