Star Trek

why did they bring neelix into the show? what was his real purpose? evidently, his cooking was crappy, and he made no real contribution to the show, why was he there?

He was an everyman character, not a stuff shirt Starfleet type. He also proved himself to be quite resourceful in certain situations. But they never really did find him much to do once they were past where he had been. While I was sad, in a way, that he never saw Earth at least he was finally given a purpose. 

I doubt Janeway felt him to be pointless.He was an unflagging supporter to her over the course of the series. Nor did Chakotay, in speaking, in essence, for the entire crew, near the end of ''Mortal Coil''' , as he appealed to him not to take his own life. He lost a family on Talax, but gained one there. He was, like Kes, supposed to be an outside observer on humanity, as envisioned at the outset. He certainly didn't come from a charmed life, and, as other fans have said, no doubt hid a great deal of pain behind the cheerfulness, though I am certain he was far more content, overall, than he had been in a long time. His best episodes were ones that were less on 'comedic relief', and more on drama, such as that ep, or ''Jetrel'', or ''Riddles'', a very good Neelix/Tuvok tale. I think the whole point, also, was to have a native of this region, and, until ''Fair Trade'', he WAS a guide through uncharted space.

Oh he was useful. Don't mistake not liking his character to not needeing his character. First it gave the show comic relief; he also represented someone who is unfamiliar with what Starfleet is. Finally, between he and Kes, he was the more interesting of the two.

Neelix's cheerfulness could sometimes be irritating, but he gave them a non-Starfleet person's responses and opinions.

I thought he had a point, even if only to be a nominal guide to the Delta quadrant.  As others have noted, even though irritating he added a colorful addition to the rest of the quite serious cast.  Along the lines of non-Starfleet, he could sometimes be the proverbial voice of reason.  His resourcefulness and familiarity with the Delta quadrant also gave some excuse for certain plot facets.  I always he was one of the more interesting characters as most of the others are a bit too dull in my book.

He was a good man.

He was brought in to be a local expert on the Delta quadrant.  Like the rest of the show, he didn't live up to his billing.

Ethan Phillips was one of the best actors in the series and Neelix was one of the most developed characters.  Also, his compassion was a great (and necessary) counterpoint to Tuvok's cold, cold heart.  So, yeah, far from pointless. 

It is a pity the creators didn't understand how much better Neelix and Phillips were than most of characters and cast and didn't condemn him to the galley for much of the show. 

His cooking wasn't crappy, it was just that he only could cook dishes the crew was not familiar with, and his attempts to cook foods the crew suggested did work because he was unfamiliar with them.

He was a liasson, an embassador between Voyager and the races of the delta quadrent, many of whom he was familiar. That's a pretty important role.

Neelix wasn't my favorite character, but I thought he performed an important and interesting role (besides providing some comedy relief)...although a Talaxian and perhaps the most non-human crew member on Voyager, he always helped bring out more "human" qualities in Janeway and other characters (including Tuvok, Seven and the Doctor).  Since he was never 'officially' part of the crew, and since he probably wouldn't have been happy on Earth, it seemed logical and fitting for him to leave the ship to be with the Talaxian 'homesteaders'.  

Neelix was a sweetheart. He took good care of Kes and even Tuvok!! Some people dislike him, but he was an integral part of the crew.

Neelix was actually one of my favorite characters. Ditto with spockdatadax.

He had weird hair.