Berman is an actress? Really? Too me, she is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay overrated. KS is much much better.

To that I could say that Berman couldn't handle Storm's material.

What does Storms do that makes her so irreplaceable? She throws in a couple bitchy line deliveries and storms in and off set. That's about it. She doesn't go indepth into any of her performances. She doesn't put her all in to her dramatic performances because she is a very limited actress who simply can't handle daily drama hence why her role is suited towards more comedic storylines. She is used for fodder because of the fact that there is no way Storms could handle a pro-longed dramatic storyline. Kirsten is fine with playing the bitch and there are even times where she can psuedo play the girl with a tin heart (no way does she have the chops to play the bad girl with a heart of gold). It would be an absolute trainwreck of we had to watch Maxie go insane and do those Logan scenes/Shady Brooke scenes they would of been insufferable and atrocious. She simply doesn't have the power to deliver a strong, solid above reproach dramatic scene.

The constant balance of comedy and drama that Kirsten does so well.

That's the thing she doesn't do drama well at all. Maxie is at her best when she is light. When she is joking around with Spinelli, when she is cutting Max down, when she is bitching to Lulu about her not working and what not, ect.

I'm not going to deny that Berman acquits herself more assuredly in her dramatic scenes

That's because she is a stronger dramatic actress. Maxie is fluff more times then not.

but Storms was a volcano when she raged against Felicia during Georgie's funeral so Storms is no slouch.

No where near any of Berman's calibre what so ever. It doesn't compete with Lulu during her abortion storyline, her crazy storyline or even the Luke heart failure storyline. Maxie is best in light situations and maybe some mild reflection scenes like when she talks about Georgie.

What does Storms do that makes her so irreplaceable?

Simple: She brings her A game and commitment to every scene she's in.

Maxie is no more a "fluff" character than Lulu. Storms can handle any material that Guza has thrown at her while Berman has clearly proven that she can't. That alone makes Kirsten the better actor.

Edited January 27, 200916 yr by Queen

I find Maxie gets the better material. In the few years she has been on KS has had the chance to play a rotten drug pusher, a blackmailing skank, the town ditz with a heart of gold (but she won't let you know she has one), and she got to do a couple of funerals, comedy, drama...KS has been given a lot to do.

JMB and Lulu is a different story. Her role as the heroine is by definition sort of bland because all heroines basically are. Lulu is sort of Emily with a different name, she gets the romances and people bothering her...fairly typical and expected stuff.

Where JMB fails for me is she makes Lulu into the most selfish and unlikable person in town.

To that I could say that Berman couldn't handle Storm's material. The constant balance of comedy and drama that Kirsten does so well. I'm not going to deny that Berman acquits herself more assuredly in her dramatic scenes but Storms was a volcano when she raged against Felicia during Georgie's funeral so Storms is no slouch. Maxie is a force on the canvas and Guza has allowed the character a more adult role than Lulu. She excels at her job, is funny, self-deprecating and all around layered. Lulu is nothing more than a boy obsessed child. A Carly Jr. that people like to say. The funny thing to me is that Maxie is more Carly(if a comparison MUST be made) than Lulu. I credit all that progress to the talent of Storms who has shown that in spite of Guza, Maxie will be worthwhile. Lulu, not so much.

so much word.

and really, Storms' Maxie is like SrBr's Carly.

Lulu is like LW's Carly.

What does Storms do that makes her so irreplaceable? She throws in a couple bitchy line deliveries and storms in and off set. That's about it. She doesn't go indepth into any of her performances. She doesn't put her all in to her dramatic performances because she is a very limited actress who simply can't handle daily drama hence why her role is suited towards more comedic storylines. She is used for fodder because of the fact that there is no way Storms could handle a pro-longed dramatic storyline. Kirsten is fine with playing the bitch and there are even times where she can psuedo play the girl with a tin heart (no way does she have the chops to play the bad girl with a heart of gold). It would be an absolute trainwreck of we had to watch Maxie go insane and do those Logan scenes/Shady Brooke scenes they would of been insufferable and atrocious. She simply doesn't have the power to deliver a strong, solid above reproach dramatic scene.

are you saying it wasnt with Berman? Because most people posting about it found her horrid to watch and wonderd what happened to her. The only good thing of that storyline was Laura, thats the only way people cared. In fact Berman is only liked when in a storline with Francis, Geary, or Elliott. Because those vets force her to bring the A game. She is a very good actress - but again, only when she decides to be. Storms on the other hand actually wasnt propped when she became populer. She wasnt paired with Vets to have fans like her. Furthermore as good as Berman is in heavy drama when she feels like actually acting, shes awful at romance, comedy, and playing a bitch.

That's the thing she doesn't do drama well at all. Maxie is at her best when she is light. When she is joking around with Spinelli, when she is cutting Max down, when she is bitching to Lulu about her not working and what not, ect.

I really disagree. Maxie is at her best when shes in the middle. When shes trying to hold herself together but knows its all about to fall apart. When she knows she screwed up and feels bad about it. When she reaches out to Johnny and tells him he deserves better. When she thinks about her parents, georgie, jesse, coop.

Simple: She brings her A game and commitment to every scene she's in.

Maxie is no more a "fluff" character than Lulu. Storms can handle any material that Guza has thrown at her while Berman has clearly proven that she can't. That alone makes Kirsten the better actor.

exactly.

All the layers and the depth that Lulu had are gone. All the passion and fire that JMB pured into Lulu is gone. Its painfully obvious JMB is just there because she has a contract. She doesnt want to be there. IDK if its she feels shes now above soaps or that she got so much praise so early on she can do no wrong or what, but it isnt working anymore. Lulu is nothing more than a shrill scenery chewer now that ios forced upon the audience.

