When I drive from Pasadena, I can get to Hollywood three different ways: 1) down the 2 and through Echo Park to the 101, 2) down the 2 and through Silver Lake to Beverly, 3) out the 134, over Barham, and down the 101 to Highland.
Of course, when I take the Metro, it’s significantly easier: park at Del Mar Station, relax, and change trains once at Union Station . . . but since I was running late, I chose to drive route 3.
As I headed over the Cahuenga pass, I noticed a greater-than-usual number of busses with “SHUTTLE” or “HOLLYWOOD BOWL” or “PARKING LOT x” on them. I was so focused on getting to Jimmy’s Dinner, though, even if one of them had said, “HEY, WIL! THERE’S A CONCERT AT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL, SO YOU SHOULD STAY ON THE FREEWAY UNTIL GOWER” I probably wouldn’t have noticed.
Luckily, some little voice in the back of my head said, “Excuse me, Wil? There’s a lot of traffic up there. You’d better go down to Gower to avoid it.” And I listened. If I’d gone straight, I would have been stuck in at least 45 minutes of crap, but I made it to Hollywood and Highland in under 5 minutes, without resorting to creative driving. Yes, I was very proud of myself.
I pulled into the Valet line at 7:50, and began to panic. I was supposed to arrive at 8, and I was going to have to run through the hotel as it was . . . so when the valet told me that I had to park in a far-away garage, I freaked.
“Dude! I have to speak in ten minutes, and I’m totally late, and you HAVE to park my car! PLEASE!”
“Well, I don’t know if –”
“I’m begging you, man!”
I waved a fiver at him, and he capitulated. I must admit, I felt like Mini Henry Hill for a second.
I walked into the cavernous lobby of the Hollywood Renaissance hotel, and looked for signs that would direct me to Jimmy’s Farewell Dinner. Finding none, I called a friend of mine who was already at the dinner, and asked him where it was. “On the fifth floor,” he said.
“Oh, that should be easy. I’ll just get into the elevator and . . . “
I’m not going to tell you how I got lost, because it’s incredibly embarassing, so let’s just fast forward about fifteen minutes, okay?
I walked into the ballroom, and marveled at the crowd: over 600 people filled the enormous room, and it took me several minutes to find my friend Harry. I had also misunderstood the schedule: I wasn’t on until around 9:15, so I had time to eat some dinner and visit with a few people.
Just before 9, the lights went down, and a woman got up to play an incredibly beautiful Star Trek suite on the oboe. Then Marc Lee took the stage, and started the show. The mood was not as somber as I thought it would be, and I laughed so hard my stomach hurt when Walter Koenig took over the hosting duties, and told stories about Jimmy and himself. I’ve heard for years about how funny Walter is, and I know both of his kids, who are incredily funny people . . . but I’d never actually seen Walter in action. Goddamn, man, he’s hilarious.
I got major butterflies when Walter called me up. I was only cast member from The Next Generation in attendance, and I wanted to represent my cast honorably.
My remarks went well. I had the audience on my side the entire time I spoke, and when I was done, I was so relieved that I didn’t suck . . . I walked right back to the wrong table. Of course, everyone was still watching me, so I got a bonus (and unintentional) laugh. Nice.
Nichelle spoke after me, and she was fantastic. She looked very beautiful and . . . well, imagine that Storm from XMEN (the comic, not the movie) was in her 60s. That’s how she looked. Her remarks were brilliant, and when she introduced Neil Armstrong . . . holy crap, man. The whole ballroom exploded! He gave a great speech, where he said that none of the rockets he rode were as advanced as the Enterprise, because they couldn’t even get out of the solar system. Like everyone else there, he’d been inspired by Jimmy’s work on Star Trek, and he thanked him for being Scotty.
And that was really the theme for the entire evening: all these people were there because they’d been touched by Jimmy’s work, or they’d been lucky enough to know him. I hope that when I am an old man, I am thought of half as fondly as Jimmy is.
Over the years, I’ve had a few moments when I’ve been able to “touch” how influential Star Trek is, but nothing has ever been like this night. I’m honored that I got to be a part of both.
