After the broadcast of the concert was interrupted, CBS will re-air on Friday the tape of singer-songwriter Billy Joel’s 100th consecutive performance at Madison Square Garden.
On Sunday, CBS aired the performance as “Billy Joel: The 100th - Live at Madison Square Garden,” playing it up as a record-breaker and as the first concert for Mr. Joel aired on a broadcast network.
Viewers in the Eastern and Central time zones then missed the end of the show, which cut out in the middle of Mr. Joel’s famous song “Piano Man” to switch instead to local news.
“A network programming timing error ended [Sunday’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,” a CBS spokesperson told Entertainment Weekly.
Due to demand, CBS added, the show will be re-aired on Friday from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. EDT. The special is also available on streaming service Paramount+.
The performance was taped on March 28, which was the 100th performance in Mr. Joel’s “franchise” residency at MSG.
Mr. Joel began his residency at the iconic New York City venue in January 2014, and will end it in July 2024 following his 150th lifetime performance at MSG. He has sold it out more than any other artist, according to Entertainment Weekly.
“Now, after ten incredible years, it feels right to conclude this journey with my 150th-lifetime show at The Garden – I look forward to celebrating this final run of shows with my fans,” Mr. Joel said in a statement, per the MSG website.
• Brad Matthews can be reached at bmatthews@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.