This is the most authentic portrayal of a panic attack I've ever seen.

Between this and clue, I'm convinced Madeline Kahn is in her element most when her character is having a mental breakdown.

The way she says "I'm not well, so I'm not getting married" is actually perfect

No one’s ever delivered “I’m not well” as magnificently as Madeline. Devastatingly funny.

The absolute stillness with which she performs this is slightly unsettling.

Here's what I love about Kahn's version... it's subtle. Everyone I've seen perform this song tends to go for a little bit of camp and over the top comedy on this number which really does work. Kahn plants her feet and goes quietly insane, it's all in her eyes and you see her going nuts or in her tiny actions. It's what makes it brilliant

I. Am. Stunned. This is Incredible.

Honestly, I'm pretty sure this is the definitive performance. Aside from being wildly, wildly funny, her diction is just *unreal* -- she's not eliding a single damn word in there, and the way she's hitting the stresses makes it a lot easier to parse than even other extremely good interpretations.

IMO, Madeline Khan was flawless and always flawless. This is a LIVE rendition of a very difficult song, a Sondheim song, no less. You all are entitled to your opinions but I, for one, will take Madeleine's performance any day and so grateful that I was alive to see her many appearances and performances before she passed away from OVARIAN CANCER much too soon.

Madeline Kahn was incredible. She had it all: beauty, a lovely voice, acting ability and a great sense of humor. I think anyone who could do what she did in this video would have to be a genius as well.

She was a true comedic genius taken from as far too soon Her delivery of the line "I'm not well" is absolutely brilliantly perfect

And people talk about "Guns and Ships" from Hamilton being fast

She has the best delivery of "I'm not well so I'm not getting married" that I can possibly imagine

"So... do you like rap music" "Well... its complicated."

This should be watched as a lesson in acting. Kahn uses her eyes to tell what many other amys use their bodies to tell. Granted...this would not have worked if she didn't have a camera up her nose the whole time but it's stunning. Her voice tells the story for the crowd and she is so subtle in how she shows Amy cracking. She did an amazing job. Also..loved Jeane Lehman and the stepford wife-esque bridesmaids were honestly freaky...but added to the whole affect quite nicely

Comparing this to Glee is insanity. Let me be clear, I love the Glee version, it's great and all props to Jayma in that version because she really made something of it... but here's the thing, Jayma's version was over the top, dramatic and was basically all facade. Madeline is working on layers here, you can see by the way she's standing that she's trying to give off the illusion that she's got everything together, that she's calm and rational and it's only the eyes at first that give away that she's on the verge of losing her mind. If you watch carefully you see the wall collapse, the lowering of the bouquet perfectly timed to when she started getting a little more terrified, the delivery of "I'm not well, so I'm not getting married" the first time any real emotion starts coming out and when she actually takes the microphone off, she's no longer pretending, she's just scared of being married. Her performance was complete, told a story and had an incredible evolution from the start to the finish. Jayma was all one note (An amazing note, but still one note). I can't think of a single version of this song where the performer completely committed to the same level that Madeline did, it's a insane comparison to make, one version is good, but the other version is perfect in every possible way.

"Bless this bride totally insane" cracks me up every time.

Madeline Kahn's version of this is astonishing. She didn't miss a word...WOW. Added to that is her embodiment of a woman going quietly mad with subtle gestures, intonations and facial expressions. It doesn't get better.

the understatedness really sells the idea of a person who is almost completely dead inside. She's like a walking corpse who alternates between total numbness and a rising sense of panic that appears to be her natural state. This is one of the few Amys that doesn't appear to be suffering from some kind of stage fright or wedding nerves or regret or whatever. I 100% believe that she's just an incredibly neurotic person who is scared of EVERYTHING and prone to falling into debilitating anxiety spirals, a fact that this Paul is 100% aware of- and he adores her anyway. Most other women play this song like - a crazy nervous breakdown that appears to have been prompted entirely by the stress of the wedding. And that's valid. But I think this song is more moving when you realise that it's about Amy trying to hide her true "self" from Paul, by talking to the imaginary audience in her head. And then later in the show she realises that she doesn't have to, i.e Paul isn't marrying some "body", he's marrying SOMEBODY - ie a fully formed human with flaws and vulnerabilities. In that way this song is an essential part of a beautiful tribute to how messy and wonderful and lovely human relationships are. And Madeline's performance sells that aspect of this - character arc - so well.

