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The WB Won

Published at:  Jul 22, 2004 2:23:20 AM CDT

SPOILER ALERT !!

I am – Hercules!!

Many are writing to say that some creative forces engineering the WB’s midseason adaptation of Warren Ellis’ brilliant “Global Frequency” graphic novel were keen for Amber Benson to play the series’ female lead, Katrina. These same sources, however, say that the WB won’t even let Amber Benson test for the role.

Morons!!!!

Because, America? Amber Benson is perfect for Katrina. Perfect. She would rule this role.

Katrina, a character created specifically for the TV version, is essentially a first cousin to Amy Acker’s Winifred Burkle character from “Angel”: a gorgeous socially inept overeducated science nerd who finds herself battling the uncanny. (In the “Frequency” pilot Katrina finds herself unexpectedly teamed by Frequency mastermind Miranda Zero with a quick-thinking ex-cop to save millions of San Francisco residents from a bizarre, fast-emerging telekinetic disaster.)

According to at least one individual who witnessed Benson’s audition for producers, “Amber would be perfect. She gave a wonderful audition.”

But the WB, apparently, will never see it. Too many other creative influences – the network, the studio, even series producer Mark Burnett – wanted to go in other directions.

At this point one can only hope that all parties – or at least those who denied themselves the chance to discover firsthand what young Amber could do with the role of Katrina -- haul their hinders down to Blockbuster this morning to rent “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” episodes like “Hush,” “New Moon Rising,” (both season four) “Family,” “The Body” (both season five) or “Once More With Feeling” (season six). Amber Benson broke our hearts in every one of them, then made us laugh through our tears. She is one of the most gifted young actresses in Hollywood, an artist rare in her ability to convey vulnerability and intelligence. More importantly, she maintains a mammoth faculty for selling punchlines (something “Buffy” mastermind Joss Whedon apparently insists upon in anyone he casts as a series regular).

Let me go one step further. Amber Benson is really, really hot. Tara Maclay, the character she played on “Buffy,” was funny and heartbreaking, but also a timid, stuttering wiccan wallflower who finally found her way in the world with the help of Alyson Hannigan’s Willow Rosenberg. The “Buffy” costumers worked hard to camouflage Amber’s natural charisma, draping her in nerdy sweaters and floor-length skirts to make her look chubby, dowdy and geekish. It was right for the character, but did no favors for the actress.

I (and a multitude of other “Buffy” fanatics) got to meet Amber Benson in person at Ain’t It Cool’s big Buh-Bye Buffy Bash last year, and I’m here to tell you that Amber Benson elicited much boy-saliva that evening. She is one of the foxiest girls you’ll ever lay your eyes on. Clothes that show a little skin demonstrate in real life she’s all kinds of skinny, lanky and almost bird-like, and super-extra lust-worthy.

Maybe the WB will skip the test for the right reason: Amber Benson is so obviously incredible there’s no reason to bother with a test. And perhaps other showbiz decision-makers will prove more readily cognizant of her coolness.

John Rogers, who wrote the “Frequency” pilot and will serve as series showrunner, is too keenly aware of gathering online fan outrage, and wrote in to give Ain’t It Cool his take:

“I believe there's a misunderstanding, but no slur. I still love Amber; I'm the one who approached her, I'm the one who brought her in, I still think she's a helluva actress, and will always drop her into the top of the casting list for any appropriate part. Until we finalize casting on the part in GF it's inappropriate for me to comment further. It's the pilot process: it's horrendously complicated and unpleasant for all concerned. So far we've gotten insanely lucky on our casting, and I can only pray our luck continues.

“I just want the fans to know I respect their concerns, respect their affection for a fine actress, and I'm trying to make a show that speaks to them, which is why Amber would be the type of actress considered in the first place.”

I am – Hercules!!









