Commentary: Trek Stars: The Work Of Star Trek Creators Outside Of Star Trek

Hurley and Nimoy.   Last week, the Star Trek family lost two members whose contributions to the franchise were enormous, Maurice Hurley and Leonard Nimoy. Hurley was a writer/producer who ran Star Trek: The Next Generation through its first two seasons. Amongst his many contributions was the creation of the Borg. Nimoy was the face of Star Trek. His portrayal of Commander Spock on the original series set the tone for everything that has come since. Behind the camera, he directed two of the most popular TOS movies, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Max, John and Mike take a look at the careers of Hurley and Nimoy both inside and out of Star Trek, and discuss how their art has impacted us personally.   Running Time: 1 hour 3 minutes 49 seconds   Hosts Max Hegel, John Mills and Mike Schindler   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Associate Producer Become one! Su

Shatner, Part 4: Showtime.  One week after the release of Festival in Cannes, the third film in the Shatner Cinematic Universe made its way to the silver screen. Showtime features Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy as two cops are forced to work together as part of a reality television show. Along the way, they receive tips on how to become TV cops, by none other than T.J. Hooker himself, William Shatner.  In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Mike, Max and John look at William Shatner as himself in Showtime. We discuss the quality of the movie, how Shatner's performance elevates the entire picture, and what the film adds to the mythology of the Shatnerverse. We also reveal Mike and Max's unhealthy obsession with William Shatner in the workplace.    Running Time: 39 minutes 57 seconds   Hosts Mike Schindler, Max Hegel and John Mills   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Associate Producer Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek

Shatner, Part 3: Festival in Cannes.   In 1999, William Shatner attended the Cannes Film Festival to promote his work in Free Enterprise. While there, he ran into his old friend Maximillian Schell, who was filming the largely improvised film, Festival in Cannes. Their reunion appears in that film, making it a part of the Shatner Cinematic Universe. In this episode of Commentary: Trek Star, John and Mike take a look Festival in Cannes. We discuss the film on the whole, Shatner's performance, and how it fits into the Shatnerverse. We also wonder why Entrapment opened the festival in 1999.   Running Time: 43 minutes 14 seconds   Hosts John Mills and Mike Schindler   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Associate Producer Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or plus! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm http://patreon.com/trekfm   Chapters Festival in Cannes (00:01:00) Shatner's Appearance (00:18:38) Wrap-up

Shatner, Part 2: Free Enterprise.   In 1999, the "Shatnerverse" was created with the release of Free Enterprise. The film is about two Star Trek fans who are struggling to make it in Hollywood. During a time of personal crisis, they meet their idol, William Shatner (played by William Shatner), who may not be all that he appears to be.  In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Max, John and Mike look at the first film in which Shatner plays himself. We discuss our thoughts on the film, Shatner's performance, and whether or the movie successfully launches the "Shatnerverse". We also debate whether or not the film played at the Biograph Theater in Chicago.   Running Time: 44 minutes 39 seconds   Hosts Max Hegel, John Mills and Mike Schindler   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Associate Producer Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or plus! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm http://patreon.com/trekfm

Shatner, Part 1: Trek.   William Shatner is excellent at what he does, which is everything. But one thing which he is the absolute best at is playing himself. In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Mike, Max and John begin their new series which looks at the films of the "Shatnerverse," movies in which William Shatner plays himself. These include Free Enterprise, Festival in Cannes, Showtime, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, and Fanboys. In the first part of the series, we look at Shatner's work in Star Trek, as both an actor and director. We also get Max and Mike's opinions on the hiring of Simon Pegg and Doug Jung as writers of STAR TR3K.   Running Time: 52 minutes 34 seconds   Hosts Mike Schindler, Max Hegel and John Mills   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Associate Producer Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or plus! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm http://patreon.com/trekfm   Chapter

