Nichelle Nichols Interview

[Gary7]

I just saw the interview of Nichelle Nichols on 92Y for "Women Pioneers in Television." She of course spoke about her encounter with MLK. She really stretched it out, compared to what I'd heard before. She also added that he called her on several occasions afterward to "check up" on her, making sure she was still sticking with it... Sounds like she IS embellishing her story over time, because I don't remember this from interviews I heard when she was much younger.

[Josan]

Yeah, the claimed follow up calls are really stretching it. That's definitely something I haven't heard before.

[DakotaSmith]

Wow, follow-up calls? That's a new one on me. I'll add it to my crappy recollection of how the story has progressed.

I cannot for one nanosecond imagine that MLK actually made such calls. Star Trek would have to be the absolute last thing on MLK's mind, even if he were a rabid fanboy like me.

I mean, seriously: the dude had the FBI investigating him and his ultimate murder wasn't a particularly big surprise given his massive following in what was at the time a very controversial social movement. I don't remember it except as history that I happened to live through, but I'd imagine it to be as much as surprise as if, say, Rush Limbaugh were murdered.

Too bad? Yes. A surprise? Not particularly. The dude must get multiple daily death threats.

Dakota Smith

[Mr_Homn]

I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility that he might have called her a couple times after wards. Afterall she was a very attractive young woman. Just sayin'...

Him knowing she was 4th in command is much harder to swallow.

I watch the show a lot and I never knew she was 4th in command. Honestly I don't even really believe it. That was probably something she was told to appease her. I always figured Sulu came before her. Didn't he sit in the captains chair while she was on the bridge once?

[Noname Given]

DakotaSmith wrote:

---

Wow, follow-up calls? That's a new one on me. I'll add it to my crappy recollection of how the story has progressed.

I cannot for one nanosecond imagine that MLK actually made such calls. Star Trek would have to be the absolute last thing on MLK's mind, even if he were a rabid fanboy like me.

I mean, seriously: the dude had the FBI investigating him and his ultimate murder wasn't a particularly big surprise given his massive following in what was at the time a very controversial social movement. I don't remember it except as history that I happened to live through, but I'd imagine it to be as much as surprise as if, say, Rush Limbaugh were murdered.

Too bad? Yes. A surprise? Not particularly. The dude must get multiple daily death threats.

Dakota Smith

Plus - while tne show did portary positive role models, the ratings for the network run were honestly pretty abismal. (EG In first run, not a lot of people were watching.) the success and acclaim Star Trek enjoyed came during the years in syndication many years after MLK's assasination. Hell, even GR himself abandoned the show after its second season, and sold the IP lock stock and barrel to Paramount shortly after the network run (but before the syndication run.)

My point? Why would MLK devote any time to worrying about an actor on a (at the time) failing TV series that no one is really watching?

Also, remember he was assasinated in April 1968. How much time did he have whith his schedule and other important issues to again, take time to check on one actor?

[Mr_Homn]

He was probably trying to flirt with her. It wouldn't have been the first time. It's common knowledge that he had a few adulterous relationships.

Nichelle Nichols was smokin' hot in 1966.

I still don't buy that he said she was 4th in command though.

[Kamdan]

Here's another variant of the story, complete with impressions!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pSq_UIuxba8

[mb22]

Only 13 days to Martin Luther King Day -- the annual time for more Nichelle Nichols interviews and this thread getting bumped up yet again!

[1001001]

Please do not resurrect threads that are 1 1/2 years old.

If there's something new, start a new thread.

Thanks.