How do Brits speak "American" so well?

[Daniel Joseph Min]

Here's kind of a reverse impression that might fit here. After
watching Rachel Griffins (Griffiths?) as Brenda on Six Feet Under for
many, many years, at the end of the series I saw a show where the
actors voiced some opinions and it was with a feeling of shock that
there she was, talking in "Aussie" ! I was so used to her perfect
American accent as Brenda, that her Aussie-speak sounded phony! Then
I was, Heyyy ! She IS Australian, and all this time she has not been
speaking in her natural voice on the show. Neat.

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----

Yes, I remember that; it was just before the final episode of
'Six Feet Under' when HBO ran that "making of" special, which
interviewed the actors, writers, producers and directors Alan
Ball & Co. And what an amazing and thoroughly heart-wrenching
episode it was... the bar definitely was raised, as they said.
That was THE best television episode I'd ever seen in my life!
I'm frankly astonished that it wasn't discussed on more groups. :(

I coincidentally did know that the actress who played "Brenda
Chenowith", Rachel Griffiths, was Australian, from seeing her
in previous interviews. I guess our Brit/Aussie neighbors are
given to mimic American accents in much the same way as we're
inclined to imitate theirs, as we did the fab four of Beatles'
practically god-like notoriety they'd enjoyed back in the 60s.

(related groups added)

Enjoy!
Daniel Joseph Min
http://pgp.mit.edu:11371/pks/lookup?op=get&search=0x2B1CCFE7

*Download Min's Banned (Freeware) Books:
http://www.2hot2cool.com/11/danieljosephmin/

*Min's Google-Archived Home Page On The WWW:
http://groups.google.com/groups?selm=***@anonymous.poster

[Alan Pollock]

Aussies generally do a Much better American accent than the Brits, who usually
need a complete mouth transplant to even come close. Something to do with that
upper lip thing. Nex

[M***@aol.com]

Post by Alan Pollock
Aussies generally do a Much better American accent than the Brits, who usually
need a complete mouth transplant to even come close. Something to do with that
upper lip thing. Nex

Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.

I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good, although a
bit labored (laboured)? And I thought Kenneth Branagh in DEAD AGAIN
sounded a bit like Jim Henson (OK, I thought he sounded like Kermit the
Frog).

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by M***@aol.com

Post by Alan Pollock
Aussies generally do a Much better American accent than the Brits, who usually
need a complete mouth transplant to even come close. Something to do with that
upper lip thing. Nex

Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.
I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good, although a
bit labored (laboured)? And I thought Kenneth Branagh in DEAD AGAIN
sounded a bit like Jim Henson (OK, I thought he sounded like Kermit the
Frog).

Of course James "William 'Spike' Pratt" Marsters does a terrible
(midwestern) American accent.

That classic scene in Season 4 of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, "Doomed" where
Spike says he's a friend of Xander's with a horrid attempt at a midwestern
accent will always stand out.

-- Ken from Chicago

[David Johnston]

On Wed, 9 Nov 2005 03:08:54 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by M***@aol.com
Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.
I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good, although a
bit labored (laboured)? And I thought Kenneth Branagh in DEAD AGAIN
sounded a bit like Jim Henson (OK, I thought he sounded like Kermit the
Frog).

Of course James "William 'Spike' Pratt" Marsters does a terrible
(midwestern) American accent.

Which isn't in the least of course, relevant to British actors.

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by David Johnston
On Wed, 9 Nov 2005 03:08:54 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by M***@aol.com
Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.
I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good, although a
bit labored (laboured)? And I thought Kenneth Branagh in DEAD AGAIN
sounded a bit like Jim Henson (OK, I thought he sounded like Kermit the
Frog).

Of course James "William 'Spike' Pratt" Marsters does a terrible
(midwestern) American accent.

Which isn't in the least of course, relevant to British actors.

Huh?

-- Ken from Greenvill-er Chicago

[E Brown]

On Wed, 9 Nov 2005 06:36:55 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by David Johnston
Which isn't in the least of course, relevant to British actors.

Huh?

Marsters isn't British, he's American. Spike's accent came courtesy
of Tony Head's coaching of Marsters.
Emanuel

--
2003 BMW 325i Black/Black
2003 BMW Z4 Black/Black

[tomcervo]

I know I'd love to hear Paula Malcolmson in her native Belfast accent.
It's no toughie--the US is where movies get made; if you want to move
forward in a film career you work on the American accent. Good training
has something to do with it as well--I'm glad I heard Tony Randall one
of the few times he said something in his native Okie.

[Van Bagnol]

Post by tomcervo
I know I'd love to hear Paula Malcolmson in her native Belfast accent.
It's no toughie--the US is where movies get made; if you want to move
forward in a film career you work on the American accent. Good training
has something to do with it as well--I'm glad I heard Tony Randall one
of the few times he said something in his native Okie.

A well-trained stage actor would have done a lot of voice and speech
training, one aspect of which is learning American Standard (or British
Standard as the case may be), the de facto dialect for doing stuff like
Pinter or Mamet. (The dialect is close to Felix Unger or Frazier Crane).
Once you 'neutralize' your personal dialect, assuming another is easier.
One fellow actress I trained with saw a speech therapist to get rid of
her Boston accent, and another sought private lessons from one of our
teachers to eradicate his Northumberland dialect into Californian for a
soap role he was up for. A student production I saw had some wonderful,
though evidently thick, Cajun dialect work. It can be done, but it takes
work and a lot of practice. And ear training as well -- if you can't
hear the difference, no way can you speak the difference.

Van

[jayembee]

Post by tomcervo
It's no toughie--the US is where movies get made; if you want to
move forward in a film career you work on the American accent.

Not just in the US. The US studios still like to use the Elstree
soundstages for action set-pieces, and use a lot of local talent.
Aside from Paxton, Biehn, Goldstein, and Rolston, I think all of
the marines in ALIENS were British, for example.

-- jayembee

[yD]

Post by tomcervo
I know I'd love to hear Paula Malcolmson in her native Belfast accent.
It's no toughie--the US is where movies get made; if you want to move
forward in a film career you work on the American accent. Good training
has something to do with it as well--I'm glad I heard Tony Randall one
of the few times he said something in his native Okie.

