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Tag: Star Trek

  • Star Trek for Real: 5 Trek Gadgets That Came True

    The television series Star Trek — now referred to by fans as The Original Series, or TOS — cast a vision for the future that has endured for almost 50 years now. Between TOS and the spinoffs that followed — The Next Generation, Voyager, Deep Space Nine, Enterprise, and all the feature films based thereon — the world was treated to the notions of space travel at warp speed, dematerialization transportation, and even time travel.

    Many of the fantastic notions from Star Trek are still firmly in the realm of science fiction. But there are some things that have found their way into our real world, right off the screen.

    Padds

    This is perhaps the easiest one to point out. The typical Star Trek “padd” was passed around with reports and other written communication. Now we have tablets and e-readers galore: Kindle, iPad, Android tablets, you name it.

    Universal Translator

    This is a bit different than it was envisioned by Roddenberry and gang, but we do have apps that can translate from one spoken language to another, acting as a translator. Examples include Voice Translate Pro and SayHi Translate.

    Vocal Computer Interface

    Majel Barrett’s familiar computer voice has become the stuff of Trek canon. The computers aboard the Enterprise and every other Federation Starship could accept voice commands, answer questions, and even off suggestions.

    And now we have Siri. It can’t initiate a self-destruct sequence or help you program a holonovel, yet. But Siri and its non-Apple cousins are certainly pieces in a puzzle that we no doubt will put together one day.

    Hypospray

    Believe it or not, this one actually predates Star Trek. It is called a jet injector and was used for administering vaccines to the masses without the use of needles. Nowadays they are used for insulin and other applications.

    Transparent Aluminum

    When Scotty cavalierly violated what we would later call the “temporal Prime Directive” and handed a 20th-century engineer the formula for transparent aluminum in exchange for some Plexiglas thick enough to contain some whales and sea water, most people probably just chuckled. But not everybody.

    Introducing ALON, a substance that is made much like a ceramic material, with aluminum, oxygen and nitrogen. The resultant material is clear, can be polished, and is used for armor, sandwiched with regular glass and polymer. It can stop a bullet.

    Image via YouTube

  • Star Trek 50th Anniversary; How You Can Get Involved

    The television phenomenon that was Star Trek, now referred to at The Original Series (TOS), launched in 1966. It purported to be the record of a “five-year mission.” But the series was cancelled after only three years. The cast figured they had to move on to other things.

    Walter Koenig, who played Chekhov throughout the all the TOS shows and movies, remembers when TOS ended.

    “When we were canceled in spring of 1969, that was it. I was thinking of becoming a Fuller Brush man or selling vacuums door-to-door. I had no idea what my life would have in store for me. Certainly Star Trek was not a viable possibility.”

    But it turned out to not be the end for Star Trek — not by a long shot. There were feature films that brought the TOS cast back together again and again, sent them up against challenges that hearkened back to the series, and even back in time and to death and back.

    The Next Generation, Voyager, Deep Space Nine, Enterprise, and now the “reboot” movies, all kept feeding the Roddenberry vision machine. Star Trek is a part of our national psyche, as much — or maybe even more — than the Apollo space program or the Space Shuttle. Even the props from the show have come to life, with “padds” becoming e-readers and tablets, communicators becoming cellular devices, and we’re still looking into transporters and warp travel.

    It’s been 50 years since TOS took off. And there is sure to be some stellar plans for the big five-oh. And Wikia, the online community that bills itself as “the social universe for fans, by fans,” is getting its party planning in order early.

    In partnership with Roddenberry Entertainment, Wikia’s only Star Trek community, Trek Initiative, is launching “Warp 5.0: Fandom’s Two-Year Trek Toward Sci-Fi’s Golden Anniversary” as part of the online Star Trek community portal.

    The program is being called “the world’s first and only ‘census’ of Star Trek fandom.” The idea is to take two years to compile videos and other material from fans all over the world, ready for the 50th anniversary in 2016.

    Eugene “Rod” Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, said about the project, “It’s really fantastic to have the chance to pull in personal fan content around such an important milestone for my family. My father would be proud to be part of such a collaborative initiative celebrating the fandom of his legacy.”

    Trek Initiative itself offers a gateway for the millions of Star Trek fans to gather, collaborate and communicate around everything Trek. It provides exclusive content and allows fans to share local community happenings with one another.

    Image via YouTube

  • Star Trek & Planet of the Apes Crossover?

    Star Trek & Planet of the Apes Crossover?

    Talk about boldly going … Somebody call J.J. Abrams and tell him there is a new level of farfetched to be aspired to now.

