Have you ever been so starstruck that you completely forgot what you were doing? Well, imagine being Marina Sirtis, the iconic Deanna Troi from "Star Trek: The Next Generation," and having MacGyver himself, Richard Dean Anderson, heap praise on you! The result? A serious case of line-flubbing on the set of "Stargate SG-1."
Marina Sirtis, beloved by "Star Trek" fans worldwide, wasn't just Deanna Troi. She's had a rich and varied acting career, taking on roles far beyond the Enterprise. One such role brought her to the world of "Stargate SG-1," where she played a Russian doctor. But here's where it gets controversial... it wasn't the alien threats or the complex plotlines that tripped her up; it was a compliment from the show's star, Richard Dean Anderson.
Anderson, famous for his resourcefulness as MacGyver and later as Colonel Jack O'Neill (a role Kurt Russell initially passed on), apparently went out of his way to stay on set and deliver his off-camera lines while Sirtis was performing. Despite having plans to leave and spend time with his daughter, he insisted on supporting Sirtis' performance. And this is the part most people miss... it wasn't just a polite gesture; it completely threw Sirtis off her game!
In the "Stargate SG-1" Season 4 episode "Watergate," which aired in 2000, Sirtis played Dr. Svetlana Markova, a Russian scientist. The episode revolves around the discovery of a second Stargate by the Russians, recovered from the wreckage of the Biliskner, Supreme Commander Thor's ship. The Russian Stargate is stuck with an active wormhole, preventing Stargate Command (SGC) from using their own. Dr. Markova plays a crucial role, urging the SG-1 team to investigate the situation.
The plot thickens when Markova joins Dr. Daniel Jackson (Michael Shanks) and Major Samantha Carter (Amanda Tapping) on a journey through the Russian Stargate. Meanwhile, Colonel Jack O'Neill (Richard Dean Anderson) and Teal'c (Christopher Judge) explore the Russian base. They soon discover that the "water" on the alien planet isn't water at all, but a sentient alien race. Teal'c becomes host to these tiny beings, who eventually return to their home world, just as Markov, Jackson, and Carter return safely. A classic “Stargate” adventure, full of suspense and discovery!
But the real adventure, according to Sirtis, happened off-screen.
According to Sirtis, Anderson had a contractual agreement that allowed him to leave the set after 6 PM to be with his two-year-old daughter (family considerations were also a factor in Anderson's eventual departure from "Stargate SG-1"). In a video interview, Sirtis recounts filming a scene where her character arrives at a plane in a jeep. She noticed Anderson's driver waiting and reminded him of his 6 PM deadline. Anderson's response? He wasn't leaving. "Oh, no," he said, according to Sirtis, "When we get actors of your caliber, I stay to do my off-camera dialogue."
The impact was immediate. "I got so flummoxed," Sirtis admitted. "I kept screwing up the lines. He made me nervous by saying that." It’s one thing to be a seasoned professional, but another entirely to have such high praise from a fellow star, especially one as established as Richard Dean Anderson.
It’s a testament to Anderson's character that he prioritized supporting a fellow actor, even at the expense of his personal time. But it also highlights the pressure and vulnerability that actors can experience, even at the height of their careers.
Of course, Sirtis also recalled a less pleasant memory from the episode: injuring her back while filming the scene where she jumps out of the plane. It just goes to show you, even a compliment from MacGyver can't protect you from on-set mishaps!
So, what do you think? Is there such a thing as too much praise? Have you ever been so overwhelmed by admiration that it affected your performance? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! And, more importantly, does this story change how you view Richard Dean Anderson, either positively or negatively? Let's discuss!
