"Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater" - David Mamet
"Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater" - David Mamet
#1"Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater" - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 11:47am
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12292008/gossip/pagesix/mamet_was_monster_teacher_146328.htm
He's scary!
#2re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 11:53am
If this is all true....I wonder if he had any say about Pivens being in Speed-The-Plow? If so, I guess that makes him a whore. Just an observation from the article.
#2re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 11:53amI understand from a friend who was in November, that David Mamet has no cell phone and no laptop. He sat in the rehearsals in a corner with a typewriter, typing much of the time. And he could not be reached by cell phone. Gotta admire a guy like that!
#3re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 12:19pmLMAO
#4re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 12:21pmIs it bad that I don't blame him for yelling at people who couldn't be heard?
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#5re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 12:30pmI am trying to measure the difference between a teacher calling out "Speak up please, we can't hear you!" and 'Get the [bleep] off my stage! Now, and Don't [bleep]ing come back until we can hear you. How dare you? You're whispering. On the stage. It's [bleep]ing passive-aggressive. You know, only people who are full of [bleep] whisper,' "
#6re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 12:31pmNo one is offended by his comments about actresses?
wonkit
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/30/08
#7re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 12:32pmMamet is brilliant and brutal, and if you want a nice teacher, go back to second grade.
MrMidwest
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/8/05
#8re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 12:33pmIn one of the American Theater Wing seminars from years ago, I remember John Malkovich saying that he thought critics should have to see a show 4 or 5 times before they could review it. I thought that was kind of interesting.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#9re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 12:36pm
Unless they like it the first time- then they should get writing ASAP!
Updated On: 12/29/08 at 12:36 PM
#10re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 12:38pm
"No one is offended by his comments about actresses?"
While his point about the term actor/actress isn't a bad one it was stated in a horribly disgusting way.
"'There's nothing worse than being a woman in show business . . . you'll be asked to do only two things in every [bleep]ing role you ever play: take your shirt off and cry.'"
Now this is very insulting and wrong.
#11re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 1:06pmWhile I dislike the notion that women in show business are only asked to do two things, none of this really surprises me. It's Mamet after all - did you really expect him to write the way he does and be all laughs and sunshine when he's just being himself? And I honestly kind of agree with the notion of actresses being referred to as actors. While I've never really given it much thought and I'm certainly not as passionate about it as he seems to be, the comparison to writers not referring to themselves as writressess is actually pretty sound.
HollyDiver
Stand-by Joined: 9/2/08
#12re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 1:09pmIf I didnt love him before, I sure as hell do now!
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#13re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 2:02pm
Well he's been married to two actresses, Lindsay Crouse and Rebecca Pidgeon, so he must know.
(bleep) him.
Updated On: 12/29/08 at 02:02 PM
#14re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 5:29pmIs it bad that I think he's awesome?
#15re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 5:51pm
Yes. :)
To rip off of Linda Winer: "I find the less I know about David Mamet, the more I like his work."
-Nellie McKay on the 2006 Broadway production of The Threepenny Opera, in which she played Polly Peachum
#16re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 6:54pm
Wow...this makes me wonder if I had the chance to have been a student of his, would I do it? He's certainly impassioned and some of the best teachers are the ones who make your life a living hell 
"If artists were machines, then I'm just a different kind of machine...I'd probably be a toaster. Actually, I'd be a toaster oven because they're more versatile. And I like making grilled cheese" -Regina Spektor
"That's, like, twelve shows! ...Or seven." -Crazy SA Fangirl
"They say that just being relaxed is the most important thing [in acting]. I take that to another level, I think kinda like yawning and...like being partially asleep onstage is also good, but whatever." - Sherie Rene Scott
#17re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 7:21pm
This is all just HEARSAY from some two-bit ACTRESS out to make a buck.
Though I hope it's all true so my memories of Mamet are not all wrong!
Still, you have to admit, they would be MUCH better tales if told my Mamet himself - He's my favorite writeress!
#18re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 8:45pmOhhh, harsh generalization, Mr. Mamet.
Ladyofthe Lake
Leading Actor Joined: 1/1/05
#19re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 9:07pm
This is all just HEARSAY from some two-bit ACTRESS out to make a buck.
She may indeed be "out to make a buck," but if she witnessed this behavior firsthand, as the writing implies, it's not "hearsay."
Just sayin'.
TulitaPepsi
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/13/04
#20re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 9:55pm
Yes, being verbally abusive to ones students is so endearing.
A pity someone didn't belt him in the jaw and whisper "Can you hear me NOW, Mr. Mamet?"
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#21re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 9:58pm
C'mon, this is obviously a MAMETism and just his way of getting a reaction or performance from a student.
As I stated, he married and has collaborated with several wonderful actresses.
As for whores, he allowed the casting of the exMs Ritchie in the Broadway Premier of this very play.
FindingNamo
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/22/03
#22re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 10:34pm
Critics are the syph and gonorrhea of the theater, which leaves being the dick and vagina of the theater to Mr. Mamet.
I've hated him for a long time but now he's approaching Neil Labute levels and I ABHOR him.
#23re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 10:51pmHer book title is wonderful.
#24re: 'Critics are the syphilis and gonorrhea of the theater' - David Mamet
Posted: 12/29/08 at 11:18pmSounds like one actress who never quite made it is suddenly in need of attention.
Videos