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    Readers Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 2:35:53 AM CDT

    first

    by captain comet

    tee hee. she is a hottie, and should at least be allowed to screen for the damn part

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 3:05:26 AM CDT

    and why do we still care about the wb after how harshly it's bur

    by demosthenes2

    In the 2000-2001 season the WB seemed great. Angel, Buffy, and Gilmore Girls were all doing great. But then WB won't show Buffy the money, THE show that got the network off the ground. So Buffy's stuck on a network where its home doesn't feel as solid, doesn't seem to gel with the other programming. Then, rather than give us something that was really in the spirit of the Superman comic books, the WB rips off the genius structure of Buffy with Smallville but by exploiting the name of the most well-known superhero it does better whereas Buffy started on her own two feet. And it's a half-assed pseudo-Supes Buffy ripoff at that, with high school level poor acting and cheesily written dialogue, not to mention that weird evil lesbian obsessed with Lana that was the anti-Tara. And they could have had Tim McCanlies as a showrunner, which I'm sure would have been amazing, if only they had listened to him and not done the Dawsonsy underwear-models cast soap that McCanlies knew it would become when he walked away from the project that had begun as Bruce Wayne. And then Birds of Prey was inarguably a huge flop because the WB thinks it can still recreate Buffy's magic without Mutant Enemy with little respect to the actual comic book with which it could have developed a voice of its own rather than a pale shadow. And then Angel's canceled, which I grant didn't have great ratings, but compared to the rest of the WB's programming, it and Gilmore Girls were the only critically acclaimed shows the WB had and considering they haven't had a hit in forever, to replace Angel with something else that'll probably flop is particularly cruel.

    So they don't realize what a true gem worthy of more recognition Amber Benson is; well at this point, considering WB's steep downhill slope, it's their loss.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 3:44:08 AM CDT

    She's a hottie,but she has no forehead!

    by dataset

    I mean it's,like, two inches!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 4:07:13 AM CDT

    Let us be blunt . . .

    by hamlet3145

    . . . all this crap is over the fact she is not a seize one. Personally, I always thought she was hot. =)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 4:25:39 AM CDT

    Amber's hot

    by hankamania

    See, the fact that she's not as skinny as SMG is exactly WHY she's so hot.

    Curvaceous girls RULE.

    Reply to Talkback

  • She needs to be in more shit. And with shit, I mean stuff in general, not like, you know, crappy shows and stuff. As you may have noticed, smitten doesn't begin to describe my feelings towards Amber Benson. Peace Out.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 9:49:27 AM CDT

    Really, really hot

    by harrys man boobs

    Amber Benson is very attractive. She is better looking than just about any girl I have ever dated. I would be lucky to be with a girl as pretty as she is. However, she is not "really, really hot". Brooke Burke is really, really hot. Carmen Electra is really, really hot. Jessica Alba is really, really hot. Just because you have a woodie for the girl does not make her "really, really hot". (God, this is what I take time to post about? My life is empty.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 10:30:39 AM CDT

    According to Warren Ellis

    by cerebud

    This is all a rumor and Amber has never been associated with the role. She's not going to be in it.

    Here's from his latest e-mail:

    "Big surprise, that Amber Benson thing now appears to
    have been a bunch of crap, presumably released into
    the wild by someone with an axe or two to grind. Not
    that any of the people who felt like demanding information
    from me yesterday and this morning could be arsed to let
    me know. Also a big surprise. Scumfucks.

    I harbour many foul suspicions about the whole thing.

    I am now going back to bed, with 'flu remedies, cough
    mixture, a steel bucket, cyanide and a short sword."

    Aren't you guys, like, friendly with Warren Ellis?

    Geez.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 10:51:24 AM CDT

    You know what I like about Amber Benson?

    by rev_skarekroe

    She was one of the few Buffyverse actresses that didn't look like she spent a half hour in the ladies room vomiting after every meal. sk

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 11:04:03 AM CDT

    I met her. Got my pic taken with her. And yes...she is VERY hot!

    by johnny filmmaker

    met her a couple of years ago. And as fine as she looks on tv, i assure you, SO much better looking in person. Actually got a little nervous before i met her....crazy, man. Hey, does anybody know about the movie (not sure if it was a short film or regular feature), i think it was called Chance and I know James Marsters was in it, and Amber directed (and possibly wrote) it. Does anyone know if it is going to be released or that you can get it somewhere?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 11:24:44 AM CDT

