Posted by Michael Pinto on Aug 13, 2006 in Star Trek
There’s a great TV Guide interview with J.J. Abrams who has been tapped to co-produce the next Star Trek film. There’s something quite neat to see that someone who loves the show will be involved: Lost Boss Tackles Star Trek Enterprise
“TV Guide: Why do you think Star Trek continues to fascinate?
Abrams: It was incredibly smart television. The original series and Next Generation were about something — human nature and the idea of coming up against the unexpected and the often terrifying. It was a good story that happened to be science fiction. When I watch episodes with my 7-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter and see them so vitally respond to a show that was made the year I was born — it’s not because it takes place on a spaceship. What endures isn’t a genre, it’s character and emotional connection.”
…I like the fact that his focus is on the original series from the 60s and when he talks about “smart television”, you start to suspect that he respects his audience.
Posted by Michael Pinto on Aug 12, 2006 in Star Trek
So using Google trends I asked that age old fanboy Star Trek question:
Who is more popular Captain Kirk or Captain Jean-Luc Picard?
According to Google Trends the clear answer is Captain Kirk!
…although it should be noted that Shatner seemed to hit a high point in 2004, and Patrick Stewart seems in danger of catching up! And for some odd reason Kirk seems most popular in Calgary, Canada.
Posted by Michael Pinto on Aug 4, 2006 in Star Trek
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Star Trek, Christies is auctioning off over 1,000 items of memorabilia from CBS Television Studios. The auction will happen in New York 5-7 October but the items can be viewed in London from today until 8 August. Highlights include models of the Starship Enterprise, costumes worn by Captain Kirk, Spock and Uhura and a replica of Kirk’s chair (estimate $8,000 to $12,000). There is also stuff from later series – you can bid for Deanna Troi’s mini-dress(estimate $1,500 to $2,500), Captain Picard’s Starfleet uniform or even your own Borg alcove:
Sci Fi Channel has picked up the four seasons of Star Trek: Enterprise to premiere on the cable network early this fall. Enterprise, starring Scott Bakula as “Captain Jonathan Archer,” originally aired on UPN from 2001 to 2005, and its 98 produced episodes have been in syndication ever since.
The new venue for Enterprise is part of a package deal between Sci Fi Channel and CBS Paramount Domestic Television that includes multiple made-for-television movies and other series, including Threshold co-starring Brent Spiner (“Data”) and produced by Enterprise co-creator Brannon Braga. Threshold was CBS’ entry in the competitive sci-fi/thriller field last fall, but was pulled from the network after eight episodes. Twelve episodes were shot — all of which have aired overseas — so the Sci Fi deal will give U.S. audiences a chance to see the whole series on TV. (Of course, serious fans can pick up the DVD starting August 22.)
