It was not without trepidation that I stepped onto a soap set to fill in for an actor on ABC's General Hospital. Very much a baptism by fire as these guys work fast - really fast. Like one take fast. That's fast - in case I'm being vague. Nevertheless I had a blast temping for the role of Jax. I was curious to see what the fans thought (and by fans I mean GH fans, not my own - lol). So after a quick Google, found I had been roasted. It seems the GH viewers are very protective of their Jax - as one might expect, seeing as he's been on the show for years and years.
If any of you GH fans stop by here, be assured I did my best on short notice to fill in for one of your favorites. Yes I'd love to be taller and better looking, but hey - you'd probably like that for yourselves, too. And a special message to Chandler - no, my cheeks are not surgically altered. They are God-given. As is my ugly face (thank you Shanda, I will treasure that comment). If I was to alter anything, it would be my calves. I have small calves and hours in the gym have done little to help. There. That's me.
Oh, and let me say that the whole team at GH was fabulous, warm and inviting. A great bunch and a pleasure to work with. Though, if the forums are anything to go by, it doesn't look like I'll be making a come back anytime soon. Unless of course it's to play AJ, brought back from the dead (good suggestion, Stacy!)
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Well, I have not watched GH for a few months (toddlers leave little time for "grown-up" television), but maybe I'll catch it on SOAPNet. I'm sure you did fine - I'm not a huge fan of Jax (GASP!!); too big and blond for my tastes.
ReplyDeleteI actually found this blog trying to find who did Balthier's voice in FFXII - I just got the game with a secondhand PS3, and I just sit and smile when Balthier talks...he's my fave!
Oops...I meant PS2, not PS3! I only wish I had a PS3!
ReplyDeleteOuch. As a major Ingo/Jax fan I'm sorry you went looking. It's never a good idea when you're on a soap.
ReplyDeleteFans invest in characters they see in their living room every day. Especially when they've loved the character for 11 years. When we've waited for a long time for Jax to get a point of view, and they give all the scenes to you we get angry and feel ripped off. Recasting with a brit with a strong accent was just jarring to us.
Just as an FYI, the worst thing many on the boards I visit called you was NotJax or Fax (fakeJax). Good for you calling out others by name!
You're funny. GH fans can be brutal and childish, but some of us appreciate your work.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I find the character of Carzilla unwatchable, so I won't be appreciating your GH work much unless you've done something that can be appreciated at FF speed.
Hey I am a die hard gh fan and i think you did great! I don;t know if that is your real accent but it was good and close to ingo's! There will always be critic's but that goes with the profession. Especially when you are a stand in. Don;t let it get to you, i am a huge jax fan and in my honest opinion i think you did awesome!!
ReplyDeletethanks for the comments. funny how worked up people can get. honestly i don't take it seriously, but did find it all rather amusing and appreciate those who took the time to post. till next time, have a great week! gid.
ReplyDeleteI am a GH fan and I enjoyed your scenes with Sebastian Roche. I think you both had excellent chemistry and played the scene with just the right amount of brotherly tension.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you responded to the naysayers with wit and class. Cheers.
I post at one of those boards and I just wanted to say I LOVE the attitude you've taken about all this. Your comments were hysterical and I'm glad you didn't take it too seriously.
ReplyDeleteBut I am curious about your calves now...
Don't let the messageboards get you down. They are just as mean to Ingo and the rest of the cast lol.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a great job and if/when Ingo leaves - you should audition to be the permanent recast. I thought you were a great Jax :)
I loved your Blog,LOL.I have not seen you on GH,but now I want to see your calves.Bwah
ReplyDeleteGreat sense of humor.But word of advice? If you ever get a long term role on a soap,never cruise the net.Cos soap fans are brutal,LOLAnd worse,their brutality is not always honest,but 90% of the time agenda ridden.
I thought you did a great job as Jax and loved your accent. You may not be tall as Ingo, but you are as hawt as he is.
ReplyDeleteI have to LOL at your AJ comment. I wouldn't mind you coming back as my favorite AJ and kick some ass to those mob infested clan!