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That’s just lovely, Wil. I’m glad that you made it with pleanty of time to spare. Too bad you had to go through the panic in the first place. Congrats on a job well done!
PS: I’m assuming James wasn’t there, was he?
Jimmy *was* there. He’d arrived a few minutes before I did, and he was being mobbed — by his fellow cast members!
Well goddamn.
That was beautiful Wil. Don’t ever stop writing.
I caught news of this on the “news” and can only hope to be as spry as Jimmy at 50 as he is today.
Well done in your part of the tribute, too – you’ve done you and yours proud.
Very nicely done. You couldn’t go wrong with the remarks you wrote up on Saturday.
BTW, did you wear The Shirt?
Oh man! How did I miss this. I totally wanted to go and it completely slipped my mind. Curses.
I’m sure you were great. Glad to hear it went well.
Wow — to be in the same room as Neil Armstrong — to be where fiction and reality have found a common ground, and it is one of achievement and optimism — words are just so inadequate! I am so glad — so glad — that Mr. Doohan was honored in this manner, for it acknowledges all of us who believe that there is still hope in, and for, and BECAUSE of the future. I feel you were my representative for the evening too, Wil. Thank you, thank you.
As usual your writing makes me feel like I was there.
Thank you for posting this, Wil.
-A Trek fan of long standing.
Thank you, You brought a tear to my eye with that one.
Thanks so much for sharing this with all of us, Wil.
I saw the original series when I was younger than you on TNG. I will deeply miss knowing James Doohan is at conventions reliving those years.
But it’s wonderful knowing that he was so honored while he’s still with us.
I met James Doohan at a Costco in Kirkland, Washington when I was 14 years old.
I’d had a crowd around me because I was doing tricks with a hacky sack while my mom waited for photos. James Doohan snuck up behind me and said something I’ll never forget for the rest of my life.
The hackysack was on my back and I was leaning forwards, desperate to keep it from rolling off the side of my neck too early, and he said
“Well done kid, but what are you going to do with it now?”
I rolled it off my neck, and set it on my foot, from my foot to my teeth, flipped it from my teeth to the top of my head, then headed it straight up, and caught it in my shirt pocket.
I’d been trying to do that trick successfully from the age of 12, and that is still, to this day, the only time in my life I was successful.
The crowd (which now included James and I can only assume his wife) then applauded me. He shook my hand, smiled at me, then continued to wheel his cart out of the front exit.
It was by far the single most surreal and beautiful moment of my life. I’ve had happier moments, like when my wife said “I do”. I’ve had more momentous occasions, like catching the winning pass in the little league game, and carried around on my peer’s shoulders; but I’ve never really been around anyone since then with the kind of presence and attitude that just inspires that kind of hope. And to me, that’s beautiful.
I think it’s great that he’s taking time off from being an icon for himself and his family, and I wish him the best.
I know what you mean though Wil, in that moment he stopped being Scotty, and he just became James. That wonderful guy who lives up on Queen Anne.
Wil, I was having a somewhat crappy day (not hard for me to do lately it seems) then I read this post. As another person commented “thank you for making me feel like I was there”.
You are a helluva writer and I am appreciative that your sharing with us.
The Keeme
Wil, thanks from the bottom of my heart…It’s a rarity when someone can be honored in this manner while still alive. I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say that we appreciate this post and your recollections and impressions of that night. We hope that Mr. Doohan sees many more days of health as he spends more time with family and friends.
I’m a looong time Trek fan…I can recall vividly the very first airing of STOS in 1966…
The Cahuenga exit works pretty well, without having to go all the way down to Gower… For future reference. [I work in Burbank and live in the ‘wood, so I end up caught in that Bowl traffic pretty regularly during the summer season…]
There’s a bunch of photos from the event on Yahoo. Wil didn’t rate a photo and, for some reason, the first 25 are from the event and the next 40 are from various Star Trek movies. Hmmm…
Am I the only one reading who thinks the valet should have recognized Wil immediately and offered to park his car? C’mon, he was a celebrity guest! Even if the valet was living under a rock until six hours before getting the job, wouldn’t the hotel have shown pictures of the expected guests so they could know whom to look for?
