Oh dear.
It appears that TV Guide is holding an online poll about Star Trek, and our dear, sweet young Ensign Crusher is currently leading in the “Most Annoying Character” category.
I know, it’s hard to believe it, especially when we consider that Wesley was given lines such as, “We’re from Starfleet! We don’t lie!” and “I feel strange, but also good!” and the ever-popular “Course laid in, sir.” But it’s true. And so very, very sad.
Not that I care about this sort of thing . . . but actually, I do. I’m really tired of wearing that “Annoying Character” albatross around my neck, and if Wesley is voted most annoying in TV Guide’s big old Farewell to Star Trek issue, I don’t think I’ll ever hear the end of it.
I’m not suggesting that thousands of WWdN readers go take the poll and stuff the ballot box. I mean, that would just be wrong, right?
Normally, I’d stuff this ballot box entirely on my own, but if some of you WWdN readers want to legitimately and honestly vote for another character, like The Computer Voice for instance — I mean, come on! How many times did the stupid Ship’s Computer actually save the crew? Yeah! That’s what I thought. She’s got nothing on Wesley Crusher — I would be ever so grateful.
Provided, of course, that you truly believe there is a different, more annoying character than Wesley — I’d never suggest taking actions which could call into question the legitimacy of an online Star Trek poll. Oh no, not me.
Never.
Perish the thought.
I’m serious! Start perishing (right after you vote, that is.)
Thank you.
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You were not the most annoying character. My wife and enjoyed the episodes you acted in.
They didn’t ask who the most annoying actor was (it’s Shatner), they asked who the most annoying character was.
You aren’t Wesley. (You do kind of look like him, though.)
Might I recommend that people focus on one particular character? I voted for Lwaxana Troi as most annoying, with apologies to Majel.
Most annoying character? Try _hottest_ character and maybe I’d go with it… 🙂
I was (and still am) an unashamed Wesley Crusher enthusiast. He was one of my adolescent “boy do i want him!” guys–some girls are smart enough to find the geeks hot. Both my ex’s have been physicists, so at least I’m consistent.
Thanks for the site, Wil–you’ve got an awesome blend of everyday reality and delicate insight to your posts that is fantastic to read!
I am shocked and saddened that Ensign Crusher was not an option for “With which male character would you most like to spend a romantic evening in the Holodeck?”. Clearly the survey is flawed.
Troi, Doh! yeah def. most annoying. I put Worf’s son. Yeah Wesley (sp?) had his moments, but I think cuz we all knew he had some bad ass skills (and were jealous 🙂 ).
Seriously the dialogue they gave you was definitely poor overall. You should have shown up in Voyager (did you? not sure since didn’t see all of it) would have been cool.
Wellll…, young Wesley Crusher was really the most annoying character on ST:TNG. When I watched it in the common TV room in college, there was always an audible groan when Wesley entered the scene. It was a badly conceived character: too earnest, goody-two-shoes, too smart, smarter than the adults character without any endearing character flaws.
But hey, that’s was just Wil Wheaton’s character. I haven’t really seen much of him since ST:TNG until slashdot.org mentioned his blog. And seeing that he is really acquiting himself very well as a geek, that’s way cool.
There’s always the good chance that his appearance on CSI will remove that Crusher typecast image and Wil gets his acting renaissance.
This is a typical “let’s jump on the bandwagon” thing. I really cannot understand why Wesley is always bashed. There doesn’t seem to be a plausible explanation. What about Riker? I mean that guy was kind of irritating…he didn’t have the best lines.
So, not to go one too long, but I don’t think it’s all that fair. I will submit my online vote for the most annoying character and Wesley Crusher is definitely not it.
done and done.
lwxana really was the most annoying character.
i groaned every time that she was in an episode. it really was ridiculous.
Don’t tell them to vote for the computer voice Wil…tell them to vote for Worf’s son Alexander, he’s in second place.
I voted for Lwaxana Troy as most annoying. I can’t believe she survived across multiple series of Star Trek.
And also, I can’t believe Ezri Dax is so low on the hottest character list.
I was worried when I read your post that the number of choices for most annoying would be very limited. When I looked at the actual poll, I had to laugh! I didn’t have to ponder my response at all on that one.
Wesley was always my favorite character. Of course, the fact that I was a young, boy-crazy teenager may have had something to do with that bias ^_~ “The Game” was always my favorite TNG episode.
