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EspañolTREKKIE
(Redirected from Trekkers)
'Trekkie' (or 'Trekker') is a term used to describe a fan of all or part of the ''Star Trek'' fictional universe.[1]
"Trekkie", originally intended only to describe enthusiasts of ''Star Trek'', has sometimes been used to refer to any obsessed fan.[2]
In the late 1960s, science fiction editor Art Saha applied the term "trekkies" when he saw a few fans of the first season of ''Star Trek'' wearing pointy ears at a science convention. He used the term in an interview with Pete Hamill that Hamill was conducting for ''TV Guide'' concerning the phenomenon of science fiction.
When the media picked up on the word "Trekkies", some fans thought the term sounded too much like "Crazies". Self-identification as a "Trekkie" became even less popular in the late 1980s after a famous national television parody (see Parodies below); several self-described "Trekkers" were quoted as saying they "had a life" (contrasting themselves from "Trekkies").
Some Star Trek enthusiasts prefer the term "Trekkie", while some others self-identify as "Trekker". The Trekkie v. Trekker debate may mirror the Sci-Fi vs SF debate.
In the 1991 TV show ''Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special'', Leonard Nimoy attempts to settle the issue by stating that the term 'Trekker' is the correct one.
The issue is also shown in the film ''Trekkies 2'', in which a Star Trek fan recounts a supposed incident during a Star Trek convention where Gene Roddenberry used the term "trekkies" to describe fans of the show, only to be corrected by a fan that stood up and yelled "Trekkers!" Gene Roddenberry, allegedly, responded with "No, it's trekkies. I should know, I invented the thing."
Some Trekkies hold that a "Trekker" is a "Trekkie" who is embarrassed at being considered a "Trekkie" (also portrayed by Real Life, a gaming webcomic). The classic stereotype is a clueless Trekkie walking around wearing rubber Spock ears and being held up to public ridicule for his obsession. "Trekker" is usually used as a term for the dedicated ''Star Trek'' fan with considerable knowledge of the show.
The term "Trekkie" is sometimes considered derogatory, perhaps because of a perceived parallel to the terms "groupie" or "hippie".
Some avoid the disagreement by referring to themselves as just "''Star Trek'' fans", or among themselves, as just "fans".
In the documentary ''Trekkies 2'', Kate Mulgrew stated that Trekkers are the ones "walking with us" while the Trekkies are the ones content to simply sit and watch Star Trek.
It has been mentioned by some fans that the difference between a Trekkie and a Trekker is that "a 'Trekker' is aware that ''Star Trek'' is simply a TV show and that they are passionate and appreciative of the show and its message" and that "a 'Trekkie' is someone without the ability to grasp the difference between the characters shown on screen versus the actors portraying them." Basically, what they are saying is that when something bad happens, a Trekker will call 911, a Trekkie will try to get help from Captain Kirk.
Others will say the opposite in that Trekkies dives deep into the specifics of Star Trek (technology, episodes, characters, etc.,) but Trekkers are focused on its philosophies and can sometimes not know when to stop.
Some Trekkies regularly attend ''Star Trek'' conventions (called "cons"), and are sometimes bitter rivals of hard core ''Star Wars'' fans. By analogy, ''Star Wars'' fans sometimes refer to themselves as "Warsies", and ''Mystery Science Theater 3000'' fans frequently refer to themselves as "MSTies".
Many Trekkies are perceived to believe that Star Trek is infallible and may be able to conjure up explanations for any plot holes which occur in the series. Trekkies also often own memorabilia such as replica props or blueprints and (pseudo-)technical manuals from the shows.
There are many Star Trek fan clubs, among the largest currently being STARFLEET International and the International Federation of Trekkers.
There is a persistent stereotype that amongst Trekkies there are many speakers of the constructed Klingon language. The reality is less clear-cut, as some of its most fluent speakers are more language aficionados than people obsessed with ''Star Trek''. Most Trekkies have no more than a basic vocabulary of Klingon, perhaps consisting of a few common words heard innumerable times over the series, while not having much knowledge of Klingon's syntax or precise phonetics.
