I wanted to, but I had to stop after it became clear that Sorkin was pretty much using her to re-have arguments he'd had with Kristen Chenoweth, except that these ended with "him" (Matt) consistently giving her a verbal smackdown and her just loving him more.
A shame, because Sarah Paulson really did a great job with the role and she had pretty good chemistry with Matthew Perry.
During the show's original run I wasn't impressed by Sara Paulson. I really didn't have problems with the charachter, because I know enough people that struggle when their faith tells them not to believe in science or to be homophobic. It is a difficult situation to live in everyday.
My opinion of her portrayal changed when I became familiar with both her other work, I'd seen her in things and never known it was her, and how dead on her impressions were. I had never seen Nancy Grace before and whenever I see Holly Hunter now I think of Harriet (can't watch Saving Grace!). Of course, I immediately loved the dolphin girl voice!
I can't say that I liked her... exactly. I'd have liked it more, if Sorkin had let her be occasionally right - or not have her come off sounding like a judgemental prick ALL the time. I think her character set herself up a lot, and let herself get into situations with the press by not thinking clearly when talking to them(the gay thing) and I was a little bored by her and Matt.
The thing is - I'm a huge Kristin Chenoweth fan(for those of you who don't know, they based Harriet on her) and Kristin is, in my opinion, the right kind of christian. She doesn't shove her faith down your throat, but she doesn't hide it either. Most of all, she isn't judgemental toward gay people(God, I hate that). I come from a pretty conservative, christian family, and even though I'm not a christian - I like that there are those who don't give them a bad name in hollywood.
So yeah, I liked Harriet. I just wish Aaron Sorkin had written her with more depth, not just for proving how wrong she was all the time. And who knows? Maybe he'd planned to expand her character over time.
"I pretty much just do whatever Oprah tells me to..." - Liz Lemon
The character herself I really wanted to like. But I didn't. Too self-rightous. And all we ever heard about was how she was this great comic, great actress, and great singer. Yet I honestly never saw anything that showed that.
shareall we ever heard about was how she was this great comic, great actress, and great singer. Yet I honestly never saw anything that showed that.I could buy her as a bubbly anchorwoman on a comedy show, even if she seemed a little bland for an 'edgy' satirical show like this.
I was watching the episode where they're filming the scene in the Stones movie where the kid shoots himself and I'm not entirely sure that we're not supposed to think that Luke's movie is ridiculous. Harriet's accent is horribly laughable, the dialogue's crummy ("You've got a gun." "Yeah, it's Keith's"), and for a biopic, it takes a lot of liberty with established fact. Harriet's outrage at having Anita give the boy the gun is understandable, since it was proven in court that Anita was downstairs at the time (at least, that's how I understand the course of events, I could be wrong). Also, Harriet Hayes is totally wrong for the part, like you said. Sounds like a travesty of a movie.
The only hole in my theory is that Matt also thinks she's perfect for Pallenberg.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in our philosophy.
I liked her.
"I care so little I almost passed out"
I liked her. Actually, to be honest, she was my favorite character on the show (I know, I'm in the minority here). Actually, everyone in my family liked her...
I know she could be arrogant at times, but she made up for it in many other ways. I don't know...I guess it was refreshing to see a Christian act, for the most part, the way I feel a Christian should (not forcing her religion on anyone). Yes, she argued with Matt about religion, etc., but that was because Matt initiated the arguments. It was never about "you must become a Christian because..."
"Bye, Harry!" said Hermione, and she [...] kissed him on the cheek.
I feel sorry for Kristin Chenowith that everything she said to Sorkin came out of Hayes' mouth!
"That remote in your hand is a crack pipe!"
Well, he asked her permission... But yeah, that would be frustrating.
"Bye, Harry!" said Hermione, and she [...] kissed him on the cheek.
And then proceeded to have her beaten in EVERY arguement!
"That remote in your hand is a crack pipe!"
EXCEPT, you'll notice, the final argument. The "we've been having this argument in two millenniums" argument. I mean, technically it's the same one they've always had, but notice that Matt doesn't "win" at that time. In fact, at the end of the episode, he asks God to "show him something."
"Bye, Harry!" said Hermione, and she [...] kissed him on the cheek.
Replying without reading!
Read first line and then stopped-I'm four off the end so will return to thread then!
"That remote in your hand is a crack pipe!"
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I think not only did Sarah do an amazing job in the role, but Sorkin was freakin' brilliant to cast her in it! I loved the gay storyline in the Nevada Day episodes, it was like a little wink to the audience(I'm referring to the fact that Sarah is an openly gay actress). Also the fact that Sarah and Amanda have been friends for years was a cool plus for the show in my opinion (first saw them together in Jack & Jill and have loved them ever sense), the part when Jordan tries to befriend Harriet was hysterical!
