MovieChat Forums > Confessions of a Teen Idol (2009) Discussion > A Realistic Look at Has-Beens + Wanna Be...

A Realistic Look at Has-Beens + Wanna Bees

posted 15 years ago by evegale-3
21 replies | jump to latest

Scott Baio trotted out his own washed-up over-the-hill career and sad man-boy personal life for the viewers / voyeurs of VH1/MTV --- and to his credit got people to say his name and not snicker. Now the enterprising Mr. Baio is parlaying his successful niche comeback by corraling a half-dozen has beens (and in most cased - wannabees) whose semi-careers came to a halt by drugs, alcohol, womanizing, bad managers, bad decisions and lets face it a lack of talent and charisma.

After watching 3 episodes this is my opinion for whatever it is worth.

The bad/sad stuff first:

Eric Nies: He's not an actor, singer or dancer. Just what sort of career is this guy trying to return to. He's cute - but he's already in his 40's and modeling on the top level is a young man's game. I think he should take some courses on nutrition and exercise at a junior college, and get a job at a gym as a personal trainer. He already fancies himself some sort of life coach.

Jamie Walters: Neither charming or good looking, or for that matter ambitious. He is a very mediocre singer. I think he should stick to his day job and worry about supporting his nice little family. The world needs more ambulance drivers.

David Chokachi: This guy is a model, and not a young one. He should sign up with a good agency and get as many modeling gigs and tv commercials as he possibly can and put the money away. If he is very lucky he might get a soap - but once again those shows are disappearing and parts are now going to the younger boys. P.S. if he really wanted to be an "actor" he should have gotten himself to one of the many many acting schools in NY or LA 15 years ago. Somehow I don't think Mr. Baywatch is going to play Hamlet anytime soon.

Jeremy Jackson: I don't know what to say. I don't see anything interesting, charming or unusual about this guy. He is young enough where going back to school is a good option for him. He might find a subject or an interest that he could make a decent career out of. If he is still set on the acting thing - for goodness sakes get thee to an acting school or teacher or coach. I think he should spend the major amount of his time concentrating on staying sober - which is more important than getting to be a celebrity.

The Good Stuff

Adrian Zmed: This guy is actually talented. Yeah he's in his 50's, but he's handsome, charming, and has an over-all sweet likeable quality. Not to mention he can actually act, sing and dance. I don't think he will ever be an A list celebrity and I don't mean that in a cruel way. He is not going to have a film career, and I think he knows that. But this guy should definitely
be able to find himself a tv series. I think he has the perfect personality for sitcom and could do a bang up job if he landed one. Sadly, sitcoms have mostly been replaced by the reality shows. This guy needs to get in and audition for every tv show possible. I think what he needs is a good agent / manager.

Billy Huffsey: Billy is a big surprise. Yeah he doesn't look like he did 25 years ago - who does. But he is incredibly likeable and that comes across on the screen. I think he has the same potential as Adrian. He needs a good agent / manager to get him in for auditions. I can easily see him guesting on one of the CSI or Law & Order type shows. I can even see him as a regular supporting character.

Christopher Atkins: The man-boy of the Blue Lagoon is long gone and in his place is a slightly world weary fellow, whose eyes are lined and whose hands have been roughened by hard work. Chris has grit and a hint of mystery. I think he is one film away from a major comeback. He is made for the big screen, but I think he would do best to look to the newer Indy filmmakers to begin his return. Chris really needs a major talent agent to push him. Maybe a trip to Sundance might be the best way to start.

[–] haylscout 15 years ago

Eric is not a celebrity, and he seems to be enjoying what he likes doing helping people, not acting, which makes me wonder why he'd do this show (for money?) And I really don't get Jamie Walters, he was a one hit wonder with a small role on 90210, he seems out of his element trying to be a celebrity.

[–] DameDigbyChickenCaesar 15 years ago

"Eric Nies: He's not an actor, singer or dancer. Just what sort of career is this guy trying to return to?"

