document_title: List of ATP number 1 ranked singles tennis players

question_text: who has been number 1 in tennis the longest

text: Ranking method[edit]

text: Since the introduction of the ATP rankings the method used to calculate a player's ranking points has changed several times. As of 2011, the rankings are calculated by totaling the points a player wins in his best eighteen tournaments, subject to certain restrictions. For top players the counting tournaments are the four Grand Slam tournaments, the eight mandatory ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournaments, the player's best four eligible ATP World Tour 500 series tournaments (the non-mandatory ATP Masters 1000 event in Monte Carlo may be substituted for one of these), and his best two results from ATP World Tour 250 series. Lower-ranked players who are not eligible for some or all of the top tournaments may include additional ATP 500 and ATP 250 events, and also ATP Challenger Series, and Futures Series tournaments. The ranking points of players who qualify for the year-end ATP World Tour Finals also include any points gained at that tournament, increasing their counting tournament total to nineteen.[6]

text: Records and particularities[edit]

text: Roger Federer holds the records for both the most total weeks at No. 1 (302) and most consecutive weeks at No. 1 (237).[7] Pete Sampras holds the record for the most year-end No. 1 (six, all consecutive).[8][9] Patrick Rafter spent the fewest weeks at No. 1 (one week).

text: Lleyton Hewitt is both the youngest world No. 1 (20 years, 268 days) and youngest year-end No. 1,[10][11] while Ivan Lendl is the oldest year-end No. 1 (29 years, 299 days). Andre Agassi is the oldest No. 1 (33 years, 131 days).[12][13][14]

text: Only four players have regained the year end No. 1 ranking after having lost it - Lendl in 1989, Federer in 2009, Nadal in 2010, and Djokovic in 2014. Only one player regained the year end No. 1 ranking a second time, Nadal in 2013.

text: Rafael Nadal became the ATP player with the longest time span between first and most recent dates at world No. 1 in the history of the ATP Tour. He did so on August 21, 2017 9 years after first becoming No. 1 on August 18, 2008.

text: Two players, Ivan Lendl and Marcelo Ríos, have reached No. 1 without previously having won a Grand Slam tournament.[15] Lendl reached No. 1 on February 21, 1983, but did not win his first Grand Slam title until the 1984 French Open.[16] Rios reached No. 1 on March 30, 1998 and is the only No. 1 player who never won a Grand Slam singles title.[17][18]

text: Since 1973 when the ATP ranking started, there have been twelve years when one player held the top spot for the entire year. In contrast, 1999 had the most No. 1 players of any year since the rankings started. There were five players who were No. 1 sometime during that year - Sampras, Carlos Moya, Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Agassi and Rafter. John McEnroe held the No. 1 ranking on a record 14 different occasions and Pete Sampras was the only other player to hold it on 10 or more occasions with 11 different stints.

text: Number 1 ranked players[edit]

text:
No.
Country
Player
Start date
End date
Weeks
Total

1
 ROM
Năstase, IlieIlie Năstase
000000001973-08-23-0000August 23, 1973
000000001974-06-02-0000June 2, 1974
40
40

2
 AUS
Newcombe, JohnJohn Newcombe
000000001974-06-03-0000June 3, 1974
000000001974-07-28-0000July 28, 1974
8
8

3
 USA
Connors, JimmyJimmy Connors
000000001974-07-29-0000July 29, 1974
000000001977-08-22-0000August 22, 1977
160
160

4
 SWE
Borg, BjörnBjörn Borg
000000001977-08-23-0000August 23, 1977
000000001977-08-29-0000August 29, 1977
1
1

 USA
Jimmy Connors (2)
000000001977-08-30-0000August 30, 1977
000000001979-04-08-0000April 8, 1979
84
244

 SWE
Björn Borg (2)
000000001979-04-09-0000April 9, 1979
000000001979-05-20-0000May 20, 1979
6
7

 USA
Jimmy Connors (3)
000000001979-05-21-0000May 21, 1979
000000001979-07-08-0000July 8, 1979
7
251

 SWE
Björn Borg (3)
000000001979-07-09-0000July 9, 1979
000000001980-03-02-0000March 2, 1980
34
41

5
 USA
McEnroe, JohnJohn McEnroe
000000001980-03-03-0000March 3, 1980
000000001980-03-23-0000March 23, 1980
3
3

 SWE
Björn Borg (4)
000000001980-03-24-0000March 24, 1980
000000001980-08-10-0000August 10, 1980
20
61

 USA
McEnroe, JohnJohn McEnroe (2)
000000001980-08-11-0000August 11, 1980
000000001980-08-17-0000August 17, 1980
1
4

 SWE
Björn Borg (5)
000000001980-08-18-0000August 18, 1980
000000001981-07-05-0000July 5, 1981
46
107

 USA
John McEnroe (3)
000000001981-07-06-0000July 6, 1981
000000001981-07-19-0000July 19, 1981
2
6

 SWE
Björn Borg (6)
000000001981-07-20-0000July 20, 1981
000000001981-08-02-0000August 2, 1981
2
109

 USA
John McEnroe (4)
000000001981-08-03-0000August 3, 1981
000000001982-09-12-0000September 12, 1982
58
64

 USA
Jimmy Connors (4)
000000001982-09-13-0000September 13, 1982
000000001982-10-31-0000October 31, 1982
7
258

 USA
John McEnroe (5)
000000001982-11-01-0000November 1, 1982
000000001982-11-07-0000November 7, 1982
1
65

 USA
Jimmy Connors (5)
000000001982-11-08-0000November 8, 1982
000000001982-11-14-0000November 14, 1982
1
259

 USA
John McEnroe (6)
000000001982-11-15-0000November 15, 1982
000000001983-01-30-0000January 30, 1983
11
76

 USA
Jimmy Connors (6)
000000001983-01-31-0000January 31, 1983
000000001983-02-06-0000February 6, 1983
1
260

 USA
John McEnroe (7)
000000001983-02-07-0000February 7, 1983
000000001983-02-13-0000February 13, 1983
1
77

 USA
Jimmy Connors (7)
000000001983-02-14-0000February 14, 1983
000000001983-02-27-0000February 27, 1983
2
262

6
 TCH
Lendl, IvanIvan Lendl
000000001983-02-28-0000February 28, 1983
000000001983-05-15-0000May 15, 1983
11
11

 USA
Jimmy Connors (8)
000000001983-05-16-0000May 16, 1983
000000001983-06-05-0000June 5, 1983
3
265

 USA
John McEnroe (8)
000000001983-06-06-0000June 6, 1983
000000001983-06-12-0000June 12, 1983
1
78

 USA
Jimmy Connors (9)
000000001983-06-13-0000June 13, 1983
000000001983-07-03-0000July 3, 1983
3
268

 USA
John McEnroe (9)
000000001983-07-04-0000July 4, 1983
000000001983-10-30-0000October 30, 1983
17
95

 TCH
Ivan Lendl (2)
000000001983-10-31-0000October 31, 1983
000000001983-12-11-0000December 11, 1983
6
17

 USA
John McEnroe (10)
000000001983-12-12-0000December 12, 1983
000000001984-01-08-0000January 8, 1984
4
99

 TCH
Ivan Lendl (3)
000000001984-01-09-0000January 9, 1984
000000001984-03-11-0000March 11, 1984
9
26

 USA
John McEnroe (11)
000000001984-03-12-0000March 12, 1984
000000001984-06-10-0000June 10, 1984
13
112

 TCH
Ivan Lendl (4)
000000001984-06-11-0000June 11, 1984
000000001984-06-17-0000June 17, 1984
1
27

 USA
John McEnroe (12)
000000001984-06-18-0000June 18, 1984
000000001984-07-08-0000July 8, 1984
3
115

 TCH
Ivan Lendl (5)
000000001984-07-09-0000July 9, 1984
000000001984-08-12-0000August 12, 1984
5
32

 USA
John McEnroe (13)
000000001984-08-13-0000August 13, 1984
000000001985-08-18-0000August 18, 1985
53
168

 TCH
Ivan Lendl (6)
000000001985-08-19-0000August 19, 1985
000000001985-08-25-0000August 25, 1985
1
33

 USA
John McEnroe (14)
000000001985-08-26-0000August 26, 1985
000000001985-09-08-0000September 8, 1985
2
170

 TCH
Ivan Lendl (7)
000000001985-09-09-0000September 9, 1985
000000001988-09-11-0000September 11, 1988
157
190

7
 SWE
Wilander, MatsMats Wilander
000000001988-09-12-0000September 12, 1988
000000001989-01-29-0000January 29, 1989
20
20

 TCH
Ivan Lendl (8)
000000001989-01-30-0000January 30, 1989
000000001990-08-12-0000August 12, 1990
80
270

8
 SWE
Edberg, StefanStefan Edberg
000000001990-08-13-0000August 13, 1990
000000001991-01-27-0000January 27, 1991
24
24

9
 GER
Becker, BorisBoris Becker
000000001991-01-28-0000January 28, 1991
000000001991-02-17-0000February 17, 1991
3
3

 SWE
Stefan Edberg (2)
000000001991-02-18-0000February 18, 1991
000000001991-07-07-0000July 7, 1991
20
44

 GER
Boris Becker (2)
000000001991-07-08-0000July 8, 1991
000000001991-09-08-0000September 8, 1991
9
12

 SWE
Stefan Edberg (3)
000000001991-09-09-0000September 9, 1991
000000001992-02-09-0000February 9, 1992
22
66

10
 USA
Courier, JimJim Courier
000000001992-02-10-0000February 10, 1992
000000001992-03-22-0000March 22, 1992
6
6

 SWE
Stefan Edberg (4)
000000001992-03-23-0000March 23, 1992
000000001992-04-12-0000April 12, 1992
3
69

 USA
Jim Courier (2)
000000001992-04-13-0000April 13, 1992
000000001992-09-13-0000September 13, 1992
22
28

 SWE
Stefan Edberg (5)
000000001992-09-14-0000September 14, 1992
000000001992-10-04-0000October 4, 1992
3
72

