William Shatner is a legendary figure in the entertainment industry, best known for his portrayal of Captain James T. Kirk in *Star Trek*. With a career spanning over seven decades, Shatner’s influence reaches far beyond the iconic sci-fi franchise. His extensive work in television, film, music, and even space exploration has made him a household name and contributed significantly to his net worth.
What is William Shatner’s net worth? William Shatner in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier | Credits: Paramount
As of May 2024, William Shatner’s net worth is estimated to be around $100 million. Shatner’s wealth stems from his prolific career as an actor, author, director, and producer. He gained widespread fame through Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969), which, despite its brief run, left a lasting cultural impact.
Related “I think Gene is twirling in his grave”: One Military Rule Gene Roddenberry Imposed on Star Trek...
What is William Shatner’s net worth? William Shatner in Star Trek V: The Final Frontier | Credits: Paramount
As of May 2024, William Shatner’s net worth is estimated to be around $100 million. Shatner’s wealth stems from his prolific career as an actor, author, director, and producer. He gained widespread fame through Star Trek: The Original Series (1966-1969), which, despite its brief run, left a lasting cultural impact.
Related “I think Gene is twirling in his grave”: One Military Rule Gene Roddenberry Imposed on Star Trek...
- 10/3/2024
- by Rishabh Bhatnagar
- FandomWire
Dean Parisot's 1999 sci-fi/comedy "Galaxy Quest" puts an interesting spin on the traditional "Seven Samurai" formula. In Kurosawa's classic, an impoverished village, regularly beset by food-thieving bandits, seeks out an army of samurai protectors to defend them. The villagers, however, have no money, and only manage to attract seven samurai in dire straits of their own. The samurai, however, find a certain kind of weary, bemused nobility in their job, and agree to stage the best possible defense they can.
In Parisot's film, the beleaguered villagers are innocent, defenseless space aliens who are being murdered off by genocidal reptile men. The aliens, called Thermians, travel to Earth looking for brave space-faring heroes to defend them, specifically, they are looking for the stars of "Galaxy Quest," a decades-old "Star Trek"-like sci-fi TV series. The aliens have been watching rogue TV signals for years, and came to assume that "Galaxy Quest" was nonfiction.
In Parisot's film, the beleaguered villagers are innocent, defenseless space aliens who are being murdered off by genocidal reptile men. The aliens, called Thermians, travel to Earth looking for brave space-faring heroes to defend them, specifically, they are looking for the stars of "Galaxy Quest," a decades-old "Star Trek"-like sci-fi TV series. The aliens have been watching rogue TV signals for years, and came to assume that "Galaxy Quest" was nonfiction.
- 10/3/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Thanks to incessant reruns and the growth of the "Star Trek" convention industry, interest in Gene Roddenberry's egalitarian TV space opera -- which ran from 1966 to 1969 -- was running high in the years after its cancellation. More and more fans were flocking to the once-moribund series, and Roddenberry himself went on speaking tours, deeply dissecting why audiences were drawn to it. By 1977, Roddenberry felt that his show had accrued enough cultural clout to warrant a reboot, and he put "Star Trek: Phase II" into production.
The idea for "Star Trek: Phase II" was to make a bigger, slicker version of the original series, but with a few new characters. The original cast, including William Shatner, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, and Walter Koenig were all set to return, and they would be joined by a Vulcan named Xon (David Gautreaux), the helm officer Ilia (Persis Khambatta), and an...
The idea for "Star Trek: Phase II" was to make a bigger, slicker version of the original series, but with a few new characters. The original cast, including William Shatner, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, George Takei, and Walter Koenig were all set to return, and they would be joined by a Vulcan named Xon (David Gautreaux), the helm officer Ilia (Persis Khambatta), and an...
- 9/22/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
It's time for another edition of Star Trek Explorer Magazine, and issue #12 will be on sale September 24th. For all of you who subscribe, you should have it in your mailboxes or email inboxes by now. Each quarter the magazine brings you a compelling variety of interviews with the actors, the behind-the-scenes team like the artists and creators, exclusive fiction, and so much more.
On top of that, the creative talents of the writing team are put to the test to bring fans the best news, reports, updates, and opinion pieces, and they never disappoint. In this issue, for example, Jay Strobie, a prolific writer for Startrek.com and Star Trek Explorer, delves into the Top Ten Star Trek Moments. You might be surprised at some of the ones chosen to be highlighted.
Titan Comics, the publisher of Star Trek Explorer, was, as always kind enough to provide us with...
On top of that, the creative talents of the writing team are put to the test to bring fans the best news, reports, updates, and opinion pieces, and they never disappoint. In this issue, for example, Jay Strobie, a prolific writer for Startrek.com and Star Trek Explorer, delves into the Top Ten Star Trek Moments. You might be surprised at some of the ones chosen to be highlighted.
Titan Comics, the publisher of Star Trek Explorer, was, as always kind enough to provide us with...
- 9/20/2024
- by Rachel Carrington
- Red Shirts Always Die
Walter Koenig made his first appearance on Star Trek: The Original Series in season two's "Amok Time." Over the next two seasons, he would appear in a total of thirty-six episodes, and though there was never a lot of focus on his character, Ensign Pavlov Chekov, Koenig did have a couple of episodes that were more Chekov-heavy. And the actor was okay with that.
In an interview with IGN, Koenig explained how he understood how the system worked back in the 1960s when the series was filming. There were the stars, which were William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley, and then there were the supporting characters, which included himself, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, and George Takei.
Though there wasn't as much recognition for Koenig during the filming of the series, he was happy to have a paycheck every week. He didn't expect more than what his part called for...
In an interview with IGN, Koenig explained how he understood how the system worked back in the 1960s when the series was filming. There were the stars, which were William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley, and then there were the supporting characters, which included himself, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, and George Takei.
Though there wasn't as much recognition for Koenig during the filming of the series, he was happy to have a paycheck every week. He didn't expect more than what his part called for...
- 9/18/2024
- by Rachel Carrington
- Red Shirts Always Die
The original Star Trek series, known to many as Star Trek: The Original Series, set the groundwork for a wonderful and exciting universe that we all share today. The franchise did a good job of creating unique and dynamic stories, with lessons to share sprinkled in, promoting a future of prosperity and community.
It was not a sentiment that was always practiced in real life, however. Star Trek has seen itself marred by some serious feuds over the years, none more so talked about than that of William Shatner and George Takei. Playing James T. Kirk and Hikaru Sulu respectively, the two men have been at each other's throats for years.
Despite the animosity, the two men still appear alongside one another, from time to time. Not so much lately but they were doing appearances together not that long ago. They remain two of only three remaining actors left from the original show,...
It was not a sentiment that was always practiced in real life, however. Star Trek has seen itself marred by some serious feuds over the years, none more so talked about than that of William Shatner and George Takei. Playing James T. Kirk and Hikaru Sulu respectively, the two men have been at each other's throats for years.
Despite the animosity, the two men still appear alongside one another, from time to time. Not so much lately but they were doing appearances together not that long ago. They remain two of only three remaining actors left from the original show,...
- 9/10/2024
- by Chad Porto
- Red Shirts Always Die
It's widely accepted among Trekkies that no "Star Trek" series starts with its best foot forward. Almost every single series, from the 1960s all the way up to the Paramount+ era, has a rocky first season, presenting clumsy storytelling and strange character conceits that many Trekkies look back on with a wince. Generally speaking, a Trek series doesn't hit its stride until about season three.
