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getithereso I just read an interview for Hal sparks here , that he came out as totally jealous of gale and randy in it and was wondering if there was any rps that deals with him being jealous of the two of them.
thanks!
ETA: this turned into a discussion post, if you have any fic or interview or opinion on the subject feel free to comment ^^
thanks!
ETA: this turned into a discussion post, if you have any fic or interview or opinion on the subject feel free to comment ^^
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no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 07:30 pm (UTC)My thought is that it's completely obvious he's talking about Gale and Randy in this interview to anyone that has a brain stem, and I think it's really unprofessional to talk about former co-stars like that, for any actor. That information is something the public really doesn't need to know about; it's private and between those actors and the directors/producers. So, IMHO, he sounds like a complete jackass in this interview.
However, no one really knows exactly what happened on set. Yes, he's still a jackass for this interview, but Gale and Randy could quite possibly have caused havoc and let their egos get the best of them. I can't help but to be biased (at least towards Gale), because I would've thrown a fit if the directors did that to my character too. There towards the end I thought I was reading fan fiction...and not the kind of fan fiction I'm interested in reading. So him saying "My character wouldn't do that" isn't too far off base, but the producers are the producers and it's their show, so it's just as well.
But I do have a question to anyone who knows or has heard anything. I always heard the majority of the problems came from Randy. I heard both Gale and Randy were ready to move on (as were a few of the other actors), but I was always told Randy was a bit of a pain in the ass and had someone of a hatred toward his character and caused some issues on set. The goodbye special also insinuated that Randy complained quite a bit. I could be wrong though, and that's why I'm asking. I've seen a few interviews in which Randy sounds like a bit of a pain in the ass and a little ungrateful, but I've never heard Gale say anything negative about the show. Either Gale is more professional about his personal feelings, or it was Randy that was a bigger problem. Or, of course, I'm not reading all the interviews. :)
Sorry this was so long, just wanted to put my 2 cents in there on the subject. Feel free to disregard this comment if you so wish. :D
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 07:45 pm (UTC)I've not read many interviews from anyone during or after the show. I know that the one interview thing with Randy prior to S5 was supposed to be a lark, but people took it seriously. And I'd heard that Hal was a dick a lot, and that Gale was a pothead (certainly true, and supposedly Hal was the one that said this).
Other than that, I'd be interested to see what Hal had to say.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 07:55 pm (UTC)I think, or hope that most people can seperate Mikey from Hal. I really can not stand Hal's personalty, his 9-11 conspiracy theories or any of his crap, but that doesnt negate or affect his character....at least to me.
Considering what a camera/attention hog Hal is, its odd to me that he isnt seen with his QAF alum that often, damn near ever. Yet the reclusive Gale is, so if he caused drama or ill will on the set, it sure wasnt held against him.
I liked Scott's recent Twitter reply on the matter.... 'he is like Switzerland in regards to any Hal/Gale issues'. Smart man, loyal friend.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 08:08 pm (UTC)One asked him last week if he was going to NYC to referee b/c Hal & Gale will both be in town at the same time.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 08:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 08:44 pm (UTC)Its not like a mean question to ask, just not the kind you should in public... its like asking a kid of divorced parents to play ref or comment, at a public gathering.
Here it is, so people can see the exchange, not just my Cliff's notes:
------------------
@scolo Looks like #GaleHarold and #HalSparks are going to be in NYC the same time. Are U going to ref? ;) Now, we want U in a newnudeplay!
6:13 PM Mar 14th via Echofon in reply to scolo
@GaleHaroldFan I remain like Switzerland in that relationship and, believe me, the world at large has seen MORE than enough of me nude.
2:49 PM Mar 15th via web in reply to GaleHaroldFan
http://twitter.com/scolo
Scott may be among the sweetest, funniest guys, ever. The man is such a doll.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 08:03 pm (UTC)On TMZ they asked Hal for some comedy material on the Tiger Woods issue and he replied that his comedy is on a "higher level" than that. Seriously? I've heard some of Hal's comedy...he's so full of shit.
Very good point about Gale with QAF alum. I know Thea never had anything but amazing things to say about Gale, and I haven't heard anyone (but Hal) say anything negative about him either, as far as QAF or any of his other films. I think the OP was right on the jealousy issue. My guess is that he took issue with Gale having the limelight and fan majority even though he didn't try nearly as hard (and desperately, I might add) as Hal did for fan attention. Just a theory though. :)
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 08:29 pm (UTC)Question to Hal:
@HalSparks What's your beef with Harold and Harrison?
