Fans of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” you might want to take a seat for this one. Two of the franchise’s most beloved faces are back together; but not on the bridge of the Enterprise. Jonathan Frakes and Brent Spiner, a.k.a. Commander William Riker and Lt. Commander Data forever and always, have officially teamed up for a brand-new podcast, “Dropping Names… and Other Things.” And yes, it already sounds like it’s going to be a lot of fun.
Rather than revisiting old episodes or breaking down canon, the pair are doing something a little looser, a little messier, and a lot more fun. According to their newly launched YouTube channel, the podcast promises: “Two familiar faces. Zero phasers. Way too many stories.” That vibe? Immaculate. It sets the tone right out of the gate and makes it clear this isn’t about pretending they’re still hanging out in space. This is about what happened after the cameras stopped rolling… and everything else that came with decades in Hollywood.
Not a ‘Star Trek’ Podcast… Except When It Is
Before fans start assuming this is a straight-up “Star Trek” rewatch pod, Frakes and Spiner want to manage expectations… with humor, of course. In the trailer, they explain, “This is not a Star Trek podcast… It’s all about celebrity encounters, fan mishaps, Hollywood absurdity. And look, Star Trek will probably come up. Oh, without question. I mean, we… we’ve surrendered to fate.”
Yep, you read that right. Star Trek isn’t the focus, but it’s definitely not banned from the conversation either.
The official synopsis goes even further, teasing that the duo are “stepping away from the spotlight to share the real stories… the fans, the friendships, the near-misses, the unexpected moments, and the names you never thought they’d drop.” Let’s be real; that phrasing alone feels like a wink–wink to longtime fans and a promise that nothing is too polished or overly scripted here.
It seems like the whole point is to let conversations unfold naturally, whether that leads to hilarious fan encounters, wildly unexpected celebrity stories, or moments of classic Hollywood absurdity. And honestly? That’s where magic usually happens.
Why This Feels Like a Perfect Fit
Part of what makes “Dropping Names… and Other Things” instantly appealing is the chemistry Frakes and Spiner already have. Decades of shared history tend to do that. Their chat already feels relaxed, self-aware, and genuinely amused by the paths their careers have taken; especially how inescapable “Star Trek” still is all these years later.
And while they’re clear this isn’t a Trek-only podcast, fans shouldn’t worry about being completely cut off from that world. The way they talk about it, “Star Trek” is more like an old friend who keeps popping up in conversation whether you planned on it or not. Which, frankly, feels very on-brand.
The podcast lives on YouTube, but for those who want more details, there’s also an official site, droppingnames.com, offering additional information about the project. Between the casual tone, the promise of unexpected stories, and the fact that neither host seems interested in taking themselves too seriously, this already feels like something fans can drop into and enjoy without homework.
No uniforms. No directives. Just great stories; and plenty of them.
