Picardo, Phillips Talk New Projects

What is life like for the Voyager actors after the Delta Quadrant? Judging from the recent work schedule of Robert Picardo (the EMH) and Ethan Phillips (Neelix), the answer is clear: busy.

Picardo and Phillips took to the stage at Slanted Fedora's Fort Washington, PA, convention yesterday to fill fans in on their recent projects, according to reports submitted by TrekToday readers Doug Wilson and Bernie Seilhamer. Both actors have reportedly filmed guest roles in Fox television shows: Picardo in the mid-season replacement series Cracking Up and Phillips in the Sunday-night comedy, Oliver Beene.

As previously reporterd Picardo will have a recurring role in Rob Lowe's new series, The Lyon's Den, which premieres this fall. He also filmed a guest shot in the Stargate SG-1 "Heroes, Part II" and will reprise that character in an another episode of the sci-fi show's seventh season.

Both stars have also been active on the movie front. Ethan Phillips will appear in the Christmas comedy Bad Santa, about a man who plays Santa in shopping malls in order to rob them. The film stars Billy Bob Thornton, Bernie Mac and John Ritter. Picardo told fans about his appearance in the part-animated, part-live action film, Looney Tunes: Back in Action, in which he plays Acme's "Vice President of Rhetorical Questions" alongside Steve Martin and the Tasmanian Devil.

Of course, there was also plenty of Trek discussion going on at the convention. Picardo, who co-wrote the story for Voyager's "Life Line", reportedly pitched an episode to the Enterprise producers about an ancestor of Dr. Lewis Zimmerman who is against developing artificial intelligence. Although the producers reportedly liked the idea, nothing has come of the premise to date. Picardo indicated that he would be happy to guest star on Enterprise in another role, though not in full alien make-up.

At the end of the convention, Picardo and Phillips put on a performance of Housecall. The comic play, which the actors wrote together, is set after the Voyager crew have returned to Earth.

Many thanks to Doug and Bernie for their reports!

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