Madeline perfectly tosses the bouquet, timing the 12-foot, arching flight of flowers to LAND on the LAST note. This was not luck, Madeline nailed the lyrics and stuck the landing for the flowers too! 😍

"I hated her SO much, it...it...it....flames! Flames...on the side of my head...burning...breaths..." -Madelaine Kahn in Clue

As a singer myself, I can tell you there is NOTHING more terrifying than performing a song like this...you are in complete free-fall from the get-go and just pray that you stay on top of the wave!!! Madeline makes it seem effortless!!!!

for anyone like me trying to sing along: PART 1: Pardon me, is everybody here? Because if everybody's here I'd like to thank you all For coming to the wedding I'd appreciate you going even more I mean, you must have lots of better things to do And not a word of it to Paul Remember Paul? You know, the man I'm going to marry But I'm not, because I wouldn't ruin anyone As wonderful as he is Thank you all for the gifts and the flowers Thank you all, now it's back to the showers Don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today PART 2: Listen everybody, look, I don't know what you're waiting for A wedding. What's a wedding? It's a prehistoric ritual Where everybody promises fidelity forever Which is maybe the most horrifying word I ever heard of Which is followed by a honeymoon, where suddenly he'll realize He's saddled with a nut, and want to kill me, which he should Thanks a bunch, but I'm not getting married Go have lunch, cause I'm not getting married You've been grand, but I'm not getting married Don't just stand there, I'm not getting married And don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today PART 3: Go! Can't you go? Why is nobody listening? Goodbye! Go and cry At another person's wake If you're quick, for a kick You could pick up a christening But please, on my knees There's a human life at stake! PART 4: Listen everybody, I'm afraid you didn't hear Or do you want to see a crazy lady fall apart in front of you? It isn't only Paul who would be ruining his life You know, we'll both of us be losing our identities I telephoned my analyst about it, and he said to see him Monday But by Monday I'll be floating in the Hudson with the other garbage I'm not well, so I'm not getting married You've been swell, but I'm not getting married Clear the hall, 'cause I'm not getting married Thank you all, but I'm not getting married And don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today PART 5: Go! Can't you go? Look, you know I adore you all But why watch me die Like Eliza on the ice? Look, perhaps I'll collapse In the apse right before you all So take back the cake Burn the shoes, and boil the rice Look, I didn't want to have to tell you But I may be coming down with hepatitis And I think I'm gonna faint So if you want to watch me faint, I'll do it happily But wouldn't it be funnier to go and watch a funeral? So thank you for the twenty-seven dinner plates Thirty-seven butter knives Forty-seven paperweights Fifty-seven candle holders I'm not getting married But I'm not getting married See, I'm not getting married! Still, I'm not getting married! Let us pray that we're not getting married Today!

The classical singer is amazing. Incredibly clear pronunciation, and a hilarious delivery of the "totally insane" line.

How can I sing guns and ship perfectly but can't even do a verse of this song

The way she says "I'm not well." gets me every time.

For 60 or so years, I was under the impression I didn't care for show tunes, until I spent a delightful hour or so today listening to Madeline Kahn sing show tunes. KZfaq can be a really wonderful resource for learning something new, at any age.

Everyone’s going crazy over her “I’m not well so Im not getting married” But I was really loving her ending of “but im not getting married” right before she throws the bouquet.

love so much that this isn't sung fast for the sake of being sung *really fast* - perfect pace, perfect expressions. her "I'm not well so I'm not getting married!" is so FIRM and completely certain, no one else sings it that way!

Just apropos of nothing, Kristin Chenoweth named her dog Madeline Kahn Chenoweth in honor of one of her professional heroes.