    IDW Comics and Boom Studios are collaborating on a crossover comic series. The Original Series cast of Star Trek will be seen with 1968 classic Planet of the Apes characters.

    The project is a comic miniseries. Scott and David Tipton will write the series with artist Rachel Scott. The series will be called: Star Trek/Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directive.

    The writers have reached back into the TOS lore to come up with a fresh look at how these two franchises might be able to work together.

    “With the Klingons secretly backing a renegade gorilla general in a coup for control of Ape City, Captain Kirk finds himself in the uncomfortable position of having to help out Dr Zaius’s orangutans,” said David Tipton.

    There are lots of crossovers within the Trek universe itself, even when those seem to bend the boundaries of time. They managed to make Scotty appear in the Next Generation universe. Picard got to fight alongside Kirk. But crossovers outside the canonical Star Trek universe are rare. But they have been done.

    There is a Next Generation/Doctor Who project from 2012. There was also also an Original Series/X-Men crossover from 1996 that was made possible by a psionic energy fit in space.

    And IDW itself did a project called Infestation that saw the TOS cast mix it up with Transformers, Ghostbusters, and G.I. Joe.

    But will this kind of crossover make it to the big screen? Star Trek fans are a pretty purist bunch. When they found out that J.J. Abrams was at the helm of the new Star Wars film, they fretted that he might try something clever with those two properties, especially with the rumor that Simon Pegg is hanging around the Star Wars set.

    A comics crossover is one thing. It is highly unlikely that fans would tolerate anything as large-scale as a movie crossover.

    Image via YouTube

  • William Shatner Not Happy With Zuckerberg App

    William Shatner Not Happy With Zuckerberg App

    William Shatner is clearly not happy with Mark Zuckerberg’s new app–the one that is available to celebrities only. Called ‘Mentions,’ the app is available to celebs and notable people so they can keep track of how often their names are mentioned on Facebook.

    Shatner dissed ‘Mentions’ via his Tumblr account, sharing his dislike (no, they still don’t have a button for that) of the fact that in order to utilize ‘Mentions,’ celebs must ‘like’ others.”

    “When you install the Mentions App you cannot proceed further until you follow another one of their other ‘celebrity’ accounts,” Shatner explained. “The first person on the list I was given was George Takei (rolling my eyes.) I ended up choosing Robert Downey Jr. to follow and then I hid his posts (sorry Robert!) I think that is a big flaw in the set up. If this app is for celebrities then WHY force them to follow another celebrity in order to set up this app? I think that is a flaw; I’m already following those who I want to follow – why insist I follow that short list of others?”

    “Rolling my eyes,” Shatner wrote about the rather awkward suggestion that he follow George Takei. The two actors have a bizarre feud going on.

    Incidentally there was no mention by the Star Trek star as to whether or not Robert Downey, Jr. chose to follow him back. Hmmm….doesn’t seem likely.

    William Shatner summed up his feelings about Mark Zuckerberg’s new ‘Mentions’ app as follows:

    “I’m not quite sure why Facebook released this app for “celebrities”. It seems to be ill conceived,” he wrote. “I will probably use it to post to my Facebook when I’m on my phone but it doesn’t allow for mail or groups. I will continue to use my regular Facebook App as well as the Pages app.”

    Per William Shatner’s assessment of Mark Zuckerberg’s new app, do you think it will live to see lots of celebrity action? Is Captain Kirk being harsh or is it really a rather silly notion?

    Do you think lots of people will take Facebook app advice from William Shatner?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Star Trek Holodeck Becomes Reality With Oculus Rift, Results Are Impressive

    Star Trek Holodeck Becomes Reality With Oculus Rift, Results Are Impressive

    German scientists at the Max-Planch-Institute have created a way for us to experience the holodeck from Star Trek by using the wireless Oculus Rift. With this technology, the researchers were able to simulate travelling to different places around the world. It’s not quite as sophisticated as the Star Trek holodeck, but the results are impressive.

    Researchers placed several cameras throughout a 9.7 square-meter room. To experience the holodeck, test subjects had to wear markers that were able to track their position in the room to the nearest millimeter. The room had enough space for the subjects to wander around, and since the Oculus Rift is wireless, there wasn’t a hindrance from moving freely.

    Captain Picard gets excited about the new holodeck

    The markers used for the project are similar to those that are used in movies and games for motion capture purposes. The user is then given a virtual world where they can wander around. Unlike the Star Trek holodeck this technology does not yet allow users to interact with the virtual environment.

    One of the participants in the research said, “I got to try out the holodeck and the experience was crazy, really realistic.”