I come from Belfast and this is the second time in as many days I've
been surprised about the Belfast origins of two actors in two series I
watch; the other being Ciaran Hinds, Ceasar in "Rome." Maybe, my
husband's right and I really do have a Brooklyn accent :)
yD

[jayembee]

Post by E Brown
Marsters isn't British, he's American. Spike's accent came courtesy
of Tony Head's coaching of Marsters.

I've seen Marsters in enough other things that I'm used to hearing
his normal accent, but I still do a double-take when I hear Alex
Denisof speaking with his normal accent.

-- jayembee

[ANIM8Rfsk]

Post by David Johnston
On Wed, 9 Nov 2005 03:08:54 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by M***@aol.com
Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.
I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good, although a
bit labored (laboured)? And I thought Kenneth Branagh in DEAD AGAIN
sounded a bit like Jim Henson (OK, I thought he sounded like Kermit the
Frog).

Of course James "William 'Spike' Pratt" Marsters does a terrible
(midwestern) American accent.

Which isn't in the least of course, relevant to British actors.

Huh?

I suspect his point is Marsters isn't British.

[David Johnston]

On Wed, 9 Nov 2005 06:36:55 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by David Johnston

Post by Ken from Chicago
Of course James "William 'Spike' Pratt" Marsters does a terrible
(midwestern) American accent.

Which isn't in the least of course, relevant to British actors.

Huh?

Marsters is an American, after all. Born in California. But he
visited England once. I'm reminded of the scene in the Agency where
the Irishman played by an American tells the American played by an
Irishman that his "fake" Irish accent was obviously phoney.

[Goro]

Post by E Brown
On Wed, 9 Nov 2005 06:36:55 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by David Johnston

Post by Ken from Chicago
Of course James "William 'Spike' Pratt" Marsters does a terrible
(midwestern) American accent.

Which isn't in the least of course, relevant to British actors.

Huh?

Marsters is an American, after all. Born in California. But he
visited England once. I'm reminded of the scene in the Agency where
the Irishman played by an American tells the American played by an
Irishman that his "fake" Irish accent was obviously phoney.

iirc, Marsters also did quite a bit of Shakespeare prior to BUFFY. I'd
guess you could really cut your teeth on Britsh English by performing
shakespeare.

I recall an interview with Tim Roth about doing an American Accent.
His good friend Gary Oldman (from when they were in R&G ARE DEAD) gave
him a piece of advice: Aim for a particular American-region accent,
then if you don't get that accent quite right, you still sound
"American."

-goro-

[~consul]

Post by Goro

Post by David Johnston
Marsters is an American, after all. Born in California. But he
visited England once. I'm reminded of the scene in the Agency where
the Irishman played by an American tells the American played by an
Irishman that his "fake" Irish accent was obviously phoney.

iirc, Marsters also did quite a bit of Shakespeare prior to BUFFY. I'd
guess you could really cut your teeth on Britsh English by performing
shakespeare.

When I am watching and listening to Marsters though, it just looks like he is
squirking his jaw in some weird way, like he reeeeeallly has to work it to do
his talks.

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by E Brown
On Wed, 9 Nov 2005 06:36:55 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by David Johnston

Post by Ken from Chicago
Of course James "William 'Spike' Pratt" Marsters does a terrible
(midwestern) American accent.

Which isn't in the least of course, relevant to British actors.

Huh?

Marsters is an American, after all. Born in California. But he
visited England once. I'm reminded of the scene in the Agency where
the Irishman played by an American tells the American played by an
Irishman that his "fake" Irish accent was obviously phoney.

Was he born in Sunnydale, California?

-- Ken from Greenvill-er Chicago

[ANIM8Rfsk]

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by M***@aol.com

Post by Alan Pollock
Aussies generally do a Much better American accent than the Brits, who usually
need a complete mouth transplant to even come close. Something to do with that
upper lip thing. Nex

Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.
I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good, although a
bit labored (laboured)? And I thought Kenneth Branagh in DEAD AGAIN
sounded a bit like Jim Henson (OK, I thought he sounded like Kermit the
Frog).

Of course James "William 'Spike' Pratt" Marsters does a terrible
(midwestern) American accent.
That classic scene in Season 4 of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, "Doomed" where
Spike says he's a friend of Xander's with a horrid attempt at a midwestern
accent will always stand out.
-- Ken from Chicago

He sounds just like that at times on Smallville . . .

[r***@gmail.com]

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by M***@aol.com

Post by Alan Pollock
Aussies generally do a Much better American accent than the Brits, who usually
need a complete mouth transplant to even come close. Something to do with that
upper lip thing. Nex

Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.
I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good, although a
bit labored (laboured)? And I thought Kenneth Branagh in DEAD AGAIN
sounded a bit like Jim Henson (OK, I thought he sounded like Kermit the
Frog).

Of course James "William 'Spike' Pratt" Marsters does a terrible
(midwestern) American accent.
That classic scene in Season 4 of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, "Doomed" where
Spike says he's a friend of Xander's with a horrid attempt at a midwestern
accent will always stand out.

Nothing is as bad, however, as Anne Heche's fake New Jersey accent, as
heard on last night's NIP/TUCK, as well as DONNIE BRASCO.

In NY/NJ, when a word ends in "r" you kind of pronounce it like an "h"
(oh, you're such a pissah), but Heche fails to pronounce anything, like
there were no "r"s or "h"s in the language. I couldn't understand a
word she said w/o CC.

[arnold kim]

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by M***@aol.com

Post by Alan Pollock
Aussies generally do a Much better American accent than the Brits, who usually
need a complete mouth transplant to even come close. Something to do with that
upper lip thing. Nex

Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.
I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good, although a
bit labored (laboured)? And I thought Kenneth Branagh in DEAD AGAIN
sounded a bit like Jim Henson (OK, I thought he sounded like Kermit the
Frog).

