“Individually we can get angry. Together we can, and will, make a diference.”
I wrote those words recently, hoping to rally and inspire people to action.
I was talking about the rapid erosion of our free speech and parody rights on the internet, but that phrase applies to any movement, really.
One voice is easily ignored or silenced, but when other people add their voices to yours, you become a chorus not easily ignored.
It turns out that a lot of people got angry that I wouldn’t be attending the 15th anniversary of TNG celebration next month. It turns out that those voices joined together in emails, phone calls, internet postings and FAXes. It turns out that those voices became a chorus not easily ignored.
Thursday afternoon, I had a message on my machine from Adam Malin, president of Creation. He told me that he’d been “flooded” with emails, phone calls and FAXes. He said he’d read the internet postings, and he wanted to talk with me. He told me that he felt terrible, sick, and was very upset that I felt the way that I did. He was apologetic, and hoped I’d call him back so we could speak directly and if nothing else, clear the air.
When I set the phone down in it’s cradle, I was surprised to feel my hands shaking.
I was, quite honestly, stunned. Shocked. A phone call from a lawyer I would have expected. An angry phone call, maybe, given the rage people were expressing on message boards at my own site and elsewhere. But a personal, cordial, apologetic call? I just didn’t think it would happen.
I didn’t have a chance to call him back until yesterday, during my lunch hour at work. See, we’ve been busting our asses at Arena to pull together this HALO National Championship event, and yesterday was the culmination of weeks of 12 hour days, of hundreds if not thousands of individual hours of work.
So lunch comes, and I phoned him.
I apologized for not calling him back right away. I explain to him that we’re working on this special, and it’s maxed out my internal CPU.
Before I can say anything, he apologizes again for not talking to me directly, and letting his underlings deal with me instead.
He tells me that he has never thought of me as “not part of the family.”
I tell him that I have been given the impression from everyone at Creation, even the people with whom I am friends, that there are “levels,” and it (rightly) goes: Captains, Data, everyone else…then there was me.
I tell him that I’ve felt marginalized, and treated like my contributions to Trek weren’t important to him, Creation, the fans, or Paramount.
He apologizes again, tells me again that he doesn’t feel that way. Tells me that he wanted to make it right. He wants to have me at that convention.
I am stricken by how genuine he seems. I am beginning to feel badly for not going over the heads of his employees and speaking directly to him, myself.
I also notice something that is a new feeling to me, as far as Star Trek goes: I’m being treated like an adult. Treated with respect, spoken to fotrhrightly and candidly.
This may seem like an overstatement of the glaringly obvious, but even though I am thirty years old, I still feel like I’m “the kid” where Trek is concerned. Not feeling that way is something new to me, and I’m not sure how to deal with it.
Adam tells me that he has heard great things about my sketch group. He’s heard that they are fabulous, and the fans really love the show we do. He tells me that he wants to hire them for the show, wants me to speak at the show, and he really wants to make it work out.
I tell him that there wasn’t time to get the group together now, and produce a quality show. He is really upset about that. He asks me if I’d be willing to get my group together for Grand Slam 2003.
I notice that we’re having a cordial, comfortable conversation. It’s like we’ve both been stung. Me by the posture taken during the previous negotiation, and him by the vitriolic rebuke from the fans. He seems to genuinely feel badly that my feelings were so hurt, and I get the palpable impression that he wants to make things right.
He asked me again if I’d be willing to do the show for a very reasonable fee, just a little bit below what I was asking for before negotiations broke down last month.
I am immdediately torn.
I think about this thing that someone said in the comments yesterday: “If you turn your back on Trek one more time, I’m buying you a revolving door.”
I think hard about that. It burns inside me.
I dont know what to do.
On the one hand, I want Trek behind me.
On the other hand, it will never be behind me no matter what, because, let’s face it: Trek was and is HUGE. Bigger than me. Bigger than I will ever be in my (stalled and slowing) acting career.
After I’d gotten the first phone call from Adam, I talked it over with Travis (from Arena) who is a very good friend of mine. Knows me very, very well.
Told him I’m having mixed feelings about it. I can think of reasons to do the show, and reasons to not do the show.
He asked me why I didn’t want to do it.
I gave him some reasons, pro and con.
He asked me if I was happy writing.
I told him I was.
He asked me if I liked being on stage.
I told him that I did.
He asked me why I could possibly not want to be onstage in front of people who want to like me, and read my work to the same. He reminded me of the sketch shows we’ve done together at conventions, and how we have always felt great afterwards.
He asks me again why I can’t embrace Star Trek as something wonderful that I was part of, and at the same time continue to move forward as an actor and writer.
I couldn’t answer him.
Pride? Fear?
I don’t fucking know.
The people on the ‘net have rallied around me about this. The fans have raged at Creation, and Creation listened.
