OCCUPY YOUR VAGINA!!!

POV: OLDER & WISER...SASSIER & SEXIER.

Mariann Aalda

Mariann Aalda
Location
NY-LA-Chicago, USA
Birthday
May 07
Title
Writer-Actress-Comedienne
Company
SitMyAssDownComedy, Inc.
Bio
As a humorist (and humanist!) my goal is to change the paradigm on aging...one laugh at a time. 'Cause if it's true what they say about laughter being the the best medicine, then baby, I'm gonna keep writing prescriptions!!!

JUNE 12, 2009 6:18PM

Erica Kane becoming TV’s ultimate cougar

Rate: 3 Flag

Much-married character to hook up with younger man on ‘All My Children’

Image: Susan Lucci, Cameron Mathison in
                                  Click on photo to read AP article Steve Fenn/AP

        Okay, so I'm sitting at my computer going over a list of commercial casting directors I'm targeting with a picture-postcard mailing of me with my new grey wig...and multi-tasking: addressing the postcards by hand and writing personal notes to each while also watching "The View."
 
       Mid-zipcode, the show gets my full attention as Whoopi starts talking about "cougars" and a new romantic storyline featuring 62 year old Susan Lucci and 39 year old Cameron Mathison on the ABC soap opera, All My Children...when Pine Valley's latest  rip-roaring, bodice-rippin' duo walks out onstage!
 
       As happy as I am that a " seasoned woman" is going to be the focus of a hot romantic soap opera storyline (with a much younger man, [and quite a hunk!] I might add) ...and as thrilled as I am to be able to forward this information to Joy Donnell & Li Sapp-Weaver of  720 PR  (the marketing-branding-pr mavens for "MOIST!") as possibly exploitable information to woo sponsors to our show, I am also (sigh) disturbingly envious.
 
       Ya see,  back-in-the day, I was an ABC soap star myself...

...and Susan Lucci is 18 months older than I am!!!  But in order to get TV-film work -- or even a commercial (!) -- my agents have suggested that I may look a  bit "too young" for my age and might get more work looking more "age appropriate" by donning a grey wig.

          1.Mariann Aaalda Headshot2.wigshot

        3.MA Moist  4.MA 3BC Smooch

1.) Sans wig.  2.)With wig.  3.)As my "The Little Woman Gone Wild" character, Ginger Peecheee-Keene, in the sex-istential musical-comedy "MOIST!"  4.) As "The Reformed Stepford Wife," Lady M, from "Herotique-Aahh..."-- the sketch comedy of 3 Blacque Chix directed by another soap opera vet, Days of Our Lives' James Reynolds.
(Click on photos 3 & 4 to see clips from "MOIST!" & Herotique-Aahh...)
 
       So, while Lucci gets to work and be lauded as the hot, sexy, "seasoned" babe that she is, I have to -- literally and figuratively -- "put a lid on it" in order to work.

      Where is the justice, I ask you!!!?!!  Not to brag, but I'm no slouch as an actress, and I've paid a fair amount of dues... 

                                                 Click on Royal Family Photo for a treat!

        So why am I now forced to don a grey wig  just to make a decent living (in commercials) and qualify for my SAG (Screen Actors Guild) health insurance?!!  And compelled to trolling comedy clubs...and write, produce and finance my own shows just to be able to practice my craft in a way that gives me joy and personal satisfaction...while still managing to bring joy and entertainment to audiences? 

        Well, the good news is that Lucci's breaking of new ground is good for all of us (ahem) "mature" actresses...and I applaud and celebrate her success.

        And as for my having to take a more "entrepreneurial" approach to my career, well, I've never been afraid of hard work or truly begrudged anyone their good fortune.  Besides, there's something to be said for having to develop one's own "cogs" that can help Hollywood turn its "wheels of commerce."   If you can pull it off, it can be extremely lucrative as well as creatively satisfying  (ie: Nia Vardolos & Tyler Perry).  

       But right about now, as I sit here at my computer and prepare to take my little mailing to the post office, I'm ready for those wheels to...

Turn, Baby...Turn!!!!


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Comments

Type your comment below:
think the gray hair looks good on you.
like the upbeat tone. theres a lot of women writing on here who are pretty bitter sometimes.
It's not the color of Susan Lucci's hair that's given her the edge in Hollywood. Anyone with a sense of history knows that. Regardless, she's been very fortunate to still be working at her age with the way most casting agents for projects think.

I think you're on the right path in making serious (& humorous) attempts to make your own way. I know it's not an easy ride, but, there really seems to be no other feasible alternative with the way things are generally,.... and who knows,... you may be the next Vy Higgensen or Tyler Perry,... producing your own work & building your audience base to such a level that you won't even need Hollywood callin' on you. Of course, like a fickle suitor, that's when they'll probably want you the most! When you don't need them.

I'm no fan of "The View", ("Too much yak for me), but, I think it might be a good idea to perhaps appear on the show to promote "Moist" or some other recent projects you may be working on. It should be a great venue for exposure for that.

As far as the grey wig vs. the natural hair look, I think you look hot either way,... but, from a business perspective on the advice of your agents, if they are right, then the SAG coverage & new work opportunities may be worth it for a while, at least until you can totally work your own thing. That's a very personal decision to make. I don't know how long the agents have suggested that you were the grey wig, but, I'd give it a certain time period to see if they're right or not.

It seems that people that don't want to hire a person will always come up with a reason not to. At some point, you just have to decide what may work AND be right for YOU!

,....Either way, I really hope you come off successfully! You most certainly deserve to as much as Ms. Lucci, or even more so!
P.S.,... "Have you considered taking some new promo photos? Perhaps including some with body shots along with the close-up head shots? I've looked at your available photos & videos, & can tell you right now that you are a very attractive looking woman who's physically workin' with a whole lot! In addition to your lovely smile & face, your breasts are magnificent & you have calves that half the women on this planet would probably die for.I'm sure there's a way to pose in photos that would emphasize these other assets & not come off as cheap or sleazy in the process. Dianne Carroll's done it, I "m certain you can too. I think it might help business wise with casting agents & directors.

Just a thought.
"Wish I were in a position to write & star you in an ace artistic vehicle!" Someone needs to do an updated equivalent to something great, like "Nothing But A Man", "Cooley High" or a project that really captures the richness, history, artistic bombast & fun of The Harlem Renaissance! That would be something for you to star in, and for people to see!
They have to invent a new category for Susan Lucci. GILF.