Haha - if only such interesting & flattering (!?) comments would come up when I google myself! I'm a FF GH watcher so when I stopped to watch Jerry in the bar, I didn't realize you were TempJax. I just thought 1) you were part of Jerry's kidnapping posse and 2) what is Dennis Leary doing on GH?
ReplyDeleteWell said and very classy. Take the stuff on the net with a grain of salt. Posters annihilate any and every character or actor. Tis true! Everyone is fair game. I'm happy to see you have a good sense of humor. Please do blow it off. Kelly Monaco won't visit the net or forums for that reason. Keep up the good work wherever you land. Best of luck in your future endeavors. :-)
ReplyDeleteSorry you had to read some not so kind comments. I am a huge Jax/Ingo fan. It was just hard to see myBoy taken over by someone else. Your sense of humor about all this is wonderful. I do like your accent though.
ReplyDeleteI thought you were great! I would love for GH to bring you on as someone else!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking such a carefree attitude to the crazies. Soap fans are brutal.
I hope this isn't the last we see of you on GH!
Ignore the boards. They rip everyone apart, particularly on General Hospital.
ReplyDeleteYou breathe wrong you are torn apart. Hell, even the contract actors on GH are routinely ripped to shreds simply for saying the wrong thing in the press.
You did great! I think you'd be a great addition to any of the soaps.
And as an ex-pat myself? It was nice to hear a nice normal voice for a change!
You are funny! Don't you know, soap actors should NEVER go to message boards to find out what fans think. They (we) are harsh. Nobody is off limits...even babies and little kids are called ugly and troll-looking. From the sound of it, you made out well.
ReplyDeleteCheck out this website for appreciation of your witty comments.
http://soapzone.com/boards/read.php/gh/main/9576007
Even though I'm a huge GH fan, I find the Jax character (Ingo) a little too phony. You actually made me believe you were related to Sebastian Roche. Good job!
ReplyDeleteYou have a great sense of humor and that's refreshing. Don't let the Jax lovers get you down, you did fine. Anyone who can get through a scene knowing they are standing in for a long-loved character is a great actor.
ReplyDeleteAnd you know -- a recast AJ could work.
Good luck with those calves.
I'm glad you seem to have a sense of humor about the comments. One has to have a thick skin to deal with internet fandom. The vicious bashing isn't new, and isn't unique to temporary recasts. Ingo has played Jax for many years and has taken the same hits, and worse, over those years. It shouldn't have to come with the territory, but it does, unfortunately. Ingo has the advantage of having created that role, and being the only actor to play it for the past 11 years, so many of the characteristics of "Jax" are actually things Ingo brought of himself to the role, and those things are unique to him. Nobody should expect a different actor to bring the same things. I can't see you as "Jax", but I'd certainly welcome you back to GH as a new character, one that could be your creation from the beginning. By the way, really enjoyed you on "Moonlight."
ReplyDeleteI've watched GH for over 20 years (I'm 29..started watching with my grandmother when I was like 6 lol). I think you did a great job filling in for Ingo. You are a talented actor and a cutie to boot. I wish you much success in your future endeavors.
ReplyDelete((hugs))
Gideon, while you may have given Jax a different edge, I thoroughly enjoyed watching you with Jane Elliot/Tracy. (I'm sure you remember Tracy, the one who "thought I had a husband.")
ReplyDeleteLike one of the other posters here, I'm in my 20s and have watched GH all my life. Some recasts are easier to swallow than others, and I thought you played very well off of Sebastian Roche, even if you don't look like our Jax. You'd do well on the show permanently, perhaps as Jerry & Jax's cousin or something ;).
ReplyDeleteGood for you for calling out the meanies on the Message Board, and the sense of humor!
--StillMissesRealLucky
Don't sweat it Gideon. People on the message boards and blogs even bash the kids on the show. As a matter of fact the actress that plays Leyla gets so many negative comments it's unreal and she's up for an NAACP image award. You just keep doing what you do and let catty comments just slide off.
ReplyDeleteThough I may have not liked your Jax, it had nothing to do with your looks. It had more to do with the fact that it was kinda anti-Jax if that makes sense, you looked fine, the acting was fine, loved the accent it just wasn't Jax (if that makes sense?)
