George Takei: Does he write his own Facebook posts?
George Takei has become famous on the Internet for his frequently updated Facebook page. Is George Takei behind every status update and photo?
George Takei's Facebook page recently became the subject of controversy when a comedian stated he contributes jokes for Takei.
Wong Maye-E/AP
Does George Takei, whose Facebook page has won him a devoted following, employ ghostwriters to think up new status updates?
Yes and no, according to Takei himself. Takei, best known for his role as USS Enterprise helmsman Hikaru Sulu in the original “Star Trek” series, is well known for his Facebook account, updated frequently with jokes about grammar mistakes, posts about his support of gay rights and gay marriage, and funny photos.
“Parents, is this you?” Takei asked in a recent status update, posting a photo of a parent sleeping with their infant lying on top of their head.
His page currently has more than 4 million likes.
Recently, writer Rick Polito stated in an interview with Jim Romenesko, a media analyst, that Takei pays him $10 per joke to write for his page.
However, Takei himself said he didn’t see what the fuss was about.
“What is this hoo-ha about my FB posts?” Takei said in an interview with Wired. “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.”
He pointed out that his e-book "Oh Myy," which came out in November, stated that people he called “George Fakei” sometimes updated his page for him. Takei said that people like Polito will supply him with the humorous photos, which the actor said he always states are from “a fan,” but that he himself writes the comments about them.
“The commentaries are mine,” Takei told Wired.
When he's away from home, the actor said others will re-post old status updates to his page.
Meanwhile, Polito said in a new interview with Romensko that he apologized to Takei.
“I don’t update his page,” Polito said. “I’ve had no direct contact with George. I’ve sent him some memes, as have other comedian types, and I was happy for the exposure.”