News: NYT writer Virginia Heffernan has an in-depth review of the (once?) YouTube sensation “lonelygirl15″ aka “Bree,” played by aspiring actress (Jessica Lee Rose). Heffernan is quite effusive in praising the actress:
As a serial drama too, “Lonelygirl15” has kept its first unbeatable asset, the one that has nothing to do with new technology. It’s the girl: Jessica Lee Rose. As the series goes on, Ms. Rose continues to mix moodiness, charm and precociousness, and her witchcraft casts a serious spell. For every fan who’s mad at her for jerking Daniel around, there are 10 who are newly in love. And the fact that she’s now out of her parents’ clutches and in the wide world—à la Lolita, in motels and guest houses—makes her suddenly more available.
Analysis: It’s a little surprising to find how many people are still watching the “lonelygirl15″ web series. I’m even more surprised by how glowing Virginia Heffernan’s praise is for the show. The latest video (below) already has close to 150,000 views on the first day — which is quite respectable by YouTube standards. Although I did find “lonelygirl15″ interesting enough to base my copyright exam loosely on her story (more specifically, a Law and Order episode “borrowing” her story for its show), I must confess that I don’t get “lonelygirl15.” Never really watched an entire video of “lonelygirl15.” Once the “lonelygirl15″ was outed as a work of fiction (instead of fact that it was suggested to be), that seemed to deflate much of the mystique or drama surrounding “lonelygirl15.” To revive interest, the show’s directors have brought in American Idol runner up Katharine McPhee for a cameo appearance and have made the plot more fantastic (Bree’s father is murdered, there’s suggestion that the characters were involved in a cult). If any of that catches your fancy, watch the video. I respect Heffernan’s view, so I may have to give this another shot.
January 25, 2007 at 8:59 pm |
you can live with me gorgeous i’ll take care of you