How do you feel about Majel Barrett?
- Thread starter EnriqueH
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Source? There were several shows in the 60s that featured black characters, some with in prominent roles than Uhura. Why weren't they "sidelined"?
Is it possible that Majel's "Lwaxana Troi" persona at home, or elsewhere, was just a kind of a "wall"? Presented in part, to distance her true self from the fans and in part out of expectations of the fans that she be somehow memorable? Because I'm not sure I buy it, myself ...
While your story was great, I'm surprised nobody as of yet mentioned your brilliant title
I can't say I've ever heard of Nichelle Nichols being sidelined, at least no more than the rest of the supporting cast, and so not racial. With that said, it could be "sidelined" in the manner of microaggressive/unintentional racism, like prominent black roles but still in subservient roles with hardly any substance, but no one in power noticing because they're so used to that media portrayal. But if that's the case, I'd hazard to guess that it's referring more to the systemic problem in Hollywood rather than something Trek-specific. However, as you point out, there's no source.
I was thinking of Cosby in I Spy, where he was a costar along side Robert Culp. ( and perhaps more popular) Or Ivan Dixon in Hogan's Heroes or Greg Morris in Mission Impossible who played fairly prominent characters who were more front and center than Uhura. All shows that hit the airwaves prior to Star Trek.There was also Diahann Carroll, who starred in Julia (1968) and Trek vet, Lloyd Haines and Denise Nicholas, who were the stars of Room 222, which debuted the year Star Trek was canceled.
While your story was great, I'm surprised nobody as of yet mentioned your brilliant title
I can't say I've ever heard of Nichelle Nichols being sidelined, at least no more than the rest of the supporting cast, and so not racial. With that said, it could be "sidelined" in the manner of microaggressive/unintentional racism, like prominent black roles but still in subservient roles with hardly any substance, but no one in power noticing because they're so used to that media portrayal. But if that's the case, I'd hazard to guess that it's referring more to the systemic problem in Hollywood rather than something Trek-specific. However, as you point out, there's no source.
Majel's roles in Trek were fine with me. Each one was a completely different character, and I can watch (or hear) one without comparing it to another. She was not what I'd call "star material," but she was a competent actor. I never met her, so I can't comment on her personality or demeanor.
I don't remember where I read it, but around 1999-2000 there was something online by Susan Sackett about her experience on TNG and "relationship" with GR. Maybe book excerpts, maybe an interview, I can't remember. But from what I read, I got the impression that Majel was not exactly blind to the fact that Gene was still getting around.
There was an anecdote about SS visiting the house, and Majel insisting that no swimsuits were allowed in the pool.
Another story told how Gene, after meeting Majel and falling head over heels, took her to meet Nichelle (who, supposedly, Gene had had a previous affair with).
I don't know if anyone knows where this came from, and it's always possible that I dreamed it, but I have a clear memory of reading this stuff.
There hasn't been any mention of SS in any of the threads I've read since joining, so I don't know if any of this has been debunked. If so, I apologize for perpetuating a myth.
Anyway, Majel is to be commended for keeping the flame after Gene's passing.
I don't remember where I read it, but around 1999-2000 there was something online by Susan Sackett about her experience on TNG and "relationship" with GR. Maybe book excerpts, maybe an interview, I can't remember. But from what I read, I got the impression that Majel was not exactly blind to the fact that Gene was still getting around.
There was an anecdote about SS visiting the house, and Majel insisting that no swimsuits were allowed in the pool.
Another story told how Gene, after meeting Majel and falling head over heels, took her to meet Nichelle (who, supposedly, Gene had had a previous affair with).
I don't know if anyone knows where this came from, and it's always possible that I dreamed it, but I have a clear memory of reading this stuff.
There hasn't been any mention of SS in any of the threads I've read since joining, so I don't know if any of this has been debunked. If so, I apologize for perpetuating a myth.
Anyway, Majel is to be commended for keeping the flame after Gene's passing.