But there’s that revolving door. I’m stuck in it, big time.
I think of this email I got where a guy said he felt like I was trying to convince myself that it is okay to be booted from Star Trek things. He’s right.
I think of a comment where a guy criticizes me for being so angst-ridden about Star Trek, accuses me of being full of shit, says he can see right through me.
He has a point too. I meant what I said about being cut from the film. But having the safety bubble burst? Well, I’m still standing in it’s remains, hoping I can find a way to refill it, just in case. Setting Wesley free, embracing a sense of freedom? I meant that, as well.
I feel like I have grown older, and changed. But I feel unfulfilled, unsure, and I know that the last few months of entries here have focused on that. Maybe I’m giving way too much weight to the comment of one random person who didn’t even have the courage to put an email address with the anonymous comment. For all I know I could be biting on the biggest troll ever.
But there is truth to what that anonymous poster said. I’m torn. I am caught in a revolving door, and I don’t know what will happen, and I am filled with angst, and that feeling is burning inside of me, keeping me awake at night, distracting me every minute of every day. It’s burning in me so fiercely, so hot and insistent, that I have lost perspective. I can’t make objective decisions and weigh the pros and cons effectively.
So I seek counsel from some very good friends of mine. Some people who I really trust and respect. I write to them what I’ve written above, with the following pros and cons:
Pros:
- Fans will be ecstatic that Creation listened, that they fought for me and won.
- Fans will be happy to see me in person.
- I’ll earn money for my family and be able to perform what I love to do for an audience who *FINALLY* wants to like me.
Cons:
- That revolving door feeling, and the fear of a massive backlash from…well, I’m not sure who, but backlash nevertheless.
It seems pretty slam-dunk, right? I should do the show and feel great about it. But it’s not that easy for me. I am extremely conflicted, until I get the following responses:
“This could not be easier, but that’s really because I’m not you.
You don’t have a choice, man. When you just had a few little tiny hairs, something in you nailed that part of the “kid that was to be forever hated”(tm).
I honestly believe that you were hated because everyone wanted to be like you and because you were a fucking kid in an adult world and there was a new crowd suddenly attracted–nevermind that we’ve got the black guy with the hairclip on his eyes and a Klingon on the ship…not to mention that fucking hot Martina bitch.
No, you were the biggest oddball, and you didn’t have a clue what was happening to you, no matter how fucking smart you were–and Wil, you’re no dumb guy.
Hell, you know I know that you’re a million times harder on yourself than anyone else could be in a single day.
You’ve managed to take all the asshole things you did when you were younger and attempt to make right on them.
Again, if you’re at all like me, you probably get irate if you catch yourself littering because of the Karma Train that’ll come back to hit you if you cause some old guy somewhere some extra effort to clean up your mess, even if it’s his job.
Damn, man. I know what you’re doing…I do it, too.
So, you think you’d be compromising or something if you went and changed your mind and went back to the show.
I don’t. You’re going to enjoy it. People like you.
You looked in the face of a thousand-million internetters and said, “Hey, I’m a fucking human like you, I’ve been a dick, it’s not right, this is what I did and this is what I think now. Sorry; won’t happen again.”
People like you, man. In fact, you’re probably not even capitalizing off of all the Internet Momentum(tm) you’ve gained in the past year. Shit, Wil, people all over the place NOW LIKE YOU. Let’s face it, you’ve only gotten limited access to those auditions, but how many magazines, newspapers, tv shows, etc. have you been on because you’re a fucking computer geek-boy now?
You want my point-blank, in-your-fucking-face opinion right now?
Too bad, I’m giving it to you anyway.
For starters, go there.
Go there in a big fucking “in your face, but I’m still just lil ol’ Wil” way. Have the fucking time of your life–do it FOR YOU for the fans, not for the fans. These people want to see you–and even if they say something negative, just laugh it off like water on a duck and say, “Cool, but you know, you really don’t know me” and know that you’ve won in that statement alone.
Then, Mr. Man, I think you need to start doing something to have the voices of these hundreds of thousands of souls who, together, are not only fucking bright when they’re not trolling, but who are also strong-minded and very likely to do something about making you an actor.
???
Yeah. You’ve got a fucking posse, man.
Truer words could not be said. Now, what does it fucking take to get all of these people together to say in a single voice, “We Want Wil” and have them get you back on screen?
I don’t have the answer there, but I guarantee you that I’m going to be the first person to try and figure it out…people want to see you. People are rooting for you all over the place and you don’t even know it because you’ve let yourself become accustomed to not being quite so famous.
But, dammit, man, you’re the movie-star guy that’s “just like me…holy shit!” and you’re an underdog. You’re the guy that people want to see get some momentum behind and get to the top–and then remember each and every one of them on the way up and once you get there, because, no one does that. Everyone forgets that one little geek that didn’t have to show up at the con and ask for your autograph…who made it there for you and saved money to go.