ReplyDeleteI am sorry that you you saw some of that stuff, but love your attitude and sense of humor about I. I post at one of the soap boards, and I will say we all get a little loony sometimes, I think it goes with the territory of being a fanatic.
As for the AJ thing, I would love that myself. I wouldn't mind seeing you on a soap I watch, just not as Jax =)
Gideon,
ReplyDeleteAnother big time Ingo/Jax fan checking in to say sorry you got some harsh reviews but soap fans are ummm let's say intense and leave it at that. You did a fine job under the circumstances and your looks and height are just fine! I'm sure your calves are ok too. LOL Take care!
I thought you were good, but a little too villian type. I think you would have been good as Trevor Lansing or another mobster coming into town.
ReplyDeleteI love that you didn't let the mean soap fans get you (too) down. In case you didn't know soap fans have a reputation for being over the top and more then a bit loony. I love Ingo Rademacher as Jax and sure you had a different take of the character then Ingo you stepped in and did a good job and I'm sure Ingo as well as the show appreciated it. You are a great actor and maybe someday you can come back as a new character and kick some ass. good luck!
ReplyDeleteIf you ever become a character on GH, I'll start watching it again. You are yummy (of course, I reserve further judgment until I've seen these supposedly puny calves.).
ReplyDeleteI watched your appearances on GH and thought you were great. The 1st day was a bit jarring but today (Thurs,Jan 17) You were amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love Ingo, but please, if asked, come back to GH even if another character.
Great Job!!!!
I hope you understand that a lot of it has to do with preferance. I dont' agree with bashing looks but you took a hard role to take over.
ReplyDeleteSome of us never seen you act before, so it's difficult for us to accept you as the recast of Jax. I personally don't like you as Jax but I may like you doing something else. I just don't see you as Jax. Also it was a shock to us that we didn't get a warning.. lol
I hope you understand. :)
I forgot to say one thing. I may not like you as Jax but you definetly had the best lines and loved what you said to Carly.. lol
ReplyDeleteIt's what many of us have been saying for a long time. It's nice that we can hear it on tv.... lol
I watched your appearances on GH and thought you were great. The 1st day was a bit jarring but today (Thurs,Jan 17) You were amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love Ingo, but please, if asked, come back to GH even if another character.
Great Job!!!!
Hey Gideon, I watch GH off and on, so today was the first day I saw you as Jax. I thought you did a fine job!
ReplyDeleteToo bad I missed the episodes you did with "Jerry". I hope they keep you around as another character once Ingo is back.
The fan-boards seem to draw a lot of rabid types. You should have read some of the stuff that was said about "temporary Amelia". Nutty!
Anyways, best wishes from Canada
:-)
Greetings from California! First let me say that you are charming and very funny. Now, as a long time GH fan/watcher I think you're doing great. I know it can't be easy to be a recast for a fan favorite, because unfortunately some tend invest to much in a fictional show (not myself -- seriously, I don't -- I rarely watch the show anymore). But you're just a fellow actor stepping in for another, and that is commendable. And it's also unfortunate that you visited some sites where people can be just downright rude and disrespectful to someone they've never even met -- that I'll never understand. So I just wanted to say that you're doing well (haven't watched todays show but I will), and it's been a pleasure to watch you work. If you are asked to come back to GH as another character, please do.
ReplyDeleteI think you've done a nice job in fitting into a role an Ingo had for years. Your blog entry really made me laugh. It's unfortunate that forums are nearly always more critical than complimentary, but I have seen a number of positive topics on you too! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, soap fans have strong feelings about their faves. I am one of them. We are an opinionated bunch, lol. And we can be very harsh.
ReplyDeleteGH fans, especially. I think we have the biggest presence on the 'net of any soap fanbase.
Ingo/Jax is a fave and brings his own style to the role.
However, I just got around to watching you on Monday 1/14.
I am a big Jax/CarJax fan. I had heard some bad things about Monday but I disagreed after seeing it for myself. You did a good job with the material. Ingo tends to play Jax more relaxed than you did, even in serious situations. He also has this boyish charm, and I think that's what folks found jarring. I could deal with the English accent personally since Jerry is supposed to be Aussie too, but SR speaks with an English accent. GH is not known for its attention to detail.