    Scientists explain how the holodeck technology works

    Since the space was limited, scientists had to improvise in order to give the illusion of a larger environment. When the user walks two feet, it will register as four feet in the virtual world. Researchers are also determining whether changing the user’s avatar size will make it appear as if the virtual world is larger.

    The holodeck experience does have its drawbacks. Users tend to become nauseous once they leave the virtual space, but the scientists are working to correct that problem. “I have to say I felt a little nauseous after I got a bit cocky in there; generally though you feel like you are there,” said one participant.

    The holodeck technology is still in its initial stages. There are no reports of it being available to the public anytime soon. However, knowing that there might be a possibility to experience a real holodeck is delightful, especially for Star Trek fans.

    Holodeck scene from Star Trek TV series

    Image via YouTube

  • Star Trek: 3 Over the Top Trekkie Moves You Won’t Do

    So, you know the names of the core crew members from the Star Trek: The Original Series, as well as from Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, and even Deep Space Nine and Enterprise.

    You also know that any decent Trekkie would refer to all of those shows by their initialisms: TOS; TNG; VOY; DS9; and ENT.

    You know the names of Spock’s parents (Sarek and Amanda). You know that Kirk’s middle name is Tiberius. You know that William Shatner and Nichelle Nichols shared the first televised interracial kiss as Kirk and Uhura.

    You know the basic science behind transporters, replicators, warp engines, and holodecks. You know all the different things a deflector dish can be adapted to do.

    You can raise one eyebrow, make a Vulcan salute with ease, and are certain that, if you really wanted to, you could render someone unconscious with a neck pinch.

    The Force is strong with you. (Sorry. Sorry.)

    But can you:

    Speak Klingon

    I don’t mean an occasional “Qapla’” among friends. Get in there and learn the grammar rules.

    Dr d’Armond Speers claims he only spoke Klingon to his son, Alec, for the first three years of the boy’s life.

    “He was definitely starting to learn it,” Speers said. “When Alec spoke back to me in Klingon his pronunciation was excellent.”

    Then there is the case of 23-year-old Jossie Sockertopp and 29-year-old Sonnie Gustavsson. They got married in a Klingon ritual ceremony, complete with wedding vows in Klingon.

    Name Your Kid After a Trek Character

    Not your pets, gentle reader. Your progeny. All those cats aren’t your kids.

    This one is tough to come back from, and could cause some difficulty for your kid later. But hey, that’s the price. One lady admits that her youngest daughter’s middle name is Troi.

    If you are hip to the idea of doing this, you might find this list of possible baby names helpful. It covers all five series, and is divided into boy/girl lists, as well as unisex possibilities. A few that you could sneak past a spouse without much suspicion: Nichelle, Deanna, Tasha, and Dax. You might even get away with B’Elanna.

    Get a Trek Tattoo

    What could go wrong?

    Image via YouTube

  • Star Trek 3: Boldly Going … Where?

    Star Trek 3: Boldly Going … Where?

    Space … the Final Frontier. These are the voyages of the Starship Enterprise. Its five-year mission: To explore strange new worlds; To seek out new life and new civilizations; To boldly go where no man has gone before!

    Star Trek: The Original Series, started in 1966, and ended its run in 1969. That’s only three years out of its intended “five-year mission”. Here in the real world, the space race was well underway, but no one had set foot on the Moon just yet.

    For the films that followed the original series run, as well as the Next Generation, Voyager, Deep Space Nine and all the attendant films since, the duration of the series has been left open-ended. The Next Generation announced a “continuing mission”, and ran from 1987 to 1994, a full seven seasons. Voyager started with the understanding that it could take 75 years for the crew to get back home. It, too, ran seven seasons.

    But the notion of that “five-year mission” is still part of the Star Trek lore. And now, with the Star Trek reboot movies, we just may be visiting that mission once more, with Kirk, Spock, Bones, Uhura, Scotty, Sulu, Chekhov, and a handful of redshirts to round out the away team.

    Actor Zachary Quinto, who plays the role of Spock in the new movies, told attendees at the Television Critics Press Tour:

    “I think the five-year mission will be a part of this next film in some way. We’re coming up on the 50th anniversary of one of the most iconic sci-fi series in entertainment history, so it’s inherently an ongoing story. But I do think that we’ll feel some sense of evolution in these characters that’s been building through the first few films.”

    Since the conceit behind Star Trek (2009) and Into Darkness (2013) is that this Trek universe is an alternate timeline to the original, the construct of a five-year mission could easily be filled with old, familiar characters and species (e.g. Klingons, Romulans, etc.), as well as things that weren’t encountered until the Next Generation (Borg, Bajorans, etc.). And, of course, there is always the possibility of all-new encounters.

