I have seen strong opinions on this issue on here from time to time, but I don't remember if there has ever been a thread about it.  Moira Kelly or Lara Flynn Boyle?  Which one and why?  As much as I rag on Lara's post-Peaks career and attitude, I think she was the better Donna.  I'll  think of why in later posts.  Answer me.  PS - I loved LFB in the Laura's grave at night scene.

Current tally - LFB 9, MK 3 (if I counted right - I thought there was an immense MK fanbase, where the F are you?) I am shocked.  Maybe it's just because the MK apologists shout the loudest.

To me, Lara Flynn Boyle was the better Donna.  Most likely because she was the original.  I know a lot of people on here rag on her, but I always liked her acting and adaptation of Donna on the show.  Now, on the other hand, her post-Peaks career leaves a lot to be desired.

I'm gonna vote LFB too. She didn't make Donna a character that you always had a lot of sympathy for (unlike Moira Kelly might have done, maybe) but I still thought she made Donna a good character. And for good or bad, I find LFB extremely hot in TP! MK doesn't have the same appeal for me.

3-0 to Lara. (in anticipation of a lot of MK votes)

Even though it really grinds my gears (as Peter Griffin would say) to admit it, LFB was the better Donna. Maybe by virtue of the fact that she got to play the character longer. Moira Kelly in FWWM is one of the only things that doesn't really work for me in that movie...except when she's topless. That works for me.

In every other respect, I like Moira so much better. Lara is a Class-A skank, but she was better as Donna.

I totally agree about the graveyard scene.

Skanky Lara:4-Poor Moira:0

i'm going moira based on better acting, and more believable as laura's friend.

I completely agree with Nefud... Moira is a better actress and her Donna was far more interesting than the series one... Her relationship with Laura in the film is better than the childish jealousy she has in the series, her adventures with Harold or, of course, the BIG "You're my daddy!" revelation...

It's like asking, had FWWM gone as scripted, who was the better Cooper, Kyle MacLachlan or Chris Isaak?

Funny they could get away with the Donna switcharoo without public outcry when she was in every episode. I looked for comments on this subject on the alt.tv.twin-peaks newsgroup archives, and found under characters/episodes/scenes you didn't like:

"Donna (Lara Flynn Boyle) because of lack of acting talent. Moira Kelly was much better."

- [email protected], 1995 PowerStar Survey

LFB's Donna needs a hysterectomy.

I also prefer the Mr. Pulaski from the Pilot that the one we see later played by another guy, if only because that guy is annoying and his acting is terrible and on the other hand the Pilot one was, well, almost non-existent...

I think I prefer LFB just because pilotDonna breaks my heart, and she's just IS Donna, but I found Moira's interpretation interesting. Moira's Donna was desperate to be like Laura and was Laura's little lap dog, where Donna at times was happy to be able to take Laura's place as the school sexpot (and James' girl). It's interesting that they are played by two different people before and after Laura's  death. I know it was due to shooting conflicts with LFB or whatever, but it kinda works. Moira's Donna being Laura's little worshipper to LFB's Donna who was tired of being overshadowed by Laura. I don't know, just my opinion. 

 LFB for me, though. 

I also prefer the Mr. Pulaski from the Pilot that the one we see later played by another guy, if only because that guy is annoying and his acting is terrible and on the other hand the Pilot one was, well, almost non-existent...

  Ditto the two Johnny Hornes; Robert Bauer vs. Robert Davenport (thud thud thud.)

As a side note, I can imagine Moira shedding the doe-eyed, easily led Donna of FWWM-- the kind of girl who would date a douche like Mike-- and becoming the tougher, cynical girl the series called for (from other roles I've seen her in). But I can't imagine LFB being a Donna that's not serious and on guard all the time. 

I also prefer the series Tremond's grandson... The FWWM one does more things like wearing masks, giving weird paintings and jumping, but Mini-Lynch has a more interesting face and is far more disturbing.

