Richard Hatch (Tom Zarek) interview - March 23rd, 2007, (Zarek, Baltar, deleted scenes, deaths, budgets, ratings) Rating Options

[ashoka1]

For a related topic, visit: POOR TOM ZAREK
Sound off on the fleet biting Zarek's style, Hatch's impressive disappearing act this season, and all things Vice Presidental.

Given that Baltar's now positioning himself as a revolutionary, how do you think Zaric feels about that? Will he side with Baltar?
I think that Zaric has a lot of respect for Roslyn. He's gained a lot of respect, not respect as a person, but respect for Baltar's skill. I think he's come to recognize that Baltar's a lot smarter than he sometimes pretends to be. Sometimes he plays stupid. He plays naïve, but there's something far more aware going on. I find the Baltar character one of the more interesting characters on the show, for that same reason. What's motivating him? Sometimes our ego -- our need to be loved, our need to feel important -- drives us, but ultimately, on the way, we have an epiphany. We have a revelation. We're all capable of moving into a greater realization of who we are in the world, and finding a more positive way to do something.

So you think there might be hope for Baltar?
Baltar is a character that could very well end up being the good guy. He could very well end up doing good things. The jury is still out. But that doesn't make him good for good teammates, in the sense of Baltar and Zaric. They've worked together before. There were some things that got cut out and I don't know if they're going to put them in. There's a big scene I shot with Baltar the last show I was in that got cut out, which opened up a whole Pandora's box. So I don't know if that thread's going to go somewhere. If it does, then you would realize the connection of Baltar and Zaric on a much deeper level.

I think they open up a lot of little possibilities, and then sometimes it's fallen through. Sometimes the following season they'll pick up the thread, like Babylon 5 did. I'm not sure what's going to happen in that regard.

Are we going to see more of Zaric on Sunday night or next season?
You know, everybody knows this is a show where anyone can buy it at anytime. I have no idea what's going to happen to my character. I have no idea if he's going to come back, or he's going to continue, or someone assassinated me. I have no clue. Honestly -- from script to script, we open the package with our hands shaking. (laughter) You know it sounds silly, but it's like, "Oh, there goes my new car..." (laughter). "There goes to that trip to Tahiti." You just have no idea of what's going to happen. Actors on Battlestar have to save all of their money to be sure that they're safe. This last season, there were several episodes I was supposed to be in, and that I got cut out of. I think part of the reason was that they had made big deals with a couple of guest stars that came on, and they only have so much budget. Lucy Lawless is a wonderful actress and a wonderful lady. She came on the show. She was on for ten episodes. They only have so much budget. I was supposed to do a few more episodes. I was even written in. When I get a Battlestar script, I don't even learn the lines for the first couple of rewrites.

The network's running only 13 episodes this season, instead of the usual 20. Why?
Essentially, I think the reason they're doing that is... money. It's very expensive to do a full season of Battlestar. Because the ratings have not been great, they didn't want to cancel it, but that way [with fewer episodes] they could fit into the budget for that year.

How can it be saved from cancellation?
I think with Battlestar Galactica, you really need to give it a big publicity push -- the same way you talked all of your friends into watching it. I believe if everyone watched it, and realized what a great drama it is, and that you don't have to be a Sci-Fi fan to enjoy it, I think you would build an audience. It would be one of those shows that starts out and builds.

What do you like to watch?
What do I watch? I watch a lot of porn. (laughter) Well, I didn't get laid on the original show, and I'm not getting laid on this one. And there's beautiful women on both shows, you have to admit. I watch CNN all the time. I'm really into politics, I'm into philosophy, science. I watch the Discovery Channel. There are a few shows I watch on Showtime. Name some shows... Rome! I think Rome is one of the best shows on TV -- the writing and the acting and even the production values are extraordinary on that show. I love big epic shows that are really powerful, character-driven stories. I do like shows that have that sense of bigness to them. I also like romantic comedies too. (laughter)

[ProperNoun]

