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#26

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 1:02pm

^

Yes, I understand the choice in the courtroom (the transcript based material), but the choice in the fictional material outside of the courtroom was too blatantly assimilationist for my taste. Perhaps if they hadn't gone to the 'soccer practice' place, or if the gay male couple hadn't have interjected toward the end that they, too, want kids one day, it wouldn't have come across as being quite so pandering.

#27

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 1:08pm

John C. Reilly really should be singled out for his performance.

#28

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 1:47pm

^ He was a delight. Also enjoyed Lahti and must admit that Clooney was pitch perfect in his role.

#29

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 2:09pm

it's actually hard to believe that the defense was as inept as it was portrayed, or that the factual record is as thin as it is.

(well, i mean it's not hard to believe at all, but it's still a little shocking to see it all played out.)

this actually gives one hope for the appeal ... generally speaking appellate courts review law, but defer to the trial court on facts. even if the Supremes articulate a different legal standard for the trial court to go back and apply (which is technically what happens in most Supreme Court decisions), it's hard to imagine *that* trial record would meet the standard. there's absolutely nothing in the record we were shown to support even the most lenient standard, and a LOT to suggest exactly the opposite.

the propoents of Proposition 8 gave even the most sympathetic appellate court absolutely NO facts to work with ... i mean, shockingly no facts. it's going to be really hard for an appeals court to cite a legal test those facts can pass.

"You, sir, are a moron." (PlayItAgain)

#30

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 2:26pm

Whatevs, there's an interesting layer to where the case stands now.

It is 50/50 whether or not it will actually go to the Supreme Court in DC.. The anti-gay marriage side knows that they actually don't have any facts to rely on, as evidenced in the transcripts. If they take it to the Supreme Court, they run a strong risk of unintended national consequences.

The latest decision was written so specifically to address the issue as a California issue, it could easily stay in the California courts. The Supreme Court may decide that it's a state issue. The wording of the latest decision almost encourages this scenario. I think that those opposed to gay marriage may now want it that way as well.

If it does go to DC, though, I'll bring the popcorn.

#31

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 2:44pm

i think (really more of a guess than a thought) they'll either ask for a rehearing by the full circuit or let it lie ... the record that would take to the Supremes as it stands is not something even Scalia could do much with.

the only wrinkle is that the decision only applie to california.

in the immortal words of avenue Q: for now!

"You, sir, are a moron." (PlayItAgain)

#32

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 3:06pm

As someone who followed the case as it was being presented - yes, the evidence was really that thin - and they could find no objective material to support their position. Large portions of their "factual" representations were undermined during the trial, and most observers were not surprised by the ruling because there seemed no basis for taking away a right from California citizens. At the time Prop 8 passed, gay marriage had been legal in California. Prop 8 took a right away and there was no objective basis for that action other than animus and hate.

It was apparent that the whole basis for the law was the "icky" feeling the bigots got when they saw 2 men kissing.

Note: Prop 8 Proponents have already asked for an En Banc hearing by the entire 9th Circuit. I don't believe there has been a response yet by the court.

Updated On: 3/4/12 at 03:06 PM

#33

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 5:56pm

YWIW: i hadn't heard about the en banc petition -- when did that happen?

i don't think anyone was surprised by the district court ruling (even without knowingf just how very flimsy the defense was) ... the surprise icomes when we learn whether or not Scalia gets a fifth vote.

though frankly a bit less of a surprise for me after what i watched last night ...

"You, sir, are a moron." (PlayItAgain)

Updated On: 3/4/12 at 05:56 PM

#34

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 6:23pm

The play was great, and even though the actors were reading from scripts, i didn't feel like any of the performances were forced. Martin Sheen's speech was brilliant, and like Jordan said I think the performance of John C. Reily should be singled out. He was great, and the back and fourth with Clooney was hilarious. great production.

#35

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 7:41pm

I don't love the play (saw the NY reading and just watched the video), but there were definitely some great performances. I'd single out Lahti, Clooney, Morrison, Colfer, Lynch (wonderful!), and Sheen, whose big speech was electrifying. Pitt seemed like he was seeing the script for the first time, and maybe he was--didn't they just add him to the cast a few days ago? Curtis also seemed a bit under-rehearsed. (Ellen Barkin played the role here in NY and she was great; with Curtis, the role seemed somewhat inconsequential). I don't think the play could ever work in a traditional production, but I like what they're doing with organizing these readings.

"You travel alone because other people are only there to remind you how much that hook hurts that we all bit down on. Wait for that one day we can bite free and get back out there in space where we belong, sail back over water, over skies, into space, the hook finally out of our mouths and we wander back out there in space spawning to other planets never to return hurrah to earth and we'll look back and can't even see these lives here anymore. Only the taste of blood to remind us we ever existed. The earth is small. We're gone. We're dead. We're safe." -John Guare, Landscape of the Body

#36

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 9:32pm

I loved it

#37

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 9:35pm

Pitt seemed like he was seeing the script for the first time, and maybe he was--didn't they just add him to the cast a few days ago?

They did. Or at least they announced him very late. I assumed it was because they may have had more details to iron out for him than anyone else.

Either way, I love this tweet by Jesse Tyler Ferguson: https://twitter.com/#!/jessetyler/status/176345109107982336
One of my fondest memories of being in the play "8" last night will be Brad Pitt whispering to me: "Jesse, how do you do a curtain call?"

"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

Updated On: 3/4/12 at 09:35 PM

#38

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 9:40pm

^ That's delightful.

#39

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 10:47pm

http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/03/04/prop-8-play-brad-pitt-george-clooney/

This article says that Pitt was indeed last minute casting and John C. Reilly was set to play the judge. Reilly then took Rob Reiner's part and Reiner just directed

#40

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/4/12 at 11:42pm

and I'm sure the majority of the "homos" appreciate you speaking for them.

#41

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/5/12 at 7:41am

"and I'm sure the majority of the "homos" appreciate you speaking for them."

What does this mean?

"I hope your Fanny is bigger than my Peter." Mary Martin to Ezio Pinza opening night of Fanny.

#42

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/5/12 at 11:12am

Huss, I think it was an untethered jab at something I said way upthread about most gays not wanting traditional families with kids. I referred inclusively to gays as 'we homos', so that must be it.

Apparently in his experience the majority of gay people are looking to create a 'family with children'. Either that or it was just a drive-by snark.

Updated On: 3/5/12 at 11:12 AM

#43

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/5/12 at 5:50pm

Pitt was convincingly judicial. Lahti and Colfer knocked it out of the park. Much, though not all, of Reilly's performance seemed forced to me as if he were commenting on Blankenhorn rather than playing him.

#44

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/5/12 at 6:26pm

I haven't seen the video yet. What is "pandering" about those who would like a conventional relationship?

"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian

#45

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/5/12 at 6:38pm

You've misread me Mister Matt. I didn't say that the existence of gays who want kids is in and of itself 'pandering'. When you see the piece I think you'll see what I mean, whether or not you agree.

I think it's retrogressive to win marriage equality on the premise that gay people deserve equal rights because they want nuclear families that include children.

#46

8 the play streaming live tonight

Posted: 3/6/12 at 9:30am

i agree with rja 100%..nothing felt forced in my viewing and MARTIN SHEEN, CHRISTINE LAHTI and JOHN C. REILLY all were outstanding, as was BRAD PITT...the whole cast left me in awe actually...why nit-pick this apart people?..it was put on to raise funds for a cause we all believe in...and a propostion we all are against...so it was a win win evening...

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