Also, I saw Deep Core on TV again; once again I was impressed; once again I’m too shy to send Wil my comments directly.
“I hope that when I am an old man, I am thought of half as fondly as Jimmy is.”
Dude, You are som very respected. Especially in your old age 😉
Seriously though, Hearing about these events and your participation in them makes me feel happy for you. There was a SciFi event here in Toronto on the weekend and Levar was here and Patrick was supposed to be but he was recovering from surgery and was unable to attend.
I happened to walk past the convention center on Friday just as the con was getting into the Friday rush and I have to tell you, I can really see why some of these people would freak you out at a con.
Hard Core.
Anyway, kind of a tangent there. Gald to have you back from your well deserved vacation. You were missed.
Time for some good poker stories.
Thanks for sharing this story with us Wil.
I think it proves how special you are that you
were chosen to speak about Jimmy. I can’t think of
anyone better to represent The Next Generation Cast.
Sounds unreal! I really think you need one of those GPS things that tell you when traffic is banked up dude, you’ve really been unlucky lately. haha
A long time ago my Dad was watching TV. It was November 10, 1967. My Mom came into the TV room and said, “It’s TIME”. My Dad protested that Star Trek was on and couldn’t it wait? He never did see that last part of that episode.
Star Trek has been a part of my life since the day I was born. I have loved and adored every series and all the cast members. I have only had the opportunity to meet you, Wil. And I will treasure that short encounter at your book signing.
I am glad you made it in time and your tribute went well. I am sorry I am not able to attend. Scotty is truly one of the most loved characters from the Star Trek family. Thank you so much for sharing.
-gil
As always, a great post.
I have to wonder how it feels to be Mr. Doohan. I mean, it’s sort of like when they give the Oscar to an older actor, as if to anticipate the inevtiable.
“The good news, Jimmy, is that you get to be here to join in the celebration…
… the bad news is: we’re afraid we can’t wait another year.”
I am happy, though, that he gets to enjoy it.
My father’s health is degenerating and I see him losing some of his cognitive skills every day.
I’m so glad we celebrated every Father’s Day, birthday, and anniversary.
Our own fancy little farewell dinners.
I only hope we have another farewell dinner, next year.
And the year after.
Wil,
The link to “Jimmy’s Farewell Dinner” said that
Geordi and Worf would also be at the banquet. Did you see them there?
Freeman 🙂
/me is sad. I had no idea my fellow Canadian, the kindly Mr. Doohan was ill. thank you Wil for posting the words you spoke. thoughtful.
But one thing, I believe the Universe is conspiring to give you the wrong deadline. An early deadline. So you’ll be there on time. 🙂
Wil, thank you for sharing with us your thoughts and feelings about the dinner. Glad to hear that your speech went well. As always, your writing allows us to vicariously experience events such as this. :^) I think I would have fainted if I saw Neil Armstrong in person. ;^)
P.S.
Will you be attending the unveiling of Jimmy’s star tomorrow?
Wil, I agree with the other commenters, please don’t stop writing! I’ve had a secret crush on Scotty since I was five years old, and I’m very sad to hear about his illness. But how many people get to say goodbye so graciously. I’m sure he feels appreciated. Are you going to be there when he gets his star on the walk of fame?
Please keep the postings coming…what I appreciate the most about your writing is your honesty. How many stars would admit that they walked back to the wrong table, or got lost?
Did Jimmy say a few words at the end of the evening?
Thank you for making me learn the word capitulated on dictionary.com.
Bravo and well done Wil. There’s thousands of us that wish we could have been in your shoes to tell Jimmy how much we adored him and you said it well for all of us.
I’m glad you represented the next Gen. family, and did a great job of it. I hope your fellow cast members appreciate you, and how you represnted them in such a classy way.
I meant Mr Doohan, when i was working at Seattle Tacoma International airport (security). He was a great guy, and very classy. And not the typical hollier then thouw celeb, but like your next door neighbor, or your favorite uncle.