My favorite version of this! NO ONE reads the line "I'm not WELL!" like dear sweet Madeline!

Madeline was lost too soon . Here’s to her beautiful soul ✨

Madeline Kahn was such a genius comedian. . R.I.P

The "I'm not well," is iconic but the "Go! Can't you go!" is so just frustrated and I love it.

Her facial expressions in so many of her roles are brilliant. The vocal ranges are incredible switching from one to another and then to another almost without pause.

Madeline Kahn continues to astound and delight us, long after her premature departure from this plane. This is an EXTREMELY difficult song to do, more than most, and she sang it like it was written for her. Brava, Madeline, you left SUCH a legacy! We love you!

I never realised the way she leaves the stage: "if you'll excuse me, i have a wedding to attend to even if i'm dead inside". What a glorious actress.

There will never be another Madeline Kahn. A true treasure deeply missed.

What a woman and we miss her! STUPENDOUS!!!

It’s an enormous feat, what she accomplishes here. Almost super human. I am in awe. Her technical expertise, allowing me to understand EVERY word at that breakneck pace with loud sounds behind her is astonishing by itself. Plus her acting is touching and laugh-out-loud hilarious. Wow.

Madeline Khan is a comic genius! Recognize a legend and stop acting like Glee is the standard for the rest of the world!

She was simply the best at everything she did. Her sense of timing, delivery, humor, voice was impeccable. She and Judy Holiday were in a league of their own.

All the hate and comparisons annoy me. Jayma Mays and Madeline Khan both did amazing jobs. Can't we just appreciate them both? On Madeline's behalf, it's not an easy song to sing LIVE like this. The pressure of messing a song like this up is immense, and Jayma recorded in a studio with however many takes she needed to get it perfect. On Jayma's side, it takes guts to perform such a classic and difficult song on Glee because every Glee cover always comes with a certain amount of hate, and she did just as good a job as Madeline. People hate on Madeline (and other performances) because they're not "perfect" like Glee's version. That's because they're live and not edited to be perfect. It's a hard song to perform live. Can't we all just appreciate each performance for what it is. Every performer needs praise for their work. Because, let's face it, anyone brave enough to tackle this song for an audience, television or live, needs praise no matter what.

Madeline Kahn is terrific. She has such luminous, witty and well-thought-out delivery, and a distinctive voice. And she sings 'Not Getting Married Today' WAY more skillfully than Jayma Mays in 'Glee.' And by the way, please don't leave out Jeanne Lehman. Her voice is so big and pure and beautiful, obviously trained in opera and musical theater--absolutely worth having at any wedding.

The late, great, magnificent Madeline Kahn. Wasn't she just wonderful?

I love, love, love Madeline Kahn. She was brilliant in everything she did whether it was Blazing Saddles, Clue, Mixed Nuts, etc.

Madeline Kahn is one of the all time greats!

Madeline Kahn was a legend!!! She left us far too soon. I’ll always remember her as Mrs. White from the 1980s classic Clue. She’s just fantastical everything.

“Bless this Briiiiiide, totally insane” Yes.

20 years ago, a great Star stopped shining. She is eternal, in Heaven. Thank You, MK, soprano,diva,entertainer,muse....B R A V A!!!!!

This is such a brilliant interpretation of the song. The subtleties of her panic, trying to keep it together but also bursting at the seams. Amazing.

stop comparing it to glee. it's like comparing apples to oranges. you can't compare a live performance in a concert setting to a produced, scripted, and edited television show. they're both great, but they're both different. the setting of the glee episode is different than that of the concert. you also have to appreciate/respect glee for introducing the beauty that is Sondheim's music to a younger generation. i'd rather them do that then cover crappy pop songs.

She was genius in everything she did. Especially the movie What's Up Doc...

Heard the tragic passing of Stephen Sondheim this morning, and immediately had to come here.

Just when I thought Madeline Kahn couldn’t be more brilliant I discovered this gem ❤️

I found this after Randy Rainbow, but this is great too.