 USA
Jim Courier (3)
000000001992-10-05-0000October 5, 1992
000000001993-04-11-0000April 11, 1993
27
55

11
 USA
Sampras, PetePete Sampras
000000001993-04-12-0000April 12, 1993
000000001993-08-22-0000August 22, 1993
19
19

 USA
Jim Courier (4)
000000001993-08-23-0000August 23, 1993
000000001993-09-12-0000September 12, 1993
3
58

 USA
Pete Sampras (2)
000000001993-09-13-0000September 13, 1993
000000001995-04-09-0000April 9, 1995
82
101

12
 USA
Agassi, AndreAndre Agassi
000000001995-04-10-0000April 10, 1995
000000001995-11-05-0000November 5, 1995
30
30

 USA
Pete Sampras (3)
000000001995-11-06-0000November 6, 1995
000000001996-01-28-0000January 28, 1996
12
113

 USA
Andre Agassi (2)
000000001996-01-29-0000January 29, 1996
000000001996-02-11-0000February 11, 1996
2
32

13
 AUT
Muster, ThomasThomas Muster
000000001996-02-12-0000February 12, 1996
000000001996-02-18-0000February 18, 1996
1
1

 USA
Pete Sampras (4)
000000001996-02-19-0000February 19, 1996
000000001996-03-10-0000March 10, 1996
3
116

 AUT
Thomas Muster (2)
000000001996-03-11-0000March 11, 1996
000000001996-04-14-0000April 14, 1996
5
6

 USA
Pete Sampras (5)
000000001996-04-15-0000April 15, 1996
000000001998-03-29-0000March 29, 1998
102
218

14
 CHI
Ríos, MarceloMarcelo Ríos
000000001998-03-30-0000March 30, 1998
000000001998-04-26-0000April 26, 1998
4
4

 USA
Pete Sampras (6)
000000001998-04-27-0000April 27, 1998
000000001998-08-09-0000August 9, 1998
15
233

 CHI
Marcelo Ríos (2)
000000001998-08-10-0000August 10, 1998
000000001998-08-23-0000August 23, 1998
2
6

 USA
Pete Sampras (7)
000000001998-08-24-0000August 24, 1998
000000001999-03-14-0000March 14, 1999
29
262

15
 ESP
Moyá, CarlosCarlos Moyá
000000001999-03-15-0000March 15, 1999
000000001999-03-28-0000March 28, 1999
2
2

 USA
Pete Sampras (8)
000000001999-03-29-0000March 29, 1999
000000001999-05-02-0000May 2, 1999
5
267

16
 RUS
Kafelnikov, YevgenyYevgeny Kafelnikov
000000001999-05-03-0000May 3, 1999
000000001999-06-13-0000June 13, 1999
6
6

 USA
Pete Sampras (9)
000000001999-06-14-0000June 14, 1999
000000001999-07-04-0000July 4, 1999
3
270

 USA
Andre Agassi (3)
000000001999-07-05-0000July 5, 1999
000000001999-07-25-0000July 25, 1999
3
35

17
 AUS
Rafter, PatrickPatrick Rafter
000000001999-07-26-0000July 26, 1999
000000001999-08-01-0000August 1, 1999
1
1

 USA
Pete Sampras (10)
000000001999-08-02-0000August 2, 1999
000000001999-09-12-0000September 12, 1999
6
276

 USA
Andre Agassi (4)
000000001999-09-13-0000September 13, 1999
000000002000-09-10-0000September 10, 2000
52
87

 USA
Pete Sampras (11)
000000002000-09-11-0000September 11, 2000
000000002000-11-19-0000November 19, 2000
10
286

18
 RUS
Safin, MaratMarat Safin
000000002000-11-20-0000November 20, 2000
000000002000-12-03-0000December 3, 2000
2
2

19
 BRA
Kuerten, GustavoGustavo Kuerten
000000002000-12-04-0000December 4, 2000
000000002001-01-28-0000January 28, 2001
8
8

 RUS
Marat Safin (2)
000000002001-01-29-0000January 29, 2001
000000002001-02-25-0000February 25, 2001
4
6

 BRA
Gustavo Kuerten (2)
000000002001-02-26-0000February 26, 2001
000000002001-04-01-0000April 1, 2001
5
13

 RUS
Marat Safin (3)
000000002001-04-02-0000April 2, 2001
000000002001-04-22-0000April 22, 2001
3
9

 BRA
Gustavo Kuerten (3)
000000002001-04-23-0000April 23, 2001
000000002001-11-18-0000November 18, 2001
30
43

20
 AUS
Hewitt, LleytonLleyton Hewitt
000000002001-11-19-0000November 19, 2001
000000002003-04-27-0000April 27, 2003
75
75

 USA
Andre Agassi (5)
000000002003-04-28-0000April 28, 2003
000000002003-05-11-0000May 11, 2003
2
89

 AUS
Lleyton Hewitt (2)
000000002003-05-12-0000May 12, 2003
000000002003-06-15-0000June 15, 2003
5
80

 USA
Andre Agassi (6)
000000002003-06-16-0000June 16, 2003
000000002003-09-07-0000September 7, 2003
12
101

21
 ESP
Ferrero, Juan CarlosJuan Carlos Ferrero
000000002003-09-08-0000September 8, 2003
000000002003-11-02-0000November 2, 2003
8
8

22
 USA
Roddick, AndyAndy Roddick
000000002003-11-03-0000November 3, 2003
000000002004-02-01-0000February 1, 2004
13
13

23
  SUI
Federer, RogerRoger Federer
000000002004-02-02-0000February 2, 2004
000000002008-08-17-0000August 17, 2008
237 ↑
237

24
 ESP
Nadal, RafaelRafael Nadal
000000002008-08-18-0000August 18, 2008
000000002009-07-05-0000July 5, 2009
46
46

  SUI
Roger Federer (2)
000000002009-07-06-0000July 6, 2009
000000002010-06-06-0000June 6, 2010
48
285

 ESP
Rafael Nadal (2)
000000002010-06-07-0000June 7, 2010
000000002011-07-03-0000July 3, 2011
56
102

25
 SRB
Novak Djokovic
000000002011-07-04-0000July 4, 2011
000000002012-07-08-0000July 8, 2012
53
53

  SUI
Roger Federer (3)
000000002012-07-09-0000July 9, 2012
000000002012-11-04-0000November 4, 2012
17
302 ↑

 SRB
Novak Djokovic (2)
000000002012-11-05-0000November 5, 2012
000000002013-10-06-0000October 6, 2013
48
101

 ESP
Rafael Nadal (3)
000000002013-10-07-0000October 7, 2013
000000002014-07-06-0000July 6, 2014
39
141

 SRB
Novak Djokovic (3)
000000002014-07-07-0000July 7, 2014
000000002016-11-06-0000November 6, 2016
122
223

26
 GBR
Andy Murray
000000002016-11-07-0000November 7, 2016
000000002017-08-20-0000August 20, 2017
41
41

 ESP
Rafael Nadal (4)
000000002017-08-21-0000August 21, 2017
Present
5
146

No.
Country
Player
Start date
End date
Weeks
Total

text:
Key

*
Current number 1 player as of September 18, 2017[update][19][20]

↑
ATP Ranking record

text: Weeks at No. 1[edit]

text: By player[edit]

text: The table on the left shows the total number of weeks that each player has been ranked No. 1 in their career by the ATP.[7]

text: The table on the right shows the number of consecutive weeks that each indicated player has been ranked No. 1 by the ATP. [7]

text:
Rank
Player
Total

1.
 Federer, RogerRoger Federer
302

2.
 Sampras, PetePete Sampras
286

3.
 Lendl, IvanIvan Lendl
270

4.
 Connors, JimmyJimmy Connors
268

5.
 Djokovic, NovakNovak Djokovic
223

6.
 McEnroe, JohnJohn McEnroe
170

7.
 Nadal, RafaelRafael Nadal
146

8.
 Borg, BjörnBjörn Borg
109

9.
 Agassi, AndreAndre Agassi
101

10.
 Hewitt, LleytonLleyton Hewitt
80

11.
 Edberg, StefanStefan Edberg
72

12.
 Courier, JimJim Courier
58

13.
 Kuerten, GustavoGustavo Kuerten
43

14.
 Murray, AndyAndy Murray
41

15.
 Năstase, IlieIlie Năstase
40

16.
 Wilander, MatsMats Wilander
20

17.
 Roddick, AndyAndy Roddick
13

18.
 Becker, BorisBoris Becker
12

19.
 Safin, MaratMarat Safin
9

20.
 Newcombe, JohnJohn Newcombe
8

 Ferrero, Juan CarlosJuan Carlos Ferrero

22.
 Muster, ThomasThomas Muster
6

 Ríos, MarceloMarcelo Ríos

 Kafelnikov, YevgenyYevgeny Kafelnikov

25.
 Moyá, CarlosCarlos Moyá
2

26.
 Rafter, PatrickPatrick Rafter
1

*
active players - current No. 1 in bold

Rank
Player
Consecutive

1.
 Federer, RogerRoger Federer
237

2.
 Connors, JimmyJimmy Connors
160

3.
 Lendl, IvanIvan Lendl
157

4.
 Djokovic, NovakNovak Djokovic
122

5.
 Sampras, PetePete Sampras
102

6.
 Jimmy Connors (2)
84

7.
 Pete Sampras (2)
82

8.
 Ivan Lendl (2)
80

9.
 Hewitt, LleytonLleyton Hewitt
75

10.
 McEnroe, JohnJohn McEnroe
58

11.
 Nadal, RafaelRafael Nadal
56

12.
 John McEnroe (2)
53

 Novak Djokovic (2)

14.
 Agassi, AndreAndre Agassi
52

15.
 Roger Federer (2)
48

 Novak Djokovic (3)

17.
 Borg, BjörnBjörn Borg
46

 Rafael Nadal (2)

