Cast in Other Roles

[caracas1914]

But if we look at Glee for directly jumpstarting careers, it was mainly Chris, Darren, Cory and Kevin,

 

Actually Cory already had a recurring role in a previous TV series, ditto Darren, and Kevin had been in a boy band.  Similar to Dianna and Mark who had some acting gigs on their resume.  

 

The difference with Chris was that Glee was literally his first professional gig EVER.  

Edited February 27, 2015 by caracas1914

[fakeempress]

Actually Cory already had a recurring role in a previous TV series, ditto Darren, and Kevin had been in a boy band.  Similar to Dianna and Mark who had some acting gigs on their resume.  

 

The difference with Chris was that Glee was literally his first professional gig EVER.  

Yes, I remember reading about Cory having been on Kyle XY, but like Darren's previous show it wasn't a career making role. It wasn't guaranteed they would've progressed much beyond such roles. Glee just propelled them into the stratosphere, Cory got movie roles and I'm sure would've gotten more, had he lived. Darren got to star in a BW show - which he wouldn't have gotten without Glee so fast, maybe never at all. Kevin's boy band career didn't go anywhere much, I think. That's what I meant it jumpstarted their careers, cause Dianna and Naya were already making names for themselves. But true, for Chris it happened to be his first ever gig. 

Edited February 27, 2015 by fakeempress

[fakeempress]

There's one more number:

It's a bit rough around the edges in a few places, but over all it looks promising. Plus, this song is the most fun thing ever.

Just had the chance to watch the clips, thanks for posting. Sounds promising! Hearing Kelsey sing the Hook role here reminded me of the bizarre fail with Chris Walken in the NBC Peter Pan special. 

Edited February 27, 2015 by fakeempress

[Florinaldo]

Thing is in a few years the embarrassing project that people assume these actors did for money is going to be Glee!

I don't think it will ever be a project that they will wish to liquid paper over in their résumé. It may have been uneven but it was overall a quality show, that lasted way beyond what many people predicted back in S1 would be the reasonable expected life-cycle for such a different show. As performers, they did good work in it.

 

For many of the cast it was the show that put them on the map. Without it they would probably still be mostly unknown and their rise to celebrity would have been much slower and doors would not have been as quick to open for them. I doubt that CC would have seen a movie made out of his first screenplay so early in his career or that his fantasy novels would have been readily fished out of various publishers' slush piles if said publishers' interest had not already been piqued by the name recognition Glee brought him. Same for DC booking appearances on Broadway, LM starring in Scream Queens, etc. Plus if afforded all of them gainful employment and a regular paycheck in a business where jobs are often few and far between, as the majority of SAG members who have to scrunge between menial parts and outside jobs will tell you.

 

So I do not think it is a project they will need to be ashamed of. Judging from their various messages as the show wrapped, they certainly do not seem to have lost their enthusiasm for it and for a workplace that appeared on the whole pleasant and staffed with coworkers they got along with very well (not a given in any job).

 

They still have plenty of time to garner real career lowlights along the way and there is no guarantee that their very next project will be as successful or generate as much buzz as Glee did: the Coward movie may be very good or it may join the ranks of the many star-studded biopics that ultimately turned out to be real clunkers, Broadway appearances can be panned or shunned by the paying public, the announced music albums could sink without a trace, etc. Such misses are to be expected in any career; they can never be certain that the project they sign on will be as artistically successful as the initial synopsis indicated.

 

Plus, at times they may have to take on projects they know are flawed from the start; to an interviewer who asked him why he made a dud like American Guerrilla in the Philippines, Fritz Lang replied "Even film directors must eat". Something that applies to everyone in the very risky and uncertain business they are in. To use another example much in the news today, Leonard Nimoy (and others in the cast) may have been annoyed by Shatner's diva proclivities and his requiring that lines and plots be reassigned to Kirk, but he kept doing the TV show and came back for its various other incarnations over the years because he knew a good thing when he saw one.

 

Besides, even if they wanted to distance themselves from Glee they won't be able to do it; for years to come they will be introduced as Glee alumni.

Edited February 28, 2015 by Florinaldo

[caracas1914]

Kevin is already committed to 2 more seasons of " Virtually famous" so there is that for him, as well as the upcoming Kennedy movie with Aaron Vdeit.

