In the original "Star Trek," only three actors were credited at the start of the show: William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, and DeForest Kelley. For many watching the series -- and for the actors especially -- those three were the leads, while the rest of the recurring ensemble were mere supporting players. Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley certainly had the most screen time on "Star Trek," yet they often advocated for more. Eventually, Shatner and Nimoy became such whiny spotlight hogs that show creator Gene Roddenberry had to write an angry letter, demanding the actors stop whining and get back to work.
Trekkies, however, knew better than Shatner and Nimoy. "Star Trek" was always an ensemble piece about a core cast of multiple characters. In addition to the three "leads," the show also regularly featured chief engineer Scott/Scotty (James Doohan), communications officer Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Ensign Chekov (Walter Koenig), Yeoman Rand...
Trekkies, however, knew better than Shatner and Nimoy. "Star Trek" was always an ensemble piece about a core cast of multiple characters. In addition to the three "leads," the show also regularly featured chief engineer Scott/Scotty (James Doohan), communications officer Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), Ensign Chekov (Walter Koenig), Yeoman Rand...
- 5/12/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Director J.J. Abrams' philosophy toward making his 2009 reboot of "Star Trek" likely involved a lot of uses of the words "high octane" and "kicked into overdrive." The characters in Abrams' "Star Trek" resemble the ones we all remember from the 1966 TV series, but electrified for a modern, action-hungry audience. Kirk (Chris Pine) is not just a captain who rules by instinct and occasionally snogs alien women (as William Shatner did), but a rash, skirt-chasing, destructive young punk who gets into bar brawls. Spock (Zachary Quinto) is not merely a logical scientist who, under rare circumstances, lets his human emotions slip through his stony visage (as Leonard Nimoy was), but a perpetually annoyed pill who, more regularly, is given to flights of rage and/or romance.
In the case of Sulu (John Cho), he is not merely a capable pilot with unusual hobbies, a great sense of humor, and a...
In the case of Sulu (John Cho), he is not merely a capable pilot with unusual hobbies, a great sense of humor, and a...
- 5/4/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Prior to his gig on "Star Trek" in 1966, actor DeForest Kelley spent 20 years traversing the wild and hoary world of episodic television and appearing in supporting roles in little-regarded feature films. His first professional screen acting job was a one-off performance in the one-season 1947 TV series "Public Prosecutor." The series holds the distinction of being the first-ever mainstream televised series to be released on film, instead of being broadcast live, which was standard at the time.
Between that show and "Star Trek," Kelley appeared on over 80 TV shows, often just in single episodes, but sometimes returning for two or three. He also had bit roles in films like "Variety Girl," "The Men," "Taxi," and "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral," playing Morgan Earp. He was just a hardworking character actor, taking the jobs that were offered him. There is an integrity to that approach.
In 1960, Kelley appeared in an episode of "Alcoa Theater,...
Between that show and "Star Trek," Kelley appeared on over 80 TV shows, often just in single episodes, but sometimes returning for two or three. He also had bit roles in films like "Variety Girl," "The Men," "Taxi," and "Gunfight at the O.K. Corral," playing Morgan Earp. He was just a hardworking character actor, taking the jobs that were offered him. There is an integrity to that approach.
In 1960, Kelley appeared in an episode of "Alcoa Theater,...
- 5/1/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the "Star Trek" episode "The Enemy Within", Captain Kirk (William Shatner) beams up from the planet Alpha 177 covered in a mysterious magnetic dust. Unbeknownst to any of the Enterprise crew, the dust has fouled up the transporter and created a second Kirk inside its memory buffer. After Kirk leaves the room, the second Kirk materializes ... but displays an altered personality. It seems that Kirk has been bifurcated into a gentle version of himself and a cruel, aggressive version of himself. For much of "The Enemy Within," the Evil Kirk stalks around the halls of the U.S.S. Enterprise, startling the crew and accosting Yeoman Rand (Grace Lee Whitney). Gentle Kirk soon realizes that he needs his aggression back in order to be whole. Eventually, the two Kirks confront one another.
"Star Trek" had a modest budget back in the day, and it certainly didn't have the resources to...
"Star Trek" had a modest budget back in the day, and it certainly didn't have the resources to...
- 3/24/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Yeoman Janice Rand, the character played by Grace Lee Whitney in the original "Star Trek," only appeared in eight episodes of the show, but she left an impression. By Whitney's own description, Janice Rand was a "girl next door" type, adding a relatable element to the wild sci-fi setting of a series set in the 23rd century. While Captain Kirk (William Shatner) conversed and analyzed with Spock (Leonard Nimoy), Rand was busy doing petty jobs, filing paperwork, and distributing refreshments. I can't speak for other Trekkies, but when imagining myself getting a job on the U.S.S. Enterprise, I imagine being a yeoman is all I'd be qualified for.
Whitney has said in her autobiography "The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy," that Rand was written out of "Star Trek" because she had too much chemistry with Kirk. The relationship between Janice and Jim could easily have developed into something romantic,...
Whitney has said in her autobiography "The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy," that Rand was written out of "Star Trek" because she had too much chemistry with Kirk. The relationship between Janice and Jim could easily have developed into something romantic,...
- 2/3/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In Nicholas Meyer's 1991 film "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country," Hikaru Sulu (George Takei) had moved from merely being a helmsman on the U.S.S. Enterprise to being the captain of a brand-new ship: the U.S.S. Excelsior. This new ship was equipped with a technology called transwarp drive, allowing it to fly more swiftly and nimbly than any other ship before it. In "Star Trek VI," Captain Sulu was exploring space near a Klingon moon called Praxis when a mining disaster caused the entire celestial body to explode. Later in the film, Captain Sulu would charge to the rescue, saving the Enterprise from a sneak attack by a cloaked Klingon vessel.
