So, it turned out that TPTB at 19 could not get clearance after all for that Van Halen duet, “Why Can’t This Be Love”, Carrie Underwood and David Cook filmed for Carrie Underwood’s All-Star Holiday Special that aired Monday night.
When David mentioned clearance issues in one of his radio interviews promoting the special, fans were worried, but hopeful the producers could work things out. Unfortunately, it appears the duet was doomed from the start.
Live Daily reports that the problems began before Carrie and David set foot on the soundstage:
The show’s producers at 19 Entertainment apparently did not believe the initial rejection they received from the Van Halen camp when permission to use the song was first requested. Figuring legal and financial issues could be worked out later, they proceeded to film the duet, which now rests on the cutting room floor.
Seriously? Filming a performance without clearing the song first? WTF? And, with all the experience 19 has getting songs cleared for American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, etc, you’d think they’d know better.
And the result? We were denied our Carrie/Cookie duet during Monday’s broadcast of Carrie’s special. Boo.
As an aside, Live Daily speculates that the current incarnation of Van Halen had no interest in clearing songs from the Sammy Hagar era of the band. Meow.
