Post by KRoseLynn on Jul 10, 2009 16:42:11 GMT -10
Amy Kaye, a frequent contributor to the entertainment columns of The Miami Herald, recently died. In a tribute to her, Fred Grimm, who writes The Grimm Truth for the Herald, published a letter she wrote in 1994, after a Caruso-bashing Hal Boedeker column appeared. We thought it worth sharing. -Dojo on her blog page dojodabbles.blogspot.com.
I asked permission to copy and post here. Dojo graciously agreed.
It's so refreshing to read something like this, even if I don't agree with every opinion. It's just nice to know that there are people who can still write about him honestly instead of including all the crap that goes into other articles a lot of times. I hope you enjoy.
From Fred Grimm's column, The Grimm Truth, in the Miami Herald, originally posted in November, 1994:
"I read TV Critic Hal Boedeker's column Nov. 1 with amazement (No ifs, ands or butts left for Caruso). Simply put, why do you hate David Caruso?
Surely his being an idiot and giving up the role of his career is not sufficient provocation for such overwrought contempt. Wouldn't pity be more appropriate for such typically human stupidity?
And anyway, a goodly portion of the blame for (Caruso's leaving the popular cop show NYPD Blue) would have to be awarded to (producer Steven) Bochco, who should have been willing to "pay" Caruso whatever his insecure ego needed to keep him. You can't possibly believe that (Jimmy) Smits, whatever his physical charms and previous successes, is going to fill the void. Or that (Dennis) Franz continuing to be wonderful will, either.
Why is it that critics, male critics anyway, just can't wait for the first character flaw to appear in any really good- looking actor, especially if he is capable at his craft (Don Johnson, for example)?
In my youth, long ago and far away, "hunks" were usually no-talent bums with no visible manifestation of intelligence and, for that matter, very little sex appeal, to me anyway (Rock Hudson comes to mind). Perhaps that is why Burt Lancaster's death was an occasion for such sadness. He was one of the grander exceptions.
I was so crazy about NYPD Blue (like Miami Vice, once upon a time) that I have almost boycotted it this year. I watch it with one eye, reading something with the other. I knew the first four episodes would have to be focused on Kelly's departure and would surely sacrifice loyalty to Kelly's character, as he was drawn so vividly in the previous season, in the process. I was right. Kelly would have never gone back with (Janice) Licalsi, though he would have stood by her as a friend and former lover (as he did as an ex-husband).
And by the way, what is your problem with Kelly frequently inquiring whether the other person in the dialogue is OK with that? Women LOVE that stuff and NEVER get it from the men in their lives because most men can't fathom the concept, let alone have the patience or commitment to learn to do it. Is that why you hate Caruso/Kelly?? Is there a significant other in your life who thinks he's great?
He's not really good-looking, you know, at least not to me, and I could care less about his naked behind. Women of my generation were not into buns. What Kelly's character was that was so appealing was low-key, intense and sexually passionate, tough as steel in his job but gentle with friends and tender with a woman, honorable and loyal, loyal, LOYAL. And when he talked to anyone, he was completely focused and he/she had Kelly's complete attention.
I never once heard him mumble, but then, I was really focused on what he had to say. Maybe you couldn't hear him because you just don't get it?"
Amy Kaye
I asked permission to copy and post here. Dojo graciously agreed.
It's so refreshing to read something like this, even if I don't agree with every opinion. It's just nice to know that there are people who can still write about him honestly instead of including all the crap that goes into other articles a lot of times. I hope you enjoy.
From Fred Grimm's column, The Grimm Truth, in the Miami Herald, originally posted in November, 1994:
"I read TV Critic Hal Boedeker's column Nov. 1 with amazement (No ifs, ands or butts left for Caruso). Simply put, why do you hate David Caruso?
Surely his being an idiot and giving up the role of his career is not sufficient provocation for such overwrought contempt. Wouldn't pity be more appropriate for such typically human stupidity?
And anyway, a goodly portion of the blame for (Caruso's leaving the popular cop show NYPD Blue) would have to be awarded to (producer Steven) Bochco, who should have been willing to "pay" Caruso whatever his insecure ego needed to keep him. You can't possibly believe that (Jimmy) Smits, whatever his physical charms and previous successes, is going to fill the void. Or that (Dennis) Franz continuing to be wonderful will, either.
Why is it that critics, male critics anyway, just can't wait for the first character flaw to appear in any really good- looking actor, especially if he is capable at his craft (Don Johnson, for example)?
In my youth, long ago and far away, "hunks" were usually no-talent bums with no visible manifestation of intelligence and, for that matter, very little sex appeal, to me anyway (Rock Hudson comes to mind). Perhaps that is why Burt Lancaster's death was an occasion for such sadness. He was one of the grander exceptions.
I was so crazy about NYPD Blue (like Miami Vice, once upon a time) that I have almost boycotted it this year. I watch it with one eye, reading something with the other. I knew the first four episodes would have to be focused on Kelly's departure and would surely sacrifice loyalty to Kelly's character, as he was drawn so vividly in the previous season, in the process. I was right. Kelly would have never gone back with (Janice) Licalsi, though he would have stood by her as a friend and former lover (as he did as an ex-husband).
And by the way, what is your problem with Kelly frequently inquiring whether the other person in the dialogue is OK with that? Women LOVE that stuff and NEVER get it from the men in their lives because most men can't fathom the concept, let alone have the patience or commitment to learn to do it. Is that why you hate Caruso/Kelly?? Is there a significant other in your life who thinks he's great?
He's not really good-looking, you know, at least not to me, and I could care less about his naked behind. Women of my generation were not into buns. What Kelly's character was that was so appealing was low-key, intense and sexually passionate, tough as steel in his job but gentle with friends and tender with a woman, honorable and loyal, loyal, LOYAL. And when he talked to anyone, he was completely focused and he/she had Kelly's complete attention.
I never once heard him mumble, but then, I was really focused on what he had to say. Maybe you couldn't hear him because you just don't get it?"
Amy Kaye
)