Strange, CBS Won't Let 'Em Sing

A song from the musical Passing Strange will not be allowed to be performed at a pre-Tony Awards telecast on CBS, a spokesman for the show announced today.

"WE JUST GOT AXED," read the email from Sam Rudy to Back Stage national theatre editor Leonard Jacobs. "The Broadway musical PASSING STRANGE is coming under the overly watchful eye of WCBS-TV, whose office of standards and practices has determined that the musical number 'We Just Had Sex' is not suitable to be broadcast..."

Rudy did not indicate whether CBS would allow another number from the show to be performed. No official word yet from CBS or its affiliates.

Of course, this pre-supposes that Passing Strange, created and starring the one-named Stew, will be in the running after the nominations are announced next week. Then again, despite mixed reviews, it's a safe bet it will be in a year without any runaway musical hits.

The lyrics are rather tame, Rudy contended, and he's got a point:

"We just had sex. There's nothing sleazy 'bout a natural reflex. It's nice and easy. No need to crain your necks. It's all cool and breezy, baby. What's a little bedroom traffic? Evening News is more pornographic!"

It's all cool and breezy, baby? With talk like that, it's a wonder the song isn't titled, "I'm Still Waiting to Have Sex."

--Andrew Salomon