Nov 17 | Originally hired as co-executive producer to help with the second half of the show's first season, Kevin Murphy has now taken the reins of Caprica, the Battlestar Galactica prequel on Syfy, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He now serves as an executive producer along with Ronald D. Moore, David Eick and Jane Espenson and oversees the day-to-day functions of the show.
Nov 12 | Star Trek star Zachary Quinto is loosely attached to star in the romantic dramedy Whirligig, reports Risky Business.Quinto would play the lead role in the independent Canadian film, which is aiming to shoot early next year. The movie centers on a man who, in a misguided attempt to woo an older woman, befriends the woman's adopted son.Chaz Thorne is directing the pic, based on a screenplay by Michael Amo, creator of the Canadian supernatural series "The Listener."
Nov 11 | The CNS Foundation, is hosting an on-line charity auction at www.charitybuzz.com. One of the items they are auctioning is a signed movie poster of the new Star Trek movie which has all the cast members and writers. The president of our organization is Carol Abrams, JJ's mother, and she arranged for the donation from Bad Robot Production Company. J.J. Abrams is also a major donor to their organization. The funds raised will go to help find a cure to neurological disorders in children. The auction link is here.
Nov 10 | Candice Bergen, Charles Lisanby, Don Pardo, Gene Roddenberry, Tom and Dick Smothers and Bob Stewart have been selected as the next inductees into the Television Academy's Hall of Fame. They will be honored at a Jan. 20 ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel. "This year's inductees have challenged and shaped popular culture, changed television for the better and entertained us royally while doing so," TV Academy Chairman-CEO John Shaffner said. More info at the Hollywood Reporter
Nov 08 | Unreality-SF.net has interviewed Star Trerk author James Swallow about some of his upcoming projects. He talks about Titan: Synthesis and Seven Deadly Sins: The Slow Knife, as well as some forthcoming Doctor Who and Stargate stories.
He played the mischevious, scheming, occasionally heroic (and never "nefarious") Ferengi 'Quark' on DEEP SPACE NINE for seven years. Now he's written three books combining time travel, politics, and his own fascination with Renaissance history in THE MERCHANT PRINCE.
The mercurial and always entertaining Armin Shimerman stopped by TrekWeb last night for a live chat! Armin disussed his latest novel, THE MERCHANT PRINCE III: CAPITAL OFFENSE, the development of Quark as more than just comic relief, his thoughts on DS9's edgier storytelling, and even his lost INSURRECTION guest scene.
We'd like to thank Armin for taking the time to chat with us for a second time and we look forward to hosting him again!
Transcript 12/16/03:
Steve Krutzler: Welcome everybody to TrekWeb's live chat with Armin Shimerman! Armin played the memorable Ferengi Quark on DEEP SPACE NINE and is also an accomplished author. The third novel in his MERCHANT PRINCE series, CAPITAL OFFENSE, is in bookstores now.
TrekSter: Keep those questions coming please people :)
Armin: Hello to everyone who has joined
Steve Krutzler: To submit questions for Armin, type /msg TrekSter your question here
Steve Krutzler: Welcome Armin, and thanks for coming by! Would you like to make any opening remarks?
Armin: Please be patient to wait for my answers. I am long winded and a slow typer.
Steve Krutzler: Ok great, let's begin with questions
Steve Krutzler: Hbasm asks: You know, I have laughed more at you (no, I mean Quark) than anyone else in my life! How do you feel about that? Quark was serious and yet so funny. Best greetings!
Armin: Laughing and immense concentration are what an actor lives for. I guessI did my job
Armin: While I wait for the next question, seasons greetings to each and every one of you.
Steve Krutzler: Sorry about the delay... Arped-y asks: Would you tell us something about Quark, or the Ferengi species, or Ferengi Society, we don't know?
Armin: When Rodenberry first imagined the species, they were meant to be tri-podal, meaning their reproductive organ was quite extensive. Truth!
Steve Krutzler: Ready for the next question?
Armin: yes
Steve Krutzler: Bill asks: What was your inspiration for writing the MERCHANT PRINCE series?