During the 1996 Whitewater controversy, a bookbindery employee named Barbara Adams served as an alternate juror. During the trial Adams wore a ''Star Trek''-inspired black and red Starfleet Command division uniform, including a badge, a phaser, and a tricorder.[3]
Adams was dismissed from the trial for conducting a sidewalk interview with the television program ''American Journal''.3 The major news media reported that she was dropped for wearing her Star Trek uniform to the trial.
Adams noted she was dropped because she talked to a reporter of ''America Journal'' about her Trek uniform and not anything about the trial.[4] Although nothing was deemed as a trial enclosure violation, the rule was clearly stated: no juror was to communicate with the press in any manner.
Adams stated the judge at the trial was supportive of her. She said she believed in the principles expressed in ''Star Trek'' and found it an alternative to "mindless television" because it promotes tolerance, peace, and faith in mankind.3
She subsequently appeared in the documentaries ''Trekkies'' and ''Trekkies 2''.
In 1986 William Shatner performed in a famous sketch on ''Saturday Night Live''. He played himself at a ''Star Trek'' convention at which he told the Trekkies to "get a life". "For crying out loud," Shatner elaborated, "it was just a TV show!"[5] At one point, he asked Jon Lovitz' Trekkie character, whom he assumed to be almost 30 years old, if he had ever kissed a girl, at which the character sadly hung his head.
Trekkies have been parodied in several films, notably ''Galaxy Quest'', a science fiction comedy very obviously modeled on the ''Star Trek'' franchise. The main character Jason Nesmith, representing William Shatner, repeats Shatner's 1986 statement when an avid fan asks him about the operation of the fictional vessel.
One episode of ''Futurama'' called "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" was dedicated to parodying Trekkies by envisioning a scenario whereby a "space energy being" named "Melllvar" forces the original cast to endure a ''Star Trek'' convention for all eternity, much to the disgust of the cast.
The 1998 film ''Free Enterprise'' chronicled the lives of two men who grew up worshipping ''Star Trek'' and emulating Captain Kirk. Most of the movie centers on William Shatner, playing a parody of himself, and how the characters wrestle with their relationships to ''Star Trek''.
The Broadway musical ''Avenue Q'' partially parodies Trekkies through the inclusion of a character named, appropriately enough, Trekkie Monster.
A Trekkie featured in one episode of the television show ''The West Wing'', during which Josh Lyman confronts the temporary employee over her display of a Star Trek pin in the White House.
★ Bjo Trimble, who helped spearhead the letter writing campaign that convinced NBC to continue ''Star Trek'' for a third season.
★ Gabriel Köerner, a profilee in ''Trekkies'' who went on to guest star on ''The Drew Carey Show'' and as the "Star Trek Geek" on the game show ''Beat the Geeks'', and is currently a visual effects animator who has worked on Ronald D. Moore's ''Battlestar Galactica'' reboot.
★ Bob Rajic, who had cosmetic surgery to look like William Shatner and was the subject of the film ''Auto Destruct: One Man's Obsession with William Shatner''
★ Lewis "Scooter" Libby Yale classmate Donald Hindle said Libby had the "decidedly nonpolitical talent" of remembering and "knew all the titles, too."[6]
★ Oregon Congressional Representative David Wu delivered a heavily ''Trek''-infused speech to the House of Representatives on January 10, 2007.[7]
★ Abdullah II of Jordan is a ''Star Trek'' fan, and appeared in an episode of ''Star Trek Voyager''.[1]
★ Matt Stone and Trey Parker are ''Star Trek'' fans and have put many references to the franchise in ''South Park''.
★ Isaac Asimov, a close personal friend of Gene Roddenberry's.
★ Tom Bergeron, host of ''Hollywood Squares'' and ''America's Funniest Home Videos'', guest star on ''Enterprise''.
★ Whoopi Goldberg, who specifically requested a role in ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' because the character of Uhura inspired her early acting career.[8]
★ Tom Hanks, a fan since childhood. He was considered for the role of Zefram Cochrane in '', but had to turn it down due to a scheduling conflict.[9]
★ Stephen Hawking, who played himself on the ''Next Generation'' episode "Descent".