If you forget him, he’ll take you down as quickly as he put you up there, and you know that very well, my friend. They taught you that already.
You’re a blessed man. Don’t forget that. I’ll never be on a G4 network or on a game show, and that’s cool, but believe me, I’d want to do it in a heartbeat. You, on the other hand, can do it with your eyes closed–and that’s true. G4 is your stepping stone, in case you hadn’t noticed that just yet.
Let me wrap up with something that Michael Jordan once said: “Every night when I go out on the court, I think about that father and son out there who are seeing me play basketball–and that’s the only reason they’re here. This might just be their only chance. Sometimes, I even wish I could trade places with them because of the great feeling–the great moment this is for them. Every night when I go out on the court, I play my best…for them.”
So, get your black-ass out on the court. Hit the fucking circuits and get busy busy busy, man. No fucking infomercial is going to be your death, so get that fucking preconceived notion out of your head and put the rubber to the road.
Dunno; maybe you’ll be pissed at some of this, but the truth is, I don’t care about that. I care about the fact that you SEEM to be letting some of your potential wash-away from you, and you’re too good for that.
Look, I don’t know all that goes on, so that obviously makes me very uninformed, but if this is my opinion of you, then imagine what other people must feel if they’re your fans? You’ve become an icon all over again, believe it or not.”
Another friend said:
“I just talked to [his wife, who is very wise] about it, who had this to say:
First off, she thinks you should do it (for reasons I’ll get into in a second).
But the big thing (again, still her talking) is that you should do this for you.
Whatever you decide, right now, it’s gotta be for you, and not because X amount of people will judge you for doing it or not doing it.
If you feel it’s right for you, and will benefit your family, and your writing, and gain some recognition for you, AND you’ll get to see some old Trek buddies again, and that’s what you want, then you gotta do that thing.
But don’t do it if you now feel pressured by the fans to do it.
And don’t NOT do it because you’re afraid of what the fans will think.
Whatever you do, do it because you, you personally need to.
Okay, here’s where I start talking.
To put this in some perspective, I remember a time when Shatner wouldn’t do the con thing. There was a period between the cancellation of the series and the first movie where he wouldn’t even mention Star Trek in interviews (which was actually kind of surreal).
That said, he came back, did the movies and lives very well off of them and off of the additional fame from a new audience not as familiar with the series.
Because I think there comes a point where you have to acknowledge that This Thing You Did Back When is a part of you that’s always going to be there. It’s like Sue Olson (the actress who played Cindy Brady) once said–you have to accept that people will always think of you as that character, because only then can you really move on.
Once you accept that, the audience accepts you…and paradoxically, on your own terms.
See, this whole “Turn Your Back On Trek” thing, if you let thatget to you…how do I put this?
If you don’t do it because you have to Turn Your Back On Trek, well, then you’re not really turning your back on Trek–you’re still letting the Trek thing dictate what you do.
And, while we’re putting our cards on the table, here, I think that you shouldn’t look at not turning your back on Trek and finding your own voice as being mutually exclusive. As a former convention-goer, the Trek (or otherwise) speakers who I thought were the coolest were the ones who accepted that Trek was the reason they were there and why we were there, as opposed to the guys who seemed weirded out or perplexed that anyone gave a shit.
Not that you’d be that way–I’m talking about an initial attitude going in, not the handling of the experience from that point on.
As far as you feeling that you’re renegging on what you said in your post…and here’s some perspective:
The situation is different now.
It’s not that they called you, snubbed you, and you’re going back anyway to eat shit for the peanuts.
It’s that they contacted you, snubbed you initially, then realized they misjudged your appeal (and ability to bring in a LOT of new people) and finally were willing to meet you on terms you could accept.
I’m not gonna lie and say that some people won’t be assholes and call sour grapes on you for “singing a different tune.”
Expect it. I know you are.
You’ve been down this path before. We all know you have.
I mean, it’s great publicity for the website, and for Arena, and for you. You will have an ability to connect with the fans again–but this time it’ll be a little different, because you’re probably going to see more people you know you from the site–and Malin knows that.”
Mixed in with all of this, I got an email from a really nice woman who organized fans to share their outrage about this. Creation reverses themselves … PLEASE do go, otherwise IMO Creation will win, as they can say you turned THEM down after they met your (original) terms or soemthing like that. Then promote the hell out of the convention on your website. Perhaps if Creation and the others see how powerful you and your website is, they just MIGHT sit up and take notice, and I’m not just talking about conventions here, but perhaps it might help you in other ways (as yet unseen) as well.
I’m calling for a campaign here to do right by you … ’cause I think it stinks. NO one messes with the Wil Wheaton, or they’ll find that they have the ‘Possee’ as you call us, to contend with, and I suspect we are a much MORE powerful together, than Creation realizes.