I will hasten to note that even when Trek shows are struggling through their "bad" seasons, they usually still feature strong characters and a dynamic setting, so a curious viewer will not have to endure years of bad TV before it gets good. They'll just have to endure some awkward writing until it gets excellent. If one wants to watch "Star Trek: The Next Generation," one could simply start with season 3, and then ask a Trekkie friend to recommend vital episodes from seasons one and two.
I will hasten to note that even when Trek shows are struggling through their "bad" seasons, they usually still feature strong characters and a dynamic setting, so a curious viewer will not have to endure years of bad TV before it gets good. They'll just have to endure some awkward writing until it gets excellent. If one wants to watch "Star Trek: The Next Generation," one could simply start with season 3, and then ask a Trekkie friend to recommend vital episodes from seasons one and two.
- 9/9/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"Star Trek," as many may know, wasn't a huge hit during its initial 1966 to 1969 run. The series always struggled with low ratings, and only received a third season after a passionate letter-writing campaign kept it on the air. The third season, luckily, pushed "Star Trek" up to 76 episodes, which was just enough for syndication deals. "Star Trek" began airing in reruns in the early 1970s, and only then did the series find a wider -- and widely obsessive -- audience. Reruns allowed Trekkies to watch episodes multiple times, and develop their own theories about the Enterprise, about the show's technical devices, and about the characters' backstories.
The first official "Star Trek" convention was held in September 1972, and show creator Gene Roddenberry began showing up at subsequent cons to discuss his show and hear from fans about what they liked. I am convinced that it was during the convention circuit years...
The first official "Star Trek" convention was held in September 1972, and show creator Gene Roddenberry began showing up at subsequent cons to discuss his show and hear from fans about what they liked. I am convinced that it was during the convention circuit years...
- 9/8/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Leonard Nimoy became known to the world as Spock when he played the role in the original Star Trek. The actor became a household name as the popularity of the show and the character gradually increased. He was one of the three actors to get top billing in the show’s opening credits.
While Nimoy and co-star William Shatner were known for hogging the spotlight, Nimoy was reportedly more receptive to his co-stars’ grievances. The star reportedly made sure actors like Nichelle Nichols and George Takei were hired back for Star Trek: The Animated Series.
Leonard Nimoy Championed The Hiring Of Two Minority Star Trek Actors Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek | Credits: Paramount
Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek has always had a positive outlook towards the future. According to the creator, the future would have humans who were dedicated to their work and would be more accommodating of people of other cultures,...
While Nimoy and co-star William Shatner were known for hogging the spotlight, Nimoy was reportedly more receptive to his co-stars’ grievances. The star reportedly made sure actors like Nichelle Nichols and George Takei were hired back for Star Trek: The Animated Series.
Leonard Nimoy Championed The Hiring Of Two Minority Star Trek Actors Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek | Credits: Paramount
Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek has always had a positive outlook towards the future. According to the creator, the future would have humans who were dedicated to their work and would be more accommodating of people of other cultures,...
- 8/31/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
Some Trekkies might be able to tell you that filming "Star Trek: The Original Series" wasn't always a pleasant experience for the cast. Indeed, stars William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy were both notorious spotlight hogs and Shatner was known to reassign other actors' dialogue to himself, usually badgering directors until they agreed. Nimoy, meanwhile, knew that his character, Spock, was the most recognizable element of the show, and was happy to promote himself as the star of the series. The clash of egos reportedly got so bad that show creator Gene Roddenberry had to write an angry letter to the two lead actors (also DeForest Kelley) admonishing them for their bratty behavior. "You've pretty well divided up the market on selfishness and egocentricity," Roddenberry wrote.
Trekkies will hasten to point out that, while Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley were the only three cast members listed in the show's opening credits, "Star Trek...
Trekkies will hasten to point out that, while Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley were the only three cast members listed in the show's opening credits, "Star Trek...
- 8/25/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Trekkies know by now that William Shatner had a hostile relationship with the rest of the cast during the years of filming Star Trek: The Original Series. Some actors like George Takei still hold resentment toward Shatner for his behavior years ago. But even Shatner’s haters would need to bow down to him for the commitment he showed towards Star Trek in the face of a personal tragedy.
Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner in Star Trek: The Original Series | Credits: NBC/Paramount
Shatner’s father Joe Shatner died in Miami in 1967 when the actor was filming episodes of the first season of Star Trek. He never told anyone about his loss and left quietly after the day’s shoot to attend the memorial. He returned the next week to film the rest of the series.
William Shatner Did Not Let His Personal Tragedy Interfere With Star Trek Filming William...
Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner in Star Trek: The Original Series | Credits: NBC/Paramount
Shatner’s father Joe Shatner died in Miami in 1967 when the actor was filming episodes of the first season of Star Trek. He never told anyone about his loss and left quietly after the day’s shoot to attend the memorial. He returned the next week to film the rest of the series.
William Shatner Did Not Let His Personal Tragedy Interfere With Star Trek Filming William...
- 8/25/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
Martin Luther King’s impact on the political landscape of the United States of America and the world as a whole cannot be measured. Being influential in every way possible, his activism and political viewpoints shaped the country into what it is today, making a significant contribution to the betterment of the treatment of people of color. However, as history would have it, civil rights wasn’t the only way that he changed lives.
Martin Luther King I Credit: David Erickson I Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
It would seem that on his days off, he would be out in the world, inspiring actors into not quitting their jobs. The legendary actress, Nichelle Nichols had her life completely changed when King inspired her to not quit Star Trek: The Original Series.
Martin Luther King—The No. 1 Nichelle Nichols Fan?
Nichelle Nichols’s contribution to the big screen cannot be understated. The actress...
Martin Luther King I Credit: David Erickson I Creative Commons Attribution 2.0
It would seem that on his days off, he would be out in the world, inspiring actors into not quitting their jobs. The legendary actress, Nichelle Nichols had her life completely changed when King inspired her to not quit Star Trek: The Original Series.
Martin Luther King—The No. 1 Nichelle Nichols Fan?
Nichelle Nichols’s contribution to the big screen cannot be understated. The actress...
- 8/20/2024
- by Ananya Godboley
- FandomWire
It's no secret that William Shatner's co-stars from the original "Star Trek" weren't very fond of him. Because he was at the top of the call-sheet, Shatner often considered himself the star of the show ... and he behaved accordingly. There were instances of him reassigning other characters' lines to himself, and he would often butt heads with "Star Trek" directors when he wasn't in the center of the frame.
When Leonard Nimoy's Mr. Spock proved to be a hit among viewers, leading to a notable TV Guide photo spread, a rivalry began among the two leads. Each one assumed they were the singular star of "Star Trek," and each one tried to hog as much of the spotlight as they could. The pair's rivalry led to outrage from show creator Gene Roddenberry, who infamously penned an angry letter demanding that the two prima donnas rein in their cattiness.
When Leonard Nimoy's Mr. Spock proved to be a hit among viewers, leading to a notable TV Guide photo spread, a rivalry began among the two leads. Each one assumed they were the singular star of "Star Trek," and each one tried to hog as much of the spotlight as they could. The pair's rivalry led to outrage from show creator Gene Roddenberry, who infamously penned an angry letter demanding that the two prima donnas rein in their cattiness.
- 8/19/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
LeVar Burton is best known for his role in the global phenomenon Star Trek: The Next Generation. Sharing screen space with actors like Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner, Burton played the role of the chief engineer Geordie La Forge. The show was the beginning of a long-standing relationship with the franchise which has lasted decades.
