STAR TREK: PICARD Cast Talks NEXT GENERATION Reunion and Rocky Relationship with Gene Roddenberry

SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE CELEB INTERVIEWS! Emmy-Winner Jake Hamilton talks with the legendary cast of STAR TREK: PICARD.
Patrick Stewart / 'Jean-Luc Picard'
Gates McFadden / 'Dr. Beverly Crusher'
Jonathan Frakes / 'William Riker'
LeVar Burton / 'Geordi La Forge'
Michael Dorn / 'Worf'
Jeri Ryan / 'Seven of Nine'
Michelle Hurd / 'Raffi Musiker'
Todd Stashwick / 'Captain Shaw'

[@JakesTakesTV]

Thank you for watching my interviews if you liked them, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE! I’m posting new celebrity interviews every week!

[@simonwebster368]

Damn Jake, you are one talented interviewer. After 35 yrs of interviews, you actually gave the TNG actors thought provoking questions that stimulated fresh responses. Well done!

[@StarfleetSohail]

@@simonwebster368 100% agree and I'd like to add I was feeling such joy for you, Jake, I can relate to being raised on TNG (from age 11 onward) and it was so cool to see you be able to express your love to your heroes!

[@StarfleetSohail]

Subscribed with pleasure! I hope you love Indiana Jones and get on that Press Junket too.

[@RVREVO]

Thanks for sharing these interviews. My highlight was chatting with J.G. Hertzler and Robert O'Reilly at a convention some 20 odd years ago. Qapla' (Success!)

[@riofestarini]

Jake, you did that masterfully. +1 Sub

[@ouchtyme]

That split second when Levar and Jonathan glanced at each other and nodded at the same time... priceless. Great minds do think alike.

[@MichaelPohoreski]

7:44

[@SteveBrant55]

Thank you for asking such though provoking questions. I'm impressed that Sir Patrick talked about the importance of listening deeply to what another person has to say. Understanding where another person is coming from ("walk a mile in another man's shoes") is a skill way too few people have.

[@iamgermane]

ST:NG put transgender people in the first season! WTF?!?! Look for the guy walking around in the mini-skirt.

[@Scripture-Man]

@@iamgermane Firstly, there were no such people in ST:TNG. What you saw was just a regular male crewman wearing a peculiar uniform. Secondly, we saw several crewmen wearing this in season 1, it wasn't just one guy. Thirdly, what does your comment have to do with the OP's comment? Fourthly, I can't understand you being so upset about something which happened on a show you don't even seem to have watched.

[@iamgermane]

@@Scripture-Man ST:NG has been putting trans people early on. Notice the male crewmen on Season 1 in mini-skirts!! You sound like you never saw the show!

[@harlanthejester]

Enjoyed this.. I watched the original Star Trek as a boy in the sixties and seventies, I watched the Next Generation as a father with my 2 sons in the eighties and nineties, I am now watching Picard with my Grandson. That is a legacy...

[@chrisboomer3551]

My first time seeing you interview anyone Jake, I just wanted to take a moment to say "Bloody well done!" great questions, thank you for being so respectful and thought-provoking with your questions, because at the end of the day you are representing us as Trekkies in these situations and I thought you did an outstanding job

[@Sam-ef3bj]

Never forget that Gene Roddenberry flew 89 combat missions in the Army Air Forces during World War II. That is an INSANE number of combat missions. Remember that those 89 times he got into that plane, he thought there was a good chance that was the end of his life. I can't imagine he did not have PTSD from his service. His problems with alcohol and drugs...and other problems as well, could easily all be caused by what he experienced during the war.

[@LeTodd]

I thanked Terry for bringing back a flood of fond memories and he wrote me back hoping I enjoy the rest of the season.

[@sarahsprouse5247]

Great interview! You really got them to explore their characters and to bring out their own personalities.

[@vickiestelzner6252]

i hardly ever leave comments, but had to let you know how much we enjoyed these interviews! You are one of the best I've heard in a long time! You DID have great questions, so very respectful to everyone, your own joy was so apparent, we shared it with you! I'm sure they will all remember you amongst all the others! You were able to elicit sincere responses from them all! I was lucky enough to meet Kate Mulgrew at her statue dedication here in Bloomington,IN last Fall! She comes across just as genuine! Keep up the good work! Thanks!

[@Technotranceism]

It's always crazy for me to see the actor's age, when in my mind, I always see them as they were, in their younger roles. Just a fan's way of immortalizing them.

[@anthonygordon9483]

"The Women" - Gates McFadden. Amazing response. I remember watching the first episode of Star Trek with Captain Pike . He was certainly surprised to see a women on deck of the ship. Alot of progress has made since the first episode.

