Craig Ferguson @ Boston Pops 4th of July

[USAswimmer626]

Great fireworks and music! But did anyone notice host Craig Ferguson seemed a bit, drunk?

 

[*NikkiBell*]

lol Nah, he's always like that.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

Not sure which fireworks we saw on the telly, but man alive were they spectacular...must have been four or five barges setting off identical fireworks...unbelievable!

 

[WaltD4Me]

Not sure which fireworks we saw on the telly, but man alive were they spectacular...must have been four or five barges setting off identical fireworks...unbelievable!

I think that was the New York Macy's fireworks. They were amazing, but some of the music was kinda slow for fireworks I thought.

 

[disneydreamgirl]

I think that was the New York Macy's fireworks. They were amazing, but some of the music was kinda slow for fireworks I thought.

They did mention Macy's...you must be right. We saw the tail end, perhaps four or five minutes and were must mesmerized. I'm not sure I even registered music!

 

[Dodie]

Craig Ferguson = funniest man on latenight television in my opinion. What you witnessed was his personality. That's the way he is.

He's recently (in the past couple of years?) become a US citizen. I thought it was an interesting and great idea hosting-wise!

 

[mainegal]

I watched Capitol Fourth from DC, Macy,s from NYC and Boston Pops.

I was disappointed with the music for the Boston fireworks. It was pop rather an marches and patriotic songs for the most part. I guess they are trying to appeal to the younger crowd.

 

[USAswimmer626]

I watched Capitol Fourth from DC, Macy,s from NYC and Boston Pops.

I was disappointed with the music for the Boston fireworks. It was pop rather an marches and patriotic songs for the most part. I guess they are trying to appeal to the younger crowd.

I was quite surprised to hear "I Gotta Feeling" and "Just Dance" in the music for the fireworks display. While it appeals more to the younger crowd, I would have been more pleased to see a couple more patriotic songs, or some more from the Pops.

 

[Blumonkeyboy]

Pops are amazing. I love watching them from a few years ago with Aerosmith. Walk this Way with orchestra = Awesome.

 

[doconeill]

Craig always looks like he's inebriated and ready for a nap - because he just looks that way. He also likes to improv, so I think it enhances it.

As for the music - the prerecorded music during the main fireworks has been that way for a while - a mix of various styles. I even turned to DW and said, "They just couldn't do it without some Black Eyed Peas..." I'm getting tired of hearing autotuned voices, no matter how catchy the songs...

The marches, etc. all happened before the fireworks, and generally before the national broadcast. Boston got to see two more hours of it, including the complete 1812 Overture.

The "Pops" orchestra is meant to be a mix between classical and contemporary music.

 

[mainegal]

The "Pops" orchestra is meant to be a mix between classical and contemporary music.

Am I the only one who misses Arthur Fiedler?

 

[Sawx04]

Am I the only one who misses Arthur Fiedler?

Arthur Fiedler used to compose, now he decomposing.

I miss him too!

 

[doconeill]

Arthur Fiedler made the 1812 Overture the patriotic staple it is today. Interestingly, the song isn't even about the War of Independence, or the War of 1812. It was actually about the Russians defense against Napoleon...

Everyone who remembers misses Fiedler.

"Johnny" Williams brought Hollywood creds and music and I believe helped popularize the orchestra further when he took over after Fiedler's death, bring his Hollywood orchestral hits with him.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I loved Fiedler, I loved Williams, and I love Lockhart. I love that they mix it up every year, since they really do have to appeal to a much wider audience. The "classics" are fine, but don't appeal to everyone. Patriotism should not be restricted to the stodgy set. However, I do wish they'd lighten up on the C/W. THAT is not Boston.

And yeah, the rest of the world doesn't get to see the entire show, only the final bars of the 1812 Overture and then the fireworks. Pity, really.

 

[Joshua_me]

Craig is a recovering alcoholic, a fact he's mentioned many times on his show.

I thought he looked a little "toasted", too. But really...I think that's just the way he is...

He's by far the funniest guy in late night. (Well, except for that talking robot. )