Of course James "William 'Spike' Pratt" Marsters does a terrible
(midwestern) American accent.
That classic scene in Season 4 of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, "Doomed" where
Spike says he's a friend of Xander's with a horrid attempt at a midwestern
accent will always stand out.

Actually, you could say that Spike does a bad American accent. James
Marsters, however, does a pretty good job of the "British guy doing a bad
American accent" accent.

Arnold Kim

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by arnold kim

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by M***@aol.com

Post by Alan Pollock
Aussies generally do a Much better American accent than the Brits, who usually
need a complete mouth transplant to even come close. Something to do with that
upper lip thing. Nex

Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.
I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good, although a
bit labored (laboured)? And I thought Kenneth Branagh in DEAD AGAIN
sounded a bit like Jim Henson (OK, I thought he sounded like Kermit the
Frog).

Of course James "William 'Spike' Pratt" Marsters does a terrible
(midwestern) American accent.
That classic scene in Season 4 of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, "Doomed"
where Spike says he's a friend of Xander's with a horrid attempt at a
midwestern accent will always stand out.

Actually, you could say that Spike does a bad American accent. James
Marsters, however, does a pretty good job of the "British guy doing a bad
American accent" accent.
Arnold Kim

Wha?

-- Ken from Greenvill-er Chicago

[drifter]

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by arnold kim

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by M***@aol.com

Post by Alan Pollock
Aussies generally do a Much better American accent than the Brits, who usually
need a complete mouth transplant to even come close. Something to do with that
upper lip thing. Nex

Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.
I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good,
although a bit labored (laboured)? And I thought Kenneth Branagh
in DEAD AGAIN sounded a bit like Jim Henson (OK, I thought he
sounded like Kermit the Frog).

Of course James "William 'Spike' Pratt" Marsters does a terrible
(midwestern) American accent.
That classic scene in Season 4 of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, "Doomed"
where Spike says he's a friend of Xander's with a horrid attempt at
a midwestern accent will always stand out.

Actually, you could say that Spike does a bad American accent. James
Marsters, however, does a pretty good job of the "British guy doing
a bad American accent" accent.
Arnold Kim

Wha?
-- Ken from Greenvill-er Chicago

Arnold is saying that James-from-California is doing a fine job of
doing an accent of a British guy who *can't* do a good American
accent. "I'm a friend of Xanduurz..." Classic!

You're just yanking us, aren't you? There's no way you couldn't
not know this (wow, triple negative - did I say that right?).

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by drifter

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by arnold kim

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by M***@aol.com

Post by Alan Pollock
Aussies generally do a Much better American accent than the Brits, who usually
need a complete mouth transplant to even come close. Something to do with that
upper lip thing. Nex

Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.
I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good,
although a bit labored (laboured)? And I thought Kenneth Branagh
in DEAD AGAIN sounded a bit like Jim Henson (OK, I thought he
sounded like Kermit the Frog).

Of course James "William 'Spike' Pratt" Marsters does a terrible
(midwestern) American accent.
That classic scene in Season 4 of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER, "Doomed"
where Spike says he's a friend of Xander's with a horrid attempt at
a midwestern accent will always stand out.

Actually, you could say that Spike does a bad American accent. James
Marsters, however, does a pretty good job of the "British guy doing
a bad American accent" accent.
Arnold Kim

Wha?
-- Ken from Greenvill-er Chicago

Arnold is saying that James-from-California is doing a fine job of
doing an accent of a British guy who *can't* do a good American
accent. "I'm a friend of Xanduurz..." Classic!
You're just yanking us, aren't you? There's no way you couldn't
not know this (wow, triple negative - did I say that right?).
--
Kel
"I reject your reality, and substitute my own."

James Marsters is from California? Might you cite or link a reference?

-- Ken from Greenvill-er Chicago (who's not sure if he doesn't not know
this)

[David Johnston]

On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 18:38:33 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by Ken from Chicago
James Marsters is from California? Might you cite or link a reference?

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0551346/

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by David Johnston
On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 18:38:33 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by Ken from Chicago
James Marsters is from California? Might you cite or link a reference?

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0551346/

You can't trust IMDB. They've got ALEXANDER

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346491/

And they don't even have the star of the movie, Colin Farrell, listed.

Sorry, I need a more trustworthy source as to James Marsters' origin.

-- Ken from Greenvill-er Chicago

P.S. And California? Come on, next someone'll say he's from Sunnydale.

[Barry Margolin]

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by David Johnston
On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 18:38:33 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by Ken from Chicago
James Marsters is from California? Might you cite or link a reference?

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0551346/

You can't trust IMDB. They've got ALEXANDER
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346491/
And they don't even have the star of the movie, Colin Farrell, listed.

Click on "More..." to get the full cast list. It claims to be in
credits order; I haven't seen it, so I don't know how correct it is.

[drifter]

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by David Johnston
On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 18:38:33 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by Ken from Chicago
James Marsters is from California? Might you cite or link a
reference?

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0551346/

You can't trust IMDB. They've got ALEXANDER
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346491/
And they don't even have the star of the movie, Colin Farrell, listed.
Sorry, I need a more trustworthy source as to James Marsters' origin.
-- Ken from Greenvill-er Chicago
P.S. And California? Come on, next someone'll say he's from Sunnydale.

http://www.james-marsters.com/james/bio.html

*Geenville*, CA, actually. And it's your sig that makes me think you
may be yanking us.

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by drifter

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by David Johnston
On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 18:38:33 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by Ken from Chicago
James Marsters is from California? Might you cite or link a
reference?

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0551346/

You can't trust IMDB. They've got ALEXANDER
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346491/
And they don't even have the star of the movie, Colin Farrell, listed.
Sorry, I need a more trustworthy source as to James Marsters' origin.
-- Ken from Greenvill-er Chicago
P.S. And California? Come on, next someone'll say he's from Sunnydale.

http://www.james-marsters.com/james/bio.html
*Geenville*, CA, actually. And it's your sig that makes me think you
may be yanking us.
--
Kel
"I reject your reality, and substitute my own."