    I liked when the WB felt more like it was a family of shows. Now

    by big bad clone

    They used to use lots of the same actors and actresses from other shows to be in new ones. Like that cute chick, Amy, on Everwood was on that Glory Days show. Lex Luthor was on Zoey, Ducan, Jack and Jane (later, Zoey...). Chad Micheal Murray was on plenty of shows before getting on One Tree Hill (btw, I am so jealous that he is getting married to that fox, Sophia Bush). Max Behr made an appereance on Buffy and, boom, he was the star of Roswell. I like all that. It'll keep me tuning into the network. So, powers that be, can we get back to that? Perhaps you can start with Ms. Benson. Heck, she's a writer too, so she can write a few scripts. That's a two in one package.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 11:44:10 AM CDT

    Amber Benson

    by misterq

    I have to say that I agree with Amber Benson being hot. Her innocence on the show makes her that way, plus, girl on girl, whew! However, her acting was some of the worst on the Buffy series. I have seen the entire series probably ten or eleven times, and I can't think of anyone that was as unbelievable as her. She may be good in otgher things, but on Buffy, 2 or 3 out of ten.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 12:01:39 PM CDT

    Oh no!

    by leopardghost

    Another minor actress in one of Herc's cancelled pet shows didn't get to audition for his next soon-to-be-cancelled pet show. Who gives a fuck about "Buffy"? Not me, and the 250,000,000 other people who never watched that tripe.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 12:48:40 PM CDT

    Amber the Actress

    by the alienist

    There was always something wonderful about Amber's Tara. It went far beyond her acting ability, which honestly, was limited (I have an actor friend who calls the bench, brain- sucking scene between Tara and Glory "Battle of the Uncommited Actresses"). Her line readings were sometimes stiff and she had an awkward screen presense. It was perfect for Tara and the writers used this. But there was always honestly there. There was always truth. Perhaps her GF role would need a similar sort of aura. My best to her, and Herc, she wasn't "all kinds of skinny". Amber is "real woman" size and all the more sexy for it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 12:57:06 PM CDT

    if they were trying to hide how hot she was on BUFFY....

    by blok narpin

    ...they failed miserably. She was hot on Buffy, too.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 2:07:07 PM CDT

    Benson Rocks!

    by mcewan

    Having met her at a signing in Glasgow, I can confirm that not only is she hot, but she is also one of the sweetest, nicest actresses in sci-fi.

    She even even gave me a wee kiss when the photo was being taken, the little minx!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 3:34:27 PM CDT

    Amber's movie "Chance"

    by mooshki

    You can buy it on the web at http://www.efanguide.com/~amber//chance/

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 4:09:06 PM CDT

    she gave great audition huh...

    by slappy jones

    ..maybe she shouldve given great something else and she might have got the part

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 4:55:43 PM CDT

    Not so hot

    by chet hudson

    http://www.imdb.com/gallery/granitz/1368/AmberBensonENetworks_Vespa_323963_400.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Benson,%20Amber If that's your idea of hot, you need to climb out of mom and dad's basement more often. Cleaned up, she's maybe 7/10. Not ugly, but hardly boner-inducing. In these IMDB pics, she looks like she just woke up on her bathroom floor.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 4:59:01 PM CDT

    Amber Benson Stuff magazine photo shoot

    by sci_fi_wasabe

    Found this googling around...odd video of her photo shoot... especially the makeup guy or assistant applying lotion or makeup or something to her breasts in slo motion. No nudity or anything.

    http://www.bthere.tv/story.asp?sid=357

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 5:05:05 PM CDT

    Tara

    by insectreflection

    Tara was the quiet heart of that show, and Amber Benson played her with soul and a quiet sense of style. It was right on the money. Best supporting character I think I've ever seen. I would like to see what Benson can do with a starring role.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 5:23:18 PM CDT

    could it be...