I’m doing this for you, cause I think you are a neat guy … but also mostly because, remember, I’ve been a Trekkie longer than you’ve been around (before you were born), and this is now really got me STEAMED how on their High Horse that Creation has gotten of late.”
So. I think long and hard about these things, and still I feel heavily conflicted.
I revisit those pros and cons, and think to myself:
I’d love to have a chance to read some of my stuff for an audience who would really “get” it.
I’d love to go in front of fans who, for the first time EVER **LIKE** me.
But that revolving door is spinning, and I don’t know how I can face the people who said “Good for you! Leave Star Trek behind you forver!”
Well, right now, the absolute truth is, as my friend said:
“Because I think there comes a point where you have to acknowledge that This Thing You Did Back When is a part of you that’s always going to be there. It’s like Sue Olson (the actress who played Cindy Brady) once said–you have to accept that people will always think of you as that character, because only then can you really move on. “
That’s the freedom I was referring to in the last part of The Wesley Dialogues.
“If you don’t do it because you have to Turn Your Back On Trek, well, then you’re not really turning your back on Trek–you’re still letting the Trek thing dictate what you do… you shouldn’t look at not turning your back on Trek and finding your own voice as being mutually exclusive.”
Well, I’m going to wrestle with that last one for awhile, I think, and WWDN readers can expect more angst in the months to come. Sorry, it’s just part of the process. There are hundreds of great weblogs to read, and lots of pretty trees to look at outside if you’d rather not read that stuff here.
Well, this is 9 pages now, so I think it’s time to get back to the point:
Adam and I talk.
It is a good, long, honest, respectful talk.
We clear the air.
He tells me that his profit margin on the Vegas show was not several million dollars. He tells me that it was very, very slim, relative to his investment, which was nearly half a million dollars.
He tells me that he didn’t want me at the Grand Slam on stage because he wanted to hold off until the 15th show. He thought it would be cooler if he waited to have me come on then.
He tells me that he had no idea about my website, or about how the fans felt about me now.
He asks me if I’d reconsider.
I reconsider. I replay all those emails in my head, I balance the pros and cons, and I say to him,
“Adam. I am really conflicted about this. I feel like each time I do a Star Trek event, it’s…well, it’s not necessarily a step backwards, but it certainly isn’t a step forwards, but I feel like I should listen to the voice of the fans. We should all listen to the voice of the fans, because that voice has been increasingly silenced over the last decade.
I love to perform, and I would like to give something back to the fans. I would love to attend the event, and be part of the celebration, but I’d also like to share some of my writing with the fans. Would you be able to put me in an evening spot, so I can read somet things that I’ve written?”
“Is it funny?” He asks me.
“It’s funny, it’s sad, it’s bittersweet…it’s really a reflection of the person I am, and people seem to respond to it.”
“Can I book your comedy group for Grand Slam in 2003?”
“Yes. I’d love to bring my guys out. We love to perform.”
We talk about fees, and we agree on a very fair fee, which is right on par with the rest of the actors.
I will do a question and answer session at the convention, and I will bring selections of my writing, and read them for the audience during and evening program.
I ask him for one more thing. I tell him that I have more in common with the fans now than I do with the actors, and I keep hearing how the fans are getting the in-person-autograph shaft these days.
I want him to put my autograph table in an area where I can sit for a few hours, so all the fans can get their stuff signed, so I can talk with people who are so inclined.
He tells me that he’d really like that. Many actors just won’t do that, and he thinks it would be great.
I feel very good about this conversation, and I feel very excited to be part of this celebration.
Resolution? It’s a long ways off. That’s why they call it “angst.”
But there is something wonderful buried in all of this:
I doubt I would have gotten this phone call if there hadn’t been such a loud and immediate response from the fans.
You spoke up on my, and your, behalf, and your voice was heard.
Think about that for a moment.
Your voice was heard. You made a difference. Creation is the 800 pound gorilla of conventions. They don’t have to listen to anyone.
But they listened to you. They listened to us.
That, my friends, is huge, and everyone who is reading this gets to own part of that.
I strongly suggest that you take a moment, and phone, write, FAX, or email Adam or Gary or whomever at Creation, and thank them for hearing your voices.
And if you come to the 15th show, please, please, please seek me out and introduce yourself. I’d like to know you.
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Bravo, Wil… there’s nothing more than needs to be sad. 🙂
er… said. Figures I finally post a comment and there’s a typo. 😉
Way to go Wil! I was one of the people that called Creation on Thursday, and they were really surprised at the response they got from the fans. I look forward to your appearance!