★ Seth MacFarlane, creator of ''Family Guy''. Has embedded dozens of ''Star Trek'' references into that show, and twice guest starred on ''Enterprise''.
★ Eddie Murphy, who nearly starred in ''. When his million-dollar contract with Paramount Pictures arrived to be signed by Murphy, he delayed signing it for nearly an hour because he was so engrossed with an episode of the original series.[10]
★ Bryan Singer, director of The Usual Suspects, the first two X-Men films and Superman Returns. Singer had a brief cameo as a bridge officer in ''.
★ Brad Paisley, Country singer. William Shatner has been in several of his music videos.
1. The word "trekkie" is found in the ''Concise Oxford Dictionary''.
2. There is a character in the hit Broadway musical ''Avenue Q'' named Trekkie Monster who is obsessed, not with ''Star Trek'', but with internet porn.
3. "Judge Beams Trekkie Juror from Whitewater case", a CNN story from March 14, 1996
4. Interview with Mike Jerrick on Sci-Fi Channel's information fandom news series ''Sci-Fi Buzz''
5. Zoglin, Richard. "Trekking Onward", ''Time'', Nov 28 1994.
6. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/17/america/web.0117libby.php
7. http://temp.tehsuck.net/index.php?p=-6561071632411148077
8. Special Features. ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' Season 2 DVD Boxset.
9. Pascale, Anthony. "Grunberg: ‘Amazing Actors’ Want To Be In Star Trek XI". TrekMovie.com August 23, 2006. http://trekmovie.com/2006/08/23/gurnberg-amazing-actors-want-to-be-in-star-trek-xi/
10. Nimoy, Leonard. ''I Am Spock.'' 1995 mass market paperback edition: pp 257-258.
'Trekkie' (or 'Trekker') is a term used to describe a fan of all or part of the ''Star Trek'' fictional universe.[1]
"Trekkie", originally intended only to describe enthusiasts of ''Star Trek'', has sometimes been used to refer to any obsessed fan.[2]
| Contents |
| Origins |
| Trekkie v. Trekker |
| Connotations |
| Activities |
| Trekkie in the news |
| Parodies |
| Well-known Trekkies/Trekkers |
| References and footnotes |
Origins
In the late 1960s, science fiction editor Art Saha applied the term "trekkies" when he saw a few fans of the first season of ''Star Trek'' wearing pointy ears at a science convention. He used the term in an interview with Pete Hamill that Hamill was conducting for ''TV Guide'' concerning the phenomenon of science fiction.
When the media picked up on the word "Trekkies", some fans thought the term sounded too much like "Crazies". Self-identification as a "Trekkie" became even less popular in the late 1980s after a famous national television parody (see Parodies below); several self-described "Trekkers" were quoted as saying they "had a life" (contrasting themselves from "Trekkies").
Trekkie v. Trekker
Some Star Trek enthusiasts prefer the term "Trekkie", while some others self-identify as "Trekker". The Trekkie v. Trekker debate may mirror the Sci-Fi vs SF debate.
In the 1991 TV show ''Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special'', Leonard Nimoy attempts to settle the issue by stating that the term 'Trekker' is the correct one.
The issue is also shown in the film ''Trekkies 2'', in which a Star Trek fan recounts a supposed incident during a Star Trek convention where Gene Roddenberry used the term "trekkies" to describe fans of the show, only to be corrected by a fan that stood up and yelled "Trekkers!" Gene Roddenberry, allegedly, responded with "No, it's trekkies. I should know, I invented the thing."
Connotations
Some Trekkies hold that a "Trekker" is a "Trekkie" who is embarrassed at being considered a "Trekkie" (also portrayed by Real Life, a gaming webcomic). The classic stereotype is a clueless Trekkie walking around wearing rubber Spock ears and being held up to public ridicule for his obsession. "Trekker" is usually used as a term for the dedicated ''Star Trek'' fan with considerable knowledge of the show.
