"It wouldn't hurt you to seek out a little.....companionship".
March 10, 2013 7:48 AM Subscribe
Worked on my phone here in the US. Dammit, Guinan... it's too early for these eyes to well up...
Also, learning about social interactions from a Star Trek Fan Club is just so sweet.
posted by history_denier at 8:06 AM on March 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
Also, learning about social interactions from a Star Trek Fan Club is just so sweet.
posted by history_denier at 8:06 AM on March 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
Works here in the UK. What a wonderful moment.
posted by garius at 8:07 AM on March 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by garius at 8:07 AM on March 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
Damn dust allergy kicking up again.
posted by kariebookish at 8:09 AM on March 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
posted by kariebookish at 8:09 AM on March 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
By Grabthar's hammer, Trek is superadditive.
posted by hawthorne at 8:10 AM on March 10, 2013 [6 favorites]
posted by hawthorne at 8:10 AM on March 10, 2013 [6 favorites]
I don't know what happened, but it's working now. Sigha.
posted by nevercalm at 8:10 AM on March 10, 2013
posted by nevercalm at 8:10 AM on March 10, 2013
This had me at "I'm breaking a promise to my wife now, because I'm standing up."
posted by chavenet at 8:13 AM on March 10, 2013 [4 favorites]
posted by chavenet at 8:13 AM on March 10, 2013 [4 favorites]
One wonders how often anyone who "performs" for the public - actors, artists, musicians, teachers and professors, athletes... - is reminded of the effect they have on people in such a wonderful, unexpected way.
This guy stood on national TV, clearly super-nervous, and told his idol about a part of his identity many people would hide away in shame just how meaningful she was to him and how she helped him conquer it - in a language that wasn't even his first, and in less than one minute.
Simply awesome.
posted by mdonley at 8:16 AM on March 10, 2013 [14 favorites]
This guy stood on national TV, clearly super-nervous, and told his idol about a part of his identity many people would hide away in shame just how meaningful she was to him and how she helped him conquer it - in a language that wasn't even his first, and in less than one minute.
Simply awesome.
posted by mdonley at 8:16 AM on March 10, 2013 [14 favorites]
Whoopi, her eyes uncovered.
posted by googly at 8:21 AM on March 10, 2013 [36 favorites]
posted by googly at 8:21 AM on March 10, 2013 [36 favorites]
I think my emotion chip may be malfunctioning.
Works for me on home broadband in the U.S., btw
posted by XMLicious at 8:22 AM on March 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
Works for me on home broadband in the U.S., btw
posted by XMLicious at 8:22 AM on March 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
That was wonderful. Works here in Canada.
posted by arcticseal at 8:31 AM on March 10, 2013
posted by arcticseal at 8:31 AM on March 10, 2013
I've worked in some form of showbiz for a long time now, and I can say that Whoopi Goldberg is one of the best talents I have ever worked with. She IS class, all the way down.
Except for the part where she said "it wasn't RAPE rape" to describe what Roman Polanski was doing when he sodomized a drugged 13 year old who testified she was saying no (not that she was capable of consent anyway), and thought he wanted to spend time with her to help her build an acting career. She was way ahead of the curve in front of Akin et al. Because Hollywood royalty apparently get one free forcible anal rape of a middle schooler.
But yeah, this video is cute.
posted by availablelight at 8:47 AM on March 10, 2013 [19 favorites]
Except for the part where she said "it wasn't RAPE rape" to describe what Roman Polanski was doing when he sodomized a drugged 13 year old who testified she was saying no (not that she was capable of consent anyway), and thought he wanted to spend time with her to help her build an acting career. She was way ahead of the curve in front of Akin et al. Because Hollywood royalty apparently get one free forcible anal rape of a middle schooler.
But yeah, this video is cute.
posted by availablelight at 8:47 AM on March 10, 2013 [19 favorites]
Like availablelight, I've felt much more mixed about Goldberg since the Polanski incident, but this video is wonderful.
And it makes me think of the recent Ta-Nehisi Coates column in the context of - we all have a mix of good and bad. I like to think we can celebrate the good while seeing the bad with clear eyes and a willingness to improve.
posted by rosa at 8:51 AM on March 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
And it makes me think of the recent Ta-Nehisi Coates column in the context of - we all have a mix of good and bad. I like to think we can celebrate the good while seeing the bad with clear eyes and a willingness to improve.
posted by rosa at 8:51 AM on March 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
Whoopi, her eyes uncovered.
Metafilter, with tears flowing.
posted by Fizz at 8:58 AM on March 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
Metafilter, with tears flowing.
posted by Fizz at 8:58 AM on March 10, 2013 [3 favorites]
To me, he looked like he hadn't finished speaking. She was overcome with emotion, sure, but for an ASD person to do what he did, and then not get to finish his speech was sad. I hope on the rest of the show he got it all out.
posted by dash_slot- at 9:00 AM on March 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by dash_slot- at 9:00 AM on March 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
Mod note: Roman Polanski thing is a derail here; if people want details they can look them up.
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:10 AM on March 10, 2013 [11 favorites]
posted by LobsterMitten (staff) at 9:10 AM on March 10, 2013 [11 favorites]
To me, he looked like he hadn't finished speaking. She was overcome with emotion, sure, but for an ASD person to do what he did, and then not get to finish his speech was sad. I hope on the rest of the show he got it all out.
He wanted her to sign a poster. He was able to ask this later. I love the program called "college tour" I do not know if it works for you, but here is the entire show http://www.uitzendinggemist.nl/afleveringen/1330398 Most of it is in English.
posted by kudzu at 9:11 AM on March 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
He wanted her to sign a poster. He was able to ask this later. I love the program called "college tour" I do not know if it works for you, but here is the entire show http://www.uitzendinggemist.nl/afleveringen/1330398 Most of it is in English.
posted by kudzu at 9:11 AM on March 10, 2013 [2 favorites]
Wow. Whoopi used to do a lot of standup here in San Francisco early in her career, and I would catch her act whenever I could, because her portrayals of characters from all strata of society were so on point. She's a very empathetic performer.
