Billy Campbell Was The 1st Choice For "Riker" - Berman's Comments!

[@KatEtoile]

They’re both the strong handsome type, but Jonathan Frakes just has that down to earth charm that helps Riker be likeable

[@derrickbonsell]

Also Jonathan Frakes was born in the same town as my parents.

[@RantingBrummie]

Too pretty, Frakes gave Riker more garavitas once he settled into the role and really grew the beard, so to speak.

[@robfj3414]

I think that, if Campbell had been in the role of Ryker, the dynamic between himself and Picard would have become more of a father/son thing. It might have eventually made the Wesley Crusher character less relevant. Who knows where that would have taken the show.

[@akmi1931]

Okana was a missed opportunity by be TNG’s Harry Mudd.

[@dendralen]

I remember on the 4400, they had to write his character off for a whole season because he signed up to go sailing for a year. He has a wanderlust to him.

[@windgraceproject]

I'll never forget Beyond Belief. NEVER!

[@startreknitpickers5838]

Good to hear from you, @windgraceproject! Isn't it great to have Prodigy back? I just watched the one where they try to use the abandoned borg tech and we see the hologram version of Gwyn disappear... Rock on, man!

[@windgraceproject]

@@startreknitpickers5838 It's really cool. I think I might be a bit ahead of you, so I won't comment on which episode I just watched. But WOW, the mid-season finale and premieres back in some big stuff! Hope you enjoy the rest, I will be sad when I finally finish it. Haha

[@donnamack6797]

Bill Campbell was dynamite on Crime Story. I loved him! I would definitely have preferred him.

[@markw5805]

2.5million networth in Hollywood is nothing considering the 10x prices of real estate in that area…that basically means he has a paid for house and maybe a couple of years of living costs to his name. While that isn’t poor, it is just barely secure in that environment. In other words he still has to work in order to not tank.

[@vaiosan775]

THANK GOD they didn't select him !

[@Wild_Bill57]

Funny how the part Campbell ended up playing on TNG, had the same issues that he had while testing for Ricker. PS good example of things working for the best for everyone

[@blackopspilled]

One makes a better officer

[@gpasprimus6505]

The next episode the Sons of Okana for future shows

[@ristube3319]

I thought you were talking about Billy West until I saw his picture

[@thewewguy8t88]

that is kind of insane but honestly the actor at least in the episode came accross as extremely bland. i mean i have seen him other things and no not the rocketer. and he was actually not to bad. if you are wondering he was an episode of frasier once and recuring villian in the show shark(he was in at least 2 episodes)

[@lawrencestrabala6146]

The civil war classic

[@therominator8709]

Wow. Rick Berman almost fucked up TNG. No I'm not surprised

[@junglemoose2164]

No. Campbell would have been better.

[@CraigConklin-q3b]

He would have played the roll much better than Frakes who thought being whinny and having an attitude was called acting.

[@thewewguy8t88]

the thing is as oknona he was extremely bland. like frakes brought something to the character of riker but i feel like this guy would have just been really bland for riker. if okona is anything to go by.

[@jonathanhibberd9983]

@@thewewguy8t88 Which is weird, because the episode is called "The Outrageous Okona". You would think he would be a bit more... outrageous.