Thoughts -- The Official Stewart Finlay-Mclennan Message Board

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Date Posted: 09:01:56 04/09/14 Wed
Author: Jen (Thoughtful)
Subject: Thoughts

With the last message having some conflict, it got me to thinking...certainly I hope I can state my thoughts clearly and without offense to anyone, least of all Stew. It is so difficult trying to state something on line, rather than in person, as the tone can always come out misconstrued. As I said, I hope that doesn't happen and offense is not at all meant in my message.

I digress...

I can only assume that for most of us on here, we have found this site by Stew's acting career versus his wine career. Delving further, I suspect most of us found this after doing (possibly extensive) searches on Christy and/or the character of Dr. McNeill. I believe probably one of the hardest, if not the hardest thing for an actor or actress to convey to their fans is that they are not the actual character(s) they portray on film. On the other hand, I believe it is the sign of a good actor to have their audience believe they truly are the character in which they portray. However, it must also be a curse to that actor or actress on a number of levels; some of which Stew has talked directly or indirectly about on here....while we feel we know the actor, seeing them on screen on a regular basis, they are in fact, real people with real lives, much of which, they probably would like to keep private.

In an age where, given the ambition and time, anyone can find just about anything on whomever they want, it is we as fans (in this case) that we must walk a fine line of not abusing that power. It is often a difficult one (in this case I feel) because while Stewart seems to have gotten off the acting path, he is still somewhat public due to his wine career (in all aspects, from his radio show to the Garagiste Festivals)and because of his occasional appearances on here. He is still very accessible. I believe we all come here with a fondness either for Stewart the actor, or Dr. McNeill (or any character he has played) so the last thing we want to do is offend him or "bother" him in someway. We often must be guided (hopefully directly from Stew) as to what is acceptable (going perhaps, to a wine festival, but is ok to ask him about his acting career if you meet him?) and not acceptable. (Obviously using his now wine/business email for autograph purposes...again it is a public email, but if a fan didn't know about this site and emailed him directly on the wine site to ask him about his acting career, how would they be to know it isn't acceptable?) I think often, we are in a grey area on acceptability due in part because we realize he needs his privacy, but he still somewhat accessible. Obviously some common sense must be used, but I am sure some of us (especially newer fans that have stumbled across this board)still wonder what is ok to do and not ok to do. Both his wine career and movie career having been discussed on here, so we may question, as fans of one or the other or both, if they can mix when talking to him, or if he prefers to highlight his wine career and leave his acting career in the background etc. I believe everyone's true intent here is to remain respectful to Stewart (and his family) and respect whatever his wishes are to that matter.

On a personal note...a friend introduced me to Christy because she knew I was a longtime fan of Little House on the Prairie. In general, when I watch a movie or show with actors or actresses I'm not familiar with, I investigate them to see what other work they've done. It was my pleasant surprise to find out about Stew's wine career through that investigation. I enjoy a glass and have/had always wanted to learn more on the subject, so my fondness for his wine knowledge suddenly outweighed my interest in his acting career. (On a side note..when I was watching an episode of Christy, he happened to be in a scene when my husband walked by. My husband said "He was in a Mad Max film and he played a doctor then, too." When I finally saw the MM film and saw what little screen time Stew had in it, I was shocked my husband recognized him..especially with the white blonde hair he had.) Anyway, I still enjoy the Christy message boards etc, and I don't deny my love of the show or the other things he's done in Hollywood, but it has always been important to me that I convey to him that my interest in his knowledge of wine is more important to me than his acting career. Had it not been for him, I would not have found some great tasting, little know wines, discovered my love of Paso Robles, California (the general area where many of the wines are made/sold at) or been able to enjoy the Garagiste Festival at beautiful WindFall Farms. If any of you ever get the chance to go, seize the opportunity.

As I said, I certainly hope none of this came out the wrong way, especially to Stew.

Jenny

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Replies:

[> Re: Thoughts --

Neeney, 15:15:41 04/09/14 Wed

You know it's funny, you said that you loved LHOP, and so that's why your friend introduced you to Christy. And I know they're the same type of genre, but I don't really find them all that similar. Is that weird?

That doesn't mean I don't enjoy them, because I do. It's just that to me, they aren't really all that much alike.

I guess I'm weird. Oh well. lol

Neeney

Last edited by author: Wed April 09, 2014 15:37:23 Edited 1 time.
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[> [> Re: Thoughts -- Jen, 16:29:57 04/09/14 Wed

They are both historical; just set in different points in history.

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[> [> [> Re: Thoughts -- Neeney, 17:20:51 04/09/14 Wed

Yah I know. I just don't think they're that much alike. I'm just weird I guess.

Neeney

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