CC in Playboy?

[Platypus]

Originally posted by imona
How could anyone who's seen her, doubt she has "it"?

Ummm, maybe because thrown in among the many nasty rumours about Charisma that have circulated over the years was one that the reason she was fired was because she was no longer a "hottie" and was too fat? I'm not saying it makes any sense - I'm just saying some of those things stick for no reason whatsoever. So maybe there's a perception that she doesn't have "it" in some circles, thanks to whoever (Wrongda, and whoever at ME or the WB was her source) started that particular lovely bit of gossip.

[jerry]

Originally posted by Platypus
Ummm, maybe because thrown in among the many nasty rumours about Charisma that have circulated over the years was one that the reason she was fired was because she was no longer a "hottie" and was too fat? I'm not saying it makes any sense - I'm just saying some of those things stick for no reason whatsoever. So maybe there's a perception that she doesn't have "it" in some circles, thanks to whoever (Wrongda, and whoever at ME or the WB was her source) started that particular lovely bit of gossip.

I'm sure Charisma knows a lot more than we do about how she is perceived by casting directors, and if she decides to do this, it will presumably be because she thinks it will halp change that in a way she thinks is good. If she wants to play sexy, action-type roles, and she is being offered mom-type roles, then that would make some sense. It doesn't, on the surface, make a lot of sense to me, though, since everything she has said recently has been about her desire to land a sitcom.

Originally posted by Dimitri
think there'll be much harm in Charisma appearing because, unlike Shannon Elizabeth, Carmen Electra and Jaime Pressly, she actually has acting talent.

I'd hope not but I'm concerned that she's not enough of a "name" for it not to matter.

Shannon D had already been on the cover of RS and all as part of "90210" so it just built up her badgirl image even more.

I suspect that there are still more than a few casting directors, etc. who won't even consider actresses that have done Playboy for roles.

And considering CC's supposedly going after "family" entertainment, I'm thinking she'd want to steer clear of the Janet Jackson type style.

[Platypus]

Originally posted by jerry
I'm sure Charisma knows a lot more than we do about how she is perceived by casting directors, and if she decides to do this, it will presumably be because she thinks it will halp change that in a way she thinks is good. If she wants to play sexy, action-type roles, and she is being offered mom-type roles, then that would make some sense. It doesn't, on the surface, make a lot of sense to me, though, since everything she has said recently has been about her desire to land a sitcom.

Oh, you're probably right. Don't mind me. Watching the show last night just made me feel super bitter all over again - not so much about Joss, ME and all of that (that's more of a lingering resentment), but more by the fact that CC got such a bad rap for so long by a militant group of online fans. And doubly bitter that, in spite of my belief for so long that they wouldn't be taken seriously, clearly they were.

[askew]

Originally posted by jerry
I'm sure Charisma knows a lot more than we do about how she is perceived by casting directors, and if she decides to do this, it will presumably be because she thinks it will halp change that in a way she thinks is good. If she wants to play sexy, action-type roles, and she is being offered mom-type roles, then that would make some sense. It doesn't, on the surface, make a lot of sense to me, though, since everything she has said recently has been about her desire to land a sitcom.

The problem is even the sitcom-mom roles are being filled more and more by young, hot women, which Charisma qualifies as, but since she is over the dreaded-30 and has recently had a baby, she may have to prove her hotness again.

[jerry]

Originally posted by askew
The problem is even the sitcom-mom roles are being filled more and more by young, hot women, which Charisma qualifies as, but since she is over the dreaded-30 and has recently had a baby, she may have to prove her hotness again.

Very true. TV execs probably would look at her in Playboy and think "Hey, she's hot enough to play Mrs. Jim Belushi!"

[Andromeda7_4]

Consider this: this site is very pro-Charisma, in just about everything she does.

And, even here, people are divided about the wisdom of doing Playboy.

[Morrigan]

Originally posted by jerry
Very true. TV execs probably would look at her in Playboy and think "Hey, she's hot enough to play Mrs. Jim Belushi!"

But isn't that the current model for TV Moms/Wives? Hot chick/everyday guy? You've got My Wife and Kids, King of Queens that one with Jamie Gertz and The WB one with Holly Robinson Peete.

That being said, I find it hard to believe that CC is looking to fill a TV Mom role at this point. Sitcoms don't have to be family comedies. It might limit her shot of getting on ABC as they seem to be more family oriented but NBC and FOX (and even UPN) sitcoms are geared as much towards work and situational comedy as they are towards family.

As for the list that Dimitri provided, I've never seen any new articles, entertainment coverage associating those actresses with "Playboy" status. Most are known for the roles (if not acting chops).

