Jump to content
View in the app

A better way to browse. Learn more.

Soap Opera Network Community

A full-screen app on your home screen with push notifications, badges and more.

To install this app on iOS and iPadOS
  1. Tap the Share icon in Safari
  2. Scroll the menu and tap Add to Home Screen.
  3. Tap Add in the top-right corner.
To install this app on Android
  1. Tap the 3-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner of the browser.
  2. Tap Add to Home screen or Install app.
  3. Confirm by tapping Install.

AMC: Beth Ehlers Vs. JR Martinez

Featured Replies

  • Member

Yeah, he sent out a notice for a recast once when contract talks with Ehlers and GL went south.

I used to love her on GL in the early 90's, then when she returned in 1997, Harley was so different and Ehlers stopped caring about her work. She's one to talk about "acting" as she's done nothing but phone it in over the past couple of years. She seems like a very weird woman, and I've heard a lot about her neurotic behaviour.

I won't lie, she ROCKED it during the un-wedding to Gus. Totally robbed of an Emmy that year, but after that, the show went Harley.

  • Replies 143
  • Views 25.2k
  • Created
  • Last Reply
  • Member

What a bitch.

Joan Crawford wasn't "trained", either -- and look at Mildred Pierce. Sure, that was made years into her career, but not everyone nessessarily needs training.... some people just have "it".

For somone with zero experience, JR Martinez is wonderful.

Oh snap! I seen that movie in Film Analysis!

  • Member

JRM has charisma and screen presence. You can't teach that. Moreover, he has a fanbase! Not too bad for a "non-actor."

  • Member

Okay, so let me get this straight. She's this skilled and talented actress who, one, plays down her Shakesperian performances... so much so that her non-actor costar outshines her time and time again -- and two, allows six directors and a team of producers to tell her to play a brand new character with no connections at ALL in hopes of recreating some alleged spark as an unbearable, abrasive shrew -- and she does so? Well, if that's the case, why is she so surprised about her lack of airtime? She should've seen the big bold neon writing on the wall.

You've expressed a large part of what makes me detest Jake and Amanda. They had something going during the late summer, but once he selfishly dropped her for a woman who had very little interest in him, I was over it. Plus, being the lastest perpetrators of yet another Fake Dead Baby story, I was through.

As for RPG's delivery... I won't touch that.

But back to MacBeth Ehlers...

Anything involving Tad/Taylor/Jake is messed up. Tad was wrong for sniffing after Taylor when she was clearly with Brot AS WELL AS knowing that his brother was into her first. Every Jerry Springer fan of the late 1990's (sorry, but I was one) knows that it's Bros before Hoes. And I would view Taylor as such going from brother to brother. Add the fact that I never caught on to this whole Beth Ehlers phenomenon, and this fan will be "beating the drums" even harder than I already am.

Thank you !

What happened on screen just seemed to echo backstage attitudes uncomfortably closely

I think RPG is realizing how lucky he was to get a second chance with cs`s Amanda . He stated that he persuaded her extend by showing her positive articles about their pairing and by pressurizing JHC. I think he`s lucky too. ;) but I can`t forgive jake for his dismissive attitude so I can` t root for them

Re the delivery...works much better with Tad, has to be in minute doses with a witty script and not look " studied"

I think it is unfortunate for BE that that hit Daytime Confidential . That reaches a wider audience than Star Dish Radio and it will comeback to haunt her imho.

I know I`m rooting for Tad/ Taylor to flop with every petty bone in my body.

i think a brothers triangle would be horrid . Even with a captivating and sparkly character it would be horrid

And yeah , setting your acting bar to Shakespearean levels and throwing away your pole with some ill advised words ? Not smart

Any pairing with Tad needs as much good will as possible with such a resistant large pro T&D contingent.

Edited by skyejames

  • Member

I agree that J.R. is no worse of an actor than many of the newcomers on soaps who imo aren't actors either. Being a model doesn't make them any more qualified. I think Beth's criticism could be pointed at any number of scene partners in the soap biz she could have potentially had but given the unique situation of J.R.'s casting, she feels "entitled" to diss his acting ability when she wouldn't dream of calling any other newcomer out as a "non-actor"... regardless of how awful they were she knows better than to do something like that. And would you look at that, even in this case some sh!t has hit the fan.

