On the Run Tour: Beyoncé and Jay-Z (TV program)

The On the Run Tour was a co-headlining stadium concert tour by American recording artist Beyoncé and her husband, rapper Jay-Z. The venture was announced in late April 2014 following several weeks of speculations; initially 16 concerts were announced in North America through June, July and August.{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/54813-beyonce-and-jay-z-announce-on-the-run-tour/|title=Beyoncé and Jay Z Announce On the Run Tour|publisher=Pitchfork|first=Evan|last=Minsker|date=April 28, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/28/showbiz/music/beyonce-jay-z-tour/|title=Beyonce, Jay Z announce joint summer tour|publisher=CNN|first=Breeanna|last=Hare|date=April 29, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014}} Three more dates were later added in that continent and on June 13, 2014, two dates of the tour in Paris, France were announced, set to be performed at the Stade de France on September 12 and 13, 2014. The dates were the exclusive, only European shows of the On the Run Tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/152279/Beyonce-and-Jay-Z-Announce-Special-Paris-Dates-For-Joint-On-The-Run-Tour|title=Beyonce and Jay Z Announce Special Paris Dates For Joint 'On The Run' Tour|publisher=Entertainmentwise. Giant Digital|first=Alicia|last=Adejobi|date=June 13, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808064746/http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/152279/Beyonce-and-Jay-Z-Announce-Special-Paris-Dates-For-Joint-On-The-Run-Tour|archive-date=August 8, 2014|url-status=dead}} Rapper Nicki Minaj appeared during both of the concerts, joining Beyoncé on stage.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6251448/nicki-minaj-joins-beyonce-for-surreal-last-stop-of-on-the-run-tour|title=Nicki Minaj Joins Beyonce For 'Surreal' Last Stop of On The Run Tour|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|first=Jocelyn|last=Vena|date=September 13, 2014|access-date=September 14, 2014}}

In July 2014, it was announced that HBO would exclusively air the On the Run Tour in full at some point in September, following the upcoming filming of the concerts in Paris, France at the scheduled September 12 and 13, 2014 shows in the city. The shows were shot by Swedish music video director Jonas Åkerlund.{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a595341/beyonce-and-jay-zs-on-the-run-tour-to-be-filmed-for-tv-special.html#~oPnvrRBNXkOyOk|title=Beyoncé and Jay Z's 'On The Run' tour to be filmed for TV special|publisher=Digital Spy. Hearst Corporation|first=Amy|last=Davidson|date=September 8, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014}} President of the network, Michael Lombardo, stated in a press release, "This is a major musical event that belongs on HBO, it's going to be a night to remember."{{cite press release|url=http://hbob2b.vo.llnwd.net/u/mr_twitter/July2014/ontherun_ann.pdf|title=On the Run Tour: Beyoncé and Jay Z|location=Los Angeles, California|publisher=HBO / Parkwood Entertainment / Roc Nation|date=July 10, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014|archive-date=July 10, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710225051/http://hbob2b.vo.llnwd.net/u/mr_twitter/July2014/ontherun_ann.pdf|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/2974341/jay-z-beyonce-on-the-run-tour-hbo/|title=Jay Z and Beyoncé 'On the Run' Tour Is Headed to HBO|magazine=Time|publisher=Time Inc.|first=Eliana|last=Docterman|date=July 10, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014}} Following the announcement of the upcoming airing of the tour, a promotional trailer was released on HBO's official YouTube channel, showing professional footage and segments of the On the Run Tour.{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7526392/beyonce-jay-z-on-the-run-hbo-trailer|title=Beyonce And Jay Z's 'On The Run' HBO Special Gets A Trailer: Watch|publisher=Idolator. SpinMedia|first=Christina|last=Lee|date=July 13, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014}}{{Dead link|date=January 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

