Sci-Fi/Fantasy - Witchblade Star Update

ORF · 11-25-2003, 09:07 AM

I wasn't sure where to put this but I guess Yancy isn't doing too well. http://www.msnbc.com/news/997581.asp?0bl=-0

�Witchblade� star ordered to rehab

Butler charged with disorderly intoxication after altercation

ASSOCIATED PRESS

DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Nov. 24 � Actress Yancy Butler, who starred in the canceled TNT series �Witchblade,� was ordered Monday to enter a substance-abuse treatment program after her weekend arrest for disorderly intoxication.
BUTLER WAS TAKEN to jail Saturday after cars had to swerve to avoid hitting her as she wandered in and out of traffic, police said.
A Palm Beach County judge ordered that Butler be sent to The Renaissance Institute in Boca Raton while she awaits a Dec. 18 court appearance. It could not be determined Monday whether she had an attorney.
Butler told police Saturday that she was an alcoholic who was on medication, according to a Delray Beach Police report. At first, she said she�d been kicked out of a halfway house, but later said she was still in one, the report said.
Officers took the 33-year-old actress to the Drug Abuse Foundation of Palm Beach County, a substance abuse center. When she became hostile and struggled with police, the foundation declined to admit her, the report said.
Butler was handcuffed, jailed and charged with disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer without violence.
She previously was arrested Jan. 2 after a fight at her uncle�s Hauppauge, N.Y., home. The fight allegedly involved Butler�s father, Joe, the former drummer for the �60s folk-rock band The Lovin� Spoonful. She was charged with criminal contempt for violating an order of protection, and two counts of harassment.
In 2002, filming on �Witchblade� was postponed for nearly three weeks to await Butler�s release from alcohol rehabilitation.

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Curbside Pr0phet · 12-10-2003, 06:53 PM

LOL that made my day. I absolutely HATED that show. I hated Butler too. I mean, didn't anyone tell her to shave her eyebrows? Or should I say, eyebrow? Ugh. She probably drank herself into an oblivion cuz she knew she'd never make it in Hollywood.

jjt · 12-10-2003, 08:07 PM

Wow .. that's really harsh. And actually not sure it doesn't cross the line into a bash. But whatever.

As one of the folks who really got into the show .. and appreciated Yancy's different look. Figured I'd post counterpoints to your criticism.

Witchblade was one of the few shows that showed so much continuity and was based on such strong predeveloped characters. Totally got me hooked on comics.

So for everyone that hated it .. there were others who adored it. But thanks for boosting the post count on sci fi board.

And the show was doing quite well, had a big cult following. So successful tv series and roles in several movies tend to work against your 'never make it in hollywood' arguement.

ORF · 12-12-2003, 09:06 AM

Actually I've seen several movies with Yancy in them some as supporting and a few were actually where she played a major role. I came in in the middle so I don't remember the names but she's had/is having a successful career. By 'sucessful' I mean she's working. Only a very small percentage become 'stars', being an actress myself I will feel very successful by just being able to keep a roof over my head, paying my bills and putting food on the table without having to do 'other' jobs to fill in for what my 'career' jobs aren't doing for me.

I thought I read somewhere though that a major reason Witchblade wasn't renewed was because of her drinking problem even though she went into rehab. Its sad. The Dead Zone also almost got cancelled because the producers found out Michael Anthony Hall was bi-polar and checked into a hospital to get some help at one point, probably an adjustment to his meds, you have to do that every once in awhile. I believe my hubby is bi-polar even though his drs won't come straight out and say it yet and with all the research I've done about it, stress is a huge factor bringing on manic episodes etc.

Back on topic, I think Yancy is exotic looking and very interesting to watch, the camera does seem to love her. I hope she recovers.

By the way, Ashton Kurcher got canned from 2 movies he was involved shooting here in NY just because of the way he was acting. One because they said he couldn't act (in other words, pull off the character) and the other because the director wanted him to be serious even in his personal life and because he still continued to carry on the way he does the director decided he couldn't work with him. I have to say my personal life is my business unless it carries over onto the set I shouldn't be judged by it but Ashton was. I like Ashton, I think once he gets a little more maturity on him he'll be a wonderful man.

enigma777 · 12-12-2003, 11:31 AM

Yeah, I think that expressing happiness about an actor's/actress' alcoholism was definitely way over the line.

As a guy, I didn't find anything wrong with Yancy's appearance. Maybe she isn't one of the most beautiful out there, but she's attractive and at least doesn't have artificial parts.

jjt: Also, Yancy won a major SciFi/Fantasy award (was it a Saturn Award?), beating out my beloved Claudia Black. I'll put up Claudia's acting abilities against anyone's, so for Yancy to win says a lot about her talent.

I thought I read somewhere though that a major reason Witchblade wasn't renewed was because of her drinking problem even though she went into rehab.

Yeah, that killed the show. They had to stop production while she was in rehab, and that is very costly.

[ 12-12-2003: Message edited enigma777 ]

Not-a-Syd Vaughn anymore · 01-02-2004, 12:35 PM

Yancy (so very sorry to hear that she was back to drinking) is a good actress; better then SOME of these "actresses" that are on the screen, and I see NOTHING wrong with her looks! She has a unique beauty that cannot compare!

Yes, the show (I still have my tapes; but missed a few eppy, which I am kicking my self for) cancelled due to her drinking.

I really missed that show!

thescoobygang · 01-10-2004, 09:11 PM

I am finally seeing the Witchblade series for the first time. It's currently running on the SPACE channel here in Canada. Having read the comics long before the tv incarnation, I wasn't crazy about the pilot episode...although the second eppy was much better. I can sort of see why there is a love/hate reaction with this series. Some of the elements work and some really don't work. But I think if the series had continued it would have improved greatly. Solid characters and good concept.

As for Yancy herself...I always liked her acting. I remember her way back from Mann and Machine, South Beach, and Brooklyn South. She was awesome in South Beach...too bad that got axed just like every other show she's been in. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]

TheCheshireKitten · 01-12-2004, 01:31 AM

I loved Witchblade for the short period of time it ws on. It's a shame, because she was a good actress and the show could have been very successful.

Saturniia · 01-31-2004, 08:52 PM

The show was pretty successful, considering the variables. A great ensemble cast, with Yancy in the main role. I'm so sorry to hear she's in rehab again... overcoming substance abuse is never easy, and many people never even make the slightest effort.

And Prophet, you are a sick, sick individual for praising Yancy's alcoholism as the reason the show got canned. Just think about how many alcoholics you know, and then consider how many of them will actually successfully quit. Not everyone is able.

As for the eyebrows, I think hers are lovely. They are quite thick and give me the impression of strength. Unlike most other people in Hollywood, they aren't pencil-thin, just well shaped. Humans have eyebrows for a reason, and I applaud both Yancy and Jennifer Connelly (Connoly?) for presenting a healthy, natural "look", rather than the farce some actresses and performers call their brows.

Reggie · 02-01-2004, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by thescoobygang:
<STRONG>As for Yancy herself...I always liked her acting. I remember her way back from Mann and Machine, South Beach, and Brooklyn South. She was awesome in South Beach...too bad that got axed just like every other show she's been in. [img]smilies/frown.gif[/img]</STRONG>

I didn't see the others, but I too was a fan of Mann & Machine. I do get her confused with that actress from Starship Troupers, that married that so-and-so Sadamite recently... [img]smilies/mad.gif[/img] Denise Richardson, was it?