I agree. Bad choice of words on her part. I also think that it was a telephone interview, not face to face and that makes a difference too.

I think it was poor form on Mr. Keeling's part not to correct the interviewer when she stated that "the two leads did not work out." It would have been very easy for him to point out that they DID work out, having been successful on Broadway for one year, and then transitioning his conversation to the wonderful oppurtunity he has now been given. By not correcting her, it was a slap in the face to Max and Laura. He appears to be quite self-absorbed and still bitter that he did not originally win this role. Too bad.

I didn't think that he sounded at all bitter either. I think that he was just being polite to the interviewer and didn't want to correct her. It's an awkward position to be in, and he had to make a spur of the moment decision. I don't think that he is at all to blame for the situation.

I actually wrote the woman a nice email about Laura and Max's success and she denied that the phrase "didn't work out" was used. Finally she admitted it wasn't even her voice on the phone interview, I guess she just wrote the short the little blip that went with it. Pretty obvious to me that she never even listened to the interview before she posted it!

The reporter meant that Max and Laura didn't work out regularly at the gym, lol......like anybody but us would even notice what she said.

I heard that pause also, as you did, and simply wondered why Derek would choose to let such a question slide by. I would think instinct would tell you to make the correction. And it's pretty clear you all wondered the same thing. Only difference is you choose to lay all blame on the interviewer because, well, because he's Derek. I only wonder what your reaction would have been if the same interview had come from say, Taylor Hicks.

It's perspective because we never want to put anything negative on those we admire. While I agree she is to blame for spreading incorrect information, and I agree it's poor journalism, I still expected the correction from Derek. When it didn't come and he simply moved on to talk about his fanbase it comes across as smug. But, as someone else stated, only longtime fans of the show would catch that anyway. However, people reading the interview definitely caught on to the implication that Max & Laura "didn't work out." The shame is that this incorrect statement could have been immediately shut down by Derek but now that it's out there no amount of posted comments are going to change what the public heard.

Of course I don't know him personally! He might very well be the nicest guy in the world. I can only go on what I hear and see in the public eye and was just pointing out that longtime fans of the show might take his silence the wrong way. It reminds me of American Idol in which Simon Cowell told David A that he could have come out on stage and whistled and it would have been better than the previous performance (a roundabout way of insulting Jason Castro). David A. could have kept quiet, but instead he interrupted with "I liked Jason's song." I think the public likes to believe all of these people on reality shows are friends and enjoys hearing them defend one another... whether the relationships are true or not. That's just my opinion.

I had a hard time understanding the reporter. She couldn't get some words out and she lost my interest. Derek did a great job with a horrible interviewer. Derek was working it; he spoke with confidence!

Thanks for posting that vid Ddktt, all four of them are just wonderful!

Eris wrote:

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Ashley gets Grease shot

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Great article, Eris!  Thanks!  That would be incredible if Ashley could do "Wicked" after "Grease!"  I look forward to seeing her in "Grease" and to all of her future roles!  :)

 

lurknomore wrote:

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I think it was poor form on Mr. Keeling's part not to correct the interviewer when she stated that "the two leads did not work out." It would have been very easy for him to point out that they DID work out, having been successful on Broadway for one year, and then transitioning his conversation to the wonderful oppurtunity he has now been given. By not correcting her, it was a slap in the face to Max and Laura. He appears to be quite self-absorbed and still bitter that he did not originally win this role. Too bad.

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I'm sorry, I think you are being unfair to Derek. In no way should he be implicated in any wrong doing. He hasn't even been in New York for most of the year. The interview was about Derek
and he should have been able to enjoy talking about his excitement and anticipation. How many people outside of the West Virginia listening area heard the interview. Ten or fifteen people on these boards maybe? How can you compare what David A. did on national TV to Derek's situation on a remote telephone interview in West Virginia? He only appears to be self-absorbed and still bitter to you.

Eris wrote:

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In my own opinion, I think it's time to move on from here. Both Max and Derek have posted blogs about it and have had their say. Many of us have posted comments on the interview's website setting the story straight.

But there's so much new to look forward to. Max's career on the coast, Laura's career in New York, Derek's Broadway debut, Ashley's first lead role. And so much more than that. Let's focus on that instead of continuing to pick apart a past deed.

That's just how I feel. If you disagree then, well, there's not much I can do about that.

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You're right Eris, you are not the last word on every single topic on this board.

