Soap recasts survey

[niki822]

I was reading an article in SOW about recasts today and was wondering what people think about the following:

1. Who is the best current recast actor/actress on a soap?

2. Do you think a recast actor/actress needs to follow closely in the footsteps of the original/previous person in that role or that they have leeway to make the character their own?

3. What character from the present or past would you like to see recast?

[TeaRs In SaDNeSs]

1. Who is the best current recast actor/actress on a soap?
Trevor St. John, Tamara Braun and Alicia Minshew

2. Do you think a recast actor/actress needs to follow closely in the footsteps of the original/previous person in that role or that they have leeway to make the character their own?
No I don't. Once they take over, I think they could head in w/e direction they please.

3. What character from the present or past would you like to see recast?
Oh god there ain't enough room to name them all.

[Alexafan1]

1. Tamara Braun, Cady McClain, Trevor St. John, Jacob Young
2. I don't care how much time passes. Just want the actor to find their path and be good.
3. I would like to see the character of Bobby on AMC. He doesn't seem to really fit this role.

[1Nikki]

I normally hate recasts but I have to say Trevor St. John, Alicia Minshew, Heather Tom & Gina Tognini (sp) are doing amazing jobs!

They can change the character but unless they write in a life altering experience the changes should come gradually.

I honestly can't think of a recast I'd want to see probably because I hate recasts. Although if they could recast GL's Alan-Michael with Billy Warlock I'd be interested in that.

[littlepeanut88]

1. Who is the best current recast actor/actress on a soap? Trevor St. John, Tamara Braun, Alicia Minshew,

2. Do you think a recast actor/actress needs to follow closely in the footsteps of the original/previous person in that role or that they have leeway to make the character their own? they should follow somewhat but they really should make the character their own

3. What character from the present or past would you like to see recast? not sure

[ConAMC]

1. Who is the best current recast actor/actress on a soap? Alicia Minshew, Cady McClain, Trevor St. John

2. Do you think a recast actor/actress needs to follow closely in the footsteps of the original/previous person in that role or that they have leeway to make the character their own? I think there has to be a balance between the two. The actor/actress should try to stay true to the character's roots and history (ie. not changing the character around) however should also put their own stamp on the character, otherwise they'll be an ineffective recast. I think there has to be a balance.

3. What character from the present or past would you like to see recast? Billy Abbott (bring David back),
AJ Quartermaine

[RaisinGrl]

1. Who is the best current recast actor/actress on a soap?

Trevor St. John. I was completely against a Todd recast, but now I'm incredibly glad it worked out the way it did.

2. Do you think a recast actor/actress needs to follow closely in the footsteps of the original/previous person in that role or that they have leeway to make the character their own?

It depends. Personally, it gets on my nerves when characters act significantly (or fundamentally) different from how they did before, but sometimes that has to do with the writers wanting to take the character in a different direction as well.

3. What character from the present or past would you like to see recast?

I'm not sure.

(Great questions, btw!)

[SongBird]

1. Who is the best current recast actor/actress on a soap?

Gosh, so many. Cady McClain on ATWT ranks very high. As does her scene partner Hunt Block as Craig. (Actually, there are a lot of successful recasts on ATWT. Some not so successful.) Trevor St. John is doing surprisingly well in a role people thought could never be recast at OLTL. Jill Larson is wonderful as a recast Opal on AMC, though the recast was done so long ago, it almost doesn't count. I haven't generally liked any recasts on GH. (Not even Tamara Braun, sorry.) I would have to think about the other CBS soaps since I don't watch them regularly. I don't watch the NBC soaps, so I can't contribute there.

So, I say Cady McClain tops my list right now.

2. Do you think a recast actor/actress needs to follow closely in the footsteps of the original/previous person in that role or that they have leeway to make the character their own?

No. It is up to the writers to make sure the character is still recognizeable. Consistent writing is the make or break issue here. New actors can bring their own interpretation to the role. However, the writing is the key issue in getting people to believe in a recast.

3. What character from the present or past would you like to see recast?

I would like to see Mike recast on ATWT. There is so much ATWT could do with the character if the actor was strong enough. I wouldn't mind seeing AMC's Charlie or Jake/Joey recast. Tad could use some family members right now. I just want GH to bring some actors back, not recast them. LOL. OLTL, I don't know. The characters I really liked are all dead. I would have to think about it.

[Linn]

1. Who is the best current recast actor/actress on a soap?

Heather Lindell as Jan Spears, Matthew Ashford as Jack Deveraux and Farah Fath as Mimi Lockhart.

2. Do you think a recast actor/actress needs to follow closely in the footsteps of the original/previous person in that role or that they have leeway to make the character their own?

For me, they have to have something special, and the ability to make the character their own. If not, then they're just filler ins.

3. What character from the present or past would you like to see recast?

Wannabe (DAYS). John IS Roman. In his heart he always will be.

[chrissymorgan]

1. Who is the best current recast actor/actress on a soap?
Alicia Minshew (Kendall, AMC), Trever St. John (Todd, OLTL), Roger Howarth (Paul, ATWT), Heather Tom (Kelly, OLTL), Dan Gauthier (Kevin, OLTL), Jacob Young (JR, AMC) and Cady McClain (Rosanna, ATWT).

2. Do you think a recast actor/actress needs to follow closely in the footsteps of the original/previous person in that role or that they have leeway to make the character their own?
Following closely in the previous actors footsteps is the LAST thing I think a recast actor should have to do. Not only does it cause a tremendous amount of stress on the actor, but it also NEVER works out. The actor needs play the character the way THEY think it should be played out as long as they stay true to the character's personality/history, and in the process, try to make it their own.

3. What character from the present or past would you like to see recast?
Anyone, just as long as they DON'T recast KM's Robin or VM's Brenda on GH. I think that AMC's Bobby and Anita should be recast, as well as GH's Lucky-- I'd love to see JJ come back, but then again, I've thought that way since the day he left! ;D