We’re The Lucky Ones – GH
By Linda V
He had me at “Remember me?” Yes, the original Lucky Spencer is back – Jonathan Jackson. He originated the role as a child and left ten years ago. He amazed us with his awesome talent and was rewarded with several Emmys for his work. He had his first seamless scene with Becky Herbst yesterday and had the honor of being called “Cowboy” again by his dad, Luke Spencer.
There has been a lot of discussion concerning the way Greg Vaughan was let go – he deserved better. I loved the guy and was so disappointed at the lack of interest over the years in writing him as a true Spencer. Most of the time his Lucky was portrayed as a not too sharp secondary character, with a propensity for poor grammar. For all those who have already commented on the youthful appearance of JJ, let’s not forget how old GV looked when he replaced Jacob Young. There were several attempts through unflattering hairstyles and weird clothing, to give him a more youthful appearance. After a while he just looked fine – more than fine. Having met him personally, he was just about the nicest, most generous guy you could ever imagine. However, his Lucky never generated much interest with the writers but he really shone when given the opportunity. I wish him well.
Recasts are never easy. I remember when the original Nikolas Cassadine, Tyler Christopher, returned after several years, and it was the same type of exhilarating feeling. When Liz opened that door it was the beginning of something really precious that we had lost. As JJ spoke, all of his magic came right back to me. He could read the phone book and make it sound interesting. It was thoughtful of the writers to show him having a phone conversation with his mom, Laura Spencer, as another little reminder that he was really her kid. I think Laura Wright has been the most successful recast, and I was and still am a big fan of Sarah Brown. When SB returned two years ago, it was sort of like seeing two Carlys for some time, but Claudia was created to be an unlikeable character with no possibilities of redemption. After a short while SB was Claudia, and no longer Carly One. Laura has made the Carly character her own, stepping up from the smirky and graceless, in my opinion, portrayal by Tamara Braun to a really nice but still sharp as a tack Carly. She looks pretty, is almost always smiling, and the fangs rarely come out anymore. She can show the character’s vulnerability and strength as well.
It remains to be seen how the writers do with the new/old Lucky. I am enjoying the Liz and Nik connection, since illicit relationships are a big part of the essential soap. On the other hand I would love to see Liz and Lucky get back the love they once had. Nabbing JJ back to GH was a really big coup and I hope it isn’t squandered. Now if only Stefan and Laura could come back…
October 28th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Did you notice in the conversation with his mother, he mentioned her saying something about coming to the party? His comment was something like, “I know, coming back is complicated” or something similar. Meaning, the situation with GF is complicated. Or at least that’s how I read it. Glad he’s back. You’re right, there was never any true story for GV. He did well with the drug addiction but the character was never given a real opportunity. Hopefully they’ll do right by the first Lucky.
October 28th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
In all honesty, GV didn’t have the acting chops. It’s hard to write for a character when the actor can’t always bring it. In just these two day, I am feeling all of Lucky’s emotions. That scene with him and Liz at the hospital was excellent. Even better was his scene with Luke on the docks. I think with the writers “muse” back and all the mainstream media attention JJ is getting (a couple of blogs on ew.com) they will not mess this up. So far it’s been near perfect.
October 29th, 2009 at 5:33 am
I loved Lucky.1. His storylines with Liz after the rape were among the best-written, best acted soap I’ve ever seen. I haven’t been fond of Lucky since he grew up (mostly because he seemed to lose the grace and strength JJ imbued in him) and do agree that some of it had to do with the acting talent involved. No insult intended to GV, and Jacob Young has grown tremendously since joining AMC, but let’s face it he was green as grass as Lucky.2 and the show suffered for it. Yesterday, I saw the Lucky I loved again. Able to call his dad out for his crap, but still loving him. After all – isn’t that what real love is – seeing beyond the flaws but not ignoring them?
October 29th, 2009 at 7:27 am
Well, no worries for Greg V. – he is going to 90210. I am very happy for him. So mad that my cable was out yesterday and I missed what I heard was a great GH. Thanks for the comments! I did also get the double entendre (spelling?) of the conversation Lucky had with Laura. On one hand I hope Genie is so busy that she doesn’t have to wait around for GH to throw her a bone. On the other hand I would love for her to return.
