Who's On First? Starfleet's First Officers

Red Alert!  Who's on first base?  20th century comic duo Abbott and Costello may have never warped on a Starfleet starship - although they did go to Mars - but their historically popular comedy bit, 'Who's On First?', evokes a responsible officer rank which doesn't always get deserved attention nor respect.

Check out my TrekNews article about those Number Ones of Star Trek.

Trek News Interviews Me For My Book

Great chat with writer Kyle Hadyniak over at Trek-News.  This was a really fun interview!

Thanks, Kyle!

http://www.treknews.net/2017/03/13/will-stape-star-trek-sex-ds9-tng/

Holodeck Vs Holosuites

Science fiction fans may argue about which they like better - Star Trek or Star Wars.  Vulcan neck pinch trumps a Jedi Force push?  Does a lightsaber get more love and respect than a Klingon Bat'leth? One thing in common with both sci-fi powerhouses, they love using holograms.

The holodeck on a starship is a place to relax and play. If you find yourself at Deep Space Nine, however, you'll have to use a holosuite - run by the Ferengi Quark. What's the difference?  Well, for one, those Galaxy class starships are enormous - big enough to devote an entire deck of space to holographic fun.  On DS9, space is a premium, so your holo adventures may be a wee bit curtailed owing to the cramped space. One thing is clear:  Quark's notion of what is permissible - involving sexuality of all kinds and ways - can't be as conservative as Starfleet's.  Anything goes.  

In purely practical terms, the crew on Picard's Enterprise and on other Starfleet vessels are always being interrupted by fellow crew mates strolling into the holographic fantasies.  It's a sure bet that if Quark's customers had strangers barging into his holosuites - or relationship partners wanting to know their secret sexual desires - his reputation and profit margin would go south faster than the warp drive on the U.S.S. Defiant. 

Dabble in Dabo

When you dabble in Dabo you may gain more than profit.  On Deep Space Nine, Quark's was the place to play the glorious game of galactic chance, Dabo - among other pleasures.  There were always more than a few friendly gals to help you navigate your greedy gambling.  Dabo Girls were quick to help celebrate your big win, or comfort you when you lost all your gold pressed latnium and went broke.

The Ultimate Voyage Tour - Trek At 50

With Star Trek turning 50 this year, the joyous celebrations are happening all over the place.  One of the most iconic aspects of Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi legacy is the space opera's compelling music. From the original series, throughout the feature films and onto the later incarnations of Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager and Enterprise, Trek's sweeping symphonic ear candy remains some of the most emotional in Hollywood and pop culture history.

For the 50th Anniversary, The Ultimate Voyage Tour will enable fans to experience all of that beloved music, plus other unique surprises.  Click here for more info and the touring dates for the show.

Donald Trump On Star Trek?

Trump did a jump to the stars?  How so?  A Captain?  A Klingon?  A Romulan? A Borg?  Not exactly....

The Ferengi and Trump - So Perfect Togetehr

Unconventional Conventions

Flashback Fun - First published in 2007

Despite the name, Star Trek conventions aren't conventional.

Star Trek Conventions are only for obsessed fans - right?  Nope.  I attended one and found a lot more than Klingon warriors and pregnant Tribbles.

Trek Conventions only attract obsessed fans dressed as Captain Kirk or wild eyed Klingons gunning for a rumble. It's science fiction friction reserved for hardcore Trekkies or rubber ear wearing, ray gun armed fanatics.

Not exactly.

I saw it myself last weekend, at Creation Entertainment's Official Star Trek Convention in Cherry Hill, NJ. I'd never experienced such a gathering over the full course of the event lasting three days. A good friend treated me to accommodations at the Crown Plaza Hilton, so we experienced everything the festivities offered.

Bob's generous gift of a Gold Weekend Pass, allowed full access. Luxuries like photo ops weren't included, but I've never been gripped with an overwhelming compulsion to be photographed with Sulu, pilot of Starship Enterprise, so that exclusion was fine.  George Takei who plays Sulu was there, but he now also counts fans of his hit NBC hit show Heroes and his hilarious Howard Stern escapades on Sirius Satellite Radio.

So how did it measure up in terms of fans gone wild? Was I assaulted by rabid Romulans? Not even close. You will find extremes of sci-fi idol worship strutting around in outlandish attire at a Star Trek Con, but you'll also encounter:

Hand made models, original artwork, and clothing from shows like Babylon 5, Battlestar Galactica, Heroes, Doctor Who, Lost and even ABC hit drama Grey's Anatomy.

