Sadtimes

One of my old spacesuits is being auctioned off on eBay. I’m not sure why, but it makes me feel a little sad.
I’m sitting here, about to write a little entry about it, when my phone rings. It’s a friend of mine, asking me if I’m going to the Star Trek X screening.
“Yeah, on Wednesday,” I tell him.
“No, it’s tonight,” he tells me.
“Tonight? At Paramount?”
“No, it’s in Westwood, tonight,” he tells me, “I just talked with Marina about it.”
Oh no.
That feeling I have gotten so many times before, when I was the only cast member not asked up on stage at the 25th anniversary party, when I was the only cast member not recognized at the screening of “All Good Things…” begins to well up. I feel a little sick.
He wouldn’t do this to me, right? Not now, not after the conversations we had when I was working on the movie, not since the phone call informing me of the cut. This must be a mistake. Past is the past, right? We’re cool now. There is no way he’d exclude me from this.
But he did.
He did it to me again.
I want to cry.
I tell my friend that I have to go, and hang up the phone.
I sit there alone and cold in the kitchen. I can hear Ryan watching Sabrina The Teenage Witch in the living room.
I can’t believe this is happening to me. When Rick told me that my scenes were cut, he assured me that I’d still be invited to the premiere, and that he’d see me there. I was excited to see all my friends again, and share in those moments with them. Be a part of what will really be the final mission.
It turns out that the screening I was invited to will be at Paramount on Wednesday, and pretty much anyone who works at Paramount can attend. It’s not the premiere, and none of the cast are going. There’s really nothing special about it.
I seriously, desperately hope that this was just an oversight. I desperately hope that this is totally out of Rick’s hands, and that he’ll tell me that he’s sorry if it ever comes up. I desperately hope this isn’t personal. I want so badly to believe that it isn’t. It sucks to be overlooked, but it sucks less than if I’d been intentionally not invited.
It sure fits a pattern though, huh?
I just — I don’t know what to do. I don’t even know how to feel anymore.
But I’ll go with hurt for now.
Really, really fucking hurt.

533 thoughts on “Sadtimes”

  1. On a lighter note, when will Berman figure out dissing Wil is PR suicide =). A lot of geeks look up to you Wil, and guess how many of em are Trek fans? heh. Good bye Berman, I will not miss you. Keep us updated Wil, Even when he sues your site for libel/slander.
    -tiz

  2. What to bounce back Wil!! Fuck those guys!! Especially Berman!!. I would hope the other cast members are gonna rake him for being an asshole……..probably not………Fuck’em anyways.

  3. hahaha…
    take a good look at http://www.aintitcool.com
    Good ol Harry has taken a look at the movie, and MAN!, did he ever roast it….
    it’s a pretty mean review…he showed NO mercy
    and while i’ll go as far as saying that i disagree with his comments about the cast, i will totally agree with the fact that this movie is probably a stinker..

  5. What an ASS!!!!!! I can’t believe that he would do that. I’m so sorry. You don’t need this shit. I say, SCREW THEM! Seriously, you don’t need them. Look at all the fans who agree that you can make it with out all that shit. Best wishes.

  6. I got something similar this thanksgiving. An old friend of mine recently popped up on the radar. She wanted to get in touch with everyone we used to know, the old gang from before we went off to seperate colleges and seperate lives so I hunted down their contact info for her and away she went to get in touch with everyone. Apparently she created an email group with all of us on it. Apparently the rest of the group decided to get together over Thanksgiving weekend to catch up. Apparently her plans suddenly changed and she’d already deleted the invite email so she just sent it to the group she had created. Including me, the one who hadn’t been invited.
    She felt terrible for having not realized that I wasn’t invited, for inadverdently having been the one to tell me all about the party I wasn’t invited to.
    And I felt invisable, slighted, insulted, unloved, angry and hurt. Kind of, I imagine, like you feel. So I told myself that I already had other plans, that I wouldn’t have been able to make it anyways and other crap that was neither true nor making me feel better.
    I’m not going to imagine I know how you’re feeling or that any platitudes telling you how much your adoring fans love you (and they seem to as at least once a month one of my friends tells me I -have- to read something you posted) will make you feel better. Because you know that you have new people in your life now and you know they think you’re cool and interesting and funny and all those other traits you look for in a friend. But losing the old group always hurts, even when you lost them a long time ago. Any time it’s driven home that you don’t belong somewhere it’s gonna kill your soul.
    But from what little I know about you, you seem like a warm and wonderful person with a very resiliant soul. And if you can honestly look yourself in the mirror every morning and know that you’re a better person now, happier and more fullfilled, then the rest doesn’t matter. You might even feel better.

  7. The only thing sicker than you being left out is the assholes that come here and post a message pretending to be R. Berman. Grow Up People!