On July 22, 2014, Beyoncé confirmed the air date of the special to be September 20, 2014, on her official Facebook page, along with another short video trailer.{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10154473048270601&set=vb.28940545600&type=2&theater|title=September 20th. #OnTheRunHBO|publisher=Beyoncé – Official Facebook|first=Beyoncé|last=Knowles|date=July 22, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014}} HBO used 20 different cameras to record the two shows and various special effect were later used, such as slow motion, quick cuts and aerial views.{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/09/what-you-missed-from-hbos-on-the-run-special.html|title=What You Missed From Beyoncé and Jay Z's On the Run HBO Special|publisher=Vulture. New York Media, LLC|first=Lindsey|last=Weber|date=September 22, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2014}} In August 2014, another promotional video was uploaded to HBO's YouTube account. The trailer began with Beyoncé dressed as a jazz singer staring down a captive Jay-Z in the audience, whilst singing Nancy Sinatra's cover version of "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)". The trailer then cuts to footage of live performances from the On the Run Tour, featuring Beyoncé and Jay-Z interacting.{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7531251/beyonce-bang-bang-hbo-on-the-run|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140817171340/http://www.idolator.com/7531251/beyonce-bang-bang-hbo-on-the-run|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 17, 2014|title=Beyonce Sings "Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)" In HBO's 'On The Run' Trailer: Watch|first=Christina|last=Lee|publisher=Idolator. SpinMedia|date=August 17, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014}} On September 21, the medley of "Young Forever" and "Halo" from the special was uploaded on Beyoncé's official YouTube channel into a seven-minute video.{{cite news|url=https://www.spin.com/2014/09/beyonce-jay-z-on-the-run-tour-young-forever-halo-video/|title=Beyonce and Jay Z Light Up a Stadium in HBO Performance of 'Young Forever,' 'Halo'|work=Spin|publisher=SpinMedia|first=Colin|last=Joyce|date=September 22, 2014|access-date=September 22, 2014}} Michael Rothman from ABC News praised the clip as "amazing" and called its beginning "breathtaking".{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/beyonce-jay-share-home-videos-wedding-baby/story?id=25697111|title=Beyoncé and Jay-Z Share New Home Videos of Wedding, Baby and More|publisher=ABC News. American Broadcasting Company|first=Michael|last=Rothman|date=September 23, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2014}} On October 6, 2014, the live video of the performance of "Flawless" was released on Beyoncé's Vevo account.{{cite news|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/10/06/video-beyonce-nicki-minaj-perform-flawless-remix-live/|title=Video: Beyoncé and Nicki Minaj Perform 'Flawless (Remix)' Live|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devin Lazerine|date=October 6, 2014|access-date=October 6, 2014}}

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|quote = They [Beyoncé and Jay-Z] didn't really know what I was going to do, so I said, "I'm going to shoot for five minutes. Were going to process the footage, I'll bring it back for you to look at it and that's basically what the footage is going to look like." We picked a very particular, beautiful moment with Beyoncé in the mirrors, we processed the footage in a couple minutes and brought it back, and she thought it was beautiful. Jay Z came out and we shot for five minutes, with him and the cigar, and did the same thing. I was shooting with these old Russian lenses, there was no monitor, there wasn't anyone standing behind me and we started cranking along like that.

