It’s the 200th episode of All Access Star Trek, so Anthony and Laurie asked Star Trek: The Next Generation legend Jonathan Frakes to come by and talk about Next Gen, Picard, directing Trek films and TV past and present, his early career, and a whole lot more. The chat spans his career from auditioning for Welcome Back Kotter through to his latest directing gigs, including for upcoming Star Trek shows and more. We also asked him if he thinks he will ever play William Riker again.
Thank you to all of our listeners. Your listens and your comments mean a lot to us.
Links:
Review: Nana Visitor’s ‘Star Trek: Open A Channel: A Woman’s Trek’ Is The Book I’ve Been Waiting For
Jonathan Frakes’ Welcome Back, Kotter audition [YouTube]
Jonathan Frakes on Charlie’s Angels [YouTube]
Jonathan Frakes as Captain America at the White House [Reddit]
Jonathan Frakes and Genie Francis on Lois and Clark [YouTube]
Bar Karma [Wikipedia]
Spencer Garrett Looks Back At The Drumhead [StarTrek.com]
Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes describe the show they’re pitching
Bits:
Anthony: Watch ‘Lower Decks’ Stars Compete In Star Trek-Themed Games On ‘After Midnight’
Laurie: The Delta Flyers on DS9’s “Paradise” – Armin Shimerman talks about babysitting at a nudist camp
Let us know what you think of the episode in the comments, and should you be so inclined, please review us on Apple.
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can’t wait to listen to this one. Riker / Frakes is my favorite character in all of Trek
While Riker is not my favorite Star Trek character, Frakes is definitely my favorite creative person in all of Star Trek. He is just so dang cool, fun, smart, and really enjoys being a part of Star Trek both in front and behind the camera. Someone once called Frakes the “Mayor of Star Trek” and it definitely fits!
Congratulations on 200 episodes! Here’s to 200 more.
Never mind all this, we have Star Trek frogs! :D https://www.npr.org/2024/10/18/1210942198/star-trek-madagascar-frog-species
Boophis siskoi , B. janewayae, B. kirki, B. pikei, B. archeri, B. burnhamae
Met him last year in Vienna, what a glorious man. Love him to bits.
Fantastic show! I could listen to Jonathan Frakes talk all day! I’ve met him a couple times at conventions and he is as sweet, funny, and thoughtful in person as he could possibly be. Frakes is a true national, nay world, treasure. And you guys conducted a great interview. Thanks! And congrats on 200 shows.
Completely unrealated: Laurie, have you had the time to try out Doctor Who yet? :)
Glad you enjooyed it. And no, I haven’t! I went on a crazy St. Elsewhere rewatch (after a For All Mankind rewatch) and then some other shows I like came back with new seasons. D’oh.
Awww. Well, I will continue to look forward to your reactions when the day arrives.
Thanks Toni and Laurie for the podcast and congratulations on your 200th.
I continue to enjoy All Access and my Saturday mornings (usually over breakfast) aren’t the same without you.
LLAP
Wow happy 200th show guys! It’s been a great podcast and while I love Star Trek I only listen to three of them: Trekculture, Delta Flyers and this one. They all have great content.
And yes bringing in Frakes was a great choice as always. You can tell he still loves talking about Trek like the rest of us but gets paid a lot of money while doing it lol. But some quick points:
1. I loved that Matalas took him to Kevin Feige birthday party and agree he probably was the gift lol.
2. I agree if we do get Legacy it will probably be in the form of a TV movie. In fact I truly believe that’s the next idea if the Section 31 movie is a big enough hit. And seriously, why wouldn’t it be??? But yes also agree with you guys if this was 2019, Legacy would’ve be greenlit long ago.
3. I loved the fact that he introduced Alex Kurtzman to Rick Berman and they got to talk about the rigors of running Star Trek. It does show how much Kurtzman wanted to get it right and respected what came before. And most of the shows basically feel like Berman Trek these days anyway; just more updated like SNW, Picard and LDS.
4. To this day I’m still meh on Insurrection. As usual, the intent was there but as said it just feels too much like a 2 part episode instead of a movie (Beyond had a similar problem but still did it much better IMO). I never hated it and can watch it but when I did my grand rewatch back in 2021 it was fine but not great. Definitely some solid moments and happy Riker and Deanna finally got back together but that was it. And I still blame Patrick Stewart for rejecting Pillars stronger storyline with the Romulans .
5. I still think it’s hilarious he’s become the Tom Holland of Star Trek lol. And he tried hard not to give much away but I have a feeling his SNW Hollywood murder episode will probably be an actual Hollywood based murder circa 1950s. Only because like the musical itself he keeps hinting it’s more than just a whodunnit episode which we have seen many times in Star Trek. There is probably some timey whimey/alternate timeline twist. And interesting he said it was funny too.
6. Again not a lot for SFA but it does sound like it will be more light and comedic at times like SNW is. Kurtzman also described it as funny. It does make sense if Tawny Newsome is a writer and they have more comedic characters like Jet Reno, the Doctor and Tilly as part of the cast. I don’t think it will be dubbed as a comedy like LDS but probably more breezier and with ‘hyjinks’ like SNW feels a lot of the time. But when the Borg or Breen shows up they have their game face on. ;)
7. Sounds like he’s onboard with Tawny’s comedy show. I’m at least cautiously optimistic until I hear more. And btw, Newsome said a few light quotes about it while promoting LDS recently if you want to do an article about it.
8. I have no doubt we’ll see Riker again either. People want to see these characters again and as long as there money to be made they will show up somewhere. Like Hugh Jackman and Wolverine Frakes will probably be playing Riker until he’s 90 lol.
I’m just happy to see Frakes still involved with Trek in front of and behind the camera.There was a time I thought that was over for good but so thrilled that’s not the case anymore.