Star Trek meets Dr. Who in science fiction convention
- Publication: Associated Press
- Date: 1986-05-06
- Author: Mike Barron
- Page:
- Language: English
ATLANTA (AP) -- The two um-verses of -Star Trek" and "Dr Who" came together in Atlanta over the weekend at the Dixie Trek science fiction convention.
Special guests included George Takei of "Star Trek" Peter Davison, who was the fifth actor to play the Doctor on "Dr Who," and John Nathan-Turner, producer of "Dr. Who," the 22-year-old British television program which has recently resumed production after an 18-month hiatus decreed by the British Broadcasting Corp.
Takei, who played Mr. Sulu on the "Star Trek" television series during the late 1960s and in the three motion pictures released so far, talked guardedly about the fourth movie, "Star Trek IV-The Voyage Home," which is now being filmed.
"We (the cast) all had to sign affidavits promising not to talk about the plot," he told the fans gathered at the Sheraton Century Hotel for the convention, sponsored by the Atlanta Star Trek Society. "But I didn't promise not to talk about the sets."
During a question-and-answer session, he amused the audience by saying in response to questions, "That's a plot question, I can't answer that," or "That's a set question, I believe I can answer that."
Takei said "Star Trek IV" starts where the previous movie "Star Trek III-The Search for Spock ends, on the planet Vulcan where Mr Spock has just been rejuvenated. Admiral Kirk, Sulu and others had brought Spock's body to Vulcan in a Bird of Prey, a starship of the villainous Klingons.
Talking about the. Bird of Prey came under the category of "set" questions, so Takei revealed that the crew of the recently destroyed starship Enterprise set out to return to Earth aboard the Klingon vessel.
-Oh, the things that happen to us on the voyage home in that Klingon Bird of Prey," said.
Takei wouldn't say if the Enterprise will be restored in "Star Trek IV," calling that a "plot" question. But he did hint that some of the action takes place in present-day San Francisco, indicating that the characters go backward in time
Takei had high praise for Leonard Nimoy, who plays Spock. Nimoy directed the third movie and is directing the fourth. "I am dazzled by his tremendous talent and self-discipline," Takei said. "Leonard brought in 'Star Trek III' ahead of schedule and $200,000 under budget, and he's a week ahead of schedule on "Star Trek IV."
Takei said he felt confident that the movie would be the biggest box-office success of the four, and that because of this there would be a "Star Trek V."
Nathan-Turner indicated this would be his last season of producing "Dr. Who," but he saw no reason why the program would not continue. Production on the long-running program was halted by the BBC to assess its status, and a flood of protests by fans worldwide helped to convince the network to continue it, much in the manner of a fan protest which helped "Star Trek" to continue .or its third season in 1968-69.
Davison was the fifth actor to play the part of the Doctor, a 750-year-old time lord from the planet Gallifrey, who grew bored with the non interference policy of his fellow time lords. So he swiped a combination space and time machine called a TARDIS, and he travels about the universe battling various monsters and villains, including Daleks. Cybermen and his archenemy, the Master, an evil time lord.
Colin Baker, the sixth Doctor, played the part in the 22nd season after Davison left the show and is continuing in the role for the 23rd season. Since the Doctor is not human, he can regenerate his body and each time he dies he regenerates and a new actor takes over.
The title of the show is a long-running gag. The Doctor, whose name is never revealed, answers questions about his identity with "I'm the Doctor," bringing the inevitable query: "Dr. Who"
"Dr. Who" is gaining in popularity in the United States and worldwide. Nathan-Turner drew a cheer from the audience when he said he felt its success in America was due to the "Britishness" of the program.
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- APA 6th ed.: Barron, Mike (1986-05-06). Star Trek meets Dr. Who in science fiction convention. Associated Press .
- MLA 7th ed.: Barron, Mike. "Star Trek meets Dr. Who in science fiction convention." Associated Press [add city] 1986-05-06. Print.
- Chicago 15th ed.: Barron, Mike. "Star Trek meets Dr. Who in science fiction convention." Associated Press, edition, sec., 1986-05-06
- Turabian: Barron, Mike. "Star Trek meets Dr. Who in science fiction convention." Associated Press, 1986-05-06, section, edition.
- Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=Star Trek meets Dr. Who in science fiction convention | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Star_Trek_meets_Dr._Who_in_science_fiction_convention | work=Associated Press | pages= | date=1986-05-06 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=24 March 2025 }}</ref>
- Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=Star Trek meets Dr. Who in science fiction convention | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Star_Trek_meets_Dr._Who_in_science_fiction_convention | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=24 March 2025}}</ref>
- Title: 'Star Trek' meets 'Dr. Who' in science fiction convention
- Publication: Daily Press
- Date: 1986-05-06