What? No, I resent your refuting my ignorance on the subject! How DARE you
imply that I'm FAKING my ignorance?!!!!

-- Ken from Camd-er Chicago (who thought Tony Head did a much better job
faking a British accent and hiding whatever accent from where he's from)

[drifter]

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by drifter

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by David Johnston
On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 18:38:33 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by Ken from Chicago
James Marsters is from California? Might you cite or link a reference?

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0551346/

You can't trust IMDB. They've got ALEXANDER
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346491/
And they don't even have the star of the movie, Colin Farrell,
listed. Sorry, I need a more trustworthy source as to James Marsters'
origin. -- Ken from Greenvill-er Chicago
P.S. And California? Come on, next someone'll say he's from
Sunnydale.

http://www.james-marsters.com/james/bio.html
*Geenville*, CA, actually. And it's your sig that makes me think you
may be yanking us.

What? No, I resent your refuting my ignorance on the subject! How
DARE you imply that I'm FAKING my ignorance?!!!!
-- Ken from Camd-er Chicago (who thought Tony Head did a much better
job faking a British accent and hiding whatever accent from where
he's from)

I think I heard somewhere that his brother, at least, is from Bangkok.
Perhaps it was Iceland . . . or the Philippines . . . or Hastings . . .
;-)

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by drifter

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by drifter

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by David Johnston
On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 18:38:33 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by Ken from Chicago
James Marsters is from California? Might you cite or link a reference?

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0551346/

You can't trust IMDB. They've got ALEXANDER
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346491/
And they don't even have the star of the movie, Colin Farrell,
listed. Sorry, I need a more trustworthy source as to James Marsters'
origin. -- Ken from Greenvill-er Chicago
P.S. And California? Come on, next someone'll say he's from
Sunnydale.

http://www.james-marsters.com/james/bio.html
*Geenville*, CA, actually. And it's your sig that makes me think you
may be yanking us.

What? No, I resent your refuting my ignorance on the subject! How
DARE you imply that I'm FAKING my ignorance?!!!!
-- Ken from Camd-er Chicago (who thought Tony Head did a much better
job faking a British accent and hiding whatever accent from where
he's from)

I think I heard somewhere that his brother, at least, is from Bangkok.
Perhaps it was Iceland . . . or the Philippines . . . or Hastings . . .
;-)

I heard one night there'd make a hard man humble.

Post by drifter
--
Kel
"I reject your reality, and substitute my own."

-- Ken from Chicago (who gets his kicks above the waistline section)

[Jorabi]

Post by M***@aol.com
Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.

Jane does a terrible American accent. She always sounds like, well,
Jane.

[Electric Frog]

Post by Jorabi

Post by M***@aol.com
Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.

Jane does a terrible American accent. She always sounds like, well,
Jane.

She has an awful mid-Atlantic accent because in UK interviews she certainly
doesn't sound British

[Tina]

Post by M***@aol.com

Post by Alan Pollock
Aussies generally do a Much better American accent than the Brits, who usually
need a complete mouth transplant to even come close. Something to do with that
upper lip thing. Nex

Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.

Perhaps, but that doesn't negate what Alan said. Maybe it took a lot of
coaching to achieve that "excellent accent".

Post by M***@aol.com
I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good, although a
bit labored (laboured)? LOL!

I think Gwyneth Paltrow does a great Brit accent, but then, I'm hearing it
with American ears.

Tina

[jayembee]

Post by M***@aol.com
Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.

My wife was surprised as hell when I told her that Marianne Jean Baptiste
on WITHOUT A TRACE was British (she already knew that Anthony
LaPaglia was Australian).

Post by M***@aol.com
I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good, although a
bit labored (laboured)? And I thought Kenneth Branagh in DEAD AGAIN
sounded a bit like Jim Henson (OK, I thought he sounded like Kermit the
Frog).

I thought Branagh did an acceptable American accent in DEAD AGAIN,
but was really impressed by the fact that Emma Thompson, in the same
movie, managed to effect two different American accents (though one
was more a cultured mid-Atlantic accent).

-- jayembee

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by jayembee

Post by M***@aol.com
Some British actors do excellent American accents. I think of Jane
Seymour, Helena Bonham Carter and Natasha Richardson in particular.

My wife was surprised as hell when I told her that Marianne Jean Baptiste
on WITHOUT A TRACE was British (she already knew that Anthony
LaPaglia was Australian).

Post by M***@aol.com
I find Hugh Laurie's American accent in "House, M.D." good, although a
bit labored (laboured)? And I thought Kenneth Branagh in DEAD AGAIN
sounded a bit like Jim Henson (OK, I thought he sounded like Kermit the
Frog).

I thought Branagh did an acceptable American accent in DEAD AGAIN,
but was really impressed by the fact that Emma Thompson, in the same
movie, managed to effect two different American accents (though one
was more a cultured mid-Atlantic accent).
-- jayembee

Cate Blanchett however inherits the crown of Queen of Accents from Meryl
Streep.

-- Ken from Chicago

[b***@aol.com]

Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".

In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

[Kyle B.]

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".

Or Emma Samms on Dynasty.

[Lee@DVDDebate]

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

[drifter]

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look
at Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Keanu Reeves in Dracula.

<Trying desperately to keep a straight face.>

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by drifter

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look
at Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Keanu Reeves in Dracula.
<Trying desperately to keep a straight face.>
--
Kel
"I reject your reality, and substitute my own."

Keanu Reeves in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

-- Ken from Chicago (dead solid straight face ... nope ... not ... one ...
twitter)

[arnold kim]

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones' Diary
Alexis Denisof in "Buffy" and "Angel"
Gwynneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love"
James Marsters in "Buffy" and "Angel"

Arnold Kim

[Default User]

Post by arnold kim

Post by ***@DVDDebate
Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones' Diary
Alexis Denisof in "Buffy" and "Angel"
Gwynneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love"
James Marsters in "Buffy" and "Angel"

Patty Duke!!!!!11

Ok, I don't know if "Kathy" was any good or not, but I used to like her
accent as a kid watching the show.




