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

---

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)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm
Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm
Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm
Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact
Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

---

Support the Network!

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

---

Sponsor

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!

---

More recent episodes of Commentary: Trek Stars...

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

---

Hosts

Mike Schindler 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

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

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm
Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm
Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm
Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact
Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

---

Support the Network!

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

---

Sponsor

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!

---

More recent episodes of Commentary: Trek Stars...

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

---

Hosts

Mike Schindler 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

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)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm
Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm
Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm
Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact
Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

---

Support the Network!

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

---

Sponsor

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!

---

More recent episodes of Commentary: Trek Stars...

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

---

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

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

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm 
Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm 
Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm 
Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact 
Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

---

Support the Network!

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

---

Sponsor

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!

---

More recent episodes of Commentary: Trek Stars...

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

---

Host

Mike Schindler

Guest

Tysto

Editor and Producer

Mike Schindler

Associate Producer

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

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)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm 
Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm 
Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm 
Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact 
Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

---

Support the Network!

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

---

Sponsor

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!

---

More recent episodes of Commentary: Trek Stars...

Commentary: Trek Stars 107: Whatever. People Don't Have VCRs

Taylor, Part 2: Quincy, M.E.

After three years of work as a writer, Jeri Taylor was promoted to producer for the final season of Quincy, M.E.. The series, which starred Jack Klugman as a medical examiner who uses forensic medicine to solve crimes, was a precursor to shows like C.S.I.: Crime Scene Investigation and House, M.D..

In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, John and Mike discuss Taylor's work as a writer/producer on Quincy. We discuss how Taylor shaped the final season, how she was able to put her personal stamp on the show, and what her proposed spin-off, The Cutting Edge, may have been like.

Running Time: 56 minutes 31 seconds

---

Hosts

Mike Schindler and John Mills

Editor and Producer

Mike Schindler

Associate Producers

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

Chapters

Quincy, M.E. (00:01:29) Baby Rattlesnakes (00:12:21) A Cry for Help (00:21:00) Quincy's Wedding (00:27:57) The Cutting Edge (00:32:45) Final Thoughts (00:43:33) Closing (00:48:00)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm
Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm
Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm
Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact
Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

---

Support the Network!

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

---

Sponsor

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!

---

More recent episodes of Commentary: Trek Stars…

Commentary: Trek Stars 106: UPN Really Up'd it Up!

Taylor, Part 1: Trek.

In 1992, Michael Piller turned his attention towards his new Star Trek series, Deep Space Nine. This left a void in the Next Generation writer's room. That void was filled by Jeri Taylor. Under her guidance, the last two season of TNG produced some the best Trek of all-time, and earned the series its only Emmy nomination for Outstanding Drama. On the strength of that work, Taylor was given the task of creating the next Star Trek series, Voyager, which she also ran for the first four seasons. 

In this episode of Commentary: Trek Stars, we begin a new series which looks at Taylor's work as a television writer/producer. In our first part, Mike, Max, and John are joined by Charlynn Schmiedt of To The Journey to examine Taylor's work in Trek. We discuss her first episode, her TNG highlights, her work as a showrunner on TNG, and the creation of Voyager.

Running Time: 1 hour 10 minutes 45 seconds

---

Hosts

Mike Schindler, Max Hegel, and John Mills

Guest

Charlynn Schmiedt

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

Jeri Taylor (1:31)
The Next Generation (9:04)
Voyager (27:12)
Final Thoughts (54:53)
Closing (58:50)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm
Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm
Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm
Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact
Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

---

Support the network!

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

---

Sponsor

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!

---

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

---

Hosts

Mike Schindler, Max Hegel, and John Mills

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

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

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm
Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm
Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm
Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact
Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

---

Support the network!

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

---

Sponsor

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!

---

More recent episodes of Commentary: Trek Stars...

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

---

Hosts

Max Hegel and Mike Schindler

Guest

David Mack

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 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)

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm
Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm
Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm
Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact
Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

---

Support the network!

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

---

Sponsor

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!

---

More recent episodes of Commentary: Trek Stars...

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

---

Hosts

Mike Schindler and Max Hegel

Guest

Matt Hansen

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

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

Send us your feedback!

Twitter: @trekfm
Facebook: http://facebook.com/trekfm
Voicemail: http://www.speakpipe.com/trekfm
Contact Form: http://www.trek.fm/contact
Subscribe in iTunes: http://itunes.com/trekfm

---

Support the network!

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

---

Sponsor

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!

---

More recent episodes of Commentary: Trek Stars...