Which statement by a Trek actor/creator annoyed you the most?

[JD5000]

All interesting points....in my POV, the only difference between a famous actor or actress doing their job and me doing my slightly-less-glamorous job is that the former can wipe their tears with $100 bills at the end of the day.

It's work, it's frustrating for a myriad of reasons, rewarding for a myriad of others. However, despite how frustrated I get with my work, I don't air my grievances. I don't understand how one can complain about their work in public and keep working...I guess absolute talent creates absolute paychecks!

On topic, I love Shatner's 'get a life' thing - I think he's great but I don't respect him exactly...at least not so far that I would take his judgement on another's life choices seriously. It just makes me laugh harder.

I'm going to go with Terry Farrell's comments about her experiences with DS9. If anyone isn't familiar and needs me to dig out some quotes and comment on them I will, but I'd rather keep my comment general.

 

[BillJ]

I can't find the link, but one actor statement that made me angry was something Leonard Nimoy said in response to vintage fans who didn't like INTO DARKNESS.

He said we shouldn't criticize the story, but rather just come in with an attitude of, "Where does Star Trek want to take me today?"

On TOS, Nimoy always fought for Spock to be written and portrayed a certain way, but we are supposed to love anything called Star Trek, regardless of its contents. Because the great and wise makers say so.

I'm not a Nimoy detractor in general, but this one thing gets my goat.

Edit: Apologies if this was actually something that Roberto Orci said. In fact, Orci's contemptuous statements in general make Nimoy's one gaffe seem quite kind by comparison.

You know that this was Nimoy essentially saying "get a grip, it's just a movie"?

 

[JD5000]

An old friend of mine used to be an IRS agent. She kept it quiet to keep people from hitting her up for free tax advice all the time. (I tried not to abuse the privilege.)

To be fair, I have been guilty of doing this myself. On the other side of things, I get hit up for culinary advice all the time. I'm generally willing to answer people's questions, and I unfairly assume others feel the same way. I'm proud of what I've learned over the course of my 'career' and if I can help someone, I try to do so. Maybe another 15 years in the business will cure me of that, hard to say in the present day.

It's hard to remember that not everyone might feel the same way. For example, hitting up a writer that one admires for advice on one's own writing. Something you may identify with, Greg.

 

[Greg Cox]

t's hard to remember that not everyone might feel the same way. For example, hitting up a writer that one admires for advice on one's own writing. Something you may identify with, Greg.

I had to draw a line in the sand years ago. I will answer general queries about writing, publishing, how the tie-in business works, and enjoy doing so. I like my job and don't mind talking about it.

But, no, I don't read and critique manuscripts. Tor pays me to do that and I have my own deadlines as well. I just don't have time to critique mss. as a favor. (I will make rare exceptions for family members, long-time friends, and so on.) Other writers and editors may have different boundaries, but that's mine. And, yes, people do ask, usually very politely.

And I'm happy to say that most people are very understanding when I decline just as politely.

 

[JD5000]

I've run into similar situations. Asking me about a method or preparation is one thing, "taste this and tell me what you think" is something I'd rather not do.

All I'm saying is that I've only recently recognized the difference and how it applies to other people's professions.

 

[Greg Cox]

I've run into similar situations. Asking me about a method or preparation is one thing, "taste this and tell me what you think" is something I'd rather not do.

All I'm saying is that I've only recently recognized the difference and how it applies to other people's professions.

And, of course, it can be awkward if you're not impressed by the dish or manuscript. I don't enjoy playing Simon Cowell and crushing people's dreams, so I try to avoid putting myself in that position.

 

[JD5000]

What's funny about this is that I'm a totally amateur writer, but I enjoy proofreading and critique. It's fun to me. As a professional cook, I've noticed that there is no shortage of amateur food critics (diners...is there such a thing as a 'professional diner' or 'professional reader'?) who seem to enjoy the critique process for the same reasons. Maybe it's like feeling a little better about yourself in a field you didn't actually succeed or follow through in, and wish you had.

 

[Kai "the spy"]

There's also another difference, I'd imagine: Actors will propably enjoy talking to you about acting, giving you advice on how it works, and such. But they don't necessarily enjoy talking about only one particular role, or the show/movie/stage play it originated from.

Same with writers, and directors, I think, when all they are asked about is this particular work they've done.

To stick with the anology, it's a bit like a cook always being asked about that one particular dish, or even that one restaurant they used to work for.

 

[Cyke101]

All interesting points....in my POV, the only difference between a famous actor or actress doing their job and me doing my slightly-less-glamorous job is that the former can wipe their tears with $100 bills at the end of the day.

