Armin
Shimerman
"Quark" on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
January 29, 1999
Marc Wade:
Welcome to
STAR TREK:CONTINUUM. We are very pleased to bring you tonight's
exclusive chat with Armin Shimerman. Armin has played
"Quark" on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" since
the show began, and is now in his seventh season as that
character. Armin has written "The 34th Rule" - a Star
Trek novel from Pocket Books.
We are coming to you LIVE from the offices of Paramount Digital Entertainment at Paramount Studios in Hollywood. We've also been joined by Armin's story co-creator, Eric Stillwell. Your host for tonight's chat is Guy Vardaman, Senior Producer for STAR TREK: CONTINUUM. Jackie Edwards is typing for Armin Shimerman.
Armin, on behalf of STAR TREK: CONTINUUM, I'd like to welcome you to our chat tonight.
Armin
Shimerman:
Thank you. I'd
like to say that David is not here with us today. He had to go up
to San Jose. In his place we have Eric Stillwell, who was one of
the co-creators of the book and part of the original pitch.
Ed asks:
Hi! I was
wondering how difficult it is to act so sexist?
Armin
Shimerman:
Not difficult
at all.
Karen Smith
asks:
I haven't read
the book. It sounds interesting. Will you tell us more about it?
Armin
Shimerman:
No, I want you
to buy it. It's basically a chess game.
QuarksLady
asks:
Do you have a
favorite magazine or periodical?
Armin
Shimerman:
No, Jennifer,
I don't. But thank you.
G.S. asks:
Are you all in
the same room? Armin, are you at home, or at Paramount?
Armin
Shimerman:
I'm at
Paramount and they're picking my pockets.
tony asks:
Mr Shimerman
you remember the show on DS9 where you or shold i say your
chacter played baseball along with the rest of the DS9 crew and a
few gest stars, what i was wondering is do you and the rest of
the star trek actors play baseball in real life?
Armin
Shimerman:
Correction, I
did not play baseball... I sat on the bench ...
Guy Vardaman:
(he said
bitterly)
Armin
Shimerman:
Ironically,
the actors who were focused on and playing ball played ball a lot
less well than the actors who were sitting on the bench... except
for Avery Brooks, who plays very well. But Max and I are quite
good and Sid and Nana are quite bad. But then, Sid's English. And
Nana's... a dancer.
trekin3 asks:
Hi, who
designs your cool duds and do you get to take them home with you?
Armin
Shimerman:
Robert
Blackman has won several awards for my clothes. And we tussle
over them every night. If they'll only invite me to an Emmy
awards ceremony, I swear I'll wear them.
QuarksLady
asks:
If you could
have any ability that you don't have now (even a magical or
fictional ability), what would it be?
Armin
Shimerman:
I would like
to be empathic. Why? So I'd be more sensitive to other people.
Now I know that's going to get a big laugh. But it's true.
Michelle asks:
When will you
be teaching your Shakespeare class again? I can't wait to sign up
and learn from the master!
Armin
Shimerman:
Michelle, you
have 18 hours to get in the class. I'm teaching it tomorrow at
noon. Maybe next time. I often teach at the Theatricum Botanicum
but I've also taught at UCLA, the High School for the Performing
Arts... and at the Guthrie Theatre in Minnesota. I teach
Elizabethan Rhetoric. It is the Rosetta Stone to understanding
the Bard.
tony asks:
Mr Shimerman
do you think that there will be more DS9 shows where Quark will
be in action, what i mean is Quark is firing a phaser at a
creature and going on more away missions with the away team?
Armin
Shimerman:
Having a
fairly good idea of what the rest of the season is going to be
like... I would bet the bar that that's not going to happen. But,
I do do it IN THE BOOK.
Marc Wade:
Armin has
written "The 34th Rule" - a Star Trek novel from Pocket
Books.
Kenneth asks:
Would you like
to be another alien on Star Trek or perhaps a Starfleet officer?
