To be honest, I just assumed this was something that had already happened. For someone who created such an enduring TV and film legacy and such a phenomenon, I thought Gene Roddenberry was already in the TV Academy Hall of Fame. Apparently, I was wrong because at a special ceremony at the Beverly Hills Hotel next year, the “Great Bird of the Galaxy” himself will join the ranks of Academy Hall of Fame inductees.
Other inductees to be honored at the ceremony include Candice Bergen, production and art director Charles Lisanby, announcer Don Pardo, Tom and Dick Smothers and game show producer Bob Stewart. Seriously, and I apologize in advance for the rant I’m about to go on, the guy who created Star Trek and Don Pardo are getting the Hall of Fame treatment at the same time? Come on TV Academy, what the heck are you thinking?
I don’t think I’m alone here, and this is nothing personal against Mr. Pardo who’s great at what he does, but Star Trek is one of the most popular, longest lasting and incredibly innovative pop culture icons ever created in the history of TV and the guy who announces Saturday Night Live and some production designer get into the Academy Hall of Fame at the same time as he does? I just don’t get it. I guess all I can say at this point is about frakkin’ time.
