I was watching this documentary that had to do with one of the worse films ever: Troll II. It made me think about soap operas. A lot of non soap fans would certainly compare soap acting to that of a campy B-movie. It wasn't even scary but funny. It's always in lists of bad films that or looked at as parodies. Showgirls is also in here, a film that I could only watch an hour of before turning off. There are time that this happens. Sometimes it's on purpose but sometimes it's not.
There was a time in the 40s-60s where soap operas were a well respected medium. There was even a time when they were more liberal than prime time. The acting was brilliant, the production values were awesome. Though it was with a 4:3 aspect ratio and didn't have a very elaborate set. It's didn't need it. Actors were chosen for their talents and not their looks. It showed in the quality shows that were produced.
These days it's the opposite. Today looks are more important. While you might win the jackpot with a Crystal Chappell or Dominic Zamprogna, it's quite rare. This all goes to soap operas, especially in the United States, being obsessed with looks over talent. Hiring young actors is going to be a disaster in regards to talent. The good ones such as Billy Miller and Zamprogna that come onto the show with a hell of a lot talent are likely to leave early too. Billy is leaving as is Michael Muhney on Y&R. While there are still some great young actors (anyone under 40 in my books) there are loads that aren't.
For me this all goes down to the idea that looks are what is most important. If they are lucky they will get talent, talent that is rare to be long term. Jacob Young for example is one of the best who has been on soaps since 1997.
The big issue for me if that in going for people with looks we get a lot of models. A lot. Kristen Alfonso started off as a hair model and it shows to this day. She is not the only one. There were quite a lot of models that get to act in soaps even though they are better at pictures than handling complex emotional arcs.
The reason I bring this up is because there is a new character on General Hospital. Detective Nathan West is played by underwear model Ryan Paevey. That's right, an underwear model. So far it has shown. This acting is not anything memorable. The writing is good, but that's not anything he would have to do with. What I have seen is that he's better at smiling then having chemistry with his costars. It was bad. I did not feel much of anything except for boredom.
That of course is what is going to happen when you bring on someone just for their looks. It's annoying when you have to watch someone learn to act on national TV. I don't want to watch a TV show for that. If I wanted that then I would go watch an acting class. If I wanted to see a pretty face then I would go get a magazine.
If there is one thing that I can say to the people that are involved with putting models on soaps it's this: STOP. Seriously stop. I don't want or need to see people that think just because they can take good pictures that they can act. If they want to then take some classes, at least enough to be on national TV. Just because you are good looking does not mean that you can do everything else in the entertainment business.
Here's a clip if you dare watch.
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