    “The script is being tightened and polished and finished,” Quinto said, “and I imagine that the phone will be ringing in the next few months to see when we’ll go back into production.”

    Robert Orci is set to direct.

    Image via YouTube

  • Star Trek Fan Has $500,000 Trek Man Cave

    Star Trek fans will do a lot of embarrassing stuff. They’ll travel thousands of miles to conventions and meet-ups. They’ll buy and make costumes that get worn on days other than Halloween.

    Then there’s the paragon of parenting virtue who only spoke Klingon to his son for the first three years of his life.

    Now comes the tale of a man who has spent three years and nearly half a million dollars fixing up his basement like a Star Trek shrine.

    Anthony Sforza of Long Island went to great lengths — perhaps where no one had gone before — to get materials for his basement Enterprise.

    “It was very difficult at first to find the materials that they used on the show,” Sforza said. “I tried to call them but getting an answer was impossible.”

    “Fortunately I was able to purchase a piece of the original set which I pulled apart to find out the exact paint and materials that were used,” he said. “That’s how I created the basement.”

    Sforza recreated the captain’s conn and other pieces of the Enterprise bridge — NCC-1701, no bloody A, B, C, or D. But he also collects costumes, badges, tricorders, action figures, latex masks, and weapons.

    “My collection probably has about 300 pieces in it,” Sforza explained. “The most notable pieces of the collection are the Captain’s costume, which is called the Monster Maroon.”

    Sforza’s kids love the Star Trek obsession. But his sister thinks it’s a little weird.

    “Anthony’s been obsessed with Star Trek for as long as I think I’ve been alive,” she said. “I don’t remember him ever not being obsessed with it, even when he was a little boy. I think he’s a freak, but he loves it, and he could be into worse things. So if that’s what makes him happy then that’s great.”

    Image via Youtube

  • George Takei: Grand Marshal at Pride Parade

    George Takei was just one of many people taking part in the 40th annual Pride Parade in Seattle, Washington this past weekend. The activist, known best for his role as Hikaru Sulu in Star Trek, served as the parade’s Celebrity Grand Marshal. The parade started along Seattle’s Fourth Avenue at just about 11:00 A.M.

    “Well 40 years ago, what seemed unimaginable, today is reality,” Takei said. “We look forward to the day – I think this decade – when we will indeed have the United States of America.”

    Rapper Macklemore also made a surprise appearance at the parade. One of his recent hits with Ryan Lewis is called Same Love. It talks about the hate of prejudice and how the love that two people–any two people–share shouldn’t be judged. He was met with loud cheers from the Pride Parade watchers.

    Two hundred groups took part in Seattle’s Pride Parade. The city’s first openly gay mayor–Ed Murray–served as community grand marshal.

    The first parade was held 40 years ago on a budget of just $500. Some of the original organizers of that event were in attendance on Saturday.

    Check out these shots of both George Takei and Macklemore in Seattle’s Pride Parade.

    In addition to being a huge gay rights activist and a Star Wars icon, George Takei is also known for making lots of silly puns which find their way all over the internet. He is an avid public speaker about his family’s experience in a Japanese-American war camp, too.

    So how do you pronounce George’s last name? That’s a really popular question. It’s ‘Ta-KAY.’ The 77-year-old has likely corrected other people’s pronunciation of his name throughout his entire life.

    Kudos to George Takei, Macklemore, Mayor Ed Murray and more for making Seattle’s 40th Pride Parade a huge success. The parade is likely part of the reason the city was recently named the ‘most friendly LGBT city’ in America.

    Image via Facebook

  • A ‘Star Trek’ TV Series Might Come To Netflix?

    A ‘Star Trek’ TV Series Might Come To Netflix?

    Star Trek fans may have more to look forward to than a new movie in the next two years. As reported by The Huffington Post, the Star Trek TV series might be reborn over on Netflix. Netflix has reportedly expressed interest to CBS and Viacom (the owners of the Star Trek franchise) in obtaining the rights for their own Star Trek series.

    As of now, nothing has been confirmed by either Netflix or CBS, but it’s no surprise that the mega popular streaming website wants the series. Currently, Netflix has five different Star Trek series available for streaming, and it’s one of their top viewed series. In addition, it’s been announced that Marvel will debut several new series on Netflix, including a Daredevil reboot, so claiming the rights to Star Trek just makes sense for the demographic they’re aiming for.

    Amidst the rumors, Star Trek writer Larry Nemecek took to his blog last week to address the Netflix speculation, saying, “It’s in Netflix’s interest to be casting for new shows; Star Trek is one of them—especially as Trek’s 737 hours performs as a top draw on Netflix. As I understand it, there have been overtures, but no steps taken.” This statement doesn’t exactly kill the idea, so much as confirm that no moves have been made yet. It doesn’t completely take a new Star Trek series on Netflix out of the picture, an idea many fans are still clinging to.

