We know Sir Patrick Stewart as bald. But if the studio execs had their way, he would’ve worn a wig on Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Today, when Picard was on The Graham Norton Show, he told the story about the audition process for the Sci-Fi series.
Stewart did three auditions, and he was getting ready to do the fourth for the heads of Paramount Studios. They decided they wanted to see what he would like with hair on his head. So, his agent asked him if he had a wig. The actor did, but it was still in London. Therefore, they had it flown over the pond to Los Angeles.
Finally, it was audition time, and he wore the hairpiece.
After it was over, he went to take it off. And the execs walked in to see what he would look like without it.
I think we all know which way they preferred him! Although, is it wrong for me to say I kind of like him with hair?
Today is Star Trek Day, and Paramount+ has a present for you. They released a teaser for the third and final season of Picard.
In case you hadn’t heard, this season Sir Patrick Stewart will be joined by his old co-stars from Star Trek: The Next Generation, Jonathan Frakes, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, Brent Spiner, Jeri Ryan, and Michelle Hurd.
In this preview, we are getting to see them together again. And I know that is making Trekkies all over the world happy.
It is a perfect sendoff for the legendary characters, and we can witness their final frontier starting on February 16th. I hope the fans can wait that long. Not that they have a choice, but still.
Paramount+ had some big news to share on First Contact Day (in exactly 41 years from today, humans will make contact with Vulcans for the first time) about Star Trek: Picard’s third season, and it is out of this world exciting.
Patrick Stewart will be joined by his Star Trek: The Next Generation co-stars, LeVar Burton, Michael Dorn, Jonathan Frakes, Gates McFadden, Marina Sirtis, and Brent Spiner.
“I remember watching the premiere of ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’ almost 34 years ago with my father like it was yesterday. It was the spark that ignited my love for science fiction,” said Terry Matalas, season three showrunner and executive producer. “So, it’s most fitting that the story of Jean-Luc Picard ends honoring the beginning, with his dearest and most loyal friends from the U.S.S. Enterprise. It would be an understatement to say that giving these characters a proper send-off is an honor. The entire STAR TREK: PICARD team and I can’t wait for fans to experience this final, high-stakes, starship-bound adventure in season three!”
I know this news is huge because I sent it to my Trekkie friend, and he told me he needed to be alone with his Enterprise for a little bit. I could hear in his voice he was choked up about hearing that The Next Generation cast are coming together with Picard.
S2 of Star Trek: Picard is streaming now on Paramount+, with new episodes debuting every Thursday.
The omicron variant of COVID-19 is so contagious that it seems like everyone is getting it. That is how the people who are involved with Star Trek: Picard felt when they found out that almost 10% of the cast and crew tested positive for coronavirus on Monday.
Therefore production was shut down, and it is expected to resume tomorrow. Hopefully.
Personally, I know people have to work. But I think they should just take off January and let omicron run its course. I mean, when over 50 of the 450 people who work on the show test positive, I would be afraid. Very afraid.
And if you are like me and are afraid that Sir Patrick Stewart was one of them. Deadline is reporting that he is not. He better stay that way because he is a treasure from the universe.
Imagine watching Star Trek: The Next Generation without Sir Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard. Well, if his good friend Sir Ian McKellan had his way, that is what would have happened. Both actors did not understand American television at the time, so Mckellan told his buddy should stay in London and continue to do plays.
Thankfully, other people told him to do it because it is destined to fail because fans of the original will not accept the sequel. Six seasons and four movies later, all of the people in his life were wrong.
They were not the only ones, so was the studio. They wanted him to have hair just like William Shatner, so they put him in a wig. Watch the interview from This Morning today to see what a bad idea that was. Thankfully, everyone learned from their mistakes.
Everyone but Stewart. When they asked him to do Picard, he was ready to turn it down. Thankfully the producers talked him into it with their briliant idea.
To find out Stewart was right to say yes this time around, check out Star Trek: Picard on CBS All Access starting on January 23rd.
