KOCHAVIM
FAMOUS JEWS IN THE NEWS!
"MARLA SHAKES UP THE PRACTICE"
BY: Steve K. Walz
Member,TV Critics Association of America
Edited By: StarHeart
ABC-TV's highly touted law series, "The Practice", may have satisfied viewers tastes for gripping courtroom theatre. When the shows protagonists returned to the office, they needed to lighten up a bit, much like their Boston compatriots from "Ally McBeal." So,"The Practice", production team decided to cast a new role- fashion challenged, off-beat secretary, Lucy Hatcher.
After auditioning dozens of actresses for the role, in walked 17 year old TV sit-com veteran Marla Sokoloff, who believed that she was in over her head (more on this later)...Guess what? She nailed the part. Marla Sokoloff has been surprising herself for a long-time.
Born and bred in the San Francisco, California area, Marla headed south to Hollywood, in order to realize her dream of becoming an actress. After all, the vivacious teen had been starring in local school and theatre productions since she was seven years old. She even sang the national anthem at Oakland A's baseball games.
It didn't take Marla long to convince Tinseltown producers that she had the talent. At age 12, Marla landed a recurring role on the smash ABC sit-com "Full House". She was seen as Gia. From there, she guest-starred on such comedies as "Step by Step" and "Boy Meets World". They are also ABC staples. Network execs knew that Marla had the goods.
The feisty actress decided to take the drama plunge. She landed a recurring role on FOX-TV's hit series "Party of Five". Marla was seen as Jody. At the same time, she jumped into a silver screen stint with fellow Jewish siren Alicia Silverstone called "True Crime."
So you could say that Marla at the tender age of 18 (she turned 18 this past week) has already had a nice career. "The Practice" represents a daunting challenge for the friendly actress. Marla, who admittedly is a bit ga-ga working with such formidable talent. She also revealed that Emmy Award winner and fellow castmate Camryn Manheim is also Jewish.
"I couldn't have gotten a better job right now and I purposely try not to read the reviews about myself so I won't get nervous," Marla revealed to me in an exclusive interview.
NEXT WEEK-How Marla landed the role...why her mom is jealous of her on-screen smooch...and how she works hard to keep herself level-headed!
MARLA PRACTICES WHAT SHE PREACHES Part...2
By: Steve K. Walz
So there she was, a 17 year old starlet about to share an on-screen "smooch" with perhaps the hottest prime-time star (non-Jewish)-Dylan McDermott. A key scene in an episode of ABC's sizzling legal drama"The Practice". Marla Sokoloff was more than ready. Her reaction, "My mom was jealous and my friends were sooooooooo jealous, wow, cool!"
Marla's character, Lucy Hatcher has been a breath of fresh air in the rather intense series. Fashion challenged, quirky and light, Marla worked hard to make her character and herself accepted on the critically acclaimed program. "I try to bring a lot of energy to the show which sometimes is so serious. My original contract called for just a 7 episode appearance and I said to myself this is so sad. But then they told me that I would become a series regular so I was so happy," she told me.
Ah, but Marla wasn't even sure that it was worth it for her to even audition for Lucy. "My agent told me that they were looking for someone between 21-25 years old but I should try for it anyway. So there I am sitting in a room with these gorgeous actresses in their 20's, but none of them got the job. Then I auditioned.... got to meet the shows' creator David Kelley and I'm so excited but he didn't say anything...next thing I know I got the part," Marla excitedly recalled. "I couldn't have gotten a better job right now in this business."
If there is a similarity between Lucy's off-beat persona and that of Jane Krakowski's (not Jewish) Elaine character on Mr. Kelley's sister legal series "Ally McBeal", it's intentional. Marla revealed," It's true and it has been written into the show that Lucy says, that Elaine invented this thing that she has. "Lucy, as pushy as she is doesn't mean to be rude. She wants this law firm to be put together well. Lucy, also has a nurturing need to be the way she is. You'll discover why as the season goes on."
Is Marla really like Lucy? "Not at all," Marla laughed. "I do not dress like her...I prefer jeans and a tank top and I try to have a normal lifestyle." Though she has not had formal Jewish training she is extremely proud of her heritage. As a well known actress in Hollywood, Marla tries very hard to keep herself away from the the bad influences around show-biz.
"You have to have faith in your talent. Oh, I cry sometimes and get down on myself...especially when I don't work for awhile...but I never will give up or quit," she said matter of factly. "Remember, there are so many girls out here who are so beautiful that I have to compete with. And, I want to stay in this business for the rest of my life. I don't want to fall down." Marla is aware that Hollywood is just a fantasy world with lots of pitfalls which is why she hangs out with a tight group of friends," who are not impressed with me at all."
Now that she just turned 18, Marla has one request... "I want to be an adult and have a bit more freedom," she said...A nice car wouldn't hurt either... If Marla keeps the adding to juicy Lucy's persona, ABC execs will probably give her anything she wants!!! Keep up the good work...kid! Yeah, try and tell that to Dylan.
NOTE: This is copyright material that I am using with permission of the owner, Steve K. Walz of Virtual Jerusalem/Kochavim.
Note: The Song Playing Is: Dave Mathews Band "The Best Of What's Around"! This midi is from: MIDI ZONE!