[@sirellyn]

There's a big difference between showing a woman CAN do something, vs a lot of women DO do something.

[@merricat3025]

Different time. It was groundbreaking that #1 was a woman in 60s. Other women on other shows were housewives.

[@sirellyn]

@@merricat3025 House wife is likely one of the most important jobs around, and today people s#it all over it.

[@jeffsfort]

Wow... Just, wow. I've seen many interviews with the Next Gen cast and other casts throughout the years and in this "barely over" 25 minutes, not only was I glued to my seat but everyone from actor to interviewer to viewer, there was a familial feel to the entire interview. Thanks for finding the questions to ask that I didn't even know I would love to hear the answers to. Just amazing all around. Just subscribed!

[@DangerousDac]

Oh damn Gates coming right in with that "fuck Gene Roddenberry" energy.

[@haitolawrence5986]

Real Star Trek fans don't watch this tripe for that very reason. These clowns just don't get it. 🤡

[@Smeginator]

More like “fornicate thyself, good sir”

[@BryanInrig]

Star Trek has always been ahead of the curve. Modern western misandrist bubbling.

[@markscott3587]

That was such a good interview - thank you for asking questions that the fans are actually interested in rather than the same old stuff.... LOVE IT!

[@reloadingdontshoot1]

Greatest Worf moment: "I AM NOT A MERRY MAN!"

[@meekdook4236]

No. It’s: * It’s Worf, NOT Woof. And * I AM NOT yelling….

[@mistersharkfilms]

Great interview and your questions are some of the best - You really get them to open up and talk about interesting subjects. Your respect for your guests is admirable too. Great job 😎

[@schlirf]

Good to see everyone together again, doing what they do best.

[@tauseeftariq3404]

This interviewer is so respectful, really appreciate it. It's the same vibes I feel in terms of what TNG meant to us

[@stephaniehammett5050]

I love these interviews - such love and respect and reverence for everything Star Trek. Also, as someone who’s had to come up with interview questions before, I got so much vicarious joy out of hearing your thoughtfulness and that being acknowledged by the cast members. That’s gotta feel great and I just love that for you 😊❤

[@EdwardSanchezProductions]

This interview is out of this galaxy

[@TheTuubster]

15:00 Roddenberry would say to Hurd, that her character wouldn't live "in a van down by the river" and be a drug addict, as poverty would not exist and mental illness would be solved on Earth. The "Earth is Paradise" rule in his Star Trek bibles for TOS and TNG had the purpose to force writers to find new solutions and angles to talk about contemporary issues. He explicitly allowed to place contemporary inspired events, places and characters into alien cultures or on alien planets with settlements/colonies by Earth people, so a writer could talk about these but needed to find a new angle since he could not use Earth as an established environment. A core aspect of a Star Trek story is its allegorical nature, using metaphors, so it provides a new perspective on contemporary issues. The original conception of Musiker broke that rule, and thus her character was not of an allegorical nature, without providing a new angle, a new perspective on the situation of someone in such a position today.

[@BaronSupremacy]

Reading Rainbow! Can't help but have those comforting vibes when hearing Levar speak.

[@axllebeer]

This was GREAT! Many good questions and loved the interactions. Can totally tell you were so stoked to talk to all of the guests. I too grew up with TNG and seeing season 3 of Picard so far has been the entertainment treat of a lifetime!

[@AnthonyP73]

These terrific actors represent such beloved characters from my coming of age years. I'm so thankful to them for portraying the characters so beautifully!

[@IlliniPicker]

Got to see Nichelle back in Chicago at a convention and that was epic. She was such a wonderful part of Star Trek History & Pop Culture.

[@Create-The-Imaginable]

I love how they have all aged so gracefully! The pointed grey Star Trek beards almost brought tears to me eyes!

[@poulthomas469]

Just amazing... Michael is 70 years old.

[@OneEyedWillie-i2j]

Thanks so much for these great interviews. I'm very envious that you could talk to these Giants of Star Trek.

[@paulscott2037]

Interviews are always better when you can tell the interviewer is genuinely excited to be there. I would be too.

[@edwardcorby462]

One of the best interviewers. Loved the Mr.'s and Miss's. Let's bring back politeness and respect.

[@Knightfall182]

Terry Matalas effin salvaged this sinking ship with Season 3. 👍👍 Sir Patrick owes him one for making S3 a highnote for Picard to go out on.

[@CCCCC40]

Please God let it be good.

