Least favorite guest star

[Dr Maturin]

I don't mean bit parts...who is your least favorite guest star?

I have to go for that terrible Michael Ansara. Oh, and that awful Turhan Bey.

In all seriousness, I did not like Bernie Casey in Hunter, Prey. I have never cared for his acting. He delivers his lines like he's reading them while half paying attention. I thought it could have been a stronger episode with someone stronger in the role. The same goes for his role in The Maquis on DS9.

[Ben-Thayer Dunnthaedt]

This is an extemely difficult topic. I'm really struggling to think of any guest star(s) I didn't particularly like.

The closest I can come at the moment would be perhaps W. Morgan Sheppard as the Soul Hunter. I've never really cared for the scene where he's doing his little chant. But this example is definitely a stretch.

Another slight possibility would be Elaine Thomas as Lianna Kemmer, from Survivors. It wasn't that I dislike the actress (I really haven't seen her in other things), but the character was really whiney and pretty much got on my nerves. But this example is also a stretch, since the character was written that way.

But I thought BC was pretty good in I'm Gonna Git Ya, Sucker:D His deadpan delivery worked in that role.

[AmyG]

The closest I can come at the moment would be perhaps W. Morgan Sheppard as the Soul Hunter. I've never really cared for the scene where he's doing his little chant. But this example is definitely a stretch.

When I've watched him as the Soul Hunter, or G'Sten, it's hard to believe that he was up against Andreas for the role of G'Kar. Not because I don't think he's good; it's more a matter of just not being able to see _anyone_ but Andreas in that role.

Aisling

[Ben-Thayer Dunnthaedt]

Remember the series of ads TNT ran with G'Kar? That was at least one thing TNT did, they promoted the series. Well, at first.

But I never knew Sheppard was up for the role of G'Kar! Whoa! I agree TOTALLY, only Andreas. It was neat that even JMS tipped his hat to the fact that Andreas was the king of rhetoric (when Sheridan asked him to write the inauguration speech, remembering G'Kar's words after the surrender of Narn and how they made the hair stand up on his neck). Lots of other characters had grand sweeping speeches, but G'Kar had a depth to his delivery that was unmatched. For me, only Bester could rival G'Kar, but in a different way.

"You have two dead bodies in the morgue, Mr. Garibaldi. Make the BEST of them."

I also love the commentaries where some of the staff talk about how frightening Andreas is when in character. They were saying if you need to see Andreas, you have to catch him before he sits in "the chair". Once the makeup is on, he IS G'Kar......and it can be SCARY.:D

[OmahaStar]

In the episode "Exogenesis" in season 3, Marcus introduces us to a friend of his, Duncan. Duncan is an old man with a bad cough, selling trinkets in a marketplace full of cheap wares. When Duncan disappears, Marcus asks another seller if she has seen where Duncan has gone.

The actress is black, I think she's wearing a red dress, and her final line is "That's ... all I know".

Her performance is nothing short of cringe-worthy ... She may be a fine actress in other roles, but she was just wrong for this role. It's horrible, and so Malibu-Barbie-ish ..... And when you think of the talent that has walked through the sets of Babylon 5, to have her there is just shameful. I can't stand her, and I'm glad she was only there for a moment. Anything more would involve Marcus's pike upside her head.

[snodman]

I liked W. Morgan Sheppard in that role as the Soul Hunter. His chant was SUPPOSED to be annoying, kind of like Robert Shaw scratching the blackboard with his fingernails to get the room's attention in Jaws.

[CRONAN]

Morden. Always Morden.

[grumbler]

I know this will be considered blasphemy by some, but Majel Barrett did nothing for me in PoNR. I thought she was wooden and unconvincing. I understand the symbolic nature of her appearance, but saw no value to it beyond the symbolic.

[AmyG]

I also love the commentaries where some of the staff talk about how frightening Andreas is when in character. They were saying if you need to see Andreas, you have to catch him before he sits in "the chair". Once the makeup is on, he IS G'Kar......and it can be SCARY.