Brian

[Van Bagnol]

Post by Default User

Post by arnold kim

Post by ***@DVDDebate
Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones' Diary
Alexis Denisof in "Buffy" and "Angel"
Gwynneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love"
James Marsters in "Buffy" and "Angel"

Patty Duke!!!!!11
Ok, I don't know if "Kathy" was any good or not, but I used to like her
accent as a kid watching the show.

I think Lindsay Lohan did a better and more believable job playing Annie
James in _The Parent Trap_ remake than Hayley Mills did playing Susan
Evers in the original.

Van

[Lee@DVDDebate]

On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:13:15 -0500, "arnold kim"

Post by arnold kim

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones' Diary
Alexis Denisof in "Buffy" and "Angel"
Gwynneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love"
James Marsters in "Buffy" and "Angel"

I'll give you the others, particularly Paltrow's, but Marsters' is
just terrible. I didn't watch Buffy but I caught it once and instantly
heard an American doing a poor English accent.

The person who surprised me most was Gillian Anderson, who sounds
irresistible when she speaks in her native English accent.

Lee.

[e***@gmail.com]

Post by ***@DVDDebate
On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:13:15 -0500, "arnold kim"

Post by arnold kim

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones' Diary
Alexis Denisof in "Buffy" and "Angel"
Gwynneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love"
James Marsters in "Buffy" and "Angel"

I'll give you the others, particularly Paltrow's, but Marsters' is
just terrible. I didn't watch Buffy but I caught it once and instantly
heard an American doing a poor English accent.

.

That's funny because I saw Marsters' (aka Spike) on Smallville, trying
to do an American accent, and he sounded terrible.

So what is he? He can't do British. He can't do American.

troy

[Lee@DVDDebate]

Post by e***@gmail.com

Post by ***@DVDDebate
On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:13:15 -0500, "arnold kim"

Post by arnold kim

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones' Diary
Alexis Denisof in "Buffy" and "Angel"
Gwynneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love"
James Marsters in "Buffy" and "Angel"

I'll give you the others, particularly Paltrow's, but Marsters' is
just terrible. I didn't watch Buffy but I caught it once and instantly
heard an American doing a poor English accent.

That's funny because I saw Marsters' (aka Spike) on Smallville, trying
to do an American accent, and he sounded terrible.
So what is he? He can't do British. He can't do American.

Canadian?

Joking aside, he's lived in the US his whole life, so maybe he just
has a problem with a Midwestern accent?


Lee.

[David Johnston]

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by e***@gmail.com
So what is he? He can't do British. He can't do American.

Canadian?
Joking aside, he's lived in the US his whole life, so maybe he just
has a problem with a Midwestern accent?

No, that's how he really talks. He isn't trying to do a midwestern
accent.

[unknown]

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by e***@gmail.com

Post by ***@DVDDebate
On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:13:15 -0500, "arnold kim"

Post by arnold kim

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones' Diary
Alexis Denisof in "Buffy" and "Angel"
Gwynneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love"
James Marsters in "Buffy" and "Angel"

I'll give you the others, particularly Paltrow's, but Marsters' is
just terrible. I didn't watch Buffy but I caught it once and instantly
heard an American doing a poor English accent.

That's funny because I saw Marsters' (aka Spike) on Smallville, trying
to do an American accent, and he sounded terrible.
So what is he? He can't do British. He can't do American.

Canadian?

That's because, Canadians not having accents, Canadians can't *do* accents.

--- Uncle Dave

[jayembee]

Post by unknown
That's because, Canadians not having accents, Canadians
can't *do* accents.

James Doohan.

-- jayembee

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by jayembee

Post by unknown
That's because, Canadians not having accents, Canadians
can't *do* accents.

James Doohan.
-- jayembee

William Shatner

Jim Carrey

Shania Twain

-- Ken from Chicago

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by e***@gmail.com

Post by ***@DVDDebate
On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:13:15 -0500, "arnold kim"

Post by arnold kim

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones' Diary
Alexis Denisof in "Buffy" and "Angel"
Gwynneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love"
James Marsters in "Buffy" and "Angel"

I'll give you the others, particularly Paltrow's, but Marsters' is
just terrible. I didn't watch Buffy but I caught it once and instantly
heard an American doing a poor English accent.

That's funny because I saw Marsters' (aka Spike) on Smallville, trying
to do an American accent, and he sounded terrible.
So what is he? He can't do British. He can't do American.

Canadian?
Joking aside, he's lived in the US his whole life, so maybe he just
has a problem with a Midwestern accent?
Lee.
--
lee at w2designs dot co dot uk
If I have one flaw, it's that I'm a perfectoinist.

Midwesterners don't have accents. >=^>

At least not Chicagoans (okay a few on the South side).

-- Ken from Chicago

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by e***@gmail.com

Post by ***@DVDDebate
On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:13:15 -0500, "arnold kim"

Post by arnold kim

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones' Diary
Alexis Denisof in "Buffy" and "Angel"
Gwynneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love"
James Marsters in "Buffy" and "Angel"

I'll give you the others, particularly Paltrow's, but Marsters' is
just terrible. I didn't watch Buffy but I caught it once and instantly
heard an American doing a poor English accent.

.
That's funny because I saw Marsters' (aka Spike) on Smallville, trying
to do an American accent, and he sounded terrible.
So what is he? He can't do British. He can't do American.
troy

Convention halls of women would beg to differ.

-- Ken from Chicago

[arnold kim]

Post by ***@DVDDebate
On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:13:15 -0500, "arnold kim"

Post by arnold kim

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones' Diary
Alexis Denisof in "Buffy" and "Angel"
Gwynneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love"
James Marsters in "Buffy" and "Angel"

I'll give you the others, particularly Paltrow's, but Marsters' is
just terrible. I didn't watch Buffy but I caught it once and instantly
heard an American doing a poor English accent.

Really? Some of the British people I've spoken to were floored to find out
he was American. A few couldn't quite distinguish what kind of an accent,
but that's understandable for the character given that he was originally a
former upperclass poet affecting a lower class accent.

