You're a quick thread checker. I fixed that one almost immediately after I posted it.
Did Picardo ever talk about Voyager?
- Thread starter ReadyAndWilling
- Start date
If five-year contracts were on the table, then Beltran probably could have left. And honestly, I'm not trying to get all smack-talky here or anything, but if his concerns about the show are valid (a big one being his character having little to do after the first few years) then it wouldn't have been so tragic if he'd left. I guess he just needed the money.
ReadyAndWilling
Fleet Captain
how do we know they had 5 year contracts?
remove beltran, harry and neelix.
replace them with equinox captain, blond scientist from equinox and add in another alien from the DQ.
remove beltran, harry and neelix.
replace them with equinox captain, blond scientist from equinox and add in another alien from the DQ.
^ Yes, Yes, Yes
Voyager is an ensemble series, it's the combination of characters - all of them - that I love about the show. It's the same reason that I dislike the current Voyager books, because parts of that wonderful ensemble are missing, and the recent stories are not Voyager stories anymore.
I want Janeway, Chakotay, Tuvok, Torres, Paris, Kim, Neelix, the EMH, and Seven because in this case the whole is much more than the sum of the parts.
Brit
Are we sure it was five year contracts?
In the Jen Lien interview thread, she said she signed on for just 3.
How could they know at the start of the series she would be the one they'd be letting go?
It's more likely, that all had a 3 year contract.
That's when Lien left & Ryan signed on and Voyager under went a sort of soft reboot.
The change in the "mood" of show from s3 to s4 is obvious.
Beltran would have resigned because his character was still being used at that point, with the promise of expantion in years too come.
It wasn't until after 3 years, that his role got cut drastically and he wanted out but wouldn't be let out of his contract.
That way the studio covers their asses and he looks like unprofessional disgruntled actor.
In the Jen Lien interview thread, she said she signed on for just 3.
How could they know at the start of the series she would be the one they'd be letting go?
It's more likely, that all had a 3 year contract.
That's when Lien left & Ryan signed on and Voyager under went a sort of soft reboot.
The change in the "mood" of show from s3 to s4 is obvious.
Beltran would have resigned because his character was still being used at that point, with the promise of expantion in years too come.
It wasn't until after 3 years, that his role got cut drastically and he wanted out but wouldn't be let out of his contract.
That way the studio covers their asses and he looks like unprofessional disgruntled actor.
I agree that I liked the ensemble cast, even Chakotay, and am glad only Lien left.
And I, too, haven't heard much negativity from anyone but Beltran, and a little dissatisfaction from Wang about Harry.
But I'd imagine that the introduction of Ryan *must* have caused some resentment towards her, no? She came on mid-way, directly indicated that the other female cast weren't "sexy" enough, and began to dominate the show, making less room for others.
Was there resentment towards her or even a little awkwardness? If I were her, I'd feel more than a little embarrassed to come onto to an established to "rescue" it and blatantly signal to the others that they weren't attractive enough.
That said, I think she acquitted herself well, given the unusual character she played, the heavy use of her, and being the only newcomer on an ensemble show.
And I, too, haven't heard much negativity from anyone but Beltran, and a little dissatisfaction from Wang about Harry.
But I'd imagine that the introduction of Ryan *must* have caused some resentment towards her, no? She came on mid-way, directly indicated that the other female cast weren't "sexy" enough, and began to dominate the show, making less room for others.
Was there resentment towards her or even a little awkwardness? If I were her, I'd feel more than a little embarrassed to come onto to an established to "rescue" it and blatantly signal to the others that they weren't attractive enough.
That said, I think she acquitted herself well, given the unusual character she played, the heavy use of her, and being the only newcomer on an ensemble show.
There was certainly some friction between Mulgrew and Ryan. Wang reports that their scenes together were pretty frosty (although I think he must play it up to create interest), but, to their credit, they come across quite well on screen. Mulgrew was very upset at her arrival, because Ryan not only "replaced" her, more or less, as the lead female, but because Lien was released from the cast in the process. Right or wrong, Mulgrew resented Ryan for that. I remember reading a convention transcript once where Mulgrew admitted that she and Ryan were not friends, but coworkers. I do think that the frostiness has probably thawed in the years since then.
I think Beltran wanted out of his contract and demanded a pretty hefty raise to stay; they met his demands, and he was forced to stick it out. Mulgrew was at the same point after season five, with the same result, I imagine. I have heard the actors talk about how poorly the producers handled their "calls." Instead of trying to get everyone's work in on the same days, they might call them for just a quick scene that could have been added to another day's work, or have them arrive early for one scene and have to hang around all day for another one. With two young boys at home with a nanny (Mulgrew was divorced by this time), she resented the wasted time--and who can blame her.
Picardo has never complained about Voyager, and I've seen him several times at conventions. I think he must be one of the most happy with the series, based on his comments.