Quality time with iconic celebrities. Star Trek actors are the majority of key guests, however TV actors from Xena, Buffy or even popular daytime actors or soap stars can also often be found at events. Broadway caliber performances, including Shakespeare and musical cabaret with actors who've starred in films, television and on Broadway's Great White Way.

Perhaps the most powerfully inspiring element, but one, which is only experienced in person is a sense of camaraderie with like minded people. The anticipation before each event is powerfully infectious. During the Q&A sessions or autograph time, celebrities entertain, surprise and connect with fans in ways both sincere, theatrical and touching.

Actor, director and acclaimed photographer Leonard Nimoy was asked a question by one of his littlest fans. Nine year old Brandon dressed sharply in red Starfleet uniform impressed Nimoy enough to have the legendary Mr. Spock invite the youngster up on stage for a few thrilling minutes. The audience knew it was a special moment between a young fan and a Hollywood veteran. It wonderfully exemplifies the family friendly vibe. Several generations of fans were here - from the old guard who followed the original crew to grade school Trekkies like Brandon.

Despite my most grand expectations of diversions I'd find at a con, being treated to Shakespeare wasn't counted amongst them. Marc Alaimo who played roles in Next Generation and then created Gul Dukat, one of the most popular villains of Deep Space Nine, conducted an exhilarating class on the bard. We've all had the experiences of struggling through studying Shakespeare in high school or college. How could we blame our poor literature teacher when it's a good bet none were professional thespians like Mr. Alaimo.

He had volunteers read Hamlet. They tried their best, but it mostly amounted to those forced clumsy recitations I recalled from high school. When Alaimo took over, the only way to describe the transformation was of being transported.  Immediately, the Hilton Hotel's Ballroom became a historic theater house and we now watched a veteran Shakespearean actor expertly ply his craft. Any student of acting, lover of the classics or just an admirer of theater would have loved to share the experience.

On the last day we met William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. These two as Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock launched Star Trek during the 1960's and have nurtured the flame and kept it together for nearly forty years. These days Nimoy is mostly retired from acting, though he did address reports about being in JJ Abrams upcoming Trek film. As for Shatner, he can be seen on the hit ABC show Boston Legal and he's just been nominated for another Emmy for his role as Denny Crane.

Their onstage chemistry was electric. Like the camaraderie of Paul McCartney or John Lennon, who could understand the demands of such lasting global fame, but the sci-fi duo that helped create it? It was a fitting way to end the convention, seeing the friendship between two men whose talent helped bring us together in that ballroom.

If someone suggests you try something new - something as bizarre as say a Star Trek convention - don't be so quick to dismiss it. Give it a try. You may find it worlds better than you could have ever imagined.

Interview Flashback: A Chat with Deep Space Nine's Chase Masterson - Leeta

This interview was originally published in 2008

Chase Masterson really does it all. She dances, sings, performs sketch comedy and stars in TV and movies.  She's also a movie producer. Her new film noir, Yesterday Was A Lie, is a complex story about the nature of reality from director James Kerwin and Chase is also a producer.

For millions of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fans around the world, Chase is known fondly as Leeta, the beautiful Bajoran girl who went from nightclub server to marrying an alien destined to become leader of the Ferengi Star Empire.  It was a one shot appearance initially, but blossomed into an important recurring character. It's a credit to Chase's talent and charisma that Leeta became such an integral part of the Star Trek and DS9 family.

I had the pleasure of learning more about Chase, her new movie and her musical pursuits, which all remain close to her heart.

What was it like growing up in Colorado?

I was born in Colorado, but grew up all over. My father was in the Army, so we lived in many different places, including Alaska & Germany. It was great traveling so much, early on - my father loved taking us on sidetrips. He became a travel agent after the Army and was so duly enamored with places we got to go, even on weekend. Morocco, Italy, London, Barcelona, Madrid, Paris, Munich and so many little towns in Germany. Being exposed to varied culture, different forms of theatre & art & music was extremely formative. It was wonderful.

The hard part was always having to say goodbye to people and places I loved and knowing, while it was great, it wasn't permanent. It's a very hard way to grow up. Always bittersweet.

The Groundlings.  In comedy improv circles it's legendary. What's the most useful thing you learned as a Groundling?

I wasn't actually in the Groundlings. I don't know where whoever said that heard it. I worked for a long time with some Groundlings in a side comedy troupe called "Hilarious: Gladiators of Comedy." It was crazily fun. We did mostly sketch, not lots of improv. I got my first agent & film through them.