Armin: Unlike my fellow actors on DS9 who all wanted to be directors, I wanted to be a writer. The Merchant Prince series came out of an episode pitch session with Eric Stillwell who is on line with us right now. I went on to promote my non Star Trek novel ideas to Pocket Books and they accepted them, including the present novel which is more about a social/political policy that is in effect now by the current Presidential administration.
Steve Krutzler: For those of us who aren't familiar with THE MERCHANT PRINCE, can you tell us briefly about the premise for your novels?
Armin: Merchant Prince deals with the adventures of a very real Elizabethan named John Dee ( a scholar, genius, librarian, magus, spy, and astrologer) who gets transported to the 22nd century. He must defeat alien miscreants who have invaded Earth. He must also learn to cope with a time and society that he is unfamiliar with.
Steve Krutzler: BW wants to know: Had it always been planned as a trilogy, or did it just unfold over time?
Armin: When I finished book one, I thought I was done. Until the publisher called and told me to relook at my contract - which insisted on three (Some Ferengi!!??). It was the happiest mistake I ever made.
Steve Krutzler: Moogie says: I'm about three-fourths into The 34th Rule and have just purchased The Merchant Prince. While I'm sure I'll love that series, too, I adore reading about Quark. You did such an amazing job portraying him as an actor, and as an author. Do you have any plans to write another DS9 novel?
Armin: No Moogie. I do not. We came up with the idea of the 34th Rule, because I saw injustice being implied in the franchise and I wanted to address it. Once I got that off my chest, I moved on. I am now chest deep in Elizabethan history and Magic. It is fascinating to me and it drives me to share those mysteries with others.
Steve Krutzler: lex_elfin asks: What character on the original Star Trek best resembles Quark?
Armin: I suppose the character called "Harry ..." something from the Tribbles episode. Someone help me out, please.
Steve Krutzler: Harry Mudd!
Steve Krutzler: tomba1701 asks: Armin, many of us fans are anxiously awaiting the release of the ST: Insurrection special edition DVD and hoping that the cut Quark scene from the ending is included. Can you give us any background on what the scene entailed and what it was like to work with the TNG cast?
Armin: The scene may or may not appear in the special edition. It really didn't fit in the movie and Jonathan was right to cut it. The scene occurs at the tail end of the movie when all the goodbys are being said, I show up on the planet with two luscious dabbo girls hoping to make an investment deal. The joke is I have no idea who this capt. Piccard is. I was delighted to be in the film and had a marvelous day with Patrick and Michael Dorn. However, the makeup took 5 hours.
Steve Krutzler: Gustavo asks: In an interview in Dreamwatch mag in 1998, you criticized Avery Brooks for not promoting DS9. Can you elaborate any on this?
Armin: Avery was our captain. Its the Captains who always promote the particular Star trek series they command. Avery refused to do TV interviews with Leno etc. or to do very many magazine interviews. It was his perogative, but I believe it hurt viewership on DS9.
Steve Krutzler: luckybucky asks: I thought Quark was always one of the characters that helped secure DS9 from being an experimental spin-off to becoming "home base" in the world of Star Trek for a lot of fans. It seems like somewhere along the line, the camaraderie was just all of a sudden there, and most of the warm moments that made the cast feel like "family" to me, oddly, ended up involving Quark. Did you feel that happening as the actor behind Quark? And if so, can you put your finger on the performance when it all finally gelled for you?
Armin: The irony is that as cast we were less buddy-buddy than TNG or Voy.But what we lacked in extra-mural drinking, we made up for by an enormous amount of respect and sympathy for each other. We bonded as professional who were excellent at their job, rather than jokesters. Of course, the bonding on our show as characters always took place over meals and drinks (and sometimes in times of crisis) so I guess that means Quark was mostly around for those moments.
Steve Krutzler: spacebeluga asks: Do you remember any specific contributions that you made either to the plot of an episode concerning Quark's character development or to Quark's overall character development any time during the series? (Besides your original intention to make a complex character and your great acting of course) Thanks a lot!