[Dimitri]

Originally posted by Morrigan
As for the list that Dimitri provided, I've never seen any new articles, entertainment coverage associating those actresses with "Playboy" status. Most are known for the roles (if not acting chops).

Thank you. It's good to know I didn't make myself look like a pervert for nothing.

[Platypus]

Originally posted by Andromeda7_4
Consider this: this site is very pro-Charisma, in just about everything she does.

And, even here, people are divided about the wisdom of doing Playboy.

So? This board was pretty divided about whether or not Charisma should reprise her role as Cordy for the 100th episode - once the decision was made, it didn't stop many people from supporting her last night.

Most of the divisiveness relates not to how the *Strangers* will view Charisma if she does do this, but rather worry about how it will be perceived by others. If she does go ahead with a pictorial in Playboy, I'm sure a few Strangers may have their opinions of her affected by it, but I'm confident most will just hope it turns out for the best, and if it is a contributing factor to her landing a high profile role, or if it serves to publicize the fact that she has a high profile role on the horizon, so much the better.

Originally posted by Platypus
If she does go ahead with a pictorial in Playboy, I'm sure a few Strangers may have their opinions of her affected by it, but I'm confident most will just hope it turns out for the best, and if it is a contributing factor to her landing a high profile role, or if it serves to publicize the fact that she has a high profile role on the horizon, so much the better.

I guess I’m afraid that it would go the other way.

We’re her fans and have a degree of respect for her and know that she’s talented.

Since BtVS & Ats are genre shows, not many people know her work from them. In addition, while we loved SJD, it wasn’t a network movie. Also, while she’s gotten a lot of good press from MM, it hasn’t been the hit NBC had expected so she may not have gotten a lot of profile from it.

So if people don’t really know her and what she’s capable of, the Playboy pic’s could be their first exposure up close and personal. And I’m not sure that it would give her a higher profile or the wrong profile.

[argel]

Originally posted by KarKar
So if people don’t really know her and what she’s capable of, the Playboy pic’s could be their first exposure up close and personal. And I’m not sure that it would give her a higher profile or the wrong profile.

That's kinda where I'm sitting with this issue. It wouldn't significantly affect my opinion of her should she choose to do it, but I worry about the possible negative effect it might have on her reputation with people whose only exposure to her will have been the Playboy stuff.

***argel***

[Dimitri]

I don't think it should really be a problem if people's first impression of Charisma is ogling her. I mean, that's how I ended up watching Angel. I was channel surfing one night and saw some hottie on tv and started watching. After a while, I found myself engulfed in the show. I bought all the old Buffy tapes they were selling at the time(Seasons 1 & 2, mostly) and started watching on a weekly basis. So...yeah, that was "Rm w/ a View".

Originally posted by Dimitri
I don't think it should really be a problem if people's first impression of Charisma is ogling her.

I guess I’m concerned that they won’t be ogling her.

My fear is that “they” will be judging her as a bimbo who has to bare it to get work rather than take the high road. Or think she’s an exhibitionist like Traci Bingham who can’t keep her clothes on.

Young males who buy lad mag’s might not think anything of it but I suspect that there will be many women and older people who would be quick to judge her w/o bothering to find out who she is.

And would click past her once they recognize "a playmate" on the channel.

[Morrigan]

Originally posted by KarKar
I guess I’m afraid that it would go the other way.

We’re her fans and have a degree of respect for her and know that she’s talented.

Since BtVS & Ats are genre shows, not many people know her work from them. In addition, while we loved SJD, it wasn’t a network movie. Also, while she’s gotten a lot of good press from MM, it hasn’t been the hit NBC had expected so she may not have gotten a lot of profile from it.

So if people don’t really know her and what she’s capable of, the Playboy pic’s could be their first exposure up close and personal. And I’m not sure that it would give her a higher profile or the wrong profile.

Yes but that's all we know. As fans of CC, Cordy, BTVS, ATS we have our own perceptions of who CC is, what she wants, and what we want to see her do. As online fans in the Whedonverse we also have specific perceptions of how this will be judged and by whom.

The thing is if CC does do this, I doubt it's for our reaction or for how the rest of the Whedonverse will perceive the move. It's going to be on a broader scale and I don't think the automatic reaction of someone who never saw her before is going to be well she appeared in Playboy therefore she's nothing more then a talentless bimbo.

Can she be labeled a nothing more then a "Playboy Playmate”? Sure it's a risk she might be taking but is it worth the risk? I don't know and I really don't think anyone here knows. The only people that can actually predict that are the people in Hollywood who know what CC's perception is among the industry as a whole and not just cult fandom.

Last point (and this may be a bit harsh but IMO) if the playboy playmate label follows someone around its b/c that's all they're known for. They haven't done anything more/bigger/better then that with their careers to avoid being thought of or referred to as playmates.