In Beth's defense (somewhat), charisma and training/technique are two very different things, an actor can be charming but if he doesn't know how to break down a scene and play actions and objectives that's no good, and I sense that's where her frustration lies. J.R. said that she never offered help, but it's awkward to coach your own scene partner, and quite frankly that's not her job. I don't know all the details, but point blank when ABC hired him they should have set him up with an acting coach. But why bother right, most of their cast members who ARE "actors" probably haven't had a lick of training either. :rolleyes:

  • Member

's defense (somewhat), charisma and training/technique are two very different things, an actor can be charming but if he doesn't know how to break down a scene and play actions and objectives that's no good, and I sense that's where her frustration lies. J.R. said that she never offered help, but it's awkward to coach your own scene partner, and quite frankly that's not her job. I don't know all the details, but point blank when ABC hired him they should have set him up with an acting coach. But why bother right, most of their cast members who ARE "actors" probably haven't had a lick of training either. :rolleyes:

I get what you're saying, but I have to speak out against the "it's not his/her job" defense (in general, not just your post ;) ) when it comes to scene partners -- especially in soaps where you're only viable these days if you're part of a couple. A successful couple at that. It may not have been MacBeth's job to coach him, but considering her actual job is riding on her viability as part of a couple -- any couple, I think she should've taken the initiative to bring him up to her level (I'm trying not to choke on that) instead of just staying in second gear with him. She's lucky she even got that chance, considering the fact that her first coupling -- the reason she was most likely brought to this show -- fell flat on its face. Whose fault was that? RPG's? I am no RPG fan and have always detested Jake, but considering his latest coupling has such ground swell of support (I gag just a little bit)...? I don't mind the comments about her storyline and character not being integrated. It's fact. It's what we see on our screen. But what I also SEE on my screen is a man who never acted before, not only take on a role that reflected his own personal trauma, but did it in the 80 page a day, 1 take only medium of daytime. JRM's response, to me, came across as genuinely, and understandably saying: What the hell did she have to call me out like that for? BE came across as: I'm pissed about my situation but I'll blame the only person who has less pull in this company than I do. I would understand if she did do her best to help JRM along and he just wasn't getting it and got frustrated.

  • Member

I get what you're saying, but I have to speak out against the "it's not his/her job" defense (in general, not just your post ;) ) when it comes to scene partners -- especially in soaps where you're only viable these days if you're part of a couple. A successful couple at that. It may not have been MacBeth's job to coach him, but considering her actual job is riding on her viability as part of a couple -- any couple, I think she should've taken the initiative to bring him up to her level (I'm trying not to choke on that) instead of just staying in second gear with him. She's lucky she even got that chance, considering the fact that her first coupling -- the reason she was most likely brought to this show -- fell flat on its face. Whose fault was that? RPG's? I am no RPG fan and have always detested Jake, but considering his latest coupling has such ground swell of support (I gag just a little bit)...? I don't mind the comments about her storyline and character not being integrated. It's fact. It's what we see on our screen. But what I also SEE on my screen is a man who never acted before, not only take on a role that reflected his own personal trauma, but did it in the 80 page a day, 1 take only medium of daytime. JRM's response, to me, came across as genuinely, and understandably saying: What the hell did she have to call me out like that for? BE came across as: I'm pissed about my situation but I'll blame the only person who has less pull in this company than I do. I would understand if she did do her best to help JRM along and he just wasn't getting it and got frustrated.

I'm actually a long-time Beth Ehlers fan... but even I can agree with every word here, RSinclair. Well said. I got the same vibe you did.

  • Member

I get what you're saying, but I have to speak out against the "it's not his/her job" defense (in general, not just your post ;) ) when it comes to scene partners -- especially in soaps where you're only viable these days if you're part of a couple. A successful couple at that. It may not have been MacBeth's job to coach him, but considering her actual job is riding on her viability as part of a couple -- any couple, I think she should've taken the initiative to bring him up to her level (I'm trying not to choke on that) instead of just staying in second gear with him. She's lucky she even got that chance, considering the fact that her first coupling -- the reason she was most likely brought to this show -- fell flat on its face. Whose fault was that? RPG's? I am no RPG fan and have always detested Jake, but considering his latest coupling has such ground swell of support (I gag just a little bit)...? I don't mind the comments about her storyline and character not being integrated. It's fact. It's what we see on our screen. But what I also SEE on my screen is a man who never acted before, not only take on a role that reflected his own personal trauma, but did it in the 80 page a day, 1 take only medium of daytime. JRM's response, to me, came across as genuinely, and understandably saying: What the hell did she have to call me out like that for? BE came across as: I'm pissed about my situation but I'll blame the only person who has less pull in this company than I do. I would understand if she did do her best to help JRM along and he just wasn't getting it and got frustrated.

"MacBeth"-I LOVE that! And of course it's bad luck to say that name in the theatre.

