As found at this url:

http://www.syfyportal.com/article/?id=533

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Just a month after the announcement was made that Brent Stait, who played Rev Bem on "Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda" was leaving the show for personal reasons, the actor has finally spoken out in the latest issue of Starburst Magazine.

"I think he started to get painted into a corner because what are you going to do with him to a degree?" Stait told Alex Jackson about his Wayist Magog character. "He can only philosophize so long and have philosophical conversations with Dylan (Kevin Sorbo) that don't become repetitive -- you have to epxand it."

With the powers that be pushing for more of an action-adventure show, rather than the more intellectual shows found in Gene Roddenberry's more popular creation, "Star Trek," Stait said he just didn't see how the pacifist Rev Bem could fit into the mix.

"You have to have a character that has action," he said. "On a show like that, you can't just sit around and talk. All the episodes of the first year and the earlier part of the second season, I'm being tortured, mentally or physically, and that gets redundant.

"I thought he would become a more integral part of the crew and that it would be a very character-oriented show. I knew there would be a lot of action and I was hoping that he would not get too linear in one note and just be the guy who came in and said some parables. I hoped he would be involved and it would be struggle and conflict."

One of the main things that Stait said pushed him from the show was the physical effect the makeup was having on him. Similar reasons is what pushed Virginia Hey from doing another alien minister, Zhaan, in "Farscape."

"The makeup was too extensive, the costume too hot, and it was physically too hard on me," he said. "The days were just really long, and I think that's great if you're playing a character like Rev. It wasn't fun any more. I had lost the fun of it because it was so physically exhausting.

"I was getting sores on my chest. I had skin coming off my chin all the time. I had rashes on my chest and the heat of that suit was nauseating. I would lose so much water every day, over 16 or 17 hours. That's find if you're doing five episodes or even 10, but it's not good for 20. It's better to be in the suit every day for a shorter amount of time than two days in a row for 16 or 17 hours doing all your work."

The show's co-producer, Ethlie Ann Vare, recently released through the Usenet boards that Stait's departure will take place in the upcoming episode, "Ouroboros," but released little details on how it will be done.

For the complete interview, pick up issue 282 of Starburst.

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Gotta respect the man for his reasons and his honesty. I too felt as if the character was too preachy (Of course, you didn't know that. I never mentioned my feelings on that subject, or did I? ). That's just boring. I can see why he felt as though his character wasn't being used to it's potential. I'm sorry Brent Stait is leaving for that reason.

Shhh,
Whisper

<<snipped>>
"You have to have a character that has action," he said. "On a show like that, you can't just sit around and talk. All the episodes of the first year and the earlier part of the second season, I'm being tortured, mentally or physically, and that gets redundant.

Yep. He (Rev Bem) was getting redundant.
I'm sorry for the actor that it didn't work out. But I gotta tell ya', I'm not overly sorry to see Rev Bem go.
MHO of course.....

Thanks Whisper! It's a shame the character had to go, but I agree, if the writers weren't creative enough to devise some meaty material that would develop the character then...shrug. From what I've been reading these past few months, Andromeda is moving away from being being something of an ensemble show to a "Dylan is the universe's last best hope" show. Just MO

it is a shame. There were some real possibilities for the character. I loved his role in the season finally, and I loved his role on the episode, "Devil Take the Hindmost". I really wasn't all that big on his character 90% of the time, though, as I thought he was just too preachy.

Shhh,
Whisper

But I think the writers had such potential with Rev Bem, potential they never used. They made him a pacifist, well and good, but pacifists can have depth and do more than just stand around with their fingers steepled together spouting platitudes. I liked Rev Bem in the season finale, too, and even the first couple of episodes of Season Two. I think Brent Strait is a good actor and deserved more than what he was being given to work with. Of course, I'm a little bummed by Andromeda right now. Perhaps it has something to do with all the stuff I've been reading on Kevin Sorbo. More than a little bummed with him.

Anyway, TPTB here in my area have put Andromeda on opposite Alias which I never miss and so, I've taped a couple episdoes of Andromeda, but I haven't watched them yet. Hate to say it, guys (deep breath here) but I'm really pulling away from the show and I think it has a lot to do with KS. I even tried to watch an episode of Hercules the other day and I turned it off in the middle. I guess I just need to take a break from the ego trip and see if I can get back what I lost when Kevin Sorbo beat his chest in plain view of his fans.

Again, JMHO.

Love and Hugs,

Jessi, who is feeling particulary blue and is on the way out the door for chocolate and a Diet Coke. VBG

Hang in there hon.

I think we have similar feelings on KS and his shows right now. I just can't watch any HTLJ eps, largely because of that, and other reasons. The joy just isn't there, you know?

But that's ok really, because there are other things to take its place.

Hugs,
Kendaa