    In the meantime, there are plenty of online web series spinoffs for Star Trek fans, including the popular Star Trek: Phase II. The fan-based series recently just completed a successful kickstarter campaign, raising $46,000 to help fund a new studio space and set design of future episodes, which cost about $15,000 each to make. The web series picks up where the original Star Trek TV show from the 60s left off, with the Starship Enterprise in their fifth and final year of their mission.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Star Trek Actor Seeks Help For Reading Rainbow

    Quick question: Do you have $1?

    Chances are that you do.

    Believe it or not, that one buck is more than enough to make a huge difference in a wonderful campaign.

    LeVar Burton, the actor best known for playing Lieutenant Commander Geordi La Forge on Star Trek, recently began a kickstarter campaign to bring back another show dear to his heart: Reading Rainbow.

    The hit show aired on PBS from June 1983 until November 2010.

    During that time it was credited with helping multiple generations foster a love of reading.

    It’s been a few years since the show was cancelled, but clearly the enthusiasm attached to RR remains.

    On Wednesday, the Kickstarter was launched to bring back Reading Rainbow.

    Burton and those attached to the project were asking for just $1 million to bring RR to the worldwide web in an online series.

    To their amazement, the Kickstarter fund exceeded that amount within the first 24 hours. Twice.

    The project runners initially hoped to reach this modest goal within 35 days. To say they underestimated the nostalgic impact of the Kickstarter fund is an understatement.

    Now they’ve re-adjusted their goal to $5 million with new ideas and possibilities attached to the project, including making RR available on multiple platforms.

    Yet another adjusted goal may be necessary as the Kickstarter fund gathers steam. The third day of the Kickstarter program isn’t over yet and already $3.1 million dollars (and counting) has been raised. Nearly 70,000 individuals have donated thus far.

    The overwhelming success of this campaign should demonstrate how close Reading Rainbow is to the hearts of many.

    Predictably, not everyone is convinced that this project is on the level. One Washington Post author landed in hot water with an article that seems to suggest that this Reading Rainbow project is little more than a scam.

    Her logic seems to be based on the idea that they’ve already made more than enough for a new season of the show on PBS.

    The problem is that not too many people watch PBS in 2014.

    Put Reading Rainbow on the web and the program can and will reach a far wider audience.

    If you decide to give your last $1 to something, why not give it a project that aims to fight childhood illiteracy?

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • William Shatner Honored by NASA for Service

    William Shatner Honored by NASA for Service

    NASA honored iconic actor William Shatner with its highest award bestowed upon civilians Saturday, the Distinguished Public Service medal. Shatner received the citation while attending his own Hollywood Charity Horse Show in Los Angeles, which raises money for children’s causes.

    The medal cited Shatner for “outstanding generosity and dedication to inspiring new generations of explorers around the world, and for unwavering support for NASA and its missions of discovery.”

    Best known for his role as Captain James Tiberius Kirk on Star Trek: The Original Series, Shatner has been somewhat of an informal spokesman for NASA over the past few years, issuing a Star Trek-themed wake-up call to the astronauts of the Discovery mission STS-133 in 2011. In 2012, the actor recorded a message for the occupants of the International Space Station, and also narrated a video regarding NASA’s Curiosity Mars rover:

    David Weaver, NASA’s associate administrator for the Office of Communications at NASA Headquarters in Washington, said in a statement, “William Shatner has been so generous with his time and energy in encouraging students to study science and math, and for inspiring generations of explorers, including many of the astronauts and engineers who are a part of NASA today.” Weaver added, “He’s most deserving of this prestigious award.”

    Shatner, 83, was born on March 22, 1931, in the Côte Saint-Luc neighborhood of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and has shown support for his home country’s space exploration efforts. Last year he traded tweets with astronaut Chris Hadfield, Canada’s first space station commander.

    Shatner’s latest artistic endeavor is a reality show called The Shatner Project, which is set to premiere some time this year, and will be a five-episode series in which the actor and wife Liz will gut their 1970′s-era California home, and remodel it. Commenting on the new series, Shatner states, “I am embracing change. Our home will be unfamiliar territory for a while but I am excited by all of it.”

    Image via NASA

  • Kate Mulgrew Duped into Narrating Documentary

    Actress Kate Mulgrew said on Tuesday in a statement on her Facebook page that she does not stand behind her latest project, a geocentric documentary called The Principle, and that she was “misinformed” about it when she agreed to narrate the film.