Armin: There are thousands of choices I made over the course of seven years that helped to define Quark as a character. But, I suppose the prime motivating factor, was that I refused to see Quark as only a comic character. But rather as an outsider in an alien environment trying to fit in with individuals who didn't share his belief system. Comedy comes out of dire situations. So if I was comic, it was because so much of the time my very existence was in trouble. Both personally and economically.
Steve Krutzler: Kobra asks: Considering what you've said about Merchant Prince, the Elizabethan era and Magic, do you prefer to write in fantasy/sci fi or with a more historical style? Do you have any favorite inspirations or recommendations as far as books go?
Armin: I have always been an Elizabethan scholar and in fact am currently acting in and dramaturging a production of Hamlet. So I prefer a more historical style and I am currently writing a non-Sci-Fi novel that is a Tudor mystery.
Armin: As to inspirations, nothing speaks to me more than Shakespeare. And I love Anthony Burgess.
Steve Krutzler: You mentioned that you tried to make Quark more than comic relief. Watching the DS9 DVDs of late, I think one of the most powerful episodes for Quark was "The Seige of AR-558." I think Quark stood in for the average person or parent in many cases, especially then. Can you offer any insights about that episode or comment on that observation in general?
Armin: I am thankful that you felt that way about the Siege of AR-558. It is a crown jewel in my memories of Quark in Ds9. Quark was never heroic (or rarely), believe it or not he was much like you and me - who only rise to the nobel when we are driven to it. War is a horrible situation, an unimaginable human condition. The writers blessed me with lines that echoed Ds9's original theme of being a darker more realistic Star Trek. For an episode I had Spock's point of view.
Steve Krutzler: Along those lines, although DS9's 7th season may have had a couple missteps (and challenges with regard to replacing a main character), many fans wish it had gone on longer. In many interviews with writers like Ira Behr and Ron Moore, it has come known that the studio and Rick Berman were the main reasons the show didn't continue. As an actor, was there a sense among the cast/crew that the show was still excellent and could've continued beyond 7 years?
Armin: We all knew that we had broken the Trek mold and were exploring human issues that weren't necessarily escapist or easy to digest. Look at the stories and/or the use of long story arcs. We were at our best towards the end. It was so steeped in specifics from the myriad of episodes that we had done, and it wasn't the studio or Berman that decided to cancel. It was the reality of being a syndicated show and the economics of syndication.
Steve Krutzler: You can /msg TrekSter with your questions for Armin
Steve Krutzler: Ok let's go on to the next question...
Steve Krutzler: Reginod asks: I saw you at a convention once, and you and Max sang some great DS9-style song parodies. Do you have any new ones?
Steve Krutzler: (Max Grodenchik, who played Rom)
Armin: No, I don't. But max is the wizard of writing those and I know he has written more. His made-up songs would often late at night get usthrough a partcularly hard and long evening by singing to us his latest parodies.
Steve Krutzler: Treklinrary asks: Would you be willing to reprise your role as Quark in a feature film of Star Trek? or perhaps in another Star Trek series? And do you think DS9 will ever grace the screen again in some shape or form?
Armin: I would be honored to do another Star Trek movie. I love the franchise and would love to contribute. But, another series would have to have a real good reason for having me there. I don't see how that would be possible on Ent. I think Star Trek will grace the screen again; I just don't think it will be soon.
Steve Krutzler: Bill asks: How interesting was it to look to today's headlines and society for the ideas that appear in the MERCHANT PRINCE series?
Armin: Understand that my just released novel, A capital offense, is all about todays headlines and the political/judicial problem of the President labeling certain captives of the Afghani and Iraqi as "enemy combatants." I spent months doing investigative research on these prisoners' lack of rights and isolation. It is still a hot potato and I am happy to tell you that the Supreme Court is looking into making a decision on the dilemma.
Steve Krutzler: Speaking of such things, what do you make of Sunday's big news?