I dunno why I find the woman on the right of Madeline hilarious; she nails that dreamy bridesmaid look, completely oblivious to what the bride is going through. :-D

"Do you wanna see a crazy lady fall apart in front of you..." So, f-fla--FLAMES? On the side of your face? Breathing, breathle--heaving breaths....

JENNY: Bless this day, Pinnacle of life Husband joined to wife The heart leaps up to behold This golden day. PAUL: Today is for Amy Amy, I give you the rest of my life To cherish and to keep you To honor you forever Today is for Amy, My, happily, soon-to-be wife. AMY: Pardon me, is everybody here? Because if everybody's here, I'd like to thank you all For coming to the wedding. I'd appreciate you going even more, I mean, you must have lots of better things to do, And not a word of it to Paul Remember Paul? You know, the man I'm going to marry But I'm not, because I wouldn't ruin anyone As wonderful as he is. Thank you all for the gifts and the flowers, Thank you all, now it's back to the showers Don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today. JENNY: Bless this day, Tragedy of life Husband bound to wife The heart sinks down And feels dead This dreadful day. AMY: Listen everybody, look, I don't know what you're waiting for A wedding. What's a wedding? It's a prehistoric ritual Where everybody promises fidelity forever, Which is maybe the most horrifying word I ever heard of, Which is followed by a honeymoon, where suddenly he'll realize He's saddled with a nut, and want to kill me, which he should. Thanks a bunch, but I'm not getting married Go have lunch, 'cause I'm not getting married You've been grand, but I'm not getting married Don't just stand there, I'm not getting married And don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today. Go! Can't you go? Why is nobody listening? Goodbye! Go and cry At another person's wake. If you're quick, for a kick You could pick up a christening But please, on my knees, There's a human life at stake! Listen everybody, I'm afraid you didn't hear Or do you want to see a crazy lady fall apart in front of you? It isn't only Paul who would be ruining his life You know, we'll both of us be losing our identities I telephoned my analyst about it, and he said to see him Monday But by Monday I'll be floating in the Hudson with the other garbage. I'm not well, so I'm not getting married You've been swell, but I'm not getting married Clear the hall, 'cause I'm not getting married Thank you all, but I'm not getting married And don't tell Paul, but I'm not getting married today. JENNY: Bless this bride, Totally insane Slipping down the drain And bless this day in our hearts As it starts To rain. PAUL: Today is for Amy Amy, I give you the rest of my life To cherish and to keep you To honor you forever AMY: Go! Can't you go? Look, you know I adore you all But why watch me die Like Eliza on the ice? Look, perhaps I'll collapse In the apse right before you all So take back the cake Burn the shoes, and boil the rice. PAUL: Today is for Amy, My, happily, soon-to-be wife My adorable wife... AMY: Look, I didn't want to have to tell you, But I may be coming down with hepatitis, and I think I'm gonna faint So if you want to watch me faint, I'll do it happily, But wouldn't it be funnier to go and watch a funeral? So thank you for the twenty-seven dinner plates, Thirty-seven butter knives, Forty-seven paperweights, Fifty-seven candle holders PAUL: One more thing... AMY: I'm not getting married. CHOIR: Amen! PAUL: Softly said... AMY: But I'm not getting married. CHOIR: Amen! PAUL: With this ring... AMY: See, I'm not getting married! CHOIR: Amen! PAUL: I thee wed. AMY: Still, I'm not getting married! CHOIR: Amen! PAUL: Let us pray that we are getting married AMY: Let us pray that we're not getting married ALL: Today!

Madeline Kahn is just…amazing. Talented and such an inspiration!!!

"i cant find my cufflinks" "theyre on the dresser next to the suicide note"

I've seen a number of versions of this song and Madeline Kahn was just simply the best. Just standing there she portrays a manic energy with subtle body movements and her eyes and it is absolute perfection. She was brilliant in everything she did.