    Mulgrew, known for her leading role as Capt. Kathryn Janeway in Star Trek: Voyager, posted an explanation on her Facebook page Tuesday, dissociating herself from the controversial documentary that promotes the long debunked theory that the sun revolves around the Earth.

    A trailer for The Principle, directed by Katheryne Thomas, begins with a voiceover from Mulgrew: “Everything we think we know about our universe is wrong.”

    Robert Sungenis, a Catholic apologist who runs a blog called Galileo Was Wrong, produced the documentary.

    Mulgrew, who currently stars as Red in the hit Netflix series Orange is the New Black, said in her statement that she does not ascribe to Sungenis’ theories or geocentrism, and that she would not have participated in the project had she known he was involved.

    Post by Kate Mulgrew.
    Prominent scientist Laurence Krauss also appears in the documentary and claimed in a Twitter post on Tuesday that he was misrepresented in the film.   Krauss wrote in an article for Slate on Tuesday that “The notion that anyone in the 21st century could take seriously the notion that the sun orbits the Earth, or that the Earth is the centre of the universe, is almost unbelievable.” He also explained that he was reluctant to sue the filmmakers because “it would elevate the profile of something that shouldn’t even rise to the level of popular discussion." Image via YouTube

  • William Shatner Turns 83, Launching New Series

    Cultural icon William Shatner turned 83 yesterday, and has yet to show any sign of slowing down – He’s set to star in his own home renovation series on the DIY network, entitled The Shatner Project. Best known for his role as Captain James Tiberius Kirk on Star Trek: The Original Series, Shatner also gained notoriety for the title role on police drama T.J. Hooker, as attorney Denny Crane on the legal seriocomedy Boston Legal and was also the host of the popular reenactment series Rescue 911.

    Shatner was born on March 22, 1931, in the Côte Saint-Luc neighborhood of Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He began his silver screen acting career in the 1951 Canadian film The Butler’s Night Off, though his first feature role came in the 1958 MGM film The Brothers Karamazov with part-time robotic cowboy Yul Brynner.

    Aside from acting gigs, Shatner also co-wrote several novels set in the Star Trek universe, and authored a series of science fiction novels called TekWar that were adapted for television. The auteur also began music and spoken-word projects, beginning in 1968, with the release of The Transformed Man, in which he’d delivered disjointed, disproportionately intense renditions of Mr. Tambourine Man and Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. Shatner has also collaborated with Ben Folds on numerous occasions, and the duo co-wrote the album Has Been in 2004.

    Shatner’s interpretation of Pulp’s Common People:

    Awesome.

    Here Shatner loses, and then regains control, in a profound display of his mastery of his craft:

    Interestingly, Shatner has ties to central Kentucky, and owns a 360 acre farm near Versailles called Belle Reve. He enjoys breeding and showing American Saddlebreds and Quarter Horses.

    The Shatner Project is set to premiere some time this year, and will be a five-episode series in which Shatner and wife Liz will gut their 1970’s-era California home, and remodel it. Commenting on the new series, Shatner states, “I am embracing change. Our home will be unfamiliar territory for a while but I am excited by all of it.”

    Image via YouTube.

  • William Shatner Turns 83, Is Now Doing Reality TV

    William Shatner turned 83 on Saturday and we’re reminded that the man is an institution at this point. From Captain Kirk to the Priceline Negotiator, everybody young and old recognizes him at this point. While his age and fame has definitely limited his roles over the past few years, he’s still acting to this day. In fact, he’s getting his own reality TV series.

    The DIY Network announced last week that Shatner will be starring in a new reality TV series called The Shatner Project. The series will star himself and his wife as they gut their own home and remodel it. There are currently only five episodes planned.

    “I am embracing change,” said Shatner. “Our home will be unfamiliar territory for a while but I am excited by all of it.”

    If The Shatner Project sounds familiar to you, it’s because it’s not the first time he’s used the name. In 2009, he started The Shatner Project on YouTube as a video blog that chronicled his day to day life for his fans. Here’s the humorous video that launched the series five years ago:

    Unfortunately, there’s not a similar trailer for the new Shatner Project just yet. It will no doubt be charming and humorous, but it can’t be as good as the trailer he did for the Star Trek video game last year.

    Speaking of Star Trek, Shatner’s next appearance at a convention will be at The Official Star Trek Convention in Chicago on June 6-8. He will only be present on Saturday, however, so Trekkies wanting to see Captain Kirk in the flesh will want to be in attendance.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Leonard Nimoy: Star Trek’s Mr. Spock Seriously Ill

    Leonard Nimoy–best know as Star Trek’s Mr. Spock–is seriously ill and as a result is begging his fans not to smoke. Nimoy is now on full time oxygen, suffering from COPD–Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Caused by smoking, it makes breathing very difficult.

