News Bullets

[TrekToday]

• As reported by Courant.com, George Takei (Sulu) will be appearing on Secret Talents of the Stars which airs Tuesday, April 8 at 10 P.M. on CBS. Takei's "secret talent" will be singing country music.

• In an interview with New York Entertainment, Patrick Stewart (Picard) credited his seven years playing Jean-Luc Picard with changing his life. "I played that character for seven years," he explained. "One hundred and seventy-eight episodes week in, week out, four feature films. Those years were very productive, they were very important to me, and they changed my life in every aspect. I am proud of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', I am proud of the work we did, and I am proud of the character I played, because I know for a fact he’s been an outstanding role model to people."

• According to Playbill, Ethan Phillips (Neelix) is playing the "Turkey Guy" in David Mamet's comedy November. The play centers on the unpopular President Charles Smith and his bid for a second term and was inspired by the presidential habit of pardoning turkeys every Thanksgiving.

[Pioneer]

I'm glad Patrick Stewart is finally publicly acknowledging that the character of Captain Jean-Luc Picard is a role model worth emulating. There was even a book published once that touted Picard's management/command style.

[T'Cal]

^ Agreed. For those who question that, or for those interested in a fun and interesting read, I recommend the book Make It So. It's a leadership book written as if Picard was sharing insights to new SFA cadets on what makes a good leader. Picard summarizes an incident (episode from TNG) and then discusses how he and his staff displayed the leadership traits that led to a successful conclusion. After each summary and discussion is a synopsis that discusses how these traits can be applied in a modern day business setting. It's excellent.

[T'Cal]

TrekToday wrote:

---

<ul><li>As reported by <A class="link" HREF="http://www.courant.com/entertainment/tv/hc-tveye0408.artapr08,0,3822047.column">Courant.com</A>, <font color=yellow>George Takei</font> (Sulu) will be appearing on <i>Secret Talents of the Stars</i> which airs Tuesday, April 8 at 10 P.M. on CBS. Takei's "secret talent" will be singing country music.<p><li>In an interview with <A class="link" HREF="http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2008/04/patrick_stewart_threatens_to_k.html">New York Entertainment</A>, <font color=yellow>Patrick Stewart</font> (Picard) credited his seven years playing Jean-Luc Picard with changing his life. "I played that character for seven years," he explained. "One hundred and seventy-eight episodes week in, week out, four feature films. Those years were very productive, they were very important to me, and they changed my life in every aspect. I am proud of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', I am proud of the work we did, and I am proud of the character I played, because I know for a fact he’s been an outstanding role model to people."<p><li>According to <A class="link" HREF="http://www.playbill.com/news/article/116546.html">Playbill</A>, <font color=yellow>Ethan Phillips</font> (Neelix) is playing the "Turkey Guy" in <font color=yellow>David Mamet's</font> comedy <i>November</i>. The play centers on the unpopular President Charles Smith and his bid for a second term and was inspired by the presidential habit of pardoning turkeys every Thanksgiving.</ul><center></center>

I heard some of George's singing on Chicago radio this morning. He was singing songs that had the word "fire" in them and when ever he sang that part, he would hesitate a moment and then bark out "FIRE!" In the background was bridge sound effects. It was scary...

[Admiral Bear]

"I played that character for seven years," he explained. "One hundred and seventy-eight episodes week in, week out, four feature films. Those years were very productive, they were very important to me, and they changed my life in every aspect. I am proud of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', I am proud of the work we did, and I am proud of the character I played, because I know for a fact he’s been an outstanding role model to people."

That's a bit different from I try not to feel they were seven wasted years.

Anyone would think Patrick's after a role in another sci-fi franchise. Maybe he thinks Trek 10 will bomb and that Paramount will ask him and Spiner back for one last hurrah.

God, I've just about lost all respect for him now.

[BlazerBoy]

Entertainment Tonight claims Takei was incensed backstage after one of the judges compared his rendition of On the Road Again to the "Brokeback Mountain" version.