CBS Apologizes for Cutting Billy Joel Concert Special Short, Announces Re-Broadcast Date

Billy Joel fans won’t have to wait for the longest time to see his concert special in full.

Many CBS viewers were surprised Sunday night when Billy Joel: The 100th — Live at Madison Square Garden ended abruptly at 11 pm ET, as the celebrated singer/songwriter was in the middle of performing his hit “Piano Man.” The broadcast started later than planned due to the network’s Masters Tournament coverage running longer than expected.

“A network programming timing error ended last night’s Billy Joel special approximately two minutes early in the Eastern and Central Time Zones,” the network explained in a statement Monday. “We apologize to Mr. Joel, his fans, our affiliated stations and our audience, whose viewing experience was interrupted during the last song.”

The special was shot at Joel’s record-breaking 100th consecutive performance at New York City’s Madison Square Garden on March 28 as part of his franchise run. Joel’s longstanding MSG residency will end in July; he has sold out the iconic venue more often than any other artist.

CBS will rebroadcast the special in its entirety — “due to the overwhelming demand from his legion of fans” — on Friday, April 19, at 9/8c.

The special was Joel’s first concert to air on a broadcast network. The Grammy winner has had several previous concert specials that aired on pay cable and PBS, including 1990’s Billy Joel: Live at Yankee Stadium.

Incensed Billy Joel fans, are you satisfied with this make-good? Or are you still an Angry Young Man about the whole fiasco? Let us know in the comments!