Deaths in July 2022-- Part 8: Abe, Sirico, Sorvino, Trimble, Dow, Nichols and Russell

SHINZO ABE, 67

**  Japan's longest-serving prime mnister, he was also perhaps the most polarizing complex politician in recent Japanese history.  Died July8.

TONY SIRICO, 79

**  He played mobster Paulie Walnuts in "The Sopranos" and brought his tough-guy swagger to films including "Goodfellas."  Died July 8.

PAUL SORVINO, 83

**  An imposing actor who specialized in playing crooks and cops like Paulie Cicero in Goodfellas" and NYPD Sgt. Phil Cerreta on "Law and Order."  Died July 25.

DAVID TRIMBLE, 77

A former Northern Ireland first minister who won the Nobel Peace Prize for playing a key role in helping end Northern Ireland's decades of violence.  Died July 25.

TONY DOW, 77

**  As Wally Cleaver on the sitcom "Leave It to Beaver," he helped create the popular and lasting image of the American teenager of the 1950s and '60s.  Died July 27.

I still like to watch those reruns.  And, then there was good old Eddie Haskell.

NICHELLE NICHOLS, 89

**  She broke barriers for black women in Hollywood as communiations officer Lt. Uhura on the original "Star Trek" TV series.  Diedd July 30.

Huge "Star Trek" fan.  I remember when I was a freshman at NIU and my roommate had a little 13-inch black and white TV and every day after dinner, about ten guys would crowd in the room to watch reruns of the show.

BILL RUSSELL, 88

**  NBA great who anchored a Boston Celtics dynasty that won 11 championships in 13 years-- the last two as the first black head coach in any major U.S. sport -- and marched for civil rights with Martin Luther King Jr.  Died July 31.

So, the movie "Goodfellas" lost three people within three months last summer.  And, then there was that other Sonny guy in "The Godfather" who died.  Not a good year to be a movie actor who played a mobster.

Fiftieth Anniversary of "Star Trek"-- Part 4: My Memories of the Show

I never watched it during its original airing, however.

I started watching it while a freshman at Northern Illinois University living in Lincoln Hall 1969-1970.   My roommate, Chuck, had one of the two small (about 12-inches, black-and-white TVs) on the dorm floor, 3A

Every night, after supper, we would go back to the room and watch reruns of "Star Trek" on that little TV.  We would eventually have about ten other guys crammed into that little room watching that little TV.

It was pretty much the standard thing to do.  After that, we often would crack out the cards and play Hearts until the wee hours of the morning.

Ahh.  College Life Back Then.  --DaTrekkies

Fiftieth Anniversary of Star Trek-- Part 3: The Nostalgic Factor and Quirky Cast

Continuing with William Shatner's look back at the TV series that made him famous.

NOSTALGIA FACTOR

Another reason I believe we love "Star Trek -- and it's a reason I love -- is people come up to me and say, "I watched your show with my parents."  There is a wonderful element of nostalgia attached to it.

THE QUIRKY CAST OF CHARACTERS

Of course, we also love the unusual mix and dynamic of the Enterprise's characters and crew:  Kirk, Spock, Bones, Scotty, Uhuru, Sulu, Chekov.

The captain was written as a hero dealing with people or a situation and coming out on top.

It was heroic writing, leading-man writing.  I was delighted to be given the opportunity as the captain to be in some situations where the character had to deal with unusual things and had unusual cast members who were his friends to aid him.

I'm a "Star Trek" Fan.  --CootTrek

Fiftieth Anniversary of "Star Trek"-- Part 2: "The Trouble With Tribbles"

These are the words of William Shatner (Captain Kirk)   This show really launched his career.

"Star Trek" was driven by Science Fiction.  It wasn't "Buck Rogers."  At its best, it was complex.  Many great science fiction writers suggested story ideas for the television series.  Creator Gene Roddenberry had the vision to hire the right people to tell and dramatize those stories and viewers were captivated.

For example, one of the most memorable life-forms in the series was the Tribbles: small, cute, furry creatures.  Without the rules and regulations of nature, these Tribbles multiplied beyond belief and consumed exponentially more food, indicating the potential of annihilation because of overwhelming reproduction, which is what we are seeing in overpopulation right now.

At its best, "Star Trek" tackled global issues and clumped them into Science Fiction.

Another favorite one of mine was when the Enterprise got caught up in a kill zone for a planet which had cleaned up war so it wasn't so terrible. People deemed to be in kill zones had to report to kill sites and go into chambers to die.  The war had been going on for ages and only ended when Kirk forced their hand into a real war.

--CootKirk

Fiftieth Anniversary of "Star Trek"-- Part 1: As In "T"

From the August 28, 2016, Parade magazine "Why We Love Star Trek" by William Shatner.

"Star Trek" was first aired on September 8, 1966 with its mission to "boldly go where no man has gone before."  It did not do so well in the ratings back then but has since captured the love of multiple generations of families.

It is one of the most iconic sci-fi entertainment franchises along with, of course, "Star Wars."  It has spun off TV shows, blockbuster movies, games, books and other merchandise.

"Star Trek" has endured for 50 years, despite that shaky start.

According to actor William Shatner, who played Capt. James T. (Do you know what the T. stands for? Answer below) Kirk, 85, commander of the Starship Enterprise in the original TV  series and several movies:  I think 'Star Trek,' like science fiction in general, is mythology.  It offers a look into the future that's written by imaginative, creative artists whose vision may or may not be true, but we don't know until the future arrives.  It's not unlike religion--  we don't know for sure, but we take it on board."

Am I a Trekkie?  You Betcha.  --DaTrekker

The "T" Stands for "Tiberius."

Live Long and Prosper...No More: Goodbye Mr. Spock

LEONARD NIMOY (1931-Feb. 27, 2015)

TV Guide lists him as one of the 50 greatest TV characters.  Best-known for his role as Mr. Spock, the half Vulcan, half human science officer on the Starship Enterprise.  He first worked with co-star Wiliam Shatner in a 1964 episode of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."

Then there were all those "Star Trek" movies and even the appearances on the new "Star Trek" movies.

I remember at NIU while living in Lincoln Dormitory freshman year, right after dinner, our room would fill up with about 12-15 guys and we'd watch reruns of "Star Trek" on WGN.  We had the only TV on the floor there in the 1969-1970 year.  It was a massive 13-inch black and white.

We'll Miss Him.