Cast in Other Roles

[Hana Chan]

No one is trying to say that Lea's book didn't sell well enough to warrant getting a second book published. Just that her role in the actual "writing" process was pretty minimal compared to actual writers. Although given that these books are cheap to produce and not expected to have a long shelf-life (no pun intended), the standards that the publisher holds celebrity self-help/improvement books is very different than other types of books. To be blunt, the bar was a lot lower.

Edited March 18, 2015 by Hana Chan

[tom87]

I'm usually skeptical of celebrities who publish books in terms of how much writing they actually did, unless they've expressed prior interest in writing*. It's not a criticism, just... well, the way things are. I thought it was really cool of Hilary Duff to explicitly thank her ghostwriter. Didn't make me think any less of her; on the contrary, it made me like her more than I did just because a lot of celebs aren't willing to acknowledge the elephant in the room the way she was. Sort of like how a lot of celebrity moms like to play that they raise their children all by themselves when you know that there are often nannies involved. 

 

 

I don't see how the meaning of ghostwriter conflicts with what you've written re: Lea's input. That is often how ghostwriters work. The ghostwriter just writes the actual manuscript, doesn't mean that they came up with the whole shebang. Usually the celeb has some sort of input; like if we're talking about an autobiography, the celeb might orally record their thoughts and the ghostwriter will then put it in publishable written form. 

 

* Like James Franco. I have no problem believing that Franco wrote all of the god-awful stories that he did. 

I was saying some use the term ghost writer as a means to discredit the person and demean the actual involvement, I have never claimed she sat down and wrote it word for word of course she had help.  I said the unthinkable in that I thought she had more input than just recording a few thoughts into the recorder.   So now as  shown by the predictable few  my point was proven.

[caracas1914]

I was saying some use the term ghost writer as a means to discredit the person and demean the actual involvement, I have never claimed she sat down and wrote it word for word of course she had help.  I said the unthinkable in that I thought she had more input than just recording a few thoughts into the recorder.   So now as  shown by the predictable few  my point was proven.

 

 

Precisely.

[camussie]

So now as  shown by the predictable few  my point was proven.

 

 

I would say the reactions on both sides of this debate are entirely predictable.  Some may discount Lea's efforts.  By the same token some decide that unless Lea is given all of the accolades in the world she is not being appreciated enough and feel it is their duty to defend her.  I find both reactions to be two sides of the same subjective coin.

 

As for Lea's album in another interview she said she is getting back to more of her "standard" stuff or something like that.  That makes me wonder if it will be an album of Broadway classics released on one of Columbia's boutique labels.  

Edited March 18, 2015 by camussie

[Ceeg]

Let's be real, there are certain divisive cast members on this show that will get hyperbolic criticism over whatever they choose to do with their careers, no matter what. Lea can't even post a picture with Cory's jersey without her sincerity or motives being questioned.

[fakeempress]

 

As for Lea's album in another interview she said she is getting back to more of her "standard" stuff or something like that.  That makes me wonder if it will be an album of Broadway classics released on one of Columbia's boutique labels.

That's interesting. Isn't that what Matt did, go from a pop effort to standards? Speaking of Matt, there will probably be an original cast recording of Finding Neverland. 

Edited March 18, 2015 by fakeempress

[caracas1914]

I would say the reactions on both sides of this debate are entirely predictable.  Some may discount Lea's efforts.  By the same token some decide that unless Lea is given all of the accolades in the world she is not being appreciated enough and feel it is their duty to defend her.  I find both reactions to be two sides of the same subjective coin.

 

Who here has claimed she is some sort of exceptional writer, or that the self help book is an elevated form of literature?    At most some posters expressed that it was nice she was successful enough to get another book published, or suggested she  might have actually had something to do with the book written,  so I don't quite buy in this thread the so called extremes as to over praise and "given all accolades" in the world. 

 

I've seen one extreme posted here (she's ghostwritten, it's a low standard, etc) but I haven't seen the other extreme you are spouting about.

Edited March 18, 2015 by caracas1914

[SadieT]

Let's be real, there are certain divisive cast members on this show that will get hyperbolic criticism over whatever they choose to do with their careers, no matter what. Lea can't even post a picture with Cory's jersey without her sincerity or motives being questioned.