While Burton starred in the spinoff show, he was reportedly a huge Trekkie and worshipped creator Gene Roddenberry for depicting a hopeful future. Hence, when he was selected to play the role, he had only one question before signing the contract which involved Roddenberry.
LeVar Burton’s One Condition To Join Star Trek: The Next Generation A still from Star Trek: Picard | Credits: Paramount
The spinoff show Star Trek: The Next Generation was the most successful series of the franchise, despite already having a legacy of almost two decades preceding it. The show had many pop culture-defining characters,...
While Burton starred in the spinoff show, he was reportedly a huge Trekkie and worshipped creator Gene Roddenberry for depicting a hopeful future. Hence, when he was selected to play the role, he had only one question before signing the contract which involved Roddenberry.
LeVar Burton’s One Condition To Join Star Trek: The Next Generation A still from Star Trek: Picard | Credits: Paramount
The spinoff show Star Trek: The Next Generation was the most successful series of the franchise, despite already having a legacy of almost two decades preceding it. The show had many pop culture-defining characters,...
- 8/8/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
Actress Patti Yasutake, best known to Trekkies as Nurse Alyssa Ogawa, died on August 5, 2024, of a rare type of T-cell lymphoma. She was 70 years old.
Nurse Ogawa first appeared on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in the episode "Future Imperfect" more or less as a background character. She was one of Dr. Crusher's retinue of medical staff, there to give viewers the impression that the ship's sickbay was constantly bustling. She went on to star in 14 additional episodes of the show, and was usually merely standing next to Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden), passing her tools or saying "Yes, Doctor." She had a good bedside manner, and her repeated appearances had viewers wondering who she was and what her story might be. As the series progressed, Nurse Ogawa's role expanded incrementally, eventually leading to her becoming a legitimate supporting player.
Indeed, by the show's seventh season, Nurse Ogawa began to...
Nurse Ogawa first appeared on "Star Trek: The Next Generation" in the episode "Future Imperfect" more or less as a background character. She was one of Dr. Crusher's retinue of medical staff, there to give viewers the impression that the ship's sickbay was constantly bustling. She went on to star in 14 additional episodes of the show, and was usually merely standing next to Dr. Crusher (Gates McFadden), passing her tools or saying "Yes, Doctor." She had a good bedside manner, and her repeated appearances had viewers wondering who she was and what her story might be. As the series progressed, Nurse Ogawa's role expanded incrementally, eventually leading to her becoming a legitimate supporting player.
Indeed, by the show's seventh season, Nurse Ogawa began to...
- 8/7/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The world of Star Trek has several impeccable actors and one of them is LeVar Burton. Known best for portraying Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation, the actor’s journey into the realm of science fiction is not as great as it might seem. Instead, it is rather rooted in the harsh reality that Hollywood continues to suffer even today.
LeVar Burton in a still from Reading Room | On Screen Entertainment
In a candid reflection years ago, the Star Trek star revealed how his love for sci-fi was fueled by a desire to imagine a better future, one where people of color and all ethnicities occupied an equal place and were celebrated as their white counterparts.
The Heartbreaking Reason Why LeVar Burton Became a Sci-Fiholic
LeVar Burton in Star Trek: The Next Generation | Paramount
Years before LeVar Burton became part of Star Trek: The Next Generation, he...
LeVar Burton in a still from Reading Room | On Screen Entertainment
In a candid reflection years ago, the Star Trek star revealed how his love for sci-fi was fueled by a desire to imagine a better future, one where people of color and all ethnicities occupied an equal place and were celebrated as their white counterparts.
The Heartbreaking Reason Why LeVar Burton Became a Sci-Fiholic
LeVar Burton in Star Trek: The Next Generation | Paramount
Years before LeVar Burton became part of Star Trek: The Next Generation, he...
- 7/30/2024
- by Maria Sultan
- FandomWire
LeVar Burton is known for his role as Geordie La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation. The chief engineer of the USS Enterprise is known for his signature Visor which allows the born blind character to see. Burton also gained fame for his role as Kunta Kinte in Roots and his children’s series Reading Rainbow.
Burton has since become a huge pop-cultural icon and has even helmed multiple episodes of various Star Trek shows. However, this stage did not come easy to him as the actor recounted many incidents of his life where he faced prejudice. One particular incident where he was harassed by the police was reportedly a defining moment for him.
LeVar Burton Had A Run-In With Cops When He Was In College LeVar Burton in Reading Rainbow | Credits: PBS
The world knows LeVar Burton as the chief engineer of the USS Enterprise Geordie La Forge...
Burton has since become a huge pop-cultural icon and has even helmed multiple episodes of various Star Trek shows. However, this stage did not come easy to him as the actor recounted many incidents of his life where he faced prejudice. One particular incident where he was harassed by the police was reportedly a defining moment for him.
LeVar Burton Had A Run-In With Cops When He Was In College LeVar Burton in Reading Rainbow | Credits: PBS
The world knows LeVar Burton as the chief engineer of the USS Enterprise Geordie La Forge...
- 7/30/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
After spending the greater part of one’s career playing a certain role, it comes as an insult if the actor is treated as expendable and viewed with disrespect. Leonard Nimoy must have felt the exact same way after one Star Trek film’s script didn’t quite fit the bill on Spock’s behalf.
Leonard Nimoy as Spock in the Star Trek franchise [Credit: Paramount Pictures]
The late actor’s contribution to portraying Spock on screen was so invaluable that his Vulcan alter-ego almost became synonymous with him over time. In hindsight, however, the mutual relationship of respect and understanding that Leonard Nimoy and Spock held for each other shaped the future of both these characters — in real life and in fiction, respectively.
It is no wonder then that Nimoy felt it pertinent to protect his Star Trek legacy by whatever means necessary after he felt his rank within the franchise was being threatened.
Leonard Nimoy as Spock in the Star Trek franchise [Credit: Paramount Pictures]
The late actor’s contribution to portraying Spock on screen was so invaluable that his Vulcan alter-ego almost became synonymous with him over time. In hindsight, however, the mutual relationship of respect and understanding that Leonard Nimoy and Spock held for each other shaped the future of both these characters — in real life and in fiction, respectively.
It is no wonder then that Nimoy felt it pertinent to protect his Star Trek legacy by whatever means necessary after he felt his rank within the franchise was being threatened.
- 7/22/2024
- by Diya Majumdar
- FandomWire
It’s the summer of “Blaxploitation, Baby!,” the latest festival hosted by Film Forum.
The indie theater announced the upcoming festival which will take place August 16 through August 22. The program celebrates the early ‘70s genre of Black cinema, and features films wth iconic movie stars Pam Grier, Richard Roundtree, Ron O’Neal, Tamara Dobson, Jim Brown, Vonetta McGee, Fred Williamson, Isaac Hayes, and more.
“Blaxploitation, Baby!” is dedicated to author and pioneering film historian Donald Bogle, who collaborated on Film Forum’s first Blaxploitation festival in 1995. Bogle credited Melvin Van Peebles’ filmography for helping to establish the genre. “Blaxploitation, Baby!” additionally ranges from works from directors such as Ossie Davis, Gordon Parks, and Gordon Parks Jr.
As well as the screenings, the festival will include the sales of critic and historian Odie Henderson’s “Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras: A History of Blaxploitation” and Donald Bogle’s acclaimed TCM book “Hollywood Black” at concessions.
The indie theater announced the upcoming festival which will take place August 16 through August 22. The program celebrates the early ‘70s genre of Black cinema, and features films wth iconic movie stars Pam Grier, Richard Roundtree, Ron O’Neal, Tamara Dobson, Jim Brown, Vonetta McGee, Fred Williamson, Isaac Hayes, and more.
