Commentary: Trek Stars 112: Geordi is a Jerk

Burton, Part 1: Trek.

LeVar Burton is best known for his role as Geordi LaForge on Star Trek: The Next Generation. But his contribution to television on the whole goes well beyond that. In addition to a nomination for his performance in the acclaimed miniseries Roots, he has also won ten Emmy Awards for his work on the children's show, Reading Rainbow.

In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Max and Mike begin a new series in which we look at Burton's Emmy-nominated work. In this introduction, we discuss his work on Star Trek as both an actor and a director. We also discuss the hiring of Justin Lin as director of STAR TR3K.

Running Time: 56 minutes 25 seconds

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Hosts

Max Hegel 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

LeVar Burton (00:02:33)
Acting (00:03:32)
Directing (00:24:02)
Justin Lin (00:37:40)
Wrap-up (00:49:15)

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As a Trek.fm listener you can get a free audiobook of your choice along with a 30-day trial to see just how great Audible is. So give it a try today, catch up on all those classic Star Trek books you’ve yet to read or that latest novel from you favorite author and support the network and our programming at the same time!

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Commentary: Trek Stars 111: The Glory Years of TNG

Taylor, Part 6: Recap.

Jeri Taylor worked as a writing producer in television for fifteen years. In that time, a definite progression of thematic elements can be seen running through each of her shows. Timely social issues, procedural crimefighers and strong women are present all the way back in her episodes of Quincy, M.E., and come to the forefront in her final television creation, Star Trek: Voyager.

In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, John and Mike recap their series on Taylor's career. We look at her work on Quincy, M.E., Blue Thunder, Magnum, P.I., In the Heat of the Night, Jake and the Fat Man, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Star Trek: Voyager. We also discuss the latest candidates for the STAR TR3K director's chair.

Running Time: 1 hour 4 minutes 47 seconds

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Hosts

Mike Schindler and John Mills

Editor and Producer

Mike Schindler

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

Associate Producer

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Chapters

Jeri Taylor (00:01:20)
STAR TR3K Director Shortlist (00:38:58)
Warp-up (00:56:57)

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As a Trek.fm listener you can get a free audiobook of your choice along with a 30-day trial to see just how great Audible is. So give it a try today, catch up on all those classic Star Trek books you’ve yet to read or that latest novel from you favorite author and support the network and our programming at the same time!

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Commentary: Trek Stars 110: I Don't Know What to Believe

Taylor, Part 5: In the Heat of the Night.

After the completion of Magnum, P.I., Jeri Taylor joined the writing staff for the second season of In the Heat of the Night. The show, which was based on the Oscar-winning film and novel of the same name, looks at a small town in America's deep south, where a white police chief and a black detective try to set aside their differences and work as a team.

In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Mike and John discuss Taylor's contribution to the show, the similarities and differences between the show and the movie, and how the show compares to its contemporary series, Star Trek: The Next Generation. We also speculate on who may or may not be directing the next Star Trek movie.

Running Time: 1 hour 4 minutes 27 seconds

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Hosts

Mike Schindler and John Mills

Editor and Producer

Mike Schindler

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

Associate Producer

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Chapters

In the Heat of the Night (00:01:00)
Thoughts on the Show (00:16:15)
STAR TR3K's Director (00:34:24)
Our Picks (00:46:44)
Wrap-up (00:56:35)

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Audible is the premiere source for audiobooks with more than 150,000 titles to choose from, and new titles coming every week. From classics to current bestsellers, and even some of the most famous Star Trek books like Prime Directive, Federation, and Spock’s World, Audible has something for everyone.

As a Trek.fm listener you can get a free audiobook of your choice along with a 30-day trial to see just how great Audible is. So give it a try today, catch up on all those classic Star Trek books you’ve yet to read or that latest novel from you favorite author and support the network and our programming at the same time!

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Commentary: Trek Stars 109: The Captain Kirk of Hawaii

Taylor, Part 4: Magnum, P.I..

The three years following the cancellation of Blue Thunder were rather quiet in Jeri Taylor's career. Her sole credit was for a television movie entitled A Place to Call Home. But in 1987, Taylor returned to episodic television as a writing producer on the final season of Magnum, P.I.. In the show, Tom Selleck plays a Vietnam veteran who works as a private detective in Hawaii.

In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, John and Mike take a look at Taylor's third series. We discuss the elements which make Magnum a quintessential example of 1980s television, the ways in which Taylor brought her style into the show, and the variety which is demonstrated in her episodes.