    It wasn’t until fans saw Nimoy in an airport–being transported in a wheelchair and wearing the portable oxygen that they became concerned and shortly thereafter he shared word of his illness with them. The 82-year-old does look frail and pale, but he is still involved with the Star Trek franchise and takes part in events whenever he can.

    Nimoy, along with William Shatner, Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes and more starred in TV and film versions of the cult favorite–believed during the 1960s and early 1970s to be providing viewers with a fairly accurate version of what ‘outer space’ was all about.

    Leonard Nimoy shared an explanation of his illness with his fans via Twitter back on January 29th.

    He reiterated his plea for everyone to stop smoking on February 6th–once again in a tweet.

    This was followed shortly thereafter by yet another tweet.

    Anyone who followed Star Trek understands that the letters in Leonard Nimoy’s tweets–LLAP–stand for “Live long and prosper.” Nimoy’s character is known for a hand signal depicting the phrase as well.

    Fans can check out Leonard Nimoy on EPIX later in February, as he appears on a pre-recorded segment for Star Trek Fest.

    Hopefully with medication Leonard Nimoy can continue enjoying anything and everything Star Trek. At 82 he has lived long and prospered, but fans–and his friends and family, too–would like to see him stick around for a bit longer.

    Image via YouTube

  • Leonard Nimoy Reveals He’s Suffering From COPD

    Leonard Nimoy, whose role as the brilliant Spock on “Star Trek” made him a household name, announced on Twitter this week that he’s suffering from a chronic disease brought on by smoking.

    Nimoy wrote on the micro-blogging site that he was recently diagnosed with COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and urged his followers to take heed and quit smoking before it’s too late. The news comes on the heels of a photograph that’s been circulating on the web which shows the 82-year old actor in a wheelchair with an oxygen tank.

    Nimoy was photographed being helped through an airport, raising alarm in his fans until he made the official announcement.

    The disease can cause shortness of breath and symptoms of emphysema and bronchitis, and sufferers often need to supplement their oxygen intake. The progressive disease also reportedly quadruples the risk of lung cancer; however, Nimoy seems determined not to let the illness take over and has been as busy as ever, updating his Twitter account daily for his fans.

    Mr. Nimoy updated his page today, letting his 809,000 followers know he’s okay.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • George Takei: Utah, Boldly Change Your Gay Stance

    George Takei, widely known for his role as Mr. Sulu on the original Star Trek series, is currently dealing with another breed of species– politicians.

    While promoting his part in the 2014 Salt Lake Comic Con FanXperience, gay activist Takei set his phasers on kill when addressing Utah’s current decision to dismiss all same-sex marriages that were performed when they were briefly allowed. Fox News tells us that according to Takei, over 2,600 people fit into this category, and now their marriages suddenly have no legal standing. Mr.Sulu Takei bluntly accredits Utah politicians decision to “stupidity.”

    In pleasant news, Takei will play a major part in the Comic Con convention that will be held in April and September in Utah. The April convention has impressively sold out already, while the September one is also filling fast. According to Comic Con, The FanXperience is held by the same organization, but includes exclusive features such as the Kid Con Pavillion, longer hours, increased social activities and more. Takei hosted the pre-event on Friday, and met with fans to take pictures and autographs. He told a Utah newspaper that it is “good manners” to thank fans of Star Trek– Trekkies were pleased,

    …and Comic Con raked in even more profit with the free event charging for photographs and autographs with Takei.

    Takei is happy to hang with fans at the ComicCon in Utah, and is also pleased with promoting his Sundance Film Festival-selected documentary “To Be Takei” there as well– although he still thinks Utah politics are …illogical. Can’t win them all. Maybe next light year for Utah.

  • Klingon Letter Of Resignation Submitted By Councilman

    Indian Trail, N.C. councilman David Waddell surprised fellow council after handing in his resignation letter. The resignation was not the surprise. Mr. Waddell, a grown man and a real politician, penned his letter in Klingon.

    For those who may be unfamiliar, Klingon a fictional race/language that comes from the popular Star Trek TV series. This is how David Waddell chose to resign; he thought it would be funny.

    “Folks don’t know what to think of me half the time,” said Waddell, so “I might as well have one last laugh”

    David Waddell said that the resignation will take effect from Jan, 31.

    Knowing that Klingon will be problematic for people to understand, Waddell decided to add a Bing Translation to the sentences.

    “Teach (the) city (the) constitution. I will return next time to witness victory. Resignation occurs in 2014 the 31st of January. Perhaps today is a good day (to) resign.” Waddell term would have expired in 2015.