Armin
Shimerman:
Oh God,
no!!!!!!!!!!
QuarksLady
asks:
When you and
Rene get together, what do you like to do most?
Armin
Shimerman:
Bitch. We
bitch. No. We go hiking together. We go to the theatre together.
We discuss politics. And we eat. Rene is a phenomenal chef.
Q/E fan asks:
Will there be
any more Quark/Ezri scenes? Despite the emotionalism of After
Image that one scene was great! :)
Armin
Shimerman:
Thank you. Yes
indeed, there will be more torrid Quark/Ezri scenes.
NoL asks:
So, what is
"The 34th Rule" about???
Armin
Shimerman:
425 pages.
It's about prejudice... it's about chess...it's about me. It's about DS9 seen from Quark's perspective, which is very different than the Starfleet perspective.
AdmDerfel asks:
How do you
turn plywood into tritanium?
Armin
Shimerman:
It's PAINT!
Paint! Get it? Paint!
Jean Claude
asks:
Who's the
biggest joker on set? }:)
Armin
Shimerman:
The biggest
joker on the set is Cirroc. He does most of his lines in rap
during rehersal. It's hard to keep a straight face before
shooting a scene.
Jason Meyers
asks:
Have they told
you what happens at the end of the season yet? If so, how about
one tiny tiny hint?
Armin
Shimerman:
Next
question...
Jason Meyers
asks:
Any plans to
cross over and be on Ally McBeal as well as the Practice?
Armin
Shimerman:
Have already
done that. I did the episode about short people. Why they cast
me, I haven't the faintest idea. Because I'm a lot taller than
Quark.
Tamara asks:
Do you have
fun with those teeth other than on the show?
Armin
Shimerman:
The teeth are
a pain in the butt. In large Ferengi episodes invariably I'd bite
my inner lip. They also twice a year cause tremendous amount of
pain in the nerves of my teeth.
Andrea from
Eureka asks:
Quark, what
exactly is your relationship with Moogi?
Armin
Shimerman:
Moogi is my
Mama. What relationship is your mother to you?
trekin3 asks:
What's your
favorite "rule of acquisition"?
Armin
Shimerman:
The 34th. Buy
the book.
Johnny5 asks:
Is
"Quark" the first character you tried out for?
Armin
Shimerman:
Quark was the
only character I auditioned for on DS9, but of course, I have
played other Ferengi and a talking prop on TNG. Pretty much I've
been lucky enough to always get the roles I've auditioned for on
Star Trek. Except possibly the movie.... That's right, I did get
that part. Somehow it got lost though.
Jean Claude
asks:
Do you feel
like you spend the full 26-hour Bajoran day in the make-up chair?
;-) (That must be a pain!)
Armin
Shimerman:
Yes, it seems
like a full Bajoran day whenever I work on DS9. Usually, about 15
hours of work.
Andre asks:
Have you ever
been in any musicals?
Armin
Shimerman:
Yes. I was in
Richard Rodgers last Broadway musical called, "I Remember
Mama" and a very famous production of "Three Penny
Opera" at Lincoln Centre as well as some others at other
theaters.
Anne
Chamberlain asks:
How well do
Ferengis hear? Do they hear quite well, considering the size of
their ears?
Armin
Shimerman:
Ferengi hear
extremely well. The irony is that the actors playing the Ferengi,
when they don the make-up, become deaf. We lose about half our
hearing because of the thick rubber. We're constantly missing
cues because we haven't heard them.
Armin
Shimerman:
Aron, who
plays Nog, did a major episode recently where his hearing was
essential for the Starfleet mission.
Inyo asks:
Has the
Ferengi Alliance joined the Federation/Bajoran/Klingon/Romulan
Alliance against the Dominion/Cardassion Alliance? What is Quark
doing to help the war effort?
Armin
Shimerman:
No the Ferengi
are not part of this war. We are merely facilitators. The Ferengi
have never been interested in waging war, nor are they good at
it. Read the book.