|source = — Dikayl Rimmasch on shooting the "Bang Bang" short film trilogy

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In September 2014, it was announced that a trilogy of videos entitled "Bang Bang" were to be released as a short film leading up to the broadcast of the tour special. The short film (in which multiple scenes are found in video interludes and backdrops throughout the tour) was directed by New York-based filmmaker and photographer Dikayl Rimmasch. Together with war photographer William Kaner, Rimmasch put together the filmmaking approach and aesthetic of the series.{{cite news|url=http://www.complex.com/music/2014/09/beyonce-and-jay-z-bang-banb-short-film-part-one|title=Watch Part One of Beyoncé and Jay Z's "Bang Bang" Short Film|work=Complex|publisher=Complex Media Inc.|first=Zach|last=Frydenlund|date=September 15, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014}} Inspired by French New Wave cinema, the short film was created using custom camera rigs that Rimmasch had designed, 50-year-old Russian lenses and lighting effects by Archie Ciotti and Scott Spencer and followed an incredibly fast, shoot-from-the-hip recording style.{{cite web|url=http://www.nowness.com/day/2014/9/15/4140/beyonce-and-jay-z-bang-bang-part-one|title=Beyoncé and Jay Z: Bang Bang, Part One|work=Nowness|date=September 15, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140915162638/http://www.nowness.com/day/2014/9/15/4140/beyonce-and-jay-z-bang-bang-part-one|archive-date=September 15, 2014}} Rimmasch stated that he wanted to capture the feeling of the film Breathless after Beyoncé had proposed the idea behind the concept of the films to be inspired by the movie. Together with Kaner, Rimmasch browsed through frames from the aforementioned film and others such as Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974) and True Romance (1993) in order to find suitable images for the trilogy. He also included personal footage of the duo, including scenes taken from Jay-Z's 40th birthday party. Speaking about the concept of the videos Rimmasch stated,

In my first conversation on the telephone with Jay Z he explained his concept of On the Run. He said: 'We're not trying to do this literally, it's not that we're Bonnie and Clyde. We're on the run from everything. On the run from becoming a cliché. On the run from doing the same thing again.' Everything he mentioned was a level of consciousness he has for staying alive as an entertainer and as a human being. He wanted to keep it more abstract because for him it was very abstract. How do you stay new, not just to your audience but also yourself?

In part one of the trilogy, which premiered on September 15, 2014 on Nowness{{'}} official website, Jay-Z is seen kissing Beyoncé's neck whilst she is filmed writhing around on bedsheets. The couple then drive to a diner, where a customer reading a newspaper with the outlaw couple on the front page is seen staring at the back of Beyoncé's head. Jay-Z proceeds to stub out his cigar on the customer's food, before the couple drive off into the desert, laughing. The video is set to the vignette "Il Vizio di Uccidere" by Ennio Morricone and is shot in black-and-white.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/see-beyonce-and-jay-zs-bonnie-and-clyde-like-bang-bang-film-20140915|title=See Beyonce and Jay Z's 'Bonnie and Clyde'-Like 'Bang Bang' Film|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media|first=Kory|last=Grow|date=September 15, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6251498/beyonce-jay-z-bang-bang-short-film-on-the-run|title=Watch Beyonce and Jay Z in 'Bang Bang Part One' from On the Run Tour|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|first=Erin|last=Strecker|date=September 15, 2014|access-date=September 26, 2014}} It was noted to be inspired by the movie Bonnie and Clyde and similar to the tour trailer for On the Run. Vulture's Nate Jones further compared it to works by Quentin Tarantino and Sergio Leone.{{cite web|url=http://www.vulture.com/2014/09/see-part-one-beyonce-and-jay-z-tour-film-bang-bang.html|title=See the First Part of Beyoncé and Jay Z's Tour Film, 'Bang Bang'|publisher=Vulture. New York Media, LLC|first=Nate|last=Jones|date=September 15, 2014|access-date=September 26, 2014}} However, following the release of part one of the trilogy, most published videos were deleted from the internet as well as part two or three not surfacing for their scheduled releases. When asked about this during an interview with i-D Vice magazine, Rimmasch simply stated "no comment".{{cite web|url=http://i-d.vice.com/en_gb/read/interviews/4769/The-director-of-Beyonce-and-Jay-Zs-vanished-video-speaks-out|title=The director of Beyoncé and Jay z's vanished video speaks out|work=i-D Vice|first=Paige|last=Silveria|date=September 19, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922052935/http://i-d.vice.com/en_gb/read/interviews/4769/The-director-of-Beyonce-and-Jay-Zs-vanished-video-speaks-out|archive-date=September 22, 2014|url-status=dead}}

