In light of the recent disappointing attendance at the Paramount Excelsior Rally, SPACE.com reporter Don Lipper spoke with George Takei. Mr. Takei's comments on the event, the future of Star Trek and how to stay fit follow.
SPACE.com: I understand that you weren’t at the Excelsior Rally because you were at a benefit to promote Asians to donate bone marrow (Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches). How was that?
George Takei: It was big success, unlike the other event that was scheduled for [Saturday].
SC: What was your impression of the Excelsior
is the brains, leader and spearhead of the whole thing. I told Russ early on that it would seem pretty self-serving for me to be involved with the campaign.
SC: As far a Captain Sulu series goes, what feedback have you gotten from the folks in the Star Trek office?
GT: Nothing. I’ve received no communication from them.
SC: Have you made any overtures to them?
GT: No, I have not because I’m sure that it would not be welcome, particularly in the context of this campaign. The thrust of the fan campaign seems to be the feeling that the subsequent spin-off series have gone a bit astray. That’s why the focus is on persuading Kerry McCluggage [Paramount President of Television Programming]. I’m sure that as far as Berman and Braga are concerned, any kind of initiative taken on my part would not be welcome.
SC: There are those who say that the call for a Captain Sulu series is a minority of a minority of a minority. Specifically of the television viewing public as a whole, there is a minority of Star Trek fans, and then a minority who prefer the original series and then a minority who want to see a Captain Sulu series. Do you see a more widespread interest across the board?
GT: It is hard for me to gauge what is out there when you say a minority. The Star Trek audience as measured by Voyager could be said to a minority of the television viewing audience. It ranks 50-something in the whole ratings spectrum. But when you look at our generation of Star Trek [it’s become a] a series of major motion pictures. The box office was enormous. They were big hit films.
SC: For a fellow of 63 you’re amazingly fit. Could you describe your morning workout?
GT: I do crunches while watching the Today Show, lift dumbbells and do my pushups. And then I go off for my 2-mile run.
SC: There is some question about whether you can handle the shooting schedule of a weekly series.
GT: It is grueling. As you observed I’m fit and vigorous and I’m a workaholic.
SC: There are some people who say that the Excelsior campaign in lost in space. What’s your take?
GT: I guess that’s because of the demonstration that didn’t happen on Melrose Avenue but the groundswell is demonstrated in the demonstrations at the other UPN stations throughout the country. The one in Columbus, Ohio, I’m told, was enormous and there was another very successful one in Philadelphia, Tampa Florida and all over the country. The one in Los Angles didn’t happen because of a lack of leadership rather than the fact that there isn’t a strong groundswell of support for the Excelsior Campaign. As far as I can measure from the messages I get on my web site, there is a measurable groundswell, but that has to be taken in the context that it is MY web site.
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