  8. I’ve created a page/web clique/fanlisting/something or other for disgruntled Trekkies. It can be found at http://malakim.net/trek. Your treatment, Wil, was one of the reasons why it was created. I’m glad to hear that things did work out for you, in a way, and especially glad you’ll get to see the movie out with real fans rather than industry slaves. Good for you! 🙂

  10. I didn’t like Berman before I started reading your site and I sure as hell don’t like him any better now. Bastard.
    Keep in mind, though, this: From what you’ve said here, the cast still cares for you. They still enjoy your company. I know it doesn’t help much, but I’m sure they’ll be thinking of you.

  11. well, add me to the list of people who think that this treatment you’ve received really sucks ass…i loved ya as Wesley, and this will definitely be one Star Trek movie i *don’t* see…keep your chin up, big guy!
    Lil

  12. Personally I would have lost it, mind you I’ve never dealt well with 2 faced people. you know you your friends are, and you should remember that when you deal with reptiles like him, he’ll only ever have yes people and people he uses, not friends.

  14. It’s been said before, but bears repeating.
    Berman is a hack who merely sucked his way onto Paramount’s teat… Star Trek.
    It was never HIS concept and the stuff that was “his” sucked horribly.
    Anyway Wil keep at it, enjoy the good and blow off the bad…. MOJO to you.
    ***THE BEEJ***
    PS: Star Trek Trivia: Guess what they named the Accounting Department building on the Paramount lot? YES!!! That’s right, it’s the Gene R. Roddenberry Building. He made them enough money IMHO so he deserved the building I reckon!

  17. I’m sorry Wil…people suck. There’s NO reason you shouldn’t have been invited to the “real” premiere. I can’t believe how crappy/hardcore Hollywood is.
    Fortunately, you do have a loving family who along with all of us will continue to support you in everything you do. Go Wil go!

  18. Hi Wil,
    This really sucks! Keep your chin up dude. Success is the best revenge. One
    day they will beg you to do something with them
    and you will be just, oh, too busy!
    My brother is in the industry (struggling), and
    so I know how these disappointments come with
    the territory.
    I am the one who emailed you about the QGM and
    the epsom salt stuff for your back — hope you are feeling better.

  21. Wil Wheaton is a baby.
    I like the man, but in all honesty, he just set himself up for disaster, and now he’s upset about it. I’m sure there’s some insider-saying that sounds better than this but, if you work in hollywood, your resume includes your former boss Satan.
    Producers and the like are nice people, but when it comes down to it, all they want IS MONEY! THEY COULD CARE LESS ABOUT YOU!
    Berman is probably a cajillionaire, and rightfully so really… The land of TV/Motion Pictures is so bereft of originality, it thrives on acting as a xerox copying machine, stealing old ideas and trying to make them float… In the world of Hollywood, the people who have kept Star Trek alive for so long, Berman, Bragga, Okuda, Sternbach, etc. are a success, not only because bright people like Wheaton led them there, but because they were cut throat enough to stab the other guy before they got stabbed.
    Live and learn. Some ways, I’m glad Wil is being a girl and being “Sad,” but the other way, I’m upset that he’s not a man, and furious enough to make a change. I suppose he’ll go on Wednesday, but that night he’ll come home to cry in his pillow again.
    Bleh.
    Don’t worry though, everybody still likes you.
    -Matt

  22. “Yah… Rick Fucking Berman. The man who keeps
    gays out of Star Trek.”
    I had to post that again from the top of this
    list, cuz that shit cracked me up!!
    Feel better Wil! We’ll see you in the next
    movie — Capt. Crusher VS The Universe

  23. That’s a bummer Wil . . . . Something similar has happened to me too. Rick “I’m-so-fucking-cool-because-I-fucked-Jeri-Ryan” Berman is a guy that you can’t let get you down.
    If I had the cash, I’d buy your outfit on eBay and send it to you. 🙂

  24. Hey Wil, even my pacifist roommate says she’ll kick his ass for you!
    4 words: Robert Zemeckis, Tom Hanks.
    Rick who?

  25. So the man who ruined one of the most popular franchises ever didn’t invite you. Meh. The new one is worst than Star Trek 5 anyway. And this time budget wasn’t the problem or Shatner not having any direction.

  26. Wil, I know you don’t remember me, but I met you at DefCon1 in San Diego back in 1988. I was working security at the convention. You struck me as someone who really knew what he was about.
    Berman, on the other hand, doesn’t know what he’s about other than living off someone else’s legacy. He’s a hack and that’s all he’ll ever be. Voyager and Enterprise have proven that much, although they work quite well as comedy. And I think he knows he’s a hack but just isn’t willing to admit it.
    You keep going, whatever you do. If people in the league of Tom Hanks and Robert Zemeckis are looking for you, you don’t need a second-rater like Rick Berman. Anything else you do the night of the premiere would be better than demeaning yourself by crashing it. He obviously wants you to wallow in self-pity. Don’t give him that satisfaction. 370+ people appear to be right behind you on this one.