“Blaxploitation, Baby!” is dedicated to author and pioneering film historian Donald Bogle, who collaborated on Film Forum’s first Blaxploitation festival in 1995. Bogle credited Melvin Van Peebles’ filmography for helping to establish the genre. “Blaxploitation, Baby!” additionally ranges from works from directors such as Ossie Davis, Gordon Parks, and Gordon Parks Jr.
As well as the screenings, the festival will include the sales of critic and historian Odie Henderson’s “Black Caesars and Foxy Cleopatras: A History of Blaxploitation” and Donald Bogle’s acclaimed TCM book “Hollywood Black” at concessions.
- 7/12/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Actor LeVar Burton is best known for his role as Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation. A lifelong franchise fan, Burton played the role for all seven seasons of the show and was known for his signature Visor, which allowed the character to see as he was blind from birth.
Burton also took on the role of director of some series episodes and returned to helm episodes of the spinoff show Star Trek: Voyager. The actor mentioned that he preferred to direct rather than spend hours applying makeup and the Visor as an actor.
LeVar Burton Despised The Grueling Star Trek Filming Process And Preferred To Direct A still from Star Trek: The Next Generation | Credits: Paramount Domestic Television
LeVar Burton’s role in the Star Trek universe has been an irreplaceable part of pop culture. The actor played the chief engineer of the USS Enterprise-d Geordi La Forge.
Burton also took on the role of director of some series episodes and returned to helm episodes of the spinoff show Star Trek: Voyager. The actor mentioned that he preferred to direct rather than spend hours applying makeup and the Visor as an actor.
LeVar Burton Despised The Grueling Star Trek Filming Process And Preferred To Direct A still from Star Trek: The Next Generation | Credits: Paramount Domestic Television
LeVar Burton’s role in the Star Trek universe has been an irreplaceable part of pop culture. The actor played the chief engineer of the USS Enterprise-d Geordi La Forge.
- 7/2/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
William Shatner gained worldwide fame when he starred as Captain James T Kirk in the sci-fi series Star Trek. The original series had only a three-season run but after it gained a cult following among fans, Shatner returned along with the rest of the cast for seven original films.
Shatner also created history by being part of the first interracial kiss depicted on TV. The historic kiss was in 1968 between Kirk and Uhura, who was played by Nichelle Nichols. Though the sci-fi series is known for its groundbreaking social messaging, Shatner was reportedly concerned that the kiss would be left on the cutting room floor.
William Shatner Did Not Trust Star Trek Producers To Show TV’s First Interracial Kiss James T. Kirk and Uhura in Star Trek | Credits: Paramount Television
Though the Star Trek episode ‘Plato’s Stepchildren’ has been debated to be the first interracial kiss on TV,...
Shatner also created history by being part of the first interracial kiss depicted on TV. The historic kiss was in 1968 between Kirk and Uhura, who was played by Nichelle Nichols. Though the sci-fi series is known for its groundbreaking social messaging, Shatner was reportedly concerned that the kiss would be left on the cutting room floor.
William Shatner Did Not Trust Star Trek Producers To Show TV’s First Interracial Kiss James T. Kirk and Uhura in Star Trek | Credits: Paramount Television
Though the Star Trek episode ‘Plato’s Stepchildren’ has been debated to be the first interracial kiss on TV,...
- 7/1/2024
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire
Few pieces of human anatomy caused quite as much pearl-clutching among conservative media moralists in the 20th century as the uncovered belly button. Marilyn Monroe was barred from exposing her naked tummy up until George Cukor's never-finished 1962 film, "Something's Got to Give," while even Disney fan afoul of Hays Code era censors after threatening to reveal the titular character's navel in 1941's "The Reluctant Dragon." NBC similarly kept a close eye on Barbara Eden's unclothed midriff to ensure there was no funny business with Sidney Sheldon's '60s sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie" (although Eden later claimed it was a non-issue until members of the press made a fuss about it).
It would, of course, be more accurate to say that the exposed female waistline was responsible for most of this hand-wringing. William Shatner spent the '60s flaunting his abs to his heart's content on "Star Trek: The Original Series,...
It would, of course, be more accurate to say that the exposed female waistline was responsible for most of this hand-wringing. William Shatner spent the '60s flaunting his abs to his heart's content on "Star Trek: The Original Series,...
- 6/30/2024
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Star Trek is an ever-growing franchise, with 11 television series, plus two series of shorts and two separate film series. But despite all these spinoffs and spinoffs of spinoffs, only a couple of branches of the franchise have been given sequels. The Original Series has The Animated Series as a continuation, then its run of six sequel movies, plus a prequel series (Strange New Worlds); and The Next Generation has four films and a sequel series (Picard), plus a spiritual sequel in Lower Decks. But Deep Space Nine has had to make do with a single episode of Lower Decks and Enterprise gets nothing but the occasional mention as easter eggs.
Voyager, however, has been more fortunate. The inclusion of Seven of Nine as a main character in Picard has already given at least one Voyager character the full sequel treatment, but some fans might not realize that there is another...
Voyager, however, has been more fortunate. The inclusion of Seven of Nine as a main character in Picard has already given at least one Voyager character the full sequel treatment, but some fans might not realize that there is another...
- 6/28/2024
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
Television has been full of memorable moments over the years, some more so than others.
Yet, there's a difference between just memorable and monumental.
The nine television episodes below made history in various ways and, in some cases, permanently changed the TV landscape.
All in the Family Season 2 Episode 21: Sammy's Visit
The late writer and producer Norman Lear, who passed away in 2023, created several beloved classic sitcoms that pushed the boundaries of American television at the time.
None more so than All in the Family (1971-1979), a show about a bigoted working-class man and his struggles with family and society during the changing 1970s.
Related: Classic TV is the Perfect Binge Watch For So Many Reasons
The show covered many exciting and often controversial topics over its nine seasons.
From draft dodging to sexual assault, the show never avoided complex subjects of the time.
One of the most difficult...
Yet, there's a difference between just memorable and monumental.
The nine television episodes below made history in various ways and, in some cases, permanently changed the TV landscape.
All in the Family Season 2 Episode 21: Sammy's Visit
The late writer and producer Norman Lear, who passed away in 2023, created several beloved classic sitcoms that pushed the boundaries of American television at the time.
None more so than All in the Family (1971-1979), a show about a bigoted working-class man and his struggles with family and society during the changing 1970s.
Related: Classic TV is the Perfect Binge Watch For So Many Reasons
The show covered many exciting and often controversial topics over its nine seasons.
From draft dodging to sexual assault, the show never avoided complex subjects of the time.
One of the most difficult...
- 6/27/2024
- by Jessica Kosinski
- TVfanatic
The world of Hollywood is an intricate web of opportunities. Moreover, coming into the spotlight and proving one’s acclaim opens up a plethora of options to jump over between franchises and expand a career that seemingly has no bounds. Boasting such a galactic crossover is one Star Trek star whose sole merit spearheaded the future of the franchise.
Rather, such was his acting prowess that the studio refused to greenlight the prequel Star Trek: Strange New Worlds series if he were not a core part of it.
A still from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Paramount Pictures
Revolving around the era when Captain Christopher Pike commanded the USS Enterprise, the show followed the events of the character after his appearance in season two of Star Trek: Discovery. Yet there never was an initial plan to expand his role beyond that outing. However, a talent showcase turned the course of...
Rather, such was his acting prowess that the studio refused to greenlight the prequel Star Trek: Strange New Worlds series if he were not a core part of it.