Dee
The possessive “its” is spelled without an apostrophe, Wil. As in, “the phone back in ITS cradle,” not “it’s cradle.” And “I’m still standing in ITS remains,” not “it’s remains.” “It’s” is short for “it is,” and you wouldn’t say “the phone back in it is cradle,” now would you?
I do think you’re a tremendous memoirist, Wil. Keep it up. Why not write a book? I’m sure it would be very marketable.
And congratulations on finally getting the repsect you deserve, BTW.
See ya at the convention! 🙂
Dude, you people rock. I’m glad that there has been a happy medium made where Wil can connect with the fans, be part of the Trek family, and keep moving forward.
Where there’s a Wil there’s a way. 😉
Wil — I’m so happy that you’ll get to perform at the 15th convention. As to the revolving door — just remember, they are as easy to go forwards through, as they are to go back through.
I wish I could go to the con…being on the other side of the country and broke sort of hinders that though. :-/
Good luck!
I think it’s brill that you will be at the con. Also it’s great that Creation has heard the fan’s voices.
Hope you have a good time there Wil and hope to see you soon.
Wil,
Isn’t it incredible what people will do for one another these days. I personally think that it is great that Creation asked you to come back and do the show, after all you ARE part of the family. Do not worry about some people on this website think about you doing the show, they were dissing you in the first place. Star Trek TNG will always be a part of you and you a part of it. It is something you can never totally walk away from. Good luck to you in all you do.
Until your next post……
Matt……
Yay! I’m really happy for you. It just figures though that it has to be the weekend my cousin is getting married. 😛
Now I see that you like to write long:)! Sorry, but I do not read this yet. I just saw that how long is this. I will write more after read!:)
Way to go Wil! I’ll definately send in a thank you to Creation. Do you have a link?
I’ll still be in Germany for the 15th celebration, but look forward to seeing/meeting you at Grand Slam 2003.
Best on and on!
Brock
Wil, you have choices that some of us wish we had to make. You got it good my brother. A loving family and fans that care.
Congratulations and I hope that you got everything
in writing… 😉
This is a Good Thing.
I am so impressed with the way you have handled things.
Have LOTS of fun at the convention!
Where does creation take place? And when does it start?
Wil, I never comment here, but I’m a faithful reader, and I just wanted to say I’ve appreciated your writing about wrestling with your career very much – it struck a chord with me, and made me appreciate how priorites change over time – I hope you enjoy the convention even more than you think you will, and have great stories to tell your family when it’s over.
I wanna go now…
Hey, that’s good news Wheaton. Now just get your ass over to the UK and do a convention. 🙂
Finally, one for the good guys!
Will,
Glad to hear that our voices can be heard and make a difference. I, unfortunately, cannot go to this wonderful event being recently unemployed and on the wrong coast. Will you be making those wonderful signed photos available to us poor unfortunates via WWDN? I, for one, would gladly buy one (I can use the money I won’t be spending taking my family to the new TNG movie since you aren’t going to be in it.)
And by the way, go to the convention and enjoy yourself.
Dodge
You should write one of those big three-volume novels, Wil.
Oh, you just did 😉
Well, maybe you’ve done your little bit towards making them not complete jerks any more. I won’t be dropping in to see you as I’m the other side of the world, but I’m glad to know I was here at an Important Time.
Most important, have fun there!
Wil-
How I wish the con was in NJ! 🙂 I really hope one day soon you make it to a con out here, because I would so love to meet you. You seem like a really groovy person, and I enjoy reading what you write. Just thought I’d let you know. Let us know how it goes…
Love, Alicia
http://www.thewagband.com
Congrats Wil, I’d love to get to the convention but it’s a wee bit too far from here. But hey if ya ever get around to Toronto or Montreal I may come see ya. Fear the people, for we are the true rulers… muwahhahaha hahaha ha ha ahh. Ahem.. Have a good weekend 🙂
Dude, that big e-mail made me all misty.
I wish I was going to that con now.
So, finally Wil gets some respect and recognition. Its been a long time coming, and you deserve it.
This is pure opportunity — don’t let it slide because you’re afraid what some people may (or may not) say.
As far as Creation goes, remember this — They need YOU. You don’t need THEM. You’ve proven that already.
As far as the fans go, they need YOU, and as we have now learned, you also need THEM.
Go see them, Wil. Congrats.
Good to hear, very good to hear.
On a side note, I’d like to thank the boys and girls at WinAmp, as their random shuffle just brought up Tool’s track, Schism.
Back to the main thingy.
I’d have to say that making this website was quite possibly one of the best moves Uncle Willy has ever made.
I can’t think of anything else to say. Rock on, dude.
Wil –
I’m really pleased for you. Your friends got it right when they pointed out what your posse can do.
Your writing has been so good as you’ve worked through all these issues. Shall we get the posse to work on the literary contract?
I’m looking forward to the day you make it to a con here in NYC.