It's work, it's frustrating for a myriad of reasons, rewarding for a myriad of others. However, despite how frustrated I get with my work, I don't air my grievances. I don't understand how one can complain about their work in public and keep working...I guess absolute talent creates absolute paychecks!

I'm a manager at my dept, and it's a small dept. I contribute to 6 figure grant applications, but I also do the dusting. I organize fundraisers, but I pick up the mail as well. I sell the importance of our dept to community orgs and large companies, but I also pick up the coffee. And that's fine and dandy; I love my job and this is where my career is going, in the service of others.

But if you'll notice, the job description above is a mix of both manager and intern. It's common for my workmates and I to complain about the menial, but it's also cathartic for us to do that complaining together. It's also a reflection that we recognize the situation that we're in and that we'll still give our best in all aspects of the job. However, if someone likes my work -- and I truly hope they do -- but recognizes only my vacuuming skills and typing speed and thinks of me only as an intern at the expense of my much larger and more considerable contributions to the field, I'm going to get irritated that my labor value is severely underestimated.

Notice as well that not once have I complained about my paycheck. I think what I earn is fair for someone in my position. After a certain point, the importance of money gives way to self-satisfaction on a job well done. Wiping away tears with $100 bills is nice and all, but then that becomes shallow, cheap, meaningless money, becoming a non-factor in the process -- job and financial security are one thing, personal and mental security are totally another.

For Guinness, I'd imagine it's something like being the president of the US, but people only talking about that how he was elected prom king. He could hear, "Hey, if I were prom king, I'd be happy with my life! He needs to appreciate what he's got!" while quietly he would think to himself, "I fought tooth and nail to be the leader of the free world." Something that was a blip in his experience becomes something that overrides decades of work.

 

[Greg Cox]

I've told this story before but I still remember the time, back in the early eighties, when Nimoy came to speak at my college. He kept trying to talk about In Search of Of, which he was hosting at the time, but all anybody wanted to hear about was Star Trek. Every time he took a question from the audience, it would always be about Trek, no matter what he had been talking about the minute before.

He was very gracious about it, but it had to have been a little frustrating.

 

[EnriqueH]

When I was a reporter, I always used to hate it when I heard the words "Oh, have I got a story for you." and then they would proceed to tell me about what an asshole their wife or husband is.

 

[Trek Survivor]

Reading this makes me think of Sir Alec Guiness, who initially enjoyed playing Obi-Wan Kenobi so much (and working with Mark Hamil) that he agreed to do both TESB and ROTJ free of charge;

I seriously doubt that he offered to do it "free of charge".

Sran, Guiness did NOT do TESB and ROTJ free of charge. What actually happened was, with the original Star Wars movie, he took a reduced pay cheque than that an actor like himself could demand, in exchange for 2% of royalty/merchandise fees. He kept this arrangement (working for "basic" actor salary, the minimum he could legally be paid) for the two sequels, netting millions.

He did NOT "work for free".

I think I read that a kid approached Guinness for an autograph and that he told him that he would sign it provided that the kid would never see Star Wars again, and that the kid was upset.

To be more accurate, the kid came up to him and told him he had seen Star Wars "over a hundred times". That was why Guiness said he would sign if the kid promised never to watch it again.

It wasn't a slight against the film, but rather Guiness thinking that sort of viewing wasn't healthy. And I don't care how nerdy are you, if you're 8 years old, you shouldn't have seen ANY 2 hour film more than a hundred times.

I can't find the link, but one actor statement that made me angry was something Leonard Nimoy said in response to vintage fans who didn't like INTO DARKNESS.

He said we shouldn't criticize the story, but rather just come in with an attitude of, "Where does Star Trek want to take me today?"

I actually love this quote from Nimoy. And it wasn't JUST in relation to the new movie. He was trying to articulate that, rather than worrying how DS9 episode #47 relates to TOS episode #12 with some random contradiction, we should instead just enjoy the 'experience' of Trek, the story, the adventure, the characters.

It was his "Get a Life" moment, and it captured for me perfectly how I approach this franchise, or any similar franchise.

As for Patrick Stewart...

he has always been gracious about Trek. In fact, in a BBC interview a year or two back one of the reporters kept making fun of Trekkie fans and Stewart pulled him up on it, telling him his experience was that Trek fans are some of the most intelligent, kindest folk he's met.

He also said, in a Radio Times interview, he is incredibly proud of "85% of the work we did on the show"... this is a man who loves his time on Trek, and the friendships he still has from it.

 

[JonnyQuest037]

I don't know the exact quote or what year it dates from, but I recall an interview with Patrick Stewart where he was asked if starring on TNG was a comedown after all of the Shakespearean roles he'd played. Stewart said on the contrary, many of those parts in Shakespeare plays were what prepared him for playing Jean-Luc Picard.