Quote from Nevada Day Part 1: "Hang on, you don't mean to say there are homosexuals and lesbians in show business do you, 'cause I'll walk right out this building!" - Sarah Paulson as Harriet Hayes
I found Harriet a very warm, engaging character. I can imagine her saying to Matt (or anyone else giving her grief): 'I'm your worst nightmare - a Christian with a sense of humor'.
shareOk... be ready to hate me, I liked her character. She was funny, she had faith in something, but her view was that you could joke about anything, that laughter ws ok and nothing taboo. In her reality she could reconcile the religion and comedy.
As far as her relationship with Matt, that is screwed up, but haven't most of us had relationships that were just strange?
I loved her...but it may just be love for Sarah Paulson and her spot on Holly Hunter.
"I rule!" -Lester Burnham
I liked her character.
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I really adored Harriet Hayes as a character and I say that unapologetically. I thought she was charming, funny, intelligent and sincere. I disagree that she lost every one of her fights with Matt. For one I think they made it clear that at least in the context of the story neither of them ever won the argument. For another while Matt provided eloquent, well-reasoned answers to support his argument(for logic) Her argument(for faith)was supported by a firm but reasonable defense of her beliefs as dictated by the bible on the basis of faith as well as by her actions. As someone stated before, "[the fights] ended with "him" (Matt) consistently giving her a verbal smackdown and her just loving him more." In this she is beautifully portraying a woman who does not just defend the words on principle but truly loves her religion and has dedicated her life to being the person it tells her to be. She is incredibly forgiving and understanding of Matt and Danny and even to the Christian women's group who deeply hurt her with their betrayal, she is loving, kind and non-confrontational. The thing I believe I admire most about her, however, is that she is unapologetic about her beliefs. It is so easy in these times to disavow or gloss over or apologize for the unpopular or taboo aspects of your faith. For one in her public position particularly I think it would be so easy to submit to the pressures of popular assumption but she faced it all steadfastly. So I have to say that in my opinion the two of them were evenly matched as excellent defenders of the two points of view and she was in no way 'bashed' by Matt. I think he fully realized this and respected and loved her for it. I don't believe that if he saw her as being less than him that he would have been as absorbed with her as he was nor would he have continued an argument which he considered to be won. I was interested to hear that Sorkin based her character on Chenoweth but unlike others, it would seem, I consider it an enormous honor which he has bestowed upon her and not a thinly veiled and continual 'smackdown'.
On a side note, in one of the episodes Harriet says to a reporter something along the lines of 'in any other country the fact that I am a person of faith would not be noteworthy'. I believe that Americans are viewing Harriet as the loser in the argument not because the script is written to convince you that she is but because they are viewing the scenes through the eyes of the person they most agree with... Matt, who represents the current cultural and societal views of our country. In another culture, however, the general consensus might be more favorable to Harriet's point of view.
nicely put. As you suggested she didn't lose many arguments. In fact, she was mean enough to put him on drugs for a long while - so he really lost that argument.
I really enjoyed her character and her portrayal of it. She's a beautiful and very talented actress. Darn shame this show ended but happy that it ended with the two of them together (but I must admit that I wouldn't be heading back to my office once I found out my love intended to leave the building with me).
I've just returned to this Board after a lengthy absence and am surprised that my thread still has a life!
Be that as it may, I must confess that I've changed my opinion on Harriet Hayes.
I recently re-watched the entire series. Now that I understand that Harriet is based on Kristen Chenowith and the arguments she has with Matt are the ones Aaron had with Kristen, her whole character makes much more sense.
So I apologise for my original impertinence. I've changed my mind!
I really can't stand Harryet. I thought she was obviously an important part of the show, but she missed to be smart, the character miss something that can make her shine.
shareHarriet was awesome! and I don't know what people keep going on about the lack of chemistry between Matt and Harriet?!
*Carls*
"Nobody likes a stinky Witch"
I found her a bit of a Mary-Sue - everyone kept talking and talking about how wonderfully talented and brilliant she was, but we never got shown it. I'm a big fan of the show, don't tell, school of characterisation, and though I found her charming, got sick to death of being TOLD she was wonderfully talented but never shown as much.
shareI liked her, I thought she was funny and again I disagreed with pretty much everything she said, I thought some of her comments about gay people and sin were just ridiculous. I always thought that Matt Albie won the arguments, but perhaps thats just because I always agreed with him. still i thought she was good.
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Well, she did the unforgettable dolphin girl thing. ^_^
shareWe didn't get to see ANY of the actor's do much "on screen" to show their talents - barely seaw Simon do anything other than News 60, we saw Tom do a couple of minor scenes, Samantha do one scene....we saw more of the guy doing Nick cage than anything else. We saw them rehearse scenes and write scenes but not acting.
It was a Behind the Scenes show - we didn't get to see any of them being talented in front of camera more than in passing glimpses.
and on a side note - I think Sarah Paulson is not only beautiful but has a killer body!
...everything happens eventually...