[SeanC]

Naya had been working since a kid.. 

From what Naya said, she was a few months away from quitting before she got Glee.

[Ceeg]

Thanks to you bitches and Netflix, I watched At the Devil's Door tonight. What kind of a hot mess script was that. Naya was good, though, and it was nice to see not one shred of Santana in the character she plays. Her part was also way bigger than I thought. She was more of a lead than supporting.

 

(Also, Catalina Moreno has fallen kind of far, no? From an Oscar nomination to this 20-minute part in a hot mess indie horror film about the devil impregnating women.)

[caracas1914]

Naya was IIRC in a Network series as a kid with Red Fox that looked like a hit but then Red died of a heart attack.

Ha Ceeg!

One of us, one of us, one of us...

ETA: Catalina Moreno isn't the classic Hollywood look, let's leave it at that....and love her dearly but Dianna Agron isn't fit to carry Catalina's script pages as far as acting talent.

Edited February 28, 2015 by caracas1914

[fakeempress]

Thanks to you bitches and Netflix, I watched At the Devil's Door tonight. What kind of a hot mess script was that. Naya was good, though, and it was nice to see not one shred of Santana in the character she plays. Her part was also way bigger than I thought. She was more of a lead than supporting.

Good enough recommendation that it's a very different character, I'll check it out on Netflix.

[truthaboutluv]

What is worse is Michael Caine had to miss going to the Academy Awards that year to pick up his one and only acting Oscar (for Hannah and her two sisters) in his storied career because he was filming Jaws 4....LOL.

Late, but I don't think that's right. I'm almost positive Caine won a Supporting Actor Oscar for Cider House Rules.

Thing is in a few years the embarrassing project that people assume these actors did for money is going to be Glee!

I disagree with that. Yes the show flamed out in the end in an embarrassing fashion and the writing became truly awful but it was the definition of a phenomenon at the start and people will always remember that. Not to mention it was critically acclaimed in its first few seasons through numerous award nominations and wins.

Edited February 28, 2015 by truthaboutluv

[caracas1914]

Yes you're right , Caine won a seccond academy award 10 years later. However at the time of the first one he was off filming Jaws 4.

Overall though I can't judge any of the actors for any of these projects, it beats punching a clock every day!

Edited February 28, 2015 by caracas1914

[Lovecat]

Max Adler played a guy playing a zombie in a "locked room, complete the puzzle to escape" type attraction visited by The Big Bang Theory's gang on this past week's episode. He was chained to the wall and un recognizable under the zombie makeup. I'd have never known it was him if Mayim Bialik hadn't tweeted something about it.

[fakeempress]

I hope Max Adler didn't really give up a good sized role in a movie (as he hinted) in order to indulge Ryan for this season of Glee - or if he did, there is something better he's been promised as a follow-up by RIB. He was really shortchanged in this season, though he did a good job.

Edited February 28, 2015 by fakeempress

[Ceeg]

Well, he tweeted out to his followers today for them to sign a petition (?) to get him cast as Sonny in the live Grease show that FOX is doing. Which....just seems sad to me.

[jaytee1812]

Well, he tweeted out to his followers today for them to sign a petition (?) to get him cast as Sonny in the live Grease show that FOX is doing. Which....just seems sad to me.

Im as just coming here to post that. It sad that he thinks that'll work and that he can still play someone in high school.

[tom87]

Im as just coming here to post that. It sad that he thinks that'll work and that he can still play someone in high school.

Set in high school, most of the principal cast were way past their high school years. When filming began in June 1977, John Travolta was 23, Olivia Newton-John was 28, Stockard Channing was 33, Jeff Conaway was 26, Barry Pearl was 27, Michael Tucci was 31 aka Sonny, Kelly Ward was 20, Didi Conn was 25; Jamie Donnelly was 30, Eddie Deezen was 20, and Annette Charles was 29; Dinah Manoff and Lorenzo Lamas were both 19.

 

Max just turned 29.

Edited February 28, 2015 by tom87

[phoenixrising]

Ceeg, I did make a clear warning that while Naya was good, the movie wasn't. ;-) In interviews I read with her, the main appeal of the project was it being totally opposite of Glee, with the small cast and totally different genre.

