For fans of George Takei’s hilarious, thought-provoking Facebook page may be disheartened to learn that it’s actually ghostwritten. Is nothing sacred?!
Journalist Rick Polito recently revealed that he’d been jokes for Takei’s feed at $10 each. It was just a quick aside, but it stunned Takei’s fans nonetheless.
Wired got in touch with Takei, who was taken aback at the uproar.
“What is this hoo-ha about my FB posts?” Takei said in response.
“I have Brad, my husband, to help me and interns to assist.”
“What is important is the reliability of my posts being there to greet my fans with a smile or a giggle every morning. That’s how we keep on growing.”
In his e-book Oh Myyy, which was released in November, he touched on the fact that some content came from others, whom he’d dubbed “George Fakei.”
The Star Trek icon acknowledges that when he’s on the road traveling, his team will often post things he’d previously written, on his behalf.
Outside writers, including Polito, supply funny photos, which Takei credits as “from a fan.” But he insists that he writes every last word mocking them.
“The commentaries are mine,” the 76-year-old says.
“They are all authentically mine, I assure you.”
Following all the media attention, Polito issued an apology to Takei, saying he “hadn’t meant to expose anything” and “I don’t update his page.”
“I’ve had no direct contact with George,” he adds. “I’ve sent him some memes, as have other comedian types and I was happy for the exposure.”
What do you think, Takei fans? Does this tarnish the page?