    The letter was delivered to the town mayor, who was not amused by the gesture. He described it as childish and embarrassing.

    “It’s an embarrassment for Indian Trail, and it’s an embarrassment for North Carolina,” he said. However, the mayor wished him well. “I wish him the best, live long and prosper. I don’t know what else to say,” Alvarez said.

    (image)In an interview on Thursday, Waddell elaborated on his reasons for resigning. Waddell cited the town’s laxity to implement development plans and poor response to public records access as part of his reason for resignation.

    On the other hand, Mayor Alvarez said that Waddell was a conservative minority among development-minded liberals who are trying to improve the area’s infrastructure. He also said Waddell was constantly opposing everything including motions for adjournment.

    Waddell, a former plumber, said that he would be more useful if he attended board meetings as a citizen. The time would also allow him to speak out on community issues and possibly campaign for a senate seat.

    His replacement will be deliberated later this month.

    Main image via YouTube, image of  Waddell via Indiantrail.org

     

  • WIlliam Shatner Releases Newest Album

    WIlliam Shatner Releases Newest Album

    82-year-old William Shatner isn’t just known for his work on Star Trek, or his rather recent appearances in Priceline commercials. The man can now be iknown for his music prowess releasing his second album.

    This isn’t the first time the Star Trek man took to the studio. He surprised and I guess you could say startled his fans on his 1968 debut album, “The Transformed Man.” He even recorded his own version of, “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” for that premiere record.

    Check out Shatner’s version of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” here.

    It’s been quite some time since his first release, but his most recent album will be released in just a few days on Monday, Oct. 8. This marks Shatner’s fifth studio album.

    The newest album, “Ponder the Mystery” will be a prog-rock sounding album with help from Billy Sherwood of the band Yes. It’s not just Sherwood helping out with this album. Robby Krieger of the Doors and country superstar, Vince Gill will be making an appearance on the latest album as well.

    The album will be performed live with a backup band. Check out the track listing below.

    “Ponder the Mystery” track listing:
    1. Red Shift
    2. Where It’s Gone… I Don’t Know with Mick Jones
    3. Manhunt with Simon House
    4. Ponder The Mystery with Steve Vai
    5. So Am I with Al Di Meola
    6. Change with Rick Wakeman
    7. Sunset with Joel Vandroogenbroeck
    8. Twilight with Edgar Winter
    9. Rhythm Of The Night with Nik Turner
    10. Imagine Things with Vince Gil
    11. Do You See? with Edgar Froese
    12. Deep Down with Robby Krieger
    13. I’m Alright, I Think with Dave Koz
    14. Where Does Time Go? with George Duke
    15. Alive with Zoot Horn Rollo

    Photo Credit: YouTube

  • Star Trek NSA: New Command Center Unveiled

    Star Trek NSA: New Command Center Unveiled

    The NSA has turned to Star Trek for inspiration for its new command center. Before deciding to build their new command center with this type of a design, Keith Alexander, had used a facility at Fort Belvoir, Virignia that also had influences taken from Star Trek. At the time, Alexander was in charge of the Army’s Intelligence and Security Command, but he is now the chief of the NSA.

    The new command center is supposedly modeled after the enterprise starship, which was made popular by the television series, Star Trek. The original model in Fort Belvoir, Virginia was reportedly designed by a Hollywood set designer and was complete with chrome panels, computer stations, a huge TV monitor on the forward wall and doors that made a “whoosh” sound when they opened and closed, according to PBS Newshour.

    After a number of instances of the NSA scaring people and fearing that they are being watched, maybe this is something that will get people to think that they are not so bad after all. How afraid should we really be of people that are modeling their command centers off of Star Trek‘s Enterprise? The new center is being set up as part of a new Information Dominance Center. It has been described as an ultramodern operations center, with a primary function being able to 24-hour worldwide visualization, planning, and execution of coordinated information operations for the US Army and other federal agencies, says The Guardian. This futuristic setting feels even more like the enterprise with the commander’s console, giving one that illusion that they have just boarded a star ship after sitting down.

    A retired officer that was in charge of VIP visits to the orginal model was quoted saying “Everybody wanted to sit in the chair at least once to pretend he was Jean-Luc Picard.” Picard, of course, is the famous captain of the ship, who was played by Patrick Stewart.

    This type of elaborate design is hardly what the NSA needs to be concerned with. Clearly, there must be more important things for the NSA to do than hire a Hollywood set designer to model a center influenced by Star Trek. It must excite all the Star Trek fans out there though. This could be seen by some people as a big waste of money that the government could be using for other things.

    Image via Youtube