[ComfySweater]

If Max is already in serious talks it could be sort of cute promo for the role/project assuming he gets some decent fan response. If this is a shot in the dark, then it is fairly sad.

Edited February 28, 2015 by ComfySweater

[jaytee1812]

Max just turned 29.

And he looks 39!

He's the same age as Jenna Uskowitz and Becca Tobin. I'd still buy both of them as teenagers. It's not his actual age, it's how old he looks.

[caracas1914]

Max Adler IMO is a good actor.  The problem isn't his only being able to play HS roles, but that HW pigeonholes people in the roles they've seen them in previously.  Having said that, physically let's just say  he gives off a "mature" vibe that isn't going away.

[Ceeg]

Ceeg, I did make a clear warning that while Naya was good, the movie wasn't. ;-) In interviews I read with her, the main appeal of the project was it being totally opposite of Glee, with the small cast and totally different genre.

 

I know, I had just been avoiding for so long, but ultimately yall talking about Naya in it pushed me over the edge.

 

I'm actually pretty excited about seeing her in this role on Devious Maids, however small or large the part may be. I think Naya plays really well off talented people (her scenes with Catalina Moreno in At the Devil's Door were the best part of the film IMO), and I like most of the the DM cast, based on what I've seen them on in the past.

Edited February 28, 2015 by Ceeg

[ancslove]

ETA: Catalina Moreno isn't the classic Hollywood look, let's leave it at that....and love her dearly but Dianna Agron isn't fit to carry Catalina's script pages as far as acting talent.

 

Why are you comparing Catalina Moreno to Dianna Agron?  I thought Naya was the one acting with Moreno?

[Florinaldo]

Max Adler played a guy playing a zombie in a "locked room, complete the puzzle to escape" type attraction visited by The Big Bang Theory's gang on this past week's episode. He was chained to the wall and un recognizable under the zombie makeup. I'd have never known it was him if Mayim Bialik hadn't tweeted something about it.

Thanks for pointing that out. I totally missed that he was playing the fake zombie; he certainly had the necessary heft. But as you said he was unrecognizable, plus he had no real meaningful lines (although I tuned out of this subplot at one point because it fell rather flat),

[SeanC]

Why are you comparing Catalina Moreno to Dianna Agron?  I thought Naya was the one acting with Moreno?

I believe the comparison relates the "classic Hollywood look", i.e., Dianna is a classically-beautiful white blonde woman, whereas Moreno is Latina.

[caracas1914]

I believe the comparison relates the "classic Hollywood look", i.e., Dianna is a classically-beautiful white blonde woman, whereas Moreno is Latina.

 

 

Yes, Catalina Moreno was nominated for Best Actress a few years back IIRC at the age of 21/22, similar actually to  Jennifer Lawrence got a nomination so young.  Very talented actress and gorgeous to boot.

[camussie]

Regarding Cory and Bonnie Dune.  The original songs the band produced credited every member of the band with the songwriting.   They had 6 recorded when Cory passed.  The main one they released was Maybe Tonight.  I wouldn't call it a masterpiece but I thought it was pretty good.   Something More was also one of their original songs where Cory was credited as one of the songwriters.  

 

I believe Mark also does some songwriting because IIRC that album he released that got him into some trouble with Glee had some of his original songs on it.

Edited March 1, 2015 by camussie

[fakeempress]

I've never heard this before! Show's almost over, but I'm still coming across new stuff. It's a cool song. Cory sounded like a  pretty good drummer, actually, and I liked the lead vocals.

Edited March 2, 2015 by fakeempress

[Florinaldo]

I have seen only two live productions of Hedwig and the Angry Inch; from these, plus various clips from the NYC show and the movie, I would say that it is a very adaptative musical (and part), that can be configured (up to a point) to fit each new actor taking on the role. Something that happens anyway any time a play or musical goes through a change of cast or is given a new production. Changes in text and musical arrangements are not unusual in those cases.
 
The production I saw in Vancouver (BC) featured an actor who could best be described as the scary biker type, far from the more delicate John Cameron Mitchell. And yet it worked. Just as various people with different acting styles, physical types and voices have been featured in succession in the NYC production.
 