 

For real. I don't remember there being anywhere near this level of debate over Jenna's book. Why are people so concerned with Lea's writing method? Who cares. Unless Lea comes out and says exactly how she wrote the books, we'll never know so all this ghostwriter debate is just speculation based on what people want to believe about her. And I'm pretty sure we had this exact discussion on here in the past, most likely with all the same people. 

 

Anyway, I'm pleasantly surprised to hear she'll be working on a second album so soon. Looking forward to hearing what direction she goes with it. 

[camussie]

I've seen one extreme posted here (she's ghostwritten, it's a low standard, etc) but I haven't seen the other extreme you are spouting about.

 

 

To me people taking offense at pointing out the obvious - that the book was most likely ghost written and then decrying yet again about how people don't give Lea enough credit (I half expected to see another post about how people aren't "grateful" enough to Lea)  the same thing as people saying she slapped her name on it.  As I said two sides of the same coin.  

 

For the record I think both Lea's and Jenna's books were ghostwritten.  Obviously both women had a lot of input because both books included anecdotes about their lives but I seriously doubt either woman sat down and wrote much of the actual text.  

Edited March 18, 2015 by camussie

[fakeempress]

I don't see why saying Lea's book was ghostwritten should be a problem unless there is a value judgement attached to the term. I personally just meant the technicalities of what the process sounds like it was, and I hope people are aware publishers deal with different levels of ghostwriting. 

[galax-arena]

I've seen one extreme posted here (she's ghostwritten

I just don't think that saying that a celebrity's book was ghostwritten is that extreme a position at all. I generally assume it as the default unless the celebrity has previously shown an interest in writing, e.g. Chris Colfer. And that doesn't mean I think less of Lea, or more of Chris, especially since I'm not a fan of Colfer's writing at all. 

 

I don't remember there being anywhere near this level of debate over Jenna's book.

I'm just chiming in because ghostwriting was brought up here. If someone had said that they thought Jenna's book was ghostwritten, I'd have agreed with that, too.

 

I do think Lea gets a lot of undue flak, like her behavior after Cory's death. But when I say that I think Lea's book was probably ghostwritten to a degree, it's not a criticism, just a recognition of the way things often are. As long as she's not pulling a Kendall & Kylie Jenner, it doesn't matter.

Edited March 18, 2015 by galax-arena

[caracas1914]

I personally just meant the technicalities of what the process sounds like it was, and I hope people are aware publishers deal with different levels of ghostwriting.

 

Well regardless of what level of technical writing she went though, she's going through something similar yet again for her second book.

 

I'm hoping she throws in some more Broadway anecdotes and BTS of her career journey, since I find those interesting.

[tom87]

But when I say that I think Lea's book was probably ghostwritten to a degree, it's not a criticism, just a recognition of the way things often are.

No one has yet denied she didn't have help in some way though. 

 

It was no a problem until I suggested she may have had more of a hand in it  then just a few thoughts in to a recorder so god forbid that meant she got too much credit for her efforts.

[fakeempress]

 

As long as she's not pulling a Kendall & Kylie Jenner, it doesn't matter.

Yeah, they just put their names on the cover. 

[dizzyizzy01]

To me people taking offense at pointing out the obvious - that the book was most likely ghost written and then decrying yet again about how people don't give Lea enough credit (I half expected to see another post about how people aren't "grateful" enough to Lea)  the same thing as people saying she slapped her name on it.  As I said two sides of the same coin.  

 

For the record I think both Lea's and Jenna's books were ghostwritten.  Obviously both women had a lot of input because both books included anecdotes about their lives but I seriously doubt either woman sat down and wrote much of the actual text.  

 

Nobody has claimed she's some great profound writer, but to say her effort is akin to slapping her name on something to peddle dinner plates or sheets sounds like the extreme of trying to be overly critical.   The straw man argument of saying people are claiming others should be "grateful" to Lea is again another extreme.  Nobody's saying anything of the sort.  Certainly not in this discussion, so to bring it up is really just trying to derail the point.

[galax-arena]

Yeah, they just put their names on the cover.

For me, it wasn't even that so much, but more that they acted visibly disinterested while doing promo for the book - to the extent that they got flak in the media for it - and only seemed to have the vaguest idea of what the book was about. Kendall & Kylie were getting book money for absolutely nothing - IA with you that they were definitely on the extreme end of the ghostwritten scale - the least they could have done was brush up on what the book was about and act like they gave a crap during the signings.