[@lindazarik226]

This was never a sinking ship. ST Picard was about the man and not the Enterprise crew.

[@tarb1320]

@@lindazarik226 Season 1 and 2 were complete trash period.

[@CCCCC40]

@@lindazarik226 no this was about Patrick Stewart otherwise it would have focused on Picard being an archeologist instead of Patrick Stewart's childhood trauma that he experienced with his mom. If this is good it's because it's the first season they didn't do what Stewart wanted to do.

[@CCCCC40]

@@tarb1320 agreed. Terribly TV. Second season was unwatchable. I watch TNG/Voyager/DS9/Enterprise over and over. Even stange new worlds I watched twice so far. I will never watch Picard season 1/2 again. Embarrassingly bad

[@TheDarq0n]

best interview! What a joy to listen to you and the cast! Thank you!

[@robertcartier5088]

They weren't kidding, the questions were quite good! Excellent work!

[@marinerstribble]

Best Star Trek Q&A I've ever seen! You're fantastic questions led them to give interesting and detailed answers. Love this!

[@damienrosario2471]

Awesome interviews. You did well and the questions were engaging. Most of all you are clearly a fan so kudos all around. You've made us Trekkies all proud!

[@rishmastering]

Amazing interviews.... best use of the limited time. (High praise from a person who has been a Trekkie for the last four decades)

[@dbeaumontresident847]

What a GREAT set of questions and a truly enjoyable interview of the cast! I subscribed!

[@vanmoody]

In Picard I told my wife that they are giving Worf funny lines. "I've been working on myself". lol

[@venomsymbiote34]

Frakes and Burton mentioned okudagram I personal trained Denise Okuda and she talked about her and her husband’s work on Star Trek very cool

[@WeerdMunkee]

We would all be lucky to look as good as Michael Dorn does in their 70's! Snappy dresser, for sure!

[@repentdaily001]

For years I hosted a science fiction podcast and was blessed to interview hundreds of people. I don't think I was great at it, but I really worked to find questions that were not asked by everyone else. It takes work. Jake, thank you for putting that work in. It's very satisfying when your interviewee is energized by your question. When I interviewed Robert Carlyle for Stargate Universe Season 2, he had been doing interviews for about 3 hours, and I was his last for the day. I opened by asking him about community theater in Scotland. His eyes tripled in size as he leaned forward, rubbing his hands together, and said, "Ah, this is different!" And he just opened up and shared so many wonderful things. A fond memory for me. Great job, Jake.

[@kyfifer]

This crew. Love them. I loved this as an ending for them personally.

[@ferninthehouse]

michelle hurd talking about seeing Uhura as a kid made me tear up a little

[@buzzfunk]

Watched the original Star Trek as a kid in the 70s. Watched the NG in the 90s. It’s a delight seeing them all back together.

[@corky7ca]

I recently met Michelle Hurd at a fan expo and she was the kindest, nicest person. I was so nervous and she put me at ease and we had a lovely talk about different things. She is all about being kind to one another.

[@WW-wf8tu]

The fact these stars were impressed with your unique and thought provoking questions is a credit and honor you should feel deeply about. Take it to heart. Because they are asked the same questions a zillion times by a zillion people and have replied the same way a zillion times. 1 unique statement a star gave once that never has left me, is they are more interested in people in real life and what they do, more than answering questions about themselves and the tedious work they do. They crave information and thought provoking conversations as much as any other human being does. As Sir Patrick implied, the skill of listening is not only critical to giving an intelligent performance, it is essential to the individual to absorb information coming in so they can grow from the knowledge others have to share. If you only teach and never learn, you will soon become repetitive and un-interesting. 😉

[@thomasdeely3356]

Loved the interviewer , he really did ask great questions. And he tailor made the questions to each person.I just wish it was live

[@harvey1965]

Never see or heard of you before Jake; LOVE the thought you put into your work. Brilliant & interesting questions. Sooooo jealous that you've seen the first 6 AND you got to interview the cast ... the Prophets are smiling on you!!!

[@tatongt]

Jonathan always gives a great and fun interview. I love it!

[@vinodralh8016]

The joy of watching a fan asking great questions!

[@mootzartdev]

Patricks voice has much more of Picards depth here.. I wish he did that more in the Picard series! I knows he's older.. but i miss that Picard authority!

[@bumbleguppy]

I loved how succinct and short these interviews were and how interesting they managed to be, I also hated how short these interviews were.

[@alexischristou3266]

Excellent and to the point questions Jake really made them think outside of the norm from there usual typical questions they get asked.