It's funny that people say that - Andreas himself denies it. He's not a method actor, and in fact cannot stay in character all day because he never _becomes_ the character at all. He says that there's always a separation between Andreas and G'Kar; there's no confusion about who he is at any time.

But I can see how one might find him physically intimidating in full Narn regalia.

Aisling

[grumbler]

Originally posted by AislingGrey
It's funny that people say that - Andreas himself denies it. He's not a method actor, and in fact cannot stay in character all day because he never _becomes_ the character at all. He says that there's always a separation between Andreas and G'Kar; there's no confusion about who he is at any time. That kinda reminds me of the story of Slims Pickens at Pinewood Studios when they were filming "Doctor Strangelove.". He showed up in cowboy duds and an almost incomprehensible (to the British crew) western accent. They concluded that he was just "method acting." In fact, that is how he dressed and talked every day!

[Gkar4ever]

I was just going through season 1 again (since I can now watch all 5 seasons on DVD...WOOHOO!) and realised......I hate Jinxo! I think the *idea* was really cool, and I realise the actor played the character the way he's supposed to be portrayed (slightly neurotic), but his sardonic grin drove me nuts!!!!! Just my $.02 ($1 US) :)

[Dr Maturin]

Hey, grumbler, I gotta agree with you...I've always found Majel very wooden, except for one role...Lwaxana...could this be because it is her true self? PONR was awesome, but it could have been even better with a better actress in the role.

I gave her a chance, but she just didn't do it for me. I also gave Koenig a chance, and man, did he flourish as Bester or didn't he?

[Ranger 6 and 7/8]

i agree with Z'Ha Dum--Majel never cam out of her shell on that character..It could seriously have been worse..It could have been George Takei..That is one guy i am glad Star Trek got out of the movies by giving the character hsi own ship..

I think the worse cast character was the guy who play the referee on TKO--i am sorry, but to me that was a really bad one..i mean yeah it was supposed to be a ritual fighting tourney, but come on couldn't they have done better than blantly using these guys? i forgot his name, can anyone remember--i know he is a regular asian actor on many shows and movies

[figarojonez]

John Schuckas the second Draal after Louis Turenne. He took a wise, seasoned character and turned him into a snarky, obnoxious, loud mouth(at least that was the feeling I got from him).

[figarojonez]

I'm supprised no one has mentioned Byron.

[chaostaenzer]

i didn't like Byron. But that doesn't mean i have to dislike the actor, right? Robin Atkin Downes played a Minbari in ItB and did a fine job. I can't say he is bad guest star.

[Dr Maturin]

Byron had a kewl voice and look, but the character's goofy ideologies were what irked me about him. I always had my violin on hand during Byron eps.

[grumbler]

I hate to admit it, but I disliked Morann in a coupla scenes because his "Minbari" accent broke down and he sounded Byron-like.

Agree though that we cannot blame the actor for the role.

[Ranger 6 and 7/8]

No, guys. I think the absolute worst guest star/character was Dr Franklin's dad..uggg-- I couldn't even develop an emotion for his character--it was like needing something to drink on a hot day and someone hands you a glass of lukewarm water. Sure it quenches your thirst, but you really dont enjoy it--
Speaking of drinkw..think Iwill make a nice Banana Bailey Colada..
*hick... be right *hick.... back..

[figarojonez]

Just a question for a few of the choices.
What was wrong with Michael Ansara, Turhan Bey, or Ed Wasser(Morden)? Both Ansara and Bey seemed to give very reserved intelligent performances, while Wasser played the role to a tee ( I thought). Just curious.

Figaro

[Dr Maturin]

<<Michael Ansara, Turhan Bey, or Ed Wasser(Morden)? Both Ansara and Bey seemed to give very reserved intelligent performances, while Wasser played the role to a tee ( I thought). Just curious.>>

Sarcasm, dumbass. :D

[figarojonez]

Sarcasm, dumbass.

