Why Laura Prepon is the Least Successful That '70s Show Alum

[TMC]

http://news.moviefone.com/2012/12/06...st-successful/

On That '70s Show, sassy Donna Pinciotti was one of the most likable, relatable characters. The wise-cracking yet goodhearted neighbor, played by Laura Prepon, was smart, funny and adept at handling (and rolling her eyes at) her totally insane parents.

It's possible that I transferred some of my goodwill towards the character to the actress who played her. At the time, Prepon (to me, at least) seemed the most likely of the cast to go on to bigger and better things. After all, she was both striking and down-to-earth, with a rich throaty voice and beautiful red hair that set her apart from all of the other actresses out there at the time.

Of course, that hasn't proven to be true. Jackie and Kelso (Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher) have gone on to become the biggest stars, eclipsing all of the others by far. While Kutcher never really left the spotlight, Kunis' star has risen recently with big hits like Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Friends With Benefits and Ted. Eric (Topher Grace) has been working steadily, and appears to have made a successful transition from TV to the big screen with big titles like Spider-Man 3 on his resume.

Hyde (Danny Masterson) has also been working regularly, and recently landed a starring role on the new TV show Men at Work. Even Fez (Wilmer Valderrama) has enjoyed a prosperous career, with bit roles in movies and a fruitful gig as the voice of Manny on the popular kids' show Handy Manny.

With the exception of train wreck/frequently incarcerated Lisa Robin Kelly, who played Eric's evil sister Laurie on the show, Prepon has gone on to become the least successful cast member, and not for lack of trying. She hasn't intentionally disappeared from the limelight to pursue a college degree or quietly raise a family.

No, she's been toiling away for years, giving the whole acting thing a go. She even took on the incredibly controversial role of reviled serial killer Karla Homolka in the 2006 flick Karla. While the film itself sparked outrage, it didn't translate into extra attention for poor Prepon. Things started looking up when she landed the lead role on the NBC series Are You There, Chelsea?, based on the bestseller by Chelsea Handler. But the sitcom was universally panned and quickly cancelled, and, less than a year later most people have probably already forgotten about it.

Once again it seemed like Prepon finally caught a break when she was cast in the latest Stephen Frears flick, Lay the Favorite, opening in select cities this week. It co-stars big names like Bruce Willis, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Rebecca Hall. Unfortunately, appearing opposite talent like that only highlights Prepon's weaknesses as an actress.

While Hall (who is British, by the way) is perfect as a ditzy mid-western sweetheart, American Prepon can't even nail down her character's subtle southern drawl. She seems to be focusing so hard on getting the accent right that she forgets to act. As Hall effortlessly emotes and makes us feel for her, Prepon delivers her lines in a ridiculous, over-the-top manner.

To top things off, Prepon has a topless scene that seems completely unnecessary, and even that didn't generate much extra attention for her. (Lay the Favorite was released in other countries earlier this year). She's trying every trick in the book to generate buzz, from tackling controversial roles to taking her top off, but nothing seems to be working for her. She's even a Scientologist! Say what you will about the Church of Scientology, it has produced a lot of famous actors. (Tom Cruise, John Travolta, Kirstie Alley, Jason Lee and Juliette Lewis, to name a handful.) The Hollywood networking opportunities she gets through Scientology may explain why she keeps getting cast in stuff despite her many public failures.

So what should Prepon do? I think dying her hair red again would be a good start. Hollywood has enough blondes. As for getting more ink, she should rip a page out of Wilmer Valderrama's book and start dating celebs who are more famous than her. Even better, she should be the one who comes between current lovebirds Kutcher and Kunis. If that doesn't land her some tabloid covers, I don't know what will.

[cleverfun3000]

Not a problem. Playboy or Penthouse will contact her; offer her 5 million to do a nude photo spread; the results will put her back in the news and followed up with a stint on Saturday Night Live....and she's firmly back in show business. Watch.

[king of comedy]

Originally Posted by cleverfun3000

Not a problem. Playboy or Penthouse will contact her; offer her 5 million to do a nude photo spread; the results will put her back in the news and followed up with a stint on Saturday Night Live....and she's firmly back in show business. Watch.

I love that sexy, low voice. I hope she makes a good comeback soon. She is very talented.

[jaz.claxton]

In my opinion, Danny Masterson is the least successful alum, out of the group.

[Drown Soda]

Prepon is definitely not the "least successful" of them—in fact, I'd say she's one of the more successful. She kind of went off the radar for a few years, but she's been back on it ever since Orange is the New Black.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are undoubtedly the most high-profile of the group and have gone on to have the most prolific careers, but I'd say Prepon may be right behind them. Topher Grace has had a pretty good film career too.

Danny Masterson and Wilmer Valderrama have kept the lowest profiles since the show ended. I can't recall seeing Valderrama in anything outside That '70s Show except for the tiny part he had in Party Monster, and that was back when That '70s Show was still on air.