Captain Sulu's on-screen adventures ended there, although non-canonical sources continued to explore the character's career. In 1994 and 1995, a trio of audio-only adventures called "Transformations," "Cacophany," and "Envoy," all starring Takei, were released on CD and cassette,...
Captain Sulu's on-screen adventures ended there, although non-canonical sources continued to explore the character's career. In 1994 and 1995, a trio of audio-only adventures called "Transformations," "Cacophany," and "Envoy," all starring Takei, were released on CD and cassette,...
- 1/29/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
On the morning of January 23, 2024, actor Gary Graham, star of the "Alien Nation" TV series, the cult classic "Robot Jox," and multiple-time "Star Trek" supporting player, passed away at the age of 74. Graham had a prolific acting career, appearing in single episodes of many of the hottest TV shows of his day, including "Starsky & Hutch," "The Incredible Hulk," Knots Landing," "CHiPs," "T.J. Hooker," "Hunter," "M.A.N.T.I.S.," "Diagnosis Murder," "Ally McBeal," "Jag," and "Nip/Tuck." He had an easy demeanor, allowing him to play comedic affable characters just as well as intense, serious ones.
Trekkies likely know Graham best for playing Soval on "Star Trek: Enterprise." Soval was the snippy Vulcan ambassador who oversaw Earth's very, very slow transition from post-war ruin to a thriving society ready for space exploration. In the timeline of "Star Trek," humanity discovers warp-speed flight while the world is recovering from nuclear devastation. On the very first Earth warp flight,...
Trekkies likely know Graham best for playing Soval on "Star Trek: Enterprise." Soval was the snippy Vulcan ambassador who oversaw Earth's very, very slow transition from post-war ruin to a thriving society ready for space exploration. In the timeline of "Star Trek," humanity discovers warp-speed flight while the world is recovering from nuclear devastation. On the very first Earth warp flight,...
- 1/23/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Gene Roddenberry's celebrated sci-fi TV series "Star Trek" debuted on September 8, 1966, and recently celebrated its 57th anniversary. Initially, "Trek" wasn't terribly popular, and only managed to make a third season thanks to a coordinated letter-writing campaign (a campaign that Roddenberry was accused of orchestrating and encouraging himself). It wouldn't be until after "Star Trek" was canceled in 1969 that its popularity would significantly begin to grow. Thanks to a sweet infinite syndication deal, "Star Trek" reruns were common, and a cult began to form. By the early 1970s, the first "Trek" conventions began to appear. Naturally, conventions were a great place for the show's stars and creators to congregate and share production stories with a rising tide of obsessives. Fans were able to talk to and get autographs from William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, Nichelle Nichols, Majel Barrett, Walter Koenig, George Takei, James Doohan, and Grace Lee Whitney, as...
- 9/26/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
In the expansive "Star Trek" universe, some of its brightest stars embarked on unforeseen journeys, abruptly departing the franchise to both the dismay and intrigue of fandom.
Why didn't Kirstie Alley return as the beloved Lt. Saavik? What prompted Jeffrey Hunter to relinquish the role of Captain Pike? Who ejected Gates McFadden's Dr. Crusher from the airlock? How come Diana Muldaur, her replacement, endured only a single season? Why did Wil Wheaton part ways with Wesley Crusher? And why was Grace Lee Whitney, as Yeoman Janice Rand, dropped from the cast even before the original series premiered in 1966?
These departures stemmed from a myriad of forces: financial constraints, contract negotiations, miscasting, yearnings for new horizons or strange new opportunities, life-altering events, creative and personal conflicts, or a blend of these influences. Most were unexpected and frequently controversial. Whether these exits bolstered or hindered the franchise, the judgment is yours,...
Why didn't Kirstie Alley return as the beloved Lt. Saavik? What prompted Jeffrey Hunter to relinquish the role of Captain Pike? Who ejected Gates McFadden's Dr. Crusher from the airlock? How come Diana Muldaur, her replacement, endured only a single season? Why did Wil Wheaton part ways with Wesley Crusher? And why was Grace Lee Whitney, as Yeoman Janice Rand, dropped from the cast even before the original series premiered in 1966?
These departures stemmed from a myriad of forces: financial constraints, contract negotiations, miscasting, yearnings for new horizons or strange new opportunities, life-altering events, creative and personal conflicts, or a blend of these influences. Most were unexpected and frequently controversial. Whether these exits bolstered or hindered the franchise, the judgment is yours,...
- 9/3/2023
- by Maurice Molyneaux
- Slash Film
There is no in-universe explanation for the disappearance of Yeoman Janice Rand (Grace Lee Whitney), an enlisted officer often seen on the bridge of on the U.S.S. Enterprise. Yeoman Rand appeared in eight episodes of the original "Star Trek" series, usually sporting an elaborate beehive hairdo. The story goes that Whitney was cast in "Star Trek" because she had worked with show creator Gene Roddenberry on an unsold pilot called "Police Story." Rand was a resolute but emotionally vulnerable character who often provided distress or confusion in a scene to communicate seriousness to the audience. Yeoman Rand didn't have a rank (naval yeomen merely perform clerical duties), putting her outside of the ultra-professional auspices of Starfleet formality. Her reactions to extreme scenarios, then, were allowed to be more natural and organic.
