Blalock calls ENT finale "appalling"

TRexx · Ensign Joined: 03 Apr 2004 Posts: 59

"Yesterday (March 5th) was her 30th birthday, but the celebration was likely somewhat muted... because yesterday was also Jolene Blalock's last day in outer space," reports Rob Salem for The Toronto Star.

"It is sad," said Blalock. "I think most of us here are still in active denial. But you've got to know, going in, that these last few days are going to be highly emotional."

Bjo Trimble, whom Salem describes as "the mother of all Trekkies," is on record as one of ENTERPRISE's earliest and harshest critics. "Get someone who knows TREK to write the scripts," Bjo grumbled. "Get someone who knows TREK to direct... but do you think Paramount has the good sense to see this? Nah!"

"Truth be told, not even the Trekkies have been particularly enthusiastic about ENTERPRISE," notes Salem.

"I don't think you can just throw anything out there and expect people to swallow it," nods Blalock. "There is TREK lore and TREK history to be followed and adhered to." The outspoken actress hasn't been shy about criticizing her own show. "I mean, we started out with 13 million viewers on the pilot, and we somehow managed to drive 11 million of them away."

Season four of ENTERPRISE has used a lot of the retro continuity that some fans can't get enough of. "That was a treat, a joy to do," Blalock bubbles. "It was an unexpected surprise to have the scripts that we did (this season). And I am grateful and thankful for that. It was fun to come to work again. And it was certainly much better than spending another season doing what we had been doing. It said a lot about the potential of the show."

Salem notes an awkward silence from Blalock when the subject of the final episode is broached. "I don't know where to begin with that one," she finally stammers. "The final episode is... appalling."

About the fans, Jolene says, "I really am touched by their outpour of support, and their display of passion for the show. I was sort of caught off-guard. I didn't know that they were so adamant."

"But, you know, they really aren't saying anything new. They're just saying it louder."

Trekkie support for the Save Enterprise and TrekUnited campaigns has been paltry. "The turnout for the Los Angeles rally was a mere fraction of the number of fans who will routinely line up for hours for an autograph from any anonymous alien actor at even the smallest Star Trek convention," notes Salem. "But don't cry for Jolene Blalock � for her, unemployment is likely to be a very temporary situation."

"I'm just coming from an audition right now," Blalock reveals, "and I'm very excited about it. I love auditioning, the entire process, going out and meeting people in the industry. It's been four years since I've been out pounding the pavement, and I miss it. It's a place of the unknown, and a place of infinite possibilities. And I like that."

Blalock got her earliest on-camera work in Toronto, Canada. While studying comedy improvisation at Second City, she co-hosted a sports network show, THE BIG SPIKE, with the late Dan Gallagher. "I was dating my husband (Michael Rapino), who lived there at the time, and I would spend my summers there. I loved Toronto. I had a great time there."

Thanks to a disguise of Vulcan wig and ears, she has no fear of being typecast. "I've been blessed. I've been working incognito. No one really knows what I actually look like."

Although Blalock doesn't expect STAR TREK ties to affect her future acting career, she readily admits that, just in case, "I am going to keep the ears."

The complete article, which more broadly covers fan support of their favorite SF&F TV shows, including BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, can be read in the Sunday (March 6th) issue of The Toronto Star.

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