[@puffer577]

i was raised with a single mom star trek was the one show we watched together at night when work was over

[@colinstafford7846]

Some very thoughtful and original questions which allowed a maturity of response. Not your average interview.

[@1218omaroo]

Thank you for respecting these actors and holding them in enough reverence to address them as "Mr", "Mrs" & "Miss". Well done. Sub earned. :)

[@emipt]

Just came across your channel through this. Great questions and so different from the what we typically see in these interviews. Very nice!

[@JayEdom]

I’m a 40 year old man and i think Gates is smokin for a woman my age not just hers

[@glasgowfranko81]

Loving your work, sir! Your interviews are the BEST!!! ❤

[@britt9046]

These were truly fantastic interviews! 👏

[@pinkrebel8412]

Season 3 of Picard is amazing. I have accepted the fact that I have no idea what timeline we are in and how it is birthed from Season 1 & 2... but I'm okay with it. Im here for the old Seven, Im pissed I dont have Allison Pill or Santiago Cabrera, where's my justice for Evan Evagora? Its okay though, Im living in nostalgia. I got some hopes and dreams answered for Beverly and Jean-Luc. Im here for the drama and flawed heroes. Love my psychopath from "You" as Picard's son. Give me Michael Dorn every show. This dynamic with Riker and Picard is bananas. Love the young people are going to Seven in admiration. Changeling's... yes... craziest bunch of fookers. Levar Burton is always a treat. cant wait to see what they do with his daughter, 3rd generation star fleet.

[@IlliniPicker]

He was probably missing Kirk but even more-so he didn't realize what he had in Picard right in front of him. I grew up with TNG and have always loved watching Patrick and especially now with Picard. Well done sir!

[@strykker666]

What a great interview with great questions! Excellent work. Truly.

[@Kevin_B1428]

This was wonderful! I so ❤️ Star Trek, and your interviews were bang on, and perfect as a fan!

[@luizalouyoga]

Great interviews! I’ve grown up watching the show as well. It has so many good lessons. Lots of love from Brazil 🇧🇷!

[@deanhirasawa1414]

Great interview with candid thoughtful answers without sugar coating. Gene was clearly a great visionary, but like all people he was flawed and prone to mistakes - one was obviously his failure to see what Patrick Stewart could bring to the role of Picard! Thankfully Berman and Justman could!

[@TheAccidentalViking]

This was great. I'm a long time watcher of all things Star Trek and you managed to get insight into a great many things. Well done.

[@mita17m]

Thank you for approaching this with all the reverence ans respect of a true fan. Well done!

[@LargeFry1]

I love Jeri. She gives such great fun answers, without having to constantly complain about the fact that she is a woman in the industry. She just seems genuinely happy to have a great job as an actor. Class act.

[@ZandeKongo]

Jake and his excellent questions.

[@diogocatalano9557]

The female characters always was strong, tough and relevant. Kira Nerys from DS9 is such a good example. Regarging the conflits between the characters, it´s quite clear since Star Trek ( the original series). We can´t forget episodes like Obsession or A Private Little War. Great, very nice interview !

[@RaKenobi]

Star Trek fans love when TOS, TNG, Voyager, DS9 characters come back. You can always come back for a cameo or episode or movie in this franchise!

[@docweidner]

Lovely interview. Very clear you know the show, know the history and are charmingly polite. And as they said, great questions.

[@Scottnej]

You know what I love about Star Trek TNG…. These guys are like FAMILY. Star Trek the original series is not like that. I’ve heard so many times… This actor doesn’t like this actor or these guys though he was a jerk. But not the TNG crew. They clearly love each other. It was such a large part of my life growing up with me being 49 now… it means something to know that that piece of my life was sincere. Not just a bunch of people who hated each other in reality.

[@haitolawrence5986]

Shatner, Nimoy and Kelly! Tosser.

[@Scottnej]

@@haitolawrence5986 no, they all hated Shatner.

[@Aliciaish]

Best interviewer I've ever seen. Those questions were phenomenal.

[@samtamoglia7335]

I knew it! Its better to have it one week at a time as opposed to have to wait for episode 7 after binging the first six.

[@petesmith6434]

The original Star Trek series was the very best to me. I was a 12 year-old boy at the start of the series and I found it magical and like nothing I had ever seen. TNG was also good, but was something completely different from the first series.

[@elizabethlanders9805]

Thanks so much for this! Your coverage is fantastic. Love your channel ❤️ I hope Picard/Trek goes on forever!

