The Canadian cable network SPACE will pre-empt its previously scheduled programming next Saturday, November 12, to air a special tribute to Michael Piller, who passed away last Tuesday (related story). The seven-hour tribute will consist of episodes written by Piller for Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager and The Dead Zone.

The lineup begins at 10 a.m. Eastern Time with "The Best of Both Worlds, Part I" and "Part II," followed by "Death Wish" and "Tattoo," then three episodes of TDZ.

SPACE is an English-language national science fiction, science fact, speculation and fantasy channel. Visit www.spacecast.com for more information.

Nichols Honors Bradbury

UPDATE 11.14.05: The Planetary Society has posted an audio report of the event described below, with remarks by Nichelle Nichols, Ray Bradbury, Buzz Aldrin and others. Click here to listen.

Famed science fiction author Ray Bradbury — a friend of Gene Roddenberry's who's been recognized twice in the fictional world of Star Trek — will also receive a special tribute this Saturday. The Planetary Society will present the 85-year-old luminary with the Thomas O. Paine Award for the Advancement of Human Exploration of Mars, at the organization's 25th Anniversary Gala Awards Dinner on November 12.

Nichelle Nichols will be among those paying tribute to Bradbury at the dinner. In 2003 Nichols christened Bradbury an "honorary Enterprise crewman" at a birthday celebration also organized by the Planetary Society (related story). Saturday's program also includes astronaut Buzz Aldrin — a familiar face at Trek-related events — plus Ann Druyan, widow of Carl Sagan, and a host of other dignitaries.

"Bradbury has taken a generation of us to Mars through his writings," said Louis Friedman, executive director of the Planetary Society. "When the first men and women step onto Martian soil, they will be following his lead. Humanity will owe a debt of gratitude to Ray Bradbury for helping shape the vision that took us there."

The other honoree of the evening is director James Cameron, who will receive an award for "Outstanding Public Presentation of Science." Besides his credentials as a filmmaker, Cameron is a member of the NASA Advisory Council and an advocate of space exploration.

For more information about the awards dinner, visit this Planetary.org link. The event is semi-formal, but pricey — tickets are $250.

Reddick to Emcee Indiana Con

David Reddick, the cartoonist who provides this site with "The Trek Life" every week, has become a celebrity among fan circles. In fact, he is going to be the emcee at a Star Trek convention in Indiana.

The tenth Starbase Indy convention will take place Thanksgiving weekend, November 25-27, in Indianapolis, and Reddick will host all three days. Other special guests include Dominic Keating, Max Grodénchik, Aron Eisenberg, Chase Masterson, Vaughn Armstrong, and many others. A highlight for Reddick should be the presence of Menina Fortunato, an Orion Slave Girl from "Bound" who's been depicted in his comic strip.

Visit www.starbaseindy.com for more information.

Takei Continues to Make News

Since George Takei came out of the closet two weeks ago to declare publicly that he is gay (related story), a few Star Trek fans have been shocked by the news, but a majority have accepted it "with the respect for diversity that devotees say is the hallmark of the sci-fi series," according to an article published by the Los Angeles Times.

"Reaction on the Internet included shock and tasteless jokes, as well as praise and good wishes that Takei live long and prosper," reports staff writer Lynn Smith.

The article quotes Adam Malin of Creation Entertainment, producer of the official Trek conventions in Pasadena, Las Vegas and other venues. "People in the Star Trek fan universe are extremely accepting," Malin says. "We all love George." Malin adds that the late Gene Roddenberry "certainly believed in accepting all kinds of gender orientation. He stated that clearly."

The story emphasizes that part of Takei's motivation for coming out is to speak up about initiatives that would limit gay rights. In the Frontiers magazine article where he makes his revelation, Takei blasts California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as "a dangerous politician."

"The governor's office declined to comment," the Times adds.

The whole article can be found at this LATimes.com link, but it requires a subscription. An abridged version of the article can be found without restriction at this link.

One of the many jokes riding the bandwagon is an article from TheSpoof.com claiming that Takei has been chosen by Vice President Dick Cheney to replace his indicted chief of staff Scooter Libby. In that parody, when President Bush is cornered over the scandals rocking the White House, he turns to Takei and says, "Beam me up, Sulu."