According to next week's TV Guide which just hit newsstands, Star Trek: Enterprise was renewed by UPN for a fourth season because Paramount made the network "an offer it couldn't refuse."

"Sources tell TV Guide that Paramount reduced the amount it charges UPN for Enterprise from $1.7 million an episode to about $800,000 in return for renewing it for another season," the magazine states. "At that price, UPN could afford to air the series on Fridays at 9 p.m., where the network was drawing virtually no viewers with what one executive calls 'eighth runs of slasher movies.'"

The article goes on to state that Paramount agreed to take the financial hit in return for an additional season because studios typically need four seasons' worth of episodes for syndication deals. Plus, Trek merchandising rings up $200 million a year in retail sales (a tenth of that going to Paramount in royalties), and Enterprise will help keep those revenue streams flowing. The full story can be found on page 9 of the June 20 issue of TV Guide.

Science Fiction Museum Opens in Seattle

Star Trek will have a significant presence at the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame, which opens Friday, June 18, in Seattle. Captain Kirk's original command chair from the Bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise will be on display as part of a one-of-a-kind collection of memorabilia from the Original Series. The world's first museum dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of science fiction as a cultural force, the facility's grand opening events will include a special presentation by physicist Lawrence Krauss, author of "The Physics of Star Trek," who will speak on topics ranging from time travel to warp speed, taking place at 7:00 on Friday.

Besides exhibits of costumes and props such as phasers, tricorders and weapons, Star Trek will be part of other museum experiences such as the "Fantastic Voyages" gallery, where a computer-animated display allows visitors to see images of great sci-fi ships including the Enterprise from any angle and learn about their features as well as crew and missions. Members of the museum's advisory board include Majel Barrett Roddenberry ("Number One," "Christine Chapel," "Lwaxana Troi" and widow of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry); writer Harlan Ellison ("The City on the Edge of Forever"); noted Trek activist Bjo Trimble; authors Ray Bradbury and Arthur C. Clarke and other luminaries such as James Cameron, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

The museum is located at the landmark Frank Gehry building at the base of the Space Needle. Visit www.sfhomeworld.org for complete information.

Takei to Celebrate Godzilla's 50th at Egyptian Theatre

Before there was Star Trek for George Takei ("Hikaru Sulu"), there was the King of Monsters, the one and only Godzilla. The legendary Original Series actor began his career as a voice-over actor, providing English dubbing for Japanese monster movies in the 1950s. Takei will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of Godzilla's cinematic debut in a public appearance and Question & Answer session on Sunday, June 27 at Hollywood's Egyptian Theatre.

The American Cinematheque at The Egyptian Theatre is screening a number of Godzilla films from June 24-29 to celebrate the anniversary. The Sunday event features, along with Takei's appearance alongside a number of other official guests and Godzilla creative luminaries, a triple-feature of "Rodan," "Ghidorah, The Three-Headed Monster" and "The H-Man."

For more information about the event and the film series, visit the American Cinematheque web site at www.americancinematheque.com.

Hollywood Collectors & Celebrities Show

The Hollywood Collectors & Celebrities Show taking place next weekend, June 26-27, in North Hollywood, California, will be attended by numerous genre actors including Star Trek alumni. Among them will be Dean Stockwell ("Col. Grat" in "Detained"), Brad Dourif ("Lon Suder" in several episodes of Star Trek: Voyager), and Marjean Holden ("Stolzoff" in "Empok Nor"). For more information, visit the Hollywood Collectors Show via this link.

Sensor Sweep: Stewart, Rhys-Davies, Cromwell, Shatner

Several prominent Trek personalities will be seen and heard this weekend in competing timeslots on cable TV, as well as in the movies. Patrick Stewart narrates "Quest for King Arthur," premiering this Sunday, June 20 at 9pm/8c, on The History Channel. The series asks the question, "Did the greatest king who ever lived ... ever live?" and attempts to separate fact from fiction regarding the myth of Arthur.

John Rhys-Davies will appear in a Hallmark Channel telefilm as "Porthos" — no, not the beagle, the Musketeer. "La Femme Musketeer" also premieres Sunday night, at 8pm/7c. A Daily Variety review states, "John Rhys-Davies delivers nice comic relief in what amounts to a cameo as Porthos — one of the patriarchs huffing and puffing their way through combat." Rhys-Davies played the holographic "Leonardo da Vinci" in Star Trek: Voyager.

ALSO on Sunday night, James Cromwell ("Zefram Cochrane" in "Star Trek: First Contact") can be seen in the miniseries "Salem's Lot" on TNT at 8pm/7c, with the second part airing Monday night. Cromwell plays Father Donald Callahan in the remake of the Stephen King thriller, which stars Rob Lowe. In all cases, check your local listings for airtimes.

If you get out to the theaters to see "Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story" this weekend, look for William Shatner in a brief role as the "Dodgeball Chancellor."