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CBS Sparks Outrage After Cutting Away From Billy Joel Special At The Most Inopportune Moment
Billy Joel fans were furious when CBS rudely yanked the plug on the legend's televised Madison Square Garden concert at the worst possible time.
CBS delayed the broadcast celebrating the legendary singer/songwriter's 100th consecutive show in New York's iconic indoor venue by 30 minutes due to the extended 2024 Masters Golf Tournament beforehand.
The network then aired its local news programming right in the middle of the singer performing "The Piano Man," which is Joel's signature song from 1973 that put him on the map.
Fans collectively said of CBS, "How dare they."
You can watch the interruption here.
Tsk, tsk, CBS.
A reporter from CBS Florida affiliate WTSP expressed regret for the jarring transition.
"We apologize for cutting into Billy Joel too soon," said 10 Tampa Bay Sports Director Evan Closky.
Closky, who is from Joel's hometown of Long Island, added:
"That's on us. It's a crime in New York. I know as a fellow Long Islander."
Clocksy explained in a follow-up post:
"Lots of CBS stations on Eastern and Central Time got into this trouble."
"To my understanding, was a mistake by people higher than the local affiliates, sadly."
Rex Smith of WANE 15 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, also apologized to viewers, who were suddenly forced to see his mug invading their television screens.
Julie Holland, CBS's Vice President of Communications, explained in a statement:
"A network programming timing error ended last night's Billy Joel special approximately two minutes early in the Eastern and Central Time Zones."
"We apologize to Mr. Joel, his fans, our affiliated stations, and our audience whose viewing experience was interrupted during the last song."
"Due to the overwhelming demand from his legion of fans", CBS announced it would re-air its broadcast of the concert filmed on March 28 in its entirety on April 19 at 9 p.m. ET.
Those who can't wait can catch the entire performance on Paramount+.
Joel is planning to return to MSG for a final performance in July 2024.