AMC:RECAST RANDI

[R Sinclair]

The Randi character is useless portrayed by a useless actress. Get Rid of Randi and Denise Vasi. I don't give a damn how beautiful she is. I don't even see her "beauty" due to the fact that her acting makes her look hideous. Vasi should be on the back of Essence magazine in Target ads where she belongs -- not (and I use term loosely) "acting" against strong actors such as Debbi Morgan.

I, personally, thought a Frankie/Taylor/Brot triangle would've been more believable due to the fact that all three characters have history with each other and have a justifiable reason for being as close as they are -- as war veterans. But bringing in this woman who I never believed was a hooker for one second into the mix for Frankie made no sense. I mean, really. I'm supposed to believe that a character with Denise Vasi's aesthetics had no other choice in life but to sell her body? Judy Blye Wilson is a horrible casting director and does a huge disservice to this show. I mean, for real, now. We're supposed to believe a character portrayed by a model couldn't use her model looks to get even a job as a high end call girl? She had to resort to being a streetwalker for a grubby pimp?

Bye, Vasi. Take Randi with you.

[Khan]

But, of course! If Randi had belonged to a high-end, "respectable" escort service, no one would've felt sorry for her. At least, I'm sure that's how the writers saw it. Frankly, though, I'm tired of seeing characters (on soaps) ashamed about being prostitutes. What about the call girls and madams who are hookin' "and damn proud of it"?

[Dr Neil Curtis]

I like the character Randi! She is just Donna Beck all over again. This is Donna and Chuck's storyline, but I still like the character and with a great recast she would be good. I really dont see anything wrong with the current actress.

[Pine Charles]

Yeah, but Donna was entertaining.

Randi? Not so much.

[CassieFan]

Get rid of Randi and bring back Danielle Frye!

[Steve]

Don't forget that Donna was recast because the first actress didn't cut it!

Denise Vasi is just awful in the role. She can't play anything resembling an emotion.

[Cat]

Somebody mentioned the Brot/Taylor/Frankie triangle, which I would love to see... except that I *love* the friendship that Brot and Frankie has. Honestly, some "pairings" I love are friendship or frenemy relationships and my heart does a little happy-dance whenever Brot and Frankie and Taylor interact because it feels genuine and so right. I don't know what things are like behind-the-scenes but it seems like RL good vibes and pure enjoyment seep through whenever Smith and Martinez have a "scripted" scene together.

Something else -- Cornelius Smith does really well in scenes with "older" characters, not just his on-screen parents but also David and Zach and others in a hospital setting. I don't know what it is, but I think Frankie would be dynamite in a relationship with a slightly older woman. Whether that is LustyLiza (LOL) or Annie (well, she's prob in his age range) or -- oh, how I wish Brooke or Simone were still around! -- whoever, I would want Frankie to interact with areas of the canvas to which he (and Brot and Taylor) are currently not linked.

[alwaysAMC]

Obviously - y'all know I'm down for a Randi recast. Vasi is horrible - you just KNOW she can't act against the others - you'd think she'd at least reallllly try and put some effort into it. Hopefully she's embarrased with herself.

I'd actually like to know Vasi's story - what is her background? Was AMC just giving this poor girl a 'shot'? Or is she from a wealthy family and her name got her the role? What is going on with her?

[Cat]

Her IMDB bio:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm2185141/bio

Raised in Brooklyn, of "Puerto Rican, Dominican and Greek heritage," it says here. She's referred to as a "budding actress" but the bio talks a lot about her modeling credits, so... MTA.

[rsmith2k2]

I don't have a problem with Randi as a character, even if a soap cliche. I've given Vasi a lot of time and was rooting for her because I was really struck by her looks and not unpleasant demeanor though her acting has been really bad.

Now with a powerhouse dramatic story, her lack of ability could really tank a big story for the Hubbards and I don't want that to happen. I do think Vasi is trying and I do think she has improved *some*. But her deficiencies are especially glaring now as she spends all her acting time in the company of of talented, longtime pros like Debi Morgan, Darnell (even though I think he is inconsistent), Beth Ehlers (while not everyone's favorite, she has range and experience that shows, imo). If the girl can't get her actress mojo thumping through sheer osmosis by working around Debi Morgan...it just ain't ever gonna thump.

IMO, she cannot stand toe-to-to, acting-wise to her appealing, talented, newbie scene partners Cornelius and JT (whose learning/improvement curve puts Vasi's to shame) with whom Randi often interacts. I think Vasi has actually shined more with Natalia (who I am only lukewarm about) and Petey than Cornelius (and I really love him as A&J's son).

I agree with almost all your observations, Cat. I too, think Cornelius carries himself with such a upright, responsible, mature demeanor, he does sort of gel better for me interacting with older characters Brot and Taylor and in his role as a doctor. Randi doesn't really gel with the other three. Again, I think that is more weakness on the actress's part than the character.

Brot and Frankie's great chemistry as friends, and BE's chemistry with both men, their shared military/war experience make them perfect for a soap triangle, imo. While it can be heart-wrenching to see betrayal between friends, FTB is what a soap triangle should be, we'd be rooting for all of them (unless they made Taylor an ass), imo. I can think of lots of other triangle combos I would find more off-putting, cringe-inducing and tiresome, which probably means those are the ones we'll see/continue to see since that's the way my luck with AMC often rolls.

I'd LOVE to have Danielle Frye back on the scene, too. I never understood ditching that character.

[Khan]

No.

[detroitpiston]

Yes!

That Tanisha chick was fine as hell and was way better than DV in terms of acting.

[alwaysAMC]

HAH! These are the first two lines in that bio:

"Even before her debut as Randi Morgan on ABC's daytime soap opera, "All My Children," Denise Vasi had already established herself as one of the entertainment industry's top women to watch."

Seriously?

[Leia]

Great choices!

[All My Shadows]

I agree with everyone who wants Danielle to return. I think she might be just a little bit too young for Frankie, though, but hell, I just want to have her back around. She was young, carefree, vibrant, and fun...unlike all of the other drama queens on this show. The only time she was depressing was when they did all the stuff with Garrett and Mimi.