Q: Do you think that "Nemesis" is going to be the best movie of all the TNG movies?
madmanfrommars

LeVar Burton: Well, I think "First Contact" will be pretty hard to beat and I'm optimistic that this will at least be on par with "First Contact," simply in terms of the storytelling.

Q: LeVar, what was it like as an experience, playing on The Weakest Link? I was in the audience and would like to know.
lieutenantvirak

LB: (laughs) That was a fun evening. It was great to showcase some of the brain power of the Star Trek cast. Going up against Picardo in the final round was really nerve-wracking.

Q: What was it like working with newcomer Tom Hardy?
admiral10101

LB: I didn't work with Tom. We had no actual scenes together, but he was great when he first came over. He's a real nice guy. Very easygoing.

Q: Mr. Burton, how was your directing experience on Enterprise and how do you feel about the latest series in general?
taalsurak

LB: I like Enterprise a lot. I had a great time directing and have back-to-back episodes coming up this February and early March.

Q: Hi from Croatia! Mr. Burton, I'm watching The Next Generation from the first episode, and I can't imagine you as anyone else but the engineer. My question is: what would you like to be except that? What about the captain of some starship?
hrki_98

LB: What about the captain? (laughs) I'm pretty comfortable being in charge of the power of the Enterprise. That's where the juice is.

Q: Why was it decided to get rid of Geordi's VISOR after "Star Trek Generations," when the VISOR became such a defining part of Geordi's personality?
adamki2000

LB: It was just time to get rid of the VISOR. Rick [Berman] and I had many conversations about it and we agreed it was about time.

Q:Did you study a lot before going on The Weakest Link?
sk

LB: No. I don't think you can study for game shows. It's not like you get the questions in advance. You've just got to show up and see what happens.

Q: Do you still do Reading Rainbow?
fierokid88

LB: Yes, we are. In fact, the four episodes that aired this past September were episodes that marked our 19th season on the air.

Q In my childhood, I remember you did a children's show called Reading Rainbow. More recently, I've seen you direct some Star Trek episodes, and I seem to recall some other things you've directed. Do you find one genre/role more fulfilling than any other?
mabman

LB: One of the things I like about my career is the diversity of projects I can address myself to. I love directing, and acting was my first love. And being part of a show like Reading Rainbow fulfills me in areas that the others just don't. I like having options, variety.

Q: How big of an effect has working with the cast of Star Trek: TNG on the series and movies had on your life?
MarkP

LB: Over the years, we've all become very, very close. And I feel like I have life-long friendships as a result of Star Trek. You can't put a price on that.

Q: Have you written any Star Trek scripts, novels or stories, and if not, would you like to?
comicsfan2001

LB: I've never written for Star Trek. Writing is something that I really enjoy doing, but I haven't done it for Star Trek. Not that I won't someday, but I just haven't.

Q: What was one of your favorite moments working on TNG?
katemulgrew_rules31

LB: Having Stephen Hawking come on the set was cool. Colin Powell came to visit when he was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. I think it was the sixth season that the Dalai Lama came on the set with some monks.

Q: Mr. Burton, I just wanted to tell you, I have enjoyed watching many of your films. I have had a crush on you for a long time. Now my 14-year-old daughter has a crush on you, too! Isn't that awesome?
doc_crusher

LB: (laughs) I'm flattered and honored. And married!

Q: LeVar, do you have any aspirations to direct a Star Trek feature, following in the footsteps of Jonathan Frakes, as you did in directing the series?
stevekrutzler

LB: Sure! I would be pleased to.

Q: Is this going to be the last movie for TNG?
hippyman01

LB: That's what the advertising says ...

Q: Feel like sharing any anecdotes that happened on set?
rchahal2003

LB: The bridge set was built on a collapsing balloon, so sometimes it was like walking on a huge waterbed to take our positions. Some were able to balance better than others — no names.

Q: What was it like working with Stuart Baird?
quebec

LB: Stuart didn't know much about Star Trek when he first got there. So he had a pretty intense time getting up to speed with the universe of Trek, in addition to prepping a major motion picture. He did a really remarkable job. Sometimes it was a little frustrating having the guy at the helm not really be familiar with the universe, but after all is said and done, he had a very specific vision, and he was able to get that vision on film, to his credit.

Q: LeVar, what was it like directing the "Timeless" Voyager episode? Did you enjoy it?
ronnie1of1

LB: A lot of fun! Being asked to direct the 100th episode of Voyager was a great honor. Brannon [Braga] wrote a great script and we had a lot of fun shooting it.

Q: What was Gene Roddenberry like?
robomaker

LB: Gene was a great guy. And a real visionary.

Q: What is your favorite Star Trek episode, Mr. Burton?
defdude8010

LB: Wow. I think my favorite episode of the Original Series was "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield," where there was one guy that was half black and half white, and one that was half white and half black.