[Mr. Television]

Originally Posted by Drown Soda

Prepon is definitely not the "least successful" of them—in fact, I'd say she's one of the more successful. She kind of went off the radar for a few years, but she's been back on it ever since Orange is the New Black.

Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher are undoubtedly the most high-profile of the group and have gone on to have the most prolific careers, but I'd say Prepon may be right behind them. Topher Grace has had a pretty good film career too.

Danny Masterson and Wilmer Valderrama have kept the lowest profiles since the show ended. I can't recall seeing Valderrama in anything outside That '70s Show except for the tiny part he had in Party Monster, and that was back when That '70s Show was still on air.

Valderrama is starring in NCIS this year so he's back.

[Torgo]

Originally Posted by Mr. Television

Valderrama is starring in NCIS this year so he's back.

He also had a stint on From Dusk Till Dawn the series, and Grey's Anatomy.

[Retro4Life]

Has anyone else noticed a sharp uptick in these negative articles about celebs? "Why you haven't heard from so and so in a long time", "Why nobody likes so and so, what so and so is hiding from everybody", etc.

I don't expect Hedda Hopper and the old style Hollywood publicity mill, but geez, we sure do like to build up our celebs and them tear them to pieces.

I don't see a ton of difference between Ms. Prepon's post show career and anybody else's, except Kunis and Kutcher. And so what? Fame doesn't always equal success or happiness. What if somebody just decides to be a normal human being? Does that mean they are "losers" or something?

Eh. Bring on some positive articles!

[Torgo]

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Has anyone else noticed a sharp uptick in these negative articles about celebs? "Why you haven't heard from so and so in a long time", "Why nobody likes so and so, what so and so is hiding from everybody", etc.

I don't expect Hedda Hopper and the old style Hollywood publicity mill, but geez, we sure do like to build up our celebs and them tear them to pieces.

I don't see a ton of difference between Ms. Prepon's post show career and anybody else's, except Kunis and Kutcher. And so what? Fame doesn't always equal success or happiness. What if somebody just decides to be a normal human being? Does that mean they are "losers" or something?

Eh. Bring on some positive articles!

And the countless "Why Hollywood won't cast [Insert Name] anymore." articles.
I agree. Some have continued success in acting, though by these articles if it wasn't released this year and isn't a big budget Hollywood movie it doesn't count.
But others have done other things with their lives that are just as, if not more important than being cast in whatever big budget movie/popular TV show.

[Retro4Life]

Originally Posted by Torgo

And the countless "Why Hollywood won't cast [Insert Name] anymore." articles.
I agree. Some have continued success in acting, though by these articles if it wasn't released this year and isn't a big budget Hollywood movie it doesn't count.
But others have done other things with their lives that are just as, if not more important than being cast in whatever big budget movie/popular TV show.

Yeah, it's all click bait. Not much different than the National Enquirer, et al at the newsstand proclaiming every other celebrity over the age of 60 is "near death."

I really shudder to think what these folks would think of MY life and its level of "success", according to their standards!

[TMC]

Perhaps in hindsight, Laura Prepon just wasn't that great of an actress. It's like any time she has a punch line, it sounds like she's reading it off a cue card for the first time and doesn't seem engaged in the scene. Her decidedly wooden acting habits therefore easily takes you out of it multiple times an episode.

[Retro4Life]

Originally Posted by TMC

Perhaps in hindsight, Laura Prepon just wasn't that great of an actress. It's like any time she has a punch line, it sounds like she's reading it off a cue card for the first time and doesn't seem engaged in the scene. Her decidedly wooden acting habits therefore easily takes you out of it multiple times an episode.

I disagree. I was never a big fan of "That 70's Show" but for me, she was one of the best parts of it. Your mileage may (and obviously does) vary.

[TMC]

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

I disagree. I was never a big fan of "That 70's Show" but for me, she was one of the best parts of it. Your mileage may (and obviously does) vary.

Another thing about Laura Prepon's style of acting to take into consideration is that she often comes across as arrogant and aloof in just about every other role she's played.

[tlc38tlc38]

Originally Posted by TMC

Another thing about Laura Prepon's style of acting to take into consideration is that she often comes across as arrogant and aloof in just about every other role she's played.

The arrogance comes from her being in Scientology. I don't mean this as an attack, I'm just stating a fact that Scientologists think they're above everything and they're right and everybody else is wrong.

[liane60]

Originally Posted by cleverfun3000

Not a problem. Playboy or Penthouse will contact her; offer her 5 million to do a nude photo spread; the results will put her back in the news and followed up with a stint on Saturday Night Live....and she's firmly back in show business. Watch.

That show she had October Road that didn't make it, I really liked it. I guess I was the only one, that's why it didn't make it.