I would vote for Wesley as Most Poorly Written Character, but annoying? Hardly. That being said, I place my vote for most annoying character squarely, and gingerly, on the ever-expanding waistline of Will Riker. Isn’t the food on that ship supposed to be
Wesley may have had some terrible lines, but Neelix made me turn off my TV.
vote for another character, like The Computer Voice for instance
Great, Wil, now Majel Barrett is going to be crying herself to sleep tonight.
I apologize for the doubble post and need to clarify, I’m voting for his actual waistline, not the character. Never should have been there.
Yes, yes, urge them to vote for Alexander, because he’s in second and he has the added benefit of actually being the most annoying character.
It may be my age (about yours) or my gender (NOT yours) but I never did find Wesley annoying. A couple characters on DS9, yes, and I couldn’t even watch Voyager, so I can’t comment there, but never Wesley.
But consider – the no. 2 spot for most annoying is… another kid (Worf’s son, when I voted)!
Oh holy shit, Wil, in what universe was Wesley Crusher more annoying than Deanna Troi?! Must be some inverse tachyon deflector shield interdimensional rift bullshit or something.
Grumble grumble.
Good lord, how on earth is Majel Barret not winning that question?? With all due respect to Gene, Majel is annoying in pretty much every aspect, from her character to the voice of the computer.
i would imagine that a significant part of the reason why people persist in their regard for Wesley as as annoying character has to do with this: the majority of TNG watchers would have been adults. and one thing that grates on adults’ nerves is having a kid/teenager around who’s smarter than they are. they hate it, and that pent-up anger got taken out on poor Wes.
i, on the other hand, thought he rocked. clearly those poll votors have never seen an episode of Voyager featuring Neelix. geez. Wesley never annoyed me – i totally crushed on him, and was thrilled every time an episode focused on him.
I never thought Wesley was annoying. Q always set my teeth on edge — from Episode 1 of ST:TNG. He got my vote.
Am looking forward to CSI Friday!
Well, the survey was clearly flawed. How could “He’s dead, Jim” not have made the “most memorable lines” category? Or what about “Beam me up, Scotty”?
Anyways, I voted for Lwaxana Troi. It’s now a horserace between Wesley, Lwaxana, and Alexander.
As a reformed former subscriber to alt.wesley.crusher.die.die.die I think it’s time to give WW a break.
Vote Neelix!
I always liked Wesley. He wasn’t the best written character but I genuinely *liked* him. Troi, on the other hand, I wanted to bludgeon.
I voted Neelix as most annoying. He was a chef for crying out loud. I would rather have a brainiac kid on my ship than someone who knows 18 ways to cook Nebulonian Sea Worms.
What I couldn’t believe was just how far ahead Kirk is on the “what male you would like to have a romantic evening on the holodeck with”. That should clearly read, who is the one most likely to have an Extraterestrial STD.
And poor Hoshi being almost last as the woman you would want to spend a romantic evening on the holodeck with. She is oh so my type. And she can even tell you how great you are in 89 different languages. 🙂
Another vote cast for Alexander – the most annoying character EVAR.
P.S. – I finally got to see your appreance on VH1 My Coolest Years. You were so adorable and very funny.
Ha! At 11:22 a.m. Pacific time I voted and I see that Alexander is now at 16% and in first place and Wesley is at 14% tied for second! We did it! Hurray! Keep voting!
Well, I wouldn’t worry about it too much.
Most people who voted so far don’t have much taste, it would seem (at least those who voted in the “which female character” category). Hoshi Sato is way down in the current results, which is a terrible travesty.
So why wasn’t Wesley considered as one of the Crew members you would want at your side? I mean, he managed to get out of every situation! Wesley was the ST:TNG Version of MacGuyver! Give him a Plasma Inducer and a roll of Duct Tape and he will build you a Shuttle Craft capable of warp 9.9.
(Whoops, Sorry, my geek is showing)
-Wizzer
No offense to Marina Sirtis, but Deana Troi was by far one of the most annoying characters.
“I sense that… these creatures mean to do us harm.”
“really Deana? Is that because of the axes they are wielding? Or because they said they were going to kill us? Thanks.”
Yep, looks like the readership of alt.alexander.worfs.kid.die.die.die have pulled through for the Wheatonites! And once he wins, TV Guide will publish the results, and Wesley will finally join the non-annoying character lexicon once and for all!
I’m downloading PORN! GIGABYTES of PORN!”