Dana
PS – Plus now you can relax and enjoy the Dodgers’ race for the playoffs (as we watch the Mets continue to lose…).
Hi Wil,
I’d just like to say that I’m happy that things have worked out for you re Creation and being part the 15th show. Congratulations on having so many people believe in you–sometimes you need other people to believe in you if you can’t believe in yourself or if you have doubts about certain things.
Now… if only you’d come to the UK… I’m at best, a part-time Star Trek fan but I’ve seen some of your work on ST:TNG and read this blog and would love to meet you… someday =)
Hi Wil! I think you made the right decision.
I went to the 2001 Slanted Fedora Las Vegas con. What were the main memories that I brought back?
#1 – Wil rawks and he is so funny! I loved the skits. (btw I picked you over Brent Spiner!! which I never thought I’d do.)
#2 – I had a conversation with Michael Dorn in the autograph line, and he waved at me from the stage when he and Marina did their evening show.
#3 – Brent Spiner pointed at me in the audience. He actually pointed at ME! *swoon*
#4 – The freakish nature that one of the fans looked like Patrick Stewart (and he was on my flight home too)
#5 – I had my picture taken with Jimmy Doohan and George Takei
By far the one I talked about the most when I came home was you and your comedy troupe.
As I have mentioned many times before (and I know you’re probably sick of hearing about it) is that I’m involved in an international Fringe Theatre festival each year. I found your show very reminiscent of those shows, and it felt like home.
Wil, I’m glad you made the decision to go to the con. I don’t want anyone else to miss out on the gifts that you have and I don’t want anyone to go home from a con without thinking how cool you were.
Wil — Wes is and will always be part of you no matter what. Just think of all that “I am not Spock” stuff that Leonard Nimoy went through. He finally gave up and took Spock as a permanant part of his identity, whether he liked it or not. Embrace Wes (though try not to touch his butt), you can still be Wil 99% of the time and be Wes when you have to be.
Glad they’re now treating you like an adult rather than the 15-year-old kid they still think you are.
Enjoy the con. That’s what it’s there for.
Hey Wil,
Glad to hear that you’re going to be at the 15th. Too bad it’s on the wrong side of both the country AND the border for me to attend :(. I’m living in Nova Scotia, Canada and seeing as how i just graduated University, i can’t very well afford to go to the convention. It’d be great if you could get tapes of your speech at the convention and sell them and your autographed pictures thru WWDN. I’d be up for paying for them. Hell, maybe some of the rest of the group would be willing to do that, have a camera set up to tape their speeches. Hopefully Creation wouldn’t have a problem with it. If you know of any conventions you’re going to be at that are either in Canada, or in the mid to east side of the US, i’d love to hear about them. I’ll be moving to central Canada soon and could make the drive down to mid-us states.
Well, i think i’ve taken up enough room here and spoken my piece.
Glad to see you’re finally sorting all that out. I think it’s important to be able to move on while still accepting your past, not running away from it (no offense). Besides, if you hadn’t agreed, those fans would have done all that for nothing, it would have discouraged some of them and they wouldn’t try again. It’s great to see that we do have some power and we WILL excercise it. And no, sorry, I wasn’t one of the ones involved. Maybe next time.
Wil,
I think you made the right decision. I understand you wanting to avoid the revolving door, but as your post said, there is no way to escape Trek. So if you don’t attempt to enter the revolving door, there is no problem. Star Trek has brought you a lot of noteriety, it has brought you many of the fans of this website, and I don’t see it hurting you in the future much longer. When I first started reading this website, I didn’t really see you in a lot of things. Now, I hear you on the radio, see you on shows like the Weakest Link and Screensavers, and are getting some decent auditions (in addition to you know, your job). Being able to interact with you as you make steps in your career and with your family is why I stop by here on a daily basis. I watched you in Star Trek as a kid and I am positive that Wesley is in some way partly responsible for the fact that I’ll be getting my computer science degree next year. There’s a lot of people out there that would like the opportunity to see you at the conventions. So don’t worry about the revolving door, please the fans, feed the kids, and perform. Oh, and go take your dog for a walk again to get some perspective. You shouldn’t let this bother you so much! Have a good one.
I don’t really know what to say about all this angst. Maybe just this:
Trek does not define you, Wil. Sure, it was a huge thing in your life, but it’s not the first thing I think of when I think of Wil Wheaton ™. Granted, I’m not a Trekkie, but I have watched the shows. 🙂
When I think of Wil Wheaton ™, I think first of this website and the cool geek guy that I learned existed when I started visiting here. He seems like a fun guy to hang out with… he gets all the same pop culture references I do, he’s politically aware, he likes cool music and movies, he’s sweet on his wife and family, and he writes in a self-referential way that makes me more aware of my own self.