The most important thing I learned was reinforcement and being positive onstage is key. Too many people have a competitive vibe that destroys chemistry and every other fun, important thing. Ego is the death of creativity. But when you really support each other & want for others to be great just as much as you want yourself to be, that's key. It makes it all worth doing, finding those who do as well.

Fans rave about DS9's dramatic nuances, but it was also one of the funniest TV shows ever. Example: A buddy hated Star Trek, but watched after I sold my Next Gen script, he then watched DS9 and called me, "This Quark is funny!", he raved.  Between Quark, Odo, Rom and Leeta, the laughs rarely stopped. Such an elegant blend of drama and comedy must have been truly rewarding.

I loved the comedy in DS9. I agree it was some of the best parts of the show. I mean, getting to teach Quark how to be a woman? It doesn't get any better than that.

As I often say, the beautiful blend of pathos & humor really came out of the hearts of who our writers were. They're extraordinarily insightful, passionately aware, alive human beings who love to laugh and make other people laugh. Ira Behr and Ron Moore and Rene Echevarria are all people who get it, you know? And they were brought together by one of the top writers of all time, Michael Piller, who we unfortunately lost far too soon. It's not surprising to me that the show's deep messages and hilarious antics were often both created by the same writer in the same episode. That's who these writers are.

You and Nana Visitor (Kira) are dancers.  There seems to be something rhythmically graceful about playing a Bajoran woman. How helpful is dance to you in moving as an actress?

My dance background has been invaluable. I think it helps any actor with poise and confidence. Specifically, with Leeta I used a lot of visual imagery to help me get her essence to be what I wanted her to be. (Contrary to some fans' belief, no, I'm not Leeta, and she isn't me!)

I saw Leeta as graceful in ways that are kind and loving, but also -- this may sound weird -- in ways that are like a snake. With nothing extra, only rarely having sudden movements, and much more calculated than she may have appeared -- or wanted to appear. With Leeta's background, she didn't want to give more information away than necessary...that's just one of those things from a Bajoran's childhood that doesn't go away. Leeta's movement style may not have been obvious to viewers, but it helped me in shaping her...or at least they kept me amused.

What I feel keyed Leeta into fans was her "everyday" quality. She wasn't a freedom fighter like Kira or Starfleet officer like Ensign Ro, yet was a magnetic, multi-faceted woman, whom you brought wonderfully to life. It's hard playing characters lacking a big arc like a Captain or a flashy alien, but you made Leeta intriguing. Apart from scripts and interplay between fellow actors, how did you keep Leeta fresh and us always interested?

I've always felt any person in real life or character onstage or onscreen is, for the people around them, a vessel for the world to enter in on. We have such influence on the people around us. We can cause them to see or feel differently about the rest of the world, by how we see it... by our reactions.

I saw Leeta as someone you'd want to see the world through, with enough innocence that life could remain exciting, even in the midst of the dark times of DS9. I've always thought it more exciting to be capable of having your head turned, than to be capable of turning heads. Staying alive, til you die, is the key. It's not always easy. That's part of why it's intriguing when we do it.

Also, Ira Behr said something interesting to me fairly early on, around the time Leeta & Rom got married. He told me that he thought Leeta & Rom would be the only truly happy married couple on television. Think about it. Most couples on TV are rarely role models for the institution of marriage, they mostly hate each other or just tolerate each other, deep down. It made me contemplate that real love - onscreen and off - is fun, or why is in it? And it should be portrayed that way. So part it was in finding things I absolutely craved about my husband Rom. Things that threw me smack in the middle of the throes of love with him again.

Thankfully, the writers made that easy. So did Max.

How great to have starred in a small role and then grown to such a level at the conclusion. Did you have a clue how important Leeta would become to the DS9 mythos?

I had no idea. I was, as all recurring characters were, just thankful to keep getting to play! Any episode was a real treat, and we never knew how many more there would be or wouldn't be. That's part of the joy that they kept us on for so long. Having the story line of getting with Rom was so much fun, but I never dreamed it would end with such a very "Star Trekian" ending - Rom being named the Grand Nagus (above Quark & Brunt) ;-) - how fun is that?

Have you seen the Star Trek: Experience in Las Vegas?

