Why wasn't Suzie Plakson given regular role?

[Therin of Andor]

I don't think he ever mentioned that he particularly wanted the new doctor to be Selar or a Vulcan.

Not in those interviews. IIRC, Tormé was quite open re alien race and even gender when the production team was debating the new CMO, but eventually he had to pick someone and those ideas coalesced as Selar of Vulcan in "The Schizoid Man". Tormé decided on female because he wanted an unrevealed relationship with Worf to unfold and that also meant the race he chose had to be capable of surviving Klingon courtship rituals and intercourse, and Vulcans were TOS aliens known for being able to present a patient with the cold, hard facts.

Tormé was probably a big Spock/Vulcan fan. His other big unfilmed script concept for TNG was a two-parter (pre-dating "Unification") featuring Ambassador Spock using the Guardian of Forever and encountering a TOS-movie era Spock.

 

[Pauln6]

I'm going to use images of Plakson's andorian character from Enterprise as the security chief in my TMP style youtube story to try and even up the number of men and women a bit. I think Plakson's clipped delivery could easily have rivalled Diana Muldaur's acerbicness. Shame andorians were off the menu during TNG, I bet fans would have liked Plakson to appear as a tough andorian a couple of times each season.

 

[Therin of Andor]

I think Plakson's clipped delivery could easily have rivalled Diana Muldaur's acerbicness.

Suzie's actually here in Sydney this weekend.

The first time she was here, she talked about the biggest problem playing Dr Selar: hiding her own hair under the Vulcan wig! Selar was never seen from the back, because Ms Plakson's bountiful red tresses were bundled up into a very large bun, which protuded through the back of the black wig.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

I'm going to use images of Plakson's andorian character from Enterprise as the security chief in my TMP style youtube story to try and even up the number of men and women a bit. I think Plakson's clipped delivery could easily have rivalled Diana Muldaur's acerbicness. Shame andorians were off the menu during TNG, I bet fans would have liked Plakson to appear as a tough andorian a couple of times each season.

Better believe it!

 

[Forbin]

I find her acting incredibly hammy, irritating and not all suitable for a Trek regular.

That's a self-contradictory sentence.

Indeed!

 

[Forbin]

I met Suzie at a Creation con and had a delightful talk. The lady is an absolute doll.
As I moved on, I thanked her for entertaining me, and she squeezed my arm and thanked me for thanking her.

I haven't washed that arm since............. yesterday.