 

[Cyke101]

I don't know the exact quote or what year it dates from, but I recall an interview with Patrick Stewart where he was asked if starring on TNG was a comedown after all of the Shakespearean roles he'd played. Stewart said on the contrary, many of those parts in Shakespeare plays were what prepared him for playing Jean-Luc Picard.

Yeah, well, Shakespearean actors are a dime a dozen. Being Captain of the Enterprise, however, is a *very* exclusive club!

 

[Greg Cox]

I don't know the exact quote or what year it dates from, but I recall an interview with Patrick Stewart where he was asked if starring on TNG was a comedown after all of the Shakespearean roles he'd played. Stewart said on the contrary, many of those parts in Shakespeare plays were what prepared him for playing Jean-Luc Picard.

Yeah, well, Shakespearean actors are a dime a dozen. Being Captain of the Enterprise, however, is a *very* exclusive club!

And everyone knows Shakespeare was a filthy Klingon anyway.

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

^Conceived of by the mind of a Russian.

--Sran

 

[enterprisecvn65]

Christa McAullife I'm sure wanted to be remembered as the first common citizen who went into space and someone who used that opportunity to further educate children. Unfortunately a poorly designed o-ring system and some cold weather made that impossible and she's remembered for something much more tragic.

Why do you insist on making comparisons between acting roles and people dying?

--Sran

1. To illustrate that a lot of people don't get to pick what they want to be remembered for the most.

2. To show there are many, many FAR worst things in life than you're remembered as someone like James Bond and it's gets old quick to hear Sir Sean, even in his waning years, talk about the experience like it was the worst thing ever.

You want a non death comparison fine.......I don't sympathize with Alec Guniness apparently resenting the Obi-Wan role when he got 2% of the profits from Star Wars (brilliant move BTW) and he had to work exactly ONE day for both his parts in Empire and Jedi......If it hurt his pride so much be remembered for Obi-Wan after such an illustrious career, well I guess that's his right, but to me it shows a lack of perspective and callousness to what most people deal with. If being remembered for Obi-Wan was the worst thing that happened in your life.....I think you did pretty good and had a great life.

Meanwhile everyday good, honest, hard working people have to do things like work at Wal-Mart where a company that has more money than it knows what to do with is always looking for ways to give their employees less, and despite the long hours and hard work they do, as unskilled as it may be, they barely make enough to get by......And despite what some parts of society want you to think these people aren't all idiots and losers who made bad decisions. Many are good people who just can't catch a break.

So two hours work for Sir Alec and he still seems upset in some way about his "legacy" doesn't generate a lot of sympathy from me.

Like I've said numerous times if it's so terrible....then quit and eventually you'll fade from public view. Yet when push comes to shove it seems almost every actor who thinks something about it is so hard and/or unfair is ready to go as soon as the contract is signed and the checks are written out.

Sorry if you feel I'm being unfair to these people in thinking they're probably like this in daily life too, but where there's smoke there's fire and I can only see a celeb bitch about something like their legacy being tainted because of one role so many times before I decide......You know what they have no clue and I write them off. Maybe it's unfair, but that's how I feel.

 

[Lance]

I've told this story before but I still remember the time, back in the early eighties, when Nimoy came to speak at my college. He kept trying to talk about In Search of Of, which he was hosting at the time, but all anybody wanted to hear about was Star Trek. Every time he took a question from the audience, it would always be about Trek, no matter what he had been talking about the minute before.

He was very gracious about it, but it had to have been a little frustrating.

Nimoy's gotten much better at dealing with this kind of stuff, I think. When he was promoting the 2009 movie, interviewers kept trying to ask him questions about the old movies, which Leonard expertly always managed to turn back to talking about his 'replacement' and the new movies, all the while remaining completely polite with the interviewer. The media game is an arena he's had a lot of practice in.

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

So two hours work for Sir Alec and he still seems upset in some way about his "legacy" doesn't generate a lot of sympathy from me.

First of all, I doubt if Alec Guinness is still upset about his legacy, given that he passed away in 2000.

Second, I find it extremely disturbing that you take the time to compose such lengthy posts but apparently do not have the time construct them in such a way that makes them easy to read. Were I interested in reading run-on sentences and disorganized thoughts, I'd visit a message board run by seven-year-olds.

Third, I think it's obvious you and I are never going to agree on this subject; it's probably for the best that we let the matter drop.

--Sran

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Stewart said on the contrary, many of those parts in Shakespeare plays were what prepared him for playing Jean-Luc Picard.

I like it!