Evegale, that and your comment about Jamie Walters have me LMAOOOOOOing.

Remember Surreal Life? They'd always have a reality "star" on the show among the...erm, former celebrities. Maybe that's why Eric's on the show. I was a fan of the 1st Real World. I also had his Grind workout video. I'm enjoying seein' him again on TV, but your question is a good one. Let's say this does get him some jobs. What kind of jobs will they be? When I first saw him on Confesssions, I thought, he still looks pretty good. HOWEVER, that whole piss-in-the-hair thing and letting it soak for 4 hours schitt really killed that. So now, when I see him on the show with damp hair... Ick. Just...Ick.

"It's what people know about themselves inside that makes them afraid."

[–] danagolightly 15 years ago

Eric is 37, not in his 40's.

[–] JVIvies 15 years ago

Yeah,Eric was like 21 when he was chosen for The Real World,BTW!!!

[–] danagolightly 15 years ago

I think I recall him turning 21 on the show, that was in 1992. BEST Real World ever BTW!

[–] holborne 15 years ago

Excellent post, evegale-3!

And you took the words right out of my mouth about Jamie. Why on earth would he want to go back to the middling career he had 15 years ago? Being a firefighter is way cooler and more worthwhile than being a mediocre actor and singer.

[–] MarciaMarciaMarcia 15 years ago

This is not a rip on you at all evegale, but I'm curious about what age group you fall into.

I found it interesting that you liked the older "teen idols" but not the younger ones. I agree with some of what you said, but I also disagree with a lot of it. I don't find Billy Hufsey likeable at all anymore. I think he seems desperate and comes on way to strong...and not in a good confident way, but in a pushy, overpowering way.

Lastly, I think I'm in the minority, but I like Jaime Walters. He seems sweet and humble, and I think he's talented. If he made a country CD, I'd definitely give it a chance.

I enjoyed reading your post. I always find it interesting when people watching the same thing have so many different opinions.

[–] carlas-1 15 years ago

Evegale def had some great points---I agreed with everything she said about the "bad stuff"...not so sure I agree with everything from the "good stuff". I am not a fan of either Adrian (b/c he is a wimp and also he thinks he should be "privileged into" another career....sorry pal, doesn't work that way!

...and Billy, nope, NOPE, N O P E! Those waxed eyebrows are the absolute worst! He silently cries out "Please love me....please accept me...please validate me."

Actually, having said that, Adrian and Billy could have a future with the right agent. Remember, Hollywood needs all kinds, not just the mega-beautiful! I am not crazy about these two, but I could see them as cops or as goodfellas.

Geez, I am the only one who is not crazy for these two? Everyone seems to like them so much. I must be missing something!

P.S. The most potential, I think, is in Christopher Atkins.....the least: Eric Nies with Jamie Walters coming in at a very close 2nd!

Once again, jmo

***************************************

I love you...but not like that.

[–] LizardHead61 15 years ago

No, you're not the only one. I find Adrian irritating and cornball. He doesn't have a very large range. I think he's talented in the song and dance arena but he's not sophisticated. Billy at first seemed okay but he really needs to get over the fact that he's not 20 any more and not in dancing shape. I could see him doing character acting though.

Chris Atkins, someone else said this too, he's okay as long as the praise is pouring in, but gets all moody when it's not. I can't really feel sorry for him.

I kind of liked Jeremy until the last show with the "gatekeepers". He showed poor judgment there. Not that I am writing him off, he just needs to chill. He seems like a nice normal guy otherwise.

David Chokachi seems embarrassed to be on the show. He's really cute though. :)

Eric Nies, agreed, why is he on this show? He was not a "teen idol".

Jamie doesn't really bother me but he just seems sort of average. He looks the same after all the "make overs".

I never liked Scott Baio either and never got his appeal.