Second thing I think of when thinking of Wil Wheaton ™ is Stand By Me. He nailed a great role in a classic movie that I’ll always enjoy, and he did it when he was only 12. It’s an amazing accomplishment.
Trek stuff usually comes in third. It’s there, but it’s an add-on when I thnk of Wil Wheaton ™.
So when you write about all this angst you have about Trek, and read about all this angst the fans have about your character, I’m always on the sidelines. I appreciate how big a thing it is for you to work through, but then I just wait until the current crisis is resolved and you go back to your regular life.
I REALLY don’t know what I’m trying to say here. 🙂 Anyhow, my conclusion at the end of reading this whole recent Creation hubbub is for the first time ever, I’d honestly consider going to one of these Trek conventions. I’d like to show up there just to take advantage of the chance of meeting you in person, Wil, and thank you for this website and your writing and all the things that make Wil Wheaton ™ a fun guy to hang out with.
And while I’m there, I’d maybe take the opportunity to (figuratively) cuff you over the head and tell you to stop worrying so much about this Trek angst. You’re a cool guy; Trek was a big part of your life; it still offers you a lot of great opportunities for employment, giving back to the fans, and exposure — but it is not the end all be all of your existence. Let it go and don’t give it more importance in your life than it is worth.
Man, this may sound corny, but I am happy for you. And kudos to all you fans out there. For me, this ranks up there with the letter campaign for the the old series.
Wil, I hope you get a lot of exposure there. I wish I could go and meet you. I’ve wanted to for about a year, but I haven’t had the chance. But hey, if you do a convention up here in Vancouver, let us Canadians know. I’d love to get out.
Best of luck.
Hey, it’s good to hear that an arrangement could be worked out that was appealing to everyone involved. It’s just too bad the convention’s out there and I’m way over here. (;
The issue is still clouded.
when i said i could see through you, what i meant was, it was obvious that you hadnt let go of star trek, but you wanted everyone to think you did.
now its important that you do this convention for yourself and for those who supported you.
star trek is part of who you are, stand by me is part of who you are, this is unavoidable.
when you said you didnt want to do the convention it sounded like something a little kid might say.
“i dont care if you dont invite me to your stupid dumb party anyway, i didnt want to go anyway” then you went around talking about how much you didnt care,
when if you really didnt care.
you wouldnt have said anything.
think of your past work in tv and cinema as something like a bad ex girlfreind from high school.
an ex girlfreind you never want to see again.
now one day you get invited to a really kick ass party that you were looking forward to.
“save ferris” is playing and wil shaatner will be there dancing it up
and you find out your ex is gonna be there (that bitch, she cheated on you and she told lies about you behind your back,)
are you gonna avoid this ass kicking party cause of something that happened when you were 17??
you cannot avoid your past, but that doesnt mean you have to live in it.
be a writer
spend your life performing with your comedy troupe.
whatever.
just understand that doing a convention every now and then isnt living in the past.
it just accepting it.
Wil,
Way to wear the pants. Despite Adam Malin’s conciliatory tone and wanting to “clear the air” or whatever, remember that he is a dollar-diven slimy ass kissing eel (no offense to any real eels out there) who only caved to pressure from irate fans and the dollars they represent, and the impact on his communication resources by your posse’s Fax Attack, and the dollars that represents.
I’m glad for you and the fans that you will be appearing. If Creation Fs things up like we heard about in the blog comments, please, please tell them to take a freakin leap.
Don’t let the nice-guy routine fool ya. You been burned before. These slicks are pros.
Good eye, batter.
Later.
Hi Wil,
Don’t worry about a “revolving door”. I have read your site for a couple of months, and I think you have shown you can put Trek in perspective. It’s a part of you, but not the defining part. It seems to me that your Trek-part has both good and bad sides. You have identified the bad sides and seem to handle them pretty well. Now enjoy the good sides to the best of your ability. I don’t think there is any danger they’ll overwhelm you. And if they do… well, there are always your readers who can call you to order 🙂
Hmm, lots of us monkeys should be getting their 3.14 pie about now. Or cash equivalent.
Thanks, Unca Willie.
800 pound gorilla, meet the WWDN posse!
All I have to say is ROCK ON!!!! I am going to try reeeeeeeeeally hard to get to this Creation thing, even though it’ll probably cost like, half of my grad school tuition. We’re behind you, Wil! 🙂
Wheaton,
Who else ever gets called back to a place of work when they refuse a job? You stuck to your guns, looked after the troupe’s needs.
I have no idea how much the faxes etc. had to do with the your re-inclusion. Fans want to see you. They’ll get to see you and ask all the questions you’ve answered before. Each one will come away with their own perspective of you.
But you know who you are.
Wil,
We spoke and they listened. So cool. I’m glad you’re doing the convention.