Arnold Kim

[jayembee]

Post by ***@DVDDebate
I'll give you the others, particularly Paltrow's, but Marsters' is
just terrible. I didn't watch Buffy but I caught it once and instantly
heard an American doing a poor English accent.

That's something that Brits themselves can't agree on. Several
years back, when word first came out about a film version of
the comic HELLBLAZER, some discussion appeared in the
comics newsgroups of who would be best casting as John
Constantine. Marsters's name came up, and some British
netters claimed that Marsters had the worst British accent
they'd ever heard, while other British netters said that Marsters
sounded just like people they knew.

Hell, elsewhere in this thread, Major Chris B stated that he
thinks Marsters's accent was excellent.

-- jayembee

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by jayembee

Post by ***@DVDDebate
I'll give you the others, particularly Paltrow's, but Marsters' is
just terrible. I didn't watch Buffy but I caught it once and instantly
heard an American doing a poor English accent.

That's something that Brits themselves can't agree on. Several
years back, when word first came out about a film version of
the comic HELLBLAZER, some discussion appeared in the
comics newsgroups of who would be best casting as John
Constantine. Marsters's name came up, and some British
netters claimed that Marsters had the worst British accent
they'd ever heard, while other British netters said that Marsters
sounded just like people they knew.
Hell, elsewhere in this thread, Major Chris B stated that he
thinks Marsters's accent was excellent.
-- jayembee

As Arnold points out, if Spike is a character originally upper crust Brit
trying to affect a lower crust accent, it would explain his mix of British
accents, akin to a Manhattannite trying to affect a Bronx accent or an upper
crust New Englander trying to speak street jive.

"Er, how is it hanging, my home-mies?"

-- Ken from Chicago

[Lee@DVDDebate]

On Sat, 12 Nov 2005 02:51:58 GMT, jayembee

Post by jayembee

Post by ***@DVDDebate
I'll give you the others, particularly Paltrow's, but Marsters' is
just terrible. I didn't watch Buffy but I caught it once and instantly
heard an American doing a poor English accent.

That's something that Brits themselves can't agree on. Several
years back, when word first came out about a film version of
the comic HELLBLAZER, some discussion appeared in the
comics newsgroups of who would be best casting as John
Constantine. Marsters's name came up, and some British
netters claimed that Marsters had the worst British accent
they'd ever heard, while other British netters said that Marsters
sounded just like people they knew.
Hell, elsewhere in this thread, Major Chris B stated that he
thinks Marsters's accent was excellent.

Ah, but Chris is a Scot.
Lee.

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by ***@DVDDebate
On Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:13:15 -0500, "arnold kim"

Post by arnold kim

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones' Diary
Alexis Denisof in "Buffy" and "Angel"
Gwynneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love"
James Marsters in "Buffy" and "Angel"

I'll give you the others, particularly Paltrow's, but Marsters' is
just terrible. I didn't watch Buffy but I caught it once and instantly
heard an American doing a poor English accent.
The person who surprised me most was Gillian Anderson, who sounds
irresistible when she speaks in her native English accent.
Lee.
--
lee at w2designs dot co dot uk
If I have one flaw, it's that I'm a perfectoinist.

PANTS ON FIRE!

She's from Chicago, like me, almost born on the same day in fact. Then again
it is the most popular birth month.

-- Ken from Chicago (who hates peridot, ruby is way cooler, being red,
crimson red)

[Lee@DVDDebate]

On Sat, 12 Nov 2005 06:03:16 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by ***@DVDDebate
The person who surprised me most was Gillian Anderson, who sounds
irresistible when she speaks in her native English accent.

PANTS ON FIRE!
She's from Chicago, like me, almost born on the same day in fact. Then again
it is the most popular birth month.

OK, let me clarify (and correct). She was born in Chicago, moved to
England at an early age and stayed until she was 11. She still has the
sexiest English accent I've ever heard. And I'm English.
Lee.

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by ***@DVDDebate
On Sat, 12 Nov 2005 06:03:16 -0600, "Ken from Chicago"

Post by Ken from Chicago

Post by ***@DVDDebate
The person who surprised me most was Gillian Anderson, who sounds
irresistible when she speaks in her native English accent.

PANTS ON FIRE!
She's from Chicago, like me, almost born on the same day in fact. Then again
it is the most popular birth month.

OK, let me clarify (and correct). She was born in Chicago, moved to
England at an early age and stayed until she was 11. She still has the
sexiest English accent I've ever heard. And I'm English.
Lee.
--
lee at w2designs dot co dot uk
If I have one flaw it's that I'm a perfectoinist.

Ah, a female Mel Gibson.

-- Ken from Chicago

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by arnold kim

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.
Lee.

Renee Zellwegger in Bridget Jones' Diary
Alexis Denisof in "Buffy" and "Angel"
Gwynneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love"
James Marsters in "Buffy" and "Angel"
Arnold Kim

David Boreanaz in "Buffy" and "Angel".

-- Ken from Chicago

P.S. Irish is technically British (at least Northern Irish is).

[Kim]

Post by Ken from Chicago
P.S. Irish is technically British (at least Northern Irish is).

LOL! Technically yes, but thousands would disagree (or start a war)!
Republic of Ireland is definitely not British.

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by Kim

Post by Ken from Chicago
P.S. Irish is technically British (at least Northern Irish is).

LOL! Technically yes, but thousands would disagree (or start a war)!
Republic of Ireland is definitely not British.

Like they's gonna lissen ta a ruddy Yank lad like m'self. Nay, I've no
worries.

-- Ken from Chicago

[jayembee]

Post by Ken from Chicago
P.S. Irish is technically British (at least Northern Irish is).

No, it isn't. Not under any circumstance. Northern Ireland is part
of the United Kingdom, but it's not part of Great Britain.

England, Wales, and Scotland make up Great Britain.

Great Britain and Northern Ireland make up the United Kingdom
(the full name of which is, in fact, The United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Northern Ireland).

-- jayembee

[Jeanne Douglas]

Post by ***@DVDDebate

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK", or Anthony Hopkins as "Nixon". Or
Patrick McGoohan on several "Columbos".
In reverse, many people, including me, can do a credible Brit accent.

