Mary Czerwinski AKA "Televixen" of DVD Geeks
If you’ve never heard of Mary Czerwinski before, you are obviously not one of the biggest Star Trek fans on the planet like she is. The former Chicagoan has been a fixture on the Trekkie landscape for years, rubbing elbows with the biggest names in the franchise like Zachary Quinto, George Takei, Walter Koenig and Wil Wheaton. She most recently interviewed multi-Emmy Award winner and original Captain Kirk, William Shatner. After leaving Chicago for Hollywood almost a year ago to pursue her dream of acting in film and television, she currently has her sites set on her biggest role yet, that of Dr. Elizabeth Dehner from the classic Star Trek series.
While preparing for the upcoming Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas, the actress and internet personality – she’s known as Televixen from DVD Geeks – chatted with me about her move to Hollywood; her campaign for a role in the next Star Trek film; and what it’s gonna take for her to go on a date with me:
Geek To Me: Tell us how the move to Hollywood has been; do you miss Chicago much?
Mary Czerwinski: All the time. LA has its advantages, but they still can’t make a decent Chicago-style pizza or offer anything that comes close to a day at Wrigley Field. I feel like I definitely belong in LA, the land of misfit toys, but my heart will always belong to Chitown.
G2M: We missed each other at San Diego Comic Con this year, so what were you doing? Or was I so drunk that I just don’t remember seeing you?
Mary Czerwinski: For once I wasn’t working. I mean, I’m always working in the networking sense. This time I wasn’t holding a microphone or being followed by a video crew. I was mostly just enjoying the con. It’s so rare that I get to sit in on panels and walk the dealer’s room. I was mainly there to catch up with old friends and support my Roddenberry Dive Team pals by attending their event. As for you, you’d never forget seeing me. I guarantee that. You’d have the bruises to prove it.
G2M: That’s true. I’m still recovering from your birthday party last year. Have any cool events coming up?
Mary Czerwinski: As a matter of fact, there are a couple of cool things happening in ‘Televixenland’. I’m attending the 45th Anniversary Star Trek Con in Las Vegas next week. In addition to my usual celebrity interviews, I’m hosting two panels this year. I’ll be the moderator of the Star Trek Geek Girls panel and a crafting workshop called “Glue Guns and Phasers” with Brandi Clark from the “Tiny Odd Conversations” podcast. My show “DVD Geeks” is also throwing a welcoming party with TrekNews and Trekland, August 11 at 8 pm at McFadden’s in the Rio. We’ll have a lot of giveaways including DVDs, scifi-themed soap, products from ThinkGeek and more. It’s going to be nerd-vana. I can’t wait!
G2M: Sweet! So what’s this I hear about you campaigning to get cast in the next Star Trek film?
Mary Czerwinski: I started a grassroots campaign to get me in the next Star Trek film as Dr. Elizabeth Dehner, played by Sally Kellerman in the Original Series episode “Where No Man Has Gone Before.” Now, we don’t even know if this character will be in the sequel. The script is not finished, so what better time to rally the troops and let the powers-that-be know this character is loved and I should be the one to portray her?
G2M: I’m sure there are a lot of actresses out there who’d want such a role, so why you?
Mary Czerwinski: If you want to know why I should play her, you really should read my blog, www.makemedehner.com. There’s a whole rundown of my credentials and funny Dehner observations. I’m not delusional. My chances may be slim, but you can’t blame a girl for trying. I’m having a lot of fun with it. It’s a chance for me to let my geek flag fly. The most fun part of my site are all the video endorsements Trek professionals and fans alike are sending in. I’m not the kind of girl to beg for a role, so I figured it would be more fun for JJ Abrams, Alex Kurtzman, Damon Lindenlof and Roberto Orci to hear from the fans on who they want to see in the next Star Trek film.
She fits right in if you ask me.
G2M: You’d be the Luna Lovegood of the Star Trek franchise! Okay, which of the Star Trek series – Classic, Next Gen, Deep Space 9, etc. – was your fave?
Mary Czerwinski: Do you have to ask? Of course, the Original Series is the most provocative, fun and full of action/adventure while at the same time driving home important social issues. I love all the series, but probably know the least about Deep Space Nine. I need to do some marathon-viewing because I’ve been told by many other fans that DS9 is their favorite. I know I’m missing out.
G2M: Whew, I was afraid you were gonna say “Voyager”. Where can people find you on the interwebz?
Mary Czerwinski: You can find me at www.makemedehner.com. We’ve got a Facebook fan page too. My radio show/podcast is available at www.dvdgeeks.tv and most of my off-color weirdness can be found on Twitter.com/Televixen
G2M: Will you marry me? Okay, at least be my Hollywood trophy date?
Mary Czerwinski: Only if you’ll don a TNG dress uniform and allow me to call you “Wesley.”
G2M: Forget it. Wil Wheaton and I are on the outs. Good luck!