I blame my mother for my fandom. My earliest memories are of time we spent together watching science fiction on television. We never missed some movies when they were on: "Forbidden Planet", "X: The Unknown", "Rocketship X-M", "The Man with the X-Ray Eyes" (what's up with all the "X"s anyway?) and many others. We also watched a little show on NBC back in the late 1960s called Star Trek. (I was very young. Really.) Even now, rewatching these episodes, I'm reminded of our conversations during the episodes about the characters and situations. She was a fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation from the beginning, long before I was. When I started working at Paramount, it was a big thrill to be able to take her to visit the Voyager set (she never missed an episode), and she was particularly delighted to meet Robert Beltran. I know that if she were around now, she'd set her VCR to record the remastered versions and would appreciate the chance to enjoy and discuss these episodes again.

Last November, the original episode "The Menagerie" was screened in theatres around the world to celebrate the release of the first season on HD-DVD (related story). We received reports from fans everywhere that mentioned the number of young people in attendance. Families sent us pictures of themselves in costume, telling us that they watch episodes together regularly. One proud father told us that his seven-year-old daughter chose to celebrate her birthday by attending the event!

During my stint at The Tour I expected to see mostly fans "of a certain age" but was delighted to discover lots of families making their way through the exhibits, the kids just as excited - and Trek-savvy - as the parents. One day, walking toward the Tour venue, I passed a young family of four heading for the Queen Mary. The son, about eight years old, spied a big poster of the Enterprise and after staring a few seconds, shouted, "Dad! Can we go see the Star Trek thing?" I had to smile, wondering how he even knew what Star Trek was (he was probably in pre-school when Star Trek: Enterprise went off the air), and amazed that he was excited about visiting the Tour.

The new movie, with its young and popular cast, Lost/Alias/M:i:III roots and 21st-century sensibilities, will undoubtedly bring new (and younger) fans to Star Trek.

In one respect, it is comforting to know that this property lives on, bolstered by this new generation of fans. In decades to come, they will still attend conventions, watch the DVDs (or whatever new media format is invented), and speculate about what the NEXT Star Trek series will be like.

More importantly, I'm encouraged to discover that families continue to find common ground in these quality television programs and movies that not only are fun to watch together but convey a deeper message of hope for the human race. What better outlook could there be to instill in future generations?

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Takei on TV

Sometimes it seems like George Takei is everywhere. In his latest endeavor, he is one of the featured contestants on the new reality show Secret Talents of the Stars. Sixteen celebrities will train with experts to develop new and hopefully surprising talents like singing, dancing, juggling, riding a unicycle and swinging from a trapeze.

George will aspire to sing country music! Other contestants include Sasha Cohen (the figure skater, not the Borat guy); boxers Joe Frazier and Roy Jones, Jr.; musicians Clint Black, Sheila E. and Mya; model Cindy Margolis and Playboy Playmate Bridget Marquardt. Viewers will vote for their favorites each week.

The show premieres on Tuesday, April 8 at 10:00 PM ET/PT on CBS.

(I tried to get information about this show from the CBS.com site - the big-sister site to StarTrek.com - but their only link to this title was broken. Not a big shock, since that site's entire management team and half their staff was let go - when we were - back in December)

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Star Trek Remastered

The Star Trek Remastered episode this weekend is "Elaan of Troyius" - production number 57. This aired midway through the third season on December 20, 1968. The episode is surprisingly good for a third-season entry, well written and directed by second-season producer John Meredyth Lucas. It's the only one among all 700-plus Star Trek episodes to be scripted and helmed by the same person.

The Enterprise transports the Dohlman of Elas to the planet Troyius to be married. The exotically beautiful Elaan, played by France Nuyen, entrances Kirk with her aphrodisiac-like tears (like he ever needed any help in that department!). Nuyen made a big splash on Broadway ten years before in "The World of Suzie Wong" - which starred William Shatner.

As the ambassador Lord Petri, Jay Anderson gives a decidedly campy performance that showcases his Shakespearean roots. In the last act, we hear McCoy's immortal phrase, "Are you out of your Vulcan mind?"

Veteran character actor Kenneth "K.L." Smith makes his only Star Trek appearance as the Klingon commander. Smith also appeared in a 1958 episode of Have Gun, Will Travel titled "The Hanging of Roy Carter" - written by Gene Roddenberry.

In the Remastered episode, I hope we'll see an updated version of the cat-and-mouse space battle between the Klingon ship and the warp-challenged Enterprise.

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Two Star Trek family birthdays this week:

Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi - Star Trek: The Next Generation) - March 29
Grace Lee Whitney (Yeoman Janice Rand - Star Trek) - April 1

Warmest birthday wishes to these two lovely ladies!

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