I think Beltran wanted out of his contract and demanded a pretty hefty raise to stay; they met his demands, and he was forced to stick it out. Mulgrew was at the same point after season five, with the same result, I imagine. I have heard the actors talk about how poorly the producers handled their "calls." Instead of trying to get everyone's work in on the same days, they might call them for just a quick scene that could have been added to another day's work, or have them arrive early for one scene and have to hang around all day for another one. With two young boys at home with a nanny (Mulgrew was divorced by this time), she resented the wasted time--and who can blame her.
Picardo has never complained about Voyager, and I've seen him several times at conventions. I think he must be one of the most happy with the series, based on his comments.
I remember after a late season (5?) ended that KM actually announced she was quitting, and the next day or so supposedly a UPN exec. made her say she wasn't going to after all, that was pretty wild (that's why I remember). Good thing, would have greatley missed her & KJ. Also recall that TPTB said that they would be more careful after with her time, so hopefully that happened. PS, I NEVER myself thought Ryan was replacing KM as the "lead" woman, no matter what was intended, lol. (Did notice that KM was aggrieved, tho. I think she did Riddler's Moon one summer as a way to get more acting in.) GS
Like AuntKate said, only Mulgrew gave her a hard time.
Jeri has said nothing but praise for all her other castmates.
I think we're all very much aware of Mulgrews diva complex.
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However, Kate is very complimentary of Jeri Ryan's acting on the show. There was just not a friendship there.
Yes, she admitted she liked the dynamic of the character Seven but never liked the image of her.
However, I'll always love Robert Picardo's comment on Seven: "If putting that image on a magazine cover helps me keep my job, then I'm all for it. I started wearing my contacts again, thanks to Jeri's image."
If you notice, during the first 3 seasons of Voyager, Picardo is a little crosseyed without them.
The best panel I ever saw at a con happened in Tulsa in 2007 when Mulgrew, Picardo, and Phillips were together talking on stage for over an hour. I've never laughed so hard in my life. They all have wonderful senses of humor. That must have been an entertaining series to work on!
No problem with a five-year contract in this case. What happened with Lien is that the producers didn't pick up her option to continue, which is written into the contract (five years, with an option for the producers to pick up that actor or not every season). In the Deep Space Nine Companion Armin Shimerman mentions that he had a clause in his DS9 contract that said if the producer's didn't like him after the first few episodes, then they could get rid of him. The contracts are written to cover a lot of contingencies that can happen over five or six years.
If that is indeed true, why did they still keep a disgruntled Beltran under contract? He says himself that he asked to be let out of his contract and it was clear from the lack of writing that they really didn't need an actor like him anymore. So they letting go of Lien but still keeping Beltran, doesn't make much sense if such a claus exists.
I think it would have been too much of a headache to figure out who her new first officer would be. Chakotay was the perfect answer when they created him. but, who could they put in the fulfill the needs of "representing the Maquis"?
I realize that, after mid-season one, it didn't really matter. But, that was a big part of why he was the first officer, and can you imagine the work the writers would have had to do to make that plausible transitions?
Why, they might have had to do *gasp* a story arc.
I realize that, after mid-season one, it didn't really matter. But, that was a big part of why he was the first officer, and can you imagine the work the writers would have had to do to make that plausible transitions?
Why, they might have had to do *gasp* a story arc.
Thanks, guys, for filling me in about the behind-the-scenes working relationship between Mulgrew and Ryan. I completely understand that Kate would feel resentful, but I wish she had directed her ire towards those responsible — Ryan was certainly not to blame.
I'm sure Kate *did* manage to be a professional about it and acted cordial but distant or even aloof towards Ryan. That's really too bad, for they had a LOT of scenes together, and from what I've read and seen, Ryan seems like a nice person who'd not want cause trouble unlike some arrogant divas.
Kate *could* have used the experience to act as Ryan's real life mentor, like their characters on the show.
Still, I think *very* highly of Mulgrew had completely understandable and realistic hurt/frustration at the abrupt dismissal of Lien having Ryan added to "save" VOY.
Given that, I think Mulgrew displayed great professionalism in not letting it affect her performance or whining about during or after the series.
But I wonder how Ryan felt.
I'm sure Kate *did* manage to be a professional about it and acted cordial but distant or even aloof towards Ryan. That's really too bad, for they had a LOT of scenes together, and from what I've read and seen, Ryan seems like a nice person who'd not want cause trouble unlike some arrogant divas.
Kate *could* have used the experience to act as Ryan's real life mentor, like their characters on the show.
Still, I think *very* highly of Mulgrew had completely understandable and realistic hurt/frustration at the abrupt dismissal of Lien having Ryan added to "save" VOY.
Given that, I think Mulgrew displayed great professionalism in not letting it affect her performance or whining about during or after the series.
But I wonder how Ryan felt.
Ryan doesn't speak about Kate other than to say she a great actress.
Ryan unlike Mulgrew doesn't air their dry laundry to the public and fans, which I think as it should be because it taints the publics view of an actor.(I don't think anybody likes to hear two of their favorite actors don't get along.) However, I do know Mulgrew at a recent con. was apologetic about how she behaved toward Ryan. It's unknown if she's ever apologized to Ryan directly.