A still from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds | Paramount Pictures
Revolving around the era when Captain Christopher Pike commanded the USS Enterprise, the show followed the events of the character after his appearance in season two of Star Trek: Discovery. Yet there never was an initial plan to expand his role beyond that outing. However, a talent showcase turned the course of...
- 6/19/2024
- by Imteshal Karim
- FandomWire
"Star Trek: The Original Series" has three first episodes. Isn't this an irreconcilable contradiction? Let me explain.
There's the first produced "Star Trek" pilot, "The Cage," which starred Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Christopher Pike. When the Enterprise visits planet Talos IV, Pike is abducted by telepathic aliens the Talosians. NBC passed, feeling "The Cage" was a subpar effort, but let creator Gene Roddenberry take a second stab at it.
That resulted in "Where No Man Has Gone Before." When the Enterprise tries and fails to pass an energy field at the edge of the Milky Way galaxy, crewman Gary Mitchell (Gary Lockwood) develops psychic powers and goes mad.
The only thing that carries over between the two pilots is Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. "Where No Man Has Gone Before" is closer to the finished series (it does star William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk), but there are still noticeable differences.
There's the first produced "Star Trek" pilot, "The Cage," which starred Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Christopher Pike. When the Enterprise visits planet Talos IV, Pike is abducted by telepathic aliens the Talosians. NBC passed, feeling "The Cage" was a subpar effort, but let creator Gene Roddenberry take a second stab at it.
That resulted in "Where No Man Has Gone Before." When the Enterprise tries and fails to pass an energy field at the edge of the Milky Way galaxy, crewman Gary Mitchell (Gary Lockwood) develops psychic powers and goes mad.
The only thing that carries over between the two pilots is Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. "Where No Man Has Gone Before" is closer to the finished series (it does star William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk), but there are still noticeable differences.
- 6/11/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Even though it was a relatively low-budget TV show and visual effects in the 1960s were limited, Star Trek: The Original Series managed over the course of its three seasons to come up with some of the more decidedly weird alien races of the entire franchise.
While nowhere near as prolific in its production of monsters as its early ‘60s predecessor, The Outer Limits, which was mandated by its network to cough up a different boogeyman every week, Star Trek did turn out an interesting array of strange, creepy, or even psychedelic deep space denizens – although in classic Trek fashion, many of them were not the threats that their hideous surfaces hinted at, and were often more advanced than us humans in our bags of bone, flesh, and blood.
What makes this even more surprising is that the rest of this now-vast franchise didn’t push the notion of aliens...
While nowhere near as prolific in its production of monsters as its early ‘60s predecessor, The Outer Limits, which was mandated by its network to cough up a different boogeyman every week, Star Trek did turn out an interesting array of strange, creepy, or even psychedelic deep space denizens – although in classic Trek fashion, many of them were not the threats that their hideous surfaces hinted at, and were often more advanced than us humans in our bags of bone, flesh, and blood.
What makes this even more surprising is that the rest of this now-vast franchise didn’t push the notion of aliens...
- 6/10/2024
- by Don Kaye
- Den of Geek
Perhaps the most overlooked series in the "Star Trek" canon ("Short Treks" and "Very Short Treks" notwithstanding), "Star Trek: The Animated Series" may be accepted as the final two years in the U.S.S. Enterprise's five-year mission. "Star Trek: Tas" debuted on September 8, 1973, four years after the cancelation of "Star Trek," to reunite the original cast and writers to explore Starlfeet's adventures in a 30-minute, animated format. The animation was provided by Filmation, the studio that had previously overseen multiple Batman and Superman cartoons, Archie cartoons, "Gilligan's Island" spinoffs, and which would go on to produce the ultra-popular "Fat Albert," "The Groovy Goolies," "BraveStarr," and "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe." Filmation shows were popular among kids, but their animations tended to be stiff and inexpressive. The most prominent feature of "Star Trek: Tas" is how static it looks.
However, the shortened runtime forced the writers of "Tas...
However, the shortened runtime forced the writers of "Tas...
- 6/9/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Christina Chong has several notable projects on her portfolio with her ongoing work being Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. The Paramount+ series stars her as La’an Noonien Singh who is relatively new but shares a great connection with the Star Trek saga due to her notorious ancestor, Khan Noonien-Singh, one of the franchise’s infamous villains.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds [Credit: Paramount Network]As the character quickly gained its spot in the fan-favorites characters list, the actress subtly reflected on one thing that made this show better than Discovery and The Next Generation.
Christina Chong Reflects on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Role
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is surely making a grave impact in the sci-fi franchise that continues to leave fans hooked on its new adventures. First premiered two years ago, it is already extending to a third and fourth season.
Suggested“The first answer was, ‘No…...
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds [Credit: Paramount Network]As the character quickly gained its spot in the fan-favorites characters list, the actress subtly reflected on one thing that made this show better than Discovery and The Next Generation.
Christina Chong Reflects on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Role
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is surely making a grave impact in the sci-fi franchise that continues to leave fans hooked on its new adventures. First premiered two years ago, it is already extending to a third and fourth season.
Suggested“The first answer was, ‘No…...
- 5/25/2024
- by Priya Sharma
- FandomWire
In the "Star Trek" episode "And the Children Shall Lead", the Enterprise discovers a remote science station where the entire staff seems to have died by their own hands. Chillingly, the children of the staff -- all of them under 12 -- seem oblivious to the dead bodies scattered around, happily playing and giggling as usual. Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley) posits that the kids might have blocked out the horrors as a form of protective amnesia, but soon the real plot is revealed. In private, the children are visited by a ghostly being named Gorgan who imbues them with eerie mental powers and gives them dark instructions.
Gorgan tells the children to take over the Enterprise, which they are able to do by pumping their fists and hypnotizing the crew. Sulu (George Takei) looks at the viewscreen and sees knives and swords. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) looks in a mirror and sees...
Gorgan tells the children to take over the Enterprise, which they are able to do by pumping their fists and hypnotizing the crew. Sulu (George Takei) looks at the viewscreen and sees knives and swords. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) looks in a mirror and sees...
- 5/14/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the original "Star Trek," only three actors were credited at the start of the show: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley. For many watching the series -- and for the actors especially -- those three were the leads, while the rest of the recurring ensemble were mere supporting players. Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley certainly had the most screen time on "Star Trek," yet they often advocated for more. Eventually, Shatner and Nimoy became such whiny spotlight hogs that show creator Gene Roddenberry had to write an angry letter, demanding the actors stop whining and get back to work.
Trekkies, however, knew better than Shatner and Nimoy. "Star Trek" was always an ensemble piece about a core cast of multiple characters. In addition to the three "leads," the show also regularly featured chief engineer Scott/Scotty (James Doohan), communications officer Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Ensign Chekov (Walter Koenig), Yeoman Rand...
Trekkies, however, knew better than Shatner and Nimoy. "Star Trek" was always an ensemble piece about a core cast of multiple characters. In addition to the three "leads," the show also regularly featured chief engineer Scott/Scotty (James Doohan), communications officer Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Ensign Chekov (Walter Koenig), Yeoman Rand...
- 5/12/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Sonequa Martin-Green’s first memories of “Star Trek” are of her parents watching it on TV — but really, they’re of Nichelle Nichols.
“I don’t even know as a child if I knew her real name, but I knew, here’s this beautiful Black woman,” Martin-Green says. “This is Uhura.”
