That line pretty much describes the impact that the character, Carly Roberts Corinthos, has had on the ABC afternoon drama series, "General Hospital." The character - trailer trash who became the wife of a mob boss and is now an imposing entrepreneur - is something of an acquired taste, which means that it presents the actor playing her with unlimited potential and challenges.
To date, four actors have played the role, with varying degrees of success, based not only on one's reaction to the character, but also on your appreciation of what each actor has brought to the role - the individual details and idiosnycracies. The amazing thing is that in the hands of four capable but wildly different actors, the character has actually been fleshed out in a layered ways and has evolved in fascinating ways.
Sarah Brown, who created the role about a decade ago, played Carly with an edge that was often difficult to watch. She dove into the part as if it were a raw slab of meat, devouring it.
Tamara Braun, who followed Brown, considerably softened the edges, bringing out Carly's often-dormant feminine side. She made Carly's transition to mob wife both believable and credible, still occasionally revealing the character's core slatternly side.
The viewers so loved Braun in the role that the great Jennifer Bransford, the next Carly, had a difficult time settling into the role, a problem that was exacerbated by the writers' ill-timed decision to have the character evolve in disturbing, often alienating self-destructive ways. Much to Bransford's credit and professionalism, she serviced the writers, never looking over her shoulder at what Braun did. The result was something revelatory - a major performance on daytime television, almost too good for daytime TV. Bransford, like the character she was playing, never did exactly what the fans wanted or expected and her singular independence in the role cost her her job but completely won me over. Her loss was tragic.
Jennifer Bransford is a great actress, period.
One other thing: It also didn't help that Bransford took over for Braun immediately, with no break in-between. She wasn't eased in, so to speak, thereby making it possible for the viewers to get used to her.
The brilliant Laura Wright didn't have that problem. After Bransford left the show, we had nearly a month without Carly. When Wright took over, Carly had been given another new paint job, but one that catered to the fans' notion of what Carly should be.
In a nutshell, Wright is an absolute treat to watch in the role. She's an incredibly
charismatic and generous actor, who has proven time and again to have an easy rapport with every other actor on the show. "General Hospital" has had its ups and downs in the past year, enragingly so, but Wright's presence is invaluable, gently embracing us and getting us through some of the more arch aspect of the show.
Laura Wright, also an exceptional actress, has all the makings of a great movie star.
Get this woman a film role already!
(Artwork: Two publicity shots of top and middle: Jennifer Bransford and bottom: one of Laura Wright - Carly Corinthos, before & after, of "General Hospital")
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