Watch Patrick Stewart Talk About Next Gen Laughter, Knighthood & Hairloss

Last night Patrick Stewart was a guest on the Tavis Smiley talk show on PBS, primarily promoting the PBS premiere of Hamlet. But he did talk a bit about his time on Star Trek, including recalling a recent cast reunion. Details and video link below.

Stewart talks about Trek, Knighthood, balding and Shakespeare

Stewart was the guest for the full show, so there was around 22 minutes with the actor. To watch the full interview go to PBS.ORG.

CLICK: WATCH PATRICK STEWART ON TAVIS SMILEY AT PBS.ORG

Here are some excerpts:

Patrick Stewart on what he most associates with his time on Star Trek:

Laughter largely. A few weeks ago I came into L.A., and it just so happens that every one of the principle cast members of Next Generation was in town, and I had something to celebrate, so I got everyone together and we sat down for dinner, all of us. Some brought their wives and partners with them, and my memory of that evening, apart from good food and wine, was laughter. And it remains the dominant sense memory of those days on the set of the Enterprise, was laughing – sometimes uncontrollably. Directors would go on their knees – I had seen it happen – and say "please guys, say the lines seriously, once." And we would say "hey, roll the camera, we will do it seriously. If you don’t roll the camera, we are just going to fool around." I am painting a grossly exaggerated picture of what life was like, because we worked very hard and very seriously, and I am really proud of that series.

Stewart on if it is cool being "Sir" Patrick Stewart

I think it just might just be the coolest thing I have ever done. And it is very recent. So when I hear someone use the title, which I do not expect or ask for, I turn around and look who they are talking to, because it is a little bit uncomfortable.

Stewart and Smiley also discussed hair loss at length, and Stewart recalled a story of how a director and friend forcibly removed his comb over at a young age, making him embrace "being himself."

Below is a clip, just on the discussion about the hair, but go to PBS.ORG to see the full interview.

Sir Patrick in Hamlet on PBS

PBS airs Hamlet, starring David Tennant and Patrick Stewart on April 28th at 8PM. More info at http://pbs.org/gperf. Here are some clips and interview with Patrick Stewart about Hamlet.

http://trekmovie.com/2010/04/24/watch-patrick-stewart-talk-about-next-gen-laughter-knighthood-hairloss/