A little over a month ago
George Takei filmed an episode of
Will & Grace, and we reported that it would air on April 13 (
related story). That schedule has changed, however, and we just learned that the episode in question will run this Thursday night, March 30, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on NBC. Set your TiVo's and VCRs!
Takei makes a cameo appearance playing himself as a guest on a gay-themed talk show hosted by Jack McFarland (Sean Hayes) on the fictional "OutTV" network. A "Sulu" action figure plays a role in the segment, and Takei told us that "something interesting" will happen to that doll.
The principal guest star of the episode is Britney Spears, whose character is described as "a vitriolic right-winger who's brought in to co-host Jack's talk show after a conservative conglomerate takes over OutTV." Comedian Wanda Sykes is another guest star. This is one of the final episodes of the long-running sitcom.
In related news just announced today, Takei will engage in a speaking tour next month as part of the Human Rights Campaign's "Coming Out Project." He will speak in six cities — Philadelphia, Baltimore, Minneapolis, Madison, Phoenix and Denver — about issues close to him. The following is a press release from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC):
'Star Trek' Star and Human Rights Campaign Team Up for "Equality Trek"
George Takei, Mr. Sulu, Will Embark on Nationwide Speaking Tour to Promote Dialogue on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Americans
WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign announced today that George Takei, Star Trek's Mr. Sulu, will embark on a nation wide speaking tour through six cities, speaking about his life as a gay Japanese American, and encouraging others to share their stories. Takei will also serve as a spokesman for HRC's Coming Out Project throughout the tour and beyond. Takei made international headlines last fall when he announced to the press that he and his partner Brad Altman have been together for nearly twenty years.
"For 40 years, George Takei has beamed into living rooms through the television sets of generations of Americans. His unique role in pop culture history will help him reach new audiences with messages of understanding," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "We are tremendously excited to officially and publicly welcome George and his partner Brad into the Human Rights Campaign family."
As a child, George Takei and his family were held in American Internment camps during World War Two because of their Japanese ancestry — even though George and his mother were born on American soil and his father came to the U.S. as a child. Takei will speak on the tour about the ways that his life has been touched by both discrimination and by the healing that takes place when prejudice is replaced with understanding and open communication.
"In my own life, I have felt the discrimination that used to separate Japanese Americans from the rest of the country melt away," said Takei. "I believe that by sharing our stories GLBT [gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender] Americans can break down the walls that separate us and help build a more understanding and truly diverse nation for us all."
Takei has been increasingly in the public eye speaking on GLBT issues since coming out in the press, and will appear on NBC's "Will & Grace," this Thursday, March 30th.
The national speaking tour is set to kick off on April 10th. The dates and locations of the tour are:
April 10th – University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
April 11th – Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
April 17th – University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
April 18th – University of Wisconsin, Madison, Madison, WI
Two additional dates in Phoenix and Denver will be announced shortly.
The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender political organization with members throughout the country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest and safe at home, at work and in the community.