CATHY G. asks:
ARE YOU
RECOGNIZED MORE IN PUBLIC FOR BEING QUARK OR ON BUFFY THE VAMPIRE
SLAYER?
Armin
Shimerman:
Buffy the
Vampire Slayer.
David J. asks:
Armin, you are
a very talented actor. I have a BFA in acting and I was wondering
what theatre roles you have portrayed and doyou have a fave role
from the theatre.
Armin
Shimerman:
Yes. My
favorite role is Cyrano de Bergerac. But I'm most well known
theatrically for Shakespeare characters. Malvolio, Claudius, Duke
of York, Shylock. And most of the Shakespearan fools.
Q-ette asks:
Are you
disappointed this is the last season of DS9? Oh, and tell Alex i
have a crush on him!
Armin
Shimerman:
I'm ambivalent
about how I feel. I will miss the people and Quark but I am
relieved at the prospect of not having to put on the make-up on a
regular basis. Also, at this point I don't see what more I could
do with the character.
Aussie fan
asks:
how heavy is
the headpiece you wear?
Armin
Shimerman:
Extremely
light. But also, extremely claustrophobic.
borg_99 asks:
your character
is very devious, will you ever settle down and get married to a
nice ferengi woman?
Armin
Shimerman:
I don't think
so. There are a lot of fish in the sea. And I have a big hook.
Karen Smith
asks:
Do you like
dogs?
Armin
Shimerman:
I love dogs. I
have two. God gives children to people who don't have dogs.
QuarksLady
asks:
Do your dogs
get any luxuries (i.e., professional grooming, doggie restaurant
trips, unusual gifts, dog furniture/bedding)?
Armin
Shimerman:
They get to
live with me. And Kitty, my wife. And they stay up late. And they
get to watch whatever they want on TV.
Alex asks:
At first I
just want to thank you for your great acting in the six or nearly
seven seasons of DS9. And how do you think about your time at
Star Trek?
Armin
Shimerman:
Thank you.
It's strange for me to wrap my brain around the idea that 7 years
have gone by... but they have. I believe that we have made our
mark in television history, and I'm very proud of many of the
episodes that I have helped bring to life. It's been a great
honor.
Al asks:
I've read the
past transcripts...have you always had your wicked sense of
humour? You're hilarious, I love watching and reading you!
Armin
Shimerman:
No. But I'm
really funny in THE BOOK. Did I mention it was the 34th Rule?
Snyderman asks:
Any upcoming
Buffy episodes where we'll see more of Principal Snyder?
Armin
Shimerman:
Yes, but
unfortunately I've just forgotten the names of the episodes. I
just shot one on Monday. They're great fun.
Quark's #1 Fan
asks:
Do you think
that monkeys are amusing?
Armin
Shimerman:
No. I've never
been to Canada.
Guy Vardaman:
(See last
night's chat transcript for more...)
Mary asks:
What is the
best thing about playing a ferengi
Armin
Shimerman:
Working with
Max Grodenchik and Aron Eisenberg.
Armin
Shimerman:
By the way, if
you're in Las Vegas next Saturday (the 6th) Max and I and David
and Eric and Lolita will all be signing the 34th Rule at the Star
Trek Hilton. By the way, Vic will not be there.
brandon smith
asks:
what's the
most sold drink sold at the bar?
Armin
Shimerman:
I would say
Raktajino.
Rob from
Harrisburg, Oregon asks:
What is your
most memorable scene and will Quark ever get to kick Odo's fanny?
After all, Quark is just an innocent green-blooded fun-loving
personality who would never do anything illegal!!!!!
Armin
Shimerman:
My most
memorable scene... was the root beer scene with Garak. And, of
course, I love a woman in uniform.
ramsey35 asks:
Do you plan to
continue on Buffy the Vampire Slayer? I really enjoy seeing
without your makeup!