Mulgrew, Part 2: Orange is the New Black. Up until recently, Kate Mulgrew was best known for her portrayal of Captain Janeway on Star Trek: Voyager. But in recent years, she has gained newfound popularity and acclaim for her role as Red on the hit series Orange is the New Black.  In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, John is joined by Charlynn of To the Journey to look at Mulgrew's Emmy-nominated performance. We discuss the female-centric nature of the show, how Mulgrew's performance differs from that on Voyager, and the sympathetic nature of Red. We also discuss the new STAR TR3K writing team of Doug Jung and Simon Pegg.   Running Time: 52 minutes 9 seconds   Host John Mills   Guest Charlynn Schmiedt   Editor John Mills   Producers John Mills and Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Associate Producer Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or plus! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm http://patreon.com/trekfm   Chapter

Mulgrew, Part 1: Trek. Twenty years ago, Star Trek: Voyager, the first (and only) Star Trek series to feature a female captain, debuted on the UPN. Captain Kathryn Janeway was brought to life on screen by Kate Mulgrew. This week on Commentary: Trek Stars, Mike and John are joined by Charlynn of To the Journey! to look at Mulgrew's work on Trek. We discuss the choice to have a female captain, the character of Janeway, and Mulgrew's performance. We also listen to some voicemail!   Running Time: 59 minutes 58 seconds   Hosts Mike Schindler and John Mills   Guests Charlynn Schmeidt   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Associate Producer Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or plus! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm http://patreon.com/trekfm   Chapters Kate Mulgrew (00:01:03) Kathryn Janeway (00:14:46) Mulgrew's Performance (00:24:48) Final Thoughts (00:41:39) Wrap-up (00:52:14)   Send us your feedback!

Burton, Part 4: Recap. It may be surprising to some, but LeVar Burton has been nominated for more Emmys than any other actor in Star Trek. Ten of those nominations resulted in wins. But what may be even more impressive is the diversity of the work for which those nominations were earned. In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, John and Mike recap their look at Burton's Emmy-nominated work. We discuss his performance in Roots, his active role in Reading Rainbow, and touch on some of his other work, both in front of and behind the camera. We also wonder whether or not Community and The Big Bang Theory take place in the same continuity.   Running Time: 43 minutes 19 seconds   Hosts John Mills and Mike Schindler   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Associate Producer Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or plus! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm http://patreon.com/trekfm   Chapters Roots (00:00:50) R

Burton, Part 3: Reading Rainbow Years before barrel-rolling into our hearts as Geordi LaForge on Star Trek: The Next Generation, LeVar Burton was already very well established from years of work as the host and producer of Reading Rainbow. The PBS series encouraged children to read by offering book recommendations accompanied by filmed "field trips," which took a closer look at the real-world elements from the stories. Over the course of the show's sixteen seasons, Burton won twelve Emmy Awards. In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Mike, Max and John take a look at Burton's work on Reading Rainbow. We discuss its impact on the youth of America, what it means to today's generation of kids, and how it has been relaunched as an interactive app.   Running Time: 39 minutes 34 seconds   Hosts Mike Schindler, Max Hegel and John Mills   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Associate Producer Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek S

Burton, Part 2: Roots. LeVar Burton's first on-screen performance is also the first to earn him an Emmy nomination. At the age of twenty, he burst onto the scene in the television miniseries, Roots. The show looks at the history of an African American family over the span of a century, from slavery through liberation. Burton leads a huge cast of critically-acclaimed veteran actors, and received a Best Lead Actor nomination for his efforts. In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, John, Mike and Max look at Burton's work on Roots. We discuss the cultural impact of the series, Burton's performance, and how his portrayal of Kunta Kinte influenced people's perceptions of history. We also remember TOS director Joseph Sargent, and take a look at who's writing STAR TR3K.   Running Time: 46 minutes 17 seconds   Hosts John Mills, Mike Schindler and Max Hegel    Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Associate Producer Become one! Support Trek.fm an

