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Hairspray Live!

Play trailer Poster for Hairspray Live! TV-PG 2016 2h 0m Musical Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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76% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
In 1960s Baltimore, a teenage dance-loving girl dreams of getting a spot on a popular television show.
Hairspray Live!

What to Know

Critics Consensus

Hairspray Live! shimmers with outstanding performances, an engaging story, and songs that let its stars shine.

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Critics Reviews

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Mark Kennedy Associated Press 12/14/2016
There may have been enough aerosol spray to burn off the rest of our ozone layer, but Wednesday's ambitious live version of the musical Hairspray on NBC was worth the environmental damage. It was light and fun and soon had you stuck. Go to Full Review
Jenna Scherer Rolling Stone 12/09/2016
Listen: Any day we get to see Harvey Fierstein performing in full drag on network television is a good goddamn day in America. Go to Full Review
Gail Pennington St. Louis Post-Dispatch 12/08/2016
There was a lot to enjoy, but also so many wrong-headed choices as to make viewers sometimes wonder exactly why we were bothering. Go to Full Review
Mariah Smith Cosmopolitan 03/07/2018
[Jennifer Hudson] is the sole star. Go to Full Review
Emily Ashby Common Sense Media 12/09/2016
4/5
This is an impressive, jubilant production of a story that's rich in messages about diversity, inclusion, and loving yourself. Go to Full Review
Malcolm Venable TV.com 12/09/2016
Well! That was something. NBC's Hairspray Live! didn't just raise the bar for live TV musicals -- it bedazzled it, twirled it around and threw it up in the air while doing cartwheels. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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May 11 All the cast did an amazing job personally I would watch it all the time if I had the time. would definitely recommend for Hairspray fans. See more Stephen C Dec 29 LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more 07/23/2022 Engaging, even if does not reach the same heights as the 2007 film (the energy of everyone is there, but not quite as magical), this story is still very relevant for nowadays. The cast is incredible, especially the deliciously funny and evil (and always perfect for every single role) Kristin Chenoweth and the ever fantastic Jennifer Hudson (with her showstopping voice in another definitive verson of a musical song), I just wanted to some stories to be more developped (looking at you, Ariana Grande). Maddie Baillio is good, but not as captivating as Nikki Blonsky. See more 08/07/2021 AMAZING BEST FILM EVER WISH THIS WAS ON ALL STREAMING SERVICES! See more 04/11/2021 Funny, original, & full of music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more 01/09/2021 I love it!! super excited, with a great soundtrack! See more Read all reviews
Hairspray Live!

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1960s Baltimore, a teenage dance-loving girl dreams of getting a spot on a popular television show.
Director
Kenny Leon, Alex Rudzinski
Screenwriter
Harvey Fierstein, Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman
Production Co
Storyline Entertainment
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Musical, Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
2h 0m