Cynthia Gibb as Karen

[cam83]

Hi All,
I always wondered why CBS chose Cynthia Gibb to star as Karen Carpenter. Why her? I knew that she starred as Holly, a recurring character on the TV series FAME, who also experienced anorexia(her character does, I mean).

Cameron

[dgfarnsworth]

I would deduce that since Cynthia Gibb had a LONG TV HISTORY with CBS...that gave her some "favoritism" (and I was SHOCKED that they picked HER. And I guessing that might have been her first "big role" outside of the soap opera.

For many years there was a soap opera on TV when I would come home from work at lunch (and I usually had it on as background "noise" ; then, started watching it): SEARCH FOR TOMORROW. For many years Cynthia Gibb played the character of Suzi on that soap opera.

[Rick Henry]

The first time I watched the movie I felt Cynthia did a great job. But, as I've watched it several times more I feel her performance was average. That may not even be Cynthia's fault though. The script was very superficial. I don't think the movie really captured who Karen Carpenter was. It was a more on the surface scan of the career of the Carpenters. Regardless, I do still enjoy the movie tremendously, though I'm hoping one day there will be a more complex movie about Karen and her thoughts and beliefs. I think more attention should have went the recording of Karen's solo album and also to her drumming.

online thoughts...

[smoothie2]

???I don't think I ever watched the tv series of Fame..and so, I never had really seen Cynthia G. in anything that I know of. From this forum, I learned that she had been on the Fame series..but it's interesting to know she was on a soap op. too.
I agree with Rick as far as there should be an overall movie done about Karen, especially since the biogr. have come out through the books and then how she was so much MOre than someone with anorexia. At the time the movie was made, people were just then learning about that disease, and many were not aware of it at all, so more emphasis could be placed in another movie of who she was...and then how the Carps. in general affected the music of the world.
Anyway, when I first saw Cynthia and that movie it really sparked my interest of course, but it did seem just a little off beat as far as her mouthing the words to the songs and ...etc.
That deep beautiful voice didn't seem to fit coming out of such a pretty but maybe a little too immature-ish woman.
Overall, I do think it to be a very good movie and it informed so many about anorexia, as well as how regular folks...can reach those goals , as well as how fame can control and overwhelm such folks.
Don't know who would make an adequate person to play Karen, there are so very many new young actors out there now, that there would surely be someone...but, then, maybe no one could ever really do her part since...Karen is definitely
one of a kind as well as richard.

I am sorry folks...this post turned out like my mouth...rambling..and too long... those are my thots though...

"funny but it seems I always wind up right here with you..nice to know somebody loves me..."

[Moe]

;D

I liked the movie and Cynthia's performance. I agree that there wasn't much depth to go on in the script, but it was still worth watching. I enjoyed the movie for the music. At the time, "You're the One" and "Where do I go from here" had not been released, so it was exciting to hear a new song.

[Karpart]

I know from fan club that Brooke Adams was their first choice, but she had commitments at the time and couldnot do the movie.....She so resembled Karen then..........

[Rick Henry]

Here is a picture of Brooke Adams. I think she does have a similar look to Karen. She may have been a convincing KC.

[smoothie2]

;Dhey everybody....yes, this Brooke does look like a young Karen.
I like the new updates this time around Rick.


smoothie
hey Rick...you Rock!