Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 27, 1993 TAG: 9309070161
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Ian Spelling
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
What in the universe was Goldberg, a 1985 Oscar nominee for ``The Color Purple,'' doing on the new ``Trek'' series?
``I did it because, frankly, I couldn't get any work then,'' says Goldberg, who at the time was going through a career lull following the flops of such films as ``Jumpin' Jack Flash'' (1986), ``Burglar'' (1987) and ``Clara's Heart'' (1988).
``I liked the show, so I asked if I could be on it.''
Growing up, Goldberg had been inspired by ``Trek'' classic's Nichelle Nichols, who, as Lt. Uhura, was one of the few black actresses with a regular role on a television series. She also represented the future - a future that included a woman of color in a position of responsibility.
``I did it as a tribute to my love of the show,'' Goldberg says during an interview at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. ``I liked the idea of being in space.''
``I know I'm never going up in anybody's rocket ship. I know this because I don't even like to fly.
``I thought being on `Star Trek' was a great way to sort of expand on the universe and be a part of it. Gene Roddenberry's vision always included a multiethnic group of people. I thought that was pretty amazing.''
Roddenberry heard of Goldberg's interest in ``Next Gen'' through her friend LeVar Burton. When he and Goldberg spoke, she asked him to create a role specifically for her.
``It took him two years to really get that I was serious about doing it,'' the actress says.
``They finally said, `Sure, we'll build you a bar.' And they built me this bar (Ten-Forward).
``I go in and I'm really sage and I get to wear great hats. I also get to hang out with some extraordinary people, like Patrick Stewart, LeVar and Jonathan Frakes.''
Goldberg, 37, is now a major film star. Her career picked up after she won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her portrayal of psychic Oda Mae Brown in ``Ghost'' (1990). She went on to score hits with ``Sister Act'' (1992) and ``Made in America'' (1993).
Yet she still finds time for ``Trek'' work.
Goldberg appeared in ``Next Gen's'' sixth-season opener and returned to Ten-Forward for the episode ``Suspicions,'' which aired in May.
Though she is now in the midst of shooting ``Sister Act II,'' the actress promises she will make at least one appearance during ``Next Gen's'' seventh season.
``I'm still enjoying it,'' she says. ``I love the show, It's still one of my favorite things to do.''
As excited as she is by the prospect of playing Guinan again, Goldberg prefers to leave some of the questions about her character unanswered.
Will we ever learn the true nature of Guinan's friendship with Capt. Picard (Stewart)?
``We might,'' she teases. ``We might.''
Will Guinan pop up on ``Deep Space Nine'' - or perhaps to trade stories with Quark (Armin Shimerman), her ``DS9'' bartender counterpart?
Don't count on it.
Can fans look forward to Goldberg appearing in the impending ``Next Gen'' film?
``I think a `Next Generation' film will be exciting,'' she says, smiling. ``If they ask me to be in it, I'd love to do it.''
\ Trek alert
If you have Trek news or trivia to share - or if you have questions relating to ``Star Trek'' - write to Ian Spelling, care of the Roanoke Times & World-News, P.O. Box 2491, Roanoke, Va. 24010. Be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like a reply.
by CNB