Burton, Part 1: Trek. LeVar Burton is best known for his role as Geordi LaForge on Star Trek: The Next Generation. But his contribution to television on the whole goes well beyond that. In addition to a nomination for his performance in the acclaimed miniseries Roots, he has also won ten Emmy Awards for his work on the children's show, Reading Rainbow. In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Max and Mike begin a new series in which we look at Burton's Emmy-nominated work. In this introduction, we discuss his work on Star Trek as both an actor and a director. We also discuss the hiring of Justin Lin as director of STAR TR3K.   Running Time: 56 minutes 25 seconds   Hosts Max Hegel and Mike Schindler   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Associate Producer Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or plus! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm http://patreon.com/trekfm   Chapters LeVar Burton (00:02:33) Actin

Taylor, Part 6: Recap.   Over the course of 15 years, Jeri Taylor worked as a writing producer in television. In that time, a definite progression of thematic elements can be seen running through each of her shows. Timely social issues, procedural crimefighers, and strong women are present all the way back in her episodes of Quincy, M.E., and come to the forefront in her final television creation, Star Trek: Voyager.   In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, John and Mike recap their series on Taylor's career. We look at her work on Quincy, M.E., Blue Thunder, Magnum, P.I., In the Heat of the Night, Jake and the Fat Man, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Star Trek: Voyager. We also discuss the latest candidates for the STAR TR3Kdirector's chair.   Running Time: 1 hour 4 minutes 47 seconds   Hosts Mike Schindler and John Mills   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Associate Producer Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Sta

Taylor, Part 5: In the Heat of the Night. After the completion of Magnum, P.I., Jeri Taylor joined the writing staff for the second season of In the Heat of the Night. The show, which was based on the Oscar-winning film and novel of the same name, looks at a small town in America's deep south, where a white police chief and a black detective try to put aside their differences and work as a team. In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Mike and John discuss Taylor's contribution to the show, the similarities and differences between the show and the movie, and how the show compares to its contemporary series, Star Trek: The Next Generation. We also speculate on who may or may not be directing the next Star Trek movie.   Running Time: 1 hour 4 minutes 27 seconds Hosts Mike Schindler and John Mills   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Associate Producer Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or plus!

Taylor, Part 4: Magnum, P.I..   The three years following the cancellation of Blue Thunder were rather quiet in Jeri Taylor's career. Her sole credit was for a television movie entitled A Place to Call Home. But in 1987, Taylor returned to episodic television as a writing producer on the final season of Magnum, P.I.. In the show, Tom Selleck plays a Vietnam veteran who works as a private detective in Hawaii.   In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, John and Mike take a look at Taylor's third series. We discuss the elements which make Magnum a quintessential example of 1980s television, the ways in which Taylor brought her style into the show, and the variety which is demonstrated in her episodes.   Hosts John Mills and Mike Schindler   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Production Manager Richard Marquez   Content Coordinator Will Nguyen   Chapters Intro (00:01:09)   Taylor's Episodes (00:12:58)   Final Thoughts (00:30:34)   Wrap-up (00:37:23)     Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http:/

Commentary: Trek Stars 108: Airwolf is Stealing Our Blue Thunder!   Taylor, Part 3: Blue Thunder. After the cancellation of Quincy, M.E., Jeri Taylor began work on the writing staff of a new television series in 1984. Blue Thunder is a spinoff of a popular action film from the previous year about a high-tech police helicopter which is used to fight crime in Los Angeles. The series stared James Farentino as the lead, American football legends Dick Butkus and Bubba Smith as, essentially, themselves, and a pre-SNL Dana Carvey as the young computer-wiz. In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Mike is joined by Tysto to look atTaylor's second television production. We discuss the 1980s TV trend of military-grade law enforcement, the bizarre casting, and the possible similarities between Blue Thunder and Star Trek: Voyager.   Hosts Mike Schindler   Guest Tysto   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Associate Producers Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or higher! Visit

