James Darren made Vic Fontaine more than a lounge singer in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: the hologram offered music, company and counsel while the station’s larger story moved through war. Darren himself singled out several Vic episodes as favorites, and said his favorite performance on the series was a duet with Avery Brooks.
Who was Vic Fontaine in Deep Space Nine?
Vic Fontaine was a holographic singer with a 20th-century lounge act, played by James Darren. The character first appeared in the sixth-season episode “His Way,” where he advises Odo about life, love and relationships. That combination of performance and practical companionship gave Vic a role beyond entertaining the station’s crew.
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In a 2019 interview with StarTrek.com, Darren recalled that the producers sought an actor for a recurring character in 1998. He initially resisted because the role called for him to play a singer, but reading the script changed his mind. “It was just a great role. Vic Fontaine was like – what can I say? – it was a dream come true for me.”
Which DS9 episodes did James Darren call his favorites?
Darren’s own picks included Vic’s introduction, another episode centered on the hologram, and the series finale. They are his personal choices, not an official or consensus ranking.
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- Genre: TV Sci-Fi
- Number of Discs: 47
- Number of Tracks: 0
- Playback Duration: 7986
- Movie Title: Star Trek - Deep Space Nine: The Complete Series
- “His Way”: Darren said he loved his first episode as Vic.
- “It’s Only a Paper Moon”: Darren named it alongside “His Way” as one of his two sure favorites. The episode follows Nog as he retreats into Vic’s holographic world after losing his leg; Paramount+’s episode catalog describes that premise.
- “The Emperor’s New Cloak”: Darren called the alternate-universe episode “a lot of fun.”
- “What You Leave Behind”: He later added the series finale to his favorites.
In the StarTrek.com interview, Darren summarized his first choices: “I’d say that ‘His Way’ and ‘It’s Only a Paper Moon’ are my two favorites, for sure.” He then added the finale as another favorite.
What was Darren’s favorite performance on DS9?
In a separate interview about “Badda-Bing, Badda-Bang,” Darren said: “My favorite performance that I got to do on DS9 was the duet with Avery.” The quoted remark identifies Avery Brooks as his duet partner but does not name the song, so it is best read without attaching a specific title.
The comment points to what made Vic’s appearances distinctive: music was part of the drama, not just atmosphere. A lounge performance could make room for friendship or intimacy amid a series whose central story was often shaped by conflict. That contrast is an interpretation of the character’s effect, rather than a claim about Darren’s intended meaning.
Did James Darren record Vic Fontaine’s songs?
Yes. StarTrek.com reports that Darren recorded the 1999 album This One’s From the Heart, featuring songs he had sung as Vic Fontaine. The album links the fictional lounge act to Darren’s real singing career; the cited interview does not establish its current physical-format availability.
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For the complete series, the official Star Trek site announced a Deep Space Nine complete-series DVD set. Paramount Japan also lists season DVD editions, including a seven-disc season-five box on its catalog page. A catalog listing confirms an edition was released, not that it is currently in stock or compatible with every player; check the region and format before buying.
For streaming, Paramount+ maintains an official DS9 episode page. Availability can vary by region, so check the catalog where you live. If you only want the Vic-centered arc, “His Way” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon” are good starting points based on Darren’s own episode preferences.
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