The term "Trekkie" is sometimes considered derogatory, perhaps because of a perceived parallel to the terms "groupie" or "hippie".
Some avoid the disagreement by referring to themselves as just "''Star Trek'' fans", or among themselves, as just "fans".
In the documentary ''Trekkies 2'', Kate Mulgrew stated that Trekkers are the ones "walking with us" while the Trekkies are the ones content to simply sit and watch Star Trek.
It has been mentioned by some fans that the difference between a Trekkie and a Trekker is that "a 'Trekker' is aware that ''Star Trek'' is simply a TV show and that they are passionate and appreciative of the show and its message" and that "a 'Trekkie' is someone without the ability to grasp the difference between the characters shown on screen versus the actors portraying them." Basically, what they are saying is that when something bad happens, a Trekker will call 911, a Trekkie will try to get help from Captain Kirk.
Others will say the opposite in that Trekkies dives deep into the specifics of Star Trek (technology, episodes, characters, etc.,) but Trekkers are focused on its philosophies and can sometimes not know when to stop.
Activities
Some Trekkies regularly attend ''Star Trek'' conventions (called "cons"), and are sometimes bitter rivals of hard core ''Star Wars'' fans. By analogy, ''Star Wars'' fans sometimes refer to themselves as "Warsies", and ''Mystery Science Theater 3000'' fans frequently refer to themselves as "MSTies".
Many Trekkies are perceived to believe that Star Trek is infallible and may be able to conjure up explanations for any plot holes which occur in the series. Trekkies also often own memorabilia such as replica props or blueprints and (pseudo-)technical manuals from the shows.
There are many Star Trek fan clubs, among the largest currently being STARFLEET International and the International Federation of Trekkers.
There is a persistent stereotype that amongst Trekkies there are many speakers of the constructed Klingon language. The reality is less clear-cut, as some of its most fluent speakers are more language aficionados than people obsessed with ''Star Trek''. Most Trekkies have no more than a basic vocabulary of Klingon, perhaps consisting of a few common words heard innumerable times over the series, while not having much knowledge of Klingon's syntax or precise phonetics.
Trekkie in the news
During the 1996 Whitewater controversy, a bookbindery employee named Barbara Adams served as an alternate juror. During the trial Adams wore a ''Star Trek''-inspired black and red Starfleet Command division uniform, including a badge, a phaser, and a tricorder.[3]
Adams was dismissed from the trial for conducting a sidewalk interview with the television program ''American Journal''.3 The major news media reported that she was dropped for wearing her Star Trek uniform to the trial.
Adams noted she was dropped because she talked to a reporter of ''America Journal'' about her Trek uniform and not anything about the trial.[4] Although nothing was deemed as a trial enclosure violation, the rule was clearly stated: no juror was to communicate with the press in any manner.
Adams stated the judge at the trial was supportive of her. She said she believed in the principles expressed in ''Star Trek'' and found it an alternative to "mindless television" because it promotes tolerance, peace, and faith in mankind.3
She subsequently appeared in the documentaries ''Trekkies'' and ''Trekkies 2''.
Parodies
In 1986 William Shatner performed in a famous sketch on ''Saturday Night Live''. He played himself at a ''Star Trek'' convention at which he told the Trekkies to "get a life". "For crying out loud," Shatner elaborated, "it was just a TV show!"[5] At one point, he asked Jon Lovitz' Trekkie character, whom he assumed to be almost 30 years old, if he had ever kissed a girl, at which the character sadly hung his head.
Trekkies have been parodied in several films, notably ''Galaxy Quest'', a science fiction comedy very obviously modeled on the ''Star Trek'' franchise. The main character Jason Nesmith, representing William Shatner, repeats Shatner's 1986 statement when an avid fan asks him about the operation of the fictional vessel.
One episode of ''Futurama'' called "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" was dedicated to parodying Trekkies by envisioning a scenario whereby a "space energy being" named "Melllvar" forces the original cast to endure a ''Star Trek'' convention for all eternity, much to the disgust of the cast.