[@grafffuller3265]

Jake, you keep topping yourself. Each interview...you find new and interesting ways to engage with the people you are interviewing and with your audience (us) who love your interviews. I'm a long time Star Trek fan growing up in the late 60s. These questions are just amazing. Which of the actors that you did NOT get to talk to...would you have wanted to talk to for this interview? Our question, to you. Love what you're doing. Thanks.

[@erictheblue7256]

Great interview! Two observations about the cast: In terms of physical appearance, I'll have whatever they're having.😁 Also, I noticed that the duos really enjoyed each other's company. Note by body language how carefully one actor listened to the other when he or she spoke: A wonderful group of people.

[@billina1971]

Patrick Stewart facepalm when asked about Roddenberry ❤

[@ChadoftheNorth]

You popped in my videos. After watch this great interview and with the other Picard stars, your genuine excitement. You have a new subscriber sir!

[@dianedelorme4367]

I've been a star trek fan since I was a child, watching the original star trek at midnight. I love them all. I had the privilege of meeting John de Lancie, Renee(odo) and Nicole (Ezri Dax) @ Comic Con. I love to get to know them for the people they are. What their interests are. I love the characters they play but fans should also appreciate who they are as people and how much work they put into the characters. They deserve a lot of credit for all the long hours they put in. God bless you 🙏

[@captpicard6894]

Michael Dorn comes across as possibly the nicest man on the planet.

[@ToddLichtenwalter]

This season of Picard finally hits the mark, best Star Trek yet.

[@Dintagel]

Michael Dorn and Michelle Hurd are knockouts on screen and here as well. Wonderful seeing all of them!

[@CoreyKearney]

I'm not entirely comfortable with this, something about speaking ill of the dead. It's well known that Genne was prolific chauvinist. However he was forward thinking enough to shape a lot about how we view society today. He was ahead of the curve then. I believe that were he to do it from scratch today, had he been born 40 years later, he would still be ahead of the curve. It's just our attitudes have grown beyond Genne's vision in the 60's.

[@formlessone8246]

Well they say never meet your heroes for a reason. We can put him on a pedestal, but then we forget that he was as human as the rest of us. But these people had to meet him, had to work with him, and if they speak less than flatteringly about him, it's because they have no choice but be honest about his flaws. I think I prefer to hear them be candid about it than for them to speak pretty little lies about the great old bird.

[@sullie35]

I apologize for not remembering every actors and actresses real names...please understand that its not your fault.. its because they dont carry on using the same people in the shows for a great length of time for them to be known for Star Trek. Hey Jakes Takes!!! Thank you for doing these great interviews with the Star Trek people. You done a great job and its so enjoyable to see them being proud of there roles in Star Trek! Thank you to all envolved in Star Trek!

[@Worldviewsandthoughts]

You young people will always love what you grew up with. Us older people grew up watching the original star trek and that is what I love. But I have to say the new technology is much better now than before, I love that more than the older version.

[@IlliniPicker]

Gene Roddenberry (through Star Trek) made the world a better place. The optimism of the future & people working together and caring about each other. He was a beacon that lives on through this franchise and its wonderful actors.

[@DingoDin]

Just found these interviews after searching for ‘Picard Interviews’ and you do ask great questions. I see a Late Night hosting gig in your future, Jake 😘

[@marcusf7710]

This season better live up to the hype

[@eoghanlacey6384]

@Joe Washington don’t start complaining , just enjoy a good thing when it happens

[@1978rharris]

@Joe Washington *could HAVE

[@TheKalash]

What hype? You mean the slim chance this season might not be as shitty as the first 2?

[@LaCorvier]

just watched epiSode 10. welldone guys thank u so much giving me the perfect ending for the next generation.. BRAVO !!!!!

[@Osammar100]

Man, you really cared about these interviews and your questions and it came across. Great work.

[@mperlatti]

It’s the life’s journey that gives each of us different ideas of similar situations and how to solve them

[@colleend80]

THE BEST TV SERIES IN THE UNIVERSE❣ STTNG is brilliant and in a way I truly believe it was a head of it's time. I am a huge fan since the age of 12. Personally, I have learned so much from it and became a better person because of it. The amazing characters are timeless. There is a big space in my heart for this crew (family) 💝

[@josephtaylor3857]

Great interviews. Would have been great if Mr. Dorn had said "today is a good day to cry!" All of the returning cast have aged gracefully and look great.

[@bridyyc]

The women! I love Gates McFadden and that answer just makes me love and respect her even more. She just went right for it and called it so brilliantly.

[@georgeblackwell2306]

Great interview !! Thanks for your efforts and questions…

[@NorthWriter]

I wish I could have huge philosophical discussions with my mother. Gates makes me wistful.