Karan Ashley Speaks Out On Super Megaforce Reunion

Hold on to your hats because this is going to bring some interesting discussion!

As you may recall, Karan Ashley (Aisha, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) rejected the offer to return for a cameo in Power Rangers Super Megaforce. Fans have been polarized on their opinions - some think she, along with others that rejected the offer to return, should have done it for the fans. Others have expressed sympathy knowing that Haim Saban is relatively cheap and that he, and the production company, should have done more to bring back original cast members for the reunion.

After these polarized opinions have each been expressed on her Facebook page, Karan Ashley felt it was time to address the whole situation on our Uncensored Radio Show with her co-host Jeffrey.

The clip, courtesy of nightmere10 on Twitter, can be found below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2umsc_Ml7u4

WARNING. CLIP CONTAINS USE OF PROFANITY.

There you have it, straight from the mouth of Karan Ashley. I'm sure all of you have some thoughts, comments, and concerns of things brought up in the clip - I know I did as a fan. Go ahead and post your thoughts and comments in this thread.

With production seemingly only wanting 10 previous cast members to return and now others such as Blake Foster getting the axe on reappearing we assume that the Super Megaforce casting news should be dwindling down to a minimum. Thank you all for sticking through as we hashed out who was returning and who wasn't.

Share your thoughts in discussion!

Note: I removed the off-topic posts about the new rumor on the cameo usage and created it's own thread.

http://www.tokunation.com/showthread.php?t=46180

In the mean time, let's keep this thread about what Karan Ashley had to say.

So this is really really long... any chance of a summary from the people who've listened?

Nothing but respect for those two. As I've said before fan expectation is just ridiculous, and Saban's treatment of his cast sounds just as ridiculous.

EDIT: Retyping because my post was a jumbled mess, haha

I do find it funny that she mentions all of these great projects that she is doing (photography business, radio station, and one she's about to sell.) but she says its not enough for her time what they are paying her. I'm not defending Saban by any means I bet they are being cheap about it. But at some point these people have to say..."is it worth it for the fan?" And I'm sorry, but when some of these people say that they do things for the fans, but won't take a hit for them to enjoy something that also might get their names back out in the broader public eye...really? Sorry for the rant, I feel there are equal parts of bullcrap to spread between both Saban and people refusing to go.

Obviously there is an exception for David Yost ( referring to the nonsense he dealt with his lifestyle), but honestly, I just want to see it and have it be done, because this is in no way "The biggest 20th Anniversary we could expect".

It started out as the other guy (I'm sorry I don't know his name) mentioning that Karan should explain exactly what a cameo is, which is a few minutes on-screen time with little to no lines whatsoever.

It's pretty much Karan saying that she was pretty excited to go, but when it came down to it, based on her own personal life and her business, she would lose money over the deal. She said for five days, they would get paid for two, and those two days weren't worth it.

She went on to say that working on Power Rangers was an opportunity, even though the actors weren't paid enough and she felt (as do many of the other actors) that if you're going to be making so much money off this, that the time/money ratio should be more worthwhile (paraphrased.) She also said that a few of the actors were gung ho, excited about going and were on board, regardless, and the casting department never responded back. A few members of the production company even had personal contact with the actors, saying that it was "great to have them back" only to reject them weeks later.

I wasn't 100% sure on this, but I do believe that the actors waited and waited and finally touched base with Saban (the production crew) to find out the definitive answer if they were accepted to go back or not, not Saban letting the actors know, the way it should be.

Karan also mentioned that if they had ten or so hand-picked that they wanted, why invite everyone? Instead, just go for the ones you want, and if they can't do it, go down the list. She said pretty much everyone got a message about doing the cameo, (those that could be reached) and it was all the same generic letter that we've seen.

Karan spoke about her role on the movie, and how at it's red carpet debut, she stepped out of the limo and saw Haim Saban. She greeted him and he didn't even really know who she was, which led into the fact that it was never about the actors, but the toys and the money that Saban makes and they could easily be replaced. Apparently this was a common threat on set.

Lastly, the thing I was happy to hear the most, is that Karan took a stand. She was more or less thankful for her time as a Power Ranger, but for the people who say that they should do it regardless, for the fans and forget the money, (since it's only a "few episodes", which according to her it's not even that) that she does so much for the fans already (including that radio show) and that the fans stating such things need to realize that life and priorites come first (again, paraphrased). One of them, either the gentleman (who is pretty upset to the fans that want the actors to come back regardless) or Karan stated that those fans should be ashamed of themselves.

All in all, I agreed with everything she stated and it was what has been stated all along, but in further detail (and colorful metaphors, by the gentleman though) and it gave us fans a bit of light into the real world of being a Power Ranger. After all, this is the real world, where superheroes don't actually exist and no one owes anyone anything, especially if they already do so much as it is.


PS: She also touched on David Yost quite a bit, saying he was bullying and called a "faggot" on set quite often. He's starting to realize that his fans do love him though and that's why he's doing more con appearances, but all the money he gets from those cons, has gone to charity. All of it. So, for people to think that Yost should go back, for the fans, after those conditions should also be ashamed of themselves as well.

At some point, the fans have to say "is it worth it for the actor." Did you listen to the whole thing?

And the public eye thing is BS. Power Rangers isn't relevant except for it's adult fanbase and the kids. It won't land them any acting careers, especially if the role is just a cameo role.

EDIT: I also agree with Kickback. Co-host was a bit rude, but the point is valid. He's angry for Karan, and rightfully so.

This is EXACTLY what I wanted to hear. It's what I've been saying for weeks. Too many people are bashing these actors when they don't have all the facts. These people have gotten screwed over, mistreated, under paid, and jerked around by Saban before and there's no reason they should put themselves through it again for pennies.

And David Yost is my hero. Billy was mine and my wifes' favorite ranger as kids. Without getting political I love the guy and what he does and his donations to charity make me respect him even more highly.

*high five*

Oh, I also want to know who the fan was that emailed her. They need to be greased and spooned I say! Greased and spooned!

That's a new one...