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Scott Bakula
Topic Started: Sep 1 2005, 09:27 AM (690 Views)
Timbo
Lieutenant Commander
I posed this question in a thread in the sci-fi forum, but I thought it'd get a broader response her so I'll re-state it.

Does anyone else feel that Scott Bakula, whilst doing a fine job as Captain Archer, and probably the best actor on the show, actually harmed Enterprise as a whole?

He was, really, the only established star to ever be cast in a trek lead role. And he was certainly the only established sci-fi star to be cast. His 'stardom', especially his Quantum Leap persona, was often the way I thought of him whilst watching the show, not as a 'blank slate' actor, and I think many others saw him in the same way (I seem to recall someone on this forum saying the perfect finale for Enterprise would be for Archer to dissapear in a blue light hoping that this would be the leap home).

Thoughts?
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Fesarius
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Admiral
^^^
I don't think the (ostensibly) best actor on the show hurt the series. (I believe the best actors on the series were T'Pol, Reed and Phlox.) I thought Bakula was convincing as Archer, although at times I wish the scripts had been written in a way that would have allowed him to use his rank more efficiently (like he did in the third or fourth act of Shockwave [pt. 1] when he dismissed the senior officers after the decision from Forrest had been received--*that* was superb).

Quote:
 
He was, really, the only established star to ever be cast in a trek lead role.

Avery Brooks?
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Minuet
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Fleet Admiral Assistant wRench, Chief Supper Officer
Many people don't remember Avery Brooks as Hawk on Spenser for Hire. :shrug:

Kate Mulgrew was also a well established TV actress before Voyager. :yes:
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Swidden
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Adm. Gadfly-at-large; Provisional wRench-fly at large
I don't think Bakula just being there hurt the show. I doubt that it helped either.

Will Wheaton was known for his role in "Stand By Me" ;)
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Fesarius
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Admiral
^^^
I suppose it depends on what one means by 'established.' I thought Hawk was quite good. Brooks had also done (and continues to do) theater work, both as a teacher (faculty member at Rutgers) as well as on the stage.
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Timbo
Lieutenant Commander
I'm not certain if Spencer for Hire ever made it onto screens down here. And he wasn't the lead either (rats I knew I'd get picked up on that).

As for Mulgrew, again I don't think you could say she was as big a star as Bakula.

And Bakula was certainly the only established sci-fi actor.
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Fesarius
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Admiral
Quote:
 
I'm not certain if Spencer for Hire ever made it onto screens down here.

Timbo,

Where are you from?

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And he wasn't the lead either (rats I knew I'd get picked up on that).

True, and damn straight.

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As for Mulgrew, again I don't think you could say she was as big a star as Bakula.

I could say it, but that wouldn't make it true. ;)

Quote:
 
And Bakula was certainly the only established sci-fi actor.

True.
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gdog243
Rear Admiral
Bakula was one of the reasons why Enterprise was a weak series. He is overrated, and was really inconsistant. In fact, after ENT, I started wondering if the only reason I liked Quantum Leap was because of Al. Speaking of which, I really wished Stockwell returned for more episodes. :(
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ImpulseEngine
Admiral
I do think Bakula hurt the show, but not because he was already known as other characters. I thought his acting, especially at the beginning of the series, was really poor. He always sounded like he was reading lines. He improved somewhat as the series went on (although not greatly), but by then the harm had already been done IMO.

That's not to say, however, that the show's lack of success was all his fault. There were plenty of faults. He was just one factor.
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gdog243
Rear Admiral
Well, the major factor was that the show was either boring, bland, or not in the spirit of Star Trek. I think one thing I like about this out of order schedule for syndication is that they are showing the fourth season and I can finally see it. I can't wait,
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ImpulseEngine
Admiral
Yes, poor stories contributed greatly.
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captain_proton_au
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A Robot in Disguise

No I think Bakula was an asset to ENT.


Bakula, Trineer, Park and Billingsley were my favourites.


Keating was my least favourite actor on the show
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Fesarius
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Admiral
^^^
Finally, a voice of reason. :D ;)
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24thcenstfan
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Something Wicked This Fae Comes
ImpulseEngine
Sep 1 2005, 01:39 PM
I do think Bakula hurt the show, but not because he was already known as other characters.  I thought his acting, especially at the beginning of the series, was really poor.  He always sounded like he was reading lines.  He improved somewhat as the series went on (although not greatly), but by then the harm had already been done IMO.

That's not to say, however, that the show's lack of success was all his fault.  There were plenty of faults.  He was just one factor.

That pretty much sums up my thoughts on the subject. :) However, I would differ just slightly and add that it took a while for him to shed the QL persona... which further distracted from the role of Archer IMO.
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ImpulseEngine
Admiral
captain_proton_au
Sep 1 2005, 10:41 PM
No I think Bakula was an asset to ENT.


Bakula, Trineer, Park and Billingsley were my favourites.


Keating was my least favourite actor on the show

We're in agreement on Trineer and Billingsley being assets and Keating being the least favorite. I've already stated my opinion about Bakula further up. Park was neither good nor bad IMO. They didn't give her much opportunity and didn't do enough for Hoshi's character. And don't forget about Porthos. :D ;)
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