/loves that story
Dammit, they didn’t have Kirk or Kai Winn as options for most annoying… had to settle for Alexander… *sighs* But in good news he’s currently ahead of Wesley! We’re pulling for you!
I wanted to vote for Dr. Pulaski, but she wasn’t an option. The character was bitter, smug, snide and just downright unlikable.
Sure, Wesley and Alexander were annoying, but that’s because (as friends of mine and I have noted frequently in conversation) the Star Trek writers have never had ANY clue how to write kids. Almost as bad as George Lucas.
And Wesley at least had a developed character. Alexander was like a cardboard cutout of a teddy bear, specifically dropped into storylines to make Worf uncomfortable.
God, there were so many others I would have voted for before your name ever even crossed my mind. I loved seeing you on the show and was a faithful watcher. You weren’t annoying at all (pretty hot though – I was a teen/preteen 😀 )
I voted because I thought Worf’s son was the most annoying; tying with the computer voice.
Done and done. I can’t believe they had Bones up for Most Irritating. Someone ought to shove Ceti eels in these people’s ears.
Joke – JOKE! Please, nobody reading this do that. ‘specially you, Khan.
As much as I adored Wesley, I always thought he was kind of annoying in the beginning. Maybe it was the ugly blue outfit…Though Deanna Troi’s wardrobe made me want to cry.
oddly enough, wesley crusher in most annoying list and pavel chekov in holodeck romantic evening list both have a star from the star field background masquerading as an asterisk next to their names.
the cheesy backgound image gods are against you, wil…
that being said, i resisted the directive and voted for Alexander (and Jean-Luc in the holodeck fantasy question, fyi).
Oh, please. In a(n imaginary) world that also contains Neelix? Ickle Wesley positively shines by comparison.
Hi Wil,
I have been lurking for a while, but this is the first time I have posted. Happy news: Wesley is no longer in the lead! Alexander has taken the pole. Ha! I must admit while I find some of Wesley’s lines kinda tiresome now, when I was like 13 – I LOVED him. And I do still have a soft spot in my heart for him. Good luck in not finishing first!
heh… I wonder how poor Majel feels being on the list twice.
see? you could have it worse. ;o)
Well, first time poster here, been reading for a while. I never found the character Wesley Crusher annoying and since I had a crush on the actor, I liked it when he was on. 🙂 I found Troi’s mother the most annoying character of the series and have voted for her.
Now why wasn’t Wesley listed for the male character you’d like to spend a romantic evening on the holodeck with??? That’s the real conspiracy!
Neelix got my vote, but Barbie of Borg was the most annoying character. How many episodes centered around her? I thought it was supposed to be an ensemble show. As of right now, Westley isn’t leading, at least. It’s Alexander at 16%, followed by Lwaxana at 15%, then Westley and Neelix are tied at 13%.
I’d also have to put in a caveat on the Borg as most fearsome villians. The original borg were, pre-First Contact. The thought of absolutely no individuality was far more frightening then the Queen thing.
Hey Wil,
Lwaxana Troi was the most annoying. Alexander was too and they’re in the lead…you have our support Wil.
14:10 Central Time.
Luxwana Troi, Alexander, the computer voice, and Neelix are now ahead of our boy Westley.
Go ballot stuffers!
Lwaxana gets my vote. So sorry Majel.
But “Barbie of Borg” did in another category!
Any recounts will be handled by the Florida Secretary of State.
how could they call WESLEY CRUSHER annoying…he only annoyed the grizzled old purists who take their sci-fi and star trek much too seriously…WESLEY was the most “human” character on the show…seeing the enterprise through his eyes provided a view from a much different perspective…one which is never safisfied unless he knows why and why not…the rest of the crew were just doing their job…WESLEY was growing up on board the enterprise…exploring the new worlds around him…and the changes within him…too bad they didn’t take better advantage of WESLEY’S point of view in STTNG…btw…LWAXANA TROI has pulled ahead of you…good luck…may you finish less annoying than most!
Okay, I last checked and Alexander was winning. I was truly tired of any storyline that had Alexander in it. What did he ever do? Got into trouble – and it was usally boring when he did. Sorry the one time Wesley got into trouble (nannites anyone) at least he figured out what was happening and came clean.
So that was my vote and I’m glad he’s now winning.
You are currently safely in fifth place, and Q is slowly taking over to push you to sixth.
No worries Wil.