So what?
Hm?
Levar Burton is Excellent
- Thread starter Richard S. Ta
- Start date
Hm?
Burton is indeed a superb actor, and without him, Star Trek would be the poorer. And while I never saw him in Roots, or in Reading Rainbow, I did see his guest appearance on Mister Rogers Neighborhood.
The only thing I've seen him do, at which he didn't excel, was his week of guest-hosting Jeopardy.
The only thing I've seen him do, at which he didn't excel, was his week of guest-hosting Jeopardy.
He was an absolute blast in PIC S03 as well. He can still channel the character all these years later.
I always forget he is part of the Reading Rainbow phenomenon and if anything, that’s an even greater legacy than Stat Trek.
If I could have a coffee with any TNG cast member, I think it would be Levar.
I always forget he is part of the Reading Rainbow phenomenon and if anything, that’s an even greater legacy than Stat Trek.
If I could have a coffee with any TNG cast member, I think it would be Levar.
The way I see it, yeah he did get technically get more to do because they needed an engineer doing and saying engineery things. But that's more his role than his character. When it really came to character focus Geordi was similarly underused and underdeveloped as Dr.Crusher and Troi were with his few focus episodes often being of a similar "quality" Picard, Data, Riker and Worf were the more focused-on characters, while Gerodi, Dr.Crusher and Troi were less focused on, in my opinion.
Which is a shame, because Levar Burton was a great actor (look how he shines in The Arsenal of Freedom, for example, he also goes through a good arc of understanding Barclay better)
But was this due to Wang's limitations? Or those of the VOY showrunners? Given that the latter couldn't even count to 38, I have my suspicions.
I think you are right.
For example, in "MEMORIAL", directed by Allan Kroeker, Wang also did an outstanding job. (Actually, I thought everyone did an outstanding job acting in that episode.)
For example, in "MEMORIAL", directed by Allan Kroeker, Wang also did an outstanding job. (Actually, I thought everyone did an outstanding job acting in that episode.)
Pushing past production pettiness is likewise praiseworthy.
Best 15 minutes of life ever. No exceptions.
But no spoiler clips of "ROOTS", however - I recommend seeing that miniseries proper, to keep spoilers and shockers and other things minimal. The miniseries truly is first rate, and LeVar is one of many actors putting in a compelling and magnetic performance, regarding powerful and horrific material. You really should see it... The blu-ray release came out a few years ago and was restored quite well...
But I will post this bit of interview that has him discussing his casting in the miniseries:
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From the UK so we didn't have Reading Rainbow (there was something similar called Jackanory but that featured different celebrities of the time reading stories), so TNG was the only thing I've seen Levar Burton in. But the man is an absolute treasure and should be protected from the evils of the world at all costs.
From what I've seen of him on podcasts and in interviews, he seems like one of the nicest, most genuine people you would ever hope to meet. Perhaps someone who has met him can confirm/deny this.
From what I've seen of him on podcasts and in interviews, he seems like one of the nicest, most genuine people you would ever hope to meet. Perhaps someone who has met him can confirm/deny this.
It's a good question... Has anyone ever met Levar?
I love that moment
I am so accustomed to see Burton (as Geordi) wearing the visor that I find strange to see him with his eyes out.
I have, at DragonCon a number of years ago.
Very nice man, and fairly soft spoken. I was talking to him about his directing, which I think he's one of the best actor-turned-directors in the franchise.
Great sense of humor, and he really listens to you. He was a delight.
I'm very gladdened to hear that. It's always nice to hear that someone you respect so highly is also a very lovely person too.
I've learned to never engage in celebrity worship.
Personally I don’t engage in celebrity worship either, because there’s so much potential to be let down. But you can respect someone and be happy to hear they’re a lovely person without going full on nut job.
I think he was really good at getting across just how nerdy and creepy Geordi was.
The Enemy is legitimately one of my most favorite TNG episodes, in no small part due to how he keeps the audience engaged. In some ways, he stands out in that episode as more of everything I've ever wanted to dream Starfleet is about than any other portrayal in all of Star Trek, ironically in stark contrast to Worf, who is engaged in some of the most unexpected drama you'd ever seen in those uniforms.
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