[–] premont 15 years ago

Chokachi - probably the 1 of the group that is still relevant to casting directors. He could easily end up on another show.
Atkins - Getting older but he has a long resume. He's probably got to keep looking at low budget films or the occasional tv role.
Nies - I don't think the wild man look he has is very marketable. I think he's got to stay with reality tv and maybe look to market some of his health products.
Walters - Keep the firmean job, but maybe he could market himself as a fireman country singer on his own website.
Huffsey - getting older and obviously wants it bad, but is probably limited. Maybe tv roles or stage stuff.
Jackson - He's got to grow out of his immaturity. He should concentrate on small tv guest spots instead of thinking he's about to be a big star.
Zmed - Seems content with song and dance. Could probably do guest spots on tv if he could get past type casting.

[–] shoopies 15 years ago

do any of you know that adrian actually did broadway numerous times? i seriously dont think he is lacking in talent. i wonder what you think if micky dolenz was on the show? not that he would be caught dead on it though.

[–] carlas-1 15 years ago

shoopies, Sorry to clue you in on this, but M. Dolenz IS on a reality show that is airing right now. Read below:

Justin Guarini Talks about Going Country, Idol Drama and More

21 January 2009 1:31 PM, PST | From TVGuide.com - Features | See recent TVGuide - Features news

This Saturday at 8 pm/Et, Justin Guarini will go country as a competitor on Gone Country 3, the Cmt series that challenges celebs from assorted walks of life to take a walk on the wailing side. Does Guarini, the runner-up in American Idol's first season, have what what it takes to croon better than Richard Grieco, Micky Dolenz, Taylor Dane and three other wannabes? TVGuide.com invited Guarini to preview his foray into the genre, as well as make some predictions about Idol's new season. TVGuide.com: What about pop singing doesn't necessarily translate into country singing?

***************************************

I love you...but not like that.

[–] shoopies 15 years ago

oh i have been watching it. its nothing like this show. the fourth episode will air tomorrow. micky hate's reality shows and intialy turned the show down. his agent talked him into watching it and he decided the gone country wasnt like the others and he said he had fun filming it. its probably the last one micky will ever do. he's been premoting it on talks show and radio shows for weeks now saying that same thing.

i didnt bring it up on here because this isnt the gone country board thats all.
if micky buy chance did do this confessions of a teen idol people would probably say he was has been too. which he isnt but that wouldnt stop people from saying it.

I still can't believe that womnan on gone country thought micky was trying to win fans back buy doing gone country. thats the complete opposite.

anyway this is conffesions of teen idol board so back to the show.

[–] capri69 15 years ago

Hey Shoopies how do you know all that about Mickey?

[–] shoopies 15 years ago

i read it micky posted it in his cmt blog. i run a monkees forum. read alot about all the guys. and micky just won the car race on gone country. way to go micky.

[–] capri69 15 years ago

Ohhh, cool! Yeah, I was glad to see Micky have some "face time" on the last ep and see him win the race.

[–] shoopies 15 years ago

they did the big shot oh meter pn him . lol lol/. can hr hel it he has done a lot of thingsd lol lol. i thought it was funny hope it didnt hurt mickys feelings thoughl. heard tell has sensative side but but then he also lets a lot slide off his back. so you never know. but i new as son as that showed that race track micky eyes would twinkle. micky loves cars and has talked before about drag racing. so i had now doubt he win or be close to it.

[–] 15 years ago

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[–] mel-o 15 years ago

I agree about Jamie Walters. There can be a place for him, just not selling out arenas.
Also, I think David Chokachi (?) probably has the second most realistic potential to get something started of the guys there. I see him on cable.

Adrian Zmed is a wildcard...I think he could recapture a lot of what he lost.

*Christianity is not a religion, its a relationship with Christ.*

[–] SOUTH_PAW 15 years ago

evegal is clueless. eric rules. jeremy is cool and has already gotten a lot of offers.

[–] lora_kim 14 years ago

after recently watching the show...
i could actually see atkins as some sort of hot-aging doc on grey's anatomy or some other doctor show out there...