ION, Ellen is really running out of stuff with no writers. Today's show included recreating a goofy Japanese game show, many many animals with Jack Hannah, and a whole segment of old pictures of Ellen. Oh, and a terrible "instructional" video she did early in her career.

They did bring her back. The team changed something in time that meant that she'd never died, but the Federation fell into war with the Klingons. Whoopi Goldberg senses the wrongness in this when confronted with Tasha, and urges Picard to make a decision which isn't the obvious one, because she thinks that will right everything.

Tasha gets the vibe she's not supposed to be there, so she goes back in time to help folks out there instead.

Turns out (and this is where it gets even foggier for me) that she doesn't die back in the past, and gets all tied up with the Romulans. So when "our" universe crosses paths with that one she's back again.

I think.

She left by her own choice--what was she intending to do? Did she have a beef, or a better offer?

So when "our" universe crosses paths with that one she's back again.

Wasn't that one the offspring of Tasha and a Romulan?

As I just learned on Wikipedia, she felt like her role was turning into Uhura, and she wasn't for that -- nothing to do but stand around.

Wasn't that one the offspring of Tasha and a Romulan?

That would fit with the timeline better.

I'm so averse to actors playing their original character's parents or children (Dallas, I'm looking at you) that my mind seems to tidy up my memories.

she felt like her role was turning into Uhura, and she wasn't for that -- nothing to do but stand around.

I'm watching TOS right now, and Uhura got some screaming in. But seriously--she kinda went nowhere except back for a visit or two. I wonder if she stands by her decision.

Hilariously, the same wikipedia article says she's "worked nonstop," and then names like 10 guest spots.

I do wonder if, as an actor, you'd rather have a steady but somewhat crappy job.

...I remember sneaking out my dad's copy of Playboy with Denise Crosby in it--early sign I was queer? Or just a teenage Trekkie? You decide.

I do wonder if, as an actor, you'd rather have a steady but somewhat crappy job.

I would think it would be awesome to work on a soap. Steady work, long breaks, you're famous *enough* but not too famous, and if you're good, it's good training.

I remember soap actors talking about how wonderful an ad spot was. Just being the voice for Colgate could pull in great money. Made me wonder about the satisfaction of their day to day gig. Which has to be a tremendous amout of work. Very intense when you're on--if people can burn out on a 22 ep series, I shiver to think of the strain of a soap.

I would think it would be awesome to work on a soap. Steady work, long breaks, you're famous *enough* but not too famous, and if you're good, it's good training.

I know there are (or used to be, it's been so long since I watched) at least two actors on As The World Turns who really work that -- they've been on the show for probably 30 years, alternating between that and lots of live theater. Work intensely on the soap as one of the lead or supporting characters in this or that plotline for a month or so, take a break while your storyline fades into the background, do some live theater for sheer love of it while the show keeps paying your bills, and you only have to maybe drop by the studio for one or two brief scenes a week until your storyline rolls back to the front again.