Leonard Nimoy and Michael Medved at Hillsdale College

Michael Medved interviewed Leonard Nimoy (1931-2015) at Hillsdale College in 1989 as part of the CCA seminar on "Popular Entertainment and Its Impact on Society"
To learn more about Hillsdale College and its CCA program, visit www.hillsdale.edu/outreach/cca

[@luvdomus]

I had the honor of meeting Mr. Nimoy at a Griffith Observatory fundraiser and on an impulse I raised the Vulcan salute, which he returned with such sincerity I felt a wave of emotion. Later I realized that it has come to mean a hopeful future for humankind and I wish I had said that to him.

[@lewstone5430]

Ultimate Star Trek Chad move. Unable to be topped!!

[@Vandan9166]

Leonard Nimoy could never fathom how his character Spock has touched all our lives. As a child we didn't have all the choices of childhood sci-fi shows on tv like today. After we got a few seasons of "Lost In Space", we were hungry for a serious show concerning space. I can't express how satisfying Star Trek was to me and my friends. We all could not believe that the show would only last 3 years. When I watch Leonard Nimoy on any talkshow I have to smile with a slight tear in my eye. Thank you Leonard, thank you Spock and thank God you are a talented, smart and humble person.

[@jonevans5084]

Wow! I enjoyed Mr. Nimoy and his work since I was a nine-year-old watching the Star Trek TV series with my Dad in the 1960’s! The range and intelligence of this Extraordinarily Talented Man was, in my humble opinion, one of the finest in the twentieth century!👍😀 God Rest Your Soul, Nr. Nimoy.❤️🥺

[@Siegetower]

I had no idea Nimoy was director of Three Men and a Baby. He would have been set for life from that film alone. I'm glad a) He could do comedy and b) that he didn't retire after that as a commercial success, he had the drive to work and continue to create. After his death this week he will be sadly missed.

[@babygretz5]

Siegetower ....that's a remake of course

[@Siegetower]

gary schultz The one in the 1980s was a remake?

[@babygretz5]

Siegetower John Ford directed & John Wayne starred 1948 ..the picture "3 Godfathers" with a great performance from a little known Pedro Armendariz..others with a similar story have been made but it's the earliest that I know & pretty good too..try You Tube for preview.

[@lisekartakmcdonald]

Leonard Nimoy was SO Much More than Mr Spock. and this comes from a GENUINE Trekker. He Touched people on so many levels, and so many fields, He Truely Was/Is a man of the Ages. Blessed, Blessed Be, Mr Nimoy/ Mr Spock. Look Up on a clear starry night, and Open your heart, there, you Will See Him. among the Stars forever. LLAP, Live Long and Prosper, my Fellow Trekkers, and all things Nimoy.

[@gregorygass5090]

7u77yl7777677lylh7u77777u777777777u7777777777ûll

[@tomthx5804]

I looked up last night and I saw him. He was giving that vulcan sign with his fingers, but looked really pissed.

[@rafaelmadrigal9038]

Educational programing is the best to keep us connected and well informed.

[@chastitypinedo5509]

What a great program. Thank you very much for posting it. Nimoy's correct: he had a profound effect on many a child watching his character Spock.

[@Catmom2004]

I was one of those children. I am in my 60s now and will never forget Leonard. Thank you, Mr Nimoy for making my difficult childhood bearable ❤🖖❤

[@audreyann1975]

I love this interview. First of all I love Michael Medved and Hillsdale! Leonard Nimoy is or was a really great talent. Too bad people in Hollywood today don't have the moral sense they had decades ago. They condemn you based on your political beliefs. They believe men Can be women and women can be men! I'm absolutely stunned by the vulgarity that comesout of and from the Hollywood actors these days. They used to be sp patriotic. A lot of them are but can't say so or their careers will be destroyed. Thanks!

[@michaelferri6790]

I just mandolin at Hillsdale College I recently discovered that one of the more he was a Marxist radical

[@valueofnothing2487]

We would never see this today. Smart phones have destroyed our minds.

[@GrahameGould]

I'm watching it on a smart phone. I would never have known about it otherwise.

