From: lf01+@andrew.cmu.edu (Liz Fox)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.tv.soaps
Subject: Re: DOOL:  Crystal Chappell (LONG RESPONSE)
Date: 26 Aug 92 13:49:22 GMT
Organization: Office of the Dean - CFA, Carnegie Mellon, Pittsburgh, PA


 
[Vix not Lix]
 
Ann sneakily starts up yet another show-related thread:
 
> again... It's no secret that I like Crystal and think she is a fine
> actress, but what amazes me is that this group thinks that they
> represent the majority of all viewers everywhere, and I'm not so sure
> that's true.  It might be, but who can say?  I would think that all the
 
I don't think we represent a majority of viewers.  I think we represent
a reasonable cross-section.  It may be slightly skewed, but from what
I know about people on the net, I think we represent a pretty decent
mix of economic and educational backgrounds across a wide range of
ages.
 
> attention Chappell has received from the mags that some people must
> really like her.  Now, I will agree that Carly has become some sort of
 
I think this is publicity generated by NBC.  Remember, NBC pays SOU to
publish it's Daydreams magazine.  How objective do you think that rag
will be?  I think these mags publish what the networks and the production
companies want them to for the most part.  If she was half as popular as
the rags would have us believe, then why are they still wallowing in the
ratings?  I think it is far more likely that indeed we are relatively
representative of the viewing public and we don't care that much for Carpy
and she is really almost all they give us.
  
> stupid SuperWoman of the 90's and has too much airtime, but sorry, I
> don't think you can blame that on Chappell.  Would you turn down more
> airtime because you felt sorry for your co-workers?  I think not.  So,
> I'd like to make several responses here to the comments that have been
> made...
 
I agree with Tim here.  I probably wouldn't turn it down, but I wouldn't
be surprised when my co-workers and some of the viewing audience resented
me.
 
> Bravo Stacy!  Even though the comments about Chappell sleeping with
> TPTB to get more airtime are probably jokes, I don't think it is funny
> either.  Again, how realistic is it to tell someone you don't want to
> be the favorite?  
 
Yes, they are jokes.  Yes, they are in poor taste.  However, doesn't this
indicate how totally frustrated we are with this mess?
 
> It's Corday that is making the mistake with airtime
> and with a totally unbelievable character.  And what is the point in
> attacking someone physically over and over?  Aren't we glad that they
> don't portray the perfect looking people all the time?
 
On the other hand, don't we have to listen to the mags and Corday say over
and over how beautiful she is?  Yes, we do.  And no, I don't think she is
that beautiful.  She is certainly not even in the same league as Mary
Beth Evans who is drop dead gorgeous.  I thought that Deborah Moore was
prettier and I even think Big Bird is more attractive and yet, we don't
listen to endless garbage about how beautiful they are.  No, just Crystal.
 
> And, I'm going to try to add it up this week - I bet that Lawrence has
> more airtime than Carly... my point is, even though you like Sabatino,
> this also takes away airtime from favorites.  And what about Drake?
> God, this whole thing about finding out about his past was definitely
> drawn-out and totally focused on him, and I personally don't think he
> can act.
 
Yes, we like Michael Sabatino.  I like him because he can act.  I don't
think Crystal is very good.  I disagree about Drake.  Remember that the
only time Deidre has looked good since she came back is with him.  He
was every bit as terrific as she was in those reunion scenes.  Drake is
uneven.  He can be very bad, but he can be very good.  Crystal is -- and
this is just my opinion -- pretty consistently bad.
 
> The other thing that is inconsistent with your arguments about Carly is
> the whole point of "the actress CAN control the part and the
> storyline".  Why is that only true for the actors/actresses you don't
> like?  It was "poor Kayla" when she was involved with Shane, and now
> it's "poor Kimberly, they are rushing this split personality thing",
> and "poor Jack, he's been in stupid storylines".  Is it possible that
> these people tried to have a say and weren't successful, and isn't it
> also possible that they can't change things at will?
 
Sorry.  I do blame Patsy Pease for this mess she's in.  There have been
reports that MANY of the other actors on this show have done battle with
Ken Corday over their characters.  Read the SOW with the article about
Michael Easton in it.  Even Drake fights for his character and he is Mr
Easygoing.  I don't care for Melissa Reeves.  I never have loved Jennifer,
but I have a lot of respect for a young actress who went out on a limb
and refused to do a scene with J. Eddie Peck that was totally out of character.
I have NEVER heard of Crystal Chappell doing anything similar and believe 
me, I read the rags pretty regularly.  Maybe just maybe there are no reports
of such integrity because it is non-existent.
 
> So, I suppose what I'm saying is that I think the blame is with the
> writers.  
 
Don't get me wrong.  I do agree that the writers are at fault too.  But
I think she deserves a lot of the blame.
 
> More power to Chappell if she saw that she was given more
> airtime and asked to be compensated for it.  Are you blaming her for
 
And I definitely agree with you here.
 
> being liked by TPTB?  If your boss singles you out for recognition or a
> bonus, would you turn it down because it wasn't fair?  And, isn't it
> possible that you are misreading the comment she made about being tired
> of doing all the lines?  I can remember several shows I was in where I
> made a comment similar to that - with no malicious intent, but knowing
> that my fellow cast mates didn't blame me for having a larger part...
 
It's possible, but this was covered with an "in-depth" story in SOD.  It
was not a line taken out of context.  According to SOD, there were several
similar incidents.
 
> Oh, well, I've rambled on long enough (too long, in fact) - I've just
> been saving up for a while.  Fire away... I'm braced and ready for
> it.   ;)
 
Now, now.  I wasn't that bad.  Was I??
 
Vickie