Levar is probably the second most impactful person to my life that I’ve never met, right behind Mr Rogers. And maybe Bob Ross in third (for reasons unrelated to his painting).
Time to gush. Levar Burton to me as Geordi LaForge was a hero to me as a child. As a white dude, it never occurred to me Geordi was black, he's a guy, he's super smart, he's cool, and someday you just knew that guy was gonna be an awesome captain. Levar Burton is why I wanted to work with technology, Geordi is who I pictured myself as when I was a kid tearing apart, or fixing(much less fixing and mostly breaking back then, but that's how it starts). Levar Burton is almost solely responsible for my initial wonder at science. He stands easily shoulder to shoulder with Mr Rogers.
It showed a great progression of character and was worth fighting for. Of course, his daughters led to speculation over who was their mother. I'd like to think it's the overzealous Ensign Tyler from the episode "Phantasms."
I told Pierce a thousand times never wanted to meet LeVar in person! I just wanted an autographed picture! You can’t disappoint an autograph! I hate you Pierce! I hate you!
Funny story. I once met LeVar Burton at a convention signing. I told him how much I loved Star Trek and Reading Rainbow. Then he asked me what I was reading and I froze. I had finished a book the night before and hadn't started the next in the series, so I stuttered out, "I'm between books right now". He looked at me like I was a poser and I just kinda thanked him for the signature and left.
I remember the reading rainbow episodes about ILM and Star Wars's special effects, then another episode explaining Star Trek's effects and how they used glitter to get the transporter effect. that theme will be burned into my brain.
It is also where I remember first hearing the stories of anansi.
Also. Gordi was ... helpful for showcasing even with correction, vision imparement was an issue that affected people.
Levar is probably the second most impactful person to my life that I’ve never met, right behind Mr Rogers. And maybe Bob Ross in third (for reasons unrelated to his painting).
You keep mighty company, Mr Burton.
That's true.
Look, what happens on the holo-suite stays in the holo-suite. He did that to himself.
True. It's much more embarrassing when it happens in Ten Forward.
Oof, her body language…
She’s double-fisting synthehol. Things must be going well.
Isn't she retrieving those beverages for the table in the background?
She’s not carrying a tray. The servers in 10 forward, brought drinks on trays
Oh, THAT dating. Thanks 😅
Time to gush. Levar Burton to me as Geordi LaForge was a hero to me as a child. As a white dude, it never occurred to me Geordi was black, he's a guy, he's super smart, he's cool, and someday you just knew that guy was gonna be an awesome captain. Levar Burton is why I wanted to work with technology, Geordi is who I pictured myself as when I was a kid tearing apart, or fixing(much less fixing and mostly breaking back then, but that's how it starts). Levar Burton is almost solely responsible for my initial wonder at science. He stands easily shoulder to shoulder with Mr Rogers.
His performance as Geordi is in large part what started me on the path to becoming a professional engineer
Same. Geordi was quite an influence on me too.
Levar wouldn't come back to star trek Picard Season 3 unless Geordie was written to be given a family and was allowed to be a strong happy role model.
Honestly so much respect.
It showed a great progression of character and was worth fighting for. Of course, his daughters led to speculation over who was their mother. I'd like to think it's the overzealous Ensign Tyler from the episode "Phantasms."
i like to think it's her
I chortled please no
The kids are still wandering the Jeffries tubes though, we can’t find them all, only found fifteen.
Him going from the punchline of 'creepy engineer focusedn erds' to family man who has his life together...
I told Pierce a thousand times never wanted to meet LeVar in person! I just wanted an autographed picture! You can’t disappoint an autograph! I hate you Pierce! I hate you!
Funny story. I once met LeVar Burton at a convention signing. I told him how much I loved Star Trek and Reading Rainbow. Then he asked me what I was reading and I froze. I had finished a book the night before and hadn't started the next in the series, so I stuttered out, "I'm between books right now". He looked at me like I was a poser and I just kinda thanked him for the signature and left.
That scene hits different now.
Had to search in case that was copypasta
No but they did turn your experience into a scene!
WARP SPEED DONT RAINBOW READ ME!
I yell this at my wife now.
Source
He also showed us how to exit an emergency in style ....
And he didn't even have to reach back under the door for his visor!
This was pretty great set design/construction I gotta say
Whoooooo00!
Happy birthday to one of the greatest!
I remember the reading rainbow episodes about ILM and Star Wars's special effects, then another episode explaining Star Trek's effects and how they used glitter to get the transporter effect. that theme will be burned into my brain.
It is also where I remember first hearing the stories of anansi.
Also. Gordi was ... helpful for showcasing even with correction, vision imparement was an issue that affected people.
Love Levar Burton
He has a podcast where he reads scifi short stories and then talks about why he chose them or meaning he gets from them
It's great and worth a listen!
RIP, that podcast.
It is one of my favorite podcasts ever, it had a very long run so I highly recommend it too.