Armin
Shimerman:
Thank you. I
will continue to perform there at least until they graduate. Or
until I get eaten by a Komodo Dragon.
Sara - age 10
asks:
Does it hurt
to wear those false teeth?
Armin
Shimerman:
Yes.
Robert - age 8
asks:
Do you like
sports?
Armin
Shimerman:
I like
baseball and I like jogging and chess.
Dave from Texas
asks:
1st, Thanks
for joining us this evening, My question is any special surprises
on upcoming episodes of DS9 that you could fill us devoted fans
on?
Armin
Shimerman:
Wouldn't you
like to know. But here I am, sitting in the Paramount offices,
and you can bet your ears I'm not gonna say anything. Sorry.
Robin asks:
Will we ever
see a Ferengi baby? I think it would be quite a twist for Quark
to have an infant dropped in his lap.
Armin
Shimerman:
I did have a
baby dumped in my lap. It turned out to be a changeling baby. And
I sold it to Odo.
Stark asks:
Will you ever
be in a ST movie?
Armin
Shimerman:
Well, not the
last one, anyway. I guess I was too good.
Bruce, Sydney
Australia asks:
Is there any
chance of you appearing at a convention in Australia in the near
future?
Armin
Shimerman:
I have
appeared in Australia, both in Sydney and Melbourne. About two
years ago. And I have been invited back, so see you soon.
Bruce, Sydney
Australia asks:
What's your
favourite drink to make in Quark's bar and whats in it?
Armin
Shimerman:
A Mickey.
What's in it? Knock-out drops.
Steve the
Turtle asks:
I loved
"The 34th Rule", and the way you included all of your
TNG characters (Letek, Bractor, and the Betazed gift box). My
question is: If they ever made "The 34th Rule into an
episode, would you play these characters as well as Quark?
Armin
Shimerman:
Thank you
thank you thank you. I love you! Where do I send the check? I was
originally supposed to be an episode that Eric and David and I
pitched to the Star Trek writers. Fortunately for us, they
rejected us. But sure, if all those Ferengi that I have portrayed
before were to come back, I hope Mr. Berman would be kind enough
to allow me to reprise the roles. They helped put me where I am
today.
Aitrus asks:
Here's one for
Eric: Did you enjoy working with Armin on the book?
Eric Stillwell:
What can I
say? He's sitting right here and he still has the teeth in...
cyclops asks:
what do you
think the impact star trek has on todays events?
Armin
Shimerman:
Well we are
definitely part of the vernacular, political and scientific
phenomena are often described in Star Trek terms. Also, the world
aspires to many of the Star Trek ethos.
Yank asks:
Why was Worf
in the new ST movie if he is supposed to be on DS9? Isn't is
kinda a coincidence that he always shows up just in time for a
movie?
Armin
Shimerman:
Funny how that
happens. He must have a great agent. It's the grandfather clause
from Star Trek 6.
The 359 asks:
Do you ever
try to eat/drink some of the stuff they put behind the bar?
Armin
Shimerman:
Yes. But I
can't get it past the teeth. It's sometimes very much a problem.
Because they say in the scripts where I take a drink or eat
something but because of the teeth it's impossible to get
anything past them. Which includes sometimes my lines.
Bjossi asks:
Have you ever
been in Iceland??
Armin
Shimerman:
No, not that I
remember. I've flown over. I waved once.
Douglas asks:
What is on all
those padds you are alaways looking at?
Armin
Shimerman:
My net worth.
Quark is constantly checking his net worth and mentally comparing
it with where he was moments before. It's a favorite Ferengi
pastime. Read the book.
Andre asks:
Have you ever
written or co-written a script for DS9?
Armin
Shimerman:
No. We tried.
That's what the book originally was. But it failed miserably. Not
the book, just the pitch. But we also pitched two or three other
stories... none of them flew.
John-Neil
Hunter asks:
Do you think
Odo will ever arrest Quark?
