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Last weekend, the Comikaze Expo made its debut at the Los Angeles Convention Center. The guest list included such sci-fi and genre stars as Star Trek: Voyager’s Garrett Wang, Tim Russ, Robert Picardo and Jennifer Lein, Star Trek: The Next Generation‘s Marina Sirtis, comic book legend Stan Lee, Elvira, Battlestar Galactica‘s Richard Hatch, TV legend Ernest Borgnine, Star Wars‘ Mark Hamill and several more.
Aside from a few small hiccups, the Comikaze Expo appeared to run very smoothly — especially impressive for a first-time event.
As scheduled, at 5 PM on Saturday, the Star Trek panel kicked off with Garrett Wang, who was later joined by Original Series guest stars Bobby Clark and Celeste Yarnall. Wang, who was in high spirits, told the standing-room only crowd that Tim Russ and Marina Sirtis would not be joining them, as they had already left the building.
While fans seemed somewhat disappointed that some of the advertised stars wouldn’t be at the panel, Wang, Clark and Yarnell made the best of the situation and took audience questions for the next hour.
Celeste Yarnall, Garrett Wang and Bobby Clark
When asked about the criticism of Voyager, Wang told the audience that the actors who played human roles were told to “play down their emotions,” to allow for the alien characters to “feel more real.”
Wang said he continuously told Voyager producers that the show needed more action and more comedy.
“Once Berman was out of there, Paramount fires him and J.J. Abrams comes in to take over the helm and you watch the new reboot film. What is that movie? More action and comedy. There’s excellent funny moments and it’s a blockbuster movie.” said Wang.
Voyager’s Garrett Wang
“I absolutely adored that film” Wang said of of the reboot. “Aside from the timeline getting screwed over” he added.
Wang said that none of the Voyager actors were invited to the premier of J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek film.
“I just gave you seven years of my life. You think I can get an invite to the damn premier? No.” he remarked.
Wang went on to say he’d love to be a part of a new Star Trek series, but isn’t sure how much of a reality that would be. He said his idea for a new Star Trek series would be “basically the TV show Scrubs in space,” which he said would take the franchise towards a comedic angle. “Maybe I should pitch that myself and become the new Rick Berman,” he joked.
Celeste Yarnall who played Yeoman Martha Landon on Star Trek: The Original Series
Celeste Yarnall, who played Yeoman Martha Landon in the Original Series discussed Star Trek‘s impact on society, saying “What Gene Roddenberry, in my opinion, created was the new mythology of the 21st century.”
Yarnall discussed William Shatner flirting on the set of Star Trek, saying “I can describe it in one word. Relentless.”
Wang, who outed himself as a “big sci-fi fan,” talked about his Voyager co-star, Robert Beltran’s lack of genre knowledge, saying he has “no knowledge at all of anything sci-fi. I love him to death, but his sci-fi IQ is negative.”
As the conversation shifted to the topic of William Shatner, Bobby Clark noted Shatner’s tendancy to mess up lines, while filming episodes of Start Trek.
Wang chimed in, saying “I also heard he stole everybody’s lines too.”
Wang said he met William Shatner for the first time last year.
“I was at the Tulsa Trek Expo, I was in the green room, so this is a backstage room where only the actors are. So I walked up to him and said ‘Mr. Shatner, I finally get to meet you.’ [Shatner’s handshake] it was limp wristed, he gave me this, like he was the Queen of England or something. So he gives me that, then in the middle of the handshake, he looks away, then he pulls his hand away and he wipes it off on his shirt, right in front of me.”
“All I saw was red” Wang recalled. “You know what? God help me, I want to punch his fat belly right now. I was so mad.” I want to tell you guys, I love Captain Kirk, but I fricken’ cannot stand William Shatner. I’m gonna say that right now”
“That is no way to treat someone,” Wang added.