Those memories — and that instinctive sense of the character’s significance — have stayed with Martin-Green through her seven years making “Star Trek: Discovery” as the first Black woman to headline a series in the venerated science fiction franchise. “Star Trek” had been absent from television for 12 years when “Discovery” launched in 2017, but as the flagship Paramount+ series premieres its fifth and final season on April 4, the franchise has the most robust slate of TV titles in its history, with a new show, the “Discovery” spin-off “Starfleet Academy,” set to begin filming later this year in the same Pinewood Toronto soundstages as its predecessor.
“I don’t even know as a child if I knew her real name, but I knew, here’s this beautiful Black woman,” Martin-Green says. “This is Uhura.”
Those memories — and that instinctive sense of the character’s significance — have stayed with Martin-Green through her seven years making “Star Trek: Discovery” as the first Black woman to headline a series in the venerated science fiction franchise. “Star Trek” had been absent from television for 12 years when “Discovery” launched in 2017, but as the flagship Paramount+ series premieres its fifth and final season on April 4, the franchise has the most robust slate of TV titles in its history, with a new show, the “Discovery” spin-off “Starfleet Academy,” set to begin filming later this year in the same Pinewood Toronto soundstages as its predecessor.
- 4/3/2024
- by Adam B. Vary
- Variety Film + TV
Star Trek is back. And we’re all there for it. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds marks the return of the science fiction series we’ve all grown to love over the years. The series, which features Anson Mount, Jess Bush, and Rebecca Romjin in leading roles, has kept the faithful of the series intrigued, with its action sequences and characters hitting home more than once. Amidst the studded cast, there is one actor who deserves special credit for putting up a fight for an element she wanted to retain from the original Star Trek series.
Rebecca Romjin wanted a return of the Starfleet dress in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Rebecca Romjin was into the idea of bringing back the Starfleet dress
Rebecca Romjin is not new to playing roles in grand franchises, having already been associated with the X-Men for the first 3 films in the franchise. No wonder...
Rebecca Romjin wanted a return of the Starfleet dress in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Rebecca Romjin was into the idea of bringing back the Starfleet dress
Rebecca Romjin is not new to playing roles in grand franchises, having already been associated with the X-Men for the first 3 films in the franchise. No wonder...
- 3/25/2024
- by Smriti Sneh
- FandomWire
Before they were Professor Charles Xavier and Jean Grey in "X-Men," Patrick Stewart and Famke Janssen shared the screen on an episode of "Star Trek: The Next Generation." Stewart was, of course, the series lead, Enterprise-d Captain Jean-Luc Picard, while Janssen played Kamala, one of the many beautiful alien women on "Star Trek." Captain Kirk may be the famed womanizer, but Picard had his dalliances over the show's seven seasons -- Kamala included.
The episode is "The Perfect Mate," the 21st installment of the fifth season. Kamala is a Kriosian "metamorph," an empathetic being who can read their partners' feelings and adjust themselves to them. She's been betrothed to an ambassador from the neighboring world Valt, in hopes this will help end a conflict between the planets. As she travels on the Enterprise-d and works alongside Picard, they grow closer and closer.
Aired in 1992, this was Janssen's first role on television.
The episode is "The Perfect Mate," the 21st installment of the fifth season. Kamala is a Kriosian "metamorph," an empathetic being who can read their partners' feelings and adjust themselves to them. She's been betrothed to an ambassador from the neighboring world Valt, in hopes this will help end a conflict between the planets. As she travels on the Enterprise-d and works alongside Picard, they grow closer and closer.
Aired in 1992, this was Janssen's first role on television.
- 3/24/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
Star Wars and Star Trek are two extremely popular American science fiction franchises set in space. Yet the two could not have been more different. Star Wars is known for its epic space battles, Jedi knights, and the force, while Star Trek focuses on exploring new worlds, the art of diplomacy, and scientific discovery with a humanitarian agenda. Both franchises have a massive fan base and have influenced popular culture significantly.
Star Trek has been more inclusive than Star Wars
Yet it seems Star Trek is miles apart from its contender when it comes to diversity, inclusivity, and equality. And the Star Wars actor, Amandla Stenberg’s latest diversity comment about the universe certainly feels like a massive slap in the face for any and every Star Trek fan.
Amandla Stenberg On Star Wars And Diversity
Amandla Stenberg (image via The Late Show)
The Star Wars universe is ever-expanding and...
Star Trek has been more inclusive than Star Wars
Yet it seems Star Trek is miles apart from its contender when it comes to diversity, inclusivity, and equality. And the Star Wars actor, Amandla Stenberg’s latest diversity comment about the universe certainly feels like a massive slap in the face for any and every Star Trek fan.
Amandla Stenberg On Star Wars And Diversity
Amandla Stenberg (image via The Late Show)
The Star Wars universe is ever-expanding and...
- 3/20/2024
- by Maria Sultan
- FandomWire
When writing about a legend who’s still working as a nonagenarian, it’s almost obligatory to include a line about how they are seemingly busier than ever. William Shatner, 92, may no longer be on set 12 hours a day for the roles that made him the first Comic-Con celebrity (Star Trek), or that transformed him into a late-career regular at the Emmys podium (The Practice, Boston Legal), but it’s difficult not to marvel at the pace at which he lives his life.
The actor, who looks and speaks much like he did 20 years ago, maintains a healthy travel schedule that includes appearances at a dozen or so fan conventions every year. Always popping up in new projects (he hosted the extraterrestrial base camp-simulating reality contest Stars on Mars that aired on Fox over the summer), in 2021, he became the oldest person to travel to space, pouring that experience into...
The actor, who looks and speaks much like he did 20 years ago, maintains a healthy travel schedule that includes appearances at a dozen or so fan conventions every year. Always popping up in new projects (he hosted the extraterrestrial base camp-simulating reality contest Stars on Mars that aired on Fox over the summer), in 2021, he became the oldest person to travel to space, pouring that experience into...
- 3/18/2024
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Whoopi Goldberg, real name Caryn Elaine Johnson, has come a long way since 1983, when she started her career on stage with her one-woman Spook Show. Since then, she has become an Egot and bagged multiple prominent roles launching her career to success after 1985’s The Color Purple granted her a breakthrough in the industry.
Whoopi Goldberg (@whoopigoldberg | Ig)
One of these prominent roles was none other than that of Guinan in 1987’s critically acclaimed masterpiece series, Star Trek: The Next Generation. But before she even scored the role, Whoopi Goldberg almost lost it for the most ridiculous reason as the creators of the series couldn’t understand why a “movie person” like her would want to join a show like theirs!
Suggested“Not everybody gets a prize”: Whoopi Goldberg Rubs Salt on Barbie Wounds With Brutal Comment on Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie’s Oscar Snub
Whoopi Goldberg Almost...
Whoopi Goldberg (@whoopigoldberg | Ig)
One of these prominent roles was none other than that of Guinan in 1987’s critically acclaimed masterpiece series, Star Trek: The Next Generation. But before she even scored the role, Whoopi Goldberg almost lost it for the most ridiculous reason as the creators of the series couldn’t understand why a “movie person” like her would want to join a show like theirs!
Suggested“Not everybody gets a prize”: Whoopi Goldberg Rubs Salt on Barbie Wounds With Brutal Comment on Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie’s Oscar Snub
Whoopi Goldberg Almost...
- 2/26/2024
- by Mahin Sultan
- FandomWire
Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future in Star Trek became legendary for advancing diversity and representation on television. As the creator of the original series and its Next Generation sequel, Roddenberry pioneered casting Black and Asian actors in prominent roles. He imagined a utopian society built on peace, equality, and exploration.