I’ve watched many versions of this....And no one compares... Madeline, oh how we miss you. 💔

Thank you, Madeline Kahn for your interpretation of this. Not many could do this song and follow the intrepid performance of Beth Howland, who originated the role and song). Kahn -- wow, so missed. I love you wherever you are.

KAHN TELLS IT ALL IN THE EYES!!! I LOVE HER PERFORMANCE I MISS HER:(

I love her change in tone when she sings "I'm not well, so I'm not getting married," like now she's really putting her foot down. She really knows how less is more. So talented!

The fabulous throw at the bouquet at the end only confirmed that Madeline was perfection. A comic genius.

RIP Madeline Kahn! Your performances will always be my favorites.

Oh...and can we take a minute to adore that stunning wedding dress!? Damn girl!

Never heard of this song til Randy Rainbow. Omg she can sing fast!

🌈Randy Rainbow sent me here! 💙 Boy is this Original song Fantastic! 🎉

“I’m. Not. Well. So I’m not getting married” The way she delivered that has me weak 🤣🤣🤣

A breathless performance!! Sadly missed :-((

I remember this original broadcast. Madeline was extraordinary!!!!!

2:26 The way she slowly lowers her bouquet with her fingers super subtly while speaking super fast.... to portray the crazy in her head! I love the depth of her acting

I love this woman. she is absolutely amazing as a vocalist and an actress. Definitely one of kind. She goes beyond technique and discipline. She's Madeline Kahn and no one can imitate that.

She was always so funny, and talented. She could to anything, sing, dance, act, and was so amazing to watch. This is the best version of "Not Getting Married" I've heard. Such a shame she left us so soon. She had so much more to give, and will always be greatly missed.

Spectacular performances by Madeline Kahn and Jeanne Lehmann! ... Love this.

One thing I like the most about this cover? She’s not focused on speed. In other covers, they sing very quickly and it’s honestly not easy to distinguish what they are trying to say. With Madeleine, however, she’s saying everything clearly and not going too fast so that we all know what she’s pleading. I love it!

3:44 that inhale is such perfect comedic timing... what a brilliant subtle touch

I consider this to be if not the best, than one of the best performances of this song. You can just HEAR the shakiness in her voice, as if at any moment she is going to jump out a window. Fantastic.

Her diction and timing are impeccable and her gracious acknowledgement of fellow performers befits a true professional .... greatly missed

So I’m a big fan of Les Mis, Blood Brothers, Superstar etc but am clueless re. Sondheim (got here via the sublime Randy Rainbow). THIS IS AWESOME. She’s like an anxiety attack on legs but manages to be understated enough to do a wonderful gradual climb towards her head exploding. So funny, makes it look easy when it’s actually a song that it would be easy to get wrong. Not to mention a stunning voice. I love it!

and I love how she manages to do with in the simplest of ways. I mean, most of the communication is from her eyes, but it's hysterical.

Madeline Kahn was a treasure! RIP beautiful soul!

She is perfect for this song. I love her quiet madness.

Love Madeline Kahn. So much talent. Dearly missed.

That bouquet toss was a f*cking mic drop.

the bouquet catch in the end was great! they must've had a different person catch it each time lol!

Who else is here because of Randy Rainbow? And how did I not know this music before? *runs to find the whole performance on DVD*

Here because of Randy Rainbow 11/17/2020!

This song is a performer's NIGHTMARE! I stand up and cheer for anyone who could possibly get through it from start to finish.

RIP Stephen Sondheim

First, how about a shout out to the great lady Jeanne Lehmann singing the operatic part. She was fantastic! Every word clearly enunciated and in perfect tune. She made this song.

That's some timing with that bouquet toss and catch!!!

Superb! One of so many superb compositions. RIP, Mr. Sondheim.

wow she's good, singing so fast, her eyes wide with terror. I sure do miss her. ever seen the SNL when she did "i feel Pretty" as the bride of frankenstien?.....classic!

I LOVE Madeline Kahn, nothing more attractive than a confident goof ball! :D AND she was beautiful!

Randy rainbow sent me here...

Randy Rainbow brought me here.