Sorry, I've had conversations with people who made statements like that and meant it. And I've met some pretty stupid people, so I figured if people felt that way, I'd try to figure out why.

I guess I just expect stupidity in any setting.

Figaro

[AmyG]

Don't feel bad, Figaro - I couldn't tell they were being sarcastic, either. I just thought perhaps they had odd taste in acting skills...

Aisling

[Dr Maturin]

<<I guess I just expect stupidity in any setting.>>

Especially on the highways and biways. I hate two-lane freeways because you have three groups and only two lanes.

The two lanes:

1. Left
2. Right.

The three people:

1. The sloooooow dirvers who go 50 in a 65 and even slower in the lightest rain.
2. The normal drivers who like to do about 72 in a 65 and try to get past the #1's without getting hit by...
3. ...the people who go 90 to 100 while talking on their celly and drinking coffee.

Two lanes bites.

[Dr Maturin]

<<I just thought perhaps they had odd taste in acting skills...>>

Hey, Joe Don Baker and Miles O'Keefe are great thespians, okay!

How much keef is there, anyway?

[grumbler]

Originally posted by AislingGrey
Don't feel bad, Figaro - I couldn't tell they were being sarcastic, either. I just thought perhaps they had odd taste in acting skills...

Aisling As soon as I saw anyone include michael Ansara in "least favorite guest stars" I knew it was sarcasm.

The "dumbass" remark appeared out of character. Even with a smiley, reference to another poster (as opposed to oneself) as a dumbass is not likely to be taken as sarcasm.

Edit: deleted notes from the Spelling Nazi.

[Dr Maturin]

<<The "dumbass" remark appeared out of character. Even with a smiley, reference to another poster (as opposed to oneself) as a dumbass is not likely to be taken as sarcasm.>>

Yeah, I better be careful or figaro might clean my clock for me.

[CRONAN]

Now that I think about it, there was one character who was a constant boil on the @$$ all throughout his stay on B5.

Namely, Lord Refa. Where to start? He's a shameless liar, self-centered, murderous, slimy, power-hungry, two-faced, moraless. Unfortunately, hes also driven, persuasive, and has a keen intelligence.

But really, there is absolutly nothing to like about this guy, all the other baddies have at least a few redeeming qualities to them;
Bester has a sense of humor and an element of cheer to him, if a little perverse. Morden has a sort of mysteriousness to him in the begining. And the Shadows are just the coolest bad-guy race ever conceived, anywhere.

[Stunaep]

Originally posted by CRONAN


But really, there is absolutly nothing to like about this guy,

Originally posted by CRONAN
. Unfortunately, hes also driven, persuasive, and has a keen intelligence.


Ahem?

[CRONAN]

Originally posted by Stunaep
Ahem?

Problems with your throat?

[NotKosh]

I disliked the jester in Cartagia's court. I found him singularly unfunny. :D

[Dr Maturin]

<<But really, there is absolutly nothing to like about this guy, all the other baddies have at least a few redeeming qualities to them;>>

That is why we was such a great bad guy.

And remember, this is least favorite guest star, not most hated character.

[Stunaep]

Originally posted by NotKosh
I disliked the jester in Cartagia's court. I found him singularly unfunny. :D
"Humor is such a subjective thing."

Apparently, cartagia shared your opinion.:D

[Spidy]

"True comic visionaries are rarely appreciated during their lifetime"

[CRONAN]

Originally posted by Spidy
"True comic visionaries are rarely appreciated during their lifetime"

*Cough* I'd have to agree with the opposite of the above statement....

[NotKosh]

Originally posted by Spidy
"True comic visionaries are rarely appreciated during their lifetime"
Originally posted by CRONAN
*Cough* I'd have to agree with the opposite of the above statement....


Mediocre comedians are widely appreciated in their lifetime?