Taylor, Part 2: Quincy, M.E. After three years of work as a writer, Jeri Taylor was promoted to producer for the final season of Quincy, M.E.. The series, which starred Jack Klugman as a medical examiner who uses forensic medicine to solve crimes, was a precursor to shows like C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation and House, M.D..  In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, John and Mike discuss Taylor's work as a writer/producer on Quincy. We discuss how Taylor shaped the final season, how she was able to put her personal stamp on the show, and what her proposed  spin-off, The Cutting Edge, may have been like.   Hosts Mike Schindler and John Mills   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Associate Producers Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or higher! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm   Chapters Quincy, M.E. (00:01:29) Baby Rattlesnakes (00:12:21) A Cry for Help (00:21:00) Quincy's Wedding (00:27:57) The Cutting Edge (00:32:45) Final Thoughts (00:43:33) Closing (00:48:00)

Taylor, Part 1: Trek. In 1992, Michael Piller turned his attention towards his new Star Trek series, Deep Space Nine. This left a void in the Next Generation writer's room. That void was filled by Jeri Taylor. Under her guidance, the last two season of TNG produced some the best Trek of all-time, and earned the series its only Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama. On the strength of that work, Taylor was given the task of creating the next Star Trek series, Voyager, which she also ran for the first four seasons.  In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, we begin a new series which looks at Taylor's work as a television writer/producer. In our first part, Mike, Max, and John are joined by Charlynn Schmiedt of To The Journey to examine Taylor's work in Trek. We discuss her first episode, her TNG highlights, her work as a showrunner on TNG, and the creation of Voyager.    Hosts Mike Schindler, Max Hegel, and John Mills   Guest Charlynn Schmiedt   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Associate Producers Become

Introducing John. The Original Series had Chekov. Deep Space Nine had Worf. Voyager had Seven of Nine. Sometimes your favorite shows need a little help. Commentary: Trek Stars is no exception. In our fifth season premiere, Mike and Max welcome John Mills from Words with Nerds as our third crew member. In his first episode as co-host, John tells us about his relationship with Star Trek, what he thinks about some of the creators we've already covered, and who he'd like to look at in the future.   Hosts Mike Schindler, Max Hegel, and John Mills   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Associate Producers Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or higher! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm   Chapters John and Trek (4:07) What John's Missed (10:43) What John Wants to Cover (21:06) Closing (28:30)   Send us your feedback! Twitter: @trekfm Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact Visit the Trek.fm website

Mack, Part 2: The Calling. In 2009, prolific Star Trek author David Mack published his first original novel. The Calling is a supernatural crime drama about a man who hears people's prayers. Before long, he is caught in a war between good and evil, with a young girl's life in the balance. In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Max and Mike are joined by Mack to look at his novel, the origins of the story, the challenges and benefits of working outside of Trek, and the differences between writing for the page and for the screen. We also ponder the possibility of Jack Bauer existing in the Mirror Universe.   Hosts Mike Schindler and Max Hegel   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Associate Producers Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or higher! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm   Chapters The Calling (00:58) Page vs. Screen (10:40) Similarities and Differences to Trek (19:39) New York (31:13) Becoming a Novelist (37:10) Upcoming Projects (55:23) Closing (1:03:39)  

Mack, Part 1: Trek. David Mack has written close to 30 Star Trek novels and stories over the course of his career. But before all of that, Mack had a hand in writing two Deep Space Nine adventures for the small screen. Along with his writing partner John J. Ordover, Mack wrote the fourth season episode, "Starship Down," and wrote the story upon which Ronald D. Moore's teleplay for season seven's "It's Only a Paper Moon" was based. In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars , Mike and Max are joined by Matt of The Delta Quadrant and The Nerd Party to look at Mack's television work. We discuss "Starship Down," "It's Only a Paper Moon," and the original concept for that episode, "Everybody Goes to Quark's." We also preview Mack's original novel The Calling, which we will cover next week. Hosts Mike Schindler and Max Hegel   Editor and Producer Mike Schindler   Associate Producers Become one! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or higher! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm   Chapters