    by dr.bulber

    amber is very pretty
    amber is very cute
    amber has a smokin bod
    giles beat his flute
    willow got a great big grin
    zander just got fat
    buffy came back way too thin
    but amber JUST. CAN'T. ACT.
    .
    oh-
    and then there's...
    SPIKE!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jessica and Brooke are hot, but Amber definitely gets the advantage in attractiveness due to her cuteness. Plus, she writes cool shit! Check out www.bbc.co.uk/cult/tamaraswift
    That shit is awesome! For free! FOR FREE! I've paid ten bucks for movies way worse than these goddamn flash player films, man. Cute + hot + talented + sweet = Really... fucking... attractive. Peace Out.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 7:34:14 PM CDT

    Amber Benson not hot

    by barrymore

    Amber seems like an extremely talented (directing/writing/singing) and friendly (mixing with fans at numerous Buffy events), but she is NOT a babe. FOX appears to be putting together a BABE cast for GF, and Amber just isn't what they're looking for.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 7:43:46 PM CDT

    oh great, more stupid Buffy fanboy griping

    by insane tiki

    WAAAAAAAAH WB WON'T LET SO-AN-SO FROM BUFFY BE IN A NEW SHOW SHE'D BE PERFECT WAAAAAAAH

    Newsflash! The WB sucks! Who cares? Jesus...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 8:38:59 PM CDT

    Amber/BuffyBash

    by skiffypup


    Oh, Herc. How could you not mention girl saliva? You have let me down! *sob*

    I must disagree that Amber is HOT. She is lovely, unassuming, sweet, hardworking, humble, and kind. And cute.

    In other words, perfect for the role you described.

    If they take that Global Frequency geek role in a teen-ish 7 of 9 but wimpy direction
    ... I'll be pissed, and unsurprised.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 22, 2004 11:38:57 PM CDT

    Amber Benson is NOT hot!

    by equilibrium

    Look, you can be a fan of Buffy, Angel & Firefly all you want, but let's be perfectly honest here - Amber Benson, by any stretch of the imagination, is not physically beautiful, hot or even remotely attractive by Hollywood's standards. Not by a long shot. To be blunt, Amber looks like a recovering drug addict. She has a 'hangover' look that does not bode well in an industry that promotes perfection so get over it. Now I'm not an actor, but from everything I've ever heard about HOllywood, it seems to me that every freaking day out there, there are actors whom are denied auditions or screen test because of what they look like. It might be because they're too fat, tall, short, race, color, nationality or...brace yourself...aren't deemed attractive enough. Amber can join every other actor on the planet in being denied the opportunity to audition for something because she doesn't meet the producers standards. For you to produce a whole column to complain about something that's been happening in Hollywood since its inception is a waste of bandwidth. Don't get me wrong, I hate the way Hollywood operates based on everything I read and hear about it. I think it's wrong to deny actors roles simply based on the idea that they don't meet the unattainable measure of perfection, but I also know that it isn't going to change. If you don't believe me, just check out the box office numbers for Brad Pitt's films. In terms of money and being the lead actor, Ben Stiller has more hits than Pitt, but it's Pitt who's considered Hollywood's goldenboy. Why? Because Pitt has the looks Hollywood wants and Stiller does not. It aint fair, but it aint going to change. You know, I think, on some level, it's admirable for you to use your column to try and raise awareness of the crap networks and studios pull, but it would be better if you did it whenever any great actor went through this, not just actors who were part of the buffyverse. I've always thought Joss Whedon should pay this site a fee for all the free publicity it gives him anytime he so much as passes gas, but this is beyond ridiculous. If you're going to bitch about the perfect actor being denied a part because of what they look like, then please do so for all actors. If not, then please accept the fact that Amber is an actress in a profession that demands perfection and she is not, no matter what you personally believe, perfect.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2004 12:02:05 AM CDT

    Tara was not "chubby"

    by i_see_toast

    Jesus Christ. I was with you right up until the part where you began to praise Amber's acting dedication for agreeing to look "chubby" on Buffy. HELLO! She was always standing next to THREE of the boniest actresses on TV! Excuse Joss for hiring an actress who has a NORMAL body. Furthermore, Tara's character was just as sexy as any other female character on that show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2004 1:02:48 AM CDT