19.
 Murray, AndyAndy Murray
41

20.
 Năstase, IlieIlie Năstase
40

*
current streak in bold

text: as of September 18, 2017[update]

text: By country[edit]

text:
Country
No. of
players
No. of
weeks
Players
Ref

1.
 United States
6
896
Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick
[21]

2.
  Switzerland
1
302
Roger Federer
[21]

3.
 Czechoslovakia
1
270
Ivan Lendl
[21]

4.
 Serbia
1
223
Novak Djokovic
[21]

5.
 Sweden
3
201
Björn Borg, Mats Wilander, Stefan Edberg
[21]

6.
 Spain
3
156
Carlos Moyá, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Rafael Nadal *
[21]

7.
 Australia
3
89
John Newcombe, Patrick Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt
[21]

8.
 Brazil
1
43
Gustavo Kuerten
[21]

9.
 United Kingdom
1
41
Andy Murray
[21]

10.
 Romania
1
40
Ilie Năstase
[21]

11.
 Russia
2
15
Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Marat Safin
[21]

12.
 Germany
1
12
Boris Becker
[21]

13.
 Austria
1
6
Thomas Muster
[21]

 Chile
1
6
Marcelo Ríos
[21]

text:
Active players are in bold.
* Current number 1 as of September 18, 2017[update].

text: Year-end No. 1[edit]

text: The ATP year-end No. 1 ranked player is determined as the player at the head of the ATP rankings following the completion of the final tournament of the calendar year, usually in November or December. Pete Sampras holds the record of six year-end No. 1 rankings, which were in consecutive years from 1993 through 1998.

text: Only 4 players, Ivan Lendl, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal, have ever held, lost, and regained the year-end No. 1 ranking. Lendl held it in 1987, lost it in 1988, and regained it in 1989, while Federer held it in 2007, lost it in 2008, and regained it in 2009, and Djokovic held it in 2012, lost it in 2013, and regained it in 2014. Only Nadal has done it twice, he held it in 2008, lost it in 2009, regained it in 2010, lost it in 2011, and regained it again in 2013.[22]

text: Six players have stayed at ATP No. 1 in the rankings every week of a calendar year. Federer is the only player to have been ranked No. 1 every week for three consecutive calendar years.

text:
Key

(1)
Time as year-end number 1/Total times as year-end number 1

§
Ranked number 1 during every week of the calendar year

Active players [23][24]

text:
Year
Player
Ref(s)

1973
 Năstase, IlieIlie Năstase
[25]

1974
 Connors, JimmyJimmy Connors (1/5)
[26][27]

1975
 Jimmy Connors § (2/5)
[26][27]

1976
 Jimmy Connors § (3/5)
[26][27]

1977
 Jimmy Connors (4/5)
[28]

1978
 Jimmy Connors § (5/5)
[28]

1979
 Borg, BjörnBjörn Borg (1/2)
[28]

1980
 Björn Borg (2/2)
[28]

1981
 McEnroe, JohnJohn McEnroe (1/4)
[28][29]

1982
 John McEnroe (2/4)
[28][29]

1983
 John McEnroe (3/4)
[28][29]

1984
 John McEnroe (4/4)
[28][29]

1985
 Lendl, IvanIvan Lendl (1/4)
[28][30]

1986
 Ivan Lendl § (2/4)
[30]

1987
 Ivan Lendl § (3/4)
[30]

1988
 Wilander, MatsMats Wilander
[29]

1989
 Ivan Lendl (4/4)
[29]

1990
 Edberg, StefanStefan Edberg (1/2)
[31]

1991
 Stefan Edberg (2/2)
[31][32]

1992
 Courier, JimJim Courier
[33]

1993
 Sampras, PetePete Sampras (1/6)
[9]

1994
 Pete Sampras § (2/6)
[34]

1995
 Pete Sampras (3/6)
[9]

1996
 Pete Sampras (4/6)
[9]

1997
 Pete Sampras § (5/6)
[34]

1998
 Pete Sampras (6/6)
[9]

1999
 Agassi, AndreAndre Agassi
[35]

2000
 Kuerten, GustavoGustavo Kuerten
[32][36]

2001
 Hewitt, LleytonLleyton Hewitt (1/2)
[37]

2002
 Lleyton Hewitt § (2/2)
[10][38]

2003
 Roddick, AndyAndy Roddick
[39]

2004
 Federer, RogerRoger Federer (1/5)
[40]

2005
 Roger Federer § (2/5)
[41]

2006
 Roger Federer § (3/5)
[42]

2007
 Roger Federer § (4/5)
[43][44]

2008
 Nadal, RafaelRafael Nadal (1/3)
[45]

2009
 Roger Federer (5/5)
[46]

2010
 Rafael Nadal (2/3)
[47][48]

2011
 Djokovic, NovakNovak Djokovic (1/4)
[49]

2012
 Novak Djokovic (2/4)
[50]

2013
 Rafael Nadal (3/3)
[51]

2014
 Novak Djokovic (3/4)
[52]

2015
 Novak Djokovic § (4/4)
[53][54]

2016
 Andy Murray
[55]

Year
Number of Year-end No. 1 Player

6
 Sampras, PetePete Sampras

5
 Connors, JimmyJimmy Connors

 Federer, RogerRoger Federer

4
 McEnroe, JohnJohn McEnroe

 Lendl, IvanIvan Lendl

 Djokovic, NovakNovak Djokovic

3
 Nadal, RafaelRafael Nadal

2
 Borg, BjörnBjörn Borg

 Edberg, StefanStefan Edberg

 Hewitt, LleytonLleyton Hewitt

1
 Năstase, IlieIlie Năstase

 Wilander, MatsMats Wilander

 Courier, JimJim Courier

 Agassi, AndreAndre Agassi

 Kuerten, GustavoGustavo Kuerten

 Roddick, AndyAndy Roddick

 Murray, AndyAndy Murray

text: No. 1 ranked players without a previous Grand Slam tournament title[edit]

text:
Player
Date of first No. 1 position
First Grand Slam final reached
First Grand Slam title
Ref

 Ivan Lendl
February 28, 1983
1981 French Open (June 1981) (1st of 19)
1984 French Open (1st of 8)

 Marcelo Ríos
March 30, 1998
1998 Australian Open (January 1998)
None (retired in 2004)
[15]


document_title: Les Misérables (2012 film)

question_text: who did russell crowe play in les mis

question_tokens: who did russell crowe play in les mis

root

text: Les Misérables (2012 film)

text: Plot[edit]

text: In 1815, French prisoner Jean Valjean is released on parole from the Bagne of Toulon after serving nineteen years for stealing a loaf of bread and trying to escape multiple times. On the outside, Valjean’s anger rises as his paroled status prevents him from getting work or accommodation. He is offered shelter by the kindly Bishop of Digne, but Valjean steals his silverware. Captured by police and taken to the Bishop, Valjean is shocked when the Bishop answers he offered him the silver, telling him to use it to do something worthwhile with his life. Valjean decides to break his parole and start a new life.

tag: p

text: Eight years later, Valjean is now a respected factory owner and mayor of Montreuil, Pas-de-Calais. He is shocked when Toulon prison guard Javert arrives as his new chief of police. Javert suspects Valjean’s real identity when he rescues an injured worker trapped under a heavy cart. One of Valjean’s workers, Fantine, is dismissed by the factory foreman upon learning she has an illegitimate daughter Cosette, that she left to live with the greedy innkeepers, the Thénardiers, and sends all her earnings to. To support her daughter, Fantine sells her hair, her teeth, becomes a prostitute and is arrested by Javert when she attacks an abusive customer. Valjean, learning who she is, rescues her and takes her to the hospital.

text: Valjean learns a man has been wrongly identified as him, and decides to reveal his true identity to the court - before returning to the dying Fantine, promising to care for Cosette. Javert arrives but Valjean escapes, finds Cosette and pays Fantine’s debts to the Thénardiers. Valjean and Cosette flee from Javert, hiding in a convent, aided by the worker Valjean rescued before.

text: Nine years later, Valjean has become a philanthropist and helps the poor in Paris. General Lamarque, the only government official sympathetic to the poor, dies, and a group of revolutionists called the Friends of the ABC plot to rebel against the monarchy. Marius Pontmercy, a member of the Friends, encounters Cosette and they fall in love. He asks Éponine, the Thénardiers’ daughter, to help find her. They finally meet and confess their love, leaving Éponine sad as she's also in love with Marius.

text: Thénardier plans on robbing Valjean's house, but they are stopped by Éponine. Valjean, afraid Javert could be near, makes plans to flee to England with Cosette. Cosette leaves a letter for Marius, but Éponine finds it and hides it from him.

text: During Lamarque’s funeral procession, the revolt begins and barricades are built across Paris. Javert pretends to be an ally to spy on the rebels but the street urchin Gavroche exposes him as a policeman. During the first skirmish against the soldiers, Éponine takes a bullet for Marius and dies in his arms, giving him Cosette’s letter and confessing her love. Marius' answer to Cosette is intercepted by Valjean, who joins the revolution to guard Marius.

text: Valjean offers to execute Javert but actually releases him, faking his death. By dawn, the soldiers are close to ending the revolution, storming the students’ barricade and execute everyone save Marius and Valjean, who escape into the sewers. Thénardier comes across Valjean and the unconscious Marius, stealing the latter’s ring, before pointing a way out. Valjean finds Javert waiting for him, ignoring his nemesis’ threats. Javert, morally confused by the mercy of Valjean, commits suicide by throwing himself in the Seine. Marius recovers but is traumatised by the death of his friends.

text: Marius and Cosette are reunited but Valjean, concerned his presence would threaten their happiness, makes plans to leave and reveals his story to Marius, who promises to remain silent. Cosette and Marius marry but the Thénardiers crash the wedding to try and blackmail Marius : Thénardier says he witnessed Valjean carrying a murdered corpse and shows the stolen ring. Marius recognizes it as his own and understands Valjean saved him that night. Marius forces Thénardier who reveals where Valjean is. The dying Valjean reunites at the convent with Cosette and Marius, giving them letters of confession, before peacefully dying, guided away by Fantine and the Bishop’s spirits.

