Nichelle Nichols' latest spin re MLK

[Ssosmcin]

So, this is a new one on me. As a Black History Month Promo for ME-TV, Nichelle Nichols relates, for the zillionth time, her MLK story. Only now, instead of wanting to leave the show because her role was too small and inconsequential, she was leaving because she was going to "star on Broadway." Even saying, "I could always come back [after her stage run ended]." The never before related MLK response being, "it wouldn't be the same." Um, why not?

http://metvnetwork.com/videos/metv-promos/nichelle-nichols-remembers-martin-luther-king-jr-

Anyway, since we often discuss how this story has inflated in so many different ways over the years, let's add the latest permutation to the legend.... She's told the story so often, why change it now? Because she "sacrificed her chance at Broadway stardom?" Ugh, that leaves a bitter taste for me. The idea of MLK encouraging her to stay, assuming it's true, is strong enough without her own attempt at martyrdom.

 

[Iamnotspock]

Well, I've heard her say before that she wanted to leave to return to her first love, musical theatre, so it's not an entirely new spin - perhaps she means she wanted to return to pursuing her dream of starring on Broadway rather than that she had something specific lined up.

That said, the story does seem to change periodically. She is an actress after all, and if there's one thing they're good at, it's embellishment.

 

[Grant]

The fact of the matter is Trek is she had/has, will ever have had, and she just can't accept that.

If she lives another 10 years god knows where this will end.

"MLK personally pulled me off the airliner and told me, 'If you star on broadway you will be seen by thousands but on TV you will be seen by millions!'---He then called Gene in person and asked that my resignation from Star Trek be disregarded."

Ugh.

 

[Warped9]

She's also getting older and her recall might be affected.

 

[Grant]

She's also getting older and her recall might be affected.

True, she seemed to be unaware that her personal assistant was a hop-head when he was busted for smuggling drugs in HER luggage.

 

[Search4]

We need Brian Williams to investigate.

 

[Grant]

We need Brian Williams to investigate.

He, as a child saw MLK and Nichols having that conversation and jotted it down--or so he says.

 

[CorporalCaptain]

This is unfortunate.

 

[ToddPence]

Although MLK died one month before I was born, I did once when I was 26 meet his widow, Coretta Scott King (I carried her bags up to her VIP suite). Is it okay for me to start embellishing my encounter with her?

 

[Poltargyst]

Although MLK died one month before I was born, I did once when I was 26 meet his widow, Coretta Scott King (I carried her bags up to her VIP suite). Is it okay for me to start embellishing my encounter with her?

Did she tell you how important it was for you to act in Star Trek?

 

[urbandefault]

She's over 80 years old. I think at this point she can tell the story any way she'd damn well please.

If she said that MLK beamed into her dressing room and begged her to return with him to the 29th century, so what?

Maybe she's just having a little giggle at the fans' expense. I wouldn't blame her a bit if she did.

 

[SiddFinch1]

Not a big deal to stretch it a bit

 

[Maurice]

One day someone will find an old interview from the 70s and we'll finally see if/how much her story has actually drifted.

 

[Metryq]

One day someone will find an old interview from the 70s and we'll finally see if/how much her story has actually drifted.

Sorry, that interview has been remastered with all new FX, and all copies of the original destroyed.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Did she ever tell the MLK story before his death? If not, has it ever been corroborated by a witness?

I don't believe she made the whole thing up, but at the same time, I'm not certain she didn't. But worst case, she added some ethnic lore to Star Trek it wouldn't have without her. It's just not a case where the truth matters much.

 

[ThankYouGeneR]

Yup, I'm in line with the above post by ZapBrannigan, though this thread is an interesting read.

But why I replied really was to give a shout out to the witty reply by Poltargyst that took me by surprise and had me laughing out loud:

"Did she tell you how important it was for you to act in Star Trek?"

Cracked me up.

 

[Bixby]

TREK and TRUCK TURNER.
The Me-TV ad concludes with her saying ''And I never looked back.''

I actually have the TRUCK TURNER DVD. I love Blaxploitation films as they are my sweetest guilty pleasure (Isaac from Love Boat as a pimp? Scatman Crothers as a leacherous reverend? Love that!!)

But Uhura as a psychotic Madam?

Man, she was awful!!

 

[TREK_GOD_1]

Nichols needs to stop. We live in a world of recorded history and instant fact-checking, so she must know her MLK stories are easily exposed as BS--terribly opportunistic as she drags MLK through the mud of her own self promotion.

The fact of the matter is Trek as she had/has will ever have had and she just can't accept that.

TREK and TRUCK TURNER.

Yes!! Who can forget Dorinda, the foul-mouthed, murder ordering madame, locked in motral conflict with Issac Hayes?!?

Honestly, that was a breakaway role for her, which was as far from Uhura as the moon is from earth. Too bad it did not lead to other strong roles, as she really cut out a memorable character for herself, and proved she was larger than "hailing frequencies open, sir".

 

[terok9]

Nichols needs to stop. We live in a world of recorded history and instant fact-checking, so she must know her MLK stories are easily exposed as BS--terribly opportunistic as she drags MLK through the mud of her own self promotion.

I'm not so sure she's as aware as you might expect. As a big fan, I was excited to see Nichols at a con last August, but I'm afraid to admit that she didn't seem all there. Her fellow actors on stage were covering for her a lot. I fear her age might be catching up to her.

 

[bbailey861]

She's over 80 years old. I think at this point she can tell the story any way she'd damn well please.

Damn straight. At this point, it doesn't really matter and it does no harm.

Nichols needs to stop. We live in a world of recorded history and instant fact-checking, so she must know her MLK stories are easily exposed as BS--terribly opportunistic as she drags MLK through the mud of her own self promotion.

I'm not so sure she's as aware as you might expect. As a big fan, I was excited to see Nichols at a con last August, but I'm afraid to admit that she didn't seem all there. Her fellow actors on stage were covering for her a lot. I fear her age might be catching up to her.

I think that you have hit the nail on the head. At 82, I am sure some things are getting blurry and it's only going to get worse. Has she told the story so many times for so long that she believes them herself? Probably, but at this point, I don't care, and wish her nothing but the best.