File:Beyoncé Jay Z Seattle 2.jpg

The concert opened with a black-and-white video on the screen accompanied by sirens as Beyoncé and Jay Z appeared onstage surrounded by smoke. The duo started performing the song "'03 Bonnie & Clyde" with Beyoncé wearing a fishnet see-through mask and Jay Z wearing black sunglasses, a star-speckled shirt, black jacket and gold chains.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/06/25/beyonce-jay-z-on-the-run-joint-tour-launch-miami/11366065/|title=Terrific together: Beyonce and Jay Z go live|work=USA Today|first=Erica|last=K. Landau|date=June 25, 2014|access-date=June 26, 2014}} The pair went on to perform "Upgrade U" as the second song during the set.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2014/06/beyonce-jay-z-on-the-run-tour-video/|title=Watch Beyonce and Jay Z Play '03 Bonnie and Clyde' for 'On the Run' Kick-Off|work=Spin|publisher=Spin Media LLC|first=Dan|last=Reily|date=June 26, 2014|access-date=June 26, 2014}} The opening run from "'03 Bonnie & Clyde to "Upgrade U" set the tone."Crazy in Love" was performed by the duo among purple lights, smoke, and strobe lights with funky horns in the background. After the performance of the song,

"Diamonds from Sierra Leone" began and Beyoncé left the stage as Jay Z continued singing. He performed "Niggas in Paris" alone on stage before being quickly joined by Beyoncé again for the performance of "Tom Ford". She returned to the stage with a military cap and sang the background vocals for the song.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1855252/on-the-run-tour-beyonce-jay-z-recap-miami/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140628183223/http://www.mtv.com/news/1855252/on-the-run-tour-beyonce-jay-z-recap-miami/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 28, 2014|title=On The Run Tour: Beyonce And Jay Z Take Their Couples' Therapy On The Road|publisher=MTV News. MTV Networks|first=Rebecca|last=Thomas|date=June 26, 2014|access-date=June 26, 2014}} A performance of "Run the World (Girls)" followed with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's words from "Flawless" appearing on the screen and the latter song was sung by the singer while dancing with her background dancers. A short snippet of "Yoncé" was performed afterwards. An a cappella performance of "Big Pimpin'" followed accompanied by vintage videos and party scenes on the screen with Jay-Z wearing a fedora. Beyoncé performed "Naughty Girl" dressed in a bodysuit as she was immediately joined by Jay-Z for "Big Pimpin'".

Beyoncé appeared on stage seated in a glass chair, wearing a full-length sequined bodysuit and performed dancehall choreography to "Ring the Alarm" before continuing with "On to the Next One" along with Jay-Z. "Clique" followed with Beyoncé dressed in hooded leather as montage of war images and fireballs were shown on the screen. During the song, Beyonce shortly sang a remixed version of her "Diva" and went on singing "Baby Boy". She reappeared on stage dressed in a black drop-sleeve lace for the performance of "Haunted". "Drunk in Love" was performed with Beyoncé doing a chair dance and Jay-Z appeared during the end to rap his verse. "Public Service Announcement" and "Why Don't You Love Me" followed with the latter performance being accompanied by the French dancing duo Les Twins. For "Holy Grail", Justin Timberlake's vocals in the studio version were replaced with Beyoncé's. "Partition" featured a new rap verse sung by Jay-Z and Beyoncé performed it with a pole choreography along with other female dancers.{{cite web|url=http://consequenceofsound.net/2014/06/jay-z-and-beyonce-kick-off-on-the-run-tour-with-massive-42-song-setlist/|title=Jay Z and Beyoncé kick off On the Run Tour with massive 42-song setlist|publisher=Consequence of Sound|first=Alex|last=Young|date=June 26, 2014|access-date=June 26, 2014}} A video with allusions from "Part II (On the Run)" showing Beyoncé covered in blood in a lineup and glass shattering preceded "99 Problems". "If I Were a Boy" followed with a cover of Lauryn Hill's "Ex-Factor" afterwards. Beyoncé moved to a stage in the middle of the stadium dressed as a bride in white with a floor-length bridal veil and continued with a performance of "Resentment" seated. She continued with "Love on Top" which was performed as a tribute to Michael Jackson.

"Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" was performed by Jay-Z with black and white shots of Brooklyn. Beyoncé appeared on stage again to perform "Pretty Hurts" in a leather-studded jacket with the word "Texas" emblazoned across the back. The pair moved to the mini-stage for the performances of "Part II (On the Run)" and "Young Forever". Home videos of the couples' daughter Blue Ivy appeared on the screen and an image of "The Carters" written in the sand followed. One of the short projections on the screen showed footage of the pair's wedding ceremony in April 2008 along with their "IV" tattoos, as well as a pregnant Beyoncé showing her bare stomach, with Jay-Z behind, putting the surrogacy and fake pregnancy rumors that have appeared since 2011 to rest.{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/28031244|title=Beyonce and Jay Z start joint On The Run tour in Miami|publisher=BBC News|date=June 26, 2014|access-date=June 26, 2014}}{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/2927114/beyonce-jay-z-wedding-video/|title=Beyoncé and Jay Z Showed a Video From Their Secret Wedding Last Night|magazine=Time|first=Kelly|last=Conniff|date=June 26, 2014|access-date=June 26, 2014}} "Lift Off" was performed as the last song on the set, serving as an outro. During the performance, Beyoncé changed her costumes numerous times.

{{Div col|colwidth=30em}}

1. "'03 Bonnie & Clyde"
2. "Upgrade U"
3. "Crazy in Love" {{small|(contains elements of "Back That Azz Up" and "Show Me What You Got")}}
4. "Show Me What You Got"
5. "Diamonds From Sierra Leone"
6. "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)"
7. "Tom Ford"
8. "Run the World (Girls)"
9. "Flawless" / "Yonce" {{small|(with Nicki Minaj)}}
10. "Jigga My Nigga"
11. "Dirt off Your Shoulder"
12. "Naughty Girl" / "Big Pimpin'"
13. "Ring the Alarm"
14. "On to the Next One"
15. "Clique" {{small|(contains elements of "Diva")}}
16. "Baby Boy"
17. "U Don't Know"
18. "Haunted"
19. "No Church in the Wild"
20. "Drunk in Love"
21. "Public Service Announcement"
22. "Why Don't You Love Me"
23. "Holy Grail"
24. "FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt"
25. "Beach Is Better" / "Partition"
26. "99 Problems"
27. "If I Were a Boy" / "Ex-Factor"
28. "Song Cry"
29. "Resentment"
30. "Love on Top"
31. "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)"
32. "Niggas in Paris"
33. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)"
34. "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)"
35. "Pretty Hurts"
36. "Part II (On the Run)"

