Classic Trek Getting the Lucas Treatment

Goddamn it, why can’t they leave shit alone?

On September 16th, Star Trek’s original series is returning to syndication…but remastered. New CGI effects shots, new music, etc.

Here’s a promo shot of the new CGI Enterprise:

Here’s a more detailed story at the Star Trek website. A rundown of the changes:

  • Space ship exteriors – The Enterprise, as well as other starships, will be replaced with state of the art CGI-created ships. The new computer-generated Enterprise is based on the exact measurements of the original model, which now rests in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
  • Show opening – The Enterprise and planets seen in the main title sequence will be redone, giving them depth and dimension for the first time.
  • Galaxy shots – All the graphics of the galaxy, so frequently seen through the viewscreen on the Enterprise’s bridge, will be redone.
  • Exteriors – The battle scenes, planets and ships from other cultures (notably the Romulan Bird of Prey and Klingon Battle Cruisers) will be updated.
  • Background scenes – Some of the iconic, yet flat, matte paintings used as backdrops for the strange, new worlds explored by the Enterprise crew will get a CGI face-lift, adding atmosphere and lighting.
  • The refurbished episodes also feature higher quality sound for the famous opening theme. The original score by Emmy Award-winning composer Alexander Courage, has been re-recorded in state-of-the-art digital stereo audio with an orchestra and a female singer belting out the famous vocals.
  • The remastered episodes have been converted from the original film into a High-Definition format.

You can bet that they’ll be selling these new ones on HD-DVD when they’re done. Gotta get more money out of the Trekkies, after all.

Thankfully, the un-fucked-with versions are available on DVD. Heck, Laura and I have put them on our Amazon Wedding Registry. :)

“A New Kind of Fascism….Indeed.”

As a follow up to my “fascism” post — I was directed by to this scathing commentary by Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. (Transcript and video at the linked site.)

Watch the video if you can. Read the transcript if you can’t watch. Powerful stuff.

Shame that it was shunted off onto a cable station that almost nobody watches. That needs to be aired on broadcast TV, during Prime Time.

EDIT: As has been pointed out to me in the comments, if you feel strongly about this, send an email of thanks to the following addresses:

1. viewerservices@msnbc.com
2. letters@msnbc.com
3. countdown@msnbc.com
4. KOlbermann@msnbc.com
5. dabrams@msnbc.com

You can be sure that the right-wing nutjobs have been registering their complaints.