Yet behind this progressive image, Roddenberry’s personal behavior betrayed a troubling contradiction. The man who symbolized an enlightened future has now been exposed for his past chauvinistic misconduct. Although married, Roddenberry carried on affairs with Nichelle Nichols and Majel Barrett, two female stars of the original Star Trek. An assistant producer on the show declared he intentionally exploited women on set.
Star Trek’s visionary Gene Roddenberry accused of sexist behavior behind the scenes
Star Trek’s Nichelle Nichols had an affair with series creator Gene Roddenberry
According to Nicki Swift, actress Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt.
Yet behind this progressive image, Roddenberry’s personal behavior betrayed a troubling contradiction. The man who symbolized an enlightened future has now been exposed for his past chauvinistic misconduct. Although married, Roddenberry carried on affairs with Nichelle Nichols and Majel Barrett, two female stars of the original Star Trek. An assistant producer on the show declared he intentionally exploited women on set.
Star Trek’s visionary Gene Roddenberry accused of sexist behavior behind the scenes
Star Trek’s Nichelle Nichols had an affair with series creator Gene Roddenberry
According to Nicki Swift, actress Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt.
- 2/15/2024
- by Nivedita Dubey
- FandomWire
Audiences have not forgotten the great Gene Roddenberry, the man who introduced them to the world of Star Trek. Roddenberry was the creator of the original Star Trek series along with Star Trek: The Animated Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation.
A still from the original Star Trek series
While no one can deny Roddenberry’s stamp on creating one of pop culture’s most iconic franchises, he is also reportedly known to be a womanizer. Roddenberry had a secret affair with Star Trek star Nichelle Nichols when he was already married to Eileen-Anita Rexroat.
Nichelle Nichols Reflected on Her Secret Affair With Gene Roddenberry
Star Trek‘s Nichelle Nichols had an affair with series creator Gene Roddenberry
Gene Roddenberry had a solid reputation in Hollywood and his contribution to the Star Trek world has been celebrated over the years and various filmmakers are still trying to recreate the...
A still from the original Star Trek series
While no one can deny Roddenberry’s stamp on creating one of pop culture’s most iconic franchises, he is also reportedly known to be a womanizer. Roddenberry had a secret affair with Star Trek star Nichelle Nichols when he was already married to Eileen-Anita Rexroat.
Nichelle Nichols Reflected on Her Secret Affair With Gene Roddenberry
Star Trek‘s Nichelle Nichols had an affair with series creator Gene Roddenberry
Gene Roddenberry had a solid reputation in Hollywood and his contribution to the Star Trek world has been celebrated over the years and various filmmakers are still trying to recreate the...
- 2/15/2024
- by Rahul Thokchom
- FandomWire
J.J. Abrams' "Star Trek" reboot shook up the classic characters it depicts, and one of the biggest changes was turning Spock (Zachary Quinto) and Nyota Uhura (Zoe Saldana) into lovers. In the first movie, this is a bit of a bait and switch; there's some early sexual tension between Uhura and Kirk (Chris Pine), and she's even the first of the future Enterprise crew he meets when they flirt at a bar. Nyota, though, only has eyes for the Vulcan (like plenty of Trekkie fangirls) and the relationship endures in the two sequels, "Into Darkness" and "Beyond."
Now, this isn't a totally unprecedented pairing. There are a few suggestive moments between Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) in early episodes of "Star Trek: The Original Series." In "The Man Trap," Uhura tries to strike up a conversation with Spock, and in "Charlie X," she sings while Spock plays his lute.
Now, this isn't a totally unprecedented pairing. There are a few suggestive moments between Spock (Leonard Nimoy) and Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) in early episodes of "Star Trek: The Original Series." In "The Man Trap," Uhura tries to strike up a conversation with Spock, and in "Charlie X," she sings while Spock plays his lute.
- 2/4/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
As a Trekkie, I need to get this off my chest right away: the Vulcan salute in the picture above is incorrect. Zoe Saldaña's thumb should be extended.
The above picture is from Steven Spielberg's 2004 film "The Terminal," a film inspired by the true story of Mehran Karimi Nasseri. The story goes that Nasseri, an Iranian citizen, was traveling from London to Brussels via Paris, but was waylaid in Paris when he lost his refugee passport. Unable to leave Terminal 1 of the Charles de Gaulle Airport, Nasseri simply stayed there. He lived in the airport from 1988 until a medical emergency in 2006.
In Spielberg's film, the Nasseri stand-in was a character named Viktor Navorski (Tom Hanks) a citizen of a fictional Eastern European country called Krakozhia. While Viktor was traveling, there was a violent coup in his home country and its very existence was thrown into question. He was...
The above picture is from Steven Spielberg's 2004 film "The Terminal," a film inspired by the true story of Mehran Karimi Nasseri. The story goes that Nasseri, an Iranian citizen, was traveling from London to Brussels via Paris, but was waylaid in Paris when he lost his refugee passport. Unable to leave Terminal 1 of the Charles de Gaulle Airport, Nasseri simply stayed there. He lived in the airport from 1988 until a medical emergency in 2006.
In Spielberg's film, the Nasseri stand-in was a character named Viktor Navorski (Tom Hanks) a citizen of a fictional Eastern European country called Krakozhia. While Viktor was traveling, there was a violent coup in his home country and its very existence was thrown into question. He was...
- 2/3/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
"Star Trek: The Motion Picture" was the onscreen reunion of the Enterprise crew, premiering in 1979, a decade after "Star Trek" was canceled. What more casual Trekkies may not know is that (most of) the cast had already come together again in that interim (and I don't mean just for "Trek" conventions).
That reunion would be "Star Trek: The Animated Series," which aired for 22 episodes from 1973 to 1974. The series was made in the style of the original, but there were a few changes in the medium shift. Stories were told in a breezy 20+ minutes, not the hour-long packaging the live-action show had used. Since animation doesn't have to worry about makeup expenses, "The Animated Series" featured much more (and much weirder) aliens than "Star Trek" had.
The animation was done by Filmation, nowadays mostly remembered for their stiff animation on programs like "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe." The cast...
That reunion would be "Star Trek: The Animated Series," which aired for 22 episodes from 1973 to 1974. The series was made in the style of the original, but there were a few changes in the medium shift. Stories were told in a breezy 20+ minutes, not the hour-long packaging the live-action show had used. Since animation doesn't have to worry about makeup expenses, "The Animated Series" featured much more (and much weirder) aliens than "Star Trek" had.
The animation was done by Filmation, nowadays mostly remembered for their stiff animation on programs like "He-Man and the Masters of the Universe." The cast...
- 2/1/2024
- by Devin Meenan
- Slash Film
At the beginning of William Shatner's 1989 film "Star Trek V: The Final Frontier," the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise-a is on shore leave, taking a much-needed breather while their ship undergoes extensive repairs and improvements. Scotty (James Doohan) and Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) are overseeing the repairs back on the ship. Chekhov (Walter Koenig) and Sulu (George Takei) are hiking together in Yosemite while Dr. McCoy (DeForest Kelley), Captain Kirk (Shatner), and Spock (Leonard Nimoy) set up their own camp nearby. This must not be a very long shore leave, otherwise I assume these people would all be at home visiting their families and not hanging out with their co-workers.
At night, McCoy, Kirk, and Spock gather around a campfire, cook beans, and enjoy marshmallows. Everything is comfortably low-tech. Kirk and McCoy attempt to introduce Spock to the Earth tradition of singing songs around the campfire, teaching him the lyrics to "Row,...
