George Takei, best known for his role as Hikaru Sulu on Star Trek, is going where he's never gone before -- YouTube.
With a new webseries launched Tuesday, Sept. 17 called Takei's Take, the 76-year-old social media superstar is hoping to encourage those over 50 to embrace next-generation technology, such as Google Glass, the subject of his first webisode. But Takei admits that this may be easier said than done.
"My sister doesn't even own a computer. She's a retired schoolteacher. She has a phone and an answering machine and that's about it," he told Huff/Post50. "I'm trying to get her into the web society. But it's hard."
The new series, produced by AARP, will include 4-minute episodes airing every other week, usually on Wednesdays.
With a career that spans generations, Takei has built a mammoth web presence -- with over 800,000 Twitter followers and more than 4.5 million likes on his Facebook page -- that he hopes to parlay into a new audience for his comical YouTube series.
"My audience spans across generations -- older and younger. Original Star Trek fans are members of AARP. Their children are approaching AARP membership and their grandchildren are on the same conveyer belt, headed toward membership as well," Takei told Huff/Post50. "This show will appeal to all audiences."
In addition to Google Glass, Takei said he'll also tackle the subjects of Instagram, video gaming, online dating as well as all sorts of other high-tech topics.
"Did you know that one can throw a party and, if there's a lot of leftovers, there's an app out there to help you sell them?" he said in his commanding baritone voice. "We once had a party and had a lot of sushi left over and I wound up eating sushi for 3 days because I didn't know about this app.
"This is the type of thing that would appeal to all demographics and not just an older population," he said.
Despite his obvious passion for technology, Takei agrees usage can go too far.
"I think tech can be dangerous and more addictive than drugs," said Takei, who prefers Facebook to other social media. "People get so wrapped up in it they don't do anything else."
Even so, technology can make one's life so much more efficient and easier, so long as you don't carry it too far, he added.
Takei's Take represents AARP's 3rd foray into the webseries world; already launched are The Cheap Life and The Best Of Everything.
“Older Americans are living the digital life and they’re hungry for video content. Who better to help us bring it to them in a way that’s fun and easy to digest than George Takei,” said Myrna Blyth, editorial director for AARP. “George’s appeal spans generations and viewers are in for a treat as he puts his comedic touch on explaining the latest that the tech world has to offer.”
To see the premiere episode of Takei's Take, go here. And don't forget to watch until the end, when Takei takes a little dig at his former Star Trek castmate -- and longtime nemesis -- William Shatner.
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