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Subject: Past Idols/Child Actors

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Subject: Idols Past and Present
Name: d.t.
Date: Tuesday, 06-Apr-1999 03:39:46
Message:
J. Racecar sez: "but may i ask why you find these older people attractive and not modern age idols?"
Well, let's create a new thread on this subject. I get asked this question by e-mail too about idols of the past being enshrined onto many websites created by mostly baby boomers such as myself. Sure in my teenage years, when I was just plain busy trying to pass high school, I watched a lot of TV, mostly comedies, game shows, and varieties over the years featuring many of the stars I still remember today.
One thing that was not on my mind in those years was finding a star attractive or the subject of fan worship. I just don't see admiring an actor's work on that level. I'm more interested in the abilities the actor or actress possesses to accurately create a believable performance and outstanding performance that results from the hard work they apply themselvs into.
The TV shows and stars that do stand out in my mind the most are the ones that made an impression in my life over the years, whether it's a long-running show or one that lasted a few months. Nothing wrong with today's modern-age idols, whomever they may be. I do watch Drew Carey, Charmed featuring long-time idolees Alyssa Milano and Shannen Doherty from the 80's, Melrose Place with Heather Locklear, Yasmine Bleeth in Nash Bridges, Melissa Joan Hart of Sabrina, etc. etc. and in a sense I am a fan, though like the shows of the past, I'm not an idolizer.
I just can't figure out any sense of idolizing someone who works in a visible occupation more than someone like Christina from the office who doesn't get any TV prescence as far as I know. Getting back to idols of the past, people from my teenage years get a big kick out of seeing their golden oldies such as Eight is Enough, Happy Days, MASH, many of the Saturday Morning live-action shows, etc. al. on websites and on cable TV and I'm just doing my part not only for my boomer-era adults of today, but also their children who weren't even born yet, and the kids get to learn more about the TV shows on the Internet that bookstores just do not do justice on coveragewise.
Yes, I amongst many others my age still are fans of the former teens of our years, but at the same time, I'm also a fan of some of today's idols that are making enough of an impression workwise to warrant my attention.
Subject: What are your thoughts on child actors ?
Name: Rabbitty
Date: Sunday, 07-Mar-99 08:18:37
Message:
I was thinking of this the other day when I watched the Leif Garrett special on VH1. Do you think the children are being "used". My thoughts are that it is a shame little kids have a strict contract to WORK. Show up early in the morning, do a full's day work, get paid yeah but can they spend their money how THEY wnat ? ( I remember Adam Rich buying a minibike one year ). I have 2 boys IRL ages 11 & 7. Although they are cute enough for T.V. *G* I do not think I would have them in a series, because I feel it makes them lose out on the simple childhood pleasures of sleeping late, not being forced to earn a living at a young age, ( when I say forced I mean I know my children would be gung-ho to do something like join a t.v. show but a year or two down the road would lose interest but since they had a contract would HAVE to go ) Anyway, these are JMHO...Thoughts? I feel like this show, like The Brady Bunch, had a lot of child actors , so I thought I'd mention it here....
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