Christina Applegate vs. John Lithgow (just hear me out)

The other day, as I was driving in my car, I was thinking about Christina Applegate and my adament dislike of her. I began to wonder if it was more so bc as a blonde, young, female, I was jealous of this woman who I believe kind of just waltzed into Broadway and achieved success, or whether it was because she really had a mediocre performance and did not deserve a Tony nom or the chance to headline a show simply bc she was a B-list Hollywood actor.

I began to wonder if there was a male equivalent, and if I would feel the same way. The next person I thought of was John Lithgow. I see them both as former TV actors who really aren't very good singers... but are both starring in Broadway productions.

However, I adore John Lithgow. I think that he is insanely talented and that his work in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels was just brilliant.

Now, I will admit-- I have never seen Applegate in Sweet Charity, however, having seen her performance at the Tony's and even heard clips of her recording I still just don't think she's that good. I began to wonder if her stage presence was similar to Lithgow's-- was it a performance that, despite the mediocre singing, completely stole the audience's hearts? I have heard very good things about her ACTING in the role. I just don't think that as a singer, she is up to par.

Basically, the jist of this post is... IF it is possible that Applegate's stage presence is comparable to Lithgows... why would she get all the bad press and he get such great reviews? Do you think there is a double standard for females in this industry? I work for corporate America, and I can tell you that there is definitely a double standard here... Women who are attractive and blonde have to earn their respect much more than a man.

Is it possible that there is a double standard on Broadway? Thoughts, please.

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No, I know that you don't have to be a great singer to be a great peformer-- I said that, I think, pretty clearly when I stated my admiration for Lithgow. That wasn't the question I was asking...

Basically there are two questions. I honestly do not know how Christina's performance measures up to Lithgows bc I haven't seen her. So, 1.) do you think it does and 2.) If so, why does she get all the bad press? Is it possible bc there is a double standard on Broadway?

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Why bother comparing them?

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Agreed - totally different leagues.

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A better comparison would be Christina & Brooke Shields.

Both came to Broadway primarily through TV fame, both have more charm and comic timing than singing and dancing talent, both ladies want to prove themselves on stage, are hard workers and great colleagues. And both are Weissler Gals and are audience favorites.

But for some reason, Brooke never recieved the concentrated loathing and hysterical breast-beating and garment-rending wails over "the demise of the thee-ay-tah" that Christina has.

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Updated On: 8/4/05 at 10:23 AM

Lithgow has TONS of Broadway experience, and is considered by most to be a legit stage actor.

Here are his many, many credits. Comparing him to Applegate is silly.

http://www.ibdb.com/person.asp?ID=15448

Lack of history here--Lithgow began his career in theater, and won a Tony for The Changing Room.

I am not too sure of this, but wasn't Mr. Lithgow also nominated for an Oscar for Footloose?

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Thank you!! I knew he had at lease one!

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"Women who are attractive and blonde have to earn their respect much more than a man."

Yeah, and you still get the jobs anyway. On the other hand, men who are short, African-American and gay are often at more of a disadvantage than white women. Twice now I have been told that one of your kind got a job for which I interviewed! (lol, mini-rant, but it is pretty annoying to me to hear women complaining about how they have to work so much harder for what they want than men when -- within the category of men - there are people subject to more discrimination than you.)

Ljay as much as i love you ....Brooke so can not dance at all!....

Go see Charity and then start forming oppions!

Christina was fabulous in Sweet Charity.

John is decent in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. His part is very simple.

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I can completely understand why so many people were (and still are) up in arms about "tv people" coming to Broadway and snatching plum roles from the grasp of true theatre professionals. It's hard to watch someone with little to no experience on the boards be chosen over our favorites who have 20 plus years of stage experience.

However, keep in mind that some of these "tv people" have done a lot of work outside of LA/TV/movies, as is the case with John Lithgow. There is a lot more to actors than what the public sees. They are studying and preparing for years and we never see it.

Also, take a look at the SC performance before you solidfy your opinion of her talent. There is a reason that many people are praising this actress' performance. There was a reason she was chosen as Charity over Krakowski, Tomei, Abdul and god knows who else we didn't even hear about.

This is not a new trend, either. I remember being surprised upon hearing that Mac Davis would be taking over for Keith Carradine in Will Rogers Follies. And then Larry Gaitlin. And lets not forget Marla Maples Trump taking over Cady Huffman's role in that same show. It's a business, and if the tickets can't be sold on a (strictly) theater professional's name, then a "name" will be sought.

PS...NO ONE looked good at the Tony's this year :)

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