11:07 PM Feb 21st via Twitterrific
Hal's replies:
@MetalBro4Life No beef at all with Harrison. He's a talented, bright, genuinely good person
2:10 AM Feb 22nd via TweetDeck in reply to MetalBro4Life
@MetalBro4Life I'd rather not. but my lack of fondness toward them comes from their disdain for the show and the causes that benefit from it
11:36 AM Feb 22nd via TweetDeck in reply to MetalBro4Life
@MetalBro4Life I don't mind. People can believe what they want. I think my actions during and after the show speak for themselves
11:45 AM Feb 22nd via TweetDeck in reply to MetalBro4Life
http://twitter.com/HalSparks
____________________
Randy 'adores' Gale. Gale was with Bobby, Scott & Thea to honor Sharon last Fall. Scott & Gale are very close. Scott & Michelle were at OD & drinking with Gale after. Peter, Scott & Gale went together to Elton's Oscar bash last month.... Gale seems very cozy w/ his QAF family.
Why isnt Hal doing the rounds with his QAF family?
I think Hal had a hissy because Michael got such a bigger role in S5, and he took Gale & Randy's displeasure & wanting to move on as a slight to his finally getting more screen time.
Gale & Randy got the media attention & offers and didnt want much of it, and that must have pissed off a very attention loving Hal, who got overlooked.
...My 2 cents and arm chair fangirl analysis!
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 08:42 pm (UTC)Oh and thanks for those tweets! I'm not on Twitter, so I guess I'm a bit behind.
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Date: 2010-03-22 09:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 09:32 pm (UTC)I've only ever seen him say glowing things about Gale....then & now.
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Date: 2010-03-22 09:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 08:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 08:18 pm (UTC)This. Seriously. It's like taking family arguments to the damn grocery store. You just don't do it.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 08:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 08:51 pm (UTC)Unfortunately, it's stuff like this that, for me, will color my opinions of future roles I find him in. I'm biased like that and I doubt I'm the only one.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 09:04 pm (UTC)So, in the court of public opinion.... years after the show ended...Hal's talking shit about Gale & Randy in public, while Gale cant reply cause he's in the freakin neuro ICU & Randy is being Mr Social & off to the Paris QAF convention.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 09:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:(no subject)
From:no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 10:08 pm (UTC)This is also before I ever watched Queer as Folk. Before I looked into anything related to Queer as Folk. I just remember watching VH1 specials where he would add something 'snarky' to whatever they were discussing and the whole time I kept thinking, 'Good God, shut up.' *facepalm* (I watched QAF last May???)
I think even outside of Mikey's character...I couldn't ever really give him a chance because it was Hal Sparks. (Not saying that I did not see tons of issues, but I couldn't even give him a chance to grow on me.)
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 10:39 pm (UTC)...I think he just tries way too hard to even be considered funny. I liked Michael much more than I like Hal.
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Date: 2010-03-22 10:50 pm (UTC)I know precisely nothing about Hal Sparks beyond he was on Queer as Folk, until I read this post I'd never read an interview with him or anything like. And I still can't stand him. I do however, loathe Michael. I'm not even sure why, I mean he's a shit sometimes but come on - no one on that show wasn't at least once.
I've tried very hard to stop judging Hal by what I think of Mikey, but apparently I suck at it.
However, after reading this article I don't feel so bad about it. If he'd even tried to be just a little bit subtle or amibiguous about who he was talking about it wouldn't have been so bad. But he didn't, he made it insanely obvious, and that just struck me as unprofessional if nothing else.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 07:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 07:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 08:19 pm (UTC)When I read this interview for the first time just after I discovered QAF (yay me!)in 2008 and really didn't know one actor from another, I thought he was behaving very unprofessionally. In the year and a half since I have never read anything else dissing Randy and/or Gale by any other cast mates, so it seems to me that this is a case of 'consider the source' or 'sour grapes'.
A wee interjection here
Date: 2010-03-22 08:46 pm (UTC)I'm inclined to let it stand, because the conversation is quite civil, and everyone's being good. *g* Besides, some links could come of it. So, do me a favor and do a "ETA" and just say that there is a discussion going on, but please do add a link to a fic or interview if you have one.