I love going to The Experience - it's one of my favorite places to go play, in this country anyway - I'd definitely recommend it! (And the Warp Core Breach. Also, try Leeta's soup du jour--)

What do you miss most about DS9?  Steady job?  Professional camaraderie? Craft services?

Boy, you really got me. How did you know that my favorite part of being an actor is the free cappuccino?

It's funny what you miss. Being in the make-up trailer with that incredibly talented team. Being at Paramount at 5 a.m...I was usually the first person on the lot other than security and my makeup girl. The moon was still out. And it was very quiet. Joyful. I do miss those days.

I miss being part of that team, working with that gang, working with the actors who were starting to direct. And especially I miss Rom. Max, too, but Rom separately. He was so very sweet to be around, and kept me laughing. Those were good times.

Geez Louise, I sound like the end of "Our Town."

Terry Farrell.  Do you recall the mood on the set knowing she was bowing out of the last season? Was there animosity at all? Did Nicolle DeBoer coming on as Ezri feel left out of the DS9 family?

I don't think there was any animosity at Terry leaving. She could have stayed if she'd wanted, and everyone had the option of leaving. Actors generally keep each others' professional decisions in a separate place emotionally, because we all have had to make tough ones.

And we've all been the new kid on the block. I think we did a pretty good job at welcoming Nicole, because we know how hard it can be. It's especially hard doing guest stars, because you're the new kid on every show you're on, it's like trying to blend in with the cool crowd, you know? And by the time you start to do actually do it, you're done.

Talk about your movie, Yesterday Was A Lie.  From what I've seen on the website - it strikes me as an atmospheric, film noir - yet also appears to be quite intellectual, even philosophical.

"Yesterday Was A Lie" is one of the best scripts I've ever read. It's the brainchild of award-winning writer/director, James Kerwin. I'm more excited about it than anything in a very long time.

The film, done in classic black & white, deals with theories of quantum physics explored in the 1930's and 40's by Feynman, Wheeler, and Schroedinger, as well as other experiments done more recently at MIT and other labs. It raises questions about the nature of reality and time. So it has elements of sci fi, which might also be sci fact, as we're beginning to understand.

It also contemplates the issue of social responsibility, which is a core issue of mine, and one, which a lot of people don't ever address. I play a singer who the lead character comes to know; she's a noir anti-heroine, with an extremely interesting journey. And the threads of symbolism are amazing... truly. In this film -- the more you look, the more you see.  In addition to being one of the leads, I produced the film, which could be a whole 'nother interview someday.

Check out our site - www.YesterdayWasALie.com.

Celine Dion was digitally paired with and sang with Elvis Presley on American Idol.  If you could sing, dance or perform with an entertainment idol of the past whom would it be and why?

Wow, what a cool question. My ultimate dream would be to sing & dance opposite Gene Kelley, but who wouldn't? Second to him would be none other than Donald O'Connor. Or maybe Tommy Tune. Or Vivian Blaine or Gwen Verdon. Or Rita Moreno, just for the electricity factor -- those ladies really lit it up.

I know, I know, I was born too late. I did get to sing with Jimmy Darren in Vegas. That was pretty much a dream.

Talk about your music.

I'm extremely excited about what's happening musically right now. I sing 4 songs in "Yesterday Was A Lie".  We'll be recording those in the next week. After the film wraps, I'll focus more on putting a new band together for music of the Golden Era, all that fun, romantic stuff that Ella Fitzgerald, Julie London, Frank Sinatra, Deano & the guys sang.

I have two CD's out, Thrill Of the Chase and AD ASTRA!  We've gotten some great reviews. Check 'em out - www.chasemasterson.com.

Thanks so much for taking the time to share these memories and thoughts with me,</b> Chase!

Thank you, Will! I appreciate it -- God bless you!

Sexy Seska of Voyager

Star Trek: Voyager saw many a popular recurring character.  There's Lon Suder (Brad Dourif) the Betazoid who simply loved the thrill of the kill.  Naomi Wildman was daughter of Ensign Wildman - the first birth aboard the Federation Starship making its way home from the Delta Quadrant.  Of all the memorable supporting cast, Seska, played by actress Martha Hackett, delighted as one of the most devious and deadly of them all.

Hackett was no stranger to the Trek universe - having auditioned for the role of Jadzia Dax and losing out to Terry Farrell.  Before deceiving Voyager's crew as a Bajoran Maquis member who's really a Cardassian in disguise, Hackett played a Romulan in the Deep Space Nine episode, The Search. 