[@valueofnothing2487]

@@GrahameGould That would be ok, because you could attend a great lecture with intelligent people having a nuranced discussion. Listen to Medved today, or the new Spocks. It is depressing.

[@horserose17]

NO FIRST THE TV then CELL PHONES !!!!

[@davidkugel]

Both Nimoy and Medved would be canceled today for speaking at a politically conservative college. It is a shame.

[@SueProv]

He made the right decision for his film. Good for him.

[@mikewallin6049]

Privileged to have known both Michael & Leonard (obm) BOTH sweet, kind and interesting people💛

[@saundramichael7968]

Condolences!

[@hamonryechinaski180]

I would love to have had 5mins with Leonard to ask him about his fame and his particular route which was linked so closely with a beloved character. Were you ever fortunate to speak to Leonard in his 'downtime'? Btw, what does obm stand for? With my UK eyes im struggling...

[@mikewallin6049]

I did get to speak to him we spoke about his time in Yiddish theater and how my rabbi had a class on if tribbles were kosher😃

[@digitalnomad9985]

@@hamonryechinaski180 "what does obm stand for?" I am guessing it's "of blessed memory".

[@wendysisco5598]

Only 16 minutes in and I had not realised what a fascinating man he is to listen to. He's an awesome speaker. Brilliant. Such a deep thinker. I am not a trekkie (or whatever the term is) so I haven't had much experience of him. I'm hoping he tells the story of how the hand sign he uses in Star Trek came to be as I have heard the story and it was very interesting, but I want to hear it from him in this interview as I think he will tell it in detail so I can get the full story.

[@mosesCordovero-uw5vw]

live long and prosper

[@elzoog]

This might be a good lesson for today. Back then they were complaining about the negative effects of TV. Today it's the negative effects of social media.

[@srj34]

But it's a mistake to suggest that the negative effects of each are identical.

[@jfq7223]

One of the small handful of actors I wish I could have met.

[@rpk5568]

I'm laughing because I have Spock's record album.

[@SM-gl8yo]

What a marvelous, thought provoking and valuable interview to invest some time in and listen to. Thank you.

[@hcrawford]

I saw Mr. Mimoy speak on my University of Georgia campus, just before the release of "Star Trek - The Voyage Home." A marvelous speaker, with infinite patience for some of the most inane questions I would hear from a college audience. I got to ask the last question, which got some applause: "Admiral Kirk ignored regulations, getting the Enterprise heavily damaged by Khan's attack. In defiance of Starfleet, he stole the Enterprise and went to a planet banned from access, where the ship was destroyed. When are we ever going to see Admiral Kirk actually get into trouble with Starfleet?" Nimoy just smiled and replied, "just wait and see what happens in the next movie. I think you'll be satisfied." (Seeing that movie, I thought Kirk's demotion to Captain a perfectly reasonable resolution.)

[@timothyh7053]

Nimoy begins at 5:20 with a Vulcan salute...classic!

[@ruthegan8524]

Fantastic interview of two great movie related guys! Thank you.

[@rosscampbell1173]

He was fluent in Yiddish too.

[@bennieknape4857]

He is jewish!

[@thommysides4616]

@@bennieknape4857 Capt Kirk is Jewish too....

[@silviajean5864]

Love

[@chisexton5845]

Great interview. But today, Hollywood IS one mind. I miss simpler times.

[@thommysides4616]

It was a real treat to hear Spock speak on the issue and on making movies etc. Thanks for posting this.

[@drstrangelove09]

Ah-ha... "now here it is 1989"... I was wondering when this was recorded.

[@pauldarrigo4395]

Excellent discussion. Especially his view on no topics should be untouchable and how he argues don't buy a ticket. Compared to the cancel culture... which I stand against.

[@230bdaniel]

I find I interesting that people love Leonard Nimoy so much, admire him for what they perceive him to be, love his characters of strength, yet ignore the ideals therein portrayed. He speaks of self-reliance, personal honor and moral fortitude yet his fans support the weak minded and immoral in their lives.

[@teetoo3790]

Amazing he was talking about steroids and athletes in 1989. He was ahead of his time.

