Bakula's thoughts on the show?

[darkshadow0001]

I remember back in the day how most users here disliked seaons 1-3 of Enterprise, and out of boredom I wondered if anyone knows Bakula's reaction to the show. I remember when the show came out I think I read something about how Bakula tried to teach Berman about Kirk and all so that they could make his character more like TOS. Are there any reviews on what Bakula thought of the show, like did he think it was going no where, or did he feel ashamed to be a part of it for only lasting four years, etc?

 

[commodore64]

I'll tell you what I know based on what I've read. He never tried to "teach" Berman what TOS was all about. He did:

* Ask for the cell ship that was captured in Shockwave II to be used in an episode (it ended up in Communicator); he argued it was odd thy had it, but weren't using it
* Believe his character had faced a lot of trials, but hadn't been action oriented or learned enough from his mistakes/missteps; Berman and Braga told him that season 3 would fix that (I think he wanted his character to be more Kirk-like)
* Like Twilight and Similitude quite a bit
* Think that Moonves wasn't interested in Star Trek or keeping ENT; support for Trek waned after Hart left
* Watch TOS when he was younger, but hadn't seen any of the other Treks
* Made a few calls to Berman to change the script, like in Twilight, in order to enhance the story (apparently that was the only way actors could suggest changes)
* Joke that he never "got the girl"; Sussman has kidded it's a reason he enjoyed Twilight
* Continue to be diplomatic through the show; you never hear what he hated, which calls were made that he disagreed with, etc.
* Like working on the show because it afforded him time with his family and convinced (through his contract) TPTB to reduce their season because of it

 

[darkshadow0001]

I'll tell you what I know based on what I've read. He never tried to "teach" Berman what TOS was all about. He did:


* Believe his character had faced a lot of trials, but hadn't been action oriented or learned enough from his mistakes/missteps; Berman and Braga told him that season 3 would fix that (I think he wanted his character to be more Kirk-like)

That's probably what I've heard or read about, then...

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Wasn't it Bakula who, after learning that the captain's chair from the Nemesis set had been stolen, visited the set and presented them with a crudely made wooden chair with the word K-A-P-T-I-N printed on it?

 

[JiNX-01]

Wasn't it Bakula who, after learning that the captain's chair from the Nemesis set had been stolen, visited the set and presented them with a crudely made wooden chair with the word K-A-P-T-I-N printed on it?

Looking at the outtakes, I believe it!

 

[Trekwatcher]

He has always been a bit tight-lipped about it. I.e. he does not air his complaints or concerns freely.

 

[MattJC]

A good opportunity to ask him about his concerns would be the Vegas convention in a few weeks.

 

[luckystar]

A good opportunity to ask him about his concerns would be the Vegas convention in a few weeks.

Even then, you will get a diplomatic reply. Scott does not air dirty laundry -- he realizes that Hollywood is a small town and things will come bak to bite you in the ass.

 

[darkshadow0001]

A good opportunity to ask him about his concerns would be the Vegas convention in a few weeks.

True, but I hardly ever go on trips like that.

 

[bluedana]

If I remember correctly, he spoke a little about the treatment ENT got from UPN during his Q&A at the National Press luncheon two years ago. He said he felt that with the management change, the people who came in were not committed to ENT as the people who greenlighted it, and that their goals for the network didn't include story based sci-fi. He thought it came down to economics, and at the time, ENT didn't work for them. It was a very diplomatic, but honest, answer. I don't think you'll ever find any quote of him bad-mouthing anybody in connection with ST. Mostly, he talks about how excited and proud he was to do the show and how much fun it was. Judging from the comments during and after the show by the other cast and crew, that seemed to be his general demeanor.

 

[commodore64]

If I remember correctly, he spoke a little about the treatment ENT got from UPN during his Q&A at the National Press luncheon two years ago. He said he felt that with the management change, the people who came in were not committed to ENT as the people who greenlighted it, and that their goals for the network didn't include story based sci-fi. He thought it came down to economics, and at the time, ENT didn't work for them. It was a very diplomatic, but honest, answer. I don't think you'll ever find any quote of him bad-mouthing anybody in connection with ST. Mostly, he talks about how excited and proud he was to do the show and how much fun it was. Judging from the comments during and after the show by the other cast and crew, that seemed to be his general demeanor.

You're exactly right. He said much the same thing at the 2006 Trek convention. Diplomacy may not have been Archer's strong suit, but I think Bakula is very diplomatic.

 

[star]

* Continue to be diplomatic through the show; you never hear what he hated, which calls were made that he disagreed with, etc.

This is what makes Scott Bakula a real class act. This is one of the things that I greatly admire about it. I could be wrong, but he strikes me as a guy who's not too keen on dwelling on negativity.

 

[Hopeful Romantic]

I don't think you'll ever find any quote of him bad-mouthing anybody in connection with ST. Mostly, he talks about how excited and proud he was to do the show and how much fun it was. Judging from the comments during and after the show by the other cast and crew, that seemed to be his general demeanor.

From what I have heard over the years, Bakula is notable for not bad-mouthing anybody in the business, period. And I've seen a number of interviews by his co-workers, who speak very highly of him. Not just politely positive, but with the kind of sincerity that really speaks volumes (to me, anyway) about the man as a professional and a human being.

I remember when Dean Stockwell won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor after the first season of Quantum Leap. He spent a good part of his acceptance speech thanking Scott. It was a really nice moment for both of them.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

And I've seen a number of interviews by his co-workers, who speak very highly of him. Not just politely positive, but with the kind of sincerity that really speaks volumes (to me, anyway) about the man as a professional and a human being.

I remember when Dean Stockwell won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor after the first season of Quantum Leap. He spent a good part of his acceptance speech thanking Scott. It was a really nice moment for both of them.

Also, Gary Graham (Soval from ENT) practically raved about Bakula in his own book (Flying Lessons). Soval and Archer didn't get along too well, but the actors who played them sure did.

Bakula was always thought of as very easy to work with, very approachable - if you were a newbie on the set, for instance, or generally if you needed help, he would always do what he could. Also he was known as a bit of a jokester on the set - until the cameras got rolling, at which point he was all business.

 

[Miri]

Scott Bakula (is) a real class act.

Simply put, I think this hits the nail on the proverbial head!

 

[IndiMan]

I think Bakula is very diplomatic.

He is.
He didn't say anything untrue or anything that could burn a bridge with other people. I think he had Berman's attention because he was the face of the franchise for some time, but I doubt Anthony could call (maybe that's why travis has no line, the real anthony can't talk either!)