Entertainment Asylum

Insurrection

Star Trek: Insurrection Marathon Chat

The Entertainment Asylum has a VERY good Gates McFadden page that you should check out to get information and to see a Real Audio Video of a Chat Conversation she did earlier.

I have a copy of the chat transcript below just in case they decide to get rid of the link. I am in NO way suggesting that I typed out this chat conversation, nor do I take credit for anything on this page, except for the fact that I am keeping this page on my server as a backup to the Asylum copy. In fact, I encourage you to go to the Asylum copy because their page is WAY cooler than mine! :o)

On Stardate December 8, 1998, Entertainment Asylum welcomed Cheryl Gates McFadden a.k.a. Cmdr. Beverly Crusher, M.D. to our Star Trek: Insurrection marathon chat...

Q: Welcome, Cheryl Gates McFadden!

A: Hi, thanks!

Q: Do you do the conventions?

A: I haven't done one for a long time. That's really been because my son has been little, and when you have a child that's the focus of my life right now. That's disruptive. Sometimes we can go and make a vacation of it, but there're soccer games and things that are ongoing.

Q: Do you think bald men are attractive?

A: How can you look at that man and not find him attractive?

Q: Do you feel female characters on Star Trek are stronger?

A: I think that Marina, Denise and I, as well as so many of our guest stars, were constantly trying to get stronger female parts in the beginning. Somewhere down the road it was decided to start a new series and have the women stronger. I had definitely wanted to do at least another episode with Beverly Crusher, and I came up with some exciting possibilities, but I was told that character was going to be inaugurated on Deep Space Nine.

Web Cam Photo Q: I know you are good friends with Troi in the series. Are you good friends in life?

A: We are, all of us, friends. Some, I'm in contact with more than others. We always chat on the phone. It varies. When Brent was away in New York, unless we're in the same city, we can't get together. We all keep up with each other because we care for each other very much, and I feel very fortunate in that way.

Q: What is the longest you've gone without talking to a cast member?

A: I've never gone longer than a month.

Q: Is your hair red or blonde?

A: It's red, but there are blonde highlights. Ever since I worked in Hawaii, my hair got very blonde. I like the highlight effect, and I know there are many out there who don't, but I've kept it up. I like playing around with hair colors. I had so much hair of my own, they thought it was too much hair for Dr. Crusher, so we ended up having me wear a lot of wigs.

Q: Do you think the character of Wesley will ever reappear?

A: I don't know. That would be really interesting after so many years. Being a mother myself, I find it's incredible how much children change. I go away for a few days and I come home and go, "Oh my gosh, he's changed so much."

Q: In what ways are you and Dr. Crusher similar?

A: At this point...our hair color! I think she's very practical. I think I'm a practical person. I would like to think that I have compassion. I feel that she's a good mother. I try my best to be a good mother. So, let's just say, we both put a lot of effort into that. Where we differ is that humor is a huge part of my life. I think Dr. Crusher is more serious.

Q: Did you have fun with Dream On?

A: I had a great time when I did Dream On. The whole production team was great. People often say, "Boy, how unusual for the cast of Star Trek to get along so well." I say, what's unusual is that we get a chance to come back together, and see each other, and work together again. I've never had something that's lasted this long. For a TV show to last for that many seasons is unusual, but to enjoy it so much, that's really unusual.

Q: Is it tough when you have guest stars?

A: I would say in all of the time, including the movies, there have been very few who are put off by our humor. I think most people find it very disarming. It's kind of an icebreaker. I think it's hard to relax when you're filming that many hours a day. And you can't hold on to that intensity.

Q: Did you ever try to speak Klingon? Is it a hard language?

A: I have tried to speak it. I've done that cry on the set many times. Michael Dorn and I have a little rif where we speak a little Klingon together. We do a little rif on French speaking too, but I don't think we're going to repeat any of that.

Q: Do you have any good stories about Patrick?

A: You could ask him if he remembers coming onto the stage when I was in his captain's chair, with a couple of boy toys, and my son coming on the bridge. I had set up a practical joke. I had my hair up in curlers. I had pictures of everyone I've ever kissed up on the wall, kind of a cozy little thing.

Q: Thank you for joining us.

A: Thank you, and I hope everyone likes the movie. Thank you for all your support.