I also prefer the Mr. Pulaski from the Pilot that the one we see later played by another guy, if only because that guy is annoying and his acting is terrible and on the other hand the Pilot one was, well, almost non-existent...

I like the awkward way he removes his lid before getting into the police car, suggesting his inner torment and confusion.

In episode 14, Coop should have suddently swung around with a dramatic pointing arm, saying "aaaand it was HIM!", gesturing to Pulaski in a booth, still wearing the helmet thing, eating a sandwich.  Frozen in mid-bite, he looks up, startled, and runs out of the Roadhouse, Family Guy style.

He killed his wife Maria and married Suburbis... Everything makes sense now...

I bet his basement isn't the "sweetest smelling" he ever had...

Why would someone name their kid Suburbis?

I has to be LFB. MK's clearly a better actress but Donna's such a huge part of the series, I can't fathom being a Twin Peaks fan and having issues with her. Her investigation into meals on wheels is one of the highlights, particularly the scene where she reads the page from Laura's diary.

Lara pride!   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kI3xB4KrF3g&feature=related

LFB on Conan, 2005:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upTz0uu6QZk

It seems like she was always kind of sad and insecure. I have a new sympathy for her.

It's very telling that she said she didn't like LA at 19, when she was an energetic, eager to please ingenue, recently disappointed by the film industry.

At 35, she appears detached (medicated?) and even more insecure (hates her chest, her freckles). Check out the defensiveness.

Poor Lara. Kind of reminds me of Marilyn Monroe in her early 20's verus at 35, the change in attitude.

I watched the Letterman interview a couple of weeks ago and thought it was enchanting. LFB had an air of old Hollywood about her, and a self depricating sense of humour.     

How did I miss this? Moira Kelly 'This is the girl.'

I completely agree with Nefud... Moira is a better actress and her Donna was far more interesting than the series one... Her relationship with Laura in the film is better than the childish jealousy she has in the series, her adventures with Harold or, of course, the BIG "You're my daddy!" revelation...

LFB for sure.  I think she just suited the character better.  In FWWM, I kept expecting Donna to bust out a pair of ice skates or something.  I know she wasn't interested in being in the movie and that sucks.

I watched the interviews you mentioned 12rainbow.  I really felt bad for her too.  That whole thing with Dead Poet's Society.  What a shitty thing.  Glad I never had a yen to go to Hollywood and be an actress.

Lara by far. It probably has something to do with the fact that I find Moira Kelly incredibly unattractive, and that when measured up to ANYONE in FWWM she looks approximately twelve years of age... it's just much easier to believe that LFB is Donna because she fits in so well.

LFB for sure.  I think she just suited the character better.  In FWWM, I kept expecting Donna to bust out a pair of ice skates or something.  I know she wasn't interested in being in the movie and that sucks.

I watched the interviews you mentioned 12rainbow.  I really felt bad for her too.  That whole thing with Dead Poet's Society.  What a shitty thing.  Glad I never had a yen to go to Hollywood and be an actress.

....."Tooooe-pick".....

Despite playing the same character, I can't imagine LFB playing the FWWM-Donna or the other way around. I think both actresses are perfectly suited to their respective roles.

Thematically, it even makes kind of sense to switch actresses from the movie to the series, as Laura's death was ultimately a liberating event in Donna's life. The TP-Donna is more sexy, more self-aware than the FWWM-Donna.

I do think Moira Kelly is the better actress though.

LFB for me. Although Donna in FWM is a very different character for me and Moira Kelly is acting very good in it. Maybe it's also more which Donna you prefer. I liked her more after Laura's death. 

I have to cast my vote for Moira Kelly. She had great chemistry with Sheryl Lee in FWWM but LFB was the right choice for TP. LFB played a very naive and almost childlike Donna which worked great in the show. I always felt Moira was a bit more equal to Sheryl Lee.