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Keeper of the Wing at St. Anne's for the Nuts for Nathaniel
DNMF#2
Smitten Kitten
Posts: 739
(11/11/03 5:35 pm) Reply
I know NM doesn't need another mom, but...
I worry about the boy, actually, he's quite a man but no time for the gutter here... He's such a great actor, and he's come so far... and I'm reading and hearing from the fan bases I talk to on a regular basis... the response to the storyline he's been given, and I'm hearing such negativity. I don't want to give into it, because sometimes the best thing you can do is to remain positive and let that energy just ripple into the universe..
I think its soap central that already gave it two thumbs down before it was off and running, and then once there's bad buzz.. others run with it...
I'm looking at all the actors are bringing to it, and I don't understand how anyone could feel its bad. Since when has it been a crime to tell a soapy story on a soap opera, and what a great opportunity to see something different. I mean, I'm with you ladies, right down the line... and looking with curiosity and wonder at all the layers involved in NM playing MicheAL...
Yet, I wonder if we are facing the possibility that the general fan base of Marcal (outside our online world) are wishywashy enough that they won't go there, or do they love these two actors and their characters so much that we need not worry?
Personally, I don't like the half-hazard "rules" of heaven, worried the writers were forced to write something they didn't want to becasue its so cheesy, but then I wonder if its all just window dressing that the naysayers shouldn't be focusing on? Well, then I also have other concerns... Aside from Luna's love of Al, and NM's ability to have chemistry with whoever is on the screen with him, I don't care for her role in this, but I'm personally letting it be about suspension of disbelief, because I get so much out of letting it slide.... but do you guys think the population at large are loving it? And if not, do you think that the naysayers are being too hasty, because we only have to get past a few bumps in the road?
I've always been a fan that has one foot in my personal preferences, and one foot in the "what's best for the show and/or the actors"... and in this case... I don't want to see Nathaniel lose again... and he's been stepped on far too much, propping Jen, thrown from storyline to storyline, only to shine long enough to be fired... and now rehired to a serious unknown... I'm grateful he has more than he would have if they were still wondering whether to let him go... and I know I should be grateful.. but I'd hate to see his career get sideswiped yet again.. Sure I personally LOVE this story and am watching with baited breath, but I'm not selfish enough to love something that has potential to harm his career.
Sorry I haven't been around... I've had midterm solos and some camera scenes (commercials suck but its part of the class I'm taking.. miss you guys and trying to pop in)
Excerpt I love from Luisa Valenzuela's The Lizard's Tale: I have my obsessions, I have my fear that drags me along. I’ve been woven into a network of fears, they cross back and forth over my head, they close me in like an enormous web spun by a spider in the reeds, black and precise, malefically beautiful. This net of fears, this geometric pattern, I go on weaving it too without knowing why, without understanding it. I would like to decipher a small end of it at least, a point in the web, so as to go along unwinding the infernal plot, but I’m not permitted that either. Some of my dearest friends have been… running all kinds of risks, and here I am messing around, talking about a spiderweb that entraps me, putting myself into poetic images. The worst thing is that I can glimpse it so clearly, something woven by clusters of black spiders, crouching in wait for their prey, a broad, mile-wise web with us as the prey, and the spiders too.
This is a picture of a wall at the OLTL studio back in 95. My picture is the one on the right, 3rd up from the bottom. These pictures were up at the studio because the stage manager wanted to show everyone who they were talking to online. In those days, with AOL, people at the studio got to talk to us, even the actors would stop by the chat room.Edited by: Ladyeevil at: 11/11/03 5:42 pm
katjam007 Registered User
Posts: 87
(11/11/03 9:49 pm) Reply
Re: I know NM doesn't need another mom, but...
I wouldn't worry to much about NM, Char. Remember what he said in the interview, even if he walked on set tomorrow and found out he didn't have a job, he'd be okay. This experience has made him stronger and fearless, I think we're seeing that in his performances. Regardless of how this plays out, NM will be fine.
I think the negativity affects NM and Marcal fans more than it does the actors. People can complain and whine all they want to online, its their prerogative. But unless they do something about it, like write a ton of letters saying how much they hate the new s/l, it doesn't really matter one way or another, imo. TPTB only care about ratings, and as long as they go up and people are watching and they're making money, everything's cool.
In checking out the soapopera digest chat transcripts, there's such a wild fluctuation of opinions that its laughable. "Love Blair and Walker together." "Hate Blair and Walker together, Blair and Kevin 4 eva!" "Hate nuKevin." "NuKevin's hot" (paraphrasing here, but you get my point). You can't please everyone, and while personally I think the writers aren't doing their best work here where McAl is concerned, its still good soap opera. Its humorous and tension filled. We all know how its going to end, but we're all dying to know what happens to get to that point.
