The Madonna Thread

[Vee]

Woof, I never knew about this:

A letter written to John Enos of Y&R and Melrose Place, no less!

[Khan]

First of all, I find it amusing that Madge took the time to write what was essentially a breakup letter to a guido who, from the looks of him, can't put two words together without breaking into a sweat.

Here's the thing: there was a point when, yes, people thought Nippy was bland and mediocre (not to mention, rhythmless, lol).

Whitney's first album was sensational - albeit, with some filler, I'll admit.  Overall, though, the song and production choices were, IMO, soulful, yet able to appeal to a wide audience.  Her second album, "Whitney," lifted her and her career even higher.  By that point, however, Whitney was already becoming more of a product than an artist.  No one questioned her vocal ability, but the songs on "Whitney" that weren't hits were garbage; and it seemed like the Arista people were turning her into a glory note factory, which, in turn, made Whitney the butt of many jokes.

In fact, I think that's why Whitney waited four or so years before recording again.  Musical trends and such needed to change, or else she was gonna go the way of Tiffany and Debbie Gibson.  And while I wouldn't list "I'm Your Baby Tonight" among her greatest (or among the greatest albums of the early '90's, or among those of the "New Jack Swing" period), I do think that album, along with her Super Bowl performance, paved the way for "The Bodyguard," which helped her shed, once and for all, and for better and worse, the Clive Davis-imposed image of the goody-two-shoes belter with the kinky wigs, who just wanted to dance with somebody who loved her.

Now, as for Sharon Stone....  Look, I don't think I'm ruffling anyone's feathers by saying that neither she nor Madonna has ever been what I would consider to be a master thespian.  And yes, I think the case could be made that the two could have swapped roles - Sharon could've taken Madonna's role in "A League of Their Own," for example, and Madonna could've taken Sharon's in "Basic Instinct" - and it wouldn't have made any negative impact on those films whatsoever. 

Frankly, though, I don't buy Madonna's theory that her explicit sexuality or predilection for pushing all kinds of envelopes in her musical and dance performances has anything at all to do with her outsider status within the film community, or her film career basically being a non-starter.  If anything, I think her outrageousness would have enhanced that aspect of her career.  But the fact is, Sharon Stone became Sharon Stone by paying her damn dues, working for years on [!@#$%^&*] projects, with terrible scripts and even worse directors and co-stars, that used her body and nothing else; whereas Madonna, God bless her, expected to compete right away with the Meryl Streeps and the Susan Sarandons simply because "Desperately Seeking Susan" was an okay movie and every white teenage girl and gay boy in America was listening to her records and copying her bag lady-goes-clubbing fashions.

Edited May 2, 2022 by Khan

[Vee]

Sharon Stone has carved out a solid career in middle-older age too, on cable and with Steven Soderbergh. She's doing well!

[BetterForgotten]

She wanted Stone’s role in Casino if I remember correctly. Though Stone’s career ultimately ended up being a series of box office flops. Funny thing is the two of them have done a lot of AIDS benefits/charity events together in recent years.

Madonna and Whitney ended up being very cordial to one another - early in her career Whitney said something to the effect that she would kill her daughter if she was like Madonna (years before Bobbi-Kristina was born mind you), but the two seemed to develop a mutual respect for one another by the mid-90’s. I know Madonna sent Whitney flowers when she had one of her miscarriages, and Whitney famously defended Madonna when some reporter tried to cause beef (clip below). Also, one of the last clips of Whitney alive was of her cheering on Madonna’s 2012 Super Bowl performance (clip below as well).

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Edited May 2, 2022 by BetterForgotten

[Khan]

True.  But, more importantly, SS has reached a point in her life and career where she doesn't have to prove herself at the box office anymore, or play the hot vixen if she doesn't want to.  She can take roles in smaller, less glamorous projects - and even do commercials for ridiculously cheap eyeglasses! - and be okay.

I'm not suggesting Madonna should start buying her wardrobe from the Melissa Reeves Collection, but it's not 1992 anymore, and she needs to accept that more gracefully.

Whitney's attitude in that clip is exactly the attitude every parent should have: make sure your children know the difference between what's real and what isn't, because there's more important [!@#$%^&*] to worry about.

I mean, my God, does the media really believe Madonna never even leaves the house without looking like a tramp!?  It's not like you're gonna see her tomorrow at Jamba Juice, dressed as a dominatrix, spanking young men's bare bottoms, while waiting on her Matcha Green Tea Blast.

Edited May 3, 2022 by Khan

[Faulkner]

As expected, Julia Garner has been offered the role of Madonna in the pop icon’s self-directed biopic, according to Variety. 

Andy Cohen asked Garner about the opportunity months ago—she said nothing but her body language said it all:

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Edited June 7, 2022 by Faulkner

[Noel]

I heart Julia Garner and loved her as Ruth on Ozark. Now, that I just watched the video clip, she does resemble Madonna in ways. I also watched her interview with Jimmy Fallon, so it seems she'll be writing and directing the autobiography movie herself? And from just watching the Andy Cohen interview again, Madonna follows Julia Garner on Instagram which was "hard to come by", according to Cohen. Yeah, I would love to see Julia Garner again. The scene when she discovers what she discovers in Season 4 and confronts Marty and Wendy. Oooooooh! Child! That girl blew me away in that scene. 

[DRW50]

Madonna's face looks  a bit more natural here, compared to the last few years, so that's nice. 

[Noel]

Britney looks so happy. I have the Britney vs. Spears documentary and the whole thing was so disturbing. On YouTube, I don't think I subscribe to Popcorn Planet, but those guys over there are hilarious with their Britney obsession. Not trying to change the subject or anything, but I watched them when the jury was reading the Johnny Depp verdict, lol! Drama queens I tell ya. OMG. 

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[Faulkner]

 

[Bright Eyes]

Dave Portnoy of all people posting that. How random.

[Faulkner]

 

[Taoboi]

 

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[Vee]

Another shining moment for her recent career. And after the insane "Madonna boot camp" and Hunger Games-esque competition for her role.

 

[BetterForgotten]

It always felt like something she was doing during the pandemic to kill time. The tour announcement was speculated for some time, and she probably knows she’ll make more money from that than a likely sterile (because she would write and direct it) biopic. Julia Garner is fabulous though. 

Edited January 25, 2023 by BetterForgotten