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James Doohan Not In A Coma and Likely To Survive 273
ThreeHamsWillKillHim writes "Apparently, it's rumored that actor James Doohan, from Star Trek fame, is in a coma." The article notes that he's not likely to come out of it. James Doohan is 82 and is known best for his role as Engineer Lt. Commander Montgomery Scott on Star Trek. CD: Update, he's home undergoing rehab for his bout of pneunomia.
Let me be the first... (Score:2, Funny)
RIP (Score:1, Funny)
He's not dead. (Score:4, Informative)
Better way? (Score:5, Interesting)
Maybe Slashdot could do a montly/(bi)weekly thing on "Lifetime Geek Achievement Awards."
I'm sure that 99.99% of these people use the Web, so it would be really cool to thank these people for all they've done for technology.
Any thoughts?
Hate to break it to ya, Doohan was an actor.... (Score:1, Funny)
Tommorow I'll let you know about Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny (warning: bad news).
Re:Hate to break it to ya, Doohan was an actor.... (Score:4, Funny)
He may only be an actor, but he knows the only technical principle you need to know on a starship: if something doesn't work right, reverse the polarity.
Re:Hate to break it to ya, Doohan was an actor.... (Score:2, Funny)
Ignorance. (Score:5, Insightful)
If that's not a damned role model, I don't know what is. He fought in damned World War 2, and he also inspired a lot of people. If that's not worth recognizing, what is? Actors serve as much a role in society as others, they just have to remember it. They're role models to children and teenagers, and they also help to express ideas and to bring awareness to a generally ignorant public.
Re:Ignorance. (Score:2)
Re:Ignorance. (Score:2)
Ohhhhhhhhh, so he was pretending to be a techie... (Score:2)
Re:Hate to break it to ya, Doohan was an actor.... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Better way? (Score:2)
Re:Better way? (Score:2)
Re:Better way? (Score:3, Interesting)
Since he's apparently OK, we should invite him to do a Q&A on /. Surely Wil Wheaton [wilwheaton.net] or another /. reader must have the connections to get in touch with him...
Re:Better way? (Score:2)
Yeah; the web, for instance. You had never heard of James Doohan before this story?
You see, there was this TV show in the 1960s...
Re:Better way? (Score:2)
The day my gf finally leaves me, when I can go and buy a Star Trek uniform (TOS, none of your modern rubbish), it's going to be a red shirt, because I'm an engineer, not a doctor.
OK, maybe not such a big deal to the world as Nichelle Nichols was. But Montgomery Scott inspired me.
Now, here's an idea for a poll; which TOS character do you associate with the most?
Lastly, a bit of TrekTrivia so far not mentioned; James Doohan played pretty much every computer voice etc. in Trek that Majel Barret Roddenberry didn't.
Noooooo! (Score:1)
I just can't get... (Score:1)
Slashdot: News for Nerds. Rumors to agitate them (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Slashdot: News for Nerds. Rumors to agitate the (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Slashdot: News for Nerds. Rumors to agitate the (Score:2)
Are we up to over 323,000 users already? Wow.
Re:Slashdot: News for Nerds. Rumors to agitate the (Score:2)
-Paul Komarek, #794.
Greatest Engineer Ever (Score:5, Interesting)
I truly hope he gets better because losing him would be a loss to all geeks.
Re:Greatest Engineer Ever (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Greatest Engineer Ever (Score:2)
"The best diplomat I know is a fully-activated phaser-bank!"
Re:Greatest Engineer Ever (Score:2)
Ba-dump
BOO! HISSSS!
Sorry!
Re:You're a loser (Score:2)
But guess what? My goal is not to have sex. My goal is to live in Shinjuku.
graspee
It must be true.... (Score:1)
It must be true I read it on the internet
If it is true, which is probably isn't, then good luck Scotty!
If it isn't, well... weeee. one more hoax to the list.
Sad... (Score:3, Interesting)
He'll be missed.
Re:Sad... (Score:2)
The talking to the mouse bit is really funny
Re:Sad... (Score:1)
So they have qwerty keyboard training in Starfleet Academy or something?
Re:Sad... (Score:2)
Re:Sad... (Score:2)
Re:Sad... (Score:2)
Cap'n, there be trolls here!
Re:Sad... (Score:1)
It was Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (or Save the Whales as my mates call it). He didn't actually program a MAC for voice recognition, either. He just assumed that it supported it, and was suprised when it didn't respond.
That was one of the movies that Leonard Nimoy directed, and is easily one of my favorites.
Stupid Trivium (Score:5, Interesting)
That Mac was supposed to be an Amiga.
I was not directly involved with the debacle, but was closely connected with Commodore personnel who were in a position to know. Paramount originally wanted to use an Amiga in that scene in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. To that end, they contacted Commodore to obtain an Amiga 1000 for use.
The dweezil at the other end informed them that Commodore had no procedures in place for distribution of promotional machines (marketing? What's that?). However, they would be willing to sell them a machine at cut-rate developer pricing. Surprisingly, Paramount agreed, cut a check, and sent it off.