text: Cast[edit]

text:
Actor

Role

Jackman, HughHugh Jackman

Valjean, JeanJean Valjean

Crowe, RussellRussell Crowe

Javert, Javert

Hathaway, AnneAnne Hathaway

Fantine, Fantine

Seyfried, AmandaAmanda Seyfried

Cosette, Cosette

Redmayne, EddieEddie Redmayne

Pontmercy, MariusMarius Pontmercy

Tveit, AaronAaron Tveit

Enjolras, Enjolras

Barks, SamanthaSamantha Barks

Éponine, Éponine

Isabelle Allen, Isabelle Allen

Young Cosette

Daniel Huttlestone, Daniel Huttlestone

Gavroche, Gavroche

Wilkinson, ColmColm Wilkinson

Bishop Myriel, Bishop Myriel

Bonham Carter, HelenaHelena Bonham Carter

Madame Thénardier, Madame Thénardier

Baron Cohen, SachaSacha Baron Cohen

Thénardier, Thénardier

Blagden, GeorgeGeorge Blagden

Grantaire

Carvel, BertieBertie Carvel

Bamatabois

Donnelly, KillianKillian Donnelly

Combeferre, Combeferre

Fee, FraFra Fee

Courfeyrac, Courfeyrac

Brammer, AlistairAlistair Brammer

Prouvaire, JeanJean Prouvaire

Vick, GabrielGabriel Vick

Feuilly, Feuilly

Skinner, HughHugh Skinner

Joly, Joly

Lewis, IwanIwan Lewis

Bahorel, Bahorel

Neal, StuartStuart Neal

Lesgles, Lesgles

Fraser, HadleyHadley Fraser

National Guard Leader, National Guard Leader

Chasen, HeatherHeather Chasen

Madame Magloire, Madame Magloire

Glen, GeorgieGeorgie Glen

Mademoiselle Baptistine, Mademoiselle Baptistine

Godfrey, PatrickPatrick Godfrey

Monsieur Gillenormand, Monsieur Gillenormand

tag: table

text: Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, a Frenchman released from Toulon prison after 19 years of imprisonment for stealing bread and failed attempts at escaping from the prison.[13] Around June 2011, Jackman met with producer Cameron Mackintosh to audition in New York.[14] To prepare for the role, Jackman lost 15 pounds (6.8 kg) and later regained 30 pounds (14 kg) to mirror his character's success.[14] He avoided drinking coffee, warmed up at least 15 minutes every day, kept Ricola lozenges, drank as much as seven litres of water per day, sat in steam three times a day, took cold baths and used a wet washcloth over his face while flying, citing the musical's original co-director Trevor Nunn for his training.[15] He worked extensively with vocal coach Joan Lader, and managed to extend his vocal range, which he originally categorised a high baritone, up to tenor.[16]

text: Russell Crowe as Javert, a police inspector dedicating his life to imprisoning Valjean once again.[13] Before being cast as Javert, Crowe was initially dissatisfied with the character. On his way to Europe for a friend's wedding, Crowe came to London and met with producer Cameron Mackintosh. On meeting with Tom Hooper, he told the director about his concerns about playing Javert, and after meeting with him, Crowe was "determined to be involved in the project and play Javert. I think it had something to do with Tom's passion for what he was about to undertake, and he clearly understood the problems and he clearly understood the challenge."[17] On visiting Victor Hugo's home in Paris, Crowe said, "[The house's curator] told me about [19th century detective Eugene Francois] Vidocq, a man who had been both a prisoner and a policeman, the man credited with inventing undercover police work when he established the Brigade de Surete."[14]

text: Anne Hathaway and Amanda Seyfried play Fantine and Cosette respectively.[18][19][20] Fantine is a struggling factory worker and mother of an illegitimate child, Cosette, who is kept by the Thénardiers until Valjean buys her from them. When Hathaway was cast, she stated, "There was resistance because I was between their ideal ages for the parts—maybe not mature enough for Fantine but past the point where I could believably play Cosette."[14] On developing Cosette, Seyfried said, "In the little time that I had to explain Cosette and give the audience a reason [to see her] a symbol of love and strength and light in this tragedy, I needed to be able to convey things you may not have connected with in the show."[21] A vocal coach was enlisted to help her with the songs.[22] Isabelle Allen as the young Cosette, a child.[23] On working with her fellow actors, Allen said, "They gave us lots of tips and mostly [made] sure we were all OK. They were really nice."[24]

text: Eddie Redmayne as Marius Pontmercy, a student revolutionary who is friends with the Thenardiers' daughter, Éponine, but falls in love with Cosette.[25][26][27] He found director Hooper's vision "incredibly helpful". On collaborating with Hooper, Redmayne said, "He was incredibly collaborative. Certainly during the rehearsal process, we sat with Tom and the Victor Hugo book adding things."[28] It was Redmayne who suggested to Hooper that his character's song, "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables", should begin a cappella in order to better express Marius' guilt and pain.

text: Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen play the Thénardiers, a pair of swindling innkeepers.[29][30][31] Hooper previously collaborated with Bonham Carter in The King's Speech, in which she portrayed Queen Elizabeth, King George VI's wife.[32] Baron Cohen and Bonham Carter previously co-starred in the film adaptation of the musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. When Baron Cohen accepted the role of Thénardier, he had to abandon Django Unchained.[33]

text: Samantha Barks as Éponine, the Thénardiers' daughter.[34] Having previously played the role at the 25th Anniversary concert and in the West End production, Barks said "there was similarities in playing the role—they're the same character—but Eponine in the novel and Eponine in the musical are two kind of different girls, so to me it was the thrill of merging those two together, to get something that still had that heart and soul that we all connect to in the musical, but also the awkward, self-loathing teenager that we see in the novel, trying to merge those two together." She found Jackman "fascinating to learn from, and I feel like that's the way it should be done".[35]

text: Aaron Tveit as Enjolras, the leader of Les Amis de l'ABC. Hoping to play Marius, Tveit submitted an audition tape in which he sang "Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" and "In My Life". He had never performed any role in the musical. He also said of Enjolras that "once I got more and more familiar with the material and when I read the novel, I was like, 'Wow this is a really, really great role,' and I felt very much better suited for it." Tveit said the shooting of the film was "almost as grueling as a marathon".[36]

text: Colm Wilkinson and Frances Ruffelle, two of the original cast members involved in the Broadway and West End productions of the English version (as Jean Valjean and Éponine, respectively), make appearances. Wilkinson plays the Bishop of Digne, while Ruffelle plays a prostitute.[37] Hadley Fraser, who previously played Grantaire in the 25th Anniversary Concert and Javert at West End, appears as the Army General. Another West End actor, Gina Beck, appears as one of the "Turning Women". Michael Jibson plays the foreman of the factory in which Fantine works and is fired from.[31]

text: Several actors in the West End production of the musical appear members of the student society, including George Blagden as Grantaire;[38] Killian Donnelly as Combeferre; Fra Fee as Courfeyrac; Alistair Brammer as Jean Prouvaire; Hugh Skinner as Joly;[39] Gabriel Vick as Feuilly;[40] Iwan Lewis as Bahorel; and Stuart Neal as Bossuet. Blagden was cast in January 2012.[41] Other stage actors including Hannah Waddingham, Daniel Evans and Kerry Ellis have small parts in the film along with actors who previously starred in various productions of Les Misérables.[31][42]

text: Musical numbers[edit]

text: A highlights soundtrack album was released via Universal Republic 21 December 2012.[43] Republic Records confirmed 25 January 2013, via Twitter that a 2-disc deluxe soundtrack was in production alongside the DVD and Blu-ray; it was released 19 March 2013.[44]

text: The film contains every song from the original stage musical with the exception of "I Saw Him Once" and "Dog Eats Dog", although many songs have been partially or extensively cut. "The Attack on Rue Plumet" and "Little People" were especially shortened. In addition, the Bishop sings with Fantine during "Valjean's Death" instead of Eponine, as was in the stage musical. "Stars" was also moved to before "Look Down", which echoes the original 1985 London production. The lyrics of some songs were also changed to suit the changes in setting or narrative to the stage musical. In addition to the cuts, a new song, "Suddenly" was added, new music was composed for the battle scenes, and the order of several songs changed from the stage musical. Several major pieces, primarily as "Who Am I?", "Stars", and the two "Soliloquy" pieces are performed in a different key than most recordings.

text:
"Look Down" – Convicts, Javert, Valjean†§
"The Bishop" – Bishop of Digne†§
"Valjean's Soliloquy" – Valjean†§
"At the End of the Day" – Poor, Foreman, Workers, Factory Women, Fantine, Valjean†§
"The Runaway Cart" – Valjean, Javert
"The Docks (Lovely Ladies)" – Sailors, Old Woman, Fantine, Crone, Whores, Pimp, Toothman§
"I Dreamed a Dream" – Fantine†§
"Fantine's Arrest" – Bamatabois, Fantine, Javert, Valjean§
"Who Am I?" – Valjean§
"Fantine's Death" – Fantine, Valjean§
"The Confrontation" – Javert, Valjean†§
"Castle on a Cloud" – Young Cosette, Mme. Thénardier†§
"Master of the House" – Thénardier, Mme. Thénardier, Inn Patrons†§
"The Well Scene" – Valjean, Young Cosette§
"The Bargain" – Valjean, Thénardier, Mme. Thénardier§
"The Thénardier Waltz of Treachery" – Thénardier, Valjean, Mme. Thénardier, Young Cosette§
"Suddenly" – Valjean†§
"The Convent" – Valjean§
"Stars" – Javert§
"Paris/Look Down" – Gavroche, Beggars, Enjolras, Marius, Students§
"The Robbery" – Thénardier, Mme. Thénardier, Éponine, Valjean§
"Javert's Intervention" – Javert, Thénardier§
"Éponine's Errand" - Éponine, Marius
"ABC Café/Red and Black" – Students, Enjolras, Marius, Grantaire, Gavroche†§
"In My Life" – Cosette, Valjean, Marius, Éponine§
"A Heart Full of Love" – Marius, Cosette, Éponine†§
"The Attack on Rue Plumet" – Thénardier, Thieves, Éponine, Valjean
"On My Own" – Éponine†§
"One Day More" – Valjean, Marius, Cosette, Éponine, Enjolras, Javert, Thénardier, Mme. Thénardier, Cast of Les Misérables†§
"Do You Hear the People Sing?" – Enjolras, Marius, Students, Beggars§
"Building the Barricade (Upon These Stones)" – Enjolras, Javert, Gavroche, Students§
"Javert's Arrival" – Javert, Enjolras§
"Little People" – Gavroche, Students, Enjolras, Javert§
"A Little Fall of Rain" – Éponine, Marius§
"Night of Anguish" – Enjolras, Marius, Valjean, Javert, Students
"Drink With Me" – Grantaire, Marius, Gavroche, Students†§
"Bring Him Home" – Valjean†§
"Dawn of Anguish" – Enjolras, Marius, Gavroche, Students§
"The Second Attack (Death of Gavroche)" – Gavroche, Enjolras, Students, Army Officer§
"The Sewers" – Valjean, Javert§
"Javert's Suicide" – Javert†§
"Turning" – Parisian women§
"Empty Chairs at Empty Tables" – Marius†§
"A Heart Full of Love [Reprise]" – Marius, Cosette, Valjean, Gillenormand§
"Valjean's Confession" – Valjean, Marius§
"Suddenly [Reprise]" – Marius, Cosette§
"Wedding Chorale" – Chorus, Marius, Thérnardier, Mme. Thérnardier§
"Beggars at the Feast" – Thénardier, Mme. Thénardier§
"Valjean's Death" – Valjean, Fantine, Cosette, Marius, Bishop of Digne†§
"Do You Hear the People Sing? [Reprise] / Epilogue" – The Cast of Les Misérables†§

