George Takei ‘elated’ over Prop 8 ruling as ‘Star Trek’ convention launches at Las Vegas Hilton

By John Katsilometes

Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010 | 5:10 p.m.

Sulu rocks. He really does. Who would have ever expected that, among the crew on the original Starship Enterprise, the most fascinating character of all would be the craft's demure helmsman?

But George Takei set his proverbial phaser on kill today in a highly entertaining monologue and Q&A session to kick off the "Star Trek Las Vegas Convention" at the Las Vegas Hilton. The convention is expected to draw 15,000 Trekkers during its three days.

Highlights of the sci-fi pop festival include an appearance by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy at 2 p.m. Saturday and an appearance by Sir Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner at 1:45 p.m. Sunday. Also set for Sunday, beginning at 9 a.m., is an attempt by hundreds of "Star Trek" devotees to break the Guinness Book of World Records mark for the largest assemblage of costumed "Star Trek" fans, ever. Yes, Guinness does recognize this category. The number to beat is 507 (click here for a full schedule and information about the convention).

Takei was not in costume today but needed no introduction for the three-quarters-filled Barron Room — redubbed the Gene Roddenberry Theater for the weekend — and touched on a topic about which he's famously passionate — gay rights. Takei disclosed his homosexuality in 2005, and he and longtime partner Brad Altman were legally married Sept. 14, 2008, in West Hollywood Calif., before Proposition 8 was enacted and made such unions illegal (though same-sex marriages held before the measure passed in November 2008 were unaffected).

After the 45-minute session and a nearly three-hour autograph session with scores of fiercely loyal "Trek" fans, Takei spoke with measured optimism about this week's victory for gay-rights proponents. On Wednesday, U.S. District Chief Judge Vaughn R. Walker overturned Proposition 8, legalizing same-sex marriages in California, pending appeal. The case is likely to land in the Supreme Court.

"We are elated, and last night we popped a bottle of champagne," Takei said, referring to he and Altman, who also was in the room as he spoke. "But we are mindful of the fact that it is going to be appealed, that it will probably go to the appellate court, and then to the Supreme Court. But we've got an extraordinary legal team advocating this. We've got Kent Olson, who represented George Bush in Bush v. Gore, and we've got David Boies, who represented Al Gore in that case. It's no longer a question of conservative against liberal, or Republican against Democrat.

"There will be a long road ahead of us."

Takei and Altman, who have been in a committed relationship for 23 years, were at Roy's Restaurant on East Flamingo Road for their celebratory toast.

"I had the blackened cod," Takei said. "It was really good. Is the food always that good there?"

No clue.

Takei touched on the gay-rights issue in his appearance onstage, too, recalling the famous public service announcement he recorded two years ago that was a formal answer to homophobic comments made by former NBA star Tim Hardaway.

"He said he hated gays, and my way of retaliating was to meet that hate with love," the 73-year-old Takei said, to cheers from his supporters. "We don't hate you, we love you. ... But I don't like that brand of stupid homophobia. It's funny, I never heard from him, ever. I hope he learned a lesson, and a lot of people agreed with me on that point and still agree with me." The crowd cheered.

Up to that point, Takei had been taking questions from people at either side of the stage, but took notice that most of the questioners were at his left.

"That's fine," he said. "That's the way I lean anyway."

In other comments, Takei said he understood the irony in the opening credits from the original series. "We were supposed to be on a five-year mission, but were canceled after three seasons," he said. "I can tell you, the signs of dangerous life we encountered were not Klingons. They were NBC executives."

Takei also is acting in the new Tom Hanks film, "Larry Crowne," which also stars Julia Roberts. "Can you imagine, a comedy about unemployment?" Maybe. It's hard to imagine Takei out of work at all. As long as there are "Star Trek" conventions to entertain, he'll be in demand.

Antiques Roadshow — but with skin in the game

The momentum surge for the History Channel phenomenon "Pawn Stars" has reached an inevitable stage: a road show. Rick and Corey Harrison, along with the magnanimous Austin "Chumlee" Russell are scheduled to appear at Suncoast from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday to dicker and appraise in the same way they do business on the show. This is the real deal, too, Corey Harrison promises.

"We'll be looking to buy or pawn what's brought to us, absolutely," he said. "It's a live transaction. It's kind of like 'Antiques Roadshow,' but we might end up with the stuff after taking a look at it." (For information, click here, and keep in mind, no firearms allowed.

Adam Steck of S.P.I. Entertainment, who reps Human Nature, Frank Marino and Thunder from Down Under among his collection of Vegas artists, is booking the boys on a world tour of sorts. The Suncoast appearance is merely the first of what might be a host of similar events — taking Chumlee to the mountain, in effect.

Asked if these appearances might be featured on the show, Harrison said, "Eventually, probably, if we do enough of them. But this one (at Suncoast) won't be."

This was the second encounter with the Harrisons this week. Rick and Corey were at Tuesday's Scorpions concert at the Thomas & Mack Center, helping manager Wayne Jefferies celebrate his 39th birthday. During the show, Rick informed Corey of some relevant family history.

"He told me I was that was conceived during 'Rock You Like a Hurricane,'" Corey said, chuckling. "I don't know if it's true or not, but that's what he said."

And that, friends, is some of the greatest trivia you will ever know.

Follow John Katsilometes on Twitter at twitter.com/JohnnyKats.