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! Support Trek.fm and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or plus! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm http://patreon.com/trekfm

Chapters

Hurley's Trek Work (00:02:15)

Hurley's Other Work (00:18:48)

Nimoy's Trek Work (00:23:27)

Nimoy's Other Work (00:38:12)

Final Thoughts (00:49:43)

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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 Stars at the $25/month level or plus! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm http://patreon.com/trekfm

Chapters

Showtime (00:04:15)

Shatner's Performance (00:17:49)

Final Thoughts  (00:30:27)

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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 (00:33:44)

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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

Chapters

Free Enterprise (00:00:57)

Shatner's Performance (00:15:33)

The Shatnerverse (00:22:49)

Wrap-up (00:32:06)

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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

Chapters

William Shatner (00:02:05)

Captain Kirk (00:12:36)

Directing Star Trek V (00:24:51)

Simon Pegg & Doug Jung (00:35:57)

Wrap-up (00:45:16)

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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

Chapters

Orange is the New Black (00:02:15) 

Mulgrew's Performance (00:13:58)

Sympathetic Red (00:23:21)  

Trek News (00:39:30) 

Wrap-Up (00:47:57)

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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)

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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)

Reading Rainbow (00:12:50)

Other Work (00:19:30)

Wrap-up (00:35:10)

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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 Stars at the $25/month level or plus! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm http://patreon.com/trekfm

Chapters

Reading Rainbow (00:00:45)

The TNG Episode (00:11:15)

The App (00:20:52)

Wrap-up (00:33:01)

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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 and Commentary: Trek Stars at the $25/month level or plus! Visit http://patreon.com/trekfm http://patreon.com/trekfm

Chapters

Roots (00:00:53)  

Joseph Sargent (00:28:25)  

STAR TR3K Writers (00:30:48)  

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