griffith@dweeb.fx.com (Jim Griffith) (04/04/91)
The following article appeared in the April 1st issue of the San Francisco Chronicle (Datebook, page E1). It was accompanied by a photo of Patrick Stewart in costume. [Reprinted by permission of Reuters. My thanks to them - ed.] NEW 'STAR TREK' NEARS SHOW 100 By Gail Appleson Reuters "Star Trek: The Next Generation" has beamed past its predecessor, with more than 94 episodes filmed, and will celebrate its 100th show with its captain trying his hand at a new helm - that or director. "It will be my first ever venture into television direction, so it's going to have a double significance for me," said Patrick Stewart, who plays the refined but tough Captain Jean-Luc Picard. The British-born, Shakespearean-trained actor, who will continue in his role as captain of the starship Enterprise, was in New York to promote a new Public Broadcasting Service series he is hosting called "The Shape of the World." The series, which begins tonight, tells the epic story of mapping of the globe. The trim 50-year-old actor said that the 100th episode of the new "Star Trek" will deal with Lieutenant Worf, the Klingon who heads security aboard the Enterprise, and problems with his home planet. It has not yet been decided if Stewart will direct more than the 100th episode, which is expected to air in May. There were only 79 episodes of the original "Star Trek," which was first broadcast in the late 1960s and developed a cult following. The Original Just Keeps Going The earlier series, which introduced the unforgettable characters of the pointy-eared Mr. Spock and dashing Captain Kirk - not to mention the household phrase "Beam me up, Scotty" - is still a hit through syndication. (The popularity of the new series is demonstrated by the fact that San Francisco's KBHK (Channel 44) airs each episode twice, at 8 p.m. Saturdays and 10 p.m. Sundays, and starting today will broadcast "Next Generation" reruns at 6 p.m. weekdays.) Meanwhile, Paramount Pictures has announced that yet another film based on the series, "Star Trek VI" is beginning production with an expected release date next year. "The Next Generation" is currently rated third among syndicated television programs, after "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy." Stewart said that one of the advantages "The Next Generation" has over the original series is the use of advanced special effects. But, he said, the real popularity of both Star Trek series stems from the same reason. "It seems to satisfy a fundamental need in many people for an affirmative, optimistic view of the future," he said. Dreams of Adventure Stewart seems to have been a perfect fit for both "Star Trek" and the PBS series. Growing up in a working-class neighborhood in the north of England, Stewart said, he longed for adventure and would pore over silk maps brought home by his father, who had been in a military parachute regiment. He later found adventure through acting and was a member of Britain's Royal Shakespeare Theater for 20 years. His TV credits include such BBC series as "I, Claudius," and he also appeared in David Lynch's film "Dune". In the cast of "Star Trek" for four years now, Stewart said he has become irritated by questions "implying that I was somehow slumming, going down market from having been a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company." He once told an interviewer, "not only was it not slumming, but all of my years of speaking blank verse and sitting on thrones and wearing tights and striding the stage of the RSC was nothing but a preparation for sitting in the captain's chair of the starship Enterprise." Stewart recalled that one of the last roles he played with the Royal Shakespeare Company was King Henry IV. "I do find there is really a direct parallel between playing such a role to shifting to the captain's chair of the USS Enterprise. In fact," he added, "there are those who would say sitting in the captain's chair on the USS Enterprise is far more important than sitting on the throne of England." -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edited by Jim "The Big Dweeb" Griffith - the official scapegoat for r.a.s.i. Email submissions to trek-info@dweeb.fx.com, and questions to trek-info-request@dweeb.fx.com