I feel like she personofied the saying; "Its better to be lucky than good".
She got lucky in life, good on her.
She got lucky in life, good on her.
I was thinking of Cosby in I Spy, where he was a costar along side Robert Culp. ( and perhaps more popular) Or Ivan Dixon in Hogan's Heroes or Greg Morris in Mission Impossible who played fairly prominent characters who were more front and center than Uhura. All shows that hit the airwaves prior to Star Trek.There was also Diahann Carroll, who starred in Julia (1968) and Trek vet, Lloyd Haines and Denise Nicholas, who were the stars of Room 222, which debuted the year Star Trek was canceled.
While your story was great, I'm surprised nobody as of yet mentioned your brilliant title
I can't say I've ever heard of Nichelle Nichols being sidelined, at least no more than the rest of the supporting cast, and so not racial. With that said, it could be "sidelined" in the manner of microaggressive/unintentional racism, like prominent black roles but still in subservient roles with hardly any substance, but no one in power noticing because they're so used to that media portrayal. But if that's the case, I'd hazard to guess that it's referring more to the systemic problem in Hollywood rather than something Trek-specific. However, as you point out, there's no source.
Agreed. Your post instantly reminded me of Mission: Impossible; there were certainly shows that were making conscious decisions to show prominent black characters with depth. George Takei guest-starred as a guest-agent for the team, and there were virtually no racial stereotypes associated with the role (unfortunately, other episodes took a few steps back). Those shows you mentioned definitely broke out of the norm -- but the norm was very much shallow roles for minority actors, if minority actors were even featured at all. So if a minority role was fleshed out, that was an intentional move at a different, more positive kind of media representation, to go against the systemic casual racism that tended to cast minorities as servants or henchmen or gangsters.
Which is another reason why the post about Nichols being sidelined raised a few alarms for me -- it would be a strange thing to hear considering that a number of shows were putting in effort to show minorities more.
I do like that Trek went out of its way to try and feature a more regular diversity. Uhura, Sulu, Khan, Daystrom -- all prominent in their own right.
The African Americans not sidelined were in stereotypical roles. Most of the time for black women. the roles were slaves and mammies or the stereotypical loveless and sexless black woman who is not worthy of any affection.
I dont think it takes a rocket scientist to tell you that it was very difficult for African american actors in the 60s and their women had it worse.
Majel was dating Gene Roddenberry and they eventually married so yes, it was Nepotism.
The actress who played Rand said so. they could not fire Majel because she was the bosses honey and Uhura why been a minor character was crucial to Gene's vision of diversity.
"Their women"? Just exactly who do you think owns Nichelle Nichols?
No one own Nichols when I said their I used the term because I am not african american. I cant step into their shoes and that is why I used the term their as they use the term. ...my people. Nichols was a hotty. No doubt that she would have been a love interest for one of the big guys like Kirk or Spock if not for the ridiculous racism of the 60s.
Chapel was there to lust after spock, rand for Jim and uhura got no one, in fact when she and William kissed Nichols, She got threats and according to Takei (another person of colour)the ratings plummeted. so it shows you how bad things were for many African Americans in the days of TOS.
I've been binge-watching Bonanza for awhile. Someone posted years' worth of it online, and I'm partway through Season 5 now. Just last night I saw another episode that James Doohan was in, and it seems like every few episodes I see someone I recognize from Star Trek. The actress who played Deela in "Wink of an Eye" has been in a couple of episodes so far and I know there's an upcoming episode in which Deforest Kelley plays a doctor.
Did you see my follow up post? Barney Collier(Greg Morris), Alexander Scott (Bill Cosby), Sgt Kinchloe ( Ivan Dixon) and Pete Dixon (Lloyd Haines) were not "subservient" roles and Julia Baker (Diahann Carroll) and Liz McIntyre (Denise Nicholas) were not mammies or slaves. The Civil Rights Movement didn't appear overnight in the 60s. It was an on going thing decades. Dr. King organized the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955.