[...]
What do you like to watch?
What do I watch? I watch a lot of porn. (laughter) Well, I didn't get laid on the original show, and I'm not getting laid on this one. And there's beautiful women on both shows, you have to admit. I watch CNN all the time. I'm really into politics, I'm into philosophy, science. I watch the Discovery Channel. There are a few shows I watch on Showtime. Name some shows... Rome! I think Rome is one of the best shows on TV -- the writing and the acting and even the production values are extraordinary on that show. I love big epic shows that are really powerful, character-driven stories. I do like shows that have that sense of bigness to them. I also like romantic comedies too. (laughter)

"Rome is on HBO and it is good!," he said in mid-bump.

[ashoka1]

Bump!

[Dreamscene]

thanks for posting the article, I'd like to see Tom Zarek back again.

[carol2007]

I couldn't stand Lucy Lawless's character. It's too bad IMHO if they paid her so much money that they couldn't have had Richard Hatch on more. Tom Zarek really should have been in the episode on the Sagittarons and should have been involved in Baltar's trial.

[PennyFeline]

I couldn't stand Lucy Lawless's character. It's too bad IMHO if they paid her so much money that they couldn't have had Richard Hatch on more. Tom Zarek really should have been in the episode on the Sagittarons and should have been involved in Baltar's trial.

I just wanted to say the same! *lol* Lucy was alright, but that whole Cylon treesome storyarc didn't interest me one bit, while I terribly missed Zarek. Too bad his scenes were cut.

[spacedlawyer]

Hey, Rome covers both drama and porn. No wonder he likes it.

[Michelle67]

I find the Baltar character one of the more interesting characters on the show, for that same reason. What's motivating him? Sometimes our ego -- our need to be loved, our need to feel important -- drives us, but ultimately, on the way, we have an epiphany. We have a revelation. We're all capable of moving into a greater realization of who we are in the world, and finding a more positive way to do something.

"a greater realization of who we are in the world" -- here's hoping that we finally get the details of what being the chosen one means.

[Meissa]

I would have preferred more Zarek to D'Anna...

[Vibration]

"a greater realization of who we are in the world" -- here's hoping that we finally get the details of what being the chosen one means.

My thoughts too.

In reading the other comments he made it appear the show is in a slump. Not enough budget,etc. Sad.
SciFi is the most interesting thing out there these days. Forget the big budget actors/actresses, continue with the regulars and see where it goes.

I never cared for Lucy Lawless either.

[cafsiopeia]

More Zarek would have been nice.

[polaris33]

More Zarek less Helo!


Just had to add that to this thread.

[PubliusClodius]

"Rome is on HBO and it is good!," he said in mid-bump.

*raises sword*


MARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!





PC

[Vibration]

More Zarek less Helo!

Yes, please. Older men are much wiser.
Besides, Zarek is a rebel at heart, that appeals to everyone.

[hihoag2]

"Rome is on HBO and it is good!," he said in mid-bump.

Please the spelling of Tom Zarek's name has been misspelled enough!!! at least get it right on the Interview
and YES
GET TOM ZAREK LAID...its the least they could do...
I say we start a petition...for Richard Hatch aka Tom Zarek to get laid on Battlestar Galactica ...at least once.....
SO SAY WE ALL


jean
hey somebody had to say it

[coffeecake512]

More Zarek less Helo!
Just had to add that to this thread.

second that.

[LawnmowerFace]

great interview.
The more I learn about Richard Hatch the more I really like the guy.
He seems very down-to-earth and very real.

[coffeecake512]

great interview.
The more I learn about Richard Hatch the more I really like the guy.
He seems very down-to-earth and very real.

Yeah the more I learn about him the more I like him as well.

[MalteseCrichton]

Thanks for posting this! good stuff

[AthenaIsBack]

That really sucks that he was cut all so they could have Lucy Lawless on the show. I actually like D'anna though but not as much as I liked Zarek. I always though something was missing from this season and now I know.