If you think about it, pretty much every s/l on the show has its supporters and detractors, some more than others. Poor TSJ, he's had to endure the whole "hate TSJ, miss RH" "love TSJ, RH blows" stuff. And Kassie's been reduced to playing a clueless wonder, but people love the character and the actress just the same. They're willing to forgive inconsistencies because they know the core character/acting talent is still there, and will resurface again. The same can be said for NM. I agree with you on the rocky ride assessment, once this story gets going and Al gets more comfortable as Michael things will play out better. He'll be forging a relationship with his brother John. He'll be involved in hospital stuff. And he and Marcie will form a tentative, then a deep lasting bond. And those same folks who are hating the s/l now will be singing its praises in a few weeks. Just like so many people hated Al when he was with Jen, but love him with Marcie.
Bottom line after all this rambling...NM does and always will rock. Regardless of what happens on the soap.
kathy
Al to Luna: I may be dead, but I still have some fight left in me.
As usual Kathy has expressed my feelings...
perfectly. There is a widespread view of opinions amoung soap fans. I look at the Soap Chat transcript and the varying degrees of hate/love for each actor, couple, or storyline is insane. People don't have to like the current Marcal storyline, but I would remind them that many of us said we wanted NM back and would take it anyway we could get it. So I am taking it. I fully expect the story to pick up soon and am just grateful that after 20 yrs of watching soaps my opinion finally mattered enuf 4 tptb corrected their mistake. Even if i didn't like it I am not going to stop watching until I see some Marcal lovin!!!
When Feb. sweeps come around and our couple hooks up in a big romantic way then everyone will talk about how wonderful NM's reprieve was and that the storyline was a smash hit from the beginning, blah, blah, blah. People have to have something to b#@%# about. And anytime a fan's fave star or actor is not on the front burner they get pissy over everyone else's screen time. I know I do. How many times have I complained of how sick I am of Blair/Walker??
Keeper of the Wing at St. Anne's for the Nuts for Nathaniel
DNMF#2
Smitten Kitten
Posts: 742
(11/12/03 9:45 pm) Reply
Re: As usual Kathy has expressed my feelings...
Quote:If you think about it, pretty much every s/l on the show has its supporters and detractors
Thanks for holding my hand ladies. Maybe I belong here for a reason. I left the online world for years because I was so tired of it... I came back over a year ago because of Al... and feeling like "who cares what anyone thinks.. I like this stuff" and then I got to talking to old friends, and started caring whether I had the better spin etc etc... and I'm getting caught up in it again... and I think you ladies are right.. its all so pointless.
I've written papers proving that Hamlet was a saint and that Willy Loman was a hero, and vice versa just to prove you can make a good argument no matter what you choose to argue for. I'm just so tired of it, but I hate having to choose whether to out-argue, or to just let others believe what they want, knowing they can get support because they are hungrier to do it than I am. Well, I'm hungry, but come on.. its a soap opera for heavens sake, and we have better things to do, right? Like ENJOY what we have long enough to actually quit wondering why we watch at all. Its like we were talkign about before.. no one really likes a soap, but you might like a storyline or two, and I guess with all the chopping blocks lately, fans are fighting other fans for their share of the pie. Its become such a vicious thing, even worse than I remember, and I wonder why I came back. Then I think about NM pulling his paycheck, and I everytime I go to class, or someone tells me I inspire them, or I look in the mirror and see how far I've come.. how can I regret the journey?
I like this story. I don't care if anyone thinks I'm a sap, as long I have you all to enjoy it with. I feel deep down that if I wanted to take the time to outspin them all, I could do it, and sometimes I want to just to keep the pressure on for the sake of what I think is important on the canvas, but maybe some of us make the choice to care about ourselves more than the show.
Its hard though for me... I have friends that really mean something to me... who only tolerate Al for me because they like me, but I know deep down they think Marcal is draining the show... I'm going to have to make some hard decisions...
Excerpt I love from Luisa Valenzuela's The Lizard's Tale: I have my obsessions, I have my fear that drags me along. I’ve been woven into a network of fears, they cross back and forth over my head, they close me in like an enormous web spun by a spider in the reeds, black and precise, malefically beautiful. This net of fears, this geometric pattern, I go on weaving it too without knowing why, without understanding it. I would like to decipher a small end of it at least, a point in the web, so as to go along unwinding the infernal plot, but I’m not permitted that either. Some of my dearest friends have been… running all kinds of risks, and here I am messing around, talking about a spiderweb that entraps me, putting myself into poetic images. The worst thing is that I can glimpse it so clearly, something woven by clusters of black spiders, crouching in wait for their prey, a broad, mile-wise web with us as the prey, and the spiders too.
This is a picture of a wall at the OLTL studio back in 95. My picture is the one on the right, 3rd up from the bottom. These pictures were up at the studio because the stage manager wanted to show everyone who they were talking to online. In those days, with AOL, people at the studio got to talk to us, even the actors would stop by the chat room.