Armin
Shimerman:
Odo has
arrested Quark. But I have a good lawyer.
Rom asks:
Will quark
ever give rom a compliment?
Armin
Shimerman:
Sincerely, I
have indeed complimented Rom and in fact, the arc of our
relationship has become much warmer in the last few years. Rom
may be Quark's idiot brother, but he loves him dearly.
biztrek asks:
Are you going
to be in costume at Star Trek: The Experience? My husband and I
got some really strange looks when we showed up in federation
uniforms.
Armin
Shimerman:
Yeah I'll be
there. In my Buffy the Vampire Slayer costume.
Cupid asks:
Which of the
women that Quark has fallen in love with did you like the most?
Armin
Shimerman:
Seriously,
Grilka. But, I've got my eyes on Odo. After all, he's quite the
shape-shifter.
Q420 asks:
Did you work
on the set today? If so, are you still in makeup?
Armin
Shimerman:
I did work on
the set today, but got off early. All the prosthetics are gone,
but I can never quite get all the maroon out from around my eyes
until the next day. And there are little specks of blue
fingernail polish still embedded in my cuticles. Aren't you glad
you asked?
Tr'aehallh
asks:
I thought your
book was very well written. Will you be writting anymore books?
Armin
Shimerman:
Thank you. At
this moment, I have another science fiction novel in the wings.
It's called "The Merchant Prince" which will also be
published by Pocket Books and is due out soon. Thank you for
reading the book. I'm glad you liked it.
Shilpa asks:
I've seen you
on Buffy. Do you prefer being human or ferengi? And which is your
favorite show? And what is Sarah Michelle Gellar like?
Armin
Shimerman:
I prefer the
salary here at Paramount. I prefer being out of make-up on Buffy.
I prefer not to answer this question any further. However, Sarah
Michelle Gellar is a joy to work with and despite her youth, is a
consumate professional.
Trekette asks:
I wanted to
tell you how much I have come to enjoy and at times even love
your character, Quark. What are your plans after Deep Space Nine?
(Besides a little vacation time)
Armin
Shimerman:
Thank you for
seeing beyond the make-up. I hope to spend some time in my first
love, the theatre. Maybe some Shakespeare.
Alistiar
Hamilton asks:
Mr. Shimermen,
First i like to say that you are the fifth Coolest person in Star
Trek that I certainly know of, and second.. I was wondering, how
is it that you are so eager to get in on political issues on DS9?
is that just the way that the Ferengi are?
Armin
Shimerman:
Way cool. I
like politics and in fact, sit on the national board of the
Actors' Union (Screen Actors' Guild) and am very much involved in
the legislative processes that our union is involved in. It's
ironic that the one union episode that we did on DS9 that I
played management.
Q-ette asks:
I know you
have probably heard this before, but are you a Trekker? I was
just wondering because some ST actors aren't. And you do such a
good job!! :o)
Armin
Shimerman:
Thank you. :)
I believe I watched the most Star Trek of all the Star Trek
actors I have ever met, with the possible exception of Tim Russ.
But I was a very ardent fan of the original series as well as
TNG.
Kevin asks:
How, if at all
possible, could I get an autographed copy of your book?
Armin
Shimerman:
Please visit
with us either in Las Vegas (the 6th) at the Star Trek Experience
or at Dangerous Visions on Ventura Blvd. in Sherman Oaks on the
20th. Or, bring it to the next convention that I'm scheduled to
appear at. Possibly Valley Forge on Valentine's Day. Or, send a
copy of the book to me in care of Paramount Studios, 5555 Melrose
Avenue, c/o DS9, Hollywood, CA 90038 and I will get it back to
you ASAP.
Quark's #1 Fan
asks:
Is there a
Quark action figure, because, I sure as heck haven't seen one.
But of course, I live in Utah where hardly anywhere sells Trek
toys.
