Happy birthday to a very special Klingon security officer, Michael Dorn turns 59 today (December 9th). Michael started off his career in Hollywood playing an uncredited role in the hit Sylvester Stalone film Rocky. He then moved on to black & white, cars that is. Michael played Officer Turner in a prominent fixture from my child, CHIPs. Of course we all remember the irascible Lt. Cmdr. Worf from our beloved Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and subsequent films. On this special day, we'd like to pay tribute to Michael with something we haven't done in a while. That's right kids, it's time for a Youtube Video Round-up: Happy Birthday Worf edition.

If you're in the Boston area this Saturday (November 19th), be sure to stop by the aptly named Super Megafest to see Professor Xavier Picard... Did you see what I did there? Moving on, Patrick will be available for various autograph and photo-op sessions throughout the day and a special panel at 1:30pm. Get more details below. Since Super Megafest is a multimedia convention you'll get the chance to see various stars from all corners of the entertainment world. Also in attendance; Sean Astin, Anthony Michael Hall, Sam Trammell, Jeremy Bulloch, Daniel Logan, Tia Carrere, Ron Ely, Rex Smith, Peter Tork, Tracey Gold, plus many more.

You say you haven’t heard of Starbase Indy yet?  You should have! We attended last year’s convention and supplied live coverage to all of our readers. Oh, you weren’t reading our site yet last November? ...ok I guess you get a pass on that one, but you don’t have an excuse to be in the dark any longer.

Starbase Indy is an awesome fan run convention that is held every year around Thanksgiving. They get fabulous guests and put on one of the most interactive events we’ve seen. If you’ve yet to attend, their convention isn’t a 9 to 5 deal where you go home early. It’s what I like to call a fully immersive experience. They provide workshops, vendor access, fun events, and of course plenty of celebrity goodness practically around the clock, for kids as well as “grups.”

So I was cruising Netflix tonight, searching for Chuck Norris's The Delta Force (no lie!) and I stumbled upon William Shatner's documentary The Captains on Watch Instantly. You know the one; it features interviews with all six Star Trek captains... Patrick Stewart, Avery Brooks, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, and Chris Pine. Oh, and The Shat, of course. I've been meaning to sit down and watch The Captains since release back in July, but I just simply haven't made the time. Now that I have, here are a few takeaways; First, Patrick Stewart seems to be one of the most thoughtful and eloquent actors in the history of the stage, Kate Mulgrew is tough-as-nails and can hold her own with anyone, Avery Brooks is down right crazy & amazing all at the same time, Scott Bakula is extremely down-to-earth, and Chris Pine IS William Shatner 30 years younger. And on top of that, Patrick Stewart's chair is gigantically disproportionate to Shatner's.

This completely slipped under our radar and if we'd known about it, we would be live blogging from there this weekend. For those of you in the Orlando, FL. area, head down to the Hilton Orlando Resort Lake Buena Vista to get your Trek on. Vulcan Events is hosting it's Away Mission: Orlando with a slew of Trek stars from the captain of the Enterprise to two famous Ferengi brothers and many others in-between. Sir Patrick Stewart will be on hand with David Warner, Armin Shimuerman, Max Grodenchick, Larry Nemecek, Rick Sternbach, Lolita Fatjo, Phil Morris, Jennifer Hetrick, & Grace Lee Whitney. For the Stargate / Firefly fans, Jewel Staite & David Nykl. The show starts tomorrow (October 28th) at 5pm and runs through Sunday.

A few years back we were searching the internet for TNG related videos and ran across an interesting set of youtube shorts that featured two buffoons traipsing through stage 9 on the paramount lot. Called "Stage 9 Interlopers", the 4 part series showed an after hours break-in with one of the balding goofballs actually donning a one piece Starfleet uniform and giving a tour of the set. I've been trying to find these videos for years now to no avail. Youtube pulled them shortly after I discovered the set and I haven't been able to get my hands on a copy since. Traveling from the transporter room to engineering and then on to sickbay the two "interlopers" talked about stealing parts of the set and at one point tried to mount a sickbay bed damaging it & causing the bed to topple over. Some of the best parts of the video series showed the special effects dummy used in "Conspiracy". You know the one where Picard and Riker phaser Lt. Cmdr Remmick's head until it explodes...

Our good friends Scott & Miles from The SciFi Diner Podcast just posted another awesome interview with none other than Q, Star Trek's John De Lance. Recorded at this year's Shore Leave convention John discusses his new projects including Torchwood: Miracle Day and of course his time as that mischievous omnipotent being on Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, & Star Trek: Voyager. As you guys & gals know, The SciFi Diner is one of our favorite podcasts and you should definitely check out the rare interview with John De Lance. You won't be disappointed. See the episode details below.

The SciFi Diner Podcast Episode 114:
John de Lancie (born March 20, 1948) is an American actor. He is best known for his recurring role as Q on the various Star Trek series and as Frank Simmons in Stargate SG-1.

"What's the hardest part of being you?" ...and the young man replied "Mustache." Every time I think of that Peoples Court defendant and internet meme, I die a little inside. Why? Because it absolutely kills me. Well, that dude's mustache has got nothin' on the intergalactically renowned facial follicles of one Cmdr. William T. Riker. The Beard, as we like to call it, got almost as much action as Captain Kirk. Almost. Where am I going with this you ask? If you live in Seattle, you have the opportunity to experience The Beard with a backing symphony. The Seattle Symphony, with guest conductor Victor Vanacore, opens the 2011–2012 Seattle Pops Series with a special program dedicated to the music of sci-fi. Aptly called "Sci-Fi At The Pops ", the series will feature the music of Star Trek, Star Wars (never heard of it), E.T. (not the Cheech & Chong version), Avatar, and more. Plus, it's hosted by Jonathan "The Beard" Frakes. The series starts tomorrow (October 13, 2011), at 7:30pm and runs through Sunday (October 16th).

You’ve been waiting for the HD release of Star Trek: The Next Generation to come out for what seems like forever. And we’ve been waiting with you since we reported on it in August and earlier this month . We’re excited to tell you that the 3 episode (yes, it’s not touted as 4 episodes any more…they are now counting “Encounter at Farpoint” as a single episode) Blu-Ray, The Next Level, will be out on January 31, 2012. This is set includes “Encounter At Farpoint”, “Inner Light” and “Sins of the Father.” The full first season is slated to arrive in 2012, with the rest of the series to follow. Here’s the official trailer for the Blu-Ray release.