Bea and Rue

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:32am

So do they hate each other? Rue made those comments about Bea on Broadway.com a few months ago, and last night on Entertainment Tonight, Rue made the meanest comments, while Bea was with her. You could cut the tension with a knife. THey asked them about the writing of Golden Girls and Rue said something to the extent of: "Well, they did make it look like we were actually friends.", and no, it didn't look like she was kidding.

Any thoughts?

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:52am

I know that Bea hates Betty but I've never heard about Bea hating Rue--she mentioned Rue in her show when I saw it and Estelle but said nothing about Betty. I know that Bea had gotten upset over something Betty had said about Estelle toward the end of the series and I think all three were a little miffed that Bea chose to leave the show.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:58am

All three looked quite friendly at the signing. I hope they've put these instances behind them.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:02am

THe interview ET did during the signing didn't look friendly at all.

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:05am

Here's that comment from Rue's Broadway.com interview:

"Broadway.com: Very Blanche. Speaking of, I was wondering if your Golden Girls co-star Bea Arthur—who was famous on Broadway for appearing in Mame—had any advice for you about going into Wicked?

Rue: She hasn't even acknowledged that I'm in it.

Broadway.com: Oh. Well, you wanna ask her anything via this interview on Broadway.com?

Rue: Oh, I don't need her advice, honey."


Rue: Q&A

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:19am

That was an insulting question for Broadway.com to ask in the first place, hardly a dig at Bea.

[JailyardGuy]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:28am

"...Cause a play allows you to explore the character. A musical is just very shallow and, you know, it's mostly there for the music. You don't really get to play characters and scenes, it's all sketches, little bits between songs...the circus aspect of Broadway now is predominant. It's Disney. It's children's stuff. Spectacle. Flying. A circus. And I don't know how many millions and millions and millions of dollars are spent on these productions, but it's all like Vegas or something."

LOVE IT, honey! You tell 'em!

(Although, apparently it's not SO shallow that she feels bad about depositing her paycheck every week :-P)

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:39am

Hey, they're not exactly knocking down her door, she's probably takes the gigs she can get--not much out there for the older broads these days...and it's not like she's not telling a great deal of truth...

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:45am

lildogs, what you say is true. But would you want her in YOUR show speaking to the press that way?

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:52am

I agree 100%, rath.

Yes, some musical theatre acting is clunky, but to generalize the form that way is irresponsible. Musicals are more like Shakespeare than anything else, so I've never understood why people consider it subpar acting to straight plays.

That's why I've always promoted the idea of dragging all the old people into cold climates to die.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:55am

It's more than that. It's her saying, hey, I'm in this show, but it's crap.

If I were the producers I'd be P I S S E D.

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:16pm

Well, I'm not a producer, or am I? I see your point, but she has a point too--and she never mentioned Wicked at all. Of course actors should take the "acting" part of a musical seriously, but c'mon...it's a different set of tools in MANY, not all, cases and alot of musical theatre actors would be dreadful in a play, whereas a great actor can overcome a so-so voice or not-so-great dancing feet. It doesn't really work the other way around. But she probably shouldn't have said that about musicals at any rate.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:20pm

yes, but you presume a good actor and a bad musical theatre actor. a good musical theatre actor can do both very well, whereas a bad actor can't do either.

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:25pm

First of all, that's NOT what I typed.

"alot of musical theatre actors would be dreadful in a play"

Hey, I'm just going with what I've seen and people I know, that's all...and my point was that a good actor is always a good actor, but a good musical theatre performer isn't ALWAYS a good actor. There's not alot of Audra Anns runnin' around.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:26pm

Or Debras! Don't forget the Debras!

[cserannie]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:27pm

OMG, I thought they were best friends. God!

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:31pm

Debra is a GREAT example of someone who can do both...also Dana Ivey, Elaine Stritch, Angela Lansbury...Nathan Lane...I don't know that I'd call them GREAT voices, but they are infinitely more entertaining than Linda Eder or (fill in the blank with a great male VOICE)...what a threadjack is this?

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:33pm

I guess I would never begin to call Linda Eder a good musical theatre performer. I'd call her a good singer, but never a good musical theatre performer. For me, to be a good in a musical, your ability to connect as an actor is paramount. I guess, for you it isn't necessary as much?

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:35pm

Debra has a GREAT voice. I'd sit through an evening of her in concert any time.

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:44pm

That was kinda my point...oy...


And Rath, you just want to sit...uh...I'll be nice.

[Rathnait62]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:46pm

hey - read your post - it reads like you're saying she doesn't have a great voice.

and why wouldn't you be nice to me??

[lildogs]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:49pm

I think she has a nice voice, but not GREAT--like Audra great...but I do think she's a better actress...just my two cents, which is exactly what it's worth! :)


EDIT: The nice comment should have been "clean"--i was going to make a lesbian reference, like about sitting on her face, or vice versa...I don't know which you prefer... Updated On: 11/23/05 at 12:49 PM

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:49pm

No one can fault her for not having fun, though.

[BrendanStryker]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 2:27pm

Isn't who's voice is great all rather subjective, anyway? What is your definition of great? You site Audra, as being great. I know people worship the ground she walks on; and, her instrument is impressive, but I don't like the sound of it. So, for me, she's not so great. I don't want to hear her sing, so what good is her voice? I'm not trying to get into an Audra debate, just using her to make a point. I do think she has tremendous stage presence, however.