By Steve Winter, video by Kenny Fried
WASHINGTON — There are dozens of reasons why “Trekkies” have flocked to the Rio Suites Hotel this week for Star Trek 50, but at the end of the day, it’s still the “star power” that draws the numbers.
William Shatner, Walter Koenig, George Takei and Nichelle Nichols — the four surviving stars of “Star Trek The Original Series” — are still among the main attractions but so too are the top-credited talent from “Next Generation,” “Deep Space Nine,” “Voyager” and “Enterprise,” most of whom are also in attendance in Vegas.
Joining those household-name actors are the handful of true high-profile celebrity guest stars that have populated the Star Trek screen through the years. That list includes such luminaries as Sally Kellerman, Kirstie Allie, James Darren, Neal McDonough and others, all of whom are highly noticeable and visible — all week long — mixing, mingling and interacting with fans … albeit at a cost.
While autograph and photo sessions with legendary comedic star-turned-“Next Generation” regular Whoopi Goldberg will fetch $150 each, photo sessions with just about every other character run in the $40 range with Scott Bakula and the four “Original Series” stars charging in the $80 to $100 range.
Autographs tend to run between $30 and $40 except for some of the bigger names, which could go as high as $100.
But ask those in attendance, and they’ll tell you it’s an absolute no-brainer.
“This is the first time Whoopi has ever appeared at a ‘Star Trek’ convention so for me it’s well worth paying $150 for a photo with her,” said Andrea Sandoval of Hays, Kansas.
“It’s definitely a good value,” said her husband Todd Sandoval, who noted that the couple has purchased photos sessions through the years with all the main characters including Shatner, Patrick Stewart, Leonard Nimoy and Avery Brooks.
Patrice Roy of Sumter, South Carolina, has adopted a similar philosophy.
“These interview and photo sessions are extremely reasonably priced,” she said. “As fans, we understand the actors’ needs for compensation and fan purchases are the only way conventions can afford to secure the stars, so it’s truly a win-win for everybody.”
For others, the opportunity to simply be in the same room is satisfaction enough.
“If I have a chance to meet some of the stars, that’s fine, but I’m just happy to hear them speak on stage,” said Laura Harter from West Covina, California. “I’m turning 50 this year and this is the 50th Anniversary, so I’m just thrilled to be here.”
The passion is mutual.
“The fans are the very best thing about Star Trek,” said Connor Trinneer who plays Commander Trip Tucker on “Star Trek Enterprise.” “They are so knowledgeable, so passionate and so committed but they’re also gracious and welcoming. That’s perhaps the best thing about being here at the convention.”
Given the prevailing mutual-admiration society, it’s truly appears to be a match made in … well, if not heaven, then at least Sto-vo-kor.
Watch a video about the celebrity appearances at the convention:
Steve Winter and Kenny Fried work for Brotman|Winter|Fried, a Sage Communications Company.