    WB HACKS MUST DIE AND ROT IN HELL

    by bigharryballsac

    First the WB cancells one of the best shows on the boob tube, and now they have the nerve to blame Joss Whedon and say it was his demands that led to the show's demise???? WHAT THE BLOODY HELL IS GOING ON????? This is an obvious attempt to save face after the fan outrage that followed Angel's cancellation. I have faith that none of the fans will believe this UTTER BULLSHIT, spewed from the mouth of a hapless network president who doesn't know what the fuck he is doing.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2004 12:51:36 PM CDT

    Amber is too ugly to be the leading role in anything

    by dink88

  • Jul 23, 2004 4:28:19 PM CDT

    puffnstuff - you're linking us to a frikkin' FOXNEWS story??? Yo

    by trader groucho 2

    www.outfoxed.org

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2004 4:37:00 PM CDT

    Equlibrium - i'm pretty sure Ben Stiller's quote is hovering aro

    by trader groucho 2

    and he's one of the go-to action hunks. I would venture it unnecessary to shed any tears on behalf of Ben Stiller here.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2004 4:39:15 PM CDT

    Dink88 - i've heard that about Renee Zellweger too

    by trader groucho 2

    IMO talent, preparation, hard work and determination will out.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2004 7:02:00 PM CDT

    Morons

    by buff_angel

    Seriously people, you are acting so surprised by the stupidity of the execs over at the WB. You have to be kidding me. Considereing they let UPN take Buffy, and then cancelled Angel...are you really surprised? They have a vendetta against anything related to Buffyverse, and since Amber was on the show for 2 1/2 seasons...she is considered part of it. They are MORONS true and simple. If it wasn't for the few chosen shows that I still watch...I would write them off all together. However, considering their way of making decisions...I'm sure it's just a matter of time before the rest of my favorites disappear. So, does anybody know what is on Fox, ABC, CBS, and NBC nowdays? I'm already pretty addicted to F/X. Nip-Tuck rocks!! I won't be surprised if The WB falls to the bottom of the network poll.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 23, 2004 11:21:12 PM CDT

    hot/geeky

    by punto

    I think she's hot.. Of course in this case, it's really not a matter of being _hot_, she just has to be able to pull off the ocassional "lead geeky character suddenly sluts it up for just one episode" sweeps stunt (willow's halloween costume comes to mind), wich from what I see here: http://www.stuffmagazine.com/girls/amber_benson/amber_benson_l4.jpg, she can _absolutely_ do. It doesn't seem to be a matter of talent if they say she gave a good audition.. Her unbearable awkwardness was perfect for Tara, but I haven't seen her on anything else (I actually have Chance, it was on "Canadian Television" a year ago I think, but it was kind of jumpy so I decided to wait until I got a better version). Anyway, I think she _is_ hot, even without all that creepy 'magazine photo shoot' setup, so I'd watch her anywhere..

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 25, 2004 1:13:54 AM CDT

    Overrated

    by havoczer0

    Amber Benson is neither not nor a good actress and I'm a die-hard Buffy fan. I alwyas hated her and when she died...I didn't feel a twinge of sadness.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 26, 2004 12:55:33 AM CDT

    Amber = hottie

    by spy-der

    Yeah, I know. I wouldn't have thought so myself, but I just walked past her at the Inkworks booth at Con the other day and thought, "hey, she's pretty cute I wonder who that is." A nano-second passed, after which I recognized her as Amber Benson, who played "Tara" on BUFFY. She is actually pretty cute in person, and looks more slender than her Tara days. If the producers of this new show approached her that means they do like her, too. If they end up not going with her it could be for any number of reasons; there are a lot of cooks at a network. -- SPYder, out.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 26, 2004 11:24:04 AM CDT

    Trader Groucho 2 - keep dreamin'

    by dink88

    In Hollywood, hard work and determination will only get you so far. Ever hear the phrase "nice guys finish last"? Its true. The talentless, backstabbing, lazy, good-looking slut finishes first. Its how it works in the real world.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Jul 30, 2004 1:31:01 AM CDT

    WB has no taste

    by cooper2000

    Afte all they cancelled fuckin' Angel.
    They're idiots

    Reply to Talkback

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