The Trek Files: A Roddenberry Star Trek Podcast

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5-23 Star Trek opening narration - August 2, 1966 Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

This is the story of the United Space Ship Enterprise. Assigned a five year patrol of our galaxy, the giant starship visits Earth colonies, regulates commerce, and explores strange new worlds and civilizations... or words to that effect. On a Tuesday in August, 1966, the Star Trek braintrust of Gene Roddenberry, Bob Justman and John D. F. Black hurriedly crafted what would become one of the most famous opening narrations in television history. Celebrating Star Trek Day, The Trek Files takes you behind the scenes in this week's episode.

See the original document: Star Trek opening narration - August 2, 1966

The Trek Files Season 5 on Memory Alpha

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Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

5-22 Gene Roddenberry confidential letter to Eddie Milkis - 1986 Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

A few weeks after jotting down his initial thoughts on a new Star Trek series, Gene Roddenberry starts putting together his dream team of producers and writers to bring his new show to life - all under the pressure of a deadline. Some ideas will be fleshed out while others are dropped completely. In this confidential letter to Eddie Milkis, Gene spells out all the next steps to consider while making Star Trek new but familiar.

See the original document: Gene Roddenberry confidential letter to Eddie Milkis - 1986

The Trek Files Season 5 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

5-21 Dorothy Fontana letter to Don Page - April 1973 Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

Star Trek was soon to make the jump from prime-time drama to Saturday morning "kiddie show" by the estimation of LA Times TV critic Don Page. Quick to set him straight was Dorothy Fontana with a letter that spelled out Star Trek's storytelling imperative, regardless of the filmed form it may take.

See the original document: Dorothy Fontana letter to Don Page - April 1973

The Trek Files Season 5 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

5-20 The Gamesters of Triskelion production report - 1967 Aug 18, 2020

Show notes

Author John Flynn joins The Trek Files to discuss further details about Angelique Pettyjohn's life. From her time on Star Trek and interactions with the fans to a stunning revelation about her relationship with Elvis Presley - Angelique's portrayal of Shana was only part of a fascinating life.

See the original document: The Gamesters of Triskelion production report - 1967

The Trek Files Season 5 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

5-19 The Gamesters of Pentathlon - August 1, 1967 Aug 11, 2020

Show notes

Angelique Pettyjohn guest-starred in The Gamesters of Triskelion and immediately became an iconic part of Star Trek. This week, we welcome John Flynn who has written a new autobiography on Angelique to share stories about her getting the role, her time on set and encounter with Captain Kirk.

See the original document: The Gamesters of Pentathlon - August 1, 1967

The Trek Files Season 5 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

5-18 Spockanalia 4 - April 1969 Aug 04, 2020

Show notes

"Spockanalia," the Vulcan-centric fanzine, kicks off this week's discussion with returning special-guest Jacqueline Lichtenberg. Diving into the world of fanzines, we'll get the low-down on fandom evolution in the mimeograph era and what producers learned from fans.

See the original document: Spockanalia 4 - April 1969

The Trek Files Season 5 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

5-17 Star Trek publications request - Cornell University - 1973 Jul 28, 2020

Show notes

Return with special guest Jacqueline Lichtenberg to the early days of fandom when newsletters, 'zines, and conventions helped keep Star Trek alive. A letter from Cornell University requesting Star Trek fan resources kicks off the conversation on this week's episode of The Trek Files.

See the original document: Star Trek publications request - Cornell University - 1973

The Trek Files Season 5 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

5-16 Fan letters to Gene Roddenberry - 1970s Jul 21, 2020

Show notes

Fans of all ages have been inspired by Star Trek since the beginning of its TV run. Those fans who are invested in every detail of the show made sure Gene Roddenberry heard their opinions, their desires and their nitpicks, especially when it looked like their favorite show would be revived as a movie.

See the original document: Fan letters to Gene Roddenberry - 1970s

The Trek Files Season 5 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

5-15 Profanity in Star Trek - Majel Barrett Roddenberry - 1994 Jul 14, 2020

Show notes

Profanity in Star Trek? Say it isn't so! Majel Barrett Roddenberry responds to a fan letter in 1994 over concerns about the language in Star Trek IV. We've got special guest Rod Roddenberry here to talk about his mother's legacy and the place of questionable language in the Trek franchise.

See the original document: Profanity in Star Trek - Majel Barrett Roddenberry - 1994

The Trek Files Season 5 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

5-14 Gene Roddenberry's first thoughts on TNG - October 1986 Jul 07, 2020

Show notes

It's Star Trek The Next Generation as you've never seen it! Featuring Captain William T. English, Number One Walter T. Raleigh, Science Officer "Con," and Data the Asian android! Check out Gene Roddenberry's first take on what would be Star Trek's return to the small screen on this week's Trek Files.

See the original document: Gene Roddenberry's first thoughts on TNG - October 1986

The Trek Files Season 5 on Memory Alpha

All episodes and documents: The Trek Files on Memory Alpha

Visit the Trekland site for behind-the-scenes access and exclusive merchandise.

The conversation continues on Discord with live chats and the Roddenberry Podcasts community! Join today!

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