Along with all the news and reveals about upcoming shows, the Star Trek Universe panel today at San Diego Comic-Con also included a brief announcement about a new official podcast.
Prime Directive
The new podcast coming from the CBS Star Trek Global Franchise Group will be titled Prime Directive: The Official Star Trek Podcast, and it will be co-hosted by Tawny Newsome who is also a voice actress on the new Star Trek: Lower Decks animated series.
Here is how CBS is describing the new podcast:
With unparalleled access to “Star Trek” luminaries and behind-the-scenes creative professionals, this official podcast will take a smart, witty and thoughtful look at all things “Trek”– both old and new. Offering a high-level discussion of the themes, ideas and characters that resonate across the history of the franchise’s storied universe, episodes will also explore the brand’s 50-plus year legacy and influence in an accessible and inclusive way for dedicated and casual “Star Trek” fans alike.
“Star Trek has always been a touchstone for a larger cultural conversation,” said Veronica Hart, EVP, Global Franchise Management. “Prime Directive will continue that legacy by being a launching point for wider discussions of social issues, literature, music, philosophy, popular culture, space exploration, the environment and other topics that spring out of this vast universe.”
Star Trek: Lower Decks star Tawny Newsome will be co-host of the new official Star Trek podcast
Each episode features an in-depth personal interview with a notable guest, coverage of a Star Trek event, or a discussion of a specific topic with one or more guests. Listeners will also be able to hear updates about new projects and take part in a regular quiz segment.
Guests will include the cast and creative teams behind upcoming, current and legacy projects, as well as noted writers, performers, critics, scientists, musicians, historians, and scholars – all offering fresh perspectives as the franchise continues to expand with a range of new projects.
The podcast will be co-hosted by Newsome who also co-hosts the popular comedy-meets-culture podcast “Yo, Is This Racist?” Newsome is a sketch/improv comedian who wrote and performed her work on the Second City Mainstage in Chicago. She also frequently appears playing characters and improvising on podcasts like “Comedy Bang! Bang!,” “Spontaneanation with Paul F. Tompkins,” and “Hello From the Magic Tavern.” Newsome has also appeared on IFC’s “Brockmire,” “Bajillion Dollar Propertie$,” “The Carmichael Show,” IFC’s “Documentary Now” and the upcoming sketch and music parody series “Sherman’s Showcase.” A second host will be announced at a later date.
The podcast will be produced by Gideon Brower, an award-winning radio and podcast journalist and producer. His work is heard on NPR stations across the country on programs including “Weekend Edition,” “The World” and “Studio 360.” In Los Angeles, he is a regular contributor to KCRW and KPCC, and he produces podcast episodes and series for KCRW and the Getty Museum, among others.
The Prime Directive podcast will premiere this fall. Fans will be able to subscribe or download Prime Directive: The Official Star Trek Podcast via startrek.com as well as Apple Podcasts, Google Play Music, or other podcasting apps.
I enjoyed the last official Trek podcast by Jordan Hoffman and was sad to see it go. Hopefully this one will be worthwhile also.
Sounds like it will fill a real niche and provide value-added.
And I’m glad they’re staying away from putting more on Facebook.
The only Trek podcast I listen to is the Shuttlepod from this very site. Not sure I’ll check this one out, especially since it’ll be “official “ and therefore not have any criticism.
Agree with you there VZX. Shuttlepod tends to be pretty balanced overall. Some of the other podcasts can be a little over-reverential and slow to criticise, so I can only image that the “official” podcast will be a bit too squeaky clean positive
Right on.
I think I’ll listen to this, but continue listening to Shuttlepod. That way I’ll still get some criticism from Shuttlepod, but also get everything that this one has to offer.
That seems wise. I’d do the same if I was a listener of our podcast. The CBS podcast will get direct access to talent we certainly can’t.
Perhaps. But the CBS podcast will not have weekly direct access to the talent of Matt Wright, so Shuttlepod will always be the better podcast of the two.
I think I can make room for both…and the occasional TrekFM Literary Treks podcast when they have an author interview.
Thanks for listening to Literary Treks! :D
Well. If there’s ever been a subject that’s been talked near-to-death it’s Trek, and yet a podcast which took the opportunity to view it in its wider cultural context (as opposed to mere marketing) might be refreshing and welcome. I’ll certainly give it a shot.
Meh. IMHO, Shuttlepod is going to be *very* hard to beat. I love it because it’s always has good discussions and the quirky soul of a fan produced thing. You can tell that the folks making it love Trek. Anything official usually just ends up sounding canned and “towing the line”. I’m not super interested in CBS’s version of Trek Pravda.
#shuttlepod4eva
I agree, J.R.
That’s exactly how I feel about The Greatest Generation, but it’s got the added benefit of professionals in the film industry commenting on how the shows had improved.
Short treks Traileres best day ever
Thanks for all the kind words about the pod, everyone. We’re recording an SDCC show this week. Going to be LOTS to talk about!
With unparalleled access to “Star Trek” luminaries and behind-the-scenes creative professionals, this official podcast will take a smart, witty and thoughtful look at all things “Trek”– both old and new. Offering a high-level discussion of the themes, ideas and characters that resonate across the history of the franchise’s storied universe, episodes will also explore the brand’s 50-plus year legacy and influence in an accessible and inclusive way for dedicated and casual “Star Trek” fans alike.
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== Oh, look! Words.
I see that Star Trek now has ANOTHER ‘Archer.’
Not a fan of officially sanctioned “State Run” podcasts. They amount to little more than promotional material. Hard pass.
A lot of beautiful women on Star Trek.
I hope Matt Mira can be a cohost
I’m not sure I’d want to listen to a podcast that has such close ties to the thing they are talking about. Something tells me there will be little to no criticisms of Trek errors. I’d rather hear one where people feel free to say what they want.