No, I totally see where you're coming from, I don't mean "it's not her job" in the snarky way the lady at the deli counter won't take a second to price your icecream cake because it's "not in her job description", I just mean that Beth's probably swamped in her own life (work, line memorization, disdain for work situation, family) that taking on that extra on-the-job aspect only compounds her neuroses. It's not only difficult, but awkward and not necessarily serving the situation to be giving acting notes to your on-screen love interest. It puts the dynamic of the fictional couple in jeopardy and probably kills any and all actor sparks and spontaneity. I really think a third party (not Darnell), someone to work with him on the side would be a much better help. Beth could have helped by suggesting someone, or just by encouraging J.R. to seek someone out. You're right, it's really HER livelihood at stake, she's the "legacy" soap star, J.R.'s not pursuing this once Brot's in the can. It's an awkward frustrating situation for her but sometimes you've got to say, Screw awkward, this is my life here, and come out of your mouth and say things that are hard to say... AND say them to the RIGHT people, not just sit in front of J.R. deeply sighing or passive-aggressively expressing frustration or going on Stardish, but by laying it all out there to the people who could actually help fix the situation. If TPTB are ignoring her complaints, refocusing that energy by helping and supporting J.R. is really her only viable means of improving her situation. Right now it kind of sounds like, "Hey fans, my situation sucks but it's not my fault" and no one like a whiner.

  • Member

Beth Ehlers has been in show business way too long (The Hunger, what what) and soaps way too strong to be this stupid. She certainly has a right to her feelings, and I think what she said about Pratt's writing is what I've been saying about him for years. That she aired what she did about JR Martinez in a public forum is unacceptable, however, and horrible for her, Martinez and surely the set. What a colossal [!@#$%^&*]-up on her part. I think she's lost her bearings due to her treatment at ABCD, but she should've known what she was in for as a soap vet and a woman - neither are valued by Brian Frons or Chuck Pratt. I agree that both she and Martinez will be gone in a year.

  • Member

Beth Ehlers has been in show business way too long (The Hunger, what what) and soaps way too strong to be this stupid. She certainly has a right to her feelings, and I think what she said about Pratt's writing is what I've been saying about him for years. That she aired what she did about JR Martinez in a public forum is unacceptable, however, and horrible for her, Martinez and surely the set. What a colossal [!@#$%^&*]-up on her part. I think she's lost her bearings due to her treatment at ABCD, but she should've known what she was in for as a soap vet and a woman - neither are valued by Brian Frons or Chuck Pratt. I agree that both she and Martinez will be gone in a year.

All very true. This is why I was shocked. She used to tell stories about the time she worked with Bette Davis. She's been working for many years.

I loved Harley for a long time but there was such a coldness which crept into her work as the years passed, and as the role got colder and colder, the stories and rumors about her behavior backstage started to pop up. I never know what to believe, but I can't say this has done her any favors.

That set must be a nightmare. Here I thought they couldn't top Pratt trying to blame Eden Reigel for his failed stories and acting like Jamie Luner was going to garrote the cast.

Edited by CarlD2

  • Member

She's supposed to have a very crazy backstage history, but I never got "cold" off her - it was that neurotic spontaneity that always made her work for me. (By comparison, Gina Tognoni turned hard and cold at OLTL in later years, then went to GL and made that work for her until she became spontaneous again)

  • Member

She's supposed to have a very crazy backstage history, but I never got "cold" off her - it was that neurotic spontaneity that always made her work for me. (By comparison, Gina Tognoni turned hard and cold at OLTL in later years, then went to GL and made that work for her until she became spontaneous again)

same here. I have a hard time picturing BE as a bitch. Even after reading everything in this thread, Im kind of shocked bc I cant see these things coming from her mouth

  • Member

Oh, I can see her saying it. I think she got very used to being one of the centers of GL and is upset since she was promised the same at AMC. That doesn't mean she wandered around behaving like the Wicked Queen, but she was used to the royal treatment and now she's said something stupid when she wasn't.

  • Member

The reason IMO Taylor didn't go over well with viewers is how she was written when she first came on the show. There didn't seem to be much likeable about her.

As for BE's comments, I just have to say -- what a [!@#$%^&*] bitch. How dare she slam a fellow actor and in any way blame him for her lousy story? JRM has natural gifts and charisma, he's been a good scene partner for her, and he has shown tremendous growth in a short time. Would she call that horrible non-actor who plays Colby out on her lack of talent? How about the girl who plays Randi? JRM has room for growth but he's clearly better than those two.

I remember reading she praised Denise Vasi. Yet she disses JRM, who acts circles around DV & BM :huh:

  • Member

The reason IMO Taylor didn't go over well with viewers is how she was written when she first came on the show. There didn't seem to be much likeable about her.

Although when she snapped that guy's neck, for about two seconds, I thought Taylor was awesome. LOL!

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Recently Browsing 0

  • No registered users viewing this page.

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Configure browser push notifications

Chrome (Android)
  1. Tap the lock icon next to the address bar.
  2. Tap Permissions → Notifications.
  3. Adjust your preference.
Chrome (Desktop)
  1. Click the padlock icon in the address bar.
  2. Select Site settings.
  3. Find Notifications and adjust your preference.