;Encore

37. Young Forever"
38. "Halo"

{{div col end}}

The concert special received a 0.5 rating of adults aged 18–49, and aired to 888,000 viewers.{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/09/23/saturday-cable-ratings-college-football-leads-night-sportscenter-attack-on-titan-spongebob-squarepants-beyonce-jay-z-on-the-run-more/305964/|title=Saturday Cable Ratings: College Football Leads Night + 'SportsCenter', 'Attack on Titan', 'SpongeBob SquarePants', 'Beyonce & Jay-Z: On the Run' & More|publisher=TV by the Numbers. Tribune Media Services|first=Amanda|last=Kondolojy|date=September 23, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140924154100/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2014/09/23/saturday-cable-ratings-college-football-leads-night-sportscenter-attack-on-titan-spongebob-squarepants-beyonce-jay-z-on-the-run-more/305964/|archive-date=September 24, 2014|df=mdy-all}} Adam Carlson of Time magazine described the special as unique, and felt that HBO's contributions were mostly simple and cheap "embellishment[s]" which showcase hypnotizing imagery. He summarised the tour special stating, "Beyoncé and Jay-Z style themselves as a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde... But why settle for bank robbers? The pair, African Americans who write, produce, and perform their own music, are never just one thing to anyone. It has been a horrible... summer — for them, for all of us — but On The Run, a symphony of spectacles, absorbs all of that into something small that feels huge: the most important marriage in pop culture."{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/3414391/jay-z-beyonce-hbo-on-the-run/|title=Jay Z and Beyoncé Are All Things to All People on HBO's On The Run|magazine=Time|publisher=Time Inc.|first=Adam|last=Carlson|date=September 21, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014}} Erin Strecker of Billboard also gave the special a positive review, explaining that there were many high points from a musical perspective, before adding that the whole show was set up to look as one major high point with the pair changing turns to perform their songs as a medley showcasing their talents. He felt that it had something to offer to every viewer and added that the slow-motion footage focusing on Beyoncé and the audience was among the best executed of the special. Strecker chose the performance of "Young Forever" and "Halo" as the concert's highlight and finished his review concluding that "the HBO special allowed fans to see them up close and at their best".{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/6259058/beyonce-jay-z-on-the-run-hbo-special-best-moments|title=Beyonce & Jay Z On The Run HBO Special: What Was The Best Moment?|magazine=Billboard|publisher=Prometheus Global Media|first=Erin|last=Strecker|date=September 21, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014}} Similarly, a writer of Rap-Up called the special a three-hour "spectacular" with the duo being at their finest.{{cite news|url=http://www.rap-up.com/2014/09/22/beyonce-and-jay-z-share-home-videos-during-on-the-run-hbo-special/|title=Beyoncé and Jay Z Share Home Videos During 'On the Run' HBO Special|work=Rap-Up|publisher=Devin Lazerine|date=September 22, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2014}}

File:Beyoncé Jay Z Seattle 5.jpg

Slate editor Dee Lockett opined that as it was promised, the special contained many "show-stopping hits from both artists' catalogs, risqué film noir-style interludes, and lots of slow-mo"; she considered its best moment to be the medley of "Halo" and "Young Forever" due to its intimacy.{{cite news|url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2014/09/22/on_the_run_tour_hbo_special_clip_watch_beyonc_and_jay_z_debut_personal_home.html|title=Watch the Best Part of Beyoncé and Jay Z's On the Run Tour|work=Slate|publisher=Graham Holdings Company|first=Dee|last=Lockett|date=September 22, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2014}} Patrick Ryan of USA Today too gave a rave review of the special. Within his "5 reasons we love Bey, Jay more after HBO 'Run'" article in the magazine, he praised the duo's chemistry, their love showcased on stage and the emotions present during the performances of some of the songs. He felt that with the special, the pair put the media rumours about their divorce to rest and added that the ending which featured many personal moments, "got [the pair] teary-eyed closing out the show, [and] it was near impossible for us not to as well."{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/music/2014/09/21/hbo-on-the-run-beyonce-jay-z/15954819/|title=5 reasons we love Bey, Jay more after HBO 'Run'|work=USA Today|publisher=Gannett Company|first=Patrick|last=Ryan|date=September 21, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2014}} Andrea Mandell of the same publication called the special the pair's "biggest triumph of all" and noted it was "full of smiles, affection, declarations of love".{{cite news|url=http://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/music/2014/09/22/jay-z-beyonces-on-the-run-tour/16061241/|title=By the numbers: Jay Z and Beyonce's On the Run tour|work=USA Today via The Arizona Republic|publisher=Gannett Company|first=Andrea|last=Mandell|date=September 22, 2014|access-date=September 27, 2014}} Although she felt that many of the routines on the concert had already been performed during Beyoncé's previous venture, The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour (2013–14), Christina Lee from the website Idolator concluded that viewers were to be "dazzled by how expertly produced" the special was. As examples of this she cited the inclusion of various videos on the screen as well as the performances of "Naughty Girl", "Flawless" and "Drunk in Love".{{cite web|url=http://www.idolator.com/7563720/beyonce-jay-z-on-the-run-hbo-2|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140921221035/http://www.idolator.com/7563720/beyonce-jay-z-on-the-run-hbo-2|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 21, 2014|title='Beyonce And Jay Z On The Run': Watch Highlights From The HBO Special|publisher=Idolator. SpinMedia|first=Christina|last=Lee|date=September 21, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2014}}

