“I was disappointed and surprised by the decision. It did not seem inappropriate to have a little glitz and glamour on a night when Americans might have needed a breather. The best thing celebrities can do right now is entertain us.”
Neal Justin, television critic, Minneapolis Star Tribune
“I think [they] should have gone ahead with the telecast. There’s a certain amount of self-importance cloaked in patriotism that I find off-putting. … But to schedule a third attempt at a prime-time broadcast would just be silly now.”
Richard Roeper, co-host, “Ebert & Roeper”/columnist, Chicago Sun-Times
“Since we [were] continuing with sporting events and such, why not? It could [have provided] a harmless diversion. On the other hand, the show may be bad luck. Each time it is scheduled, something bad happens.”
Marty Renzhofer, television critic, Salt Lake (City, Utah) Tribune