Why did Yeoman Rand disappear from the show? Years later, Whitney would reveal that she left "Star Trek...
Why did Yeoman Rand disappear from the show? Years later, Whitney would reveal that she left "Star Trek...
- 8/13/2023
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
The original Star Trek came to an early end after just three seasons. That could have been the end of the wildly imaginative space adventure series, if not for its immense success in syndication. Like so many of the most enduring shows throughout television history, it needed some time to find its audience.
Creator Gene Roddenberry got his second shot at his monumental creation thanks to the second-run demand for more Starfleet adventures. Ultimately, it was a series of films that kept Star Trek alive until its return to television. But first, there was an attempt to make a sequel series for the small screen.
‘Star Trek’ nearly had a TV follow-up long before ‘The Next Generation’
Star Trek: The Original Series was a radical work for its time. It had character archetypes straight out of heady sci-fi novels, yet never seen on TV, like Leonard Nimoy’s objective-to-a-fault Spock.
Creator Gene Roddenberry got his second shot at his monumental creation thanks to the second-run demand for more Starfleet adventures. Ultimately, it was a series of films that kept Star Trek alive until its return to television. But first, there was an attempt to make a sequel series for the small screen.
‘Star Trek’ nearly had a TV follow-up long before ‘The Next Generation’
Star Trek: The Original Series was a radical work for its time. It had character archetypes straight out of heady sci-fi novels, yet never seen on TV, like Leonard Nimoy’s objective-to-a-fault Spock.
- 3/23/2023
- by Agustin Mojica
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is poised to serve the quintessence of the spacefaring franchise: The voyages of the U.S.S. Enterprise—albeit during the captaincy of James T. Kirk’s immediate predecessor, Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). The Paramount+ series—spun off from Star Trek: Discovery—has announced the start of its production and revealed its primary cast. Interestingly, one newcomer in particular bears a noteworthy resemblance to a forgotten character from original Star Trek pilot “The Cage,” whose general era this series will showcase.
An announcement by Paramount has officially welcomed Star Trek: Strange New Worlds cast members Babs Olusanmokun, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding (Broadway’s Jagged Little Pill), Jess Bush and Melissa Navia. However, the characters this new quintet will portray have yet to be revealed. While the majority of the diverse bunch do not seem to line up with established characters from “The Cage,” blonde-haired,...
An announcement by Paramount has officially welcomed Star Trek: Strange New Worlds cast members Babs Olusanmokun, Christina Chong, Celia Rose Gooding (Broadway’s Jagged Little Pill), Jess Bush and Melissa Navia. However, the characters this new quintet will portray have yet to be revealed. While the majority of the diverse bunch do not seem to line up with established characters from “The Cage,” blonde-haired,...
- 3/12/2021
- by Joseph Baxter
- Den of Geek
One of the splashier WW2 combat sagas adapts Norman Mailer’s respected book but ends up a bona fide mess. Aldo Ray, Cliff Robertson and Raymond Massey flail about in a compromised screen story, augmented with side-dish appearances by sultry Barbara Nichols and — even though she’s allowed to contribute almost nothing — famous ecdysiast Lili St. Cyr. Let the search for outtakes begin.
The Naked and the Dead
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1958 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 131 min. / Street Date August 28, 2018 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Aldo Ray, Cliff Robertson, Raymond Massey, Lili St. Cyr, Barbara Nichols, William Campbell, Richard Jaeckel, James Best, Joey Bishop, Jerry Paris, Robert Gist, L.Q. Jones, Max Showalter, John Beradino, Saundra Edwards, Lydia Goya, Val Hidey, Taffy O’Neil, Liz Renay, Grace Lee Whitney.
Cinematography: Joseph Lashelle
Film Editor: Arthur P. Schmidt
Original Music: Bernard Herrmann
Written by Denis Sanders & Terry Sanders from the novel by Norman...
The Naked and the Dead
Blu-ray
Warner Archive Collection
1958 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 131 min. / Street Date August 28, 2018 / available through the WBshop / 21.99
Starring: Aldo Ray, Cliff Robertson, Raymond Massey, Lili St. Cyr, Barbara Nichols, William Campbell, Richard Jaeckel, James Best, Joey Bishop, Jerry Paris, Robert Gist, L.Q. Jones, Max Showalter, John Beradino, Saundra Edwards, Lydia Goya, Val Hidey, Taffy O’Neil, Liz Renay, Grace Lee Whitney.
Cinematography: Joseph Lashelle
Film Editor: Arthur P. Schmidt
Original Music: Bernard Herrmann
Written by Denis Sanders & Terry Sanders from the novel by Norman...
- 9/1/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Billy Wilder and I.A.L. Diamond’s lavish movie boils down to a dirty party joke, but they struck gold just the same. Audiences flocked to see Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine reunited in a fantasy Parisian red light district, in a show that looks like Disneyland for fans of Playboy cartoons.
Irma La Douce
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1963 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 143 min. / Street Date July 17, 2018 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Lou Jacobi, Herschel Bernardi, Hope Holiday, Bruce Yarnell, Joan Shawlee, Grace Lee Whitney, Paul Dubov, Howard McNear, Cliff Osmond, Diki Lerner, Ruth & Jane Earl, Tura Satana.
Cinematography: Joseph La Shelle
Art Director: Alexander Trauner
Film Editor: Daniel Mandell
Original Music: Marguerite Monnot, André Previn
Written by Billy Wilder & I.A.L. Diamond from a play by Alexandre Breffort
Produced by Edward L. Alperson, I.A.L. Diamond, Billy Wilder
Directed by Billy Wilder
Although there’s...