Maxie has developed layers and depth. She is perhaps one of the most well rounded char's on soaps today - and im sorry but that isnt because of the writing. Its because Storms knows who Maxie is and plays her to perfection. Not in a mono type never diff way either like KMC plays Robin. Storms' shows all of maxies emotions but never loses who Maxie is. When Maxie is emotional she is still trying to hold herself together, when she seems like shes confident you know deep down shes not because the way storms plays it, when shes plotting or doing something good for a change you see all sides of her, but still know its Maxie Jones. Not good maxie, bad maxie, emotional maxie, numb maxie, etc... shes always Maxie. if anyone understands that. lol

and IMHO if you were to take the two most powerful scenes by the two - Lulu's breakdown and Maxie raging at Felicia - Storms wins.

First of all, I wanted to say that even though I don't agree with everything here, bravo to peeps for discussing this in an even-handed way and not resorting to personal threats and crap like that which has appeared on other boards. OMGZ you hate my fave? Die!

Secondly, I think that Berman and Storms excel at different aspects of acting. Their characters are such a contrast anyway, is it no wonder they employ different skills to portray that character. Storms, IMO, is hugely skilled at comedy and when Georgie died, really impressed me with the grief and anger Maxie felt. I also feel that KS benefitted from having KMcC, JJY, KW andBA to play off. Especially KMcC and JJY. I loved her scenes with Robin and Mac.

JMB has done great whenever she gets to play opposite Genie Francis (who is amazing anyway, IMO) and I kind of like Lulu when she gets family time with Nikolas and Lucky. Those three feel like a family unit and it is too bad that we last saw them around November-time.

However, as I mentioned here, some laziness, too-rapid delivery and lack of chemistry have eroded her performance. I think chemistry is hugely important. Without it, I don't think Tamara Braun would have stayed long as a Carly recast, for example.

I also think that JP may have a point, that JMB is definitely looking beyond Daytime for her career. Who wouldn't be? KS probably is, too, although she is also a big soap viewer as much as she is a soap actress and I think Daytime (especially GH which she has watched forever) has a special place in her heart.

Finally, I do think that the writing has helped Maxie but hindered Lulu. Maxie's dialogue must be a writer's dream and I'll bet Karen Harris and others could make up Maxie's quips in their sleep. Maxie is probably the role Storms has dreamt of playing. It is a lot of fun, and she probably had a hand in shaping it.

Lulu, on the other hand... well, like I said, Frons was All About Lulu 2-3 years ago and made it clear he wanted Lulu mobbed up and on the frontburner. He also referred to her numerous times as the "new Carly" or the "next Carly" in many interviews. That, to me, is as a good as a directive to the writers. Write her like Carly or else. JMB may well be doing what she is being told to do. GH does want Carly to be Lulu's Older Sister figure. Moreover, she and LW do seem to have admiration for each other, so aping LW's Carlyisms could be a form of flattery and admiration on JMB's part.

First of all, I wanted to say that even though I don't agree with everything here, bravo to peeps for discussing this in an even-handed way and not resorting to personal threats and crap like that which has appeared on other boards. OMGZ you hate my fave? Die!

exactly. i do love that about this discussion. Skin is one of my fave people to debate soaps with because of this reason.

Sometimes Maxie reminds me of Lucy Coe. Especially, when she was planning Robin's wedding.

Edited January 27, 200916 yr by S&BFanForLife

Simple: She brings her A game and commitment to every scene she's in.

I think she is fine in her scenes she is a much better comedic actress and has a lot more potential as a romantic/love interest then she will ever have as a dramatic actress though.

Maxie is no more a "fluff" character than Lulu.

How many dramatic storylines has Lulu had and how many dramatic storylines has Maxie had? I think it's pretty clear that Maxie is mostly just comic relief. Her and Spinelli are mostly just used to garner laughs in that cute, cheesy way that GH does. Does anyone remember that Christmas miracle storyline last month? You can't tell me that wasn't fluff. Them going around the entire town and giving them gifts that they wanted. That's light material. Even in the Logan storyline this past year Maxie was on the proverbial side lines and completly pushed away from any of the main drama in that storyline.

Storms can handle any material that Guza has thrown at her while Berman has clearly proven that she can't. That alone makes Kirsten the better actor.

I guess this is the difference. Kirsten doesn't get the same material that Berman gets. Berman arguably gets the more meaty storylines of the two.

are you saying it wasnt with Berman?

No. For the most part. Whenever she was opposite Francis she was riverting. Any time she was with Laura or talking about Laura she was on fire.

shes awful at romance, comedy, and playing a bitch.

I do agree that this for the most part is true. She just gets this haughty attitude and has that smug smile on her face and part of me once to knock her block off. But I would still take her in a dramatic scene over KS any day of the week.

When shes trying to hold herself together but knows its all about to fall apart.

I wish I saw this, but I don't. I don't get any subtext with KS.

When she knows she screwed up and feels bad about it.

I think she does that well too. She has the heart of tin thing going on there.

and IMHO if you were to take the two most powerful scenes by the two - Lulu's breakdown and Maxie raging at Felicia - Storms wins.

Yeah. I don't think so. But I'll just have to disagree. I think for an acting comparison Storms is like Alicia Minshew an actress who is great in a comedic setting or in a romantic light but who is limited a great deal in the dramatic acting category.

Go away Fake Coward

Thank You Johnny For Telling Loo-Loo To Shut Up!!