Running Time: 46 Minutes 52 Seconds

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Hosts

John Mills and Mike Schindler

Editor and Producer

Mike Schindler

Production Manager

Richard Marquez

Content Coordinator

Will Nguyen

Associate Producer

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Chapters

Intro (00:01:09)
Taylor's Episodes (00:12:58)
Final Thoughts (00:30:34)
Wrap-up (00:37:23)

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As a Trek.fm listener you can get a free audiobook of your choice along with a 30-day trial to see just how great Audible is. So give it a try today, catch up on all those classic Star Trek books you’ve yet to read or that latest novel from you favorite author and support the network and our programming at the same time!

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Commentary: Trek Stars 108: Airwolf Stole Our Blue Thunder!

Taylor, Part 3: Blue Thunder.

After the cancellation of Quincy, M.E., Jeri Taylor began work on the writing staff of a new television series in 1984. Blue Thunder is a spinoff of a popular action film from the previous year about a high-tech police helicopter which is used to fight crime in Los Angeles. The series stared James Farentino as the lead, American football legends Dick Butkus and Bubba Smith as, essentially, themselves, and a pre-SNL Dana Carvey as the young computer-wiz.

In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Mike is joined by Tysto to look at Taylor's second television production. We discuss the 1980s TV trend of military-grade law enforcement, the bizarre casting, and the possible similarities between Blue Thunder and Star Trek: Voyager.

Running Time: 47 minutes 18 seconds

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Host

Mike Schindler

Guest

Tysto

Editor and Producer

Mike Schindler

Associate Producer

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Chapters

The Movie (00:02:09)
The Series (00:07:02)
The Pilot (00:17:39)
The Cast (00:23:46)
Taylor's Influence (00:29:20)
Wrap-up (00:38:37)

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As a Trek.fm listener you can get a free audiobook of your choice along with a 30-day trial to see just how great Audible is. So give it a try today, catch up on all those classic Star Trek books you’ve yet to read or that latest novel from you favorite author and support the network and our programming at the same time!

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Commentary: Trek Stars 105: Johnliness

Introducing John.

The original series had Chekov. Deep Space Nine had Worf. Voyager had Seven of Nine. Sometimes your favorite shows need a little help. Commentary: Trek Stars is no exception.

In our fifth season premiere, Mike and Max welcome John Mills from Words with Nerds as our third crew member. In his first episode as co-host, John tells us about his relationship with Star Trek, what he thinks about some of the creators we've already covered, and who he'd like to look at in the future.

Running Time: 38 Minutes 45 Seconds

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Hosts

Mike Schindler, Max Hegel, and John Mills

Editor and Producer

Mike Schindler

Associate Producer

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Chapters

John and Trek (4:07)
What John's Missed (10:43)
What John Wants to Cover (21:06)
Closing (28:30)

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Audible is the premiere source for audiobooks with more than 150,000 titles to choose from, and new titles coming every week. From classics to current bestsellers, and even some of the most famous Star Trek books like Prime Directive, Federation, and Spock’s World, Audible has something for everyone.

As a Trek.fm listener you can get a free audiobook of your choice along with a 30-day trial to see just how great Audible is. So give it a try today, catch up on all those classic Star Trek books you’ve yet to read or that latest novel from you favorite author and support the network and our programming at the same time!

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Commentary: Trek Stars 104: DS9 Writers Don't Get Bleeped

Mack, Part 2: The Calling.

In 2009, prolific Star Trek author David Mack published his first original novel. The Calling is a supernatural crime drama about a man who hears people's prayers. Before long, he is caught in a war between good and evil, with a young girl's life in the balance.

In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Max and Mike are joined by Mack to look at his novel, the origins of the story, the challenges and benefits of working outside of Trek, and the differences between writing for the page and for the screen. We also ponder the possibility of Jack Bauer existing in the Mirror Universe.

Running Time: 1 Hour 13 Minutes 6 Seconds

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Hosts

Max Hegel and Mike Schindler

Guest

David Mack

Editor and Producer

Mike Schindler

Associate Producer

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Chapters

The Calling (00:58)
Page vs. Screen (10:40)
Similarities and Differences to Trek (19:39)
New York (31:13)
Becoming a Novelist (37:10)
Upcoming Projects (55:23)
Wrap-up (1:03:39)

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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

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Audible is the premiere source for audiobooks with more than 150,000 titles to choose from, and new titles coming every week. From classics to current bestsellers, and even some of the most famous Star Trek books like Prime Directive, Federation, and Spock’s World, Audible has something for everyone.

As a Trek.fm listener you can get a free audiobook of your choice along with a 30-day trial to see just how great Audible is. So give it a try today, catch up on all those classic Star Trek books you’ve yet to read or that latest novel from you favorite author and support the network and our programming at the same time!

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Commentary: Trek Stars 103: He Runs a Bar in a Bar

Mack, Part 1: Trek.

