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« Is It Just Me?
Why does the third Dreamgirl get no love?
Happy freaking New Year!
Watch out now. I've got a new computer — a cute little MacBook that allows me to access this website (any website!) from my home. It cost a pretty penny, and it didn't even come with a free iPod Shuffle. (Steve Jobs should be ashamed!) But it was time. I was becoming a bit of a technophobe. (Although, I am still a little freaked out by this whole wi-fi business; it's very Star Trek that I'm logged onto the Internet right now using a neighbor's hookup. Is this like stealing cable? (Which I don't do. I swear.)
But let me get to my real reason for writing. I saw Dreamgirls last week. And I'm not going to say it was phenomenal. But it was good. As was the third Dreamgirl Anika Noni Rose. But, from the movie's all-Jennifer-Hudson/Beyoncé-all-the-time press, you'd think Anika was a nobody who was in the film for only a hot second. But she's got a substantial role with beaucoup lines. I mean, please. Girlfriend gets solos, and she can blow. So why are they treating her like the ugly stepsister? I looked her up. Anika is a Tony Award-winning Broadway star. Her publicist must suck.
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Jan 9, 2007 8:53 AM
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I'm glad you're back to posting blogs. I've missed them and how much you make me laugh.
You are so very right about Anika Noni Rose! She was really good in the movie. I have to admit I went to see it because of Jennifer Hudson (I liked her on AI) and all the press she received, but Anika can sing. I think you're right her publicist sucks.
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Jan 9, 2007 2:59 PM
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I concur. Obviously her publicist dont know what they're doing. She was really good in the film. I'm tired of the overrated Beyonce getting mentioned every 2 seconds. Jen Hudson is the tru star of the film but Anika should get sum of the props too!!
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Jan 9, 2007 3:09 PM
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Yeahhhhh Rochell is back!! You were always my fav (tied with Daniel) when "The Watercooler" was done by the day of the week. I miss you!!
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Jan 9, 2007 6:30 PM
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You go Rochell! Ms. Rose has a Tony Award no less! (for Caroline, or Change)
I think part of it is the nature of the part--she's the one who's content to stay in the background in the Dreams. Look at the bright side--the original Lorell, Loretta Devine, sings that jazzy number at the tribute to Jimmy Early at the club Effie performs at in the movie. Don't know if anyone planned a role for Sheryl Lynn Ralph, the original Deena, but I read an article about Jennifer Holliday, the original Effie on Broadway being miffed she wasn't considered to reprise the same role in the movie. That takes chutzpah!
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Jan 9, 2007 8:56 PM
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You answered your own question when you said you looked her up. The fact that you had to look her up is exactly *why* you haven't heard anything about her. If the Marketing Dept included hype for her performance, hardly anybody would know who the hype was referring to. Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson are much more household names.
And yes, the fact that you had to look her up means that her publicist does indeed suck.
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Jan 9, 2007 9:28 PM
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I see on Eonline.com that our Ms. Aneeka snagged a supporting actress nomination for the NAACP Image Awards, so at least SOMEBODY saw her in the movie!
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Jan 10, 2007 12:10 AM
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Welcome back, Rochelle. I love your blog and hope you'll now be able to contribute regularly.
I haven't seen the Dreamgirls movie, but I saw the stage show about 25 years ago at the Los Angeles Shubert Theater with Jennifer Holliday. I can't imagine anyone topping her.
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Jan 10, 2007 4:26 PM
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Welcome back, Rochell, the new computer sounds like fun.
Just wanted to say I'm glad to see you posting again, I love your column, but there's not enough of it!
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Jan 10, 2007 6:40 PM
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Amen to that Rochelle.
I'm a Broadway baby, so I have to admit I've been aware of the incredible Anika Noni Rose for quite some time. She's got some kick-ass pipes.
I saw the original Dreamgirls on Broadway a hundred years ago when I was a kid, and I was pleasantly surprised the movie did the original version proud.
That's not always the case though. Not all Broadway shows translate well to the silver screen.
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Jan 10, 2007 11:03 PM
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Yah! I've been waiting for you to start blogging again. Now that you have that fancy new computer, I hope it means that you'll be "talking" to us more.
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Jan 12, 2007 11:43 AM
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Rochell, I've been wondering the same thing! I haven't had a chance to see the movie. But I saw Anika in Caroline or Change and she was amazing! This is the second time she's been screwed by American Idolers. She also costarred in From Justin to Kelly. Poor dear. Come back to Broadway!
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Jan 15, 2007 9:13 AM
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I feel that Broadway stars don't get much respect period. Its almost like a West Coast Bias, since almost all theatrical hits and stars are based strictly in New York. Whatever buzz or hype there is about a show or star, it will never reach the general public outside of New York. I know this for a fact because I live in the west coast and the most I ever get to see of broadway musicals are the performances during the Tony Awards which I'm sure are never the same; its sad but that's the way it is.
BTW Ms. Rose was great as Lorell
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Jan 15, 2007 2:23 PM
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Welcome back Rochelle,
I saw the original Broadway production and wow! I haven't seen the movie yet (schedule a little tight), but I asked my friends who have about the "third wheel", and most just say she was very good.
But I listened to the sound track and she sings a duet which just gave me goose bumps. If girlfriend can do that, sight unseen, I'm lookng forward to the movie.
Footnote:
I did hear the entire Jennifer Hudson version of "And I'm telling you, I'm not going". She does a wonderful job, but my props goes to the original Effie, Jennifer Holliday!
Too bad the producers couldn't find a spot for Jennifer Holliday in the movie as they did the Broadway cast original "third wheel", Miss Loretta Devine.
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Jan 15, 2007 3:27 PM
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I was really surprised when Beyonce got the lead actress nod instead of Jennifer Hudson in Dream Girls. I was honestly stumped by that. Beyonce's pretty, but she's not that good of an actress. She needs to get rid of that "hood" way of talking. Tyra Banks told one of the black girls on America's Next Top Model that same thing. It has its place, and movies and TV aren't the right places.
Also, onto a different subject, I was watching CSI I think last week (can't remember for sure), and, first off, Katherine wears WAY too many low-cut tops to be doing the job she's doing, and when she unbuttoned her blouse in front of that prisoner to get information, I almost threw myself out our second story window. NO WAY, NO HOW would a professional in her position do that, and there would be guards right there. That was absolutely one of the most sickening things I've ever seen. How could Marg Helgenberger stoop that low and not tell the director to blow it out his ear rather than do that. AACK!
And, as I am reading the most recent issue of TV Guide (1/22-28), in "In Brief," WHY does Sherri Shepherd have to be labeled as "the plus-size comic?" WHY?!?! That is part of the reason plus-size people feel bad because they are labeled. Who cares if she's overweight? They don't say, "That lesbian comedienne Ellen DeGeneres," or that "bald game show host Howie Mandell," or "that two left-footed talk show host Jerry Springer." I just don't understand the use of labels, especially in Hollywood. It just breeds contempt.
I love your column, Rochell. I start reading and see things there that I have thought myself!
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Jan 18, 2007 2:38 PM
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