Fast forward a couple weeks: No machine. Another call to Commodore. It turns out that the amount of the check failed to include some trivial fee (shipping, tax, whatever), and the machine wasn't going to be shipped. Paramount was invited to send another check for the corrected amount.
Paramount understandably got fed up and made it's next call to Cupertino, CA. Apple not only gave Paramount a machine, they assigned them a programmer to do whatever they needed to make the machine dance for the camera.
Just another page in the ponderous tome of Commodore's incompetent management.
Schwab
The Truth (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Sad... (Score:2)
Spock: Ahh, Mr. Scott, I understand you're having difficulty with the warp drive. How much time do you require for repair?
Scotty: There's nothing wrong with the bloody thing!
Spock: Mr. Scott, if we return to Spacedock, the assassins will surely find a way to dispose of their incriminating footwear, and we will never see the captain, or Dr. McCoy, alive again
Scotty: Could take weeks, sir
Spock: Thank you, Mr. Scott
(Star Trek VI) [moviesounds.com]
Hilarious everytime!
Makes you think ... (Score:5, Insightful)
Heck, next thing you know companies like DEC and Pan-Am won't exist anymo... Damn, I'm really feeling old now.
P.S. If this is true, and he doesn't pull through, condolences to his family.
Re:Makes you think ... (Score:2)
Pan Am still here. :P (Score:2)
James Doohan AKA Scotty (Score:4, Informative)
And I thought he was going pretty good.... (Score:1)
I hope to have that kind of stamina when I get to that age. Course, I also hope to have enough money not to have to work at that age too. All the more reason not to have kids.....
What? (Score:2, Informative)
He's SCOTTY, DAMMIT! (Score:1)
Best wishes.
giving her all she's got!! (Score:1)
He's not in a coma, he's at home (Score:3, Informative)
He has been released and is recovering at home; he's not comatose
Re:He's not in a coma, he's at home (Score:2)
Tell the captain you can't possibly get any more out of the ship, then magically deliver an extra 10% so you look like a genius.
Re:He's not in a coma, he's at home (Score:2)
Scotty: It'll take at least 8 days, but for you, Captain, I can do it in 2.
Kirk: Do you always multiply your repair estimates by four, Mr. Scott?
Scotty: Aye, sir. How else do you expect me to keep my reputation as a miracle worker?
Yup... he's an engineer.
Why did he need money? (Score:1)
Re:Why did he need money? (Score:1)
Instead of waiting for his death, give your money to him while he lives!
Send it today.
Wondering... (Score:1)
Re:Wondering... (Score:1)
And if this is a hoax, it'll live in infamy longer than I will.
Damn it... (Score:1)
Thank you Mr Doohan.
Once again, ChrisD jumps the gun (Score:1)
ok so he's not gonna die (Score:2)
They did a pretty good job of hiding this in the series, but if you're looking for it you can catch a glimpse every now and then.
Re:ok so he's not gonna die (Score:1)
heheh: from the update (Score:5, Funny)
Apparently she can take more of it Cap'n!
Scotty Would Say... (Score:2)
At least, that's what he did in the Star Trek TNG episode "Relics [caltech.edu]." It was only "50 percent brilliant," though.
Re:Scotty Would Say... (Score:2)
Not entirely out of the question (Score:2)
He wanted to make sure his daughter and wife are taken care of when he is gone. That's what the money is for, no big mystery there.
Correction (Score:2)
"He's dead, Jim."
"You idiot, I'm not dead. I'm not even in a bloody coma!"
"Oh...sorry..."
"Honest to Pete...and will you please tell Hemos and Commander whatever-his-name-is to change the bloody headline? Thank you!"
Re:Correction (Score:2)
Scene 2 [montypython.net] ("Bring out your dead!")
and
Scene 15 [montypython.net] ("Message for you, sir")
It's funny. Laugh.
Futurama (Score:2, Interesting)
Hilarious episode BTW, especially if watched in the middle of a TOS marathon.
Re:Futurama (Score:2, Interesting)
I thought Doohan had died a couple of years ago and that was why he'd been left out. Of course, DeForest Kelley is long gone and they still had a facsimile of him in the show.
I'm glad to hear Doohan is still alive, even if he is responsible for quite possibly the worst Scottish accent ever by an actor.
I never liked Welshie.
Re: (Score:2)
The best career advice I ever got (Score:5, Funny)
Scott: "How long would it really take?"
LaForge: "An hour!"
Scott: "Oh, you didn't tell him how long it would *really* take, did you?"
LaForge: "Well of course I did."
Scott: "Oh, laddie, you've got a lot to learn if you want people to think of you as a miracle worker!"
This "Rumor" is completely FALSE (Score:5, Informative)
He phoned Jimmy's wife, and asked her how he was, and she laughed out loud. He was in the hospital because of pneumonia, but he is home now.
She put Jimmy on the phone (he told my friend to say hi to me =]) and he said that he's glad to be home from the hospital because he missed his daughter and "the food is much better."
Please let everyone know that rumors of his death are greatly exaggerated.