Armin
Shimerman:
There is one
that came out during the first season and now I believe it is a
collectors item.
anamarylee
asks:
What is your
typical day like? What time do you get up, how long does it take
to get make up on, reherse, shoot, eat and workout (if you
workout)?
Armin
Shimerman:
A typical
Monday, I rise at 4:00 AM, take a bath for a half hour, get to
Paramount by 5:00 AM, sit in the make-up chair for two hours,
work for another 12 hours, and then groggily go back to make-up,
and have the make-up removed over the course of an hour. Then
somehow I get the car to stay between the lines as I drive home.
A girl in Ohio
asks:
Is it true
that you and your fellow friends from DS9 practice at your house
for the show??
Armin
Shimerman:
That is true.
Those friends include Max, Terry, Rene and most of the Ferengi
guest stars. And of course Aron.
Ryan R. asks:
Hello Armin, I
have always wondered, how hard is it to talk with your
"Ferengi" teeth?
Armin
Shimerman:
Extremely
difficult.
Armin
Shimerman:
Your mouth
doesn't feel right with the teeth there and it's hard to
enunciate.
Ron S. asks:
Do you know
all the Ferengi Rules of Aquisition by heart?
Armin
Shimerman:
Quark doesn't
have a heart. But Rom does. I ask him. Max does know them all. I
know the 34th. And so should you. Buy THE BOOK.
DaveJ asks:
Armin, what is
your favorite aspect of playing the character Quark?
Armin
Shimerman:
I am envious
of Quark's joy of life.
SheerLuck_Holmes
asks:
Please
contrast your experiences appearing in DS9, Buffy, &
Seinfield.
Armin
Shimerman:
Read the book.
AGP asks:
How is it like
working with Nicole deBoer? How did you feel about Terry
Farrell's decision to leave ST:DS9?
Armin
Shimerman:
When Terry
decided to leave, I didn't understand why. We had several
conversations about it and now I think I do understand. She's
very happy at Becker. I'm very happy for her. I'm also happy that
her departure allowed us to have Nicole deBoer, who is a great
asset to the show and a great person.
Tom Paris asks:
"The 34th
Rule" is a great book. There seems to be a divide between
fans on the subject of ST novels. How would you respond to fans
who look down on ST novels and books considering them wastes of
time?
Armin
Shimerman:
Thank you very
much for your kind words. If a Star Trek novel takes you
somewhere, educates you, entertains you... then it's a valuable
thing. I believe some of the books, including ours, fill that
criteria.
Rob Jelley
asks:
If there could
be one more Quark and Odo episode in the last season what would
it be about and what would you call it?
Armin
Shimerman:
The last
episode would be called, "Him and Me" and we would ....
Young Kid that
loves ST:DS9 asks:
Will the
Federation win the war against the Dominion or not?
Armin
Shimerman:
The show is
called "Star Trek", it's very possible the war may turn
our way. But, who can tell?
|_DATA_| asks:
How do you
think Quark will do with Ezri?
Armin
Shimerman:
I'm as
interested in finding that question out from the writers as you
are. As of yet, Ira Behr hasn't whispered anything to me. I wait
expectantly.
Maderty asks:
What do you
think about how your character is changed through the years?
(Sorry, I'm italian and my english is not so good!)
Armin
Shimerman:
Il mio
charactere e puo simpatico.
Nic Walsh asks:
The 'bars of
latinum'...do they smell? I mean, it's probably very hot on the
set and the paint on them is bound to evaporate.
Armin
Shimerman:
No they don't
smell!
edward jones
asks:
Would you ever
see Ezri for therapy. P.S. she seems to have less problems and is
more competent than my therapist.
Armin
Shimerman:
Yes, but Ezri
is more expensive. Would I see her for therapy... why would I
need therapy? I don't have any Hew-mon problems. What a waste of
money.
CATH T asks:
WHO IS YOUR
FAVOURITE DIRECTOR?
Armin
Shimerman:
This is a very
hard question. I will limit my favorites to the directors who are
actors on the shows because they understand actors' problems and
techniques.