Though a popular character, Seska eventually met her end, but like the best sci-fi and Trek in particular, she managed to come back to cause trouble.  How many of us can say we complete unfinished business in our life - without actually doing it ourselves?  Through the miracle of holodeck tech, Seska returns to wreck havoc and target Tuvok - played by Tim Russ.

Vorta - The Alluring Clones Of The Dominion

Send in the clones!  On Deep Space Nine we met the enigmatic Founders - a gelatinous race which could morph into most anything imaginable.  The Founders employed a seductive subordinate race of solid beings called the Vorta. These aliens kept the aggressive Jem'Hadar, the grunt soldiers, on a short leash and served their morphing masters as the middle managers of The Dominion.  Although not physically strong nor impressive in terms of physiology, the Vorta are the ultimate negotiator.  In their dealings with the Federation and Starfleet, they could be more than effective in making diplomatic deals.  Is it their charm?  Maybe it's those deep, blue eyes which seduce from afar, or perhaps it's those soothing, lilting voices.  Whichever the case, the Vorta command a quiet kind of Star Trek sex vibe indeed.

With the Vorta, there are many mysteries on their culture and origin, and even the concept of their own death is questionable or variable.  There is no fixed death, nor real permanency of dying for these alien caretakers from the dread Dominion.  Once they die, a clone can be created and the Vorta in question can be back operating in the field in no time flat.  Talk about a great healthcare plan!  Live long and prosper, indeed!

The Runabout - The Sleek Starfleet Shuttle Alternative

Getting tired of your old jalopy?  Want to trade in that small hatchback for something far more sleek and sexy?  Starfleet's got your answer to those warp driving blues!  The Runabout!

Star Trek starships only showed off having onboard compliments of shuttlecraft for years. With the coming of TNG's spinoff, Deep Space Nine, a far roomier, more maneuverable and powerful space craft solution was introduced.  Even after the Borg buster, the Defiant, was employed by station DS9, Runabout continued to be an integral part of daily use.  Named after the rivers of Earth, the high attrition rate in heavy combat prompted Major Kira to quip, "You know, the rate we go through runabouts, it's a good thing Earth has so many rivers."

Quark's Walk on the Wild Side - Bruce Jenner Would Be Proud

Bruce Jenner captured the world's attention with his highly personal revelation about wanting to become a woman.  Who could have thought that in the colorful Kardashian clan, Jenner would end up standing out more than the others?  Gender reassignment is a highly complex and emotional issue, but as Jenner's comprehensive interview with Diane Sawyer clearly showed us, there's always room for humor.  Yes, comedy is always an effective healing force.

On Deep Space Nine, the mirthful laughter came many times from Quark (Armin Shimmerman) the Ferengi barkeep.  His many run ins with Constable Odo are legendary, and chuckle filled, but then there was the time Quark dressed up....

See for yourself.

Quark wasn't interested in becoming the fair sex permanently, but he did cut an interesting figure as a woman.  Sexy?  Maybe not, but he was certainly alluring - well, for a Ferengi anyway!

Kira And Her Slinky Mirror Counterpart

Star Trek loves to play around with the alternate universe or mirror universe theory - that there may be other universes and realities much like our own, albeit with certain differences.  Although not officially proven by our science at this relatively rudimentary developmental stage, science fiction like Trek or the TV series, Sliders, uses the concept often and to great dramatic ends.

In Deep Space Nine, the Bajoran Officer Major Kira Nerys has her own mirror counterpart, who, shall we say, is complicated.  She calls herself the Indendant, and all who cross her path and challenge her definitely come to know just how seriously she takes her intentions.

Sexy Spotlight on Keiko O'Brien - Rosalind Chao - Star Trek: The Next Generation & Deep Space Nine

Chief Miles O'Brien (Colm Meaney), first seen as an engineer on Captain Picard's Enterprise 1701-D, made the move over to Captain Sisko's (Avery Brooks) outpost - the former Cardassian mining station of Deep Space Nine.  He wasn't alone for the transition.  He took along his school teacher wife, Keiko, played by Rosalind Chao.

Keiko may not have been an exotic alien from a wondrous world or another dimension, nor was she an expert in high tech magic or medicine, but as a teacher on the Enterprise, and then later on DS9, Keiko made a difference to the children and families of Starfleet.

Chao's career on TV is well known to fans, as she played Soon Lee Klinger in the final two episodes of the legendary TV series, M*A*S*H, and also had a recurring role in the Gary Coleman smash sitcom Different Strokes.  Though Chao plays Keiko O'Brien, a character who is a Japanese national, the actress herself is Chinese American.