  27. OK, so I’m like post #372. I miss one day… But I just wanted to say how sorry I am about you not getting to go to the premiere. All these ups and downs, I don’t know how you stand it. Oh, wait, I do. You have a loving wife, 2 great step-sons, a dog who cares, a wonderful family, steadfast friends who help you put in a new lawn, and a bunch of us monkeys who appreciate you.
    I won’t waste the energy in thinking negative thoughts. Instead, I’m sending you some good vibes. {{{~~~}}}
    And I went back and re-read “Sodding the Sod” and “We Close Our Eyes”. Those are the times that matter.

  28. Wil,
    I’ve been out for a couple of days and just heard. I am so very sorry!!! Please focus on positive things – family, your book, and the legions of fans that love you and look forward to your entries. Personally – they are a highlight in my day and I miss you when I don’t get to read them. Piss on Rick Berman. Life has a way of paying bastards like him back for all of the shit they dump on other people. All we can do is pray that we are there to see it happen.
    Why don’t you start selling a Fuck Rick Berman shirt. Who knows – you may even be able to get a batch out for Christmas. 🙂
    We love you Wil. Push through this and keep going.
    Much Love,
    Brock

  29. you know what…
    you should just make your own damn star trek movie.
    sock puppets and everything.
    show it at a theater. give the money to the will rogers institute or whatever charity.
    invite the cast.
    invite some fans.
    hell.. invite whoever.
    but leave out rick’s.
    whatta fake guy.

  32. Wil – You are way too genuine and cool for these bozos. I’m so sorry that they took advantage of your open and honest nature.
    That being said….screw ’em!
    Feel better, friend.
    Julie

  34. Wil,
    Let me make a few points… I do understand why perhaps your character didn’t get top billing at various anniversery parties etc. considering you weren’t in half of the series and elected to leave on your own. Harsh words but true. That said it is HORRIBLE and INEXCUSIBLE for you not to get invited to the premiere of a movie you had a role in (despite it being cut) espically when you consider the fellowship you still have with your old castmates and the considerable love you get from the Star Trek fanbase. Trust me Rick is going to regret this one. Don’t go to the Wednesday screening.

  36. Proof that Berman did it on purpose:
    I just saw the trailer, and Picard stands up and says “Fire at Wil”, oh..he meant something else?
    Will, you deserve much better treatment.

  37. that’s really shady. it doesn’t surprise me though. he’s done it before, he did it again, and he’ll do it again. i just wonder if he’s running out of ideas and if it was his idea for the new bad guys to look like vampires. some people never change no matter what. it’s pretty bad that tim allen, linda park, and jane leeves among others get invited, but you, a family member, didn’t.
    anyway, just forget it. it’s over and not worth stressing over. at least you’re a person who can tell who his real friends are. like it’s been said before, just enjoy your family and know that there are more important things in life than a stupid movie.

  38. What asses they are. Utter contemptible morons without common decency or manners.
    I think what they need more than anything is a good swift kick or dozen to the nuts.
    And a grassroots boycott of the movie! I’m not going. Screw them if they can’t play nice!

  39. Wil…
    Look on the brite side; from all indications, and from the earliest reviews, the movie BITES, big-time! So maybe you’re lucky that you’re out of it! Now just get some closure on that part of your life and move on. With friends like that,who the fuck needs enemies!
    WE still love ya’, man!
    LeeB

  40. From trektoday regarding the premier:
    “””
    They were joined by new Trek recruit Linda Park (Hoshi Sato), ‘Star Trek: First Contact’ actor Neal McDonough (Lt. Hawk), Enterprise executive producer Brannon Braga, Frasier’s Jane Leeves, ‘Galaxy Quest’ star Tim Allen, and astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Dr. Mae Jemison (Lt. Palmer in TNG’s ‘Second Chances’).
    “””
    Shit man…

  41. First time posting, but I just wanted to say. That is so wrong on so many levels.
    I was truly hoping to get to see your part in the movie and then to see that they did this to you as well. It bites!
    I’m so sorry! I know that doesn’t mean a whole hill of beans, but I just wanted to say it.
    Good luck with future adventures!
    *hugs*

  42. Will, that really bites. Berman’s a bastard. That any core member of the cast is excluded is completely reprehensible.
    Just remember that your fans are behind you 100%, and every time Berman excludes you, he alienates thousands more ST fans too.

  43. I’ve bought ST:TNG seasons #1 and #3 recently.
    On the last disc of Season 3, the actor who plays Geordi is complaining about the oppression of the black man.
    I don’t know if he’s being serious or not, but it was definitely interesting to watch…
    “They have Captain chasing some woman in every second episode, they’ve explored Troi’s love life, and don’t get me even started on Riker… they even explored Data’s sexuality ! But not Geordi’s ! Geordi is a sexless character !”

