The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast

"Telegram for Gene Roddenberry!" In an age before email and text messages, there was nothing more immediate or impactful than a telegram. This week, The Trek Files presents three telegrams to Gene Roddenberry from 1968 running the gamut from congratulations from NBC to grievances from a fan.

See the original document: Telegrams to Gene Roddenberry - 1968

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After all the ups and downs considering whether Star Trek will return as a movie or a TV show, Gene Roddenberry sends an update to loyal fans. There's thanks on his part to the fans keeping Trek in the public eye alongside his optimism that Paramount is more dedicated than ever to bring Trek to the big screen after the success of Star Wars.

See the original document: Motion picture status letter from Gene Roddenberry - January 1978

The Trek Files Season 4 on Memory Alpha

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How much do suggestions from fans influence Star Trek? In late 1986, during pre-production on The Next Generation, this 11-point memo from Gene Roddenberry circulated among the staff. In it, a consensus of ideas from a recent convention gave food for thought as the plans for a new Star Trek series took shape.

See the original document: Fan Suggestions memo - December 1986

The Trek Files Season 4 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

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A selection of fan letters from some of Star Trek's youngest - and most ardent - fans from 1975. Some have specific technical questions, some want merchandise and some just need to let Gene Roddenberry know exactly how deeply their fandom runs. The Trek Files looks at how much has changed and stayed the same since the pre-internet days of fandom.

See the original document: Star Trek fan letters - 1975 1

The Trek Files Season 4 on Memory Alpha

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Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

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Gene Roddenberry catches up with his friend, fellow TV producer Sam Rolfe, in this a letter from November of 1965. In it, Gene talks about the promise of a few pilots he's done such as "The Long Hunt of April Savage," "Police Story" and "Star Trek" which could make it to NBC's schedule the next fall. There's also mention of some Doc Savage/Ocean's Eleven show Bruce Geller is producing for Desilu. He hasn't read it, but the buzz is good.

See the original document: Gene Roddenberry letter to Sam Rolfe - November 1965

The Trek Files Season 4 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

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In 1967, Dorothy Fontana created the Tellarites for the TOS episode "Journey to Babel" with a few notes about their homeworld and physical characteristics. Fast forward more than fifty years and the Tellarites are still part of Star Trek lore on Discovery. To celebrate this find and talk about their snout-nosed origins, Larry welcomes our first "Disco" guest and Tellarite actor, Harry Judge!

See the original document: Journey to Babel makeup-costume note - September 1967

The Trek Files Season 4 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

Two-time Emmy-winning director Robert Butler - at 91 the only non-actor creative still with us from "The Cage" - joins Larry Nemecek in a maxed-out room at San Diego Comic Con 2019. Discussions about the casting of "The Cage" plus Gene Roddenberry's inexperience as Star Trek's first pilot went before the cameras and how Butler sees the "new" Pike some 55 years later. It's a rare moment of history you don't want to miss!

The Trek Files Season 4 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

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We welcome back TNG second season producer Robert McCullough to talk about the production staff during his ten-week run on the show. Who wrote scripts from the ending first? Where did Klingon pain sticks come from? What was his very first convention like? A little more chaos on the bridge plus a peek back into life on set at the end of TOS.

See the original document: The Icarus Factor distribution list - 1988

The Trek Files Season 3 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

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Season two of The Next Generation gets the focus on The Trek Files. Producer Robert McCulough joins us to discuss the decision to introduce audiences to Riker's dad and Pakleds as well as the personalities behind the show like a thrown script and a boozy lunch with Gene Roddenberry.

See the original document: The Icarus Factor first draft - November 7, 1988

The Trek Files Season 3 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

San Diego Comic Con organizer Shel Dorf sent Gene Roddenberry the 1973 program book along with an invitation to appear at the next event he'd host, King Kon. On this, the 50th anniversary of SDCC, The Trek Files is proud to welcome someone who was there from the beginning: the original Comic Con Star Trek liaison, Jean Graham.

See the original document: Shel Dorf letter to Gene Roddenberry - Comic Con 1973

The Trek Files Season 3 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!