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Original poster

Why is it that Robert Downey-Junior..

52 replies

rnbsmum · 02/01/2011 23:46

(who I LOVE) is given an enormous amount of support/plaudits/leeway when someone like Lindsay Lohan (ok not Helen Mirren but is a pretty decent actor unlike Paris Hilton, Kerry Katona and others of that ilk) is derided and demonised? Is it because she is female or am I missing something? Is it because she is percieved as courting celebrity? I don't know, but some of her films are well acted and I can't think of many female celebrities for whom silly behaviour is forgiven easily.

OP posts:
cornshilk007 · 03/01/2011 00:16

yes it's a baaad comparison - like Leonardo di caprio and Kiera Knightley as far as acting goes!

ZacharyQuack · 03/01/2011 00:16

LL's case isn't helped by her two fame-whore parents.

BuzzLightBeer · 03/01/2011 00:20

I'm thinking that one gets acting plaudits because they can in fact act, and they other can't and so doesn't? Addiction and so on is hardly unusual in that arena, so its not really a factor.

DurhamDurham · 03/01/2011 00:22

RDJ was slated in the press during his drunken and drugged up years, he was a laughing stock. It's because he's made such a huge turn around that he's applauded. And rightly so, he's fab Grin

TheMeow · 03/01/2011 00:25

Lohan is young and extremely stupid, whereas Downey-Junior is no longer young, was stupid but has now seen the error of his ways.

Oh and his films are better than hers.

BuzzLightBeer · 03/01/2011 00:26

and he's gorgeous Grin

DurhamDurham · 03/01/2011 00:28

I'm in bed but might get up to watch 'Chaplin' now you've got me thinking about Robert Grin

claig · 03/01/2011 00:29

Robert, what a Charlie!!

claig · 03/01/2011 00:36

Did he take charlie?

WhatsWrongWithYou · 03/01/2011 00:38

I remember RDJ being a target for cheap shots in the press - and that would be the likes of the Guardian and Observer as that's what I read pre- MN then.

But he did rise from the ashes and conform --(he also had the love of a Good Woman who Stuck By Him, which always helps.

La Lohan hasn't helped herself or the public perception of her; maybe she's too damaged or just hasn't wised up in the same way.

WhatsWrongWithYou · 03/01/2011 00:40

Charlie - good one Smile.
i've never seen his Charlie. I do remember the quality press going mad for it and him, though.

KayM · 03/01/2011 00:54

RDJ can do whatever he wants, he has rocked my world since I was about 14.

LL is a stupid media slut.

Longstocking2 · 03/01/2011 01:07

I think it's a talent thing.
RDJ has been in some well remembered films and has bought a lot of good will through that over time.
Also his behaviour has appeared to have been fairly beyond his control.

La Lohan has looked like far more of a car crashing into the press. With the no pants and the 'look at me' lesbianism, she behaved in a way that left her with less dignity than he had.

I bet there is some truth that women get away with less than men in some areas of public life, that's true. There could well be some sexism in the different approaches of the media here but it's not visible to my naked eye.

I think it's largely a good will thing. He is immensely likeable and sometimes irritating but still has huge likeability. I think that is one of the principle things that dictate how you're treated in the press.

It's like Peter Andre, very likeable. Jordan, not so much.

anonymosity · 03/01/2011 01:10

I think its because he kept turning up for work on time and getting it done. She has wasted production company money being late / not turning up / getting fired and their requiring recasting. She's blasted for being unprofessional (whatever the cause) not something I understand RDJr was criticised for...

ohnoshedittant · 03/01/2011 01:13

I still haven't forgiven RDJ for ruining the end of Ally Mcbeal...he is lovely tho...

cornshilk007 · 03/01/2011 01:21

he should never have been in Ally Mc FuckingBeal in the first place

KayM · 03/01/2011 01:30

RDJ Charlie Chalpins film was the best ever.

MadamDeathstare · 03/01/2011 01:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ohnoshedittant · 03/01/2011 01:31

What's Ally McFuckingbeal? A dirty version?

ninah · 03/01/2011 01:38

I think it's charisma. He has, she has not.

discobeaver · 03/01/2011 11:25

What about Charlie Sheen? He's a grade a cock, a violent alcoholic. Yet that stupid sitcom makes him one of the most watched people in America.

That makes no sense.

RDJ has done his time and come out the other end, have to wait and see if Lindsay can pull it back, same with Amy Winehouse.

ScienceDad · 03/01/2011 11:27

It could be because he is a talented world class actor while she is an artificial product of the media celebrity machine. And as such she is used by that same machine for negative coverage as well as positive, whatever brings in the most money that week.

octopusinabox · 03/01/2011 11:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

arionater · 03/01/2011 12:16

Yes, that was sad about Ally McBeal. It was only good when he was in it.

mayorquimby · 03/01/2011 12:54

Partly to do with the time they made their names.
When Downey jr. was at the hight of his drug abuse it was just before 24 hour entertainment news channels so most of his low-points only appeared in print or through second hand so it retains a mystique of cool if you're one way inclined and at least not as disgusting if you're the other.
LiLO on the other hand has had all her worst moments visually documented and laid out for all to see.
Also the demographic which they appeal to is different. LiLo is a child star from the disney era and was marketted as such. She was meant to be clean cut etc but now she seems to take pride in the Vauoc life-style she leads.
RDJ on the other hand was edgy/troubled star, a bit of a throwback to old school celebrities.