At night, McCoy, Kirk, and Spock gather around a campfire, cook beans, and enjoy marshmallows. Everything is comfortably low-tech. Kirk and McCoy attempt to introduce Spock to the Earth tradition of singing songs around the campfire, teaching him the lyrics to "Row,...
- 1/30/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Gary Graham, an actor best known for appearing in multiple Star Trek projects, has died at age 73.
Throughout his career, Graham appeared as Tanis on Star Trek: Voyager, Soval on Star Trek: Enterprise and Ragnar on Star Trek: Renegades. He was also known for his starring role on Fox’s Alien Nation.
More from TVLineStar Trek: Prodigy Saved! Unaired Season 2 Finds New Home on NetflixTVLine Items: Eddie Murphy Xmas Movie, Star Trek Shorts and MoreWilliam Shatner, George Takei Pay Tribute to Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols
News of Graham’s passing was announced by his ex-wife Susan Lavelle, who shared...
Throughout his career, Graham appeared as Tanis on Star Trek: Voyager, Soval on Star Trek: Enterprise and Ragnar on Star Trek: Renegades. He was also known for his starring role on Fox’s Alien Nation.
More from TVLineStar Trek: Prodigy Saved! Unaired Season 2 Finds New Home on NetflixTVLine Items: Eddie Murphy Xmas Movie, Star Trek Shorts and MoreWilliam Shatner, George Takei Pay Tribute to Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols
News of Graham’s passing was announced by his ex-wife Susan Lavelle, who shared...
- 1/23/2024
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
After last formally portraying Star Trek’s Captain James T. Kirk three decades ago (in Star Trek: Generations), William Shatner has seen the character played by Chris Pine and now Paul Wesley. When responding to a fan on Twitter (X) (as reported on by Trek Movie) whether he might ever play the role again, Shatner said it was unlikely but also mentioned how, in his view, his version of the character has been sidelined in promotional material put out by Paramount Plus.
Indeed, Captain Kirk often isn’t featured in promotional material, with Spock typically taking his place, even in a recent ad promoting Star Trek Day, something which has clearly stuck in Shatner’s craw. When one follower posted a picture promoting the annual event (marked on September 8th due to “The Man Trap”’s premiere), it was noticeable that Shatner was nowhere to be found among the nearly...
Indeed, Captain Kirk often isn’t featured in promotional material, with Spock typically taking his place, even in a recent ad promoting Star Trek Day, something which has clearly stuck in Shatner’s craw. When one follower posted a picture promoting the annual event (marked on September 8th due to “The Man Trap”’s premiere), it was noticeable that Shatner was nowhere to be found among the nearly...
- 1/11/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
If one visits the legendary Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood, California (now called the Tcl Chinese), one can see the handprints of the cast and creator of "Star Trek." On the event of the franchise's 25th anniversary in 1991, Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols, William Shatner, George Takei, James Doohan, and DeForest Kelley all put their handprints on the cement next to their respective signatures. According to a story Takei told at a "Star Trek" convention (that this author personally attended), the cast were instructed to sign their names but not to put their hands in the cement. Takei, hating the restriction, plopped in his handprint anyway, and his fellow cast members immediately followed suit.
Leonard Nimoy, as visiting Trekkies will see, slapped his hand into the cement with his middle and ring fingers parted and his thumb out, arranged in the traditional Vulcan salute seen so often throughout "Star Trek."
That...
Leonard Nimoy, as visiting Trekkies will see, slapped his hand into the cement with his middle and ring fingers parted and his thumb out, arranged in the traditional Vulcan salute seen so often throughout "Star Trek."
That...
- 1/6/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The story is well known to Trekkies. Whoopi Goldberg, when she was a young girl, recalls flipping on the television and seeing a particular science fiction show for the first time. There were two white men on the bridge of a starship, and behind them sat a Black woman wearing an outsize earpiece, serving in the space military alongside them. Of course, the series was "Star Trek," and the character Goldberg noticed was Uhura, played by Nichelle Nichols. Goldberg recalls running to her mother and exclaiming "There's a Black lady on television and she ain't no maid!" Goldberg admits to being a Trekkie ever since.
In 1987, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" had debuted, and Goldberg had already become a major star. Her breakout role came in 1985 in Steven Spielberg's "The Color Purple," but she was already well-known for her film and comedy work. Not only was there a new "Star Trek" on TV,...
In 1987, "Star Trek: The Next Generation" had debuted, and Goldberg had already become a major star. Her breakout role came in 1985 in Steven Spielberg's "The Color Purple," but she was already well-known for her film and comedy work. Not only was there a new "Star Trek" on TV,...
- 1/2/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Lieutenant Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), the U.S.S. Enterprise's communications officer on "Star Trek," rarely got episodes of her own. Audiences learned about Uhura through her interactions with the other members of the crew, remaining professional on the bridge, and keeping her personal life personal. It wouldn't be until the "Star Trek: The Animated Series" episode "The Lorelei Signal" that Uhura would take command of the Enterprise and solve the crisis of the week. Uhura remained the communications officer on the Enterprise through the events of "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country" in 1991. On "Star Trek: Picard," it was mentioned that Uhura had become the captain of a ship called the U.S.S. Leondegrance and made first contact with hundreds of new species.
Fun trivia: King Leondegrance was Guinivere's father in Arthurian myth. In John Boorman's 1981 Arthurian film "Excalibur," King Leondegrance was played by future "Star Trek" luminary and Picard himself,...
Fun trivia: King Leondegrance was Guinivere's father in Arthurian myth. In John Boorman's 1981 Arthurian film "Excalibur," King Leondegrance was played by future "Star Trek" luminary and Picard himself,...
- 1/2/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The Starfleet uniforms seen on the original "Star Trek" series back in 1966 were designed by William Ware Theiss, a costume designer who had previously worked on major Hollywood productions like "Spartacus," and who would go on to design for films like "Harold & Maude," "Bound for Glory," and "Pete's Dragon." According to an article on StarTrek.com, Theiss became friends with D.C. Fontana on the set of "Spartacus" (Fontana worked as a member of the studio's typing pool), which gave him the connection he needed to land his "Star Trek" job. It was Theiss' idea to make futuristic space uniforms look more shirt-like and casual, which stood in contrast to the shiny-and-chrome sci-fi costumes that were more in vogue at the time.
Theiss was also notorious for the skin-revealing outfits he designed for the show's many female guest stars, and he was noted for being able to ride the line...
Theiss was also notorious for the skin-revealing outfits he designed for the show's many female guest stars, and he was noted for being able to ride the line...
- 12/30/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
People old enough to remember the "Police Academy" movies may recall a scene in Hugh Wilson's 1984 original might recall a scene wherein the irascible horndog Carey Mahoney (Steve Guttenberg) sidled up to fellow cadet Karen Thompson (Kim Cattrall) and asked to see her thighs. Karen was too flustered in the moment to respond, but was eventually won over by Mahoney's comedic charm and loose manners in the face of the Metropolitan Police training facility. She eventually donned a pair of jogging shorts and, of her own accord, playfully showed them off to Mahoney while in the middle of her morning run.
The "Police Academy" movies are, naturally, horrendously dated in their attitudes today, but Kim Cattrall likely didn't object to the jogging shorts scene as, it so happens, she is quite fond of her own legs. It was that fondness, it seems, that led to a minor disappointment when...
The "Police Academy" movies are, naturally, horrendously dated in their attitudes today, but Kim Cattrall likely didn't object to the jogging shorts scene as, it so happens, she is quite fond of her own legs. It was that fondness, it seems, that led to a minor disappointment when...
- 12/18/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
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