The drive to put George Takei back in the captain's chair has spread beyond the ranks of Star Trek fans and into the realm of organized political action.
The Media Action Network for Asian Americans (MANAA) enthusiastically endorsed the Excelsior Campaign Monday, throwing its organizational and public-relations support behind the fan initiative.
MANAA co-founder Guy Aoki said a Star Trek series starring Takei as captain of Federation Starship Excelsior "could do for Asian American action shows what Cosby did for Black shows and sitcoms."
"I've heard countless stories from [Asian Americans] across the country that when George Takei came on Star Trek, they'd all rush into the living room to watch him because it was one of the rare opportunities to see someone who looked like them," he said. "And what's more, for once, it was a character they didn't have to be ashamed of being associated with."
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Aoki called a Takei series "long overdue" and praised the actor's charisma.
"Takei has a commanding presence and would keep viewers riveted to the screen."
Russ Haslage, longtime Star Trek fan and manager of the pro-Takei campaign, said he was "honored" that MANAA -- which participated in the recent "End the White Washing of Television" campaign -- is "now a part of this team."
Where next, Excelsior?
Trek fans supporting the Excelsior movement -- now more than 5,000 strong, according to Haslage -- will march in front of Paramount and UPN affiliate stations on April 22.
Afterward, the Excelsior faithful will spearhead a second letter-writing campaign.
Unlike the first campaign, which generated thousands of letters to Paramount, this new drive will include Josie Thomas, CBS vice president of diversity, in an attempt to keep CBS/Viacom -- which owns Trek and where a Takei series will likely air -- appraised of the ethnic dimensions of the choice to give Sulu his own series.
Takei is not officially involved with the campaign, but finds the attention flattering.
What do you think? Send your comments to SPACE.com's Trek Roundtable.
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