I think you’re afraid, very simply, of the backlash of anyone who thinks you’ve compromised your values. Don’t be…changing your mind is part of being human. Your values haven’t changed.
Plus, we get to see you!!
Everyone wins. 🙂
*wil*
I think it’s great that you have decided to go! Any hesitations you may experience remember this one thing : your fans will be estatic!
Can you post info regarding the convention? If my schedule permits I would love to go!
*songme*
Wil,
I wrote a reply to your previous post, but somehow it failed to post then disappeared. Didn’t redo it. I would have been about the third dissenter of more than 250, but I’ll just repeat a few things and add a few.
I’m glad things turned out as they have because I don’t think you can or should leave Wesley behind. You’ve had two roles which many fans remember. I understand how the fact that many disliked Wesley could have been a negative for you, starting in your mid-teens and following you ever since. Of course, when Trek fans meet you, they’re thinking Wesley. It can’t be any other way at a Star Trek con. But, the ones who can’t separate their opinion of Wesley from you are having a problem separating real life from fiction. That problem is 100% them and 0% you. As you’ve said, you weren’t writing the scripts. I’d say, just enjoy the cons, be diplomatic with the reality challenged, and earn the extra money as long as you have the time and need for it
But, you’ll never leave Wesley entirely behind, and you’ll never leave Gordy either. Like some minorty of those who remember you, I remember Gordy very vividly and Wesley not much at all. But, I did watch TNG a few times because the actor whose performace I’d enjoyed so much in Stand by Me was in it. Still, I never got hooked and stopped watching after a few episodes. You’ll sure never see me a Trek convention.
You’ll had several posts about leaving Star Trek behind: Wesley dying on the streets of Brooklyn, being cut from the new movie, your love/hate with the cons and Star Trek in general. But, he was only 15-19 years old. Might as well let him be an old friend and residual income, because he’s not going away unless you go live in a cave. -I’d wondered if the “not part of the family” remark had been from a key person or some underling. Maybe that won’t be a negative that goes forward since it was from an underling.
At present you have going: the G4 job, Acme, conventions, auditions (?), and the infomercial that I recall, and the writing you plan to pursue more seriously. I like the Frost poem, too, but instead of roads less traveled, it sounds like you’d be better off on a multi-lane highway, changing lanes whenever necessary until you get where you want to be. Of course, you have to feel any deal is fair, but, I don’t see why you’d leave anything behind until the things most important began to take up most of you time.
But, I doubt Wesley ever did anything to deserve all this yanking around and killing off. Look, he’s even providing great subject matter for you to practice your writing. Sounds like he should be kept around.
For what it might be worth,
William
I’m just one more voice in a sea of approval here, but, dammit Wil, I think you’re right to accept. I know yesterday I said to not give in unless they promised to cure cancer in our lifetime or something, but now that you’ve had a chance to clear the air, this could be something of a healing process for you.
There’s a lot of choices I’ve made in life that make me wish for a “do-over.” Everything from leaving the theatre in college, to walking away from a radio career after that, to not holding on to my old Star Wars toys from the ’70s (I had both the Death Star *and* the Landspeeder, dude). I have plenty to be thankful about, especially a wonderful wife and daughter, but there will always be some regrets. No doubt you have some too, so why add to it? This is your chance to come to terms with things. You can embrace Trek (you should be proud of being part of a once great franchise) and still move on.
Your posse’s here for you, man. You’re one of us. The Few, The Proud, The Geeky. You just might end up being the biggest draw of this con, and who knows where things will lead from there? Someone, somewhere, is going to figure out how many fans you have and give you the part of your lifetime. Maybe it’ll my wife if she ever writes that screenplay she’s got in her head (tell her to get it on paper, wouldya?), I don’t know. I just know you’re a lot closer to finding your niche than you realize. Don’t stop now.
I’d love to come out and meet you at the con, but our kid is too young and putting her in day care is leaving us broke. If you get to the midwest again (I’m serious about that WWDN gathering at Wrigley Field I suggested to you) I’ll be sure to say “Hi.” Break a leg…
P.S.
Recently I’ve been troubled with new information regarding the living conditions in North Korea. My paternal grandparents were from there so this affects me a great deal. The past few days I have been trying to think of ways that I can help. I was uncertain how someone like me could make a difference. Seeing how your fans were able to make a difference brings me encouragment. Perhaps I can help after all.
Thanks,
*songme*
I’m glad you accepted! And my attitude toward Creation has improved considerably after reading your comments. I can’t afford to go to this con, but I’ll be thinking about all the fun everyone is having that weekend. And, lastly, you *are* part of the Trek family, and always will be.
Good for you, Wil!
Creation (spit) has screwed the fans for years and years and although I doubt it, maybe this will show them that the fans can rise up and they should pay attention —- but I doubt it.
Glad you got a fair price out of them and glad they are giving you some respect.