I could be wrong but I seem to recall the novel Dracula mentioned the dirt.  I'm trying to think if Nospheratu also mentioned dirt --- I just can't remember.

True, vampires do seem to be evolving.  I guess a lot of the old rules makes them seemingly easier to kill, and therefore less threatening.  Barn was so vulnerable during the day, Spike & Angel much less so.  Heck, Spike was often awake in the afternoon and sometimes watched Passions with Buffy's mom 
It seems a lot of monsters are evolving.  The recent zombie flick (I think it was a remake of Dawn of the Dead) had the zombies running around like cheetahs, making them much more deadly than the ultra-slow Romero shufflers.

Well, I was born shortly after the whole show was cancelled.  I watch DS on DVD and Frid's Barnabas is the reason I pay $40 odd for those sets.  I love Grayson Hall's performance, but Frid is why I buy.  I don't think I'd be so into this stuff if he was "dumb".  Granted, I partly like him cause he was so darn hot -- but it wasn't just that.  He was no better looking than Jerry Lacey or Joel Crothers -- just sexier (and that was largely via his performance!!)

I read some recent transcripts, though, and it seems that John Karlen is someone who is very respectful and admiring towards Frid.  He is one who has noted that Frid had loads of dialogue, etc.  Karlen, like Frid, made his character someone you genuinely cared about.  Willie is compelling and sympathetic...much like Barnabas.  Makes me wonder if he understood better where Frid was coming from acting wise.

As for KLS, loads of her dialogue was just repeating the last thing said to her.  Concerned person: "Why were you in the cemetary?"  KLS: "The cemetary?"  Concerned person: "Yes, you seemed lost!"  KLS: "Lost?"  It happened so much so that many of her scenes were boring and drearily repetitive.  Not her fault, mind, (she didn't write Maggie, afterall)...but her scenes could get plenty dull nonetheless.

Frid could bring us into his performance.  Even if his repetition of lines was off, he still was magnetic.  Some other performers could give perfect readings, and somehow manage to bore me.  Just because someone can remember lots of dialogue doesn't mean they can convey the emotions necessary to make us give a toss, afterall.

BTW, I kind of think the best actor on the show was probably Thayer David.  He memorized lines quite perfectly, could save a flub, and made his character compelling without overacting.  Frid's my favorite but I still have to give props out to Thayer.

As for Grayson, awww...I still love her.  She did overact and pulled the silliest faces but I still love her.  She was fun to watch and had great chemistry with Frid.  Makes me wonder why she'd diss him so. 

Thank you for the update, Nancy.  (note: these Halloween smileys are sooo cute)

While I'm glad he's taking the time to writing his thoughts down (once my database exam is over tonight, I'm going to have a good reading of them!) I think *some* fans might be expecting too much of him.  A couple of the fan comments were quite saucy (and not in a good way), IMO.  It's simply enough for me to just watch my DVDs and enjoy his performances as Barnabas.   

It's nice of him to be doing this.  I had read one of his earlier essays where he made some very lovely comments about Joan Bennett and enjoyed it v. much. 

It's awesome.  As mentioned before, you really captured the essence of our Julia.  It has made me an even more devoted B&J shipper 

I also enjoyed the Jason/Liz  promo.  What a heel he was! 

I remember watching & enjoying it when it first aired, haven't seen the tapes though.  I don't recall too much about it overall but do know that I wasn't too keen on the '91 Willie.  I also didn't like Cross as much as Frid -- Cross was still good but not as soulful as Frid.

I did quite like Angelique though.  She was a lot crazier in the '91 version if I recall correctly.  Not quite as overall enchanting & compelling as Lara Parker but fun to watch nonetheless. 

It certainly looked better, very stately and attractive.   No microphones or stagehands suddenly making guest appearances -- though some would say that those elements are part of what makes the original series so much fun. 

I agree with the sentiment that its better than the rubbish on these days.  The reality show craze is so dire and embarrassing. 

I see it as a combination.  I'm quite certain he was partly drawn to her because of the resemblence because he looked so vulnerable at the fancy dress party he held.  He very nearly blurted out that she looked like his mother and looked like he'd love nothing more than to hug her.

Also, he respected her matriarchal strength in keeping the family in the best order she could.  She suffered a lot throughout the Jason MacGuire fiasco...keeping such a dark secret and such.  She was certainly worthy of Barnabas' respect and not just for being a matriarch.

Fabulous!  I'm sure she was fun to draw...the eyes askanse glance is engaging and charming.

I think part of his horrid attitude toward Maggie can be attributed, though, to the initial intent of having him just be a temporary character.  He was the most vile toward her and, has been pointed out, even looked down upon her because of her station in life.

Once he became popular and female fans wrote letters offering him their necks (and them some!  ) there was little choice but to keep him along and try to redeem him some.

Of course, he could still be nasty but, well, his early treatment of Maggie was utterly diabolical.

Kind of neat how he was so snobbish toward Maggie yet when we see him in the past, he's busy trying to teach Ben Stokes (great character is Ben, btw) letters and writing.   

It's right about him being like a romantic hero though.  He is v. Bronte-esque to me.  All dark, sexy, and troubled with outlandish mood swings...while not being conventionally handsome or charming (just handsome & charming in his own bizarre way).