In the wake of the horrific mass shooting that transpired at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Florida, viewers who tuned into this year’s Tony Awards on CBS were quickly reminded of Broadway’s steadfast devotion toward the LGBT community.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the CBS telecast of the awards show drew in a record breaking 8.7 million viewers, giving the awards ceremony its most watched show in 15 years. The awards show experienced a 35 percent jump in ratings from last year’s show.
There’s no doubt that a large part of the Tonys ratings success has to do with the Broadway phenomenon Hamilton. The play – bringing in record box office numbers – supplemented the telecast with the much needed tinge of diversity that is sorely lacking from many Hollywood award shows. Some comedic hosting hijinks from late night maestro James Corden also helped.