Premiering in 1987, it boldly went where no series had gone before, blending the intellect of Shakespearean drama with the wonder of interstellar exploration.

With its finale in 1994 drawing over 30 million viewers, TNG cemented itself as the gold standard for sci-fi storytelling. But beyond its gripping plots and unforgettable characters, the series holds secrets and surprises even die-hard fans might not know.

Became life-long friends

For those unfamiliar, Star Trek: The Next Generation followed the adventures of the starship Enterprise-D as its diverse crew explored uncharted worlds, solved intergalactic mysteries, and tackled moral dilemmas. Set 100 years after the original Star Trek, it introduced new characters, advanced technology, and thought-provoking stories.

But did you know that many of the Star Trek: The Next Generation cast members became lifelong friends after the series wrapped. Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard) and Jonathan Frakes (Riker) are known for their hilarious camaraderie, often sharing laughs at conventions. They stay in close touch, frequently meet up for dinners, and their incredible chemistry is always evident whenever they’re together.

When LeVar Burton tied the knot in 1992, Brent Spiner stood by his side as best man, while Sir Patrick Stewart, Jonathan Frakes, and Michael Dorn took on the roles of ushers.

Martina Sirtis hated Michael Dorn

Among the many friendships that grew from the cast of The Next Generation, one of the most heartwarming is the connection between Michael Dorn, known for his portrayal of the stoic Lt. Worf, and Marina Sirtis, who brought the empathetic Counselor Troi to life.

”I’ve always been attracted to very strong women,” Dorn shared with Buzzfeed.

”I don’t know why. I was just very attracted to our sort of chemistry. We’re just crazy about each other.”

But even though their friendship has endured for over three decades, it didn’t start off smoothly. In fact, as Sirtis openly admits, the two couldn’t stand each other during the show’s first season. Over time, however, their undeniable chemistry brought them closer, sparking rumors that they might secretly be dating.

Despite the speculation, Sirtis and Dorn have always been clear — they weren’t romantically involved then, and they aren’t now.

The Starfleet uniform was very uncomfortable

The Star Trek cast often gets bombarded with questions about their makeup, costumes, and those iconic masks — it’s clearly what fascinates fans the most.

Did you know that the original Starfleet uniform was so uncomfortable that Sir Patrick Stewart’s agent had to step in? He even threatened to sue Paramount if Stewart ended up with muscle or joint damage from wearing the one-piece spandex suit.

That little scare was enough to prompt a wardrobe upgrade, and by season three, the crew traded the stretchy spandex for a much comfier two-piece polyester design.

The unlikely casting of Captain Picard

Believe it or not, Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, wasn’t exactly thrilled about casting Sir Patrick Stewart as Captain Picard. He had his heart set on a younger captain with a full head of hair. But producer Robert H. Justman was so blown away by Stewart’s talent that he campaigned hard to get him the role.

After auditioning plenty of other actors and finding none of them came close, Roddenberry finally gave in.

Here’s where it gets hilarious: for his first meeting with Paramount execs, Stewart wore a hairpiece — on the producers’ suggestion. They were worried the studio might reject him for being bald. The twist? After the meeting, the execs agreed to cast him, but only on one condition: he had to lose the “ridiculous toupee.”

When the cast of the show was first revealed, some media outlets referred to Sir Patrick Stewart as an ”unknown British Shakespearean actor.” To have a little fun with it, Brent Spiner created a poster for Stewart’s dressing room that read, ”Beware: Unknown British Shakespearean actor!”

Worf’s forehead was stolen

Michael Dorn, who brought the fierce Klingon Worf to life, endured a grueling two-hour makeup process each time he suited up for the role. But things weren’t always smooth sailing for Worf’s iconic look. In Season 2, disaster struck when the original prosthetic forehead was stolen!

This unexpected setback left the crew in a panic, racing against the clock to create a replacement. The result? A subtly different forehead piece that gave Dorn’s character a slightly altered appearance.

Wheaton’s priceless response

When the cast decided to push for a salary increase, Wil Wheaton was initially offered a promotion for his character, Wesley Crusher, instead of a pay raise.

The producers suggested that Wesley be made a Lieutenant. Wheaton’s response was priceless: ”So what should I tell my landlord when I can’t pay my rent? ‘Don’t worry, I just made Lieutenant’?”

By the way, Wil Wheaton holds a fun distinction: he is the first Star Trek actor — and the only cast member of Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) — to have been born after the franchise had begun.

Painful truth about Geordi’s VISOR

Geordi’s iconic VISOR was actually thrown together on the first day of shooting using a car air filter and a hair band, showcasing some quick improvisation.

While it was key to Geordi’s look, the VISOR wasn’t exactly a walk in the park for actor LeVar Burton. In an interview with the BBC, he revealed that wearing the prop gave him daily headaches and that it had to literally be screwed into the sides of his head. Despite the discomfort, Burton powered through, keeping the iconic device as a core part of Geordi’s identity.

After season two, producers had initially planned to have Geordi undergo an experimental procedure to restore his natural eyesight and eliminate the need for his iconic VISOR eyepiece.

However, realizing how important the VISOR had become as a symbol for the disabled community, they decided to scrap the idea. Geordi La Forge’s VISOR remained an integral part of his character throughout all seven seasons of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

LeVar Burton’s secret snooze

Here’s another great little story about LeVar Burton that I just have to share.

During the first season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, there were long stretches where he would be sitting on the bridge set, often with little to no lines.