The other reason I'm not gonna call a halt is because the conversation is on topic...and how often does that happen? lol
K, everyone play nice!
Re: A wee interjection here
Date: 2010-03-22 10:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-22 09:58 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2010-03-23 12:36 am (UTC)There are times when STFU should be your mantra. I'm not saying he should be disingenuous, but that he should have kept his personal feelings for Gale and/or Randy to himself. The interviewer didn't bring it up, Hal did. So the interviewer did what any good one would do - he got him to open mouth and insert foot.
I know the ladies at HORS seem to have an undying love for Hal. I personally think he's a twerp. Michael, however, I love.
I read that one interview a long time ago where Randy came off as smartass and snotty, but then re-reading it later, I realized that he was, well, being a smartass, and was totally tongue-in-cheek about everything. I don't recall him dissing his co-stars, and ditto for the others. Gale has been nothing but kind towards his co-stars. Hal, however...yeah. So very not cool. And probably why he's been relegated to VH1 hell.
The Reason
Date: 2010-03-23 04:45 am (UTC)"off the record" but, of course, the words were immediately
reported and in one case video of his comments was posted
online.
He's accused Gale of being a doper, of being unprofessional
on the set, and also of "hiding" his "true" sexuality --
but that was all innuendo of the "you haven't heard it from
me" variety. Gale, for his part, has never commented on Hal,
either on or off the record, nor has he given an interview
bashing the show, even when all the fans knew he was unhappy
with many aspects of it (unlike Randy, who was NOT kidding
with the comments he made about the show and Justin's
relationship with Brian to "The Advocate" and others).
That said, Gale is very tight with ALL the other cast members,
which Hal very distinctly is not. Gale is especially good
friends with Scott and Thea, but he's also part of Sharon's
poker group (Scott, Bobby, and Michelle are/were regulars).
Note that a cast member sighting at any Sparky event is
extremely rare, but they always show up for Gale -- and Gale
was front and center when Sharon got her award last fall
(along with Thea, Scott, and Bobby). Scott was also there
to help Gale after his injury and is probably his closest
friend in the cast. The suggestion that Gale was a problem
on the set has been debunked over and over by the other
actors, except Hal.
The roots of Hal's displeasure seem to be in the Season 2
negotiations over salary. Hal and Sharon, as the supposed
stars of the show and the first to be signed, got separate
deals from the rest of the cast. Hal was told, apparently,
that he would be the star of QAF and signed for an independent
deal, while all the other cast (Gale, Randy, Thea, Michelle,
Scott, and Peter) all signed for lesser salaries as so-called
supporting players. But as the season progressed it became
obvious that Brian was the star of the show and Gale, over
all five years, has the most screen time as well as the focus
of the majority of eps ("What Love Means" actually did a breadown
of screen time during Seasons 3 & 4 that backs up that general
impression). During Season 2 Gale was in the lead for lobbying
for more money for the other cast members -- and they got it.
Although Gale might have asked for more money, as Actor #1
(see the cast sheets -- Hal was #2, Randy #3), he insisted
that they all be paid the same. This is something that the
rest of the cast adores him for -- he felt they were all equal
and should share the money equally. Hal continued to have a
separate deal, but was made aware that he was not "The Star"
of QAF and he blamed Gale. This isn't conjecture, but reality.
Hence, Sparky's holding Gale to blame even now, when everyone
else has moved on with their careers.
Re: The Reason
Date: 2010-03-23 07:09 am (UTC)with the comments he made about the show and Justin's
relationship with Brian to "The Advocate" and others)
Matter of opinion. It's my understanding that he was asked to fill out some Q&A thing, and he was really snarky with his answers, and they were taken literally. Since I don't know him personally, I'm gonna give him the benefit of the doubt and say that he was not serious. Unless he's said otherwise on record, I'm going with that.
Re: The Reason
Date: 2010-03-23 02:14 pm (UTC)The sex scenes on the show became more scripted and less improvised after Randy was with Simon and that distance is apparent on the screen.
In season 1 and 2 Randy and Gale were off script a lot with their sex scenes. A few of us that have scripts can verify this. It's one of the reasons those scenes were amazing and very different from those in season 3-5. I think Simon's attitude was one of the reason Cowlip and Randy had issues on top of that Advocate article. I mean having Justin saying things like some critic named Simon was a cunt isn't exactly subtle.