Wang went on to discuss Shatner’s dismissive attitude toward Star Trek fans at conventions, saying Shatner should at least make eye contact with the fan if you’re charging them $90 for an autograph. “Without the [Star Trek] fans here, there would be nothing. It’s you guys that make this thing roll.” Wang said.
Bobby Clark who played the Gorn on the Original Series
Carel Struycken who played Mr. Homn on Star Trek: The Next Generation
For additional photos from the 2011 Comikaze Expo, visit TrekNews.net on Facebook.
Rapidfire
November 7, 2011 at 6:07 pm
“I want to punch his fat belly right now.” Whoa!
Old Trekker
November 7, 2011 at 6:08 pm
LOL. Garrett is great.
L K
January 5, 2012 at 10:13 pm
yes i loved him the first time i saw him @FEDCON:disqus ! 😀
Old Trekker
November 7, 2011 at 6:08 pm
Also, Celeste Yarnall still looks great!
John The Trekkie
November 8, 2011 at 4:12 am
Great pics!
Muldfeld
November 9, 2011 at 5:41 am
Amen on Shatner being an unconscionable prick. He thinks he’s royalty at conventions. In Toronto, he pre-signed items for people to buy, so they couldn’t even meet him and have a few words. A worthless human being.
L K
January 5, 2012 at 10:15 pm
yé to bad he spoils it for fans that shatner 🙁 bus lenard nemoy is great 😀
Don Coupez
August 22, 2019 at 8:31 pm
Muld, let it go. William Shatner is quite old and sick of the conventions. He doesn’t need the money and shows up because the promoters beg him to come. You don’t know him. This aloof behavior is nothing new to mega stars, they never get any peace from obsessive demanding fans. You read crap from George Takei who after 50 years harbors resentment because he wasn’t the star of the show, a small, angry, childish man and you judge Shatner. You have no idea what’s it’s like to live a lifetime of people hounding you day and night because you’re famous.
Danpaine
November 9, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Honestly, they all sound quite bitter.
Saquist
May 2, 2015 at 4:13 pm
Sounds just REAL to me.
Many people would have this perspective if treated this way. Few of us if any are saints and bitterness at poor treat is generally common among people I know.
Sebastian
November 9, 2011 at 4:35 pm
Shatner should at least make eye contact with the fan if you’re charging them $90 for an autograph. “Without the [Star Trek] fans here, there would be nothing. It’s you guys that make this thing roll.” Wang said.
Couldn’t agree more, Garrett. 😉
Wrsandersiii
November 9, 2011 at 5:42 pm
Awwwwww pooR Wang LET IT GO!!!
Buzz Cagney
November 9, 2011 at 8:46 pm
Wang. That name is sooo funny. You really should wash your hands after touching a wang.
Shatner simply doesn’t give a toss about these nobodies. I think thats rather funny myself.
Buzz Cagney
November 9, 2011 at 8:48 pm
Wait one moment…. there was a man inside that Gorn? Never. I don’t believe it.
Redplanet4961
December 21, 2011 at 8:36 pm
I guess that Gorm ate ‘im up!! LOL
Redplanet4961
December 21, 2011 at 8:37 pm
oops typo Gorn
helixrose
November 10, 2011 at 12:09 am
I
never have reasonable expectations of human behavior from actors LOL My first experience with an ambitious actor- and this
was in a small community theater!- after being cast in a play with him
was looking me up and down and saying “I’ll f*uck you. I’ll push you
right out the door. I’m #1 here.” NO lie. Actors are a weird lot.
Nothing they do surprises me, but that’s only because I’m one of them!Yeah,
in the acting game you have no choice but to laugh each other off and
shine as bright as you can, brighter than people around you. That’s the only way to survive. I wish Garret the best of luck!
helixrose
November 10, 2011 at 12:43 am
In conclusion, acting favors the survival of the most cut-throat. You can imagine what those who have reached the top of the pile are like!