David Mack has written close to 30 Star Trek novels and stories over the course of his career. But before all of that, Mack had a hand in writing two Deep Space Nine adventures for the small screen. Along with his writing partner John J. Ordover, Mack wrote the fourth season episode, "Starship Down," and wrote the story upon which Ronald D. Moore's teleplay for season seven's "It's Only a Paper Moon" was based.

In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars , Mike and Max are joined by Matt of The Delta Quadrant and The Nerd Party to look at Mack's television work. We discuss "Starship Down," "It's Only a Paper Moon," and the original concept for that episode, "Everybody Goes to Quark's." We also preview Mack's original novel The Calling, which we will cover next week.

Running Time: 44 Minutes 56 Seconds

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Hosts

Mike Schindler and Max Hegel

Guest

Matt Hansen

Editor and Producer

Mike Schindler

Associate Producer

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Chapters

3:35 Starship Down
17:32 It's Only a Paper Moon
24:40 Everybody Goes to Quark's
33:24 Final Thoughts
36:48 Wrap-up

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Audible is the premiere source for audiobooks with more than 150,000 titles to choose from, and new titles coming every week. From classics to current bestsellers, and even some of the most famous Star Trek books like Prime Directive, Federation, and Spock’s World, Audible has something for everyone.

As a Trek.fm listener you can get a free audiobook of your choice along with a 30-day trial to see just how great Audible is. So give it a try today, catch up on all those classic Star Trek books you’ve yet to read or that latest novel from you favorite author and support the network and our programming at the same time!

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Commentary: Trek Stars 102: Always the Best Course of Action

Meyer IV: The Seven-Per-Cent Solution.

When the decision was made to turn his successful novel The Seven-Per-Cent Solution into a movie, Nicholas Meyer took on the challenge of adapting it himself. The result was an Oscar nomination. The film, in which Sherlock Holmes meets Sigmund Freud, was as much of a critical success as the book which preceded it.

In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Max and Mike look at Meyer's work on the film directed by Herbert Ross and starring Nicol Williamson, Robert Duvall and Alan Arkin. We discuss the unusual tone of the film, the changes which were made for the screen, and how this Sherlock Holmes compares to other screen versions of the character. We also hope for a Sherlock Holmes crossover in Meyer's upcoming Sigmund Freud television series.

Running Time: 42 Minutes 3 Seconds

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Hosts

Max Hegel and Mike Schindler

Editor and Producer

Mike Schindler

Associate Producer

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

Chapters

The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (00:52)
Adaptation (12:36)
Final Thoughts (25:34)
Wrap-up (34:36)

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Audible is the premiere source for audiobooks with more than 150,000 titles to choose from, and new titles coming every week. From classics to current bestsellers, and even some of the most famous Star Trek books like Prime Directive, Federation, and Spock’s World, Audible has something for everyone.

As a Trek.fm listener you can get a free audiobook of your choice along with a 30-day trial to see just how great Audible is. So give it a try today, catch up on all those classic Star Trek books you’ve yet to read or that latest novel from you favorite author and support the network and our programming at the same time!

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Commentary: Trek Stars 101: You Gotta Wiggle Them Legs!

Moore, Part 8: Outlander.

In the years since Battlestar Galactica, Ronald D. Moore has struggled to find another hit on television. That search has ended with his latest series, Outlander. Based on the novel by Diana Gabaldon, the show tells the story of an English nurse from 1945 who is thrown back in time to 1743 Scotland.

In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, Mike and Max take a look at the first eight episodes of Moore's series. We discuss the strength of the characters, the use of time travel, and challenges of adapting a novel into a TV series. We also discuss the newest addition to the Star Trek family, Star Tr3k's cinematographer, Claudio Miranda.

Running Time: 55 minutes 50 seconds

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Hosts

Mike Schindler and Max Hegel

Editor and Producer

Mike Schindler

Associate Producer

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

Chapters

The Premise (02:00)
Thoughts on the show (09:42)
Time travel (27:14)
Adaptation (30:38)
Final thoughts (39:51)
Claudio Miranda (41:11)
Wrap-up (45:46)

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Become a Trek.fm Patron on Patreon and help us keep Star Trek talk coming every week. We have great perks for you at http://patreon.com/trekfm

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Audible is the premiere source for audiobooks with more than 150,000 titles to choose from, and new titles coming every week. From classics to current bestsellers, and even some of the most famous Star Trek books like Prime Directive, Federation, and Spock’s World, Audible has something for everyone.

As a Trek.fm listener you can get a free audiobook of your choice along with a 30-day trial to see just how great Audible is. So give it a try today, catch up on all those classic Star Trek books you’ve yet to read or that latest novel from you favorite author and support the network and our programming at the same time!

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More recent episodes of Commentary: Trek Stars...