But you had important lines to deliver. FINALLY Jax got to give his POV. I am a Carly Fan First (CFF) but she does not appreciate myJax enough. I think you did a good job voicing Jax's fears and concerns, and in showing his usual ability to analyze a situation maturely yet be compassionate.
From what I've read, people enjoyed you in those critical scenes on Thurs 1/17.
I'm glad you could have a sense of humor about this.
Hey...I was on the ABC GH message board when I got to read your reactions to some negative feed back. I have to say I personally appologize...I didn't make one of the worst comments but any negative comment was unnecisary. I love the guy who plays Jax and anyone replacing him would have been awckward. I think you are a good actor and very proffesional for taking all this in stride. I wish GH had used you as an original character rather then a replacement. It's a shame to wast good talent on a sub when they need good new talent that works well with the egsisting cast. Love the accent!
ReplyDeleteGreat job today! Look at the board today. Lots of positive posts. We're a fickle bunch, but we're pretty fair.
ReplyDeleteI think you are very good looking with nice cheek bones. You are better than Ingo in my opinion. Love Steffi
ReplyDeleteYour a much better looking Jax!
ReplyDeleteHi Gid! I thought you were wonderful on the show! Would love to see you back on the show. Not as AJ though... No more "bringing back the dead" LOL!! Maybe a new character.. a friend of Jerry's.. you know he needs one! I like strong coffee as well.. Yummy!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day and good luck on the big screen and small one as well! Look forward to seeing you again!
There are GH fans, then there are rabid extreme fans. The former are usualy story-driven; the latter tend to be character-loyal and have an absurd predeliction for getting off on bashing whatever upsets their little fantasy world. Pay them no mind. Should you do Othello, I doubt you'll see any of them in the audience.
ReplyDeleteAs a GH fan for more than 30 years, I thought you did a great job. It's got to be difficult to step into an established character on short notice, especially on a daily. I thought your scenes with both Sebastian Roche and Laura Wright were terrific.
And look at the bright side -- do you have any clue how many people have wanted someone, ANYONE, to tell Carly to (basically) sit down, shut up and stop obsessing over Jason? A lot. And lucky you, you got to make it happen! Don't be surprised if people stop you on the sidewalk and thank you for that scene. :)
Just watched today's show -- such great scenes with Laura Wright (Carly). It's about time someone told Carly to shut up properly. Ingo is always too nice, even when he's trying to drive home a point.
ReplyDeleteLoved the eye roll when she was talking about Jason having a baby with Liz -- perfect.
Hey. I think you did a great job as Jax. Don't listen to the haters! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that you did a good job on GH. I actually thought you worked better with the actor who plays Jerry than "Jax" does. But unfortunately, usually the people who are the most vocal are the ones who are not satisfied and they (the people on the message boards) usually get up in arms whenever ANYTHING is changed.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry about it too much. Most of us soap fans critique everything, all the while knowing we couldn't do half as good a job as you did. By the way, I think you did great! It was sort of a refreshing change of pace. People on the message boards say mean things about most of the cast and I wouldn't take it to heart because some people are just not able to give an unbiased opinion.
ReplyDeleteWhile I love GH and Ingo Rademacher, I think you did a great job in the role of Jasper Jacks. It's never easy replacing an actor, especially for a few episodes, but I thought you handled the job extremely well. You're a great actor and best of luck in the future!
ReplyDeleteAw, you are a great sport, and don't listen to anything Soapzone says.
ReplyDeleteThey're brutal!!
Now, about those calves....
Gideon... thank you so much for sharing your sense of humor with all of us, and for not taking much of this garbage that is being spouted to heart. I had a feeling that you wouldn't let a bunch of ignorant comments from lazy, dorito eating housewives that probably can't be bothered to get out of their PJs by 2pm get to you, but I had to drop you a line and say that I for one think you are a handsome and talented actor! Take care!
ReplyDeleteI am sorry to hear that some fans made such terrible comments. Yes, daytime fans tend to be VERY protective over their favorite characters and actors, and I'm sorry you had to bare the brunt of that.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge Jax fan, and I also thought you did great work stepping into the role. It couldn't have been easy, but I think you've done a great job and I commend you.
