I Heart James Franco

How do I love thee James Franco? Let me count the ways. I first saw him a decade ago (& he made quite the impact) on a favorite TV show- Freaks & Geeks, a show written by Judd Apatow & co-starring Seth Rogen & Jason Segel. The Husband & I thought he especially good as the title character in a Mark Rydell’s TV movie- James Dean, for which he won a Golden Globe. In just the last year, I was astounded by his good work in Milk & his hilarious turn in the stoner comedy- Pineapple Express. But, why does he seem so nutty of late?

While pursuing a degree in Columbia University’s MFA Writing program, James Franco took on the bizarre but fascinating decision to join the cast of General Hospital as a murderous artist named Franco. He says the idea came to him while preparing for a new film with Catherine Keener- Maladies, where Franco plays a former soap star. “Now, just because I’m playing a character who was formerly on a soap opera doesn’t mean I had to go on a soap opera, right?” said Franco. “So going on General Hospital isn’t directly related to Maladies. But we got to talking, like, ‘Hey, what if I really did a soap opera? That would be kind of amazing!’” He approached the producers, who of course said yes.

His only stipulation:‘I want to play an artist, and I want him to be crazy.’ And they wrote this character that was better than I could have ever asked for. It was their idea to call the character Franco. I said, ‘That’s crazy. Thank you.’” It was only after he’d signed up that he decided to bring his own crew along to film the filming, he said, “because I wanted to really have ownership over the piece.” This footage will be performance-art piece at Deitch Projects' Long Island City space later this year, & even more surreal, that show will in then be taped for a special episode of General Hospital.

His next role, as gay poet Alan Ginsberg, in Howl (co-starring Jon Hamm, Mary Louise Parker, Treat Williams, Jeff Daniels, Bob Balaban, David Strathairn, & Alessandro Nivola) was just shown at Sundance. Franco is unafraid to play gay, & if his turn in the gay indie film Blind Spot & as gay actor James Dean weren't enough, he's even directed some hardcore man X man action. His student film for Columbia featured a boy dreaming in graphic detail about the jocks on the basketball court.

Last week he appeared on 30 Rock as a demented version of himself, in love with a Japanese body pillow named Kimiko-tan. The “Franco” character carried on a fake romance with Jenna Maroney (Jane Krakowski) in a scheme concocted by their respective agents. Again, surreal, off-kilter & very funny.When Fey told him about the role, he said, “I thought it was pretty weird at first, but then I met Kimiko & she’s so pretty & sweet. I kept her. She’s at the apartment. I haven’t been around for a while, so she’s been a little lonely.”


I would like Franco to consider playing another little mind trip of an actor exercise & do a short film where he pursues an aging former actor because he wants to discover the experience of having a “daddy”.