Credible British accents from American actors? If you can count 10
I'll be impressed. I'll start off with Kevin Kline in A Fish Called
Wanda and Angelina Jolie in Tomb Raider.

Lisa Eichhorn in "Yanks".

[Patty Winter]

Post by b***@aol.com
Yeah, Brits can do it if they concentrate and don't OVERDO it. Look at
Gary Oldman as Oswald in "JFK"

And as James Gordon in "Batman Begins." In fact, most of the primary
cast of that movie consisted of various natives of the British Isles
playing Americans. It was funny near the end of Terry Gross' interview
with Christian Bale when he mentioned that he had decided to do his
interviews for the movie in his Bruce Wayne voice, and she hadn't
realized that he hadn't been talking in his own voice. Of course,
he's lived in the States for a long time, but he still has a Welsh
accent when he isn't intentionally talking Amurrican.

And I agree that Hugh Laurie is doing an excellent job of it on
"House."


Patty

===========================================================================
"Well, you know how it is, Mr. Fox. You're out at night looking for
kicks...someone's passing around the weaponized hallucinogens..."
========= ***@wintertime.com ===== N6BIS ===== Sunnyvale, Calif. ========

[The Ghost of General Lee]

On 9 Nov 2005 05:13:13 -0000, Daniel Joseph Min

Post by Daniel Joseph Min

Here's kind of a reverse impression that might fit here. After
watching Rachel Griffins (Griffiths?) as Brenda on Six Feet Under for
many, many years, at the end of the series I saw a show where the
actors voiced some opinions and it was with a feeling of shock that
there she was, talking in "Aussie" ! I was so used to her perfect
American accent as Brenda, that her Aussie-speak sounded phony! Then
I was, Heyyy ! She IS Australian, and all this time she has not been
speaking in her natural voice on the show. Neat.

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Yes, I remember that; it was just before the final episode of
'Six Feet Under' when HBO ran that "making of" special, which
interviewed the actors, writers, producers and directors Alan
Ball & Co. And what an amazing and thoroughly heart-wrenching
episode it was... the bar definitely was raised, as they said.
That was THE best television episode I'd ever seen in my life!
I'm frankly astonished that it wasn't discussed on more groups. :(
I coincidentally did know that the actress who played "Brenda
Chenowith", Rachel Griffiths, was Australian, from seeing her
in previous interviews. I guess our Brit/Aussie neighbors are
given to mimic American accents in much the same way as we're
inclined to imitate theirs, as we did the fab four of Beatles'
practically god-like notoriety they'd enjoyed back in the 60s.
(related groups added)

Tim Roth (Pumpkin/Ringo in Pulp Fiction) is British, and used his real
voice in Pulp Fiction. He also appeared in Reservoir Dogs, but spoke
perfect "American" English. He had a speech coach who taught him how
to speak like an American. And how did he repay her? He shot her.
(Actually, she had a bit part in RD where her car was jacked by Roth
and Harvey Keitel, and Roth's character shot her.)

[Ken from Chicago]

Post by The Ghost of General Lee
On 9 Nov 2005 05:13:13 -0000, Daniel Joseph Min

Post by Daniel Joseph Min

Here's kind of a reverse impression that might fit here. After
watching Rachel Griffins (Griffiths?) as Brenda on Six Feet Under for
many, many years, at the end of the series I saw a show where the
actors voiced some opinions and it was with a feeling of shock that
there she was, talking in "Aussie" ! I was so used to her perfect
American accent as Brenda, that her Aussie-speak sounded phony! Then
I was, Heyyy ! She IS Australian, and all this time she has not been
speaking in her natural voice on the show. Neat.

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Yes, I remember that; it was just before the final episode of
'Six Feet Under' when HBO ran that "making of" special, which
interviewed the actors, writers, producers and directors Alan
Ball & Co. And what an amazing and thoroughly heart-wrenching
episode it was... the bar definitely was raised, as they said.
That was THE best television episode I'd ever seen in my life!
I'm frankly astonished that it wasn't discussed on more groups. :(
I coincidentally did know that the actress who played "Brenda
Chenowith", Rachel Griffiths, was Australian, from seeing her
in previous interviews. I guess our Brit/Aussie neighbors are
given to mimic American accents in much the same way as we're
inclined to imitate theirs, as we did the fab four of Beatles'
practically god-like notoriety they'd enjoyed back in the 60s.
(related groups added)

Tim Roth (Pumpkin/Ringo in Pulp Fiction) is British, and used his real
voice in Pulp Fiction. He also appeared in Reservoir Dogs, but spoke
perfect "American" English. He had a speech coach who taught him how
to speak like an American. And how did he repay her? He shot her.
(Actually, she had a bit part in RD where her car was jacked by Roth
and Harvey Keitel, and Roth's character shot her.)

One of the keys is to soften your "t"s. British "t"s are "harder",
"sharper", more enunciated, while their "h"s are softer.

-- Ken from Chicago

[Goro]

Post by Daniel Joseph Min

Here's kind of a reverse impression that might fit here. After
watching Rachel Griffins (Griffiths?) as Brenda on Six Feet Under for
many, many years, at the end of the series I saw a show where the
actors voiced some opinions and it was with a feeling of shock that
there she was, talking in "Aussie" ! I was so used to her perfect
American accent as Brenda, that her Aussie-speak sounded phony! Then
I was, Heyyy ! She IS Australian, and all this time she has not been
speaking in her natural voice on the show. Neat.

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Yes, I remember that; it was just before the final episode of
'Six Feet Under' when HBO ran that "making of" special, which
interviewed the actors, writers, producers and directors Alan
Ball & Co. And what an amazing and thoroughly heart-wrenching
episode it was... the bar definitely was raised, as they said.
That was THE best television episode I'd ever seen in my life!
I'm frankly astonished that it wasn't discussed on more groups. :(
I coincidentally did know that the actress who played "Brenda
Chenowith", Rachel Griffiths, was Australian, from seeing her
in previous interviews. I guess our Brit/Aussie neighbors are
given to mimic American accents in much the same way as we're
inclined to imitate theirs, as we did the fab four of Beatles'
practically god-like notoriety they'd enjoyed back in the 60s.
(related groups added)

Slightly OT, but if you haven't seen HILARY AND JACKIE (Rachel
Griffiths and Emily Watson) then do yourself the big favor.. NOW!!!11

MY SON THE FANATIC also a good watch.
ME MYSELF I, not so much.