Vulture's Lindsey Weber felt that fans knew most of the details about the special due to the release of many clips prior to its premiere. She considered Minaj's appearance as one of the special's biggest changes and praised the scenes shot in slow motion as well as those showing the pair's daughter. In a positive review for Elle, Isabella Biedenharn called the special a "predictable Carter propaganda" with many "lovey scenes" occurring onstage between the pair and went on to praise Beyoncé's energetic performances.{{cite news|url=http://www.elle.com/news/culture/everything-you-need-to-see-from-beyonce-and-jay-zs-hbo-special|title=Everything You Need To See From Beyonce and Jay Z's HBO Special|work=Elle|publisher=Hachette Filipacchi Médias|first=Isabella|last=Biedenharn|date=September 22, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2014}} Jethro Nededog in an article for The Wrap opined that the "'us against the world' imagery" in the special denied rumours about the pair's divorce. He chose the performance of Lauryn Hill's "Ex-Factor" by Beyoncé as a show highlight.{{cite news|url=http://www.thewrap.com/hbos-beyonce-jay-z-on-the-run-tour-documentary-slayed-fans-the-best-tweets/|title=HBO's Beyonce-Jay Z 'On the Run Tour' Documentary Slayed Fans: The Best Tweets|work=The Wrap|publisher=The Wrap News Inc.|first=Jethro|last=Nededog|date=September 20, 2014|access-date=September 26, 2014}} Chris Eggertsen from HitFix noted that most of the viewers watched the special because Beyoncé was featured in it.{{cite web|url=http://www.hitfix.com/comedy/beyonce-and-jay-zs-on-the-run-special-all-the-gifs-and-reactions-you-need|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140923155738/http://www.hitfix.com/comedy/beyonce-and-jay-zs-on-the-run-special-all-the-gifs-and-reactions-you-need|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 23, 2014|title=Beyonce and Jay Z's 'On the Run' Special: All the GIFs and reactions you need|work=HitFix|first=Chris|last=Eggertsen|date=September 21, 2014|access-date=September 23, 2014}} The A.V. Club{{'}}s writer Joshua Alston deemed the special a tribute to the pair's romance and felt it was "handsomely shot... offering the next best thing to being there for anyone who couldn't get a line of credit approved in time to buy the exorbitant tickets", while further praising the concert itself. He went on to laud the pair's chemistry on the stage and during their joint performances. However, he finished his review in a more mixed note, writing "But for anyone who's more interested in the Carters the less pristine they appear to be, On The Run is like being served a 60-pound steak after you've already filled up on sizzle."{{cite news|url=http://www.avclub.com/review/beyonce-jay-z-run-209480|title=Beyoncé Jay Z: On The Run|work=The A.V. Club|publisher=The Onion|first=Joshua|last=Alston|date=September 21, 2014|access-date=September 25, 2014}} The concert special was nominated in the category for Best Music Film at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards.{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-grammys-2015-nominees-winners-list-story.html#page=7|title=Grammys 2015: Complete list of nominees|work=Los Angeles Times|date=December 5, 2014|access-date=December 8, 2014}}

{{reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category|On the Run Tour (Beyoncé and Jay-Z)}}

• {{YouTube|bB-GuDzQvzY|On The Run Tour: Beyoncé and Jay-Z – Trailer (HBO)}}
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmfmdKOLzVI "Young Forever/Halo" #OnTheRunHBO] on YouTube
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56qgO0C82vY Beyoncé - "Flawless" (Remix) ft. Nicki Minaj] on Vevo

{{The Carters}}

{{Beyoncé}}

{{Jay-Z}}

{{Jonas Åkerlund}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:On the Run Tour: Beyonce and Jay Z}}

Category:2014 television specials

Category:Beyoncé

Category:HBO network specials

Category:Films directed by Jonas Åkerlund

Category:Jay-Z

Category:The Carters