The last 2 seasons of the show were just so filled with obvious resentments and anger behind the scenes that it bled through in a very unprofessional manner. I honestly think that is why I don't even count season 4 and 5 as canon anymore in fic. The soap opera queening of Brian and the schizophrenia of Justin was just a bit too much after seeing 3 seasons of good writing and good story telling.
Re: The Reason
Date: 2010-03-23 04:49 pm (UTC)And I don't have a script, but I'm not a new fan, either. I clearly can and did see the difference in the scenes over the course of the show. I know that Randy has upset about the Posse arc, and particularly about the gun masturbation. So was I, it was probably one of the single most disgusting things I've seen on tv. And yes, I'm well aware of the cunt reference, who isn't by now? I think that was the second most disgusting thing I've ever seen, because it was personal. No producer worth his salt would ever let their personal animosity dominate their script or show, and I thought it was incredibly unprofessional. You notice CowLip doesn't have anything on tv right now. Shit like this comes back to bite. And no, they don't have to have projects on tv at all times, but when I think of tv producers, like Stephen J Cannell, Dick Wolf, JJ Abrams, I see producers that always have a series ready to go, sometimes while another of theirs is running. Maybe C/L is having a hard time selling a series right now? Who knows.
But as far as Randy goes, I'm going to go with the things he said at the Paris convention. There, he was gracious towards the fans and the show. The things he said directly contradict the things he said back then. Time heals wounds, and he was man enough to say so. I cannot and will not see him as the villain here. So many people do. I see him as just one more actor that let their partner influence their thoughts to their detriment.
Re: The Reason
Date: 2010-03-23 05:50 pm (UTC)Re: The Reason
Date: 2010-03-23 06:32 pm (UTC)Sadly, I'd say the same about Randy (and I LOVE Justin) and his general disdain about the show. I can honestly say though, that I didn't notice any of it on-screen. What prompted me to post now is that reading about Simon and the 'cunty critic' comments makes me laugh. out. loud. because when I heard that line on the show? My first thought was that they were referring to Simon Cowell. Bwah! (Caswell/Cowell - it could've happened!!)
Re: The Reason
Date: 2010-03-23 06:38 pm (UTC)Plus, he's cute as a bug. *g*
Re: The Reason
Date: 2010-03-23 08:57 pm (UTC)It couldnt be that big of a deal that Randy openly hates some arcs... Peter Paige beyond HATED the Fetch Dixson stuff & they even let him bitch about it in the QAF Companion book.
I've heard the personality clashes excuse & I can see that. I also think we need to think a little more base...the powers that be were very geeky, not so pretty gay men. Randy was the golden child... I think a little gay on gay bitchiness may have stemmed from that. Like if Randy did anything.... it was painted negative.
Didnt writer Del Shores recently say in public that "Randy Harrison was an ingrateful little shit?"
I hated when Randy would diss the show, during the run. Some of the snark... like he'd fuck Justin, but thats it...or get him into yoga... I laughed at, but the really stuff made it uncomfy to me as a fan.
The obvious example the writers nailed him back on...Simon the cunty critic, Jen's 'systematical abuse speech....and in 5x1, when the Brett guy is talking about the Connor guy dissing hollywood, but still cashing the checks & doing an off, off,off, way off Broadway play.
I still think the queer guys unibrow, welcome to civilization bit was aimed at Gale....either way, I loved it!
I want to know if Cowlip still has issues with Gale & or Randy. Was Hal right to say that, or is it ancient history? In our youth, we all bitched about work & precieved injustices more than we should of... but Randy & Gale have been damn near nostalgic & gracious of late, so yay boys.
....where as Hal seems to have chronic diarrhea of the mouth.
Re: The Reason
Date: 2010-03-24 08:05 am (UTC)Re: The Reason
Date: 2010-03-23 02:24 pm (UTC)Re: The Reason
Date: 2010-03-23 06:14 pm (UTC)I've seen Carlo Rota in a few things, I swear he was on Burn Notice! lol Or one of those type shows. I was all "VANCE!!!" I really liked him, and thought he was sexy as hell.
