Viewers of the 79th annual Tony Awards have called for a boycott of host network CBS.
The network has been in hot water for months, after a lawsuit filed by President Donald Trump ended with Paramount settling for a $16 million payout. More recently, the veteran journalist Scott Pelley was fired from 60 Minutes after reportedly accusing CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss of “murdering” the top news program.
Moments after the Tonys broadcast — celebrating the best of Broadway — kicked off with a dazzling musical number hosted by Pink, viewers noted several issues and didn’t waste time pointing them out online.
“I do not shock easily, however, I am shocked and appalled that you had children introduce a dancer who shook her nearly bare derrier in a side view on the Tony Awards,” one viewer wrote on X after rapper Megan Thee Stallion was introduced by a young cast member from Ragtime. “Contributing to the immorality of a minor is a felony, as it should be. Clean up your act. Boycott.”
“Oh, @CBS get with the f***ing times. You censor Megan Thee Stallion on the Tony’s, but let that orange piece of s*** in the WH carry on like an imbecile,” another irate viewer wrote of the opening number as someone else chimed in: “@cbs showing open and shameful actions. I’d say shame on them, but they clearly have no sense of it. #TonyAwards.”
Someone else noticed: “Megan Thee just cursed and CBS was too late to bleep it. #TonyAwards.”
“Would have loved to be watching right now but I’m boycotting CBS!!!” another wrote while someone agreed, “ I always look forward to the #TonyAwards, but you need to find a better network than CBS.”
Others were less harsh, though vocal in their disdain for the network’s actions, writing: “Quite possibly the best opening ever to the #TonyAwards in my lifetime! Too bad it’s on @CBS where they have a news division run by the Trump admin.”
More to follow
