LeadSister.com Forums

I was just looking at the listings on TVGuide.com and noticed that E! will be showing the True Hollywood Story on Karen on August 6th at 12 PM ET. I can't wait to see it, as I've missed it a number of times before!

Thanks for the heads up!

Pamela

Thoughts after just watching it: All in all, it was a well-made program. I like the fact that they didn't do a small blurb on Richard and Karen's life before they achieved fame like so many other programs like this do. The interviews were great, and the info in the narration seemed to be accurate to my knowledge. The one thing I have a gripe about is that some things were covered in great detail, like how "Close to You" became such an instant success, while other things, such as the release of "Horizon" and "A Kind of Hush" were barely even mentioned! It made the program feel a little choppy. Also, the latter half of the program felt rushed...Karen's treatment in the early 80s and her last days were talked about, but seemed to lack a lot of detail, and then bam! We get a few reflections of Karen and her legacy and then it's over. I'm guessing that this was due to editing, to either fit time constraints and/or to tone down the heavy nature of her death, but I was left with wanting more.

Anyone else have thoughts?

I was left with the feeling that something was missing in that too. Like a big chunk of time was left out or something. I think Richard was really tired of talking about her Anorexia. I recently saw the interviews with him and his parents (forget the morning show) and in every one he's answering the same questions. Having to defend himself. And after watching those interviews I understand why he's tired of it.

I think they talked about what they could regarding her eating disorder. There's really no need to get into personal details. It's not going to change anything right?

I do wish they would talk more about the behind the scenes at their concerts. You know how you see documentaries of the band members hanging out backstage etc. Just relaxing and being themselves. That would be neat to see. But I doubt that will happen.

Pamela

Quote

It's like people want to accuse him and his parents of not helping her. Considering the lack of information about anorexia in the 70s, they most certainly tried with the best that they had! Eating disorders are not an easy thing to deal with, and they should get credit for the efforts they did make. Karen was simply not willing to help herself and admit that she had a problem until it was virtually too late (same story for a lot of anorexics IMO).

The morning show?

Quote

Exactly. What more do people want to know? If people want to know more about anorexia, then maybe they should do some research. Karen was (is) just one of many people to learn about who have had the disease.

Quote

That would be extraordinarily cool, but you're probably right in that we'll never see it. Few bands ever make that sort of stuff public.

I think that most people always think that families can stop such a disease as anorexia. They really can't, most suffering from it don't realize they have a problem, and there are many causes for it too. Food is the symptom, not the disease itself. Richard probably does get tired of explaing about it, or everyone thinking he and his parents were at fault for not preventing such a problem. Lots of people who suffered from anorexia in the seventies, were often force fed and treating the illness was a confusing and difficult process.

It's like people want to accuse him and his parents of not helping her. Considering the lack of information about anorexia in the 70s, they most certainly tried with the best that they had! Eating disorders are not an easy thing to deal with, and they should get credit for the efforts they did make. Karen was simply not willing to help herself and admit that she had a problem until it was virtually too late (same story for a lot of anorexics IMO).


That's what I say. As a recovering bulimic, I know that no one can stop you from doing what you do. It's just something you feel you have to do or you won't be accepted or you won't get a part in a play, you'll be to fat to fit in your costumes, etc... no one can help you really unless you are willing to help yourself.

People alwys look for someone to blame and RC and Agnes and Harold were the
easiest to blame becasue they were so close to KC. They alwys seem to make so
much about KC & RC's relationship with each other. I think that it's painful for Richard to kepp answering those questions. Did you see him in Rembering the Carpenters, I really felt so sorry for him.

Evertime RC is interview that stupid question is asked "Do you think you could have done anything to help Karen and do you feel guilty etc...." I mean this is the man's sister!

Quote

True, and she was as headstrong and stubborn as he was. KC did what she did, no one was going to change that. It's not the family's fault.

Though I think Phil Ramone could've done better by KC.