Irma La Douce
Blu-ray
Kl Studio Classics
1963 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 143 min. / Street Date July 17, 2018 / available through Kino Lorber / 29.95
Starring: Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Lou Jacobi, Herschel Bernardi, Hope Holiday, Bruce Yarnell, Joan Shawlee, Grace Lee Whitney, Paul Dubov, Howard McNear, Cliff Osmond, Diki Lerner, Ruth & Jane Earl, Tura Satana.
Cinematography: Joseph La Shelle
Art Director: Alexander Trauner
Film Editor: Daniel Mandell
Original Music: Marguerite Monnot, André Previn
Written by Billy Wilder & I.A.L. Diamond from a play by Alexandre Breffort
Produced by Edward L. Alperson, I.A.L. Diamond, Billy Wilder
Directed by Billy Wilder
Although there’s...
- 7/14/2018
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Star Trek is probably the most successful science fiction franchise of all time spanning six decades of science fiction storytelling. In the series, I will be looking at the highlights of all the past episodes from each season of all five TV shows that went before leading up to the new series Star Trek: Discovery that will be airing in the fall of 2017.
Star Trek: The Original Series – Season Two
Development
The ratings for the first season of Star Trek were low which, in previous years, would have seen the series cancelled straight away, but NBC decided to renew the series for a second season – mainly because it appealed to a younger audience. The series was given an episode order of 26 episodes, which in future years became the average number for an episode order of Star Trek.
There were a few changes in the Season 2: like cast member Grace Lee Whitney, who played Yeoman Janice Rand quit the show due to personal reasons; they introduced a new character called Ensign Chekov, who was brought in to appeal to the younger audience and he had a very Beatles like hairpiece in his early episodes – as this season progressed they got rid of the hairpiece and let him have his own hair(!); and also they added DeForest Kelley (McCoy) to the opening credits which made him the third lead character in the series from that point on.
The character of Mr Spock became a breakout character and a sex symbol after the first season had aired, and in this season there were many episodes centred around Spock – such as the seasons opening episode ‘Amok Time’ which was set on his home planet Vulcan and where Kirk and Spock have to fight to death.
Writers
Some of the writers from the first year returned to write scripts for the second year – including as Gene L. Coon and D. C Fontana. They were joined by new writers such as John Merdyth Lucas, Robert Sabaroff and John Kingsbridge who wrote some classic episodes of this season, like ‘Patterns of Force’ which had that common theme in the original series of Star Trek where they beam onto a planet that represents an alien society ;in the context of earth history like in this episode it represents Nazi Germany in the 1930s. There were many episodes like that in this season, another being ‘A Piece of the Action’ which represents an alien society in 1920s gangster culture. Another standout episode in this season was ‘Mirror Mirror’ where members of the Enterprise crew were transported on an alternative Enterprise. This episode famously had a badass Mr Spock with a beard and the crew kill each other to move up in rank.
Top 5 Episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series – Season Two
5) The Gamester of Triskelion
In this episode Captain Kirk and his companion are kidnapped into slavery and trained to become gladiators. It’s a real “starter episode” if you want to get into the original series; and your always wondering how Kirk and crew are going to get out of this one. It’s one of the many cliché episodes where they have a lot of stylized fight scenes and Kirk gets the girl. But overall it’s a little bit of fun.
4) A Private Little War
In this episode the crew of the Enterprise see the interference of a once peaceful planet from the Klingon Empire. It’s another one that tackles a social issue of the time, which is the Vietnam War, which was at it’s height in 1968 when this episode aired. It’s an episode I have always enjoyed – even if it’s flawed somewhat.
3) The Doomsday Machine
The Enterprise has discovered a planet destroying weapon and a Commodore that puts the crew of the Enterprise in danger, in crazy mission of revenge. This is one of most popular episodes of the original series. The highlight of the episode is the performance of William Windom, who played the vengeful Commodore Matt Decker, and his obsession of wanting to destroy the planet destroying weapon The Doomsday Machine.
2) Mirror Mirror
First of many “Mirror Universe” episodes and I think this is still the best – come on who doesn’t like seeing the crew of the enterprise being bad to the bone for one episode? Plus Spock has a beard and is being as bad ass as ever!
1) Amok Time
I’m sure you saw this one coming… could it really be any other episode? What’s not to love about this episode and visiting Spock’s home planet and watching Kirk and Spock fight to the death? And that brilliant ending where you see Spock almost being human.
Star Trek: The Original Series – Season Two
Development
The ratings for the first season of Star Trek were low which, in previous years, would have seen the series cancelled straight away, but NBC decided to renew the series for a second season – mainly because it appealed to a younger audience. The series was given an episode order of 26 episodes, which in future years became the average number for an episode order of Star Trek.
There were a few changes in the Season 2: like cast member Grace Lee Whitney, who played Yeoman Janice Rand quit the show due to personal reasons; they introduced a new character called Ensign Chekov, who was brought in to appeal to the younger audience and he had a very Beatles like hairpiece in his early episodes – as this season progressed they got rid of the hairpiece and let him have his own hair(!); and also they added DeForest Kelley (McCoy) to the opening credits which made him the third lead character in the series from that point on.
The character of Mr Spock became a breakout character and a sex symbol after the first season had aired, and in this season there were many episodes centred around Spock – such as the seasons opening episode ‘Amok Time’ which was set on his home planet Vulcan and where Kirk and Spock have to fight to death.
