Favorite Michael Moments

As contributed by fans, December 2001

In November 2001, Captain Trip Records of Japan released a live CD by Silverhead called Show Me Everything. Michael sent some autographed copies for a contest, and the hunt was on for favorite Michael moments! Power Station photo © 1985 The Groove Duran Duran fanzine.

"My favorite Michael Des Barres Moment is………"

	"From MacGyver where he acts as Murdoc. Though it's difficult to decide which scene is actually my favorite, I guess I would say it is from 'Halloween Knights' when he's in the crypt with MacGyver and he gives his speech about having reformed. This scene would be my favorite not only because the idea of Murdoc reforming is ludicrous, but also because he seems to be mocking MacGyver at the same time he's promising to be on straight with the man. Michael just seems to bring such a level of insanity to the part, it's a joy to watch him on the screen, regardless of the part." ---Trela
	"Well, of course my favorite moment is going to be from MacGyver. The problem is there are so many good Murdoc moments. How can I pick just one? All Murdoc moments are my favorite Michael moments. Ok, so since I have to pick just one, it is from the episode 'Halloween Knights.' MacGyver is putting on the ridiculous joker's costume and Murdoc makes a snarky comment. ("Charming" I think is what he says.) One word itself doesn't mean much, but so much is conveyed in the (maybe) three seconds the camera is on him. His body language, facial expression and tone express everything. This is Michael's strength as an actor. He can carry a scene without saying a word. (Not that I mind him when he's talking. Not at all.) " ---Meg
(no picture available)	"It's very hard to pick a favorite of anything when it comes to Michael Des Barres, because there are so many great things he's done, within music, TV and film. But something that I immediately thought of when I read about the contest was Michael's comical skills and his appearance on Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, in the episode 'Wall of Sound' (1994). In that episode Michael plays a rock singer called Lenny Stoke, a man who appears to prefer young brunettes and has a very short concentration span. He turns out to be a real bad guy, threatening the city of Metropolis and Superman with some kind of ultrasonic sound device. The whole episode is great, but the one scene that really sticks in my mind is the one which takes place at the Stoke Club, Lenny Stoke's own rock club. First, Michael performs the song "Wall of Sound", which sounds really cool: I wake my children, lost and found And try to penetrate my wall of sound Shortly afterwards he sits down to have an intimate chat with an undercover Lois Lane, who is dressed up in black leather for the occasion. The conversation that follows is just so hilarious! Lenny: ”You see, I think there gets to a point in a relationship... You know, one that's got this kind of immediate connection. But it's not about me, Lenny and you..........What was your name again, darling?” And then, Lois spills her drink on Lenny in order to attach a spy-pen on his vest. And he almost discovers it (when you watch this, it sounds unbelievably silly): Lenny: ”What's this?..........You got something on the old vest here, my darling!” So that scene in the Stoke Club is a favorite of mine. It has great music, and an incredibly funny dialogue. Spoken by an incredibly funny man!" ---Jakob
	"Favourite moment?  I consider the first Silverhead to have all kinds of 'favourite moments.' But in the sake of narrowing down, I reckon it would have to be the first time my tender little 11 year old ears beheld 'Rolling With My Baby.'  I can even remember the d.j.'s name: Sebastian.  Seems that Sebastian (and I do forget the radio station) was a great corruptor of mine.  Bowie's 'Space Oddity,' Alice's 'Billion Dollar Babies,' Elton John, all these great artists of the time were played by him. Somewhere I have cassette tapes from a cheap Panasonic recorder that I used to stay up late and record Sebastian's show. Yes, a little boy in the dark, face lit by the green glow of his Zenith radio. Another great moment is my talking on the phone with my very first  girlfriend, Nancy Mumford, and having to put the phone down and run to my mother's stereo to turn up the guitar solo on 'Rock n Roll Band.'  I couldn't have been much older than 12.  What a mixed up kid. And... flash forward to my staying in a youth hostel in London in 1985 and 'Rolling With My Baby' came over the radio.  The d.j. was quite funny saying something like if you've never heard this song then this is what it is... but if you have heard this song before you are probably freaking out, saying 'wow, Silverhead, I can't believe this guy is playing Silverhead.'  Visits to Europe seem to always be filled with these kind of moments.  I nearly dropped my Ruddles!" ---Michael
	"In 'Halloween Knights' (MacGyver). The way Murdoc showed concern for his little sister and revealing how he had been keeping watch over her from the shadows showed the first true deep character development as far as revealing that he had human emotions. Also the fear of snakes thing was also a wonderful addition as well." ---Leslie
(no picture available)	"In an interview years and years ago, where they asked him about performing in a film with Bernadette Peters (Pink Cadillac), and he gushed about how flawless she was, "just like peaches and cream, I wanted to lick her!" (or something similar and suggestive). Yes, that was when my MDB fandom was confirmed! " ---Caroline
	"I went to the Power Station concert in Vancouver on July 31st, 1985. I have to say he was quite good, although I went to actually just see John and Andy. Michael's contribution to the show was memorable. I own a copy of Sugar Town and loved his character, most memorable part for me was his scene with the lovely Bijou Philips." ---Ramona
	"From 'Strictly Business' while changing identities with MacGyver." ---Jenny
	"When I saw him with silver hair the first time. Which I think was the Pretender episode where he played the serial killer, but it *may* have been the Sugar Town bootleg. Aw, heck, Sugar Town in general is a favorite Michael moment. Especially him in the blue suit. *dang* He's a hottie with his 'Silverhead' :)" ---Tina
	"The 2nd act of 'Strictly Business' (MacGyver); Murdoc, having redecorated MacGyver's houseboat, has MacGyver restrained in a chair while he sets up that lovely Cupid statue with the poison arrow. It was definitely Michael at his best; the touch of nervousness as Murdoc taunts his quarry followed by the deadly seriousness after he lets MacGyver go at the last second. He was perfect in that scene." ---Wolf`
	"My favorite Michael Des Barres moment is my first Michael Des Barres moment - Michael as Dog on WKRP in Cincinnati. 23 years later, and I'm still a fan. And I can still pretty much quote the entire episode. " ---Lisa