Hairspray Live!: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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7.1	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 18 Ratings

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Season Details & Credits

NBC | Season Premiere Date: December 7, 2016

Summary: Baltimore teen Tracy Turnblad (Maddie Baillio) dreams of dancing on the Corny Collins Show come true and with her new-found fame seeks to integrate the show so her friends can join her in this adaption of the movie-turned-musical with encouragement from her mother (Harvey Fierstein) and father (Martin Short).

Genre(s): Drama, Music

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Season 1 Episodes

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Robert Bianco

Dec 8, 2016

Those [recurrent technical glitche] may be the inevitable by-product of an effort to do a live show this complex. And when it comes to live musicals, this one may be hard to beat. Read full review

Darren Franich

Dec 8, 2016

With Hairspray Live!, more was never more enough. There were pleasures to be had from all the much muchness. Read full review

Kevin Fallon

Dec 8, 2016

This, folks, was a very good production of Hairspray! Read full review

Sophie Gilbert

Dec 8, 2016

If The Sound of Music Live! was unconscionably awkward, and Peter Pan Live! felt bad by design, the soundstage/live audience hybrid approach gave Hairspray a sense of theatricality and dazzle that patched over some of its weaker moments. And although the show’s tackling of racial prejudice felt clumsy at times, its strongest performers were more than capable of compensating. Read full review

Daniel D'Addario

Dec 8, 2016

It’s hard to say this broadcast was far from what it might have been when so many elements were as well-turned-out as they were--not just Sykes’s, Hudson’s, and Baillio’s performances, but also Ariana Grande’s, redefining her nascent pop-star image as a game day-player. The production itself was as good as could reasonably be expected for three hours live on broadcast TV. Read full review

Vicki Hyman

Dec 8, 2016

Uneven performances and technical issues stopped the show connecting with viewers like 2015's superior "The Wiz." Read full review

David Rooney

Dec 8, 2016

It's a serious problem when secondary characters in a musical far outshine the leads ... The imbalance turned what has always been a tremendously entertaining musical into a lumbering vehicle, made worse by awkward '60s-style "live" commercials and deadening segues to an over-enthusiastic Darren Criss with the studio audience. Read full review

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User Score

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7.1

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User Reviews

Andreiagreda

Dec 10, 2016

This may be now my favorite musical. Casting is great, scenarios are great, everything's just splendid! It did not disappoint my expectations although some few minor problems they have encountered. 10/10

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

iMoonlight

Dec 8, 2016

I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!
I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rllyI rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!
I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!I rlly love this version, I rlly loved!!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Andreireirei

Dec 10, 2016

A musical show Live! It's great to see such amazing show Live filled with happiness and joyful music. This show is a must to see. Although they seem to have a problem with the mic, but it's just minor.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

nahtan1244

Dec 23, 2016

NBC FINALLY HAS GOT IT RIGHT THIS WAS BY FAR THE BEST LIVE MUSICAL THEY HAVE AND TV HAS PRODUCED. I don't have the musical movie to compare too however I have never seen the musical period. What did I think of the musical and the cast? the cast was perfect. This musical was everything greaseNBC FINALLY HAS GOT IT RIGHT THIS WAS BY FAR THE BEST LIVE MUSICAL THEY HAVE AND TV HAS PRODUCED. I don't have the musical movie to compare too however I have never seen the musical period. What did I think of the musical and the cast? the cast was perfect. This musical was everything grease live strides to be. Better leads an excellent soundtrack a near perfect supporting cast an excellent story, well written characters, fantastic moral messages and even better energy in the dancing and choreography, wow was I surprised. Kristen chenoweth did fantastic as the villain Velma von tussle and her daughter amber von tussle played by Dove Cameron were a perfect evil mother and Daughter couple. Newcomer Maddie Baillio was absolutely wonderful as Tracy turnblad. Harvey Fierstein was great as the cross dressing mom. I thought the two had great chemistry together. Derek Hough was incredibly good as the Charismatic tv host of the Corny Collins show. Jennifer Hudson was an excellent singer and an equally excellent actress. I thought it was ironic that she is a celebrity playing a celebrity. The combination of her stage presence energy voice and acting were out of this world. The only cast members I thought were miscast was ariana grande as penny and Garrett Clayton as Link Larkin. The two suffered from the problem of having zero chemistry With their lead counterpart. Ariana sang way too quietly and had zero stage presence. Garrett Clayton had good stage presence when he was not talking but I felt he did not deliver enough emotion when his character had to. Over this is easily the best live musical has ever produced and has set the bar very high for future live musicals.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

mstivers

Dec 7, 2016

Unlike some of the previous live TV musicals, this one had a cast overloaded with experienced Broadway talent. The period art direction and costumes are dazzling, practically every song is a winner, the jokes are plentiful, and the message of acceptance is powerful. This was by far the bestUnlike some of the previous live TV musicals, this one had a cast overloaded with experienced Broadway talent. The period art direction and costumes are dazzling, practically every song is a winner, the jokes are plentiful, and the message of acceptance is powerful. This was by far the best live musical of the past few years, and sets a standard that will be hard to beat.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

davedsel

Dec 7, 2016

My now all-time favorite movie is the 2007 film version of Hairspray. I love the era and the concept against discrimination. I eagerly anticipated the Hairspray Live TV version airing on NBC 12/7/2016. I watched tonight and was very pleased. Most of the songs from the movie were usedMy now all-time favorite movie is the 2007 film version of Hairspray. I love the era and the concept against discrimination. I eagerly anticipated the Hairspray Live TV version airing on NBC 12/7/2016. I watched tonight and was very pleased. Most of the songs from the movie were used plus ones that I understand were cut from the film. The order of events was different from the movie as well. However, as a musical performance it was excellent. My favorite number was "Timeless". I do have to wonder how Harvey Fierstein had such a convincingly realistic cleavage in the final song and dance number. LOL. Overall, an excellent and very enjoyable performance by all.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Seasons & Episodes

66

Series Overview
Season 1

66
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: December 7, 2016
- No episode information is currently available for this season