Writers
Some of the writers from the first year returned to write scripts for the second year – including as Gene L. Coon and D. C Fontana. They were joined by new writers such as John Merdyth Lucas, Robert Sabaroff and John Kingsbridge who wrote some classic episodes of this season, like ‘Patterns of Force’ which had that common theme in the original series of Star Trek where they beam onto a planet that represents an alien society ;in the context of earth history like in this episode it represents Nazi Germany in the 1930s. There were many episodes like that in this season, another being ‘A Piece of the Action’ which represents an alien society in 1920s gangster culture. Another standout episode in this season was ‘Mirror Mirror’ where members of the Enterprise crew were transported on an alternative Enterprise. This episode famously had a badass Mr Spock with a beard and the crew kill each other to move up in rank.
Top 5 Episodes of Star Trek: The Original Series – Season Two
5) The Gamester of Triskelion
In this episode Captain Kirk and his companion are kidnapped into slavery and trained to become gladiators. It’s a real “starter episode” if you want to get into the original series; and your always wondering how Kirk and crew are going to get out of this one. It’s one of the many cliché episodes where they have a lot of stylized fight scenes and Kirk gets the girl. But overall it’s a little bit of fun.
4) A Private Little War
In this episode the crew of the Enterprise see the interference of a once peaceful planet from the Klingon Empire. It’s another one that tackles a social issue of the time, which is the Vietnam War, which was at it’s height in 1968 when this episode aired. It’s an episode I have always enjoyed – even if it’s flawed somewhat.
3) The Doomsday Machine
The Enterprise has discovered a planet destroying weapon and a Commodore that puts the crew of the Enterprise in danger, in crazy mission of revenge. This is one of most popular episodes of the original series. The highlight of the episode is the performance of William Windom, who played the vengeful Commodore Matt Decker, and his obsession of wanting to destroy the planet destroying weapon The Doomsday Machine.
2) Mirror Mirror
First of many “Mirror Universe” episodes and I think this is still the best – come on who doesn’t like seeing the crew of the enterprise being bad to the bone for one episode? Plus Spock has a beard and is being as bad ass as ever!
1) Amok Time
I’m sure you saw this one coming… could it really be any other episode? What’s not to love about this episode and visiting Spock’s home planet and watching Kirk and Spock fight to the death? And that brilliant ending where you see Spock almost being human.
- 6/22/2017
- by James Morrell
- Nerdly
Star Trek is probably the most successful science fiction franchise of all time spanning six decades of science fiction storytelling. In the series, I will be looking at the highlights of all the past episodes from each season of all five TV shows that went before leading up to the new series Star Trek: Discovery that will be airing in the fall of 2017.
Star Trek: The Original Series – Season One
Original Broadcast: (September 8th 1966 – April 29th 1967)
Development
After a failed attempt at selling Star Trek to NBC with the pilot ‘The Cage’, starring Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Christopher Pike, NBC told Gene Roddenberry to film a second pilot with a more “action & adventure” orientated plot – which was unheard of at the time. Roddenberry complied and wrote two story outlines: one being ‘Mudd’s Women’ and the second being ‘The Omega Glory’ both of which were produced later on the series...
Star Trek: The Original Series – Season One
Original Broadcast: (September 8th 1966 – April 29th 1967)
Development
After a failed attempt at selling Star Trek to NBC with the pilot ‘The Cage’, starring Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Christopher Pike, NBC told Gene Roddenberry to film a second pilot with a more “action & adventure” orientated plot – which was unheard of at the time. Roddenberry complied and wrote two story outlines: one being ‘Mudd’s Women’ and the second being ‘The Omega Glory’ both of which were produced later on the series...
- 6/2/2017
- by James Morrell
- Nerdly
Across film and TV, there have been many Star Trek projects that never got the greenlight. Such as these...
Since 1964 (yep) there have been Star Trek projects that simply didn't make it to the big or small screen. And before Star Trek's second (proper) coming in 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the franchise had more than its fair share of attempts to come to life, and then be reborn.
This lot in fact...
Star Trek – The (original) Original Series
Here's a thought – the original Star Trek series wasn't supposed to be the original Star Trek series.
The pilot that sold the show to NBC was in fact the second pilot, after the original, entitled The Cage, filmed at the end of 1964, was deemed too cerebral. That's on top of having other multiple issues that TV executives (and test audiences) of the time couldn't cope with – you know, like gender equality in the workplace.
Since 1964 (yep) there have been Star Trek projects that simply didn't make it to the big or small screen. And before Star Trek's second (proper) coming in 1979's Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the franchise had more than its fair share of attempts to come to life, and then be reborn.
This lot in fact...
Star Trek – The (original) Original Series
Here's a thought – the original Star Trek series wasn't supposed to be the original Star Trek series.
The pilot that sold the show to NBC was in fact the second pilot, after the original, entitled The Cage, filmed at the end of 1964, was deemed too cerebral. That's on top of having other multiple issues that TV executives (and test audiences) of the time couldn't cope with – you know, like gender equality in the workplace.
- 9/16/2015
- by simonbrew
- Den of Geek
Grace Lee Whitney, the actress best known for her role as Yeoman Janice Rand on Star Trek: The Original Series, passed away from natural causes on Friday at her home in Coarsegold, CA, the Associated Press reports. Grace's death was also confirmed by the official Star Trek website on Sunday, which celebrated the actress's colorful life, contribution to the beloved series, and longtime struggle with sobriety. Grace discussed her battle with alcohol addiction in her 1998 autobiography, The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy, where she admitted that her acting career floundered before she sought treatment. After getting sober, Grace returned for the movie franchise, reprising her role in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. Grace's son Jonathan Dweck told the Associated Press that his mother had dedicated the last 35 years...
