10 Funniest Star Trek Episodes
8. Snake Eyes - Badda Bing, Badda Bang
Vic Fontaine was played by James Darren in Deep Space Nine, although the role had been written for Frank Sinatra Jnr. When Sinatra Jnr. agreed to appear on the condition that he appeared as an alien only, the role was retwigged and Darren went on to appear as Fontaine in eight episodes.
He was a hologram who knew exactly what he was and revelled in it, providing the show with some much needed light relief just as the Dominion Ware was beginning in earnest. He solidified his position as a confident and counsellor to many of the crew and so when he found himself in trouble, they quickly flocked to his aid.
In Badda Bing, Badda Bang, Vic's program goes through a design reset, introduced to spice things up. Vic's old rival Frankie Eyes buys the hotel, fires Vic and turns his lounge into a casino.
What follows is an old fashioned heist straight out of Ocean's 11. It features almost all of the main players (less Worf and Quark) taking on various roles around the bar to spring the trap. Everyone is clearly having a ball in the episode and not only does it show but it is infectious - there is not one time this episode hasn't brought a smile out. Avery Brook's gets to stretch his musical chops as the episode closes with a duet of The Best is Yet to Come. Fantastic period entertainment.