  44. Wil. i know how you feel. i am often left out of manythings. even things that i have worked on. it sux. you have always been my fav charcter on stng. I was just saying to my sis. that if i become a director i want to cast you and all the other child actors out there that have been nder appriated and make the best movie ever. oscar worthy. you’ve always been the lead charcter. i started watching star trek when i was little and you were the only charter i could relate to. a young guy surrounded by adults trying to be noticed. I could relate to this because i’ve been doing theater since i was little and often i was the only kid in the cast. It’s not worth getting upset about. people suck. I’ve alwayss felt the movies have been missing something.My sis and i feel it’s been you. You kick ass. You better be on the dvd! Keep up the great work looking forward to the computer games.
    -Billy

  45. rick berman is the devil.
    he should be dipped in honey and dropped in silo of insects. he is such a punk.

  46. Of course you weren’t invited cuz YOU’RE NOT IN THE MOVIE!!! I guess they cut you out cuz you were so scary good huh? What a crybaby!!! “Boo-hoo I didn’t get invited to the premiere.” Yeah, tell that sob story to the poor guy outside the theater using a newspaper to keep warm! Thanks for the laughs, jackass!!!!

  47. Rick Berman = Borg Queen
    “I am Berman. I will add your popularity to my own. You will adapt to service me. I will control your mental and physical being. I will use you for all that you are good for and then drop you like a bad habit as soon as I deem you useless to me. I will assimilate your ass into my collective. Resistance is futile.”
    Yea. Sounds about right…
    You know what Wil, Berman didn’t make you. You made you. It was your talent that got you into “Stand By Me” and ST and everything else you’ve done. Remember that. You are where you are today because of *YOU*, not some pathetic excuse of an executive producer. No, I don’t know how things run in Hollywood. No, I am not an actor myself (although I play one on TV), but I do know enough about it to know that you can have all of the greatest minds in the world to write for a character, but without talented performers like you, Wil, to bring it to life, the character is nothing more than words on paper.
    One last thing, to most of us, “Rick Berman” is nothing more than a name that shows up in some credits on the TV screen, but Wil Wheaton is a living, breathing human being with fears, dreams, aspirations, and feelings, just like the rest of us. Your willingness to share your personal life with us on this website makes you a better person than about 99.999998% of the rest of those assimilated drones in Hollywood…
    Keep it up bro! You DA man!!
    Frank
    “When in darkness or in doubt, run in circles scream and shout!”
    -Proud Member: Partnership for a Berman-Free Society-

  48. Ok, since you feel really bad…I can stand the embarrasment.
    When I was little I had the biggest crush on you! I used to watch TNG just for you. Admitting watching Star Trek wasn’t a very *cool* thing to do so I kinda stopped watching. Fast forward some years…I hadn’t seen TNG in forever. I was bored studying for finals and so I was tv surfing and ended up watching a TNG rerun on. It was so funny to think about me watching you back then because you look so young on the episodes to me now. So what does this have to do with you? It’s part of my pre-teen crush phase and always will be. Even if some movie executive somewhere doesn’t think you’re an important part of the show you were to a lot of people. It’s like when you think about watching a cartoon or something from when you were little. You’re part of my childhood nostalgia.
    On a side note, you’re a great actor! I still liked your charachter portrayal that many years later.
    If that doesn’t make you feel better, than think about the irony that I’m taking a break studying for a final (again) to post this. I take a lot of study breaks with you!

  49. Well, I for one agree with the boycotters. This was going to be the first ever Star Trek movie I’ve seen on the big screen even though I’ve been a fan for years. I had such a wonderful sense of excitement and anticipation for this movie until Wil mentioned his scenes were cut.
    See, I always loved Wesley. He was someone I really understood growing up. He was around adults who didn’t understand him or couldn’t appreciate how smart he was. Even in Star Trek terms he was a geek. At that point in my life, I needed to see that I wasn’t the only person who felt that way (even if it was poorly written). I’ll always have much love for Wil because through him I saw that being Science girl wasn’t all that bad. It’d all work out in the end. Which, by the way, it did. : ) So thanks, Wil!
    And if you boycotters really want to make a difference this weekend at the box office, GO SEE ANOTHER MOVIE. Make the choice to give your money to Harry Potter or J Lo instead of Parmont. Hit their pocketbooks a little harder by giving the rest of the field an advantage. Give Nemesis a crappy opening by giving your money to another film. If you really want to see it in theaters, wait 3 weeks. Why 3? We’ll all be too busy being in awe of Peter Jackson and Two Towers to worry too much about a shottily written, Berman (ick) produced Trek movie.

  50. Sucks dude. 🙁
    He just keeps cutting you out, doesn’t he? Does he have some personal vendetta, wtf? Did you try calling him?

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