Natalie-Ketrina
asks:
This has
absolutely nothing to do with ST:DS9 but I need to ask: Why are
you so mean to Buffy?
Armin
Shimerman:
It's the short
skirts. They're not short enough.
Michael B.
asks:
Are the Powers
That Be ever going to give Quark a love interest?
Armin
Shimerman:
Quark has had
many love interests. He just hasn't had any recently. They were
very kind to me in the first few seasons
Will asks:
Is there any
similarities between your characters personality and your own
personality?
Armin
Shimerman:
Armin is
taller than Quark is. Quark is a character I play and draw from
many people, not just myself. His charm is mine... his other
attributes are derived from other sources.
DARMOTH asks:
do you thind
that quark will ever become nagis of the farangie home world. it
just seem that he should, he trys so hard to be the best.
Armin
Shimerman:
No, Quark
should never be Nagus, simply because though he's the Ferengi we
know the best... he's by no means the smartest, and the Nagus
should be the wisest Ferengi.
Yeah For
Starfleet! asks:
Hi Armin!! In
real life, how tall are you?? Aron said he was around 6 feet. Is
that true?
Armin
Shimerman:
Yes, Aron is 6
foot. It's amazing how he fits in that tiny Nog costume. I'm
about eight feet and they raise the bar up for me. Like a Muppets
platform. Sometimes I think I am a Muppet.
Alan Hobbins
asks:
With DS9
coming to an end is there any one thing you would ask the writers
to do with Quark
Armin
Shimerman:
I have at
times felt that Quark hasn't had the story arc that most of the
other characters have had. It's a little late to ask for that,
but that's really all I want.
Donna asks:
Is there any
possibility of you donning your Quark make up and costume for an
episode "Buffy..." Perhaps maybe a Holloween episode or
if your character attends a costume party?
Armin
Shimerman:
Joss [Whedon,
Buffy's creator] is wickedly funny enough to actually consider
that. But Paramount would have to okay it.
QuarksLady
asks:
What do you
watch when you watch TV?
Armin
Shimerman:
I watch
"Homicide: Life on the Streets", I watch "Law and
Order", I watch "Buffy" and I watch "Deep
Space 9" I don't have time to watch much else. I read alot.
And so should you. May I suggest "The 34th Rule"?
Michael asks:
Have you ever
been in St Voyager?? If so what did u play?
Armin
Shimerman:
I was honored
to be included in the pilot for Voyager where I played a Ferengi
bartender on DS9.
Ben Kokochak
asks:
Have you ever
asked Michael Westmore why he hasn't made your ear prosthetics so
you can hear out of them better?
Armin
Shimerman:
We did discuss
this early on in season one. In order to hear better, Michael
would have to puncture the prosthetic near where my actual ear
is. Which isn't where Quark's ear is. Also, the gluing process to
cover would entail another half hour. It's not worth it to me.
Andre asks:
How old is
Aron? The person who plays Nog I mean.
Armin
Shimerman:
Aron is 103
years old. And six foot tall. He's quite the actor.
Jason Meyers
asks:
How the h*ll
did Jimmy Darrin become a part of Star Trek?
Armin
Shimerman:
(See Junie
Lowry-Johnson & Ron Surma)
Jason Meyers
asks:
How did it
feel to be the first Ferengi killed in the alternate universe?
Armin
Shimerman:
In every
mirror episode a Ferengi dies. I being the eldest, deserved to
die. That's what you get for being a good guy.
MaxK asks:
Should Rom be
made the Nagis?
Armin
Shimerman:
That idiot?
No. We need a specialist in financial matters, not an engineer.
Jennifer asks:
Have you ever
mixed up your characters before? (You thought you were playing
Quark but were actually playing Snyder?)
Armin
Shimerman:
Despite the
fact that they're incredibly similar, I have somehow been able to
avoid that pitfall. But, who knows?
