Is "Ringer" Sarah's Return To The Little Pond

[white avenger]

Do you see Sarah's new show as something of an admission on her part that she's mostly a small screen star? Is she the proverbial "big frog in the little pond," who, upon venturing over to the big pond, found things not as great as they might have been. She was really optimistic when "Buffy" ended, with plans for a movie career, then basically a string of flops, along with quite likely the potential if not the reality of accumulating debts, with neither her nor Freddie in line for any big roles. Basically, do you think that choosing a role in another TV series was more for the assurance of a steady paycheck that for any artistic challenge that the show might offer? Especially since she now has a baby and an essentially out of work husband to support.

Sarah wouldn't be the first TV star to try for a career in the movies, only to surrender to the inevitable and return to the more secure medium that was the source of their success.

 

[Enemies]

I must admit I have never really seen Sarah as a movie star. For me she will always be at the higher end of television. That's not to say that she isn't a fantastic actress, because she is, I just think she gets overlooked as a movie actress. Perhaps the fact that she has such a strong TV presence has hindered her transition into films? I'm not sure. I love seeing Sarah in films but she seems to have a supporting role rather than a main one which is a shame. I'm pretty sure her and Freddie could probably live comfortably forever on the money they have made together.

 

[brinkster130]

Yes. Not that is a bad thing, but for whatever reason the roles she picked, her acting, her (lack of) "star" quality or her being typecast as a TV star; the big screen did not pan out for her. Plenty of actors remain on the small screen and never become a breakout star; at least she gave it a shot.

I wouldn't be surprised if financial security was a big reason for her going back to work on the small screen. Now that she has a child I'm sure both her and Freddie (who also gave TV another shot not to long ago) want to make sure they do every thing they can to make sure she will have a secure life; that typically includes bringing home a paycheck. I'm sure part of her wanted to go back to work as well, she is still young and being at home full time might not be what she wants to do. Going back was probably a win-win for her.

 

[Mr Giles]

I find it sad that a great talent like SMG is overlooked, but someone like Nicholas Cage had a big movie career. smh.

 

[zobothehobo]

This thread saddens me. I hate this kind of thinking that because television can be seen from our own homes on a smaller screen it's somehow less than film. Television is the most beautiful medium of storytelling there is. I think Sarah is better suited for television than film. Does that mean she's less than a film star? Absolutely not. Does it mean she's not living up to her potential as an absolutely incredible actress? Absolutely not. Does it mean she's not going to ever fully get the recognition she deserves? Yes. And do you want to know why? Because people think like this. Because of the kind of thinking that lead to this thread. Television is a beautiful artform. And the people who make television are wonderful artists. It's high time they are treated as such.

 

[Taake]

I don't think the difference between movie star and tv star is the same anymore as it once was, much like Zobo above I don't consider tv a step down career wise. In fact these days I think a lot of the best actors around chose the tv-medium while going to movie-acting when they can/want to.

Tv-roles offers more character development and more intricate work anyway, where the fans can follow you and grow attached to your character in a completely different way (and in my opinion a lot of the modern movies are just bad 😉) so for me I think the two are just work = work.

I can see SMG doing movies on side just as easily as I can see her on tv. With the exception of Buffy I actually prefer her in movies, she makes bold choices and only makes interesting movies where she's not stuck playing "the girlfriend", so for me as a movie actress she is just as strong as she is on tv.

 

[white avenger]

I don't think the difference between movie star and tv star is the same anymore as it once was, In fact these days I think a lot of the best actors around chose the tv-medium while going to movie-acting when they can/want to.

It wasn't my intention to try and belittle the talent or legitimacy of either TV actors OR movie actors, only to point out that part of the difference between a TV series career and a movie career is basically the same as a salaried employee to a private contractor. The series is, at least for as long as it isn't cancelled (and I doubt that many actors sigh onto a series without hoping that it will run for at least a few seasons) steady employment with an assured salary and a fixed location to work, all of which would make it more attractive to someone with young children. Movie work is, basically, working for a limited amount of time, with the possibility of either being separated from your family or frequent moves, neither of which is good for children or families in general. The disadvantage, however, is that the actor in question has less opportunity to play a variety of roles. Imagine someone like James Arness, who played Marshal Matt Dillon on "Gunsmoke" for a quarter of a century. That just HAD to get boring at some point, no matter how steady the paycheck was (Arness is, incidentally, the original reason for my question. I recently read an article comparing James Arness' TV career to John Wayne's movie career. Both are known primarily for playing very similar roles, but Wayne also made a variety of non-western movies, whereas Arness never had that opportunity)