The 1998 film ''Free Enterprise'' chronicled the lives of two men who grew up worshipping ''Star Trek'' and emulating Captain Kirk. Most of the movie centers on William Shatner, playing a parody of himself, and how the characters wrestle with their relationships to ''Star Trek''.
The Broadway musical ''Avenue Q'' partially parodies Trekkies through the inclusion of a character named, appropriately enough, Trekkie Monster.
A Trekkie featured in one episode of the television show ''The West Wing'', during which Josh Lyman confronts the temporary employee over her display of a Star Trek pin in the White House.
Well-known Trekkies/Trekkers
★ Bjo Trimble, who helped spearhead the letter writing campaign that convinced NBC to continue ''Star Trek'' for a third season.
★ Gabriel Köerner, a profilee in ''Trekkies'' who went on to guest star on ''The Drew Carey Show'' and as the "Star Trek Geek" on the game show ''Beat the Geeks'', and is currently a visual effects animator who has worked on Ronald D. Moore's ''Battlestar Galactica'' reboot.
★ Bob Rajic, who had cosmetic surgery to look like William Shatner and was the subject of the film ''Auto Destruct: One Man's Obsession with William Shatner''
★ Lewis "Scooter" Libby Yale classmate Donald Hindle said Libby had the "decidedly nonpolitical talent" of remembering and "knew all the titles, too."[6]
★ Oregon Congressional Representative David Wu delivered a heavily ''Trek''-infused speech to the House of Representatives on January 10, 2007.[7]
★ Abdullah II of Jordan is a ''Star Trek'' fan, and appeared in an episode of ''Star Trek Voyager''.[1]
★ Matt Stone and Trey Parker are ''Star Trek'' fans and have put many references to the franchise in ''South Park''.
★ Isaac Asimov, a close personal friend of Gene Roddenberry's.
★ Tom Bergeron, host of ''Hollywood Squares'' and ''America's Funniest Home Videos'', guest star on ''Enterprise''.
★ Whoopi Goldberg, who specifically requested a role in ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' because the character of Uhura inspired her early acting career.[8]
★ Tom Hanks, a fan since childhood. He was considered for the role of Zefram Cochrane in '', but had to turn it down due to a scheduling conflict.[9]
★ Stephen Hawking, who played himself on the ''Next Generation'' episode "Descent".
★ Seth MacFarlane, creator of ''Family Guy''. Has embedded dozens of ''Star Trek'' references into that show, and twice guest starred on ''Enterprise''.
★ Eddie Murphy, who nearly starred in ''. When his million-dollar contract with Paramount Pictures arrived to be signed by Murphy, he delayed signing it for nearly an hour because he was so engrossed with an episode of the original series.[10]
★ Bryan Singer, director of The Usual Suspects, the first two X-Men films and Superman Returns. Singer had a brief cameo as a bridge officer in ''.
★ Brad Paisley, Country singer. William Shatner has been in several of his music videos.
References and footnotes
1. The word "trekkie" is found in the ''Concise Oxford Dictionary''.
2. There is a character in the hit Broadway musical ''Avenue Q'' named Trekkie Monster who is obsessed, not with ''Star Trek'', but with internet porn.
3. "Judge Beams Trekkie Juror from Whitewater case", a CNN story from March 14, 1996
4. Interview with Mike Jerrick on Sci-Fi Channel's information fandom news series ''Sci-Fi Buzz''
5. Zoglin, Richard. "Trekking Onward", ''Time'', Nov 28 1994.
6. http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/17/america/web.0117libby.php
7. http://temp.tehsuck.net/index.php?p=-6561071632411148077
8. Special Features. ''Star Trek: The Next Generation'' Season 2 DVD Boxset.
9. Pascale, Anthony. "Grunberg: ‘Amazing Actors’ Want To Be In Star Trek XI". TrekMovie.com August 23, 2006. http://trekmovie.com/2006/08/23/gurnberg-amazing-actors-want-to-be-in-star-trek-xi/
10. Nimoy, Leonard. ''I Am Spock.'' 1995 mass market paperback edition: pp 257-258.
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psst.. try this: add to faves