- 5/4/2015
- by Caitlin-Hacker
- Popsugar.com
Grace Lee Whitney, the actress who played Yeoman Janice Rand on the original Star Trek, passed away Friday. She was 85. Per USA Today, son Jonathan Dweck said the star died of natural causes at her home in Central California. Whitney portrayed Captain Kirk's assistant for eight episodes of the original 1966 TV series before she was written out of the script. When Star Trek was reborn as a movie franchise in 1979, the actress returned as a chief petty officer in Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Her final appearance as Rand was in 1991's Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. William Shatner, who played Whitney's onscreen boss, tweeted Monday: "Condolences to the family of Grace. She was a...
- 5/4/2015
- E! Online
She lived long. She prospered. Grace Lee Whitney achieved icon status as Yeoman Janice Rand in the original "Star Trek" series and spent 35 years helping fellow recovering alcoholics fight addiction. She died of natural causes on May 1 in Coarsegold, CA, at age 85.
Whitney only played Yeoman Rand in the first eight episodes of the Shatner/Kirk TV series, and -- the Associated Press reports -- in her autobiography, "The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy," she admitted her acting career was essentially halted by her alcoholism. She ultimately got help and regained her career with help from Leonard Nimoy, aka Spock, who also died in early 2015.
Whitney returned for the movies "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" and "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." She was a regular on the "Star Trek" convention circuit for years but,...
Whitney only played Yeoman Rand in the first eight episodes of the Shatner/Kirk TV series, and -- the Associated Press reports -- in her autobiography, "The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy," she admitted her acting career was essentially halted by her alcoholism. She ultimately got help and regained her career with help from Leonard Nimoy, aka Spock, who also died in early 2015.
Whitney returned for the movies "Star Trek: The Motion Picture," "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock," "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" and "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country." She was a regular on the "Star Trek" convention circuit for years but,...
- 5/4/2015
- by Gina Carbone
- Moviefone
Goodbye to a great. Star Trek actress Grace Lee Whitney has died at the age of 85, according to the Associated Press. The longtime performer, who played Star Trek's Yeoman Janice Rand on Star Trek: The Original Series, passed away "of natural causes," the AP reports, on Friday, May 1, at her home in Coarsegold, Calif. The star's death was confirmed by the official Star Trek website, which celebrated Whitney's contribution to the beloved series, as well as her hard-fought, and ultimately successful, battle with sobriety. Whitney's son [...]...
- 5/4/2015
- Us Weekly
Grace Lee Whitney, known to legions of Star Trek fans as Yeoman Janice Rand, died Friday in her Coarsegold, California home at 85, her son announced today. It was through Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future that she would make her mark on popular culture. A mainstay of the Trekverse from the beginning, Whitney first appeared as Captain Kirk’s personal assistant during the first season of the original Star Trek. Appearing only in eight of the first thirteen episodes…...
- 5/4/2015
- Deadline
Grace Lee Whitney, known to legions of Star Trek fans as Yeoman Janice Rand, died Friday in her Coarsegold, California home at 85, her son announced today. It was through Gene Roddenberry’s vision of the future that she would make her mark on popular culture. A mainstay of the Trekverse from the beginning, Whitney first appeared as Captain Kirk’s personal assistant during the first season of the original Star Trek. Appearing only in eight of the first thirteen episodes…...
- 5/4/2015
- Deadline TV
Grace Lee Whitney, best known as Yeoman Janice Rand in the original Star Trek series, died on May 1 at her home in Coarsegold, Calif. She was 85.
Whitney was fired at the end of Star Trek‘s first season, but she went on to reprise her role as Janice in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. She also guest-starred in a 1996 episode of Star Trek: Voyager that commemorated the 30th anniversary of the franchise.
In her autobiography The Longest Trek, Whitney opened...
Whitney was fired at the end of Star Trek‘s first season, but she went on to reprise her role as Janice in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home, and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country. She also guest-starred in a 1996 episode of Star Trek: Voyager that commemorated the 30th anniversary of the franchise.
In her autobiography The Longest Trek, Whitney opened...
- 5/4/2015
- TVLine.com
Grace Lee Whitney, best known for portraying Captain James T. Kirk’s (William Shatner) personal assistant in the original “Star Trek” series, and several of its subsequent films, died Friday in her California home, The Fresno Bee reports. She was 85. Rand’s death comes just a few months after Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed Mr. Spock on the classic series. After appearing in the first eight episodes, Rand was released from her contract as part of a creative retooling of the show. She would not return to “Trek” until the franchise took the leap to the big screen with the 1979 release of “Star.
- 5/4/2015
- by Jason Hughes
- The Wrap
American actress Grace Lee Whitney, best known for her role as Yeoman Janice Rand on the original series of Star Trek, has died at the age of 85.
Her family confirmed to NBC News that the star passed away at her home in Coarsegold, California on May 1.
Whitney starred as Janice Rand, yeoman to William Shatner's Captain Kirk, for eight episodes in the first half of The Original Series.
After being written out of the show, Whitney returned as Rand in several Star Trek films, including in the 1979 film Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
Whitney regularly appeared at Star Trek conventions and she also wrote a memoir detailing both her time on the show and her subsequent battle with alcohol and substance dependence entitled The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy.