Although I was surprised by the announcement of DC being cast in the piece, I am sure that the production company did not have a sudden mystical revelation and did not cast him on the spur of the moment, without some discreet auditions or private tryouts and discussions just to make sure that such a selection could work. DC might also have needed a bit of reassurance that he could pull it off. It is a very popular ticket in NYC and I do not think that the producers and author would wish to jeopardize its established reputation through a bit of stunt casting. If they cast him, it must be that they are very sure he will be more than credible in it.
 
It is an interesting choice for DC because just as How to Succeed in Business, it is not a traditional Broadway belting piece. As a matter of fact, "Broadway musical" is a very diverse genre and numerous parts in musicals are not designed for the big belters; many character performers like Angela Lansbury, Robert Morse, Glynis Johns or Len Cariou have had lasting success in those character singing parts.
 

The more I think about Darren as Hedwig the more I doubt he'll be able to pull it off. He really needs to prove that he can act better than what he's shown on Glee, and he won't have multiple back-up singers and auto-tuning to hide behind when he's singing.
But I'm most concerned for his voice, not only for the range and song style he'll have to sing as Hedwig (which are out of his comfort zone), but I don't think his voice will be able to last through 12 weeks of 8 performances a week. His voice is not that strong unfortunately, and imo he lacks some voice training as well. After his only 3 weeks in 'How to Succeed...' the fatigue and strain on his voice was already very noticeable.

It is indeed an exhausting play for the lead; some people commented on how gaunt NPH looked in his last weeks in the show. But it's not the only draining part in the répertoire and several performers have shown it's possible to survive the part. And again, they must have satisfied themselves that he would have the stamina to last through the 12 weeks.

I saw How to Succeed at the end of DC's run and I did not hear the fatigue and strain reported; indeed, I heard more of that when I went to the Metropolitan opera in the afternoon that day. I would say that he sounded stronger and more comfortable than in the Youtube clips from his first days in the role. It's to be expected as performers get more assured over the run of a production. He has already broken free of the AutoTune yoke at times (assuming it was used as extensively on Glee as some say) in that production of How to Succeed as well as during his live tour.

It is a perilous choice for him and a gamble that can go either way, but his voice has grown more disciplined during his Glee stint, with his upper register and falsetto getting much stronger, which should help him greatly considering the vocal requirements of the part.

One thing I find interesting is how some members of the cast have chosen challenging roles and productions for their immediate post-Glee projects, like CC with Coward and his idiosyncratic diction; I think that few, if any, of the past movie or TV portrayals of Coward as a character have been entirely successful. Finding Neverland sounds like another atypical musical and there is again the hurdle of the accent. The three actors in question may have been motivated by a desire to distance themselves from their Glee persona and the aura of the show, as well as publicly demonstrating their versatily and ability to strech beyond their current image.

[caracas1914]

Still hoping for Amber to finally release an album.

[spiritof76]

 

Still hoping for Amber to finally release an album.

I think she has a really good shot. She seems to be in with some pretty heavy hitters. People like Gladys Knight and Faith Evans. It might take a while, but I fully expect Amber to release an album. And I think she has a decent chance of being a successful recording artist. She can sing just about anything, but if she targets R and B (with maybe a little pop) I think she'll hit her sweet spot demographic wise. Which is why I think Empire would be so great for her. They've already finished taping the 1st season, but I would imagine any agent worth their salt, who has a client who can sing/act is trying to get their person on there for Season 2. The exposure alone is worth it. They're averaging what 10-11 million viewers a week? And if Jussie Smollett is any indication, they have let some of the actors sing their own music. The most recent song Jamal sang "You're So Beautiful" was written by Jussie. And I have now officially spent more time thinking about Amber Riley's career path, than my own. LOL!

[fakeempress]

I hope Empire is one of the shows Amber's manager hinted at as potential projects. 

[caracas1914]

"As she just wrapped her Emmy-winning turn on Glee, Jane Lynch has lined up her next TV series role, signing on as one of the two leads in CBS’ half-hour comedy pilot Angel From Hell, from writer-executive producer Tad Quill and CBS TV Studios. The project, whose format is still TBD, centers on an unlikely pair. When the larger-than-life, brassy and flamboyant Amy (Lynch) enters Allison’s life and claims to be her guardian angel, they form an unlikely friendship, and Allison can’t be sure if Amy is an angel or just nuts.