Hal was a known face on tv, and they wanted a familiar face. I believe the whole 'building the show around Michael and Debbie' was a continuation of the UK series, where Vince was more up front. Also, Vince and Stuart got together, more or less. The producers saw the unmistakable chemistry between Gale and Randy and ran with it. Since the first 4 episodes mirrored the UK series, I think that by the time they'd filmed the first three they were like, "Okay, RE-WRITE!!!" lol The one thing that C/L did right was see that chemistry and build on it, as opposed to go in a different direction. That would have tanked the series before the first season was done. Brian/Justin were the draw. Period. Everything else revolved around them.
As far as Michael, I saw that you or Gaedhal said that the screen time got less for him. Thing is though, he clearly had a much more coherent and consistent plotline than anyone else. B/J were all over the place at times. Mel/Linds were never given enough time to build that, and Emmett...I really wanted to know more about him other than the tidbits he gave us about growing up. What a storyline that would have been if we'd gotten to see a family member of his show up! But Hal really had no room to complain. He got caught up in the 'Rob Lowe West Wing Syndrome.' I remember Rob being hailed as the star of the show when it was in pre-production, and as soon as Martin Sheen hit the screen, you knew who the star was going to be. Same thing with Gale/Randy.
Yeah, I'm responding to both of your last comments. lol
I know that there was serious outrage with some of the things that Randy said then, and I get it. I do tend to think that, as intelligent as he seems to be, he allowed himself to almost become Simon's sockpuppet. That is a career killer. Simon was basically a stage mother in the vein of Kit Culkin (McCauley's dad), Brooke Shields' mom, Lindsay Lohan's mom and dad...it's bad when that happens.
I know that con is on Youtube somewhere, I think if you do a Randy Harrison in Paris search you'll find it.
I'm glad we got to discuss this. You also made very good points. *g* We love our big queer show, and the actors that brought it to life, don't we?
Re: The Reason
Date: 2010-03-23 06:55 pm (UTC)I think Michael was easy to write for because he wasn't as complex as the rest of the characters on the show. It's easy to write for the boring guy. Michael's life on that show wasn't exciting, it wasn't dramatic, he was a character that was lead into life situation by other people.
Making him into the cookie cutter stable guy was easy especially once you got the whole Brian lust off the table. Hell I think that might be the most interesting thing about Michael how he was unable to score with Brian after 14 year :( God that just depressed the hell out of me.
Michael became whoever he was with at the time. He behaved like a dick with Dave, He became more responsible, political and thoughtful because of Ben. The one time he did take action was with Hunter, and lets be honest Michael didn't want Hunter. Hunter was Ben's idea. Also I think that having that one gay man on the show that wanted the whole ball of yarn was good for the show. Michael got what he always wanted a superhero for a partner,some kids, a house and a stable life. Good for him. It wasn't the reason people were watching the show for so it sucks to be Hal Sparks.
Aaron Sorkin said that no one was prepared for how people would respond to Josh and Donna. There was a last minute rewrite in the pilot that had Donna telling Josh he looked hot in a shirt or that the other women in the office thought he looked hot in a shirt and that was enough of a spark to make people want more of them. It was also the end for Rob Lowe in away. Whenever I am depressed about the gov't I have a WW marathon. It does my liberal heart good :)
I found a bunch of Randy stuff in Paris. I am trying to just read the French subtitles because I need to practice my french :)
My love for Brian Kinney know no boundary :)
Re: The Reason
Date: 2010-03-23 07:18 pm (UTC)Aaron Sorkin is my hero! And Josh and Donna...yes, I am a big fan of WW. We marathon it often. Even the boring episodes are often better than what usually passes for tv these days. What blew me away about WW was in the later seasons, and how they were a mirror to the Obama campaign. It was scary as hell, at times as to how close it was. I read later that Matt Santos was based on then Senator Obama. But that was 2 years before the election, so...dude.
no subject
Date: 2010-03-24 07:57 am (UTC)Also, I came across a video from the convention with Randy and Erin (from The L Word) playing truth or dare. So cute! Randy's asked where the weirdest place he's had sex is, and he answers a bed, because it's rare. :D :D :D And he sings an Abba song. It's on YouTube also, so look it up!
no subject
Date: 2012-03-14 03:56 am (UTC)http://moonbrightnites.livejournal.com/8553.html#cutid1
:)
no subject
Date: 2012-03-18 09:01 pm (UTC)maybe from Germany.