tag: ol

text:
† Included on the highlights edition soundtrack
§ Included on the deluxe edition soundtrack

tag: ul

text: Production[edit]

text: Development[edit]

text: Following the release of Les Misérables (1980), a French sung-through musical by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg based on the novel of the same name by Victor Hugo, the musical premiered at the Palais des Sports in Paris in 1980. The English-language West End theatre production opened at the Barbican Arts Centre on 8 October 1985. The subsequent Broadway production opened at the Broadway Theatre on 10 October 1990 and closed at the Imperial Theatre on 18 May 2003 after 6,680 performances.[45] In 1988, Alan Parker was considered to direct a film adaptation of the Les Misérables musical. In 1991, Bruce Beresford signed on to be the film's director.[46]

text: In 1992, producer Cameron Mackintosh announced that the film would be co-produced by TriStar Pictures.[47] However, the film was abandoned. In 2005, Mackintosh later confirmed that interest in turning the musical into a film adaptation had resumed during the early months of that year. Mackintosh said that he wanted the film to be directed by "someone who has a vision for the show that will put the show's original team, including [Mackintosh], back to work." He also said that he wanted the film audiences to make it "fresh as the actual show".[48]

text: In 2009, producer Eric Fellner began negotiations with Mackintosh to acquire the film's rights and concluded it near the end of 2011. Fellner, Tim Bevan, and Debra Hayward engaged William Nicholson to write a screenplay for the film.[14] Nicholson wrote the draft within six weeks time.[14]

text: The DVD/Blu-ray release of Les Misérables: 25th Anniversary Concert confirmed an announcement of the musical's film adaptation.[49]

text: Pre-production[edit]

text: In March 2011, director Tom Hooper began negotiations to direct Les Misérables from the screenplay by William Nicholson.[50] Production on the film officially began in June that year, with Cameron Mackintosh and Working Title Films co-producing. Having already approached Hooper prior to production with the desire of playing Jean Valjean, Hugh Jackman began negotiations to star in the film alongside Paul Bettany as Javert.[51][52] Other stars who became attached to the project included Hathaway and Helena Bonham Carter.[53]

text: In September 2011, Jackman was officially cast as Jean Valjean and Russell Crowe was cast as Javert.[54] The following month, Mackintosh confirmed that Fantine would be played by Hathaway. Before Hathaway was cast, Amy Adams, Jessica Biel, Tammy Blanchard, Kristin Kreuk, Marion Cotillard, Kate Winslet and Rebecca Hall were also considered for the part.[55] For the role, Hathaway allowed her hair to be cut short on camera for a scene in which her character sells her hair, stating that the lengths she goes to for her roles "don't feel like sacrifices. Getting to transform is one of the best parts of [acting]."[56] The role also required her to lose 25 pounds (11 kg).[14]

text: In addition to Hathaway’s weight loss, Hugh Jackman also lost an extreme amount of weight for the opening scene as Jean Valjean when he is imprisoned in a labor camp. To achieve an emaciated look, Jackman committed to a minimalistic diet and intense work outs. In an interview with Epix, Jackman revealed that he went on 45 minute morning runs on an empty stomach which Hathaway later used as a weight loss tactic with Jackman's help, and he went on a 36-hour liquid fast. This allowed him to rapidly lose ten pounds and caused his eyes and cheeks to sink severely.[57] With these efforts, Jackman was able to successfully look unrecognizable as Jean Valjean in the opening scene.

text: In November 2011, Eddie Redmayne joined the cast as Marius Pontmercy.[25] It was reported that the shortlist of actresses for the role of Éponine included Scarlett Johansson (who also auditioned for the role of Fantine), Lea Michele, Tamsin Egerton, Taylor Swift, and Evan Rachel Wood.[58][59]

text: In January 2012, the press reported that the role of Éponine had officially been offered to Taylor Swift, but Swift later stated that those reports were not entirely accurate.[60][61][62][63] At the end of the month, Mackintosh made a special appearance during the curtain call of the Oliver! UK tour at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, announcing that the tour's Nancy, Samantha Barks, who had played Éponine in the West End production and in the 25th Anniversary concert, would reprise the role in the film.[34] Barks had been auditioning for 15 weeks by that point.[64]

text: Originally, an unknown was sought for the role of Cosette, with an open casting call in New York City in December 2011.[65] In January 2012, reports surfaced that Amanda Seyfried had been offered the role instead.[66] Eddie Redmayne confirmed both Seyfried's casting and that of Bonham Carter as Madame Thénardier in an interview on 12 January.[18] Hooper confirmed that he would stick to the musical's essentially sung-through form and would thus introduce very little additional dialogue.[27] Hooper confirmed that the film would not be shot in 3D, expressing his opinion that it would not enhance the emotional narrative of the film and would distract audiences from the storytelling.[67]

text: Following this announcement, reports surfaced in the press that Sacha Baron Cohen had begun talks to join the cast as Thénardier and that Aaron Tveit had been cast as Enjolras.[68][69] Later that month, the press officially confirmed Tveit's casting as Enjolras.[19][20] Colm Wilkinson and Frances Ruffelle (the original Valjean and Éponine, respectively, in the West End and Broadway productions) appeared in the film. Wilkinson played the Bishop of Digne, and Ruffelle had a cameo as a prostitute.[37] George Blagden was cast as Grantaire.[38] In an interview with BBC Radio 4's Front Row, Tom Hooper revealed that Claude-Michel Schönberg will be composing one new song and additional music. The director also expanded on the performers singing live on set, which he felt would eliminate the need to recapture "locked" performances and allow more creative freedom. More details of this were confirmed by Eddie Redmayne in an interview. He stated that the cast would sing to piano tracks (via earpiece) and that the orchestra would be added in post-production.[70]

text: In February 2012, casting auditions involving extras for the film took place at the University of Portsmouth and Chatham Maritime in Chatham.[71] Several days later, Mackintosh officially confirmed that Bonham Carter would play Madame Thénardier.[30] He also announced that the title of the newly created song for the film is "Suddenly" and that it "beautifully explains what happens when Valjean takes Cosette from the inn and looks after her."[72] At the end of the month, The Sun reported that the long-rumoured Baron Cohen had been cast in the role of Monsieur Thénardier.[73]

text: The cast began rehearsals in January 2012, with principal photography due to begin in March.[74] The press officially confirmed Baron Cohen's casting during the latter month.[31] No table read took place before filming.[22]

text: Filming[edit]

text: With a production budget of $61 million,[7] principal photography of the film began 8 March 2012 in Gourdon. Filming locations in England included Boughton House, Winchester College, Winchester Cathedral Close, Her Majesty's Naval Base Portsmouth, Chatham Dockyard,[75] St Mary the Virgin Church, Ewelme, South Oxfordshire[76] and Pinewood Studios.[9][77][78][79] In April 2012, crews built a replica of the Elephant of the Bastille in Greenwich.[80][81] In the novel, Gavroche lives in the decaying monument.

text: On-location filming also took place at Gourdon, Alpes-Maritimes in France. Footage of Hathaway singing "I Dreamed a Dream", a song from the musical, was shown at CinemaCon 26 April 2012. Russell Crowe confirmed 5 June 2012, on Twitter that he had finished filming. He was later followed by Samantha Barks, confirming that all of her scenes had too been completed. Jackman stated that all filming had been completed 23 June 2012.[82] Some late filming occurred in Bath, Somerset, in October 2012 where stunt shots for Javert's suicide scene had to be reshot due to an error found with this footage during post-production. Bath was not the original filming location for this scene, but the late footage was captured at Pulteney Weir.[83]

text: Post-production[edit]

text: The film's vocals were recorded live on set using live piano accompaniments played through earpieces as a guide, with the orchestral accompaniment recorded in post-production, rather than the traditional method where the film's musical soundtracks are usually pre-recorded and played back on set to which actors lip-sync. Production sound mixer Simon Hayes used 50 DPA 4071 lavalier microphones to record the vocals.[84] Hooper explained his choice:

text:
“
I just felt ultimately, it was a more natural way of doing it. You know, when actors do dialogue, they have freedom in time, they have freedom in pacing. They can stop for a moment, they can speed up. I simply wanted to give the actors the normal freedoms that they would have. If they need a bit for an emotion or a feeling to form in the eyes before they sing, I can take that time. If they cry, they can cry through a song. When you're doing it to playback, to the millisecond you have to copy what you do. You have no freedom in the moment – and acting is the illusion of being free in the moment.[85]
”

text: Although this unique live recording method has been stated as "a world's first" by the creative team, several film musicals have used this method before, including early talkies, as lip-syncing wasn't perfected, the 1975 20th Century Fox film At Long Last Love, the adaptation of The Magic Flute that same year, and more recently in the 1995 adaptation of The Fantasticks, portions of the 1996 adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Evita, in the 2001 film version of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and in the 2007 film Across the Universe with songs by The Beatles.

