Star Trek journeys to the 21st century as the Original Series returns to broadcast syndication for the first time in 16 years with brand-new digitally remastered episodes to celebrate its 40th anniversary.

CBS Paramount Domestic Television has officially announced that they are releasing digitally remastered episodes of Star Trek, with all new special effects and music, to celebrate the groundbreaking series' 40th anniversary, according to John Nogawski, president of CBS Paramount Domestic Television.

The Star Trek episodes will begin airing on the more than 200 stations that own the rights to the weekend broadcast syndication window starting September 16. (As always, please check your local listings for station and dates.) The plan is for all 79 episodes of the Original Series to be remastered, with the first batch of episodes chosen from a list of Star Trek fans' favorite shows.

With the complete running order to be determined, the syndication schedule won't follow the classic air-date order or production order format familiar to fans. The first episode to air will be the Season One classic "Balance of Terror." "That gives us a chance to really show off the 'new' Enterprise," says Mike Okuda, 18-year veteran of the Star Trek art department and one of the supervisors on this project. His comments and more can be found in next week's TV Guide and online here. For a "first look" at the CGI Enterprise, the magazine's website has this image.

"Star Trek redefined science-fiction and constantly pushed the envelope with concepts that were ahead of their time," Nogawski said. "By giving the series a digital upgrade using the best technology available today, it will continue to be a leader in cutting-edge television programming as we introduce the series to a new generation of viewers."

The most noticeable change will be redoing many of the special effects, created with 1960s technology, with 21st century computer-generated imagery (CGI). Upgrades include:

Space ship exteriors – The Enterprise, as well as other starships, will be replaced with state of the art CGI-created ships. The new computer-generated Enterprise is based on the exact measurements of the original model, which now rests in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.

Show opening – The Enterprise and planets seen in the main title sequence will be redone, giving them depth and dimension for the first time.

Galaxy shots – All the graphics of the galaxy, so frequently seen through the viewscreen on the Enterprise's bridge, will be redone.

Exteriors – The battle scenes, planets and ships from other cultures (notably the Romulan Bird of Prey and Klingon Battle Cruisers) will be updated.

Background scenes – Some of the iconic, yet flat, matte paintings used as backdrops for the strange, new worlds explored by the Enterprise crew will get a CGI face-lift, adding atmosphere and lighting.

The refurbished episodes also feature higher quality sound for the famous opening theme. The original score by Emmy Award-winning composer Alexander Courage, has been re-recorded in state-of-the-art digital stereo audio with an orchestra and a female singer belting out the famous vocals. A digitally remastered version of William Shatner's classic original recording of the 38-word "Space, the final frontier..." monologue continues to open each episode.

The remastered episodes have been converted from the original film into a High-Definition format, which gives viewers a clearer, crisper, more vibrant picture than before, even when viewed in standard definition. Once stations upgrade and start broadcasting HD signals, the episodes will be all ready for viewers to enjoy in HD.

Okay Sci-Channel has cancelled Stargate:SG1 right after it's historic 200th episode. Now I am really pissed off. If you don't watch it live, your viewers does not count. Duh, us Sci Fi geek's have been working DVR's and tivios long before the mainstream. I mean ....

Hello NBC the channel is Sci-Fi, what the fuck are you doing programming shows on the schedule like WWE Wrestling?? What is going to become of our dear Sci_fi channel? Are there enough stations showing fake wrestling and beat the shit out of each other shows? Just look at TNT and Spike.

Yup the old man is a year older, and closer to retirement and moving much closer to my Sister with the grandkids! Although they are always welcome to come to Florida and play with my cats!

Howdy world. Ugh.. I have a cold from hell right now. yesterday I spent all day in bed. Samantha and Sibey were curled up with me for most of the day. It's funny how cats and animals in general know when their humans are sick and how the want to be near you and try to make you feel better.

So today I am feeling a bit more human, but still dealing with the hot and cold chills. Talked to Mom today, they are heading down to Barbie's for a week, so I know they will have a blast with the grandkids.

Hey everyone! Okay for those of you that I gave a shout out to about the new version on McAfee wait a while before updating. They have had some unexpected bugs hit the new version. I'll shout at everyone when its okay to update it again.

Why the black background? Look at the TARDIS below, it just looks sharper on black, so what the heck it was a simple thing to change!

And yesterday I got a treat... I saw an episode of Deep Space Nine that I don't ever remember seeing. Woo-Hoo!!! I know that there are a couple of Voyagers out there that I haven't seen, but thought I had seen all the DS9's.

I am still banging my head on the desk while I am hunting. God who knew that finding a new job would be so damn frustrating! But as they say good things come to those who wait. So I must be in store for a fantasic job! :)

Last night's episode of "Road Tasted" was great! My future husband was in his own last night.... Now the tough question is if I was stuck on an island, with a fully stocked kitchen and plenty of food and could only have one other person there would it be Bobby or his mama Paula Deen??? Now there IS a tough question! Casue food can replace sex most days!!!!

It's been a couple weeks since I have been on-line so I figured it's time for a little update. Last weekend I spent four days (okay so longer than a weekend I know) helping friends pack up a four bedroom home and moving. UGH! I am still sore from all of that, and you know serious hard labor takes a lot out of me...

I missed church this week. The MCC here in St. Petersburg got a new pastor and I really like him. Now why did I miss church this week? Well God decided that I needed sleep! I will get to the Thursday night service.

Mike moved back over here to the complex, so now he and his son are sharing his place. Although it looks like Mickey will be moving up with his Mom for a bit, so I will be loosing my "fairy God-son" :)

Wish I had some great news on the job front, but none yet. Interviewing my ass off still. But there was some good news (NO I did not save a bundle by switching to Geiko) but I had a great doctors visit, and with the exception that my sugars are still too high, I am in GREAT health!

The last of my friends from high school hits 40 on Monday, so Tuna... Happy Birthday ! Don't have too much to drink!

Got more of the website recreated and linked back to samanthakitty.com. Up to about 85% recreated... Almost done!

Am here this weekend watching the dogs for Bob & Dietrich. So while watching them did my laundry and enjoyed the rain, flooding and power loss..... What do you do when the power goes out? Drink the beer in the fridge!!!

The following sections have new pictures and information in them.. Vacations of 2005 & 2006, The Kids, and See where I have lived.

The only sections not recreated and linked back to Samantha kitty as of today are the friends, and party sections. Yippee I am now more than three quarters of way done updating the site!

Samantha & Siberion got their flea and tick treatment today. They hate it, and to prove this here are some pictures of them giving Dad "Attitude".