It's a well known fact that "Inside the Actor's Studio" is a rather grating television experience. All it really serves to do is perpetuate the pompous, self-absorbed image of dramatic actors that we really would rather see keep their mouths shut. Sure, there are occasions when a genuine, unpretentious actor takes the seat next to celebrity kiss-ass and faux-intelligencia James Lipton, but those times are few and far between. In general, the show is an interminable session of ego stroking, mind-numbing hosting, and way too many utterances of the word "craft."
That being said, the show began by--at the very least--showcasing actors/actresses worth being profiled at the Actor's Studio. Clint Eastwood, Russell Crowe, Glenn Close, etc. However, in the last 2 years, the show has decided to dumb itself down by featuring guests that are not only unworthy of sitting IN the Actor's Studio, but are--in some cases--not even actors themselves! Whereas one could see a rather lengthy interview with the likes of Ben Kingsley and Gene Hackman, nowadays, you're more likely to see a fun-filled discussion with uber-talent Mike Myers, Queen Latifa, or the cast of "Everybody Loves Raymond." Now there's some acting chops!
With this recent "lowering of the bar" to attract what Bravo probably considers "the great unwashed," one can justifiably say that Inside the Actor's Studio "jumped the shark" years ago. But a most recent development proves this "juump" beyond any doubt: Next week's guest is Martin Lawrence. Whoo hoo! Go tell it on the mountain!
Yes indeed, you heard right. Master thespian Martin Lawrence graces the stage on which students past, present and future learn the craft of acting and dramatic exrpression. What a fantastic choice! But I'm wondering why it took so long for this booking to occur? Maybe the producers felt that his performances in "Bad Boys" and "Blue Streak" were flukes, and they wanted to make absolutely sure that he would remain at the top of the acting world? We must assume they needed to see his standout skils in "Big Mommas House" and "What's the Worst that Could Happen." And, of course, by the time he had dazzled thousands in "Black Knight," the choice was clear: this man MUST be a part of the honorable pantheon that has appeared on Inside the Actor's Studio.
Be still my heart! I have to say that we ALL have to be counting the minutes until this appearance. I can only guess what deep, meaty questions Lipton will ask of the skillfull leading man. Perhaps we'll get a rundown on the creative choices that went into making the film "National Security." Better yet, he may go into great detail abut how "Big Momma's House 2" was a true labor of love, and something he needed to do to free the demons in his soul. If nothing else, I certainly hope we get a tearful play-by-play of the historic day Mr. Lawrence allegedly overdosed on crack and/or speed, slipped on his down ski jacket, and ran outside in 90 degree Los Angeles weather to stop traffic. Ah, the possibilitues are endless!
Seriously. What the hell is this about? Has Bravo just plain given up? Even if the show was annoying and pretentious before, it still managed to have some semblance of standards as to who was on it. Now that Martin Lawrence will be appearing, who's next? John Stamos? Joe Rogan? Emiril Lagasse? Please! The choice to profile Lawrence on this show is frustrating, insulting, befuddling and laughable all at the same time.
The sad part is that someone, somewhere will watch this. I think you know him/her: the guy who spends his evening watching reality TV and WWE. That same guy who goes to Best Buy to pick up those special "2 DVD packs" on the sale rack--like "2 Fast 2 Furious" and "The Cave." That same guy will go home, see Lawrence's face on TV, and stick around to hear layers upon layers of bull, poured on thick by Lipton and company, fooling this easily-swayed viewer into thinking that Lawrence IS a good actor. The final result? This ass will later stumble into his local bar one night, and attempt to seem well-rounded by not only flaunting his Bravo viewership, but by relating how he was "touched" by Martin's interview. "He really is deeper than you think," he'll say. "Why hasn't he won an oscar or something by now?"
Congratulations, Bravo! You've not only sucked any remaining credibility out of your network, but you've armed some dumbass out there with enough idiot fuel to fill the Hindenburg. Thanks a million!
You know, Martin Scorsese once sat in that interview chair on Bravo. Something tells me he's spinning in his grave, and he's not even dead.