I had actually forgotten that she had a role on Star Trek, but obviously it meant something to this guy.
Go Whoopi!
posted by trip and a half at 9:20 AM on March 10, 2013
I had actually forgotten that she had a role on Star Trek, but obviously it meant something to this guy.
Go Whoopi!
posted by trip and a half at 9:20 AM on March 10, 2013
I can definitely see how a character like Guinan would appeal to an autistic kid... someone in a relaxed atmosphere who patiently answers difficult interpersonal questions. See? Even Captain Piccard needs help understanding things about other people from time to time.
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:30 AM on March 10, 2013 [11 favorites]
posted by Slap*Happy at 9:30 AM on March 10, 2013 [11 favorites]
So sweet! A little rough to have that much emotion before coffee this morning, but it's worth it.
posted by Fig at 9:47 AM on March 10, 2013
posted by Fig at 9:47 AM on March 10, 2013
Dat is leuk.
posted by humboldt32 at 10:01 AM on March 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by humboldt32 at 10:01 AM on March 10, 2013 [1 favorite]
I spend a lot of my time wondering/worrying about what life will be like for my autistic son once he is an adult (he's 8 now). After going to bed last night a little depressed from reading about this worst case scenario, I can't tell you how nice it was to wake up to this as an antidote.
posted by The Gooch at 10:38 AM on March 10, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by The Gooch at 10:38 AM on March 10, 2013 [7 favorites]
Whew, I'm relieved the video turned out to be upbeat because the headline "Whoopi Goldberg Hugs Autistic Star Trek Fan" sounds like "So-and-So Force Feeds Shrimp to Person with Seafood Allergy."
posted by FelliniBlank at 11:12 AM on March 10, 2013 [15 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 11:12 AM on March 10, 2013 [15 favorites]
Speaking of a given actors' role having an effect on audiences:
The whole reason Whoopi even wanted a role on Star Trek TNG was to pay tribute to Nichelle Nichols from TOS - Whoopi's talked about being a kid and watching the first Star Trek episodes, and when Uhura first came on screen she's said she excitedly called to her family, "Hey, everyone! There's a black lady in this TV show - and she's not a maid!!!!"
So Nichelle Nichols lead to Whoopi getting into performing, which lead to this moment. And who knows where it will lead now.
I'm reminded again of something Whoopi said during one of her Oscar-hosting stints - something that you could tell was unscripted, something that came after a particularly heartfelt acceptance speech or something of that nature, and Whoopi had to come back and introduce the next presenters; before she did, she looked at the audience of stars and said something like, "okay, before we go on, just think about this a minute - isn't it incredible what we do?" Some sort of genuine marvelling at, and appreciation for, the power of the performing arts to reach out to people, coupled with a gratitude that she was able to do it, and a call to the others in the room to acknowledge their fortune in being able to do the same.
She may have some controversial opinions. She may have made some unusual choices. But Whoopi knows where she came from and how far she's come, and knows the power of what she does, and she does not take it for granted - she is humbled by it.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:32 PM on March 10, 2013 [5 favorites]
The whole reason Whoopi even wanted a role on Star Trek TNG was to pay tribute to Nichelle Nichols from TOS - Whoopi's talked about being a kid and watching the first Star Trek episodes, and when Uhura first came on screen she's said she excitedly called to her family, "Hey, everyone! There's a black lady in this TV show - and she's not a maid!!!!"
So Nichelle Nichols lead to Whoopi getting into performing, which lead to this moment. And who knows where it will lead now.
I'm reminded again of something Whoopi said during one of her Oscar-hosting stints - something that you could tell was unscripted, something that came after a particularly heartfelt acceptance speech or something of that nature, and Whoopi had to come back and introduce the next presenters; before she did, she looked at the audience of stars and said something like, "okay, before we go on, just think about this a minute - isn't it incredible what we do?" Some sort of genuine marvelling at, and appreciation for, the power of the performing arts to reach out to people, coupled with a gratitude that she was able to do it, and a call to the others in the room to acknowledge their fortune in being able to do the same.
She may have some controversial opinions. She may have made some unusual choices. But Whoopi knows where she came from and how far she's come, and knows the power of what she does, and she does not take it for granted - she is humbled by it.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 7:32 PM on March 10, 2013 [5 favorites]
Did they ever explain Guinian's species? I am too avoiding Time Suck to go to Memory Alpha.
/If I ever get a sock puppet, assuming it isn't called Joss Weedon, it'll be A Purple Roman Polanski in Ted Danson's Blackface.
posted by Mezentian at 6:25 AM on March 11, 2013
/If I ever get a sock puppet, assuming it isn't called Joss Weedon, it'll be A Purple Roman Polanski in Ted Danson's Blackface.
posted by Mezentian at 6:25 AM on March 11, 2013
Guinan was an El-Aurian, and according to the Memory Alpha wiki they were very long-lived (centuries old) and were mildly empathic, and sort of meandered around looking for interesting stories to listen to. So they're sort of like cosmic hippie anthropologists.
As to whether they were always conceived to be that way - who knows.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:51 AM on March 11, 2013 [3 favorites]
As to whether they were always conceived to be that way - who knows.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:51 AM on March 11, 2013 [3 favorites]
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I've worked in some form of showbiz for a long time now, and I can say that Whoopi Goldberg is one of the best talents I have ever worked with. She IS class, all the way down.
posted by nevercalm at 8:01 AM on March 10, 2013 [2 favorites]