[CRONAN]

Originally posted by NotKosh
Mediocre comedians are widely appreciated in their lifetime?

If were dealing in opposites here, then strictly speaking it would be comedians with *no* comic vision.

However I simply meant,

''True comic visionaries are almost always appreciated in their life time.''

[Ben-Thayer Dunnthaedt]

Gosh Cronan, I've always enjoyed William Forward's performance in the role of Refa. You did absolutely nail the character traits though, which WF pulled off with gusto. Didn't JMS say something about how nice of a guy WF was, and how he was concerned that he'd done something to hack off JMS after being told the character of Refa would be killed?

How could one not love this exchange? :)

Londo: "But we have treaties!"
Refa: "INK on a page!"

Man, if B5 had one thing it was GREAT villians, ranging from near-innocent pawns to pure unadulterated evil. Not to mention all shades in between.

Like Refa said: "It's a small price to pay for immortality."

[Dr Maturin]

<<Like Refa said: "It's a small price to pay for immortality.">>

"HA HA HA HA HA HA!"

[CRONAN]

Quote:
Was William Forward the one who said, "Why me?" as mentioned in one of your Usenet messages?
Yes, it was with the actor who plays Refa that I had that conversation. He was initially bummed out, figured I was doing what I was doing in "Rock" because I wasn't happy with his performance or something. So I pulled him aside and explained the situation, and indicated that we'd likely use him again as an alien character, under prosthetics. If he hadn't done such a good job, this wouldn't have happened, because no one would've cared about the character.
----------------------------------------------

Jms is a great guy. And from what I've seen or heard of him, I've liked, but boy did he really drop the ball on this one.

Its the bad guys job to make sure the audience hates his guts.

Point of fact: Nobody *cared* when that little snobby aristocrat got the sh#! beat outta him by the narn bat squad. I remember thinking, ''Oh God, finally. Finally they killed this guy''

Is it a small price to pay for immortality?
Mentally, I was singing right along with the church quire.

[Ben-Thayer Dunnthaedt]

Mentally, I was singing right along with the church quire.Absolutely! That episode was one of the most carefully crafted and extremely well plotted episodes of the entire series. I especially loved how G'Kar gave his instructions to the other Narns, saying to leave Refa's head and face intact for identification, while miming the old "knife across the throat" bit.Its the bad guys job to make sure the audience hates his guts.Yep, and WF did a great job at it! But for me, I can't truthfully say that I hated Refa's guts, I saw him as an extremely corrupt, overly ambitious Centauri. And there were others who picked up pretty much where he left off, like the guy who threw the knife at Londo. I can't remember his name at the moment.

I think I didn't really get major pissed at a character until Morden casually had Adira Tyree murdered to reposition himself with Londo. The scene where Londo nearly collapses is very emotional. Man, as much as I love Morden's character that one act changed the way I perceived him.

[Dr Maturin]

<<Point of fact: Nobody *cared* when that little snobby aristocrat got the sh#! beat outta him by the narn bat squad.>>

Point of opinion, you mean? That was a big moment, letting those Narns beat their worst enemy. And the fact that G'kar let them have it was a sign of his changing character.

[AmyG]

Point of fact: Nobody *cared* when that little snobby aristocrat got the sh#! beat outta him by the narn bat squad. I remember thinking, ''Oh God, finally. Finally they killed this guy''

I disagree - making your "fact" no more than an opinion. Sure I cared that the Narns beat the sh#! out of Refa, but not because I thought he didn't deserve it, or shouldn't be killed for what he'd done. I cared because it was a _very_ poignant, well set-up dramatic moment, and I absolutely felt his fear and desperation as he turned and ran. Chilling.

IMHO, if we _didn't_ care about Refa's fate at all, then JMS wasn't doing his job.

Mentally, I was singing right along with the church quire.

Wow, that's a really archaic spelling for "choir." Or do you live someplace where they still actually spell it like that? If so, where? I'm totally amazed to see anyone modern using it!

Aisling