[Ceeg]

First look at Naya on Devious Maids

 

https://instagram.com/p/0X-oqOE19k/

[camussie]

I stand by what I posted.  It is two sides of the same coin.  Some discounting Lea's efforts by saying she slapped her name on something is the other side of the coin to the way some  get offended and decry that any time they feel Lea's efforts aren't getting due credit.  Neither view is particularly objective.  

Edited March 18, 2015 by camussie

[Lady Calypso]

Ok, I know this kind of strays away from the discussion on Lea's book, but an ad just popped up in between the posts saying "Written a Book? Claim your FREE Writer's Guide to Publishing and learn how to publish your book now". I just thought that was funny.

[Myrna123]

but to say her effort is akin to slapping her name on something to peddle dinner plates or sheets sounds like the extreme of trying to be overly critical.

What is overly critical about that?  The book probably wasn't her idea, the content probably wasn't her idea--it was a business opportunity pitched to her and she decided to pursue it.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with Lea wanting to make money off of her celebrity.  There's nothing wrong with taking advantage of the opportunities presented to you and that extends to hawking bed sheets and dinner plates.  An offshoot of ambition is monetary compensation and there's nothing to criticize about that.  I just don't think Lea was more involved in this book than any other celebrity has typically been involved in the strike-while-the-iron's-hot lifestyle books published every single year (names slapped on already written books excepted, of course).

[SevenStars]

What is overly critical about that?  The book probably wasn't her idea, the content probably wasn't her idea--it was a business opportunity pitched to her and she decided to pursue it.  There's absolutely nothing wrong with Lea wanting to make money off of her celebrity.  There's nothing wrong with taking advantage of the opportunities presented to you and that extends to hawking bed sheets and dinner plates.  An offshoot of ambition is monetary compensation and there's nothing to criticize about that.  I just don't think Lea was more involved in this book than any other celebrity has typically been involved in the strike-while-the-iron's-hot lifestyle books published every single year (names slapped on already written books excepted, of course).

 

Yeah, Lea's profession is not as an author, she is an actor and singer. So I don't see why it is wrong for people to assume that she might not have been has involved in the actually writing of the book as profession writers.  To me it doesn't diminished or take anything away from Lea. If Lea was a professional author, then I would have a problem with people thinking that she was not involved in the actual writing of the book.

 

Either way, no one will ever know Lea's full involvement in the actually writing of the book. So this debate is base on people's perception, nothing more,

Edited March 18, 2015 by SevenStars

[Hana Chan]

I haven't seen anyone here say that Lea didn't contribute at all to the writing of her book. Only a debate on just how much she likely contributed. I think that she falls in the middle of how much "writer" contribution is made with this kind of books, but the real heavy lifting part of the writing process was done by someone else. That someone else who will go unnamed took a mass of recordings and thoughts that Lea threw together and tried to turn it into an actual book. Tolstoy, she most definitely is not. That is not the same that she made 0% contribution, but it's nowhere near 100% either.

[tom87]

First look at Naya on Devious Maids

 

https://instagram.com/p/0X-oqOE19k/

 

Is that  really her or a body double doing it for her?

 

Hahahahahaha

Edited March 18, 2015 by tom87

[galax-arena]

If Lea was a professional author, then I would have a problem with people thinking that she was not involved in the actual writing of the book.

Unless her name happened to be James Patterson. :D

[camussie]

Is that  really her or a body double doing it for her? Hahahahahaha

 

And with this my point about it being two sides to the same coin has been proved. 

 

As for the picture itself, Naya's pregnancy weight looks good on her. It seems to have filled out her face some which gives her a softer younger look.

Edited March 18, 2015 by camussie

[tom87]

And with this my point about it being two sides to the same coin has been proved. 

 

As for the picture itself, Naya's pregnancy weight looks good on her. It seems to have filled out her face some which gives her a softer younger look.

What?    I wasn't even referring to her weight.

 

I was joking that someone else was doing her work ie body double/ghost writer.

 

So no point proven.

Edited March 18, 2015 by tom87

[camussie]

Those are two different thoughts.  The first one is acknowledging that you indeed were making a passive aggressive comment about the ghostwriting conversation thus proving my earlier point about those who unfairly criticize and those who reflexively defend are two sides of the same coin.  

 

The second was about the picture itself i.e "as for the picture itself."  

Edited March 18, 2015 by camussie

[tom87]

Those are two different thoughts.  The first one is acknowledging that you indeed were making a passive aggressive comment about the ghostwriting conversation thus proving my earlier point about those who unfairly criticize and those who reflexively defend are two sides of the same coin.  