Aubrey O'Day Joins Hairspray Cast As Amber 7/18

Here's the official announcement about Ashley's replacement in Hairspray. No word on understudies.com about who will be covering the role between July 13 and July 18 but I imagine that it's either Kirsten Bracken or Brooke Engen. As I had posted before O'Day is only contracted through August 31 and I would imagine they already have someone lined up to take over the role after that.

Gee, Salt Lake City, the word is really getting out there. Thanks Kristen, you have a nose for news.

AshleyFan wrote:

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I am so excited for Ashley Spencer. She is going to make a great Sandy.

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I absolutely agree with you 100%.

pinkfan wrote:

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The casting announcement said ''Derek's good looks and macho leader-of-the-pack confidence and Ashley's good girl charm and blonde tresses evoked an idyllic 'Danny' and 'Sandy' combination.''

Nice! Someone must have see this picture. LOL

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Love the term "idyllic" Danny and Sandy!  This chemistry and look are what most fans want to see. 

snickers wrote:

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Shadi Ladi wrote:

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pinkfan wrote:

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The casting announcement said ''Derek's good looks and macho leader-of-the-pack confidence and Ashley's good girl charm and blonde tresses evoked an idyllic 'Danny' and 'Sandy' combination.''

Nice! Someone must have see this picture. LOL

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Love the term "idyllic" Danny and Sandy!  This chemistry and look are what most fans want to see. 

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Why? And who are "most fans?"

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Fans that have seen the "MOVIE."

lurknomore wrote:

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I think it was poor form on Mr. Keeling's part not to correct the interviewer when she stated that "the two leads did not work out." It would have been very easy for him to point out that they DID work out, having been successful on Broadway for one year, and then transitioning his conversation to the wonderful oppurtunity he has now been given. By not correcting her, it was a slap in the face to Max and Laura. He appears to be quite self-absorbed and still bitter that he did not originally win this role. Too bad.

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It wasn't Derek's place to correct a "bad" interviewer.  Derek appears to be one of the most "least-self-absorbed" people around, and maybe you should have thought twice (just like the interviewer) for making such a statement about his character.

Welcome to the fishbowl, Derek.

Well, I hope we Taylor fans are still allowed to post in this forum every once in a while - as long as we don't mention his name too often! LOL!

I think celebrities are often put on the spot by interviewers, who aren't always up-to-date on a subject or who have incorrect or incomplete info, or some who just enjoy asking questions that make people uncomfortable. I don't even know the question you're discussing here - or what Derek's answer was. What I'm commenting on is the situation he found himself in. He was evidently asked a question that involved an assumption on the interviewer's part. He had to decide in that split second, whether to correct the interviewer regarding an assumption or to let it slide, because it was just the person's point of view and not a fact.

If an interviewer is "called" on something (especially if it's a feeling or an assumption and not a fact), it can often change the entire tone of the interview. It seems like Derek showed some concern as to the right thing to do. Maybe in hind sight, he would have done differently, but he had a split second to decide. Don't ya' think maybe he should be cut a little slack?

lurknomore wrote:

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Wish I Knew It All wrote:

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lurknomore wrote:

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I think it was poor form on Mr. Keeling's part not to correct the interviewer when she stated that "the two leads did not work out." It would have been very easy for him to point out that they DID work out, having been successful on Broadway for one year, and then transitioning his conversation to the wonderful oppurtunity he has now been given. By not correcting her, it was a slap in the face to Max and Laura. He appears to be quite self-absorbed and still bitter that he did not originally win this role. Too bad.

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It wasn't Derek's place to correct a "bad" interviewer.  Derek appears to be one of the most "least-self-absorbed" people around, and maybe you should have thought twice (just like the interviewer) for making such a statement about his character.

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You are right. My assumption about his character was uncalled for.

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Wow!  Takes a big person to apologize!  Wish more people could do that.  I try to do it when I'm wrong.  Very hard for me sometimes though!  You must be one of those rare people that takes responsibility for their mistakes. After all, we all make them, including myself!  Cheers to you! 

Ha Ha Sparkle thats a good one.

I'm sure that Danny Zuko doesn't smoke on stage like he does in the movie but do you remember when you were a kid, they used to make bubble gum cigarettes with white powder that would come out when you blew on it? They could use those. lol There is just something about a guy with a cigarette between his lips when he talks and a pack rolled up in his Tshirt sleeve. That is really the 50's Remember James Dean? He was always smoking, it's a great prop.

Is that right, I didn't know that. What kind of herb?

pinkfan wrote:

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Is that right, I didn't know that. What kind of herb?

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I had better keep my inhaler close by.