Spotlight On Ishka - Ferengi - Andrea Martin & Cecily Adams

Ferengi aren't usually an alien race one looks to when sexual attraction is a prime topic of conversation.  Still, you have to admire a people who are so prosperous when it comes to conducting business and making that all important profit.  The small in stature race is also known for a natural comic bent which can lead to great laughter - albeit, at times, unintentionally so.  In Deep Space Nine, the most famous Ferengi is Quark, played by Armin Shimmerman.  His mother is Ishka, affectionately known by her sons Quark and Rom as Moogie, played by actress Andrea Martin.

Andrea Martin - the American comedienne best known from the Canadian comedy TV show Second City Television SCTV - gave Ishka more than a devilish sparkle and hint of mischievousness.  Martin did enjoy creating the popular role, but refused to come back to reprise the fan favorite character because of the heavy make-up process, which she hated.  Actress and casting director Cecily Adams (daughter of Don Adams from TV classic Get Smart) took up Ishka's persona for several more DS9's eps after Martin backed out.

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Spotlight - Ezri Dax - Nicole de Boer

When your commanding officer - and one time best friend in another 'life', Captain Sisko - sums you up like this, "She's a Dax. Sometimes they don't think; they just do." - you know your life is one big roller coaster ride.  For Ezri Dax (Nicole de Boer), the more accurate way to sum up her life would be to go plural - as in multiple lives.  As a Trill, she's a joined species - a host and a symbiotic lifeform.

After Terry Farrell, who originated the role of Lt. Dax on Deep Space Nine left the series, Nicole de Boer was brought in to replace her in the seventh and final season of the syndicated show.  And since Trill sort of do the old body swap as a rule anyway, viewers weren't left as shell shocked as when some TV shows plug in a new performer swapped for an old.

Star Trek Sex - Deep Space Nine or Terok Nor - Cardassian Space Station Turned Starfleet & Bajoran Outpost

Deep Space Nine is one incredible space station.  Even before Commander Sisko (Avery Brooks) took command of the outpost - the former Cardassian station called Terok Nor - the place had a definite reputation as the go to spot for all sorts of outrageous or even sexy 'adventures'.  When the Barjorans allied themselves with the United Federation of Planets, the station was renamed Deep Space Nine or DS9, and Starfleet stationed officers to assist Bajor.

It would become the place to fuel up - both yourself and your ship - before taking a jaunt into the Bajoran Wormhole into the Gamma Quadrant.  Feel like a little gambling or need to relax over a few drinks?  Quarks is the happening place.  Be warned though - security is always vigilant.  Constable Odo (Rene Auberjonois) doesn't like any behavior that's too fun - i.e. not lawful.  By the time Quark or another of his Ferengi staff have sold you a few those pretty and 'affordable gems', you could find yourself spending a few days and nights in the brig for trafficking in stolen merchandise.  It may be worth it though, the Dabo girls are famous for being some of the sexiest gals in the cosmos.

What's The Sexiest Star Trek Show?

Is Captain Kirk's Enterprise more of a sexy place than Jean-Luc Picard's?  Did Benjamin Sisko preside over former Cardassian run Deep Space Nine as a den of sexual iniquity, or was Captain Janeway's Voyager the place to score more?  With four spin-off TV shows based upon the original sci-fi creation of Gene Roddenberry, fans have hundreds of episodes to see just which space place was more of the party spot or not.

The Women Of Star Trek

Recently, NBC broadcast a prime-time special - The Women of SNL.  It was a rebroadcast from 2010 - an hour long retrospective featuring female comic performers who've made Saturday Night Live must see TV.  Star Trek also has an NBC connection.  It premiered on the National Broadcasting Company back in 1966.  How about a special called - The Women Of Star Trek?

Deep Space Nine Sexy Spotlight - Dabo Girls

Quark's bar catered to the weary space traveler by offering them a host of exotic eats, drinks and entertainment.  One of the riskier kinds of play - to the wallet anyway - was playing Dabo.  This high stakes gambling activity took away many a player's gold pressed latinum.  While playing Dabo, you are treated to the professional services of the Dabo girl - a beautiful server who encourages you to play.

Dabo girls are basically a cross between a cocktail waitress and a geisha girl.  Leeta - played by actress Chase Masterson - joined up at Quark's as a Dabo girl and ended up marrying the owner's brother, the Ferengi Rom.