 

 

Did I ever argue against that?  

 

Wow you successfully made your point against no opposition, congrats.      Talk to me when you stop reflexivley defending your favs. How's that for passive aggressive. 

Edited March 18, 2015 by tom87

[Hana Chan]

tom87 -  I get that you think the world of Lea and pretty much anything she does. Not everyone agrees with you. Just like I have to accept that not everyone thinks that Chris is so amazing.

Edited March 18, 2015 by Hana Chan

[Cranberry]

Enough ghostwriting debate. It's getting personal now, so it's clearly time to step back.

[caracas1914]

We need a video of Harry shirtless dancing.

[Sara2009]

We need a video of Harry shirtless dancing.

That'd be nice.Someone should also post Matt's Broadway

Bares performance. Clearly he was born to play Humpty Dumpty. LOL

[Higgs]

Finding Neverland: http://query.nytimes.com/search/sitesearch/#/neverland/

Based on http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/15/theater/gary-barlow-and-finding-neverland.html?_r=0

and if I didn't know MM, I would never go see it. But then again, I didn't go see Spring Awakening when I had the chance (South Pacific instead, to satisfy some atavistic desire). I'd seen the original play in London with an infamously realistic circle jerk scene, and I've always wondered what I would have thought of Lea.

[MizStaken]

You could have seen her boobs at any rate. But if you want, it's on YT

[fakeempress]

Dianna's two recent indies are going to be at the Tribeca FF next month, and she tweeted about some news she'll announce tomorrow. 

[Bill1978]

That's interesting. Isn't that what Matt did, go from a pop effort to standards? Speaking of Matt, there will probably be an original cast recording of Finding Neverland. 

I remember him posting something on Facebook about being in the recording studio with Gary Barlow. Pretty sure it was also hinted it was a tweaked version of a song from the production which could possibly mean they are looking at some sort of promotional/radio song, which I think would be cool.

[Higgs]

You could have seen her boobs at any rate. But if you want, it's on YT

Yes, I've seen it, and a lot better boobs. But as an opera snob and Callas devotee, I wonder what I would have thought specifically of

@ 3:45.

For example, I was very disappointed in MM's live Younger Than Springtime:

because it wasn't sung with anything like the legato, tonal beauty, phrasing, or emotive qualitiies of Mandy Patinkin's:

Rachel is truly Mandy's and Patti's daughter.

Edited March 20, 2015 by Higgs

[caracas1914]

I guess the previews for "Finding Neverland& have started, that musical has had a very circuitous path ( retooling, cast changes) just to get to Broadway.

Matt looks good with a beard.

Edited March 20, 2015 by caracas1914

[fakeempress]

Kristin Chenoweth has drawn across the board great reviews for her opening show On the 20th Century, but that's no surprise really. 

[Sara2009]

I guess the previews for "Finding Neverland& have started, that musical has had a very circuitous path ( retooling, cast changes) just to get to Broadway.

Matt looks good with a beard.

The Twitterverse is almost unanimous in loving it, though.

Real critics will probably be more divided since it's a " family" show.

[fakeempress]

Glee star Dianna Agron to be cheerleader for Alexander McQueen in play about designer

 

ETA: More on the play, runs from May 12 to June 6 at St James Theatre, London

McQUEEN is a journey into the visionary imagination and dark dream world of Alexander McQueen, fashion's greatest contemporary artist. Set on a single London night, it is more than a bio-play. It is stepping into the fairy story landscape of McQueen's mind, the landscape seen in his immortal shows, where with a dress an urchin can become an Amazon, where beauty might just help us survive the night. A girl has watched McQueen's Mayfair house for eleven consecutive days. Tonight she climbs down from her watching tree and breaks into his house, to steal a dress, to become someone special. He catches her, but, instead of calling the police, they embark together on a journey through London and into his heart.

Edited March 20, 2015 by fakeempress

[jaytee1812]

Oh, I wouldn't mind going to see that.

[spiritof76]

I think a lot of the career/acting choices Dianna has been making are very interesting. i'm very curious to see where her career goes. She certainly hasn't gone the predictable route.

[Ceeg]

'Glee': What's Next for the Stars

 

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/glee-whats-next-stars-782741

 

Here are the ones that were new to me:

 

 

Amber Riley
"I am rebuilding Amber. I'm taking voice lessons, I'm learning piano and I'm trying to find my niche with the music industry," Riley tells THR of her future after bringing Glee's Mercedes Jones to life. "I'm doing my album and hopefully people will hear it this summer.