You don't seem very aware of the history the civil rights in America or the history of Television. You also seem to be conflating the 60s with earlier times when slaves and servants were the roles one usually found black actors in. Sidney Poitier won the best actor Oscar in 1963 for his role in Lilies of the Field. In 1967 he was one of the most successful actors having appeared in To Sir, with Love; In the Heat of the Night; and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner,. Which doesn't mean that African-American actors didn't struggle for good roles or that the struggle isn't ongoing, but that the 60s wasn't quite the way you're painting it.
You know who else was Gene's girlfriend? Nichelle Nichols. There's no doubt that Majel's relationship with Gene helped her land the role of Nurse Chapel, but that role wasn't quite the part Uhura or Rand was. Rand was meant to be a regular. Uhura was a regular appearing in 69 episodes, while Chapel only appeared in 25.
What was the name of that other James Doohan episode? I'd like to see it. (Or do you have a link?)
While we're at it, are there any other Bonanza episodes with the regular Enterprise crew?
Leonard Nimoy is in a Season 1 episode. But let's take this to PM so we don't derail this thread from discussing Majel Barrett. I'll PM you the link to the James Doohan episode (if anyone else wants it, drop me a PM).
While your story was great, I'm surprised nobody as of yet mentioned your brilliant title
Why thank you. Both were true.
I should add, re Majel. When I walked into the kitchen and went to shake her hand, she turned to me and gave me a warm grin like Dr Chapel (straight out of ST:TMP, when she smiles at seeing Spock). She was so much taller than I'd expected.
Then she started chatting - and she was Auntie Mame (Lucille Ball or Shirley Booth, take your pick!) But watching that Superbowl game on TV? That was Mrs Troi was in full flight!
Season 2, episode 14, "The Ape"--I saw this recently, he plays a fairly minor antagonist in an "Of Mice and Men"-type story.
If you want to see Nimoy in a Western role, and still playing something of a dick, I recommend The Virginian, 3 x 29, "The Showdown", in which he plays Michael Ansara's brother and deputy. His role in that one is slightly meatier.
I don't really know anything about her in real life. Just little snippets of something now and then.
But I was talking to someone about why I adore the Lwaxana character one day. She knows one of the members of her family and said that my description of Lwaxana and why I adore her is a fairly accurate description of Majel herself.
So I will just describe what I love about Lwaxana:
I never get enough of this adult who never loses her child's sense of blatant enjoyment and expectations of all the possibilities of Life, with unfiltered disregard of that which doesn't suit her.
She doesn't see herself as the center of the universe but she darn sure sees the universe as hers for the taking.
If I complied a dictionary and you looked up 'chutzpah'... the first thing you would see is a glorious picture of Lwaxna Toi in all her wondrous awesomeness!
If this character were real I would want her as my closest friend, for her unabashed joy of life that could inspire my own, as a running buddy to seek out new adventures with, for the unwavering genuine goodness of character, her reliability of trustworthiness, her wisdom and clear insight that is untarnished by convention or naivete, and crowned by the ability to care unreservedly.
She, to me, is perfect and suits me to a "T".
Now then, if this is what Majel was seen to be like by her friends and loved ones, well then, I would want this woman to be a friend of mine too.
The above included quote matches my own thinking. To me, as Lwaxana she shone! And probably in my lifetime there will never be a computer voice I adore as much as Majel's.I loved her as Lwaxana. She was particularly beautiful and wonderful with Odo. ...<snip>... Nurse Chapel was basically nothing and Number 1 was even more nothing but years later as Lwaxana she shone.
And let's not forget her biggest role, the voice of the ship's computer.
A couple of my All Time Favorite Trek Moments are when Lwaxana/Majel is talking to Computer/Majel. It just cracks me up.
You know, I think I'll go with that too.
Majel Barrett: The First Lady of Star Trek.
I like the sound and feel of that.
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