‘Star Trek’ Cast Members Celebrate Show’s 50th Anniversary
Cast members from all five “Star Trek” shows celebrated the franchise’s milestone anniversary on social media Thursday.
Fifty years ago today, the very first episode of the original “Star Trek” series — “The Man Trap” — debuted on TV. The 1996 Variety review predicted the show’s demise, “The opener won’t open up many new frequencies after this sampler.”
How wrong the reviewer was.
Five decades after the debut, the franchise is still going strong, with a sixth show coming in 2017 and a 14th movie planned (following this summer’s “Star Trek Beyond”).
William Shatner (Captain Kirk), Brent Spiner (Commander Data), Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine), Michael Dorn (Lieutenant Worf), and Scott Bakula (Captain Archer) recorded a congratulatory tribute to the show:
Rodd Roddenberry, son of “Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and frequent “Trek” actress Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, tweeted that his father would be “incredibly touched,” followed by the hashtag celebrating the anniversary, #StarTrek50.
Thanks for all of the Love today. My father would have been incredibly touched by your kindness. #StarTrek50
— Rod Roddenberry (@RodRoddenberry) September 8, 2016
William Shatner also took to social media to wish “Star Trek” a happy birthday.
HB2U! #StarTrek50 My best, Bill pic.twitter.com/YACJennEo6
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) September 8, 2016
Nichelle Nichols, who played Uhura in the original series, posted an optimistic message of hope.
For #StarTrek50, look at how far we've come, and how far we have to boldly go. What an exciting future we all have. https://t.co/a21Xsy9J8J
— Nichelle Nichols (@NichelleIsUhura) September 8, 2016
George Takei, who originated Sulu, also tweeted an inspirational quote from Roddenberry.
It’s hard to believe 50 years have passed since the maiden voyage of the Enterprise on NBC. Since that moment, Gene… pic.twitter.com/W1nyIdOQ1T
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) September 8, 2016
Jon Cho, who plays Sulu in the “Trek” reboot, kept his message short and sweet:
❤️
— John Cho (@JohnTheCho) September 8, 2016
Patrick Stewart, who played Captain Picard on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” did not tweet directly, instead retweeting a message from former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright with the Vulcan proverb, “May you live even longer & continue to prosper.” Ablright had visited the cast while in 2001 while they were filming “Star Trek: Nemesis.”
Hands done my all-time favourite Trekkie. Thank you Madame Secretary! https://t.co/DvBiZT7ryl
— Patrick Stewart (@SirPatStew) September 8, 2016
Brent Spiner, who played Data, fondly remembers watching the first episode as a teen.
Fifty years ago tonight, I was watching t.v. Good show came on. People still watching it. (Whistle).
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) September 8, 2016
His costar LeVar Burton played Geordi LaForge while hosting the popular PBS show “Reading Rainbow,” which tweeted “Happy #StarTrek50.”
Happy #StarTrek50 to the Lieutenant Commander of our office, @levarburton!
— Reading Rainbow (@readingrainbow) September 8, 2016
Which “Trek” was your favorite? Tell us in the comments below.
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