Broadway Shockers 2017: Bette Midler Outlasts Her Exit Music at the Tonys

As 2017 draws to a close, TheaterMania looks back on some of the most jaw-dropping stories of the year.

Four minutes and 15 seconds. That's how long Bette Midler talked after receiving the 2017 Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical. (The acceptance speech time limit at the Tonys is normally one minute and 15 seconds.) The orchestra tried to silence her after about two and a half minutes but to no avail. Midler continued her litany of thanks, increasing her tempo and volume as the musicians increased theirs. Then, as "There's No Business Like Show Business" blared, she showed them just who the boss of show business is. "Shut that crap off!" Midler yelled. The audience howled with laughter, the orchestra capitulated, and the Divine Miss M went on with her speech.