does it bother anyone else that they used an interpreter instead of letting her speak for herself? i haven't seen her in very many things, but from what i can remember she definitely had speaking roles and is and her voice is perfectly intelligible. she wouldn't be able to work as an actress if it wasn't.
@DontFearTheReefer: Agreed. I thought that was also unnecessary. Her voice is beautiful and very intelligible.
Although I imagine that other deaf viewers may not have been able to keep up as well with what Robin was asking had he not been there to sign. Two other peeves: I think the producer should've though it out better to not cut away from Robin during her question-asking since he was indeed signing her questions and I think the producer should've done better with the name graphic below Marlee's face. She was signing her responses as well (I assume out of consideration for non-hearing viewers) and if I was trying to read her hands, I wouldn't have been able to b/c of the graphic.
@shorty63136: yeah, i noticed that too. this is what makes me think it wasn't her decision to sign instead of speak. if she chose to sign out of consideration for the hearing-impaired people watching, i would assume she would make it clear that her hands were not to be obscured. i think the producers must have been worried about viewers being able to understand her and brought in an interpreter, which i think is unnecessary.
@DontFearTheReefer: I've never seen her do a TV show without an interpreter--actually, it's always that same guy. I think it's her preference. I've heard her speak and she speaks/lip-reads fairly well, but I think she prefers an interpreter to make sure nothing gets lost in translation.
@DontFearTheReefer: Posting here again, since my other post disappeared. In my previous reply to your post I asked what exactly about this bothers you? You mentioned that her voice is intelligible, but is that the only reason?
FYI- The term "hearing impaired" is outdated. When referring to people with hearing losses, use "deaf" or "hard of hearing".
I'm sure that the decision to have an interpreter voice for Marlee was her decision. If you look at her previous appearances, you'll see she very rarely does not use sign language when expressing herself. I know that personally, if I had the option to use either one of two languages (with the understanding that I had full access to one, and limited access to the other) I'd choose the former.
@insertwittycommenthere: ok, i see. i didn't like that it seemed like she was being silenced by the show. some of the production decisions made it seem that way, and the anchor's condescension didn't help. i'm glad that it was her decision to use an interpreter and not the network's. it's perfectly understandable.
genuinely curious here - what exactly is wrong or un-PC about the term hearing impaired? i usually just say deaf because i know that is the preferred term, but hearing loss is a spectrum and i guess i was trying to be inclusive. how is it different from saying someone is hard of hearing?
@DontFearTheReefer: I didn't know that hearing impaired was outdated. Because Visually Impaired is the way you are supposed to refer to People who are blind or has visual imparities.
@DontFearTheReefer: Its probably as a precaution because the studio lights, acoustics and other factors might intefer with her being able to communicate off the cuff. And this dude has been by her side for nearly 25 years, so I think this was a personal choice.
Fuck that anchor. If someone who is Deaf is sitting there and you are speaking the only polite thing to do is to let their interpreter go ahead and sign for them. Does Robin Roberts get to filter Marlee's information her for; get to decide what she does and "doesn't need to know"? Hell no. Access for all!
@SkipToMyLou: Also "she" doesn't need to know this? Marlee is sitting right there, don't talk about her as if she's outside the room! a) Marlee probably reads lips and so has a fair idea of what you just said anyway and b) the interpreter is there for her, not you. If you need to say something to someone who's Deaf just say it right to them, and let the interpreter help them get all of it.
@SkipToMyLou: Agreed. I think it was just unnecessary. The camera can go tighter and not get the interpreter in the shot, if necessary.
If the guest was a hearing person sitting across from her, she wouldn't have them put headphones on to block it out - since they don't need to know this and all.
@SkipToMyLou: Ugh, that just made me cringe. And maybe I'm just crabby, but I felt like Robin Roberts' whole tone was condescending. Nonetheless, I really love Marlee Matlin - her characters on West Wing and The L Word are two of my all-time favorites.
sort of unrelated, but the revelation about hurt's abuse toward her reminds me of the discussion we had regarding flannery o'conners' racism, and whether that did/should affect our appreciation of her literary work.
probably many celebrities/entertainers/etc would have plenty of dirty laundry if all was known about them. i wonder if william hurt will address this himself now that it's been aired.
I've always harbored a wicked girlcrush on her. To find out now that she's been through some horrible stuff and has come out of it for the better only makes me like her more.
I can't watch this at work, but she is so amazing. Really and truly amazing and I had no idea about her abuse which just makes her even more so. I love how well composed she always seems to be.
Also, Bette should have NEVER cheated on Jodie. Stupid, beautiful, well dressed Bette. Also, part 2., WHO THE FUCK KILLED JENNY?
@Vivelafat says Sweep the leg, Johnny.: All I know is that there is a spin-off where Alice is convicted of murdering Jenny and goes to jail. If she actually did it...I guess we'll just have to watch the series.
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Although I imagine that other deaf viewers may not have been able to keep up as well with what Robin was asking had he not been there to sign. Two other peeves: I think the producer should've though it out better to not cut away from Robin during her question-asking since he was indeed signing her questions and I think the producer should've done better with the name graphic below Marlee's face. She was signing her responses as well (I assume out of consideration for non-hearing viewers) and if I was trying to read her hands, I wouldn't have been able to b/c of the graphic.
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FYI- The term "hearing impaired" is outdated. When referring to people with hearing losses, use "deaf" or "hard of hearing".
I'm sure that the decision to have an interpreter voice for Marlee was her decision. If you look at her previous appearances, you'll see she very rarely does not use sign language when expressing herself. I know that personally, if I had the option to use either one of two languages (with the understanding that I had full access to one, and limited access to the other) I'd choose the former.
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genuinely curious here - what exactly is wrong or un-PC about the term hearing impaired? i usually just say deaf because i know that is the preferred term, but hearing loss is a spectrum and i guess i was trying to be inclusive. how is it different from saying someone is hard of hearing?
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It can get really confusing. Sigh.
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Gah. This makes me really cross.
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If the guest was a hearing person sitting across from her, she wouldn't have them put headphones on to block it out - since they don't need to know this and all.
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probably many celebrities/entertainers/etc would have plenty of dirty laundry if all was known about them. i wonder if william hurt will address this himself now that it's been aired.
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William. Hurt.
William hurt.
If I had a name like that, I would make SURE not live up to it.
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Good for her for speaking out.
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I'm about ready to Hurt William. Whatta pig.
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Also, Bette should have NEVER cheated on Jodie. Stupid, beautiful, well dressed Bette. Also, part 2., WHO THE FUCK KILLED JENNY?
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And it was the spoiled little movie star girl.
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(Also, shout out to BFC, preferred rehab of the Sharper family!)
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Alice and Tasha FTW though. I loooooove Tasha!
Tasha can make any straight girl regretful of her heterosexuality.
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