We recently attended the latest Slanted Fedora convention in Philadelphia on November 16-18, 2001.  Walter and George Takei were two of the favorite guests this year.  Their onstage banter was full of humor and affection for one another.  If nothing else, I would pay to go see these two guys perform together!  Walter would play straight man to George, and then George would totally crack up!  Walter's sense of humor is......well........interesting!  I had the experience of being the "butt" of that sense of humor at one point.  George had just finished giving another really long answer.  He said "sorry, if you want short answers, ask Walter a question."  So I did.  In fact, I asked a multiple question.  Earlier, George had been asked if he had ever had any Philadelphia TastyKakes.  He answered no, but he would love to try some.  Keep that in mind.  Ok, so here was my set of questions to Walter:

1.  Have you read the PsiCorp trilogy?
2.  If so, what is your opinion of how Bester was portrayed.
3.  Is there any chance that JMS will do something in the future with your character?
4.  I have TastyKakes in my car!

Walter:

1.  Yes
2.  Good
3.  Yes
4.  Good

This was all said with a deadpan expression on his face, and then everyone started cracking up, including George!  After the laughter, he did answer my questions in more detail.  And then at one point, Walter hopped up and did a little soft shoe dance. In my opinion, he is a wonderful convention guest star!

Below are some photos from that convention.  The first set was during one of George and Walter's talk with the fans.  Saturday night was the dinner theatre.  I apologize for the quality of those, but it was really dark in there!  Walter spent a great deal of time rotating through the dinner tables and taking time to talk to fans and have photos taken.  On the bottom row, first image, I once again got a photo of "Bester" and "Bester" together.  hhhmmmmm.........I think that "my" Bester could stund double for Walter, what do you think?

I included one photo from the dinner where all the stars had been called up to the front of the hall.  I think that photo expresses what I feel about Walter.  He is a talented man of many deep layers.  While the other stars are standing up and smiling for the cameras, there is Walter sitting off to the side.  I guess you could read what you want into that, but I have my opinions on that.  I think he is very talented, but he doesn't shout about it.  I also believe that he is a thinker.  If you haven't read his book yet, you need to do that!

All the stars did a little show for the dinner guests.  Walter did part of his Scrooge part that he does every Christmas.  Although is was really too dark to take good photos, I think you can tell from the ones I did take that Walter is indeed a great actor.  After he had finished, there was a very loud round of applause.  For those that haven't seen Walter as anything other than Chekov, you are in for a surprise!

Upcoming Appearances:

December 1 -22.  Playing Scrooge for Christmas.  Check the Home page for all the details.

The big one!
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday...January 4/5/6, 2002, Slanted Fedora will be presenting a 35th Anniversary Special.  Walter will be reunited with almost all of his old crew, including Spock and Kirk.  In fact, all 4 captains will be at this convention.  Q will also be there!  We have our tickets, do you?  Click on the Slanted Fedora link below to see all the conventions that will be upcoming and how to purchase tickets.  Walter attends quite a few of Slanted Fedora's conventions, and I know you will love going to one!

  

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