text: Producers announced 27 August 2012, that recording sessions for Les Misérables would begin in London 10 October and featured a 70-piece orchestra. They also announced that composer Claude-Michel Schönberg was composing additional music to underscore the film.[86] Universal Studios executives were granted a viewing of the rough cut of the film 9 September 2012, without the orchestra tracks. They greeted the cut with "extreme excitement".

text: Distribution[edit]

text: Marketing[edit]

text: The film's first teaser trailer debuted online 30 May 2012, and later in theatres with Snow White and the Huntsman, The Bourne Legacy and Argo.[87]

text: Producers released an extended first look on the film's official Facebook page 20 September 2012. This short introduces and explains Hooper's method of recording vocals live on set, comparing it to the traditional method of pre-recording the vocals in a studio months in advance. Hugh Jackman stated that filming in this way allows him more creative freedom with the material and that he "only has to worry about acting it." Both Hooper and the actors believe that this choice of production method will make the film feel much more emotional, raw, and real. The actors praised Hooper for his method and provide brief interviews throughout the video. Hooper mentions, "I thought it was an amazing opportunity to do something genuinely groundbreaking."[88]

text: Clips of Jackman, Hathaway, Seyfried, Redmayne and Barks singing were received very positively, especially the teaser trailer's presentation of "I Dreamed a Dream" by Hathaway. Producers released a new poster, featuring young Cosette (in what is essentially a real-life version of the musical's emblem), played by Isabelle Allen, 24 September 2012, on the film's official Facebook page.[89] They released posters featuring Jean Valjean, Javert, Fantine, and Cosette 12 October,[90] with additional posters of Thénardiers and Marius released 1 November 2012.

text: Release[edit]

text: Les Misérables was originally to be released 7 December 2012 before the studio moved it to 14 December in the United States; however, 18 September 2012, they delayed the film's release date to 25 December, so as not to conflict with the opening of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which opened 14 December. Because of this, it opened alongside Django Unchained.[10] Release date for the United Kingdom was 11 January 2013.[91]

text: Les Misérables was screened for the first time at Lincoln Center in New York City, 23 November 2012, and received a standing ovation from the crowd.[92][93] This was followed by a screening the next day in Los Angeles, which also received positive reviews.[94]

text: Les Misérables premiered 5 December 2012, at the Empire, Leicester Square in London.[2] Red carpet footage was screened live online in an event hosted by Michael Ball, the original Marius of the West End. The film was released in select IMAX theatres in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Montreal the same day as its domestic theatrical release, 25 December 2012.[95] Les Misérables was released internationally by IMAX theatres on 10 January 2013.[95]

text: Home media[edit]

text: The film was confirmed for home release 13 May 2013 on DVD, Blu-ray, and VOD in the United Kingdom; it was released in the United States 22 March 2013. The DVD contains three featurettes: The Stars of Les Misérables, Creating the Perfect Paris, and The Original Masterwork: Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, along with an audio commentary from director Tom Hooper. The Blu-ray has all DVD features including four additional featurettes: Les Misérables Singing Live, Battle at the Barricade, The West End Connection, and Les Misérables On Location.[96]

text: Reception[edit]

text: Box office[edit]

text: Les Misérables earned $148,809,770 in North America and $293,000,000 in other territories for a worldwide total of $441,809,770.[8] In North America, Les Misérables opened 25 December 2012 in 2,808 theatres, placing first at the box office with $18.1 million.[97] This amount broke the record for the highest opening day gross for a musical film, previously held by High School Musical 3: Senior Year, and was also the second highest opening day gross for a film released on Christmas Day.[98] It earned $27.3 million in its opening weekend, placing third behind Django Unchained and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.[99]

text: The film was released in the United Kingdom 11 January 2013 and earned £8.1 ($13.1) million in its opening weekend, making it the largest opening weekend for a musical film, as well as for Working Title.[100]

text: Critical response[edit]

text: The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported a 69% approval rating with an average rating of 6.9/10, based on an aggregation of 231 reviews. The site's consensus reads: "Impeccably mounted but occasionally bombastic, Les Misérables largely succeeds thanks to bravura performances from its distinguished cast."[101] On Metacritic, the film achieved an average score of 63 out of 100 based on 41 reviews, signifying "generally favorable reviews".[102] The film was generally praised for its acting and ensemble cast, with Jackman, Hathaway, Bonham Carter and Barks being singled out for praise. The live singing, which was heavily promoted in marketing for the film, received a more divided response.

text: Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph gave the film five stars: "Les Misérables is a blockbuster, and the special effects are emotional: explosions of grief; fireballs of romance; million-buck conflagrations of heartbreak. Accordingly, you should see it in its opening week, on a gigantic screen, with a fanatical crowd."[103]

text: The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw concurred: "Even as a non-believer in this kind of "sung-through" musical, I was battered into submission by this mesmeric and sometimes compelling film ...".[104] Kenneth Turan of Los Angeles Times gave a positive review, saying that the film "is a clutch player that delivers an emotional wallop when it counts. You can walk into the theater as an agnostic, but you may just leave singing with the choir."[105] Peter Travers of Rolling Stone said, "Besides being a feast for the eyes and ears, Les Misérables overflows with humor, heartbreak, rousing action and ravishing romance. Damn the imperfections, it's perfectly marvelous."[106]

text: Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter said, "As the enduring success of this property has shown, there are large, emotionally susceptible segments of the population ready to swallow this sort of thing, but that doesn't mean it's good."[107]

text: Manohla Dargis of The New York Times wrote: "[Director Tom] Hooper can be very good with actors. But his inability to leave any lily ungilded—to direct a scene without tilting or hurtling or throwing the camera around—is bludgeoning and deadly. By the grand finale, when tout le monde is waving the French tricolor in victory, you may instead be raising the white flag in exhausted defeat."[108]

text: Justin Chang of Variety wrote that the film "will more than satisfy the show's legions of fans." Chang praised the performances of Jackman, Hathaway, Barks, Tveit and Seyfried (i.e., every leading cast member except Crowe and Redmayne) but said that the film's editing "seems reluctant to slow down and let the viewer simply take in the performances."[109]

text: Callum Marsh of Slant Magazine gave the film 1 star, and wrote: "Flaws—and there are a great many that would have never made the cut were this a perfectible studio recording—are conveniently swept under the rug of candid expression ... the worst quality of Les Misérables's live singing is simply that it puts too much pressure on a handful of performers who frankly cannot sing.... Fisheye lenses and poorly framed close-ups abound in Les Misérables, nearly every frame a revelation of one man's bad taste ... One would be hard-pressed to describe this, despite the wealth of beauty on display, as anything but an ugly film, shot and cut ineptly. Everything in the film, songs included, is cranked to 11, the melodrama of it all soaring. So it's odd that this kind of showboating maximalism should be ultimately reduced to a few fisheye'd faces, mugging for their close-up, as the people sing off-key and broken."[110] Chicago Tribune critic Michael Philips gave the film only one and a half stars, writing: "The camera bobs and weaves like a drunk, frantically. So you have hammering close-ups, combined with woozy insecurity each time more than two people are in the frame. ...too little in this frenzied mess of a film registers because Hooper is trying to make everything register at the same nutty pitch."[111]

text: Some specific performances were reviewed very positively. Anne Hathaway's performance of ballad "I Dreamed a Dream" was met with praise, with many comparing its showstopper-like quality to Jennifer Hudson's performance of "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from Dreamgirls.[112] Christopher Orr of The Atlantic wrote that "Hathaway gives it everything she has, beginning in quiet sorrow before building to a woebegone climax: she gasps, she weeps, she coughs. If you are blown away by the scene—as many will be; it will almost certainly earn Hathaway her first Oscar—this may be the film for you."[113] Ann Hornaday of The Washington Post writes that "The centerpiece of a movie composed entirely of centerpieces belongs to Anne Hathaway, who as the tragic heroine Fantine sings another of the memorable numbers".[114] Joy Tipping of The Dallas Morning News described Hathaway's performance as "angelic".[115]

text: Claudia Puig of USA Today describes her as "superb as the tragic Fantine".[116] Travers felt that "A dynamite Hathaway shatters every heart when she sings how 'life has killed the dream I dreamed.' Her volcanic performance has Oscar written all over it."[106] Lou Lumenick, critic for New York Post, wrote that the film is "worth seeing for Hathaway alone".[117] She was widely considered to be the frontrunner for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress,[118] ultimately winning it.

text: Eddie Redmayne also received considerable praise for his performance with Bloomberg News saying that "Eddie Redmayne—most recently seen as the eager young production assistant in My Week with Marilyn—delivers by far the most moving and memorable performance in the film as the young firebrand Marius, who, along with his fellow students, is caught up in France's political upheavals in the 19th century."[119]

text: Samantha Barks earned praise for her portrayal of Éponine, with Digital Journal saying: "Samantha Barks plays Éponine with such grace, sweetness, and sadness that it is hard to imagine anyone else in the role",[120] while Claudia Puig of USA Today calls her "heartbreakingly soulful",[116] Richard Roeper of Chicago Sun-Times describes her performance as "star-making",[121] and Roger Friedman of Showbiz411.com says she "just about steals the film".[122]

text: Crowe's performance was less well received and even Crowe agreed that the film suffered from poor vocal performances. Emma Gosnell, writing for The Daily Telegraph, stated that she walked out of the showing due to the poor singing, specifically citing Crowe and Jackman as the cause. Playback singer Marni Nixon said "[Crowe] was nothing. It wasn't that he was choosing to sing like that, he just couldn't do anything else" and that Jackman acted well but "could have done with a nobler voice".[123] American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert tweeted several disparaging messages, including "why not cast actors who could actually sound good?" and "the singing was so distracting at times it pulled me out", to which Crowe replied via Twitter: "I don't disagree with Adam, sure it could have been sweetened, Hooper wanted it raw and real, that's how it is".[124] Nixon rebutted this: "We're talking about a musical. Is that real? People don't go around singing 'La la la la' to each other all day!"[123]

text: In 2013, the film was nominated for eight Academy Awards, including the Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role for Hugh Jackman,[125] and went on to win in three categories: Best Supporting Actress for Anne Hathaway, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Best Sound Mixing.