:)

-goro-

[Major ChrisB]

Post by Daniel Joseph Min

Here's kind of a reverse impression that might fit here. After
watching Rachel Griffins (Griffiths?) as Brenda on Six Feet Under for
many, many years, at the end of the series I saw a show where the
actors voiced some opinions and it was with a feeling of shock that
there she was, talking in "Aussie" ! I was so used to her perfect
American accent as Brenda, that her Aussie-speak sounded phony! Then
I was, Heyyy ! She IS Australian, and all this time she has not been
speaking in her natural voice on the show. Neat.

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Yes, I remember that; it was just before the final episode of
'Six Feet Under' when HBO ran that "making of" special, which
interviewed the actors, writers, producers and directors Alan
Ball & Co. And what an amazing and thoroughly heart-wrenching
episode it was... the bar definitely was raised, as they said.
That was THE best television episode I'd ever seen in my life!
I'm frankly astonished that it wasn't discussed on more groups. :(
I coincidentally did know that the actress who played "Brenda
Chenowith", Rachel Griffiths, was Australian, from seeing her
in previous interviews. I guess our Brit/Aussie neighbors are
given to mimic American accents in much the same way as we're
inclined to imitate theirs, as we did the fab four of Beatles'
practically god-like notoriety they'd enjoyed back in the 60s.

It's probably more to do with the fact that the American Accent, like most
american people, developed through mixes of the british accent. Britain has
about 40 different dialects (probably more if you include Ireland) and it
was these different accents coming to america that created the various
american accents even cities that are close together have very different
accents, I'm in Glasgow and Edinburgh is about 40 miles away and have a
completly different accent, the town on Stirling which is even closer is
different to mine also, even within the city of London theres about 5
completly different sounding accents. I've always found it easy to do an
american accent but can't do like a Liverpudlian or Manchester accent at
all. People like Jane Leeves does an "english accent" on Frasier but her
real accent is totally different from the one she does on the show.

The best british accent on American TV was Spike in Buffy/Angel who came
into the show virtually unknown and did such a good accent people actually
thought he was british...it's only when they hear his real accent that you
know he's not...and his real accent sounds more like Joe Pesci.

Also on Angel was Glenn Quin who played an irish demon on the show, I always
thought his accent was fake having known him from playing Mark in Roseanne.
It wasn't for several months after he joined the show that I discovered he
actually IS irish and his accent on Roseanne was the fake one.

Out TV is also saturdated with American shows (which I think is a good
thing) whereas American TV isn't so we're probably more attuned to picking
up the american accent than the other way around.

[m***@gmail.com]

A counterexample is the 2 part story "He Knew He Was Right", shown on
"Masterpiece Theatre". There were two "American" women in it, and I
knew that their voices didn't quite sound right, but I only had an "oh
duhh, they're British doing American accents" moment a while after
watching the first half.

[t***@yahoo.com]

These actors are all "trying" to use a different accent.

Whats interesting are those singers who singer with no accent, but when
they speak they have heavy accents.

...unless they are trying to sing without accents?

[Logical Anomaly's Ego]

Some people lose their "real" accent after trying to get rid of it.
Poppy Montgomery on Without a Trace for example, says she has a hard
time even faking an Australian Accent. I think she came to America when
she was 15 though, that might make a difference.

Also Hollywood's long history of destroying the Southern accent comes
to mind. Johnny Knoxville, Burt Renoylds, Jessica Simpson are all from
the "south", yet were forced to do the fake Hollywood sounding accents
for Dukes of Hazzard. When all they had to do was talk normally. Jeff
Foxworthy was auditioning for a movie playing a southern guy, speaking
in his normal voice and the casting director wanted him to talk
southern....they are used to MOVIE southern instead of real southern.
Stupid movies like My Cousin Vinnie et al reinforcing that.

Its amazing to me though, that of all people, Matthew McCoughnahey
(sp?) has the same Texas drawl in all movies, he wasn't forced to get
rid of it. THAT is a real southern accent.,,as is Jeff Foxworthy.

[David Johnston]

Post by t***@yahoo.com
These actors are all "trying" to use a different accent.
Whats interesting are those singers who singer with no accent, but when
they speak they have heavy accents.
...unless they are trying to sing without accents?

For a lot of styles of singing, you can no more sing that way with an
accent than you can scream or hum with an accent.

[t***@yahoo.com]

Post by David Johnston

Post by t***@yahoo.com
These actors are all "trying" to use a different accent.
Whats interesting are those singers who singer with no accent, but when
they speak they have heavy accents.
...unless they are trying to sing without accents?

For a lot of styles of singing, you can no more sing that way with an
accent than you can scream or hum with an accent.

Can you go into this a little more.
Im not sure I understand why you cant sing with an accent.

Why would singing be different from talking with an accent?

Im not very musical, but isnt singing ALMOST like speaking along with
music?

[Alan Pollock]

Post by t***@yahoo.com
Why would singing be different from talking with an accent?
Im not very musical, but isnt singing ALMOST like speaking along with
music?

Nope. It's sounds within a musical matrix, which can - not for everyone - make
it easier to mimick a foreign accent. Nex

[drifter]

Post by Alan Pollock

Post by t***@yahoo.com
Why would singing be different from talking with an accent?
Im not very musical, but isnt singing ALMOST like speaking along with
music?

Nope. It's sounds within a musical matrix, which can - not for
everyone - make it easier to mimick a foreign accent. Nex

It also makes it easier for stutterers to not stutter...Mel Tillis
comes to mind.

Most singers with an accent (that I can think of) sing with no accent.
Celene Dion comes to mind.