OOliver
07-24-2010, 02:15 PM
In the 'Christmas' episode of the first season, the focus is on actor David Groh which seemed to be a positive/negative thing.
As an actor in this ep, he really did show what a fine dramatic actor he was - and very theatrical in his movements. At times, I could picture these scenes being played out on a live theater stage. Very emotional, very strong presence, excellent body language. This is the positive.
It's also the negative - it really shows the actor as being somewhat awkward and miscast as a 'comedy actor' (which he really was not), and certainly not a sitcom star. His comedy was very forced, as it didn't come natural to him. At times, it seemed like the writers were using him more for a reactionary to Rhoda, Brenda, and Ida. He sets up the joke and they would deliver the punchline...boom. He laughs, the audience laughs and the scene is over. He never had the comic timing, the comedic lines, or the physical comedy.
Granted, the gig of being cast as a regular on one of the most popular shows of the 1974-75 season was a feather in his cap. Being a sexy hunk,appealing to women and gay men (including me - he was my first 'TV crush') certainly was a bigger feather.
However, I think this guy would have really established himself as a Broadway actor in this period - if given the chance. At 35 years old, he had the looks, the body, the movements of a gifted dramatic stage actor - really wasted on this show. :(
As an actor in this ep, he really did show what a fine dramatic actor he was - and very theatrical in his movements. At times, I could picture these scenes being played out on a live theater stage. Very emotional, very strong presence, excellent body language. This is the positive.
It's also the negative - it really shows the actor as being somewhat awkward and miscast as a 'comedy actor' (which he really was not), and certainly not a sitcom star. His comedy was very forced, as it didn't come natural to him. At times, it seemed like the writers were using him more for a reactionary to Rhoda, Brenda, and Ida. He sets up the joke and they would deliver the punchline...boom. He laughs, the audience laughs and the scene is over. He never had the comic timing, the comedic lines, or the physical comedy.
Granted, the gig of being cast as a regular on one of the most popular shows of the 1974-75 season was a feather in his cap. Being a sexy hunk,appealing to women and gay men (including me - he was my first 'TV crush') certainly was a bigger feather.
However, I think this guy would have really established himself as a Broadway actor in this period - if given the chance. At 35 years old, he had the looks, the body, the movements of a gifted dramatic stage actor - really wasted on this show. :(