Grant, it's funny you mentioned that. When Meeker was cast in "Johnny Firecloud", producer David F. Friedman recalled Meeker wanted to play the weak, homosexual-guilt ridden sheriff instead of the town bad guy! Friedman felt Meeker wouldn't have been effective as the sheriff (i.e., too old) and cast David Canary in that role while Meeker played the bad guy! In the end, Friedman recalled that Meeker was in good spirits during the shoot, despite wanting to play the good guy.

In hindsight, I don't think Meeker would've been right as the good guy. But I do agree he was not bad as the mild-mannered character in "The Alpha Incident"!