Lynch has won two Emmys, one for her co-starring role on Fox’s Glee and one for hosting NBC’s Hollywood Game Night. She has a long-standing relationship with CBS, stemming from her recurring role on Two and a Half Men where she did 14 episodes over a period of 10 years."

[tom87]

Good, I was worried Jane might not find work.   Haha

[Pink ranger]

The role Sounds like a perfect fit for Jane, wonder who her co-lead will be?

[jaytee1812]

I hope Empire is one of the shows Amber's manager hinted at as potential projects. 

 

I think if Amber was cast on Empire it would be a huge departure from Mercedes, no-one is a goody two shoes on that show. 

[ChaChaSlide]

I think if Amber was cast on Empire it would be a huge departure from Mercedes, no-one is a goody two shoes on that show.

Eh, so far both Becky and Porsha, Lucious' and Cookie's assistants respectively, have been pretty milquetoast. Even if Amber portrays a character who isnt entirely positive, I don't think she'll get a lot of the vehement demonization like she does by certain gleeks, for the sheer fact that there are worse characters on the show. Plus, so far on Empire the characters are much more fleshed out and 3 dimensional, at least in my opinion. You're allowed to do bad stuff and still be likeable, unlike Glee where, unless you are specifically written a redemption, you are meant to be disliked (the obvious exception being Sue,who is a comedic foil).

I would love to see her guest star as a newly signed artist and being a foil to Cookie or Boo Boo Kitty Anika

that is if Anika isn't dropped for the whole Billy Bartie thing

, or even a *gasp* another secret girlfriend of Hakeem. I would love to see Amber in a role thats not a redressed renamed Mercedes Jones!

[jaytee1812]

Eh, or even a *gasp* another secret girlfriend of Hakeem. I would love to see Amber in a role thats not a redressed renamed Mercedes Jones!

I'd love to see her as girlfriend of Hakeem, that would be seriously awesome.

She couldn't be a redressed renamed Mercedes Jones on Empire, Danny Strong and Lee Daniels are far superior writers to anything this show could come up with.

[Sara2009]

For anyone interested in " Finding Neverland," there's a nice little featurette about it here:

http://perezhilton.com/2015-03-03-matthew-morrison-glee-finding-neverland#.VPYiHoZOKK0

[phoenixrising]

Ever since I started watching Empire, I've been crossing my fingers that Amber will make it on. I need this like fish needs water.

[LydiaMoon1]

I'd love to see her as girlfriend of Hakeem, that would be seriously awesome.

Girlfriends come and go.  I'd rather they cast Amber as Vernon's daughter.

Edited March 5, 2015 by LydiaMoon1

[phoenixrising]

Amber can play anyone on Empire, as long as she sings and gets a scene with Cookie.

[LydiaMoon1]

True dat.

[jaytee1812]

First pics of Melissa in full Supergirl costume:

http://tvline.com/2015/03/06/supergirl-costume-melissa-benoist-photo-cbs-2015/

[dizzyizzy01]

First pics of Melissa in full Supergirl costume:

http://tvline.com/2015/03/06/supergirl-costume-melissa-benoist-photo-cbs-2015/

 

Why do DC characters always look so muted?  Blah, not a fan of the costuming...you can do better DC!

[Ceeg]

Shouldn't she be looking fierce? She just looks kind of bored.

[jaytee1812]

She's using the same superhero pose/expression than men don't get criticised for.

Edited March 6, 2015 by jtrattray

[Ceeg]

She's using the same superhero pose/expression than men don't get criticised for.

 

I guess you missed all the criticism of Brandon Routh as Superman a few years ago.

[dizzyizzy01]

I guess you missed all the criticism of Brandon Routh as Superman a few years ago.

 

Or the recent outrage over the new Aquaman.  People weren't feeling the Henry Cavill Superman either.  Current DC just somehow manages to suck out the fun in Superheros!

[jaytee1812]

Or the recent outrage over the new Aquaman.  People weren't feeling the Henry Cavill Superman either.  Current DC just somehow manages to suck out the fun in Superheros!

 

To be fair the only criticism I've seen of the Supergirl costume is here. 

[camussie]

While Marvel superheros have ruled the box office in recent years, DC superheros are doing pretty well on TV.  The Flash, Arrow, and Gotham have all done well in ratings recently even with a "darker" look.

Edited March 6, 2015 by camussie