Keeper of the Wing at St. Anne's for the Nuts for Nathaniel
DNMF#2
Smitten Kitten
Posts: 743
(11/12/03 9:58 pm) Reply
sick of Todd and Blair....
Quote: How many times have I complained of how sick I am of Blair/Walker
MSTO5...
Are you? I'm confused about it myself. I've been T&B for so many years, I wouldn't know who I am without that as part of my identity. Sometimes I watch Blair, or Walker, and I get a moment that I care about them. I'm currently concerned about Trevor St John because of talk about Roger coming back and I don't want to see TSJ harmed if he does return... the scene where Viki realizes its Todd, and I wanted to cry... because of an old habit about caring about a man with a scar perhaps because of my own... Todd wasn't handed a very good deck of cards in life, makes Michael McBain a saint by comparison... I can't justify all that Todd is, but I cared, and I wanted to believe that people that are that screwed up can come back from being a monster because I've made mistakes (not on the level of Todd, but conceptually, it has parallels). And its a fictional character that I don't have to worry about so I can walk away when I don't feel like caring about my Frankenstein, but then I see Walker ashamed of the scars on his back and won't make love to Blair except in the dark, and talking about being Frankenstein... and it just comes back. I actually fast forwarded so much for months just to see Al only because I've been so busy, that I ordered tapes to see if I missed something I care about. I would feel guilty if I quit caring about Blair because I've supported Kassie for so many years. What is wrong with me?.. such loyalty to someone I don't have a relationship with... when I'm really somewhere else in my heart. I mean, I don't have a relationship with NM either, but my heart is with the story he is central in... and well, he did make an impression on me that stuck.
Excerpt I love from Luisa Valenzuela's The Lizard's Tale: I have my obsessions, I have my fear that drags me along. I’ve been woven into a network of fears, they cross back and forth over my head, they close me in like an enormous web spun by a spider in the reeds, black and precise, malefically beautiful. This net of fears, this geometric pattern, I go on weaving it too without knowing why, without understanding it. I would like to decipher a small end of it at least, a point in the web, so as to go along unwinding the infernal plot, but I’m not permitted that either. Some of my dearest friends have been… running all kinds of risks, and here I am messing around, talking about a spiderweb that entraps me, putting myself into poetic images. The worst thing is that I can glimpse it so clearly, something woven by clusters of black spiders, crouching in wait for their prey, a broad, mile-wise web with us as the prey, and the spiders too.
This is a picture of a wall at the OLTL studio back in 95. My picture is the one on the right, 3rd up from the bottom. These pictures were up at the studio because the stage manager wanted to show everyone who they were talking to online. In those days, with AOL, people at the studio got to talk to us, even the actors would stop by the chat room.
katjam007 Registered User
Posts: 91
(11/12/03 11:12 pm) Reply
Re: I know NM doesn't need another mom, but...
Quote:I mean, I don't have a relationship with NM either, but my heart is with the story he is central in... and well, he did make an impression on me that stuck.
Then Mr. Marston has done his job. That's what makes a good actor, or a good writer or a good artist, when what they portray, produce or create touches someone. It can touch them superficially, like "Oh, that's a nice picture," or "Gee, that was an interesting story." Or it can touch them deeply, like NM and KB have done with us. They've made that connection to our hearts, minds, and perhaps even our souls. Sounds dramatic, I know, and of course its a job to them and soap to us, but life is all about connecting. Connecting with family, friends, other people. It's also about feeling, about finding the things in life that move us, that make us laugh or weep or do both at the same time.
I suspect some of NM's motivation for being an actor is about connecting with the audience, simply because he puts it all out there when he's performing. I'm not merely referring to when his characters are intense or angry or joyful, but he's laying it out in the subtle scenes too. An example I'm thinking of: after the dumpster incident, when Marcie's told Al about everything and she's sleeping, he gets in bed beside her. But first he touches her arm, lightly and tenderly, because she's still fragile from the incident. Then he lays beside her and cuddles and kisses her and there's no doubt in anyone's mind that Al loves Marcie completely. He doesn't say a word in that scene, its short and its basically pretty trite, most soap couples spoon at one time or another. Yet its different with NM, different with KB, too. Its real, its touching, and its filled with truth. He made me feel that scene, and I can't help but think that was at least part of his purpose. If not, well then its just an added benefit.
kathy
Al to Luna: I may be dead, but I still have some fight left in me.
Re: sick of Todd and Blair....