text: Awards and nominations[edit]

text:
Award
Date of ceremony
Category
Nominee
Result
Ref

Academy Awards
24 February 2013
Best Picture
Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward, and Cameron Mackintosh
Nominated
[125]

Best Actor
Hugh Jackman
Nominated

Best Supporting Actress
Anne Hathaway
Won

Best Original Song
"Suddenly" by Claude-Michel Schönberg, Herbert Kretzmer, and Alain Boublil
Nominated

Best Costume Design
Paco Delgado
Nominated

Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Lisa Westcott and Julie Dartnell
Won

Best Sound Mixing
Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson, and Simon Hayes
Won

Best Production Design
Production Design: Eve Stewart; Set Decoration: Anna Lynch-Robinson
Nominated

American Film Institute
11 January 2013
Movies of the Year
Won
[126]

Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Award
28 January 2013
Best International Film
Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward, and Cameron Mackintosh
Nominated
[127]

Best International Actor
Hugh Jackman
Nominated

British Academy Film Award
10 February 2013
Best Film
Nominated
[128]

Best British Film
Nominated

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Hugh Jackman
Nominated

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Anne Hathaway
Won

Best Cinematography
Danny Cohen
Nominated

Best Costume Design
Paco Delgado
Nominated

Best Makeup and Hair
Lisa Westcott
Won

Best Sound
Simon Hayes, Andy Nelson, Mark Paterson, Jonathan Allen, Lee Walpole, and John Warhurst
Won

Best Production Design
Eve Stewart and Anna Lynch-Robinson
Won

Broadcast Film Critics Association Awards
10 January 2013
Best Film
Nominated
[129]

Best Acting Ensemble
The Cast of Les Misérables
Nominated

Best Actor
Hugh Jackman
Nominated

Best Supporting Actress
Anne Hathaway
Won

Best Director
Tom Hooper
Nominated

Best Song
"Suddenly"
Nominated

Best Cinematography
Danny Cohen
Nominated

Best Art Direction
Eve Stewart and Anna Lynch-Robinson
Nominated

Best Editing
Chris Dickens and Melanie Oliver
Nominated

Best Costume Design
Paco Delgado
Nominated

Best Makeup
Lisa Westcott
Won

Chicago Film Critics Association
17 December 2012
Best Supporting Actress
Anne Hathaway
Nominated
[130]

Best Art Direction
Eve Stewart and Anna Lynch-Robinson
Nominated

Most Promising Performer
Samantha Barks
Nominated

Directors Guild of America Award
2 February 2013
Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Motion Pictures
Tom Hooper
Nominated

Dorian Awards
17 January 2013
Film of the Year

Nominated
[131][132]

Film Performance of the Year - Actor
Hugh Jackman
Nominated

Film Performance of the Year - Actress
Anne Hathaway
Won

Visually Striking Film of the Year

Nominated

Golden Globe Award
13 January 2013
Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
Won
[133]

Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Hugh Jackman
Won

Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
Anne Hathaway
Won

Best Original Song
"Suddenly"
Nominated

Grammy Awards
26 January 2014
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
Cameron Mackintosh, Lee McCutcheon, and Stephan Metcalfe
Nominated
[134]

Hollywood Film Festival
23 October 2012
Best Trailer
Erin Wyatt
Won
[135]

Producer of the Year
Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward, and Cameron Mackintosh
Won

Spotlight Award
Samantha Barks
Won

Houston Film Critics Society
5 January 2013
Best Picture
Nominated

Best Director
Tom Hooper
Nominated

Best Actor
Hugh Jackman
Nominated

Best Supporting Actress
Anne Hathaway
Won

Best Cinematography
Danny Cohen
Nominated

Best Original Song
"Suddenly"
Won

5th Annual Lancashire Film Critics Awards
30 March 2013
Best Film

Won
[136]

Best Director
Tom Hooper
Won

London Film Critics Circle
20 January 2013
British Film of the Year
Nominated

Actor of the Year
Hugh Jackman
Nominated

Supporting Actress of the Year
Anne Hathaway
Won

Young British Performer of the Year
Samantha Barks
Nominated

Los Angeles Film Critics Association
9 December 2012
Best Supporting Actress
Anne Hathaway
(also for The Dark Knight Rises)
Nominated

MTV Movie Awards
14 April 2013
Best Female Performance
Anne Hathaway
Nominated
[137]

Best Breakthrough Performance
Eddie Redmayne
Nominated

Best Musical Moment
Anne Hathaway
Nominated

New York Film Critics Circle Award
3 December 2012
Best Supporting Actress
Anne Hathaway
(also for The Dark Knight Rises)
Nominated

New York Film Critics Online
3 December 2012
Movies of the Year
Won

Best Supporting Actress
Anne Hathaway
Won

Producers Guild of America Award
26 January 2013
Best Theatrical Motion Picture
Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Debra Hayward, and Cameron Mackintosh
Nominated
[138]

Satellite Award
16 December 2012
Best Film
Nominated
[139]

Best Cast – Motion Picture
The Cast of Les Misérables
Won

Best Actor – Motion Picture
Hugh Jackman
Nominated

Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
Eddie Redmayne
Nominated

Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
Anne Hathaway
Won

Samantha Barks
Nominated

Best Art Direction and Production Design
Eve Stewart and Anna Lynch-Robinson
Nominated

Best Costume Design
Paco Delgado
Nominated

Best Editing
Chris Dickens and Melanie Oliver
Nominated

Best Original Song
"Suddenly"
Won

Best Sound
John Warhurst, Lee Walpole, and Simon Hayes
Won

Saturn Awards
26 June 2013
Best Action / Adventure
Nominated
[140]

Best Actor
Hugh Jackman
Nominated

Best Supporting Actress
Anne Hathaway
Nominated

Best Performance by a Younger Actor
Daniel Huttlestone
Nominated

Best Costume
Paco Delgado
Won

Best Production Design
Eve Stewart
Nominated

Screen Actors Guild Award
27 January 2013
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
The Cast of Les Misérables
Nominated
[141]

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Hugh Jackman
Nominated

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Anne Hathaway
Won

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Nominated

Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association
10 December 2012
Best Film
Nominated
[142]

Best Acting Ensemble
The Cast of Les Misérables
Won

Best Actor
Hugh Jackman
Nominated

Best Supporting Actress
Samantha Barks
Nominated

Anne Hathaway
Won

Best Director
Tom Hooper
Nominated

Best Art Direction
Eve Stewart and Anna Lynch-Robinson
Nominated

Best Cinematography
Danny Cohen
Nominated

Young Artist Award
5 May 2013
Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Young Actor
Daniel Huttlestone
Nominated
[143]

Best Performance in a Feature Film - Supporting Young Actress Ten and Under
Isabelle Allen
Won


document_title: Song Beneath the Song

question_text: what songs are in grey's anatomy musical episode

question_tokens: what songs are in grey 's anatomy musical episode

text: Song Beneath the Song

text: Plot[edit]

text: En route to a weekend getaway, surgeons Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) and Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) are involved in a vehicular collision, moments after Robbins proposes marriage. Torres suffers severe injuries, which endanger both her life and the life of her unborn child. She and Robbins are taken to Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital, the institute at which they both work. Their colleagues attempt to save Torres, while Robbins and Mark Sloan (Eric Dane), the father of Torres's baby, stand by. Torres's many injuries include neurological trauma. While barely conscious, she hallucinates an uninjured version of herself standing beside her. The hallucinatory Torres begins to sing, and is gradually joined by the doctors treating her. This singing continues throughout the episode, as Torres's projection of herself attempts to reach out to Robbins.

text: Torres goes into cardiac arrest and is taken into an operating room she is temporarily stabilized, pending further surgery. She is moved into intensive care, while neonatal surgeon Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) is flown in by helicopter in case the baby has to be delivered prematurely. Robbins and Sloan argue over Torres's treatment; Robbins believes that Torres would not risk endangering the baby, but Sloan argues for saving Torres at all costs. The attending surgeons devise a treatment plan, led by trauma surgeon Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd). As they do so, Torres dreams about the moments preceding the accident. Her dream self sings to Robbins, interspersed with shots of the hospital staff singing and dancing with their own partners. Dr. Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) suggests treating Torres with a high-risk but potentially effective cardiothoracic procedure she learned from her old mentor, Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington). Her current mentor, Teddy Altman (Kim Raver), refuses to perform it, but when Torres's condition deteriorates and she is rushed back into surgery, Hunt agrees that Yang should attempt the procedure.

text: When Torres again goes into cardiac arrest, Montgomery delivers her daughter at twenty-three weeks's gestation. The baby is initially unable to breathe, so with Sloan's support, Robbins steps in and is able to revive her. Across the operating room, Torres's condition begins to improve. Once the surgery is complete, the doctors deal with their own affairs; Sloan's former partner Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) commits to her new relationship with resident Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams); Lexie's sister (and series main character) Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo, primary series star) confesses that she was jealous of Torres's pregnancy, which prompts her husband Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey) to promise that they will have a child together; Altman tells Yang that she can no longer teach her; Sloan and Robbins bond over their shared parenthood. Later, as Robbins keeps a vigil by Torres's bedside, the hallucinatory Torres is able to rouse her recovering self. As she regains consciousness, Torres accepts Robbins's proposal.