Spoli
November 10, 2011 at 12:09 am
Talk about a Loser Panel. The guy in the Gorn rubber suit? Really? WGAS! The Yeoman in 1 episode with 3 lines? And Wang appropriately named, what a Bitch! He would’nt have a job w/o the Shat. To those in this audience Get a Frickin Life!!!!
murt
November 10, 2011 at 1:51 am
Ya it’s definitely likely that the Shat is an a$$hole, but really that’s a big assumption to make by Wang after just one encounter. Maybe Shat was distracted by something else when he met Wang – or maybe Wang’s hand was sweaty! Wang had a pretty violent reaction to a fairly benign encounter….
Red Dead Ryan
November 10, 2011 at 5:53 am
I guess Garrett Wang is George Takei’s protege!
So William Shatner ain’t perfect. So what? That’s no excuse for this clown to say how he’d like to punch the 80 year old in the gut. Sheesh! This coming from a third rate “actor” who can’t find work outside of emceeing/ushering at conventions because all of the studios know he has NO TALENT, unlike the man Wang decided to swipe at!
Praxis
November 15, 2011 at 12:10 am
Enmity Mine
LG
November 16, 2011 at 8:11 am
I have a lot of respect for Garrett. I was at the 2008 Las Vegas convention and had a rather unpleasant experience with Rene Auberjonois. My mom (the amazing person she is) stopped to talk to Garrett at a meet-and-greet dessert party. He was super pleasant and she explained that I was feeling down and asked if he would mind saying something to me. Not only did he say something, he sat down with us and we had a good visit for at least 15 minutes. He was very kind and did everything he could to cheer me up and it worked. I will never forget it.
I was never a fan of his character and Voyager was not my favorite, but I’m definitely a fan of Garrett after seeing what a kind person he is.
Fox Mulder
November 18, 2011 at 8:24 am
Out of curiosity, what exactly happened during your experience with Rene Auberjonois? I always thought he was good with fans.
LG
December 5, 2011 at 9:11 pm
We were the last in line for his autograph and we barely made it because we’d been in another autograph line. He was very frustrated and made a comment to the effect of, “Yes, yes, there are always more!” He was unfortunately very rude and abrasive.
I try not to hold it against him too much because I understand what a drain conventions must be on them, especially since he’s older. Still, it was surprising and disappointing as I have always adored Odo and appreciated his work on Boston Legal.
L K
January 5, 2012 at 10:21 pm
i know all about those lines!!! it verry dificuld even @ the “boekenbeurs” in @antwerp i hate it sow understand!
L K
January 5, 2012 at 10:22 pm
thanks for sharing this with us!
L K
January 5, 2012 at 10:20 pm
i did saw Rene once to can’t complain about him …
speedo2491
December 15, 2011 at 8:47 pm
I can’t believe how fat Garrett Wang has become…
L K
January 5, 2012 at 10:24 pm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borderline_personality_disorder i am a borderline person so i know what it is like, many actors are borderline, drinking drugs buy and menny more addictions!
L K
January 5, 2012 at 10:12 pm
thanks for sharing the Shatner incident 😀 i loved to hear tis from a fellow star trek actor!!!
Belanna
January 31, 2012 at 10:44 pm
interesting.
but Garett sounds negative and bitter…
Rachel
February 29, 2012 at 6:53 pm
Garrett’s cool. 😀
AJT
April 25, 2012 at 10:47 am
I went to my first convention about 12 years ago. Garrett Wang and Tim Russ were there. I was only 15 at the time — no job, no disposable income, so the $25 entrance fee already seemed like a huge expense and I didn’t have anything left over to spend on photos. When I went to get their autographs, I used my program for the day. Garrett Wang was an absolute delight, all smiles and very hospitable. When I passed my program over to Tim Russ, however, he kind of paused and then looked up at me and then paused again and kind of rolled his eyes and muttered something along the lines of “You want me to sign this?” I was completely mortified!