In closeing, you were not just represent the next gen cast, but all of us, that visit your web site daily.
Thanks Wil for being you.
Once again you have brought your experiences to life for us.. thank you! I cannot believe that Neil Armstrong was there.. that is so cool.
It is a shame none of the other Next Gen cast were able to be there but I am sure you did a wonderful job representing them. At least it sounds like you did.
Now I am going to second clara’s question…. ARE you going to be at that unveiling of Jimmy’s star tommorow?
Wow, sounds like an awesome night! Wish I could have gone, but… ya know… living in Michigan, blah blah blah… Glad you had fun! :o)
“Don’t ever stop writing, Gordie. You’re going to make it big some day.” Heh. 🙂
Glad you made it with time to spare!
*Melinda*
I *was* invited to attend the ceremony tomorrow, by none other than Chris Doohan (after I spoke. He came all the way over to my table, and told me how moved he was, and thanked me on behalf of his entire family — Chris is a class act) but I have to work tomorrow, and I have a family commitment in the morning. I’m hoping I can move some things around so I can get down there, but it seems unlikely.
Here’s what the L.A. Times had to say. OK, Wil?
‘Scotty’ of ‘Star Trek’ Bids Fans a Fond Farewell
James Doohan, diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s, retires from public life.
By Richard Fausset, Times Staff Writer
For a brief moment, the denizens of this peculiar universe stood united: the valiant Starfleet commanders, the fierce Romulan warriors, the pimply speculators in the action figure market.
They gathered Sunday in a ballroom at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel to say farewell to James Doohan, 84, who played Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery “Scotty” Scott on the original “Star Trek” TV series.
With the recent onset of Alzheimer’s disease, Doohan, a former regular on the Trekkie convention circuit, decided to make one final appearance for fans before retiring from public life.
The “Star Trek” faithful paid up to $995 to take part in a two-day tribute and convention, “Beam Me Up, Scotty
Here’s what the L.A. Times had to say. OK, Wil?
‘Scotty’ of ‘Star Trek’ Bids Fans a Fond Farewell
James Doohan, diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s, retires from public life.
By Richard Fausset, Times Staff Writer
For a brief moment, the denizens of this peculiar universe stood united: the valiant Starfleet commanders, the fierce Romulan warriors, the pimply speculators in the action figure market.
They gathered Sunday in a ballroom at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel to say farewell to James Doohan, 84, who played Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery “Scotty” Scott on the original “Star Trek” TV series.
With the recent onset of Alzheimer’s disease, Doohan, a former regular on the Trekkie convention circuit, decided to make one final appearance for fans before retiring from public life.
The “Star Trek” faithful paid up to $995 to take part in a two-day tribute and convention, “Beam Me Up, Scotty
Wow, Scott–thanks for posting that 🙂
Wil, your remarks were awesome and I wish I had been there to see them. Like everybody else has said, I felt like I was right there. Thanks for that. Am I the only one who is now super curious as to how you got lost in the hotel??
Keep up the good work Wil. You rock. 🙂
Tears two days straight. Thanks, Wil.
Thanks for the first hand report, Wil. It’s really great to hear your view of the event.
Jimmy always had time for a photo or an autograph for a fan. It was always an honor to see him but he always made *you* feel like the special person.
Hmm, Wil, I just noticed that the Seattle Times story has you down as an engineer on TNG.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2002019936_scotty30.html
wil said: “
Yep, I’m curious to hear about how you got lost in the hotel too 🙂 Come on, share!
Great Read
Here’s what the L.A. Times had to say. OK, Wil?
‘Scotty’ of ‘Star Trek’ Bids Fans a Fond Farewell
James Doohan, diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s, retires from public life.
By Richard Fausset, Times Staff Writer
For a brief moment, the denizens of this peculiar universe stood united: the valiant Starfleet commanders, the fierce Romulan warriors, the pimply speculators in the action figure market.
