Trekkies hit Seattle for show's 40th birthday

Stars rub shoulders with hoi polloi

By Lester Haines • Get more from this author

Posted in Entertainment, 8th September 2006 15:47 GMT

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Star Trek fans and cast members are assembling in Seattle for a three-day shindig to celebrate the show's fortieth Birthday.

The first episode of the cult space adventure franchise was shown in the US on 8 September 1966.

Among the stars rubbing shoulders with the hoi polloi are Nichelle Nichols (Nyota Uhuru), George Takei (Hikaru Sulu), Walter Koenig (Pavel Chekov), Marina Sirtis (Deanna Troi) and Jonathan Frakes (William Ryker).

Notable by his absence, sadly, is James T Kirk. This is, however, unsuprising given recent reports that other original cast members declined to become involved in any sort of reunion with William Shatner due to the simple fact that they didn't much like him.

Back on the anniversary conference website, meanwhile, sci-fi author Arthur C Clarke says of Star Trek: "Over the years the sophistication of storylines and special effects has certainly improved. But Star Trek retains its core values - still very much needed in our sadly divided and quarrelling world."

The celebrations go on until Sunday. Full details here. ®

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