I wish you luck in your career, and hey, I think you'd be great as AJ!
Best wishes,
Laurelin
I was one of those who "rallied to your defense". I think you are doing a fantastic job. I also think you aussie accent sounds very authentic.
ReplyDeletei don't know why people have to be so cruel... i thought you did a wonderful job stepping in for Ingo on such short notice. it's not like you're a permanent recast! my goodness!
ReplyDeletejust wanted to let you know that there are some of us who actually appreciated the job you did. thank you for allowing the show to go on... :)
Just ignore the bitter vile haters. That carolyng on Television Without Pity posted about how it's all about "Television. WITHOUT. Pity," but you know if someone went after her she'd whine about it for everyone to hear.
ReplyDeleteDon't let hags like her get you down! :)
Hmm, I actually liked you as Jax (and this coming from an Ingo fan!). I only saw about half of your scenes, because I am of the opinion that Carly needs the crap beaten out of her all too often, and tend to ff right through her. But from what I did see, you did a pretty good job.
ReplyDeleteEh, well. At least you've kept your humor about the whole thing. Best wishes.
Nah, you were great. I found it interesting that GH felt the need to replace Ingo for those few days thinking that something crucial in the storyline was about to happen. It didn't. But I like your style and will look for your work in other productions
ReplyDeleteyou know i actually thought you captured the essence of jax really well! and i think that is why GH cast you! and i think you are a very nice looking man with an extremely sexy accent :)
ReplyDeleteand i am so glad that you can handle the criticisms of silly, little people who hide on the internet and think noting of trashing a PERSON!
Best of luck in the future and if you were to return to GH, rest assured you would have some fans watching!!!
Thank you for taking the time to fill in for Ingo, i am sure you had other things to do, and as an Ingo fan i appreciate you helping him out!
Thank you again for a great performance! Best of luck to you!!
Tiffani
i saw your scenes on gh and i think you did a fine job - i am an ingo fan but i think the posts on the gh message board were harsh - "faux jax" indeed - just ridiculous - and i like your voice - a little reminiscent of pierce brosnan - don't feel bad - some of those fans are rabid and many times they don't say anything good about ANYONE - especially when they call jax "fat" - lol
ReplyDeleteI read some of the posts on ABC and SoapNet's GH website and thought they were outrageously critical. Soap fans can get attached to characters, couples and stories and anything that threatens that (real or imagined) can set them off. Don't let a few vocal fans discourage you. Replacing a popular actor is never easy and I thought you did a great job.
ReplyDeletePS - Love the cheek bones.
Hey, I watched your run on soaps and I though you weren't to bad on it lol. Your better then most of the people who fill spots. Sometimes fans can be a lil... brutal and for that I'm sorry if any of the people on the board offended and disrespected you.
ReplyDeleteBTW don't feel bad... I have bad feet... I'm short and they look really big for some strange reason lol.
I watched yo as Jax and thought you did a fine job filling in for a character/actor for your short term. I thought you had nice chemistry with Laura Wright (Carly). I hope that the next time 'Jax' goes on vacation they call and ask you to return.
ReplyDeleteGideon, don't pay attention to Shanda. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think you are nice looking. I saw you as Jax on GH. I thought you were good. But no one can replace Ingo R. as Jax. As for Shanda...if she is pretty on the outside, she is damn well ugly on the inside. How a person is on the inside, is a helluva lot more important to me. Good luck with your acting career.
ReplyDeleteHello, I just read your blog about the GH fans that were brutal towards you and I am afraid I owe you an apology. I was one of them. I didn't attack you to the degree that those you mentioned did but i was hostil towards your portrayal of Jax and for that I am sorry. Sometimes us fans write things about actors or characters without thinking about who we might be hurting. So I just wanted to pop in and say I'm sorry for my part in the whole thing.