I’m sure he was exhausted and all, but it’s not like I did anything overt to annoy him. Plus, Russ is hardly a living legend or anything, so why the ego? Anyway, to this day I think of Garrett Wang as being one of the good ones!
Trekshop
July 25, 2012 at 3:42 pm
Hello everyone. This is my first post EVER to any kind of online board. I’m 44 and been a Trek fan since I was 11 years old. I went to my first ST convention last year (2011) in Vegas with my 15 year old son. It was amazing! We had a fantastic time. I must say, I always used to think that Shatner was a complete jerk, but in recent years, he seems to have realized that it’s all went to his head and he kind of makes light of himself now. I like this change in attitude, because yes, actors are definitely full of themselves – why else would they be actors?! One thing that really took both my son and myself by complete surprise and terrible disappointment was Patrick Stewart. We were SO looking forward to our photo with him. I respect personal space, and I can understand the actors not wanting to shake every single hand that is offered to them, but guess what happen to us fans waiting in line before Mr. Stewart ever made his appearance? The convention stewards made an announcement to everyone at the top of the session, then continued to remind every patron as their turn drew nearer that we were absolutely NOT to touch Mr. Stewart in ANY way or to SPEAK to him whatsoever! WTF?! Seriously? Like I said, I get the personal space thing, and one annoucement would’ve sufficed, but to constantly remind us like we were a bunch of kinderkids?! Patrick Stewart’s body language reflected the constant announcements too – he was cold, arms tucked in tight, no eye contact, stood straight and made no movements away from his “mark” on the floor.
Trekshop
July 25, 2012 at 3:43 pm
Hello everyone. This is my first post EVER to any kind of online board. I’m 44 and been a Trek fan since I was 11 years old. I went to my first ST convention last year (2011) in Vegas with my 15 year old son. It was amazing! We had a fantastic time. I must say, I always used to think that Shatner was a complete jerk, but in recent years, he seems to have realized that it’s all went to his head and he kind of makes light of himself now. I like this change in attitude, because yes, actors are definitely full of themselves – why else would they be actors?! One thing that really took both my son and myself by complete surprise and terrible disappointment was Patrick Stewart. We were SO looking forward to our photo with him. I respect personal space, and I can understand the actors not wanting to shake every single hand that is offered to them, but guess what happen to us fans waiting in line before Mr. Stewart ever made his appearance? The convention stewards made an announcement to everyone at the top of the session, then continued to remind every patron as their turn drew nearer that we were absolutely NOT to touch Mr. Stewart in ANY way or to SPEAK to him whatsoever! WTF?! Seriously? Like I said, I get the personal space thing, and one annoucement would’ve sufficed, but to constantly remind us like we were a bunch of kinderkids?! Patrick Stewart’s body language reflected the constant announcements too – he was cold, arms tucked in tight, no eye contact, stood straight and made no movements away from his “mark” on the floor.
Russ Maher
January 29, 2016 at 8:23 pm
I’m trying not to sound like a total d**k, but do you realize how sad it is for a 44 year old man to go to a ST convention? It’s one thing to be a fan and want to see your heroes in your teenage years, but this kind of obsession in a grown-ass man is truly pathetic, dude. I’m sure the actors feel the same way, and that might explain their appalling behavior.
Kenny Hensley
February 16, 2016 at 10:04 pm
Sorry, dude…fail. You sound like a total dick. Nothing wrong with it. Everyone needs a hero…
ben franklin [pre death]
August 25, 2016 at 2:45 pm
Ugh, you are the worst, Russ. You weren’t trying hard enough because you sound exactly like a total d**k and the kind of person I would like to slap. Going to a convention, in no way, represents any kind of “obsession”. Since you seem so bent on judgement, I’ve judged you to be an immature little coward and I would like to challenge you to a bat’leth duel.
