Summary
William Shatner’sT.J. Hookershow featured an actor fromStar Trek. During the first fewStar Trekmoviesequels, William Shatner starred in his hit ABC and CBS seriesT.J. Hooker. This American police drama TV show featured Shatner in the starring role, a 15-year veteran police sergeant. Interestingly,Shatner’sT.J. Hookeralso starred a futureStar Trekactor.
Actor and singer James Darren appeared inT.J. Hookeras Officer Jim Corrigan and later inStar Trek: Deep Space Nineas the iconic but controversial holodeck singer Vic Fontaine. However, James Darren becoming part ofStar Trekafter working with William Shatner isn’t necessarily a surprise — after all, theStar Trektimelineis long and storied, spanning various TV shows and movies.Darren following in Shatner’s footsteps and joiningStar Trekmakes theirT.J. Hookerconnection even more interesting.
Star Trek: Captain Kirk’s Entire Prime Universe Timeline, Explained
Captain James Kirk was one of the most impactful figures in Starfleet, and his lengthy timeline saw him leave an enduring mark on Star Trek history.
James Darren From William Shatner’s T.J. Hooker Became Star Trek: DS9’s Vic Fontaine
The 1980s cop drama featured both a Star Trek icon and a future Star Trek recurring guest star
There was certainly not a shortage of American cop dramas in the 1980s, and William Shatner’sT.J. Hookercame along to join those ranks.Shatner’sStar Trekfame boosted the show’s popularity. Among the cast was notable actor and legendary singer James Darren, who played veteran police officer Jim Corrigan.TJ Hookerran for five seasons and switched networks from ABC and CBS before ending in 1986. In 1993,Star Trek: Deep Space Ninepremiered, andDarren found a recurring place on board the Deep Space Nine space stationduring the show’s sixth and seventh seasons.
DS9 episodes with Vic Fontaine often featured many songs performed by James Darren, recreating the energy of early 1960s jazz that became popular again in the 1990s.
The Deep Space Nine space station’s holosuite sported an often-used program set in 1962 Las Vegas. In this setting, Vic Fontaine’s hologram was a staple. A singer in a Las Vegas nightclub that was aptly named Vic’s Las Vegas Lounge, Fontaine became a friend and confidant of many ofStar Trek: Deep Space Nine’s characters.DS9episodes with Vic Fontaine often featured many songs performed by James Darren, recreating the energy of early 1960s jazz that became popular again in the 1990s. However, these musical episodes weren’t always a fan-favorite — and often, neither was Fontaine.
Recasting Star Trek: DS9 For A Movie Reboot
If Paramount wanted to add Deep Space Nine to Star Trek’s Kelvin timeline, how would they find the right Hollywood stars to play DS9’s cast?
Why Star Trek: DS9’s Singing Hologram Was Controversial
Episodes featuring the holodeck crooner were often criticized
WhileStar Trek: Deep Space Ninenever had an actualmusical likeStar Trek: Strange New Worlds, the show still featured music by Vic Fontaine in the holosuite. Vic’s performed jazz music helped immerse Deep Space 9’s crew in the 1960s and even offered a friend through Fontaine. However,many fans still argue that the full-length renditions of songs by Darren were overdoneand often interrupted the show’s pacing. At times, the extended musical numbers don’t add much to the plot and come across as the show’s creators being fans of old Frank Sinatra standards and James Darren.
Vic lacks the same past that made Guinan’s advice so believable.
Vic Fontaine also supported the senior staff on the Deep Space 9 space station, and these relationships often came under fire for being too convenient. At times,Vic Fontaine feels a little like an attempt to createStar Trek: The Next Generation’s Guinan (Whoopi Goldberg)through sage guidance, but Vic lacks the same past that made Guinan’s advice so believable. Nevertheless, the unlikely connection betweenTJ HookerandStar Trekis an interesting one.
