Star Trek

CHICAGO – I wonder sometimes what the most influential voices in television would think of HD. Would Rod Serling embrace it? Norman Lear? What about Gene Roddenberry, the man who forever changed science fiction when he created “Star Trek”? Personally, I think he’d love the chance to update and enhance his vision as they have been in the Blu-ray versions of “Star Trek: The Original Series” and is about to be for “Star Trek: The Next Generation.” Get a taste of what’s to come with the 3-episode sampler “Star Trek: The Next Generation — The Next Level,” now on Blu-ray.

CHICAGO – In the days when there were only three networks and less remote controls, TV stars were fewer and fame was rarer. Both Hugh O’Brian on “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp” (1955) and Sherry Jackson on “Make Room for Daddy“ (1953) achieved some notoriety in those early days of television.

CHICAGO – The character actor has always been a fixture in Hollywood culture, and there are few as unique as James Cromwell. He’s had many memorable roles in films like “Babe,” “L.A. Confidential” and within the “Star Trek” legacy. Currently, he portrays Clifton in the Oscar-nominated “The Artist.”

CHICAGO – The Tyler Perry empire rolls on, with a new show called “For Better or Worse” premiering November 25th on TBS. The series is based on two films Perry produced, “Why Did I Get Married?” and “Why Did I Get Married Too?” and focuses on characters played in both films by Tasha Smith and Michael Jai White.

CHICAGO – Harold and Kumar are back, just in time for the holidays. The raunchy, weed smoking pair are taking on Christmas in their latest film, “A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas,” in which they both skew and honor the Yuletide. Once again, John Cho is Harold and Kal Penn is Kumar.

CHICAGO – In this edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Theatre, we have 5 admit-two Chicago theatre tickets up for grabs to see the Twin Cities phenomenon “A Klingon Christmas Carol,” which is the first play ever to be produced entirely in the Klingon language!

CHICAGO – The timing of “Undercovers” might be inopportune — the notion of CIA super spies adding to the deficit by overextending their expense accounts — yet the show itself is bright and exciting with beautiful actors and settings. But despite the presence of J.J. Abrams of “Lost,” it doesn’t break any new ground.

CHICAGO – Believe it or not, a lot of people heard about some critically acclaimed 2010 films for the first time on Sunday night, when they won or were nominated for 2010 Academy Awards and are now wondering how they can see winning films like “The Hurt Locker,” “Crazy Heart,” “The Blind Side,” “Inglourious Basterds,” “Precious,” and “Avatar”. Let us guide the way.

CHICAGO – It was a triumph worthy of David and Goliath at The 82nd Annual Academy Awards on Sunday, March 7th, 2010.

CHICAGO – They came, we saw and in the end, who conquered? HollywoodChicago.com Senior Writer Patrick McDonald weighs in on the Top Ten of 2009. From the rich palette of choices, the challenge is always to winnow it down to ten.