ReplyDeleteJenn
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY YOU DID A FINE JOB FILLING IN ON GH AS JAX FOR INGO. SOME PEOPLE IN THIS WORLD CAN BE SO CRUEL. I AM A HUGE GH FAN. I ACTUALLY LIKED YOU. SO WHEN YOU END UP ON A DIFFERENT SOAP OR SHOW JUST KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT LIKE YOU AND YOUR WORK. I AM ONE OF THEM. I ACTUALLY THINK YOU WERE A HANDSOME MAN BESIDES WHAT OTHER PEOPLE SAY. GOOD LUCK!!!!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge Jax fan. That said: We all knew you were filling in for Ingo in an emergency type situation, for the fans to have blasted you is highly rude.
ReplyDeleteI apologize for the idiots who felt the need to be hurtful.
I don't watch GH but I use to so I read some of the stuff about GH in Soap Opera Digest. This is what I have to say to those nasty fans up to this:
ReplyDeleteWhen you judge others, you do not define them, You define yourself.
You were just defining Yourselves....
For what it's worth,I'm a long time GH fan & I really enjoyed your Jax more than Ingo's. You had great chemistry with Laura Wright as well as Sebastian Roche... and would be thrilled if you were Jax on a permanent basis!
ReplyDeleteFor the record, those idiots don't speak for the rest of us. Unfortunately, most of the rest of us don't have the time to provide a more positive feedback. We do seem to have an awful lot to say when it's negative, don't we?
ReplyDeleteChin up. I thought you did an excellent job on the spot, dude.
I have watched GH for over 30 years now. This actor did a gret job in helping out with temping for Jax. These fans who said those insults to you are nothing more than children who need to get a life! And to say you need to be taller or better looking, those people need to look in a mirror!
ReplyDeleteI hope you may come back to GH as a new character some day so we can see what a great actor you can be.
Thank you.
Kelli
I for one, truly enjoyed your portrayal of Jax. I do agree that some fans find it super hard to adjust and that really was what that was about...because in all honesty, acting wise, you were good and you may not look like Ingo, but I thought you were good looking yourself.
ReplyDeleteIf Jax does need a filling in, I don't mind seeing you at all.....for some reason, they changed the character a bit when you stepped in and made your Jax a bit stronger in dealing with Carly's craziness....I personally enjoyed your scene when you were lecturing Carly for harrassing a hurt Elizabeth. It's nice to see someone put Carly in her place successfully, even if it happens just once in a while (i.e. when you step in).
Good luck with your career =)
I just read the page 17 article in the Feb. 19 issue of Soap Opera Digest this morning.
ReplyDeleteDude, you have nothing to worry about and you are not unattractive at all.
I'd take you over Ingo Rademacher anyday. It's just that those ladies that watch "GH" have become familiar with him since he's been on the show for a dozen years.
*** KEVIN IN SOUTH TULSA ***
my pics & profile: http://www.gaydar.co.uk/hottiewottie
I think you way hotter than Ingo! GH is full of pretty boys but your a real man!!!
ReplyDeleteI was HORRIFIED when I read what some of these people said.
ReplyDeleteI mean, obviously you weren't Ingo, but I thought you did a great job. There are so many expectations for regular actors and when they need time off and someone steps in for them, it's hard to fill their shoes.
The fact that you were willing to give this a go makes you much braver than any of those people who sit behind their screens and criticize people all day.
:) I love your sense of humor, by the way. I'm glad you can keep such a positive outlook.
Just wanted to say that I really did appreciate the work you did as Jax on GH---a few of the fans on some of the boards I frequent did come out and echo my feelings, some even going so far as to say they wished you had taken the role over permanently! While I wouldn't go quite that far (LOL!), I will say that I really liked the fact that your Jax called Carly on her BS (for maybe the first time ever!), and the character has actually been pretty much doing so ever since (YAY! I luv Carly, but can admit when she's in the wrong.)
ReplyDeleteFinally, on a complete fangirl note, I've gotta say that I just luv your voice, and that you are unquestionably the main reason that FFXII's Balthier has become such a well-loved (and my personal fave in FFXII) RPG character!Rock on!
I thought I would watch Gh for my self, Well I have just watched it and I liked you much better then ingo to matcho for my taste, I would watch you any day with your high cheek bones and your thin ankles. and I think you are better looking and whats wrong with your height, not everyone can be over 6 foot tall. Well I have had my rant.
ReplyDeleteIf you cant say anything nice dont say anything thats my motto GHfans.
You write very well.
ReplyDelete