 

 

Mark Salling
The actor behind lovable bad-boy Puck has been busy prepping his own series for the past two years and is busy pitching the pilot. "It's a musical with original music so we had to record a whole 13-song record for that and write the episodes around the songs," he told THR.

[caracas1914]

Amber rebuilding her voice as in voice lessons, wouldn't be surprised if she ends up on Broadway.

[fakeempress]

Broadway would be great for Amber. She already did that short revue-type show Cotton Club Parade a couple of years ago.

 

Russell Simmons is developing a new musical on the early days of hip-hop, I'm sure Amber will fit that better than Rachel Berry, lol

[Casual Viewing]

Not sure where this belongs but Groff singing Happy Medley  for International Day of Happiness.

[jaytee1812]

I need something to cleanse myself of that awfulness. I'm thinking Revenge of the Green Dragons, Harry Shum as a murdering, drug dealing, human trafficker is the perfect antidote to this mess!  

[jaytee1812]

Just watch an episode of Drop Dead Diva. Becca Tobin was in it as a Lady Gaga type performer called Empress Katia. Honestly it's worth watching for the bizarre outfits!

[Florinaldo]

Now that Glee is over, the next step is naturally what we can expect from the cast in future months (I won't venture into speculating in terms of years).

 

I am sure there will be the expected number of theater, TV or movie roles, similar or not to what they did on Glee, including perhaps some exploitation ones like the sci-fi monsters genre that so many young actors eventually drift into when there is a lull after after a strong upsurge such as Glee. Those who have exhibited a diverse skills set may decide to restrict their focus somewhat. For example, I think that CC would probably make no special effort towards music and would concentrate instead on writing. As far as books, his name recognition means he did not have to languish in the slush pile and he has now established a strong redearship base. He could try his hand at more scripts, to hone his skills on that front; his first efforts may not have been entirely convincing so far, but then again Reginald Rose, Rod Serling, Harlan Ellison or Larry Gelbart did not hit it out of the ballpark with their very first scripts; screenwriting is a trade that requires apprenticeship and learning. For his part, DC may complete an album; I know some people have peremptorily declared it had been shelved by the label, without any proof of course, but albums (as well as any kind of project) get pushed back all the time for a variety of reasons, either by the label or by the artists themselves. We will eventually know for sure.

 

At present, they all can still capitalise on the Glee afterglow to boost their careers, but this will eventually fade and they may well feel a certain hurry to do it before the buzz fades. Now is the time to fully expand on the foundation set by their work while they were on Glee (including the side gigs and special events) and to establish their own individual credentials for the future.

 

But I am counting on surprises, hopefully generally happy ones. It's the unexpected that is always the most interesting as demonstrated by a few surprising announcements in the past several weeks. For example CC and the Noël Coward movie. Probably not a project with the highest commercial potential, but certainly intriguing as far as subject and performance challenge. That being said, the history of film is littered with biopics with impressive casts that turned out to be leaden artistic failures. Because there is never any guarantee for those who take risks in any profession. The same could be said for DC taking up Hedwig as his next project. Quite a coup for him but still a perilous challenge, even though he has been in consideration for quite some time to fill a limited engagement slot. Or perhaps some other surprising roles in voice work for animation, a genre that gets poo-pooed by people unaware of its diversity, including the quality examples amongst those DC was involved in recently. MM's stint in Finding Neverland is probably another chancy move, considering it is far from standard Broadway fare, but the kind that often finds a niche with a certain segment of the public (if Once can attract an audience, then other non-standard works certainly can).

 

I wonder if the rest of the cast will be as willing to take chances and try similar challenging avenues.

 

It's the unpredictable that always poses the most problems for the soothsayers. For example, who could have predicted how many Seinfeld or Friends alumni would struggle to score success on an even lesser scale? Or which former Dawson's Creek actress would garner three Academy awards nominations, while the titular star is still looking for a durable level of achievement and popularity comparable to the show that put him on the map?

 

I know that the cast can't choose only artistic or risky endeavours; they have to make a living after all and commerciallly viable ventures are a necessity for everyone in their business. But I do hope that a number of the former Glee cast will offer up a mix of the daring and the safe in the coming years, if only to keep us on our toes as an audience.

 

Until the perhaps inevitable Glee reunion tour or movie.