Re:This "Rumor" is completely FALSE (Score:2)
Re:This "Rumor" is completely FALSE (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:This "Rumor" is completely FALSE (Score:3, Funny)
Re:This "Rumor" is completely FALSE (Score:2)
He inspired me, for whatever that is worth, and when I read the article I was VERY worried about him. I trusted your message about him enough to set my mind at ease.
I am sorry that some of those people (/. readers) are jerks to you. I frankly liked your portrayal of Wesley...it was awkward, but that was the point right...that Wesley was brilliant but awkward ? That they (ST Fans in this case) bear you so much ill will for playing the role is an indication of THEIR shallowness, their lack of understanding of film making and their cruelty.
That they would remain so after you passed on relatively good news to a generally concerned crowd in this forum is more appalling to me.
On /. no one can hear you scream (Score:3, Interesting)
I'd be inclined to guess that most actors, even sci-fi-happy actors, aren't too much more interested in news-for-nerds than the average American (not even all self-proclaimed geeks read slashdot, after all). On the other hand, you never know who might be lurking. But on the gripping hand, people who lurk are people who don't want to attract attention (sort of by definition).
Re:This "Rumor" is completely FALSE (Score:2)
See either his User info or his web site (links in comment above.)
Priorities on /. (Score:5, Offtopic)
Here is the first column. [pbs.org]
Here is the follow-up that he promised not ot do. [pbs.org]
Editors, get your priorities straight. We expect more from you. Stories about someone going to the hospital don't count.
Is this REALLY off-topic? Read the links prior to modding.
Re:Priorities on /. (Score:2, Insightful)
Slashdot is more than willing to post his stuff all the time, but when he shares what happens and discusses his plans for fixing it they don't do it.
Hell, I am sure that with everyone who visits slashdot that a solution to the problem he posted is within our means.
Re:Priorities on /. (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Priorities on /. (Score:2, Insightful)
How much do we spend on internet access a year? How much do we spend on cable? How much on going to the movies? And compare that to charitable donations? No, it's definitely not an ideal world.
I donate money monthly, and I manage to convince myself that "it's enough" or "all I can afford". Posts like those these bring up those "I should be doing more" feelings; and who of us really wants to be reminded that we're not ideal humanitarians? If every site I visited had only "important" stories like that... I'd give up surfing altogether, there's only so much guilt I can live with.
But telling
I come here for the news that "doesn't really matter in my life but is pretty interesting". To find out what's coming down the line from MS that I'm not going to bother touching until SP1. To see how other enthusiasts are using their time building lego DAT changers. To learn how to use an electronic flash to detonate nanotube structures. To see a hundred posts that say it's a little known fact that he's missing a finger.
If you expect more from the editors, well, maybe you should just go to Salon.com or post at the Well. I don't think
Re:uh, they did cover it (Score:3, Informative)
Re:But Cringely isn't real? I don't get it. (Score:2, Informative)
My thoughts go out to the "real" Bob Cringely on the death of his son.
Re:Priorities on /. (Score:2)
I don't blame /.'s editors one bit for rejecting the story.
James Doohan not dead (Score:3, Funny)
I can see tomorrow's Slashdot headlines now:
CmdrTaco not dead.
JohnKatz (sadly) not dead.
Dick Cheney: is he dead yet? [isdickcheneydeadyet.com]
etc.
My wish... (Score:2)
Why hasn't anyone mentioned his work as an author? (Score:2)
-_Quinn
Why he's my hero (Score:5, Interesting)
He kept doing this for a while, meeting her at conventions and asking her to be at the next one...that's a pretty common suicide-prevention tactic, to get a promise from someone that you'll see them sometime in the future. That way they can't kill themselves.
He lost touch with her for a few years, and thought the worst, until he got a letter from her stating that she'd gone to grad school (Engineering, I think), and that his intervention saved her life. When he was telling the story, he was fighting back tears.
So yeah, he had a chance to do the Right Thing, and he did it. Celebrity may be a fickle thing, but he used his influence well.
That's why I admire him.
More spoilers! (Score:2)
First, they tell us TLGAD before the show airs on the west coast, and then they tell us Scotty is comatose and not likely to recover, while the man is still conscious!
Just In Case?? (Score:2)
Medic! (Score:2)
using our powers for good (Score:3, Interesting)
my favorite Scotty lines (Score:2)
"The energizer's bypassed like a Christmas tree. She cannot take too many bumps."
"Aye, lad. You're going to need something to wash that down with."
"That ties it. That poppinjay Fox just beamed down with the landing party."
Still a Star Trek Stud (Score:2)
It also said he fathered a child at 80, with his current 40-something wife.
I can just hear the moment of conception now... : "I'm givin' her all she's got, Captain!"
Re:Maybe they'll find and revive him someday (Score:1)
Re:Why don't we.... (Score:1)
Re:Tried to watch a full episode of Enterprise? (Score:1)
I thought they couldnt do much worse than Voyager but they did. By orders of magnitude.
Re:Tried to watch a full episode of Enterprise? (Score:2)
Re:JAMES DOOHAN IS DYING (Score:1)
Re:JAMES DOOHAN IS DYING (Score:4, Funny)
/Brian
Re:Obligatory jokes (Score:2)
Pretty fucking cold I'd say.
Re:I'm confused... (Score:2)