text: Production[edit]

text: Conception[edit]

text: Since Grey's Anatomy began, series creator Shonda Rhimes had planned to produce a musical episode. She first discussed the idea during filming of the pilot episode, when the program was as yet untitled.[1] Rhimes felt that seasons six and seven were the right time for the crew to "try anything and everything [they had] always wanted to do," and explained that she "finally [had] the right idea and the right talent to make [a musical episode] happen."[2] Filming began seven and a half years after Rhimes initially raised the idea.[1] The episode was shot in approximately two weeks.[3] Though cast member Dempsey jokingly referred to the episode as Glee M.D.,[4] Rhimes intended for it to differ from other musical television episodes.[2] She called it the opposite of "Once More, with Feeling," the "all-out, show-stopping," musical episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as she aimed to "do something that was musical without being a musical."[2]

text: Rhimes said she had difficulty getting the network's permission. She added: "I begged the studio people. I begged the network people. I took these people to dinner and begged. I jumped out at these people in bathrooms and begged. And they all smiled politely but what they were clearly really thinking was, 'This woman is an idiot.'"[1]

text: Rhimes also told about delays in producing this episode:

text:
“

Explaining what the heck took us so long is too complicated to go into here. There are a lot of reasons – I was busy telling other awesome stories at Seattle Grace, [...] I was raising my tiny human, my musical talent involves oboe-playing and nothing else, the network thought it was the dumbest idea they’d ever heard of and refused to do it.[1]

”

text: The script was written by Rhimes in November 2010. She centered the episode around Ramirez's character, Callie, and stated that the storyline would have developed regardless of whether it involved musical performances.[2] Sara Ramirez used the opportunity to launch her career as a singer-songwriter; an alternate version of "The Story" is included on her debut EP, released four days prior to the episode's premiere.[5] In this episode, Mark and Arizona improve their relationship. Capshaw said, "The traumatic circumstance leads to them having a greater understanding of each other and then appreciation, and then need for each other and desire to be in each other’s lives. They come to care, I think, for one another."[6]

text: Musical performances[edit]

text: Rhimes, executive producer Betsy Beers and director Tony Phelan selected songs that had become well-known by their use in Grey's Anatomy, and chose "the most iconic ones, the ones that best suited [their] singers, and the ones that made the most sense."[2][7] The multiple cover versions include the program's theme tune, "Cosy in the Rocket" by Psapp.[4] The primary vocalists are cast members Ramirez, McKidd, Leigh and Chandra Wilson.[8] The soundtrack also includes "How to Save a Life" by The Fray and "Running on Sunshine" by Jesus Jackson, performed as ensemble pieces by Ramirez, McKidd, Wilson, Leigh, Daniel Sunjata, Scott Foley, Ellen Pompeo, Justin Chambers, Raver, Dane, and Capshaw.[7][9] Ramirez, McKidd and Wilson also perform together on Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars."[4] Ramirez is the lead vocalist on "The Story" by Brandi Carlile,[7] and "Grace" by Kate Havnevik, which also features the other female cast members, including Leigh and Sarah Drew on the chorus.[4][9] Capshaw duets with Ramirez on KT Tunstall's "Universe & U."[7] Wilson is the lead vocalist on "Wait" by Get Set Go, McKidd on "How We Operate" by Gomez, and Leigh on Anna Nalick's "Breathe (2 AM)."[7][9]

text:
When it first came up I was nervous, but at the same time I was just thinking, 'Hey, this is a really great opportunity for me to actually explore this side of me and be able to just let that go and have fun and know that I'm in a very safe and encouraging environment.' I was and I did and I had such a wonderful time.

Chyler Leigh's impressions on singing for the episode[10]

tag: div

text: Leigh said that some actors were not "excited" about singing but still could participate in the episode.[11] "There were certain ways in which the scenes were written, even if there was a song in there, that perhaps a line was spoken instead of sung," she said.[11]

text: A vocal coach was enlisted to help the cast.[10] Music director Chris Horvath was recruited to arrange the selected songs for the cast. The arrangements took around two months, with vocals recorded over four days in February 2011.[7][12] Horvath praised the cast's response to the episode, noting that only four performers had "serious vocal talent," while some had "barely sung in the shower" before.[7] Those with professional singing experience include Ramirez, who won a Tony Award for her role in the musical Spamalot, and Wilson, who appeared in the Broadway production of Caroline, or Change.[7] Cast members's reactions toward the episode varied. Pompeo initially deemed the idea "crazy," but changed her mind following the first read-through.[4] Recurring cast member Sunjata stated that singing was "a bit out of [his] comfort zone," but found it an "interesting challenge,"[13] and McKidd deemed it "very exciting to do something that's completely out on a limb for the show."[12]

text: Reception[edit]

text: Pre-broadcast commentary[edit]

text: Critical response prior to broadcast was mixed. TVLine's Michael Ausiello assessed that the episode would "either be a show-stopping triumph or a spectacular failure," with no possible middle ground.[14] William Keck of TV Guide initially had "serious doubts," which were allayed by a visit to the set, during which he listened to the soundtrack. Keck likened it to the "much-beloved early seasons of Grey's, when music played a vital role on the show."[4] Entertainment Weekly's Dan Snierson predicted heavy use of Auto Tune,[15] though fellow EW writer Jennifer Armstrong was optimistic that the episode would be a success, commenting: "I have faith. I like musicals, I like Grey's. I'm rooting for this to work."[16]

text: Ratings[edit]

text: During its original broadcast, "Song Beneath the Song" was watched by an average of 13.09 million American viewers. It attained a 4.9/13 Nielsen rating/share in the 18–49 demographic, making it the second highest-rated program of the night, behind only American Idol on the Fox network. The rating was the second highest of the seventh season until that point, and a 30 percent increase from the previous episode, "This is How We Do It," which was watched by 2.4 million fewer viewers.[17]

text: In Canada, where the episode also aired on March 31, 2011, it was watched by 3.18 million viewers. Viewership again increased on "This is How We Do It," which attained 2.63 million viewers. However, while the preceding episode was the most-viewed scripted show for the week of its original broadcast, "Song Beneath the Song" ranked second, behind The Big Bang Theory.[18][19]

text: Post-broadcast commentary[edit]

text: Following the first minutes of the drama, reactions on Twitter were mixed.[20] Nicole Golden from TV Fanatic gave the episode 4.5 stars out of 5.0. She found that "overall, the concept worked since music really has always played a big part in the show. Some songs were more appropriate and/or better performed than others, though." She also wrote the concept worked in part because it was new but noted "the format would probably not have the same effect if used in future episodes."[21] Even though Boston Herald's critic Mark Perigard was not a fan of the concept, saying "the Grey's Anatomy event proved how tricky it is for an established show, especially a drama, to pull off a musical episode," he did like several actors's performances. He wrote: "Chandra Wilson and Chyler Leigh (whom I never have anything good to say about) delivered some impressive vocal work. Eric Dane did some of his best acting of his career last night as an anxious father-to-be terrified he would lose his best friend."[22] Lyneka Little of The Wall Street Journal wrote, "If Glee and ER had a baby it would be tonight’s episode of the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy titled “Song Beneath the Song.”"[20] In his review of the episode Alan Sepinwall of HitFix wrote "Like Grey's Anatomy as a whole, some parts were unintentionally silly, others were surprisingly powerful, and it was rarely dull, at least."[23]

text:
Patrick Dempsey admitted that the musical episode might not have been showrunner Shonda Rhimes's best idea. He explained: "It's very difficult to keep it fresh when you're doing 24
episodes a year. Shonda Rhimes has a lot of ideas, and she is in a position where she can take more chances. Sometimes that works, sometimes it does not. Last year we had the singing episode, which I think was a big mistake. But you have to try."[24]

text: Accolades[edit]

text: In 2011, the episode was ranked number 19 on the TV Guide Network special, 25 Biggest TV Blunders 2.[25] It was included in TV Guide's list "The Worst of 2011" saying, "Sara Ramirez has powerhouse pipes, but what this episode desperately needed was a better playlist."[26] BuddyTV, however, ranked it number 43 on its list of 2011's 50 Best TV Episodes and it also appeared on Digital Spy's shortlist of "TV's Best Musical Episodes."[27][28] Supervising Music Editor Jennifer Barak and Music Editors Carli Barber and Jessica Harrison were nominated in the Best Sound Editing: Short Form Musical in Television category at the 2012 Golden Reel Awards for their work on the episode.[29]

text: Soundtrack[edit]

text:
Grey's Anatomy: The Music EventSoundtrack album by Grey's Anatomy CastReleased
March 31, 2011 (2011-03-31)Recorded
February 2011Length
35:48

text: Track listing[edit]

text: No.TitleWriter(s)Performer(s)Length1."Chasing Cars" (Original by Snow Patrol)Gary LightbodySara Ramirez, Kevin McKidd, Chandra Wilson4:112."Breathe" (Original by Anna Nalick)Anna NalickChyler Leigh4:363."How We Operate" (Original by Gomez)Ben OttewellKevin McKidd4:304."Wait" (Original by Get Set Go) Chandra Wilson, Sarah Drew, Chyler Leigh3:225."Runnin' on Sunshine" (Original by Jesus Jackson)Norman Cook, Roland ClarkSara Ramirez, Daniel Sunjata, Kevin McKidd, Scott Foley, Justin Chambers, Chandra Wilson, Jessica Capshaw, Kim Raver, Chyler Leigh, Ellen Pompeo, and Patrick Dempsey4:056."Universe & U" (Original by KT Tunstall)Tunstall, PleasureSara Ramirez, Jessica Capshaw4:057."Grace" (Original by Kate Havnevik)Kate HavnevikSara Ramirez, Sarah Drew, Chyler Leigh3:458."How to Save a Life" (Original by The Fray)Isaac Slade, Joe KingKevin McKidd, Kim Raver, Ellen Pompeo, Eric Dane, Chyler Leigh, Jessica Capshaw, Sara Ramirez, Chandra Wilson, Sarah Drew, Justin Chambers3:469."The Story" (Original by Brandi Carlile)Phil HanserothSara Ramirez3:28

text: Chart history[edit]

text: Grey's Anatomy: The Music Event debuted at number 24 on the Billboard 200, with 19,000 copies sold.[31] It reached number 2 on the U.S. Soundtracks chart, and was the number 5 Independent Album.[32] "The Story" entered the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart at number 69,[33] and the Canadian Hot 100 at 72.[34]