Maureen Garrett Says She's Glad to Have Been a Part of GL's "Classical Era"
When legends unite. Mimi Torchin has a poignant interview for TV Guide Canada's The Soapgeist with her friend Maureen Garrett (seen in the above MVID with the late Michael Zaslow), who recently made her way up to Peapack to reprise the iconic role of Guiding Light's Holly Norris one last time. Here's a sneak peek:
“Oh my God,” she exclaimed. “It was astounding, the working situation at Guiding Light. The actors are reduced to something like automatons. There’s no connection between the citizens of Springfield [when they’re not in scenes together].” She goes on to clarify her observations, words flying like birds let out of a cage. “You do not see the other actors. There are no rehearsals, no monitors on which to watch the action. Actors are led from hair and makeup to a kind of holding pen. Then they’re guided through the maze of pieces of sets to their spot. That ‘leading me from one place to the other’ was the only direction I received! Then, when you get to your mark, there’s no room to move, so there’s no blocking. The cameramen with their handhelds squeeze past you. You stand there and say your words, which immediately go onto tape. And that's it. You are led out of the maze. Complete isolation. Scenes are only one page long to make up for lack of movement within the scene.” She stops to draw breath, and then says sadly, “If this is the wave of the future, I am so glad I spent my time in the ‘classical era.’ It’s amazing what the actors manage to produce under these conditions. My hat is off to any actors who can build story, a genuine connection in this new media. It bears no resemblance to what was before. And that’s the way it goes.
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Comments
3 March 2009
5 hours 13 min
Lol awesome comment Maureen!!! When I first read it I thought she was speaking of how they filmed in the past lol. And I love how she said "classical era", that's what it was when she was on GL!
And funny how she's constantly mentioning the actors and not the producer lol.
Can't wait til the show is over to hear if the actors will talk trash about Wheeler and Kreizman! I hope so, I wanna hear the info!
11 April 2009
12 hours 39 min
Maureen Garrett provides a devastating interview. For any comment about the poor acting abilities of some GL actors, Garret explains that there is no director on site to provide guidance.
Garret also explains that her least favorite storyline was her character Holly's pairing with Sebastian, a character that had tortured Holly. It reminds me of the Days Sami/EJ rapemance and the recent Y&R sexual assault of Amber by Sami.
25 February 2009
30 weeks 6 days
If there is any actor who has earned the right to speak out about GL, it's Maureen Garrett. She is such a classy lady...I have never heard her say anything negative about GL over the last three decades and believe me, she has had every right to. Her character has been pushed aside many times, and when Holly did get a story, it lacked character development or she played a 'heavy'. Poor Maureen. She deserved much better. I could never understand why the writers never delved into Holly's deep history with the show or showcase good-looking men seducing her. She's a beautiful woman for crying out loud!!! As for Holly's worst storyline...Sheesh..There are so many awful stories to choose from. Personally, I thought the Nursery Rhyme Stalker was the WORST.. Perhaps Maureen Garrett chose the Sebastian storyline as a way of slapping Ellen Wheeler and David Kreizman...Good for her!!!!!......
Love ya Maureen
14 December 2007
2 days 12 hours
Maureen Garrett and Michael Zaslow was a great acting team!!
3 March 2009
5 hours 13 min
I just read the whole interview, so glad to see her speak her mind and let us know what happens behind the camera. Sounds like the new filming is crazy, but at least the actors who have had to adjust to the transition don't let you know how odd it is. Well, at least the vets don't, the newbies are a different story lol.
And too bad her last storyline was her least favorite. So sad that the horrible regime gave her such a lame and disgusting story, what a slap in the face. And I thought the Nursery Rhyme killer story was her worst! It was entertaining, but so stupid to have Holly as a stalker! But then again years later Alexandra was Reva's stalker and a drug dealer!!!!! WTF????
Anyway, so nice that she gets to come back for the end and gets to shares scenes with Blake and Olivia again, and they get to address Roger again. Will be a nice wrap up it looks like!
20 December 2008
1 year 42 weeks
Kudos to you Maureen I will love seeing you again and you are 100% correct about the situation over at Guiding Light may it RIP after 9/18/09
19 December 2008
2 days 5 hours
Maureen Garrett and Michael Zaslow were the best and these scenes on YouTube only prove it!