QuarksLady
asks:
I read an
interview in SFX magazine and you said there's a mirror above
your toilet in your trailer. WHY is there a mirror there?
Armin
Shimerman:
Like any
bathroom, there is a mirror. I sometimes use it to shave in. What
else could you have had in mind? ???
Ben and Syl
asks:
If Darian
Wallace came into Quark's Bar, would you let him run-up a tab?
Armin
Shimerman:
Absolutely
not. He's a disreputable Hew-mon. Besides, he works for
Paramount.
Nanuh asks:
What's the
difference between the work environment on DS9 and Buffy, besides
the time period and props?
Armin
Shimerman:
There is a
difference. Because the cast is so much younger on Buffy, it's a
more playful arena. Star Trek involves so many different criteria
when we shoot, it generates a much more serious atmosphere. But
the Star Trek trailer is bigger. And has a bathroom. With a
mirror.
CB asks:
Do you like
Jackie Chan movies? Why or why not?
Armin
Shimerman:
What is a
Jackie Chan movie?
kunundrum asks:
Do you ever
catch yourself being Quark in your everyday real life has he
become a part of you?
Armin
Shimerman:
Oh yes. Quark
has taught me a great deal about enjoying life and I believe I'm
a better person for having played Quark.
biztrek asks:
How can Armin
be taller than Quark?
Armin
Shimerman:
He just is.
(Everyone on DS9 wears heels on their shoes except for the
Ferengi. Therefore, Armin is taller than Quark.)
Michael asks:
Is it fun
working on a St series, do you ever get to improvise the Techno
Babble yourself???
Armin
Shimerman:
Over Ira
Behr's dead body. But that's a 'no' folks. Who would want to?
Direwolf asks:
After the show
ends and people look back, what is the one thing you would like
all the fans to remember Quark for?
Armin
Shimerman:
Joy of life.
And that he loved Dax.
CB asks:
What is your
favorite Shakespearean play? What is your favorite Shakespearean
quote and why?
Armin
Shimerman:
My favorite
Shakepearen play is "As You Like It". Rosiland:
"Men have died from time to time and worms have eaten them,
but not for love." I love that quote.
Jason Meyers
asks:
Did you have
many people telling you what could and couldn't be done in your
novel? Did they keep making sure it would fit with the rest of
the universe?
Armin
Shimerman:
Thank you for
asking about the book. Paramount, Pocket Books, and Rick Berman
were very good about not dictating what we could and could not
do.
Armin
Shimerman:
And in fact, I
believe we have presented a view of Star Trek that is not
traditional and far from the usual fare. We did have to make sure
that Sid's eyes were blue and that recurring characters' names
were spelled right... but really, they trusted us to go where our
imaginations took us. They were very kind. I thank them.
And I thank you all for this time together.
Marc Wade:
Armin, thank
you very much for joining us here tonight. We're all looking
forward to the seeing more of your outstanding work on the
exciting final season of "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"!
And we're all going to rush out now and buy your new book
"The 34th Rule"!
Armin will be signing his new book at two bookstores next month. You can see him with his co-author David R. George at Star Trek: The Experience in Las Vegas on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 1-3 PM. Armin will also be at Dangerous Visions Bookstore in Sherman Oaks, California on Saturday, Feb. 20 from 2-4 PM. Check Star Trek News in STAR TREK: CONTINUUM for more details.
Armin's book "The 34th Rule" is available at amazon.com. Check Viewing Stations in STAR TREK: CONTINUUM for the day and time and channel for "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" in your area.
We always have
interesting chats coming up:
- Ethan Phillips - Thursday, February 4 at 5:00 PM (PT) / 8:00 PM
(ET)
- *** SPECIAL TIME ***
- Kate Mulgrew - watch for announcement!
- Tim Russ - watch for announcement!
- Jeri Ryan - Thursday, February 11
For more information, visit www.startrek.com.
Copyright (C) 1999 by Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.