Funny thing is that Gates McFadden worked for the Jim Henson Creature Shop for a long time before she was ever in Star Trek. In fact, she was a choreographer in the movie Labyrinth for that creepy-ass scene where the creatures all sing while pulling their heads off.
Wtf
Edit: she also choreographed several other scenes. This is just the one that stuck out in my memory from when I was a kid.
Yes, well, I love Star Trek a lot, and I also love the movie Labyrinth a lot. This resulted in a Venn diagram of me learning a bunch of things about Gates/Cheryl McFadden.
I really don’t know. But I will say one thing: all these decades later, I would prefer the name “Gates McFadden“ to “Cheryl McFadden“, but that’s really a matter of personal preference, and certainly not in any sort of objective creative judgment, or critique.
The name “Gates“ certainly aged better than the name “Cheryl“, at least in my opinion. She very likely came to this decision in the late 70s or early 80s. The choices certainly reflect the era.
The Screen Actor's Guild requires one's name to be unique. If anyone has ever used Cheryl McFadden, that name is off the table. No idea if that's the case here.
Yeah, that was 100% one of those situations where the actor's [non-acting] talent/hobby/quirk influences the characterization. Like Riker mounting chairs because of Jonathan Frakes' bad back, or various characters playing musical instruments because the actors had that skill.
So that WAS her in the behind the scenes documentary. She was never interviewed but was visible in the background showing a group of dancers how to move. I went to look this up just now and learned she used Cheryl McFadden for dancing and Gates McFadden for acting.
Damn, you're right. How about "confirmed, disabling safety protocols. Yaaaaaaaaay". Or "I'll disable your safety protocols, wakka wakka" or even "meep meep meep meep, meep meep."
45 Comments
blave@lemmy.world · 65 pts · 290d
Funny thing is that Gates McFadden worked for the Jim Henson Creature Shop for a long time before she was ever in Star Trek. In fact, she was a choreographer in the movie Labyrinth for that creepy-ass scene where the creatures all sing while pulling their heads off.
Wtf
Edit: she also choreographed several other scenes. This is just the one that stuck out in my memory from when I was a kid.
negativenull@piefed.world · 23 pts · 290d
She uses the name "Cheryl McFaddon" when working as a choreographer.
blave@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 290d
That’s her real name. She uses the stage name “Gates” when she acts.
Bold of her to ditch the “Cheryl” and keep the “McFadden”
negativenull@piefed.world · 9 pts · 290d
Holy crap! I thought it was the other way around!
This thread is full of TIL!
blave@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 290d
Yes, well, I love Star Trek a lot, and I also love the movie Labyrinth a lot. This resulted in a Venn diagram of me learning a bunch of things about Gates/Cheryl McFadden.
And knowledge, I find, is best shared.
grue@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 290d
Why would she pick a name like "Gates" on purpose?
blave@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 290d
I really don’t know. But I will say one thing: all these decades later, I would prefer the name “Gates McFadden“ to “Cheryl McFadden“, but that’s really a matter of personal preference, and certainly not in any sort of objective creative judgment, or critique.
The name “Gates“ certainly aged better than the name “Cheryl“, at least in my opinion. She very likely came to this decision in the late 70s or early 80s. The choices certainly reflect the era.
Thebeardedsinglemalt@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 290d
Cheryl may have fallen out of popularity but I wouldn't say it hasn't aged well.
Maybe of she chose Karen McFadden...
__ahhhhh@lemmynsfw.com · 3 pts · 289d
It's her middle name
shalafi@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 290d
The Screen Actor's Guild requires one's name to be unique. If anyone has ever used Cheryl McFadden, that name is off the table. No idea if that's the case here.
cybervseas@lemmy.world · 16 pts · 290d
The Dancing Doctor, indeed.
grue@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 290d
Yeah, that was 100% one of those situations where the actor's [non-acting] talent/hobby/quirk influences the characterization. Like Riker mounting chairs because of Jonathan Frakes' bad back, or various characters playing musical instruments because the actors had that skill.
blave@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 290d
She also did the ballroom masquerade scene
Edit: and many others
The_Picard_Maneuver@piefed.world · 14 pts · 290d
TIL! That's awesome.
data1701d@startrek.website · 12 pts · 290d
So that's why she reminds me of the babe...
blave@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 290d
The babe with the power
data1701d@startrek.website · 6 pts · 289d
What power?
ripcord@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 289d
The power of voodoo
mercano@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 289d
Who do?
data1701d@startrek.website · 5 pts · 289d
You do.
blave@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 289d
Do what?
ChicoSuave@lemmy.world · 11 pts · 290d
So that WAS her in the behind the scenes documentary. She was never interviewed but was visible in the background showing a group of dancers how to move. I went to look this up just now and learned she used Cheryl McFadden for dancing and Gates McFadden for acting.
blave@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 290d
OK, now I didn’t know that. What documentary are you referring to? I should check it out!
ChicoSuave@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 290d
Inside the Labyrinth
aeronmelon@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 290d
Now THAT'S a Rock Fact!
EmpathicVagrant@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 289d
Chilly down with the fire gang
That was my absolute favorite scene as a kid tbh.
blave@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 289d
Even though it scared the absolute shit out of me when I was a kid, that is definitely my favorite scene, still
TipRing@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 289d
So I can blame her for traumating my childhood? I had nightmares for weeks.
DarkCloud@lemmy.world · 30 pts · 290d
"Computer, initiate my Beverly and the Muppets sex program and deactivate safely protocols." -Barclay
Tolookah@discuss.tchncs.de · 16 pts · 290d
D is for Danger
limelight79@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 290d
That's Sesame Street, not the Muppets.
Tolookah@discuss.tchncs.de · 5 pts · 290d
Damn, you're right. How about "confirmed, disabling safety protocols. Yaaaaaaaaay". Or "I'll disable your safety protocols, wakka wakka" or even "meep meep meep meep, meep meep."
limelight79@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 289d
I feel like Picard could be Statler or Waldorf...
Tolookah@discuss.tchncs.de · 4 pts · 289d
Is Troi Ms Piggy? Riker Kermit? LaForge and Data Bunsen and Beaker? Fozzy Wesley? Gonzo Barkley?
Worf is Sam Eagle.
limelight79@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 288d
I feel like Wesley is more like Beaker. Data is more like Bunsen, and Geordi is Fozzy.
FridaySteve@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 288d
Who is animal
WhiskyTangoFoxtrot@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 289d
There's some crossover. The correspondent from Sesame Street News made a few Muppet Show appearances.
aeronmelon@lemmy.world · 22 pts · 290d
Beverly: "I don't have time for games! Just tell me which one of you is Wesley's father."
GreenKnight23@lemmy.world · 15 pts · 290d
Lawnman23@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 289d
I like my womens like I like my coffee; a latte!
Thebeardedsinglemalt@lemmy.world · 12 pts · 290d
Maybe she hasn't met her preferred muppets yet...
notreallyhere@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 290d
GreenKnight23@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 289d
One girl two Muppets
sundray@lemmus.org · 7 pts · 290d
Run program, "Felt Haven."