Weird...Harris to narrate/host WOC

[GatorChris]

I'm not to keen on this call. Just read that Neil Patrick Harris is going to be narrating and be seen visually in the 60th Anniversary WOC. For one, this guy bugs. Never found him funny or even an average actor. I'd rather watch a Jim Varney marathon before I watch his stuff.

But my main point I want to make, and I made this point elsewhere recently, is that they could've picked someone more "Disney", just like they picked Julie Andrews for "Remember...". Infinitely better "Diosney" choices for WOC voice and narration: Tom Hanks (Saving Mr. Banks, Toy Story), Jeff Bridges (Tron, Tron:Legacy), Nicholas Cage (National Treasure), Hayley Mills (to many Disney films to count), or....how about the perfect fit....JOHNNY DEPP!!!!! No, we get stuck with the very un-Disney Harris. I'm just not getting this at all. But those are my thought and opinions. How about you.

 

[DisneyDreamer1229]

He wouldn't be my first choice (Johnny Depp would be great!!!) but it sounds like he has done a few things for Disneyland over the years, including narrating the Calfornia Screamin' launch intro, so they must have him on speed dial.

 

[Allison]

He seems pretty Disney to me. He is a fan of the parks, he has hosted the Christmas parade and is a very popular Candlelight Processional narrator.

 

[wiscbugs]

He is a huge Disney guy...not sure what the problem is.

 

[neonderlyn]

I happen to think it was a decent choice. I would enjoy seeing him host, he is a huge Disney fan and has always said that and shown that.

 

[Keels]

I'm with you. I'm pretty burnt out on NPH right now and think he needs to take a year or two off before he becomes insufferable.

 

[GatorChris]

He seems pretty Disney to me. He is a fan of the parks, he has hosted the Christmas parade and is a very popular Candlelight Processional narrator.

For me, that was the worst Christmas Parades ever. His dry humor and terrible delivery had me fast-forwarding most of the program. Didn't like him as host at all - but that's just me.

I happen to think it was a decent choice. I would enjoy seeing him host, he is a huge Disney fan and has always said that and shown that.

Being a fan doesn't make you Disney, though. That would be like having Pamela Anderson doing the 60th Fireworks because she bring her kids to Disneyland alot (at least, I've seen her there twice). Steve Martin not only loves Disney but used to be a cast member - that would be a better pick for me as far as having a comedian do the hosting, but that would still be too far of a stretch. I like seeing a Disney connection from film to show.

Another example: I like Gary Sinise doing the pre-ride videos on Space Mt and Mission:Space. It makes sense because of his connections to space movies like Mission to Mars and Apollo 13. But it would NOT make sense for Gary Sinise to host a light show about the 60 year history of Disney. Just doesn't make sense to me.

 

[NannyBeBe]

To each his own, but I find this guy to be a total boor.

 

[AngiTN]

I like him. I applaud the choice.

 

[DizMe]

I like him, but I would like many others better. It's WOC I'm not keen on

 

[Zeebs]

What is that saying? "you can please some of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time"

I happen to like him, I think he is very Disney.

 

[Blue32]

I'll withhold judgment until I see how he is used in the show. But my initial reaction is one similar to that of the OP. The appeal of him as a narrator is just not there for me.

What I don't quite understand is why a narrator is needed at all for WOC. But....I have not seen the "new" show and how this show plays could be very different from the original.

I am just hoping the use of NPH is minimal.

 

[Fantaluminishes]

Personally, I can't wait until the now WOC starts. And the new fireworks. AND the Paint The Night parade. I can't wait to read all of the posts by people complaining about these shows. "I liked the original WoC much more," or "Bring back Remember..." or my personal favorite "I sure wish they would bring back MSEP. It's just not the same". I mean, really! It's a light and water show with NPH (probably in voice only). Get over it! I have no problem with Neil Patrick Harris. He appeals to a younger, hipper audience. He's a big Disney fan, and has been used for many other things at the parks. This will be a great fit. NPH and the updated version of the show will finally give me a reason to see WoC again. I personally hated the original version. Now if Disney would only do something about the horrible viewing and the closure of all those rides when the show takes place.

 

[disneyobsessed808]

I'm with the "not that big of a fan of NPH." It's not that I don't think he's Disney, to me - he represents Disney almost as much as any celebrity can, short of Julie Andrews. He certainly represents Disney as much as Steve Martin does, who hosted the 50th anniversary special. (Not really a fair comparison to Pamela Anderson).

I mean he's okay, but he is EVERYWHERE and I feel like Disney and everyone is trying to force him on us. Reminds me of "Mean Girls", Disney needs to stop trying to make NPH happen.

The other main issue I have is with his voice - it's not a soothing, resonant voice to my ears, unlike Julie Andrews' voice. I personally dislike the Screamin narration and wish they would bring back the old one.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I didn't know he does the spiels for California Screamin. Interesting.

 

[rentayenta]

I like him well enough but he's everywhere right now. I didn't love him on the Oscars this year. He doesn't scream Disney to me either.

 

[sheetz]

I just don't think he's in the category of legendary performer like a lot of other actors/actresses. Dick Van Dyke would have been interesting as a counterpart to Andrews' RDCT. The late Robin Williams would have been good, too. Even Whoopi Goldberg would have made a good choice as a way to make up for getting rid of Golden Dreams.

Edit: Annoying Disboards software edits out Mr Van Dyke's first name. LOL

 

[tiffjoy]

I like him, but I also don't think personal likes/dislikes of a person have anything to do with how that person might perform in something still yet unseen.

I don't like WOC, anyway, so this news was neutral for me. But I think he is a huge fan of Disney, and he's also quite popular, so I can understand Disney's choice. Also, it's quite possible he was not their first choice, and some of the suggested people were considered but turned down the role/were not available/were too expensive/etc.

 

[DharmaLou]

I love him - think it's a great choice!!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I don't mind him but I do think there could have been a few other people to do the new woc.

However just to point this out. I really was disappointing with the Christmas parade last year. I love frozen and wouldn't change that but I missed the old Christmas parade on tv. It was not the same and I don't think it was his fault at all. Just they as Disney, did not do a good job with it last year. I hope they change it this year. Frozen yes, Christmas Parade yes. Less Hawaii and better singers. Half the people this year butchered songs.