Sorry we've fallen behind on our news lately, but we've been working hard to get our new site launched! Now that we have some breathing room, here are some Showbiz tidbits from the last couple of weeks.

Rainbow Goes On

LeVar Burton's ("Geordi La Forge") Reading Rainbow has racked up yet another award, taking home the Television Critics Association Award for best kids' programming. Even better, Burton said that the show, which has faced an uncertain future as of late, seems likely to continue. According to Variety, Burton noted that Congress is earmarking specific funds for the program.

Piller Pens Horse Pilot

According to Variety, The WB has ordered a pilot script from Lions Gate TV and former Trek exec producer Michael Piller. The script will focus on a teenage girl who becomes involved in horse racing. Interest in the project may be due to the success of the horse-oriented feature film "Seabiscuit."

Chase Chairs Mania Fest

Get ready for Mania Fest, the world's first major genre film festival. The four day event will take place September 18-21 in Santa Monica, California and will be produced by Mania Entertainment in association with Cinescape magazine. Trek's own Chase Masterson ("Leeta") serves as festival chairwoman. For more info on the festival, check out Mania Fest's official site which includes a note from Masterson.

Picard and Guinan in "Racing Stripes"

According to Variety, Patrick Stewart ("Jean-Luc Picard") and Whoopi Goldberg ("Guinan") will lend their voices to "Racing Stripes," a live action/CG feature film from Alcon Entertainment. The movie is about a baby zebra (voice of Frankie Muniz) who grows up believing he's a racehorse. It begins principal photography on September 15 in South Africa and will be released on January 14, 2005.

Whoopi as Archie Bunker

Speaking of Goldberg, her new NBC series is set to bow this fall. According to Variety, Goldberg said the show will address heavy issues, such as terrorism, with humor. "We are going to tackle as many things as we can," she said, speaking at the Television Critics Association press tour. "People may not like it, but they will talk about it, kind of like 'Archie Bunker 2003.'" In Whoopi, Goldberg plays ex-diva Mavis Rae, a hotel owner who smokes, drinks and has strong opinions about everything. The sitcom will air Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

Did You See... George Takei Face 'Lady One Question'?

A full year ago, the director's cut of "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" premiered at the Paramount Theater, and those of us in the lineup of press people at the red carpet noticed a rather odd Asian lady there who was more than casually determined to speak with George Takei ("Hikaru Sulu"). We didn't think much of it at the time, but we did notice that her interview with him went rather awkwardly. Now we know why. That was "Lady One Question" from Fox's weird new interactive game show Banzai, which just premiered a few weeks ago. For last Sunday's show (July 27), Takei was the butt of a recurring gag whereby "Lady," acting like a reporter, asks a celebrity one question, and when he finishes answering it, she just keeps the mike in his face and says nothing else. The challenge for the viewer is to guess how long the celebrity will keep talking until he gives up and walks away. In Takei's case, he was earnestly answering a question about how Star Trek has impacted his life and the world, then he looks to her for a followup. She just stares at him. "Yes?" he prompts. "You're frowning. You're puzzled. (laughs) What? What puzzles you? Is that it? Okay!" He laughs and finally walks away. Official result: 46.0 seconds.

Takei Appears at Charity Event

And speaking of Takei ... According to The Hollywood Reporter, The Hollywood Foreign Press Association handed out $601,500 to charities associated with film at a recent Beverly Hills Hotel lunch. Takei was on hand to accept a check for $25,000 on behalf of the Los Angeles Conservancy's Last Remaining Seats program. The Los Angeles Conservancy is a historic preservation organization dedicated to the preservation of the architectural and cultural heritage of Los Angeles. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is perhaps best known for putting on the Golden Globes every year.

Trek Alums Run for SAG Office

Several Trek alums have thrown their names in the hat for the Screen Actors Guild's upcoming elections. Rene Auberjonois ("Odo") is running for a board seat, while board incumbent Robert Duncan McNeill ("Tom Paris") is seeking re-election. As previously reported, James Cromwell ("Zefram Cochrane") is running for secretary/treasurer.

Thompson Cast, Collins Re-Ups

It's always nice to see former Trek guest stars keeping busy. Susanna Thompson ("Lenara Kahn," "Borg Queen") has been cast in the IFC film "Rose and the Snake," according to Variety. The film was written by Rebecca Miller (who is also directing) and Michael Rohatyn. "Rose" focuses on a terminally ill single father, played by Daniel Day-Lewis. Meanwhile, Stephen Collins ("Will Decker") has signed an eight-figure deal that will keep him on The WB's hit 7th Heaven for at least two more years.