October 29th, 2009 at 10:37 am
I can’t read this entry because the stupid Bloomingdale’s box won’t close!
October 30th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I love having Lucky1 back! The only thing that will be strange is to imagine Lucky1 being a cop. The cop role fits GV much more than JJ. I will wait to see how that plays out.
October 31st, 2009 at 5:45 am
No offense to GV, but I just never felt any deep emotion from his portrayal of Lucky, which always felt so flat and one-dimensional to me. I felt the same way about Jacob Young. JJ’s portrayal of Lucky is pure MAGIC. I’m SO glad he’s returned!
October 31st, 2009 at 9:18 am
Guess I’ll have to start watching 90210 now to get my GV fix.
October 31st, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I agree with Susan. I never felt any emotion from GV’s Lucky. He always seemed to have a stick up his butt. I know he’s a nice guy, but felt he was unsuited for this role. It will be strange to see JJ as a cop, but I think it would be cool if he and Dante could end up being partners.
November 1st, 2009 at 6:32 pm
I have watched GH for 40 years and have seen a lot of good actors come and go. I seem to be in the minority here, yes, JJ originated the character of Lucky, and I think JJ is a wonderfull actor. Having said that, he still reminds me of 16 year old Lucky. Where everyone else has matured and grown into their characters, JJ still looks like a teen just growing his first beard. To me JJ is stiil 16. Liz and Nik have matured, Jason and Robin too. But JJ still looks the same with the exception of the facial hair. GVs additction storyline was stellar!I maintain that the writers refused to write intelligently for GV after that storyline. However even taking that into consideration, given what was written for him, he did a good job. I bet the writers will fall over backwards to write for JJ. I know I will probably get slammed for this, but in my opinion sometimes you can’t go home again! It’s going to take a lot to make me accept the “New, Old Lucky”.
November 1st, 2009 at 10:04 pm
GV’s addiction storyline was good, LnL666 should have gone their separate ways after the B&W ball paternity reveal.
JJ still looks like he’s 16 and Liz is all grownup.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:56 am
How old is Lucky suppose to be? I mean I thought GV looked to old for the part when he first came on.
the same criticism re: Dante/Dominic the actor is about 2 years younger than the actress that plays his mom …. on Y/R Phyllis and Danny are near the same ages I thought. IMO this is what Lucky should “look” like because its played by a man married with two children with a successful career in acting and music outside a 5th ranked soap opera that “he came back to”
This is the cowboy that embodies Lucky Spencer…Greg Vaughn who I am a fan of did not originate the role nor did Jacob Young….Lucky was always a wise old soul even when he was a kid…(and computer whiz kid Spinelli and majored in the sciences and was tutoring in physics and math….Lucky was a brain and smart as hell not written as the dumb detective that hasn’t fired a gun but hadn’t even picked one up in how many years? While every criminal around him did…
the thing is will Guza (and his team) lift a pen to write “for” him and not “against” him? There are only a few characters being written “for” on this show so the question for me
Is he a pet? Because if he isn’t he’ll be trashed. Seeing Jonathan back as Lucky only did one thing for me remind me what a crappy show this is…he (and Kim McCollough Robin) embodies when GH was at its best at the top of their game now he’s back to a 5th rated show taking over a crappy storyline already
where the history of his “iconic parents” and everything around them have been trashed….Jonathan comes back to a GH in ruins.
Did Jr. bring on another iconic character to destroy..like he usually does that’s all I’m worried about this 3x emmy actor can handle the role but can he handle the “writing”? Look what happened to the two 3x Emmy winner hot-footing it out the door to B&B…and Sarah amd before her Rick Hearst?
I dread him in a scene with the GH winners of every scene/confrontation/beatdown whatever …Jason / Sonny…. they can never step the writing back from these two to let others shine…so its all in the pen so until I see the writing for him I’m skeptical
November 4th, 2009 at 11:34 am
JJ was always age appropriate for the role of Lucky. Actually, Becky H. is several years older than him but she continues to look impossibly young. Now there are rumors that JJ did indeed sign a long term contract, not just for a six month stay. We have good reason to be pessimistic, but improvement is in the air, so let them prove us wrong. Good post!
November 13th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Jonathan Jackson looks like he’s 12. Back again or not-he’s not convincing.
Will miss Sarah Brown on GH-she’s like a shot of adrenalin.