More nerd-dom.

So long, 'Star Trek'

This week, 'Star Trek' will boldly go where it hasn't gone in 36 years: cancellation.

Wanna feel old?

The original series, with William Shatner as Capt. James T. Kirk and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock, was axed by NBC in 1969 after three seasons. But, a cult favorite, "Star Trek" was revived as a film in 1979 with the original cast, and a new television series - "Star Trek: The Next Generation" - made its debut in the fall of 1987.

Since then, 18 years in all, there has been a "Star Trek" series - and sometimes two - on television every season. With nine more theatrical films, numerous novels and comic books, and a vast merchandizing empire, "Star Trek" has permeated American popular culture to the point where it stands with "Star Wars."

And, from the top rope...

Using as its basis a memorable episode titled "The Pegasus" from the final season of "Next Generation," the "Enterprise" finale puts as much emphasis on guest appearances by two "Next Gen" characters - Cmdr. Will Riker (Jonathan Frakes) and Counselor Deanna Troi (Marina Sirtis) - as it does on the "Enterprise" crew.

That miffed the current cast, with the sharpest criticism coming from Jolene Blalock, who has played the Vulcan T'Pol and carries particular weight with fans because she was a devoted follower of "Star Trek" before being cast. In an interview with TV Guide, she called the finale "appalling" and "a reminder of why we're being canceled."

Ouch. I'm still going to watch it.