Armin: I pray that the capture of Saddam will destabilize the insurgents and get more Iraqis involved in participating in the resurrewction of their government. If that does not happen, I fear for the future of our soldiers and for the inhabitants of that part of the world. By the by, don't you think it strange saddam didn't have a phone? What does that indicate?
Steve Krutzler: shadow^ asks: over the years sci fi has evolved into a more computer generated special effects field. has this helped the actors? Or hurt them?
Armin: It most defineately has hurt the actors AND the audience. Producers depend on special effects to carry a story instead of getting good writers to fascinate us with their ideas. Far Beyond the Stars had relatively few F/X and it was brilliant. Actors revel in great stories; it sparks us to do our very best.
Steve Krutzler: NNL asks: What was the most memorable experience you had working on DS9?
Armin: Meeting Stephen Hawking, who purposefully came to the studio to meet me. Is that cool or what?
Steve Krutzler: Arped-y asks: There's always the danger in TV to make "bad" characters lovable scoundrels. Was there anything really unlovable about Quark?
Armin: Yes, his sexist attitudes. The putting down of women is despiccable and should be seen for what it really is - a prejudice like racism or race prejudice.
Steve Krutzler: What do you make of the negative publicity for the franchise of late, with the poor NEMESIS box office, ENT ratings woes, and the news last week that ENT's order has been reduced from 26 to 24?
Armin: The world audience has its preferences. Tastes come and go. Tell fascinating stories and the world will rediscover the franchise. It's as simple as that.
Steve Krutzler: Will asks: How much of Armin Shimerman is in Dr. John Dee?
Steve Krutzler: (the lead character in THE MERCHANT PRINCE novels)
Armin: The original concept for Merchant Prince was to combine Dr. John Dee and Quark in the character we were writing. Quark is an amalgamation of bits and pieces of my personna. So I wrote Dee from the same place that I mined for Quark - my memories, my needs, my expectations.
Steve Krutzler: Mog for President asks: How often do you get mobbed by Trekkies? Do most Trekkies recognize you? Do they call you "Quark" or not?
Armin: Very few people "mob" me as Quark; they "mob" me for Snyder. One of the few pluses for having worn that make-up was that I have some measure of privacy. In fact, isn't that me standing next to you now.
Steve Krutzler: (Snyder was Armin's character on BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER)
Steve Krutzler: To close, what can you tell us about your upcoming projects, including the production of HAMLET you mentioned?
Armin: My wife and I will open in Hamlet in Los Angeles at the Court Theater on January 3rd. Rene and I just finished doing voices for the new animation film , "Gepetto"; I hope to continue my recurring role on the "Handler." And I began my third season of the "Grim and Evil" this january. My plate is thankfully full.*
Steve Krutzler: Thanks so much for joining us this afternoon, Armin! This is actually Armin's second TrekWeb chat--he joined us in 1998 to talk about THE 34TH RULE. We hope to have you back for a third!
Armin: Just ask and I will be glad to. Thanks, everyone for your interesting questions. Happy Holidays!
Steve Krutzler: Thanks again Armin! Everyone may now talk!
JerseyBoy: well moderated Steve ty and ty to Armin :)
Lizzy_Bee: thanks Armin :)
tiberone: Will the farenge engage the new show , enterprise
Korimyr_the_Rat: Armin, Thank you, yourself. It was an enlightening chat.
Lizzy_Bee: thanks Steve :)
Moogie: Thanks Armin & Steve!
Steve Krutzler Everyone can also visit www.arminshimerman.com for more info on Armins books and projects
Madel: live long and prosper!
Corrodias: ive heard enterprise best described as only enjoyable if you take it as some alternate universe, and even then not a lot
Wyrenth: Woo. I popped in rather late. :P Oh well, better late than never.
JerseyBoy: Alright Armin i have a really serious and deep question for you that i'm sure has haunted many people for years if you don't mind lol
Marikus`Tassoth: Thank you, Armin. It's been a pleasure ^_^
tiberone: hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
tiberone: ok then
TrekSter: Armin; Fantastic job on DS9 :) You made that series :)
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