Come Tony Night, The Star-Packed Podium May Lack Sense Of Humor

WCBS 880′s Jim Taylor shares his thoughts on Broadway and the 2011 Tony Awards. He will be blogging about his thoughts and reviews of the Great White Way leading up until the Tony Awards, and will be covering the awards for CBSNewYork.com as they air live on CBS on June 12.

What? No Robin Williams?

How about John Leguizamo?

Or Paul Reubens, the man probably better known as Pee-Wee Herman?

These are just some of the personable stars of Broadway shows neither nominated for Tony Awards, nor presenting any of those Tonys this year. Only reason I bring it up: Daniel Radcliffe and Chris Rock are similarly not nominated, yet are among those who presenting on the night of June 12th at the Beacon Theatre on Manhattan's Upper West Side.

I thought it might be kind of cute to have those snubbed for nominations present the statues. For instance, have Robin Williams present the award for Best Actor in a play and Radcliffe hand out the award for Best Actor in A Musical -- but that's just one reason I'm not on any committee that hands out anything.

It would appear that "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" will be showcased. We expect young Mr. Radcliffe to be joined by Mathew Broderick (who won a Tony in the role a few years back) and Robert Morse (who brilliantly created the role, more than a few years back).

And won't it be fine to see the lovely Vanessa Redgrave up there? Presumably, she will not be presenting for Best Actress, since she's up for that Tony.

Otherwise, the podium will be star-packed from beginning to end, all capably hosted by television's Neil Patrick Harris who somehow seems like he shouldn't be there, and yet somehow we don't seem to mind. Same could be said of Alec Baldwin, I suppose.

Can't wait to hit the red carpet.