[@silviajean5864]

My toes are curling!

[@silviajean5864]

And!..... He's so extraordinary! 💜

[@stanjanusas2885]

Vulcans cannot lie and engage in fraud. Go Leonard!!

[@thommysides4616]

Spock would not make a very good democrat!!!

[@Madbrad2000]

vulcans can, in-fact, lie, they just generally don't

[@almeggs3247]

Raise your volume please

[@gmh6747]

Bull i went to school with julie nemoy shes my age 65 now in 2020 emmerson jr hi westwood.68

[@lawrencemiller3829]

Lenard Nimoy was in a black & white serial Zombies of the Stratosphere as a zombie. Did this character influence Lenard Nimoy's shaping of the character Spock?

[@wendysisco5598]

Ah-ha... "now here it is 1989"... I was wondering when this was recorded.

[@jessicathethreestoogesfan2635]

Zombie?

[@dailysentinal354]

they don't have any physical evidence yet

[@tomyoung9924]

Why all you people attributing to mr. Nimoy the things that belong to GOD????? Somebody said "you people" was referring to black people but not so. All people watched star trek and all people need to trust God

[@michaelbaucom4019]

Nimoy never fails, ALWAYS engaging and wise, with grace mixed in. Wish the session had stayed just him and Medved, the other questioners were pompous windbags

[@captnhuffy]

**Spock = Stoicism** he appealed to people as a correct life philosophy & behavior. Spock was a Role Model for hundreds of millions. It was important to have rational character in the middle of a soapy series. I'm just now meeting Nimoy for the first time.

[@arthurofalbion]

Nimoy is a great actor, but one big mistake he made in this interview must be highlighted. To say that one should not condemn a film he hasn't seen is like saying that one should not identify a poison he hasn't personally consumed. If one knows that a film makes evil seem attractive (the dominant problem with most films today), then he should not view it himself, and he should strongly urge others not to see it. _ I wonder if Mr. Nimoy thought that it was necessary to see 'The Birth of a Nation' before condemning it? (For those who do not know, this was a racist film glorifying the KKK, and was the first American film shown at the White House. The screening was authorised by the racist Democrat Woodrow Wilson.)

[@krileayn]

And today we have "Cuties"

[@arthurofalbion]

@@krileayn An excellent example. Thank you. Also, I wonder how many, of those who say that one must see a movie before condemning it, would condemn 'The Birth of a Nation' without seeing it?

[@arthurofalbion]

@Thereis Hope I have seen neither film, but I condemn movies that glorify the Klan, and movies that sexualise girls.

[@krileayn]

@Thereis Hope I've seen a few clips, and the blatant sexualizing of young girls is clear as day.

[@krileayn]

@Thereis Hope Sorry don't understand your question

[@venusreena2532]

Spock!!!!

[@pamelaarmas7121]

Fix AUDIO..

[@srj34]

I very often agree with Medved, but he is completely wrong about the best Star Trek movie. Star Trek II is the best Star Trek movie up to today.

[@RadioMarkCroom]

But in 1989 when "The Voyage Home" was fresh I believed, as he did, that it was the best of the lot. Over time, they have both held up well but Khan is the better film I think. Not by that much, tho. Remember the context, some things only become clear with the passage of time.

[@srj34]

@@RadioMarkCroom I think that you're right that the novelty of it made a big impression on him. It certainly stood out more than the other ST movies because it was so different.

[@fwily2580]

Let’s face it. With Star Trek, no one would know who Leonard Nemoy is or was.

[@WarBurd13]

He was fantastic in mission impossible.

[@markm.9458]

How did Hilldale put on such a poor production?

[@tavshu6370]

Aaaaaaaaaahhhhh.

[@GrahameGould]

Only 16 minutes in and I had not realised what a fascinating man he is to listen to. He's an awesome speaker. Brilliant. Such a deep thinker. I am not a trekkie (or whatever the term is) so I haven't had much experience of him. I'm hoping he tells the story of how the hand sign he uses in Star Trek came to be as I have heard the story and it was very interesting, but I want to hear it from him in this interview as I think he will tell it in detail so I can get the full story.