Maverick
January 10, 2017 at 6:56 am
You weren’t trying to sound like a total d-ck, but you achieved it anyways. There’s nothing wrong or pathetic for a 44-year-old man to attend a convention to enjoy a show he liked. Star Trek targets a wide demographic. It isn’t targeting teenagers, but anyone who enjoys the show.
And there’s nothing particularly “obsessive” about attending an event designed for a bit of fun. There are some obsessive fans out there, but it doesn’t describe most who attend conventions. They’re generally just ordinary people who are fans of a fun franchise, and like to see the stars in personal, just like anyone else would like to see stars of their favorite entertainment.
It’s no different than sports fans attending to get an autograph from athletes, or people tuning in to watch award shows (indirectly, but still, the same principle). In any case, actors have to deal with all sorts of people at conventions, but that’s no excuse to treat people with disrespect indiscriminately.
Annoying fans exist with any sort of entertainment, and conventions can be wearisome, but it’s an optional event to attend. And general displays of snobbery is unwarranted, regardless. These people made your rich and famous. If you’re going to attend a convention, at least a little respect is due to them.
Don Coupez
August 22, 2019 at 8:31 pm
Russ, rather judgemental aren’t you. I’m over 60 and I plan to go to a ST convention when possible. I’ll be a fan until I die. If that makes me pathetic in your eyes I’ll just have to live with the pain of your disdain, oh the humanity. Go hug a puppy, let it lick your face.
Maverick
January 10, 2017 at 6:49 am
“I like this change in attitude, because yes, actors are definitely full of themselves – why else would they be actors?!”
That’s a pretty big and crude assumption. Someone becomes an actor because they like acting. Doesn’t indicate what kind of person they are, except that, in the least, they like to act.
There are plenty of actors who are full of themselves, but there are actors out there who are pleasant, humble, down-to-Earth, and even outgoing. I hear Tom Hanks is as nice as they come.
evelyn raymond
July 28, 2012 at 5:44 pm
very funny Mr Wang but I totally agree the worst thing an actor can do is be dismissive of his fans without the fans where would the actor be Mr Shatner ought to be kissing the fans posteriors after all if it wasn’t for us he would probably not have had much of a career
Bryan Mayer26
August 8, 2012 at 12:29 am
My opinion on Garrett has changed, I must say. I’m going through the Voyager series now and I got so frustrated with him — I suspected there was more to the problem then ‘just bad acting’. Glad I did a little research… (and I agree with you on Shatner, going to kill you about the ‘scrubs in space’ idea though!)
And as a side note, I can TOTALLY see what you said about Robert.. lmfao. I love you Garrett! 😀
Efreet
September 9, 2016 at 12:45 am
almost nothing could make me not like the guy, but that is fairly absentmindedly rude. he’s in his mid 80s though, so… they get a bit of a pass…
James McConnell
June 14, 2017 at 11:04 am
I really respect actors like Garrett Wang, that realize; hey the fans are the ones that make us famous, without them, we are not going anywhere in our careers!
Rick Avery
August 17, 2017 at 2:39 pm
I went to the Trek convention in Vegas last week and Garrett Wang came and sat down at our table he seems like a great person and I really enjoyed talking with him. I never liked Cpt Kirks character and for him to be that rude to an obviously nice person like Garrett makes me like Shatner even less. He missed out on meeting a great person. His loss Garrett.
john poon
January 23, 2018 at 11:48 am
Would have to agree with him, meet shatner yrs ago in a star trek conference and he showed nothing but discontent towards star trek and fans.Very disrespectful
Don Coupez
August 22, 2019 at 8:31 pm
I’ve always liked the original Star Trek cast, especially William Shatner, he made that show successful. His acting was superb, he made it all seem real. As a 14 year old boy I loved that show, Shatner was exciting to watch, great memories of those times. He’s not perfect, nobody is, he’s given his life to entertaining us and he’s done a damn good job of it. After 87 years people need to cut him some slack.