02-17-2015, 06:05 PM
I certainly agree that a lot of "Sheldon" seems to have vanished from Jim's performance, save for the odd moment. God knows why. Jim's a grand actor (and utterly superb as Vintage Sheldon obviously), so potentially it's a directorial, powers-that-be decision. To make him more "normal" perhaps?
On Letterman etc I find him charming, because Parsons is charming. The problem is that NEW!Sheldon ISN'T. He's just the Parsonian voice and form without the Parsonian charm and wit, and without Sheldon's old oddness and innocence, and I really don't see the point of that.
There's a physical aspect as well. Sheldon's somewhat "challenging" personality was always offset by the fact that he resembled either a 'baby deer' or a frantic stick insect - neither particularly threatening creatures. His vague androgyny and obvious asexuality helped here as well, in making him a little otherworldly, as did the softer, more flutey, accentless voice he used in the first 3 seasons.
Beefed up "sexy toddler" Sheldon in a normal bloke's suit drinking beer and talking LOUDLY, smacking his "little lady" on the arse is not especially endearing. It's obnoxious and dull. And incredibly un-Sheldon. Then he veers to the other extreme, and becomes a sort of sappy version of Steve Martin's Ruprecht the monkey-boy. So somewhere between sappiness and redneckery sounds the death-knell of a wonderful character...
This new look and manner also doesn't partner well with Sheldon's increased malice lately, and his awareness of sarcasm, sexuality etc. There's none of the peculiar alien left, he's entirely human now. And not a pleasant human either.
Well done on ruining him, whoever's responsible.. I hope it was worth it to you, somehow...
Ach well, Parsons will hopefully go back to surrealist theatre in the end. And Vintage Sheldon will outlast the show itself, no fear.
On Letterman etc I find him charming, because Parsons is charming. The problem is that NEW!Sheldon ISN'T. He's just the Parsonian voice and form without the Parsonian charm and wit, and without Sheldon's old oddness and innocence, and I really don't see the point of that.
There's a physical aspect as well. Sheldon's somewhat "challenging" personality was always offset by the fact that he resembled either a 'baby deer' or a frantic stick insect - neither particularly threatening creatures. His vague androgyny and obvious asexuality helped here as well, in making him a little otherworldly, as did the softer, more flutey, accentless voice he used in the first 3 seasons.
Beefed up "sexy toddler" Sheldon in a normal bloke's suit drinking beer and talking LOUDLY, smacking his "little lady" on the arse is not especially endearing. It's obnoxious and dull. And incredibly un-Sheldon. Then he veers to the other extreme, and becomes a sort of sappy version of Steve Martin's Ruprecht the monkey-boy. So somewhere between sappiness and redneckery sounds the death-knell of a wonderful character...
This new look and manner also doesn't partner well with Sheldon's increased malice lately, and his awareness of sarcasm, sexuality etc. There's none of the peculiar alien left, he's entirely human now. And not a pleasant human either.
Well done on ruining him, whoever's responsible.. I hope it was worth it to you, somehow...
Ach well, Parsons will hopefully go back to surrealist theatre in the end. And Vintage Sheldon will outlast the show itself, no fear.
"WHERE THE HELL'S MY PARACHUTE?"