If you're nice, I'll Explain the Proper Shampooing Technique

This week I wrote a review of Eureka for Fandomania. In that review, I referred to actor Matt Frewer (of Max Headroom fame) as a shampoo bottle actor.  This is the term I use to refer to those public personalities who have such a good stage or screen presence, that they could read the instructions on the back of a bottle of shampoo, and make it sound interesting.

Most public personalities have a certain theme.  They need something specific to make them be able to get up in front of a camera or on stage and captivate people’s interest. Stand up comedians have their jokes. Most actors have the script or the portrayal of their character. Motivational speakers have their plan for maximum personal effectiveness.

But other people simply have a presence. I brainstormed some other people like this: Patrick Stewart, Bruce Campbell, Jimmy Buffet, Jesse Ventura, the list goes on. I’m sure you are thinking of a few right now as you read this.

I first got the idea from watching this youtube video of Ian McKellen. Ian McKellen is a Shakespeare actor who has made the transition to movie icon.  But his roots are in Shakespeare, which is why he read instructions on how to change a tire, and make it interesting:

Now that’s Acting!