They have been called American geniuses. They are two of the greatest writers of Broadway shows and pharmaceutical drug commercial jingles of all time. They have been honored with multiple Tony Awards, five Pulitzer Prices, and dozens of Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons, now voided.
They are Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.
It's been an epic career for these two over many decades of achievement which have included such legendary works as The Sound of Music, South Pacific, Oh Oh Oh Ozempic, The King and I, Carousel, and Skyrizi (Nothing is Everything).
How did it all begin?
"We were working on our first musical Oklahoma," recalled Richard Rodgers in his memoirs,"and we knew we had written some fine songs like "Surrey with the Fringe on Top" and "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning," but we felt like we needed one more great song to put us over the top. So we added a sensitive ballad about antacids called "People Will Say We're In-digestion."
When the show opened in previews in New Haven, however, the critics savaged it. "We worked feverishly writing and rewriting that song," stated Hammerstein later "and when Oklahoma finally opened on Broadway "When You Have Nausea, Heartburn, Indigestion, Upset Stomach, Diarrhea," captivated audiences and became the showstopper."
Oklahoma became their first smash. And pharmaceutical drug music was born.
When asked to name their favorite achievement among so many during their long career, both Rogers and Hammerstein agreed.
"Of course, it has to be The Sound of Music," Richard Rodgers stated, "but followed closely by "I Did It My Way" for Cologuard." (Not be confused with a similar song once sung by Frank Sinatra.)
Oddly enough, one of the duos' greatest successes came to them by accident and had nothing to do whatsoever with stirring romance, wistful fantasy, or pharmaceutical drugs.
Following a small traffic accident Richard Rodgers found himself with a structured settlement, but a need for more immediate funds ensued based on the disappointing performance of a jingle written for an ED drug named Excelsior.
Hammerstein suggested to Rodgers that "it's your money, use it when you need it."
"If my father and Mr. Hammerstein were around today," said Eleanor Rodgers, daughter of Mr. Rodgers, "they would be truly proud of how their work remains as beloved today as ever and how, if you have a structured settlement and you need cash now, you can still call A.G. Wentworth 877- CASH-NOW!"
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