R u asking if I am really sick of Todd/Walker and Blair? Cuz the answer is yes. I have never understood why Blair is a fan fave. Ever. Maybe I had to have been there when she fell for Todd the 1st time. The only reason i originally started watching OLTL is bcuz I kept hearing about this sick character played incredibly by RH. For me RH's Todd was fascinating. I have seen him play 5 different emotions in one scene. Nothing against Trevor, but don't we already know how this will end? At some point Todd's lying is going to screw it all up and eventually even some1 as dumb as Blair is being is gonna catch on. And inevitably what is she gonna try to do? Get revenge. They are also raising the most horrendous child in soap history.
Not to mention I have never liked soap operas town trollops-male or female. If u bed hop at a ridiculous rate U cannot b my fave. And this is not bcuz i am a prude or anything (I am one of the baddest Gutter Girls ever). But I find soap bed hopping to be poorly planned and often pointless and lacking spark.
What I enjoy about the Todd character is his relationship w/ Vicky and his concern for Jessica. Period. Again nothing against Trevor, but RH was frickin' unbelievable. i think Trevor has picked up the role better than what any1 could have possibly expected. But i am against trying to reform a rapist. I personally don't blieve in rehabbing sex offenders. Or giving them a family and a happy life. How do u think Todd would feel if some1 raped Starr? Can u imagine what he would do to that person? Actually that will make a good storyline.
I usually fast forward thru every scene not containing Marcal. Today was the 1st time in a long time I have watched a whole show from beginning to end. ME is doing things to me... I am definately intrigued.
Quote:Then Mr. Marston has done his job. That's what makes a good actor, or a good writer or a good artist, when what they portray, produce or create touches someone. It can touch them superficially, like "Oh, that's a nice picture," or "Gee, that was an interesting story."
Exactly the way he hit me today. I think we have all been touched by KB and NM,individually, as well as the power of Marcal. That speaks volumes.
Keeper of the Wing at St. Anne's for the Nuts for Nathaniel
DNMF#2
Smitten Kitten
Posts: 757
(11/14/03 9:00 pm) Reply
Re: sick of Todd and Blair....
Quote:don't we already know how this will end? At some point Todd's lying is going to screw it all up and eventually even some1 as dumb as Blair is being is gonna catch on. And inevitably what is she gonna try to do? Get revenge
This bothers me too... but part of me is like... ya know, even if I knew the end of a movie, would watching it happen along the way be interesting? The only thing that happened to me is Nathaniel Marston got me more interested in Al, so everything else took a back seat.
Excerpt I love from Luisa Valenzuela's The Lizard's Tale: I have my obsessions, I have my fear that drags me along. I’ve been woven into a network of fears, they cross back and forth over my head, they close me in like an enormous web spun by a spider in the reeds, black and precise, malefically beautiful. This net of fears, this geometric pattern, I go on weaving it too without knowing why, without understanding it. I would like to decipher a small end of it at least, a point in the web, so as to go along unwinding the infernal plot, but I’m not permitted that either. Some of my dearest friends have been… running all kinds of risks, and here I am messing around, talking about a spiderweb that entraps me, putting myself into poetic images. The worst thing is that I can glimpse it so clearly, something woven by clusters of black spiders, crouching in wait for their prey, a broad, mile-wise web with us as the prey, and the spiders too.
This is a picture of a wall at the OLTL studio back in 95. My picture is the one on the right, 3rd up from the bottom. These pictures were up at the studio because the stage manager wanted to show everyone who they were talking to online. In those days, with AOL, people at the studio got to talk to us, even the actors would stop by the chat room.
katjam007 Registered User
Posts: 102
(11/14/03 9:21 pm) Reply
Re: sick of Todd and Blair....
Starr is only loveable to me because I'm so in awe of the actress portaying her. She has great timing regardless of her age--that's she's so young makes it all the more amazing. Other than that, I think Starr needs a trip to the woodshed, actually several. She's a brat and a bad seed, but after watching today's episode and seeing the Cramer family in action, its clear there was no hope for the child anyway. She's got bad genes from both sides. So it makes perfect sense that she would behave the way she does. Its one character that's written realistically, imo.
kathy
Al to Luna: I may be dead, but I still have some fight left in me.
Oh Starr is definately realistic!
I remember when they 1st aged Starr they were going for a mousy, good kid type. And then they switched to the spoiled, Glam queen. Starr will definately be a product of her kids. If the show lasts another 3-5yrs. They are gonna jump her age to teens and make her a nightmare. She is the future of Llanview folks. And the kid can definately act.
I know NM doesn't need another mom, but...
That's what makes a good actor, or a good writer or a good artist, when what they portray, produce or create touches someone. It can touch them superficially, like "Oh, that's a nice picture," or "Gee, that was an interesting story." Or it can touch them deeply, like NM and KB have done with us. They've made that connection to our hearts, minds, and perhaps even our souls. Sounds dramatic, I know, and of course its a job to them and soap to us, but life is all about connecting. Connecting with family, friends, other people. It's also about feeling, about finding the things in life that move us, that make us laugh or weep or do both at the same time. 
I am definately intrigued.
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