Display MoreIsn't it funny how actors tend to show up on TV right when they happen to have a new movie out? No, of course that's because they take part in press junkets sponsored by the companies that are producing those films. In the mid-1990s, Electronic Arts invested heavily in having their Wing Commander actors do just that; Wing Commander III and IV (and to a lesser extent Prophecy) saw the likes of Mark Hamill and Malcolm McDowell popping up all over the place to talk about their storied careers... and, oh yeah, to mention there's a new CD-ROM out, too! Today we've found two fun examples from the various Wing Commander junkets to share with you.
In 2026, everyone knows Jon Stewart as the celebrated host of The Daily Show... but in 1994 he was the fresh faced host of a self-titled and short-lived syndicated talk show. This interview is from the November 15, 1994 episode which featured actor Malcolm McDowell, there to promote Wing Commander III. The Wing Commander section is in the last two minutes and it features both Stewart brandishing the box and a pretty good cutaway gag about what the game is like.
We were curious why he refuses to mention Star Trek Generations, then due out in about a week. A little research found the below Variety article which explains the unexpected behind-the-scenes dispute!
DISH: The Last -- And First -- Word In Showbiz Chatter
By Michael Fleming
A MALCOLM-TENT?
When you've spent the past few months traveling around space on the Starship Enterprise and a Vulcan bird of prey, you become picky about your method of air flight.
That could be one explanation of why Malcolm McDowell, who plays the villain in "Star Trek Generations," abruptly stopped promoting the film in a dispute with Paramount over an airline ticket.
The stories vary, but sources said McDowell refused to show up at booked appearances this week on "Good Morning America" and "Extra" because Paramount wouldn't pay for a ticket on the Concorde to fly McDowell to London, where he's attending a memorial service for Lindsay Anderson, the director who died in September and made McDowell a star in such films as "If ..." and Oh, Lucky Man."
To add insult to injury, McDowell did go on the Paramount-syndicated "Jon Stewart Show," but refused to mention Paramount's "Trek" movie. Instead, he talked about his upcoming role in the MGM action film "Tank Girl."
The short spat seems to have resulted from miscommunication, with both sides pointing fingers.
Sources close to McDowell said he's not difficult but was told he'd get Concorde treatment after he bought a nonrefundable London airline ticket only to find the junket dates messed up his travel plans. He felt the offer had been rescinded, with the studio ponying up for a coach ticket -- with a Detroit stopover.
Other sources said the Concorde was offered only if an interview session cut McDowell's exit too close. They felt that hadn't happened.
Eventually, the sides compromised: McDowell got a first class ticket. He's agreed to stump for the film in the international marketplace, which will please the studio.
Imagine if he killed one of the studio's biggest franchise characters, Captain Kirk, and wouldn't even go on national television to brag about it.And here's Mark Hamill the next year promoting the upcoming Wing Commander IV on... a three hour long QVC home shopping special from October 27, 1995! Come for the endless array of shodyd 1990s Star Wars collectibles, stay for the talk about interactive movie making. He talks about Wing Commander IV at the 1h48m mark and then again at 2h22m.
We've archived both videos below:
- Malcolm McDowell - The Jon Stewart Show (MP4, 57m)
- Mark Hamill - Star Wars QVC Collectible Show (MP4, 826m)