They gathered Sunday in a ballroom at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel to say farewell to James Doohan, 84, who played Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery “Scotty” Scott on the original “Star Trek” TV series.
With the recent onset of Alzheimer’s disease, Doohan, a former regular on the Trekkie convention circuit, decided to make one final appearance for fans before retiring from public life.
The “Star Trek” faithful paid up to $995 to take part in a two-day tribute and convention, “Beam Me Up, Scotty
Here’s what the L.A. Times had to say. OK, Wil?
‘Scotty’ of ‘Star Trek’ Bids Fans a Fond Farewell
James Doohan, diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s, retires from public life.
By Richard Fausset, Times Staff Writer
For a brief moment, the denizens of this peculiar universe stood united: the valiant Starfleet commanders, the fierce Romulan warriors, the pimply speculators in the action figure market.
They gathered Sunday in a ballroom at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel to say farewell to James Doohan, 84, who played Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery “Scotty” Scott on the original “Star Trek” TV series.
With the recent onset of Alzheimer’s disease, Doohan, a former regular on the Trekkie convention circuit, decided to make one final appearance for fans before retiring from public life.
The “Star Trek” faithful paid up to $995 to take part in a two-day tribute and convention, “Beam Me Up, Scotty
Here’s what the L.A. Times had to say. OK, Wil?
‘Scotty’ of ‘Star Trek’ Bids Fans a Fond Farewell
James Doohan, diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s, retires from public life.
By Richard Fausset, Times Staff Writer
For a brief moment, the denizens of this peculiar universe stood united: the valiant Starfleet commanders, the fierce Romulan warriors, the pimply speculators in the action figure market.
They gathered Sunday in a ballroom at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel to say farewell to James Doohan, 84, who played Lt. Cmdr. Montgomery “Scotty” Scott on the original “Star Trek” TV series.
With the recent onset of Alzheimer’s disease, Doohan, a former regular on the Trekkie convention circuit, decided to make one final appearance for fans before retiring from public life.
The “Star Trek” faithful paid up to $995 to take part in a two-day tribute and convention, “Beam Me Up, Scotty
I’ve never been a serious Star Trek Fan. I’ve watched a few of the episodes to keep up my geek quota and that’s about it. What’s always impressed me, far beyond anything the episodes themselves could do, is the stories that the fans relate about the cast… especially Scotty.
I would also really reccomend everyone read the NY Times article today about the Sun Setting on Trek. It can be found at:
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/08/31/arts/television/31trek.html?pagewanted=1&th
My best wishes to you all.
My father is a genuine trekkie. He has and gets everything that has to do with the original show or the other shows, so I grew up watching the original star trek series and of course I started watching the next generation because of you wil. I did have a major crush on you back then. hee hee hee hee. What a wonderful way to remember the actor who played “scotty”. so in honor of him all I can say is. “BEAM ME UP SCOTTY!”
Morgan
Good thing you weren’t late….that’s a huge sign of disrespect. Your time is more important than whatever everyone else is doing.
Oops, that came out bitchier than I intended. I meant “your” in the general sense, not as in you personally, Wil.
Wil,
I think it is a fantasy of every sci-fi geek to somehow be a part of Star Trek — to think, what would be like to be a part of that large family? It is a fantasy akin to wondering what it would be like to be a rock star on a stadium tour, or be a famous baseball star and crack one out of the park, or something like that.
What is awesome about your books, your stories, and posts to your website like “farewell, mister scott,” is that for a brief moment, all us geeks ARE a part of Star Trek and a part of that family, but through your eyes. That is very cool.
In fact, what makes it cooler than that is that you are both a geek like the rest of us and Star Trek star at the same time. So, reading about the emotions and feelings you have when you are in one of those moments really is like what one of us might feel. For a geek like me, that is especially cool.
Anyway, with all that said, I think what I really wanted to say was thanks.
Wil,
Very nice, made me cry again! I wish I could have been there.
I hope it was not lost on you that you were the only Next Generation member there, and asked to speak no less! I hope you gave the ‘voice of self doubt’ a good kick in the nuts?!?!
Michelle