As a recovering alcoholic, Whitney spent 35 years helping others with addiction problems and,...
Her family confirmed to NBC News that the star passed away at her home in Coarsegold, California on May 1.
Whitney starred as Janice Rand, yeoman to William Shatner's Captain Kirk, for eight episodes in the first half of The Original Series.
After being written out of the show, Whitney returned as Rand in several Star Trek films, including in the 1979 film Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
Whitney regularly appeared at Star Trek conventions and she also wrote a memoir detailing both her time on the show and her subsequent battle with alcohol and substance dependence entitled The Longest Trek: My Tour of the Galaxy.
As a recovering alcoholic, Whitney spent 35 years helping others with addiction problems and,...
- 5/4/2015
- Digital Spy
Grace Lee Whitney, who played the loyal Janice Rand, the personal assistant who served Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) aboard the USS Enterprise during the first season of Star Trek, has died. She was 85. Whitney, who reprised her role as Rand in four Star Trek films and in a 1996 episode of Star Trek: Voyager, died Friday at her home in Coarsegold, Calif., her son told The Fresno Bee. The attractive blond also appeared in two Billy Wilder films that starred Jack Lemmon: 1959’s Some Like It Hot (as one of the members of the all-
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- 5/4/2015
- by Mike Barnes
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Star Trek – and we’re talking the original 1966-69 series here – was a lousy TV show. I was 11 years old when the series debuted on NBC and I thought it was a lousy show then.
That’s why I couldn’t stand the Trekkies even back before there was a name for them. My first run-in with a pre-Trekkie Trekkie was Vincent DePalma. In seventh grade, Vincent had his mother make a sparkly Star Fleet emblem for a corduroy pullover to make it look like the uniform blouses on the show. He wore it to school which I thought was him begging to get his ass beat. He’d built a full-sized replica of the helm/navigation console from the Enterprise bridge in his basement. His father worked for Bell Telephone and had gotten him banks of light-up buttons that really worked. His dream was to eventually recreate the entire bridge in his basement.
That’s why I couldn’t stand the Trekkies even back before there was a name for them. My first run-in with a pre-Trekkie Trekkie was Vincent DePalma. In seventh grade, Vincent had his mother make a sparkly Star Fleet emblem for a corduroy pullover to make it look like the uniform blouses on the show. He wore it to school which I thought was him begging to get his ass beat. He’d built a full-sized replica of the helm/navigation console from the Enterprise bridge in his basement. His father worked for Bell Telephone and had gotten him banks of light-up buttons that really worked. His dream was to eventually recreate the entire bridge in his basement.
- 3/20/2013
- by Bill Mesce
- SoundOnSight
Walter Koenig, who played Pavel Chekov in the original Star Trek series, is set to receive his star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. He is the last cast member of the original crew to receive the honour and he will unveil the star on Hollywood Boulevard on September 10th 2012. It’s being reported that the star will be close to the plaque of friend and co-star George Takei, who played Mr Sulu.
A two-day celebration will coincide with the event. On 8th September there will be a gala event that will also mark the 46th anniversary of Star Trek which first aired in 1966. The following day Koenig will be on the receiving end of a roast at the Beverly Garland Hotel.
Attending the celebration will be fellow Star Trek actors Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, Grace Lee Whitney, Marina Sirtis, Alan Ruck, Armin Shimerman, Tim Russ, Gary Graham, J.G. Hertzler,...
A two-day celebration will coincide with the event. On 8th September there will be a gala event that will also mark the 46th anniversary of Star Trek which first aired in 1966. The following day Koenig will be on the receiving end of a roast at the Beverly Garland Hotel.
Attending the celebration will be fellow Star Trek actors Leonard Nimoy, Nichelle Nichols, Grace Lee Whitney, Marina Sirtis, Alan Ruck, Armin Shimerman, Tim Russ, Gary Graham, J.G. Hertzler,...
- 8/29/2012
- by Amarpal Biring
- Obsessed with Film
Star Trek Faq: Everything Left to Know About the First Voyages of the Starship Enterprise is a new, non-fiction Star Trek book that is meant both for die-hard and casual fans of the original Star Trek series created in the 1960s. Despite the title, the book isn’t set up in a question and answer format, and the book has answers to some questions that have probably only occurred to a small number of people. This book is meant to be a distillation of information published elsewhere, but even at 413 pages, don’t expect technical details like an explanation of star dates or warp drive. There is an obligatory episode guide, but thankfully, the plot synopses are kept short. From my fan perspective, its pages do contain some interesting information that I wasn’t aware of. The author, Mark Clark, is a Star Trek fan, but he is also a film historian,...
- 5/23/2012
- by Reed
- FilmJunk
Did you know they made another Harry Potter? They did! It’s a fitting conclusion to the big saga, as Jeff and Eric convey in this week’s episode of “Movie B.S. with Bayer and Snider.” Also terrific is “Winnie the Pooh,” an innocent and whimsical throwback to the old Disney shorts. Jeff reports that “A Better Life” is awfully hard to watch on account of being depressing; Eric reports that “Terri” is a vulgar “Napoleon Dynamite” clone that’s only so-so. There’s also a nice round of Interquel. New Qotw: What movie best represents/symbolizes/encapsulates America? Plus! Portland DVD/Bluray shop Disc E. Business is hosting appearances by Walter Koenig and Grace Lee Whitney from the original “Star Trek” series! They’ll be there signing autographs and stuff on Aug. 20 and 21, and “Movie B.S.” listeners can get a discount on merchandise! Go to DiscEBusiness.net,...