Q: LeVar, what was John Logan like on set, being a Star Trek fan himself?
matt_lines

LB: I love John Logan. He's not only a great writer, he's a real gentleman. There was a real sense of security knowing that John loves Trek as much as he does, and that the script couldn't have been in better hands. I think John's presence in the equation gave all of the cast members a sense that they could relax, knowing that the writing was handled.

Q: Will there ever be a La Forge Maneuver?
hod_qheldar

LB: Well, I think there is one. But we've been keeping it a secret.

Q: How did you keep a straight face during the comedy scenes with Brent "Data" Spiner? That must have been difficult.
buster70

LB: It was difficult. We didn't always keep straight faces on the set. There's a lot of film floating around somewhere with all of us laughing. I'm surprised it hasn't shown up on eBay.

Q: Hi, Mr. Burton! Is your relationship with Brent Spiner anything like the relationship between Geordi and Data?
robinleffler

LB: Brent and I are pretty close. I think the two relationships mirror each other in many ways.

Q: How do you do that whistle thing? I've tried, I just can't do it.
silvia929

LB: What is "the whistle thing?" I've been accused of many things, but never "The Whistle Thing."

Q: Were there any practical jokes played on last day of filming?
yogurt_the_schwartz_master

LB:I wasn't around for the last day of filming. I was filming all my scenes in January and February and then I was off to Canada to shoot my first movie.

Star Trek Host: First movie? Tell us more about this first movie!

LB: It stars Christopher Plummer, Brenda Blethyn, Kevin Pollack, and Whoopi Goldberg as the voice of Blizzard.

Q: Mr. Burton, how did you become an actor?
milkydj

LB: I moved to Southern California in 1974 with a scholarship to study theater at USC. As a sophomore, I got cast in my first job on a mini-series for ABC called Roots.

Q: Have you had any particularly strange experiences with over-enthusiastic Trek fans?
angrytexan

LB: I've been asked to sign some very odd things. Including body parts.

Q: What is the name of your movie?
treker81

LB: "Blizzard."

Q: How did you feel when TNG's last episode aired?
borg_8_of_9

LB: Exhausted! (laughs)

Q: How was it working with Ms. Goldberg again?
qlotti

LB: I love Whoopi. Working with her is a joy. It's also very demanding. She's a good friend, and she always comes through.

Q: What projects are you planning on next, Mr. Burton?
startrekfan87

LB: Well, I'm looking forward to coming back to Enterprise after the first of the year. I'm really taking time off right now to enjoy the holidays and be with my family. I was gone most of last year, up in Canada shooting "Blizzard." So I'm just taking my time right now.

Q: How big of an impact do you think "Nemesis" will have on the fans?
borg_8_of_9

LB: I just hope they enjoy it. I know how important it is for the studio to broaden the audience of the Trek films. But I hope, at its core, it's a satisfying experience for the fans.

Q: We are very excited to see "Nemesis" next week, especially as Geordi is one of our favorite characters. We were wondering if you will be making any convention appearances again. Thanks!
Mary Jo, John and Nicholas

LB: I imagine I will. I have no convention appearances scheduled at this time, but that could change at any time.

Q: Mr. Burton, your name is quite unique. Is there a story behind the name LeVar?
barclay11001001

LB: My name is actually LeVardis. It's a family name.

Q: What is "Blizzard" about?
frb57

LB: It's a story about the most magical of Santa's reindeer, and her life-long friendship with a young girl. It's a story about the power of selfless love.

Q: Do you have any suggestions for people who want to get involved in moviemaking, either in front of or behind the camera?
cybertrekker

LB: You need to believe in yourself, and know in your heart that dreams really do come true.

Q: Mr. Burton, can you give us some inside information on "Nemesis?"
borg_8_of_9

LB: Are you ready? Here it is: The universe is in grave danger. And the intrepid crew of the Enterprise comes to save the day.

Star Trek Host: Please say goodbye and thank Mr. Burton for joining us!

Thank you, Mr. Burton. God bless you and yours!
ensignsunburn

I LOVE YOU LEVAR!!!!
trekkiechick

Thank you, Mr. Burton! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
ens_garnoopy

Nice talking to you Mr. Burton! Thanks for spending time here with us! :-)
borg_8_of_9

bye, levardis burton
captain_kang__of_the_uss_armageddon

You are the greatest, thank you for talking with us!
trumpett

Bye and Qapla'!
iceplanetzeo

LB: Qapla' ... you do, and you clean it up. Thanks everybody! Go see the movie! Don't forget to take your friends and family. What the hell, take people you don't even like! Happy Holidays everybody!

Star Trek Host: Thank you for joining us today!