Good night, Baltimore

Clearly, Hollywood doesn't understand the concept of there being too much of a good thing.

They hit it big with Hairspray on Broadway and on film in the 80's and again last year. Then they hit it not-so-big when they attempted to adapt Crybaby for the Broadway stage.

Does Jon Waters owe someone a huge sum of money? Because for someone who has recently attacked Hampden's annual HONFest (only one of the best Baltimore summer traditions EVER) for being "condescending," he sure seems to be selling out.

"Why, Downbeat? Why are you so incredibly incensed over Jon Waters and Hollywood?" I hear you asking yourself right now. My enlivened state is in swift response to this special little headline that popped up on HuffPo this morning: "Hairspray" Sequel Set for 2010. Are you kidding me? Lay a good thing to rest. There are two popular versions of Baltimore in the Hollywood scope: that of Homicide: Life on the Streets/The Corner/The Wire, and that of Jon Waters' 50's era pink flamingos and greasers. Neither of them is the Baltimore that I know and love.

AND... on top of all of that... if they bring John Travolta back with that absolutely heinous cockney that he calls Bawlmerese (the "charming" Baltimore accent that is mocked by many and mastered by a few for the non-Baltimoron readership), I will find the nearest window and jump out of it.

Jon Waters, you are a sell out. Pure and simple. I hope making that dollar holler is worth it, because your Hairspray legacy is about to be tainted.

Forget Hairspray. I'll take HONFestival any day on Jon Waters.


HONFest 2006 with the cast of Beehive: The 60s Musical and some young fans showing their hon pride