- 7/15/2011
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
Photo by Pop Culture Passionistas
You didn’t have to be the world’s biggest Star Trek fan to enjoy the cast reunionat the recent Hollywood Xpo at the Burbank-adjacent Universal City Hilton. Agroup of cast members gathered there on Friday in support of the three-part webseries Star Trek: Of Gods and Generals.
Among the franchise stars, who were present at theconvention on Friday were J.G. Hertzler, HerbJefferson, William Wellman, Daamen Krall, Grace Lee Whitney, Nichelle Nichols, andWalter Koenig. Also on hand was Tim Russ, who starred in Of Gods and Generals as Tuvok and also directed the video.
Walter Koenig, who has portrayed Pavel Chekovfor decades, was leery of signing on to the StarTrek project. He explained, “Initially I wasn’t thatenthusiastic about doing Chekov yet again in a situation where there wasn’tgoing to be any remunerative side to it. And I thought, ‘I’ve already doneit.
You didn’t have to be the world’s biggest Star Trek fan to enjoy the cast reunionat the recent Hollywood Xpo at the Burbank-adjacent Universal City Hilton. Agroup of cast members gathered there on Friday in support of the three-part webseries Star Trek: Of Gods and Generals.
Among the franchise stars, who were present at theconvention on Friday were J.G. Hertzler, HerbJefferson, William Wellman, Daamen Krall, Grace Lee Whitney, Nichelle Nichols, andWalter Koenig. Also on hand was Tim Russ, who starred in Of Gods and Generals as Tuvok and also directed the video.
Walter Koenig, who has portrayed Pavel Chekovfor decades, was leery of signing on to the StarTrek project. He explained, “Initially I wasn’t thatenthusiastic about doing Chekov yet again in a situation where there wasn’tgoing to be any remunerative side to it. And I thought, ‘I’ve already doneit.
- 10/19/2010
- by Pop Culture Passionistas
- popculturepassionistas
It speaks volumes to Star Trek’s popularity and enduring appeal that I had not seen a single episode of the original series before I sat down to watch this set, and still managed to be familiar with a good deal of the characters and storylines (or maybe just an indication of the company I keep). Still, that novice quality is both a strength and a liability in reviewing a "best of" set for a television show like this. While I am coming in free of prior feelings and prejudices, I am also totally unaware of how well-chosen this set is, or whether it is representative of the show as a whole.
For the uninitiated, the series takes place aboard the starship Enterprise, the mission of which is to ‘boldly go where no man has gone before.’ The ship is led by Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), who is...
For the uninitiated, the series takes place aboard the starship Enterprise, the mission of which is to ‘boldly go where no man has gone before.’ The ship is led by Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), who is...
- 5/18/2009
- by Anders Nelson
- JustPressPlay.net
One of the most-anticipated movies of 2009 is J.J. Abrams' new Star Trek movie, a prequel to the original 1960s series. Fans have been looking forward to the return of Leonard Nimoy as an aged Mr. Spock. Now, another original castmember is also returning. Of course, you'll never see her.
The original Star Trek TV show was created by Gene Roddenberry and follows the U.S.S. Enterprise. The starship is commanded by Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his first mate, Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy). Kirk's close friend is the cantankerous Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley). Other personnel include Chief Engineer Scott (James Doohan), helmsman Sulu (George Takei), communications officer Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), navigator Chekov (Walter Koenig), head nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett), and yeoman Rand (Grace Lee Whitney).
As anyone familiar with modern culture knows, the series was cancelled after three seasons on NBC but found new life in syndication.
The original Star Trek TV show was created by Gene Roddenberry and follows the U.S.S. Enterprise. The starship is commanded by Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his first mate, Mr. Spock (Leonard Nimoy). Kirk's close friend is the cantankerous Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley). Other personnel include Chief Engineer Scott (James Doohan), helmsman Sulu (George Takei), communications officer Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), navigator Chekov (Walter Koenig), head nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett), and yeoman Rand (Grace Lee Whitney).
As anyone familiar with modern culture knows, the series was cancelled after three seasons on NBC but found new life in syndication.
- 12/12/2008
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
One of the most anticipated movies of 2009 is the new Star Trek movie. Unlike the past features, this one is a prequel. Devout fans usually shudder at the idea of anyone but the original cast playing their beloved characters. Now, most fanboys are itching to see the new creation -- partially because of director J.J. Abrams and partially because it means the return of Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock.
Star Trek follows the exploits of the crew of the starship Uss Enterprise in the far-flung future. The ship is commanded by Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his first mate and science officer, Mr. Spock (Nimoy). Kirk's confidant is the cantankerous Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley). Other valued personnel include Chief Engineer Scott (James Doohan), helmsman Sulu (George Takei), communications officer Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), navigator Chekov (Walter Koenig), head nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett), and yeoman Rand (Grace Lee Whitney...
Star Trek follows the exploits of the crew of the starship Uss Enterprise in the far-flung future. The ship is commanded by Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and his first mate and science officer, Mr. Spock (Nimoy). Kirk's confidant is the cantankerous Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley). Other valued personnel include Chief Engineer Scott (James Doohan), helmsman Sulu (George Takei), communications officer Uhura (Nichelle Nichols), navigator Chekov (Walter Koenig), head nurse Chapel (Majel Barrett), and yeoman Rand (Grace Lee Whitney...
- 11/25/2008
- by TVSeriesFinale.com
- TVSeriesFinale.com
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