This led to some pretty boring moments, and LeVar would sometimes nod off or even fall asleep completely. The best part? His eyes were hidden behind the VISOR, so no one really noticed!

”They’re lying through their teeth..”

In the ’90s, Marina Sirtis was undeniably one of the most beautiful women to grace the sci-fi world. Famous for her British accent, she actually has Greek roots and speaks the language fluently.

Marina Sirtis, who played Counselor Troi, is often showered with compliments about how well-preserved she looks, even today.

Whenever photos of her pop up on social media, fans can’t help but flood the comments with praise, saying she hasn’t changed a bit since her Star Trek days.

”I have a picture on my wall of all of us. It’s the actual photo that Entertainment Weekly had on their cover, and it’s on the wall in my living room. It reminds me of my best friends. And, you know what? I think we all look exactly the same. All the boys have less hair. Michael Dorn is much thinner now than he ever was before. Patrick (Stewart), I think, looks the same. And people always come up to me and said, “You haven’t changed a bit.” They’re lying through their teeth, of course, because 25 years later, that’s not possible. But I think we all still look pretty good. So it’s not too disheartening to watch myself in the early episodes,” she said.

Initially, it was Denise Crosby who was set to play Counselor Troi, while Sirtis was cast as Lieutenant Macha Hernandez, the security chief. However, just before filming the pilot, the two roles were swapped. And we’re glad for that!

Behind the wig: The hair drama on TNG

If you take a closer look at Star Trek: The Next Generation, you might notice a fun behind-the-scenes detail that many fans missed: Marina Sirtis, who played Counselor Troi, actually wore a wig for most of the series! Her real hair was styled around the wig to give her those signature flowing locks that fans loved.

Meanwhile, Gates McFadden, who portrayed Dr. Beverly Crusher, wore a full wig during the first few seasons too. The wig game was definitely strong in the ’80s and ’90s!

Gates McFadden’s own hair caused quite a bit of trouble in Season 1. Her fine red hair was constantly affected by the studio lights, leading to a lot of time spent washing and resetting it to match continuity. By Season 3, the solution was to use a collection of expensive, real-hair wigs. And while Gates was rocking these luxurious wigs, Marina couldn’t help but feel a bit envious! At conventions, Marina has confessed how she was a little jealous of Gates’ wig collection, since she had to make do with a cheaper, nylon fall. But no worries — by Season 4, Marina finally got her own real-hair fall. Talk about a hair upgrade…

So, next time you’re rewatching, keep an eye out for these iconic hair tricks — it’s a fun little nugget of TNG trivia!

From unknown to icon

Marina Sirtis wasn’t a major star when she was offered a role in Star Trek. She admits that she had never watched the original series. ”I admit, I never saw the show but I knew it was popular,” she once said.

”I had no idea what I was getting into. They said it would be a year’s work, the ten months promised was the longest job I’ve ever had. The next six years were a bonus.”

Sirtis also mentioned how devastated she was when the show came to an end.

How Riker’s iconic beard was born

When Jonathan Frakes arrived for second-season rehearsals, he sported a beard he’d grown during the 1988 writers’ strike, planning to shave it off before filming began. However, the producers were immediately taken by the new look and asked him to keep it. Just like that, Riker’s iconic beard was born, and it became a defining feature for the rest of the series.

The beard became so iconic that when Frakes finally shaved it off for Star Trek: Insurrection in 1998, fans were quick to notice. Even Q couldn’t resist making a playful jab, quipping, “Riker was more fun before the beard!” Classic Q.

Around the same time, there was a meeting with Gene Roddenberry, producer Rick Berman, and another producer, Hurley. Roddenberry, intrigued by Frakes’ new facial hair, remarked that it gave off a “nautical” vibe. This comment sparked an impromptu executive beard trimming contest, proving that even the smallest details could lead to quirky behind-the-scenes moments. The beard, of course, became just as legendary as Riker himself!

Robin Williams almost joined Star Trek

Star Trek: The Next Generation attracted plenty of celebrities and public figures who were huge fans of the original Star Trek series and jumped at the chance to make guest appearances.

One of the standouts was, of course, Whoopi Goldberg, who became a fan favorite with her recurring role as Guinan. Goldberg actually reached out about being on the series even before it premiered. However, it took nearly a year for her to get a response, as the producers initially didn’t take her inquiry seriously.

Unfortunately, not every request could be granted. Robin Williams, for instance, was eager to join the cast, but because he was busy filming Hook (1991), he had to pass on a role in Season 5, Episode 9, “A Matter of Time.” Instead, Matt Frewer stepped in to fill the spot.

Didn’t bother unpacking his suitcases

Sir Patrick Stewart was so sure Star Trek: The Next Generation would be a flop that he didn’t even bother unpacking his suitcases for the first six weeks of shooting. But by the end of the first season, the show proved him wrong in a big way —Paramount was raking in $1 million per episode in advertising revenue.

By 1992, each episode’s budget had skyrocketed to nearly $2 million, with the studio pulling in a staggering $90 million annually from advertising alone. Each 30-second commercial was fetching between $115,000 and $150,000. With 178 episodes spread across seven seasons, from 1987 to 1994, Star Trek: The Next Generation was not just a cultural phenomenon — it was a financial powerhouse, leaving its mark on television history.

Star Trek really was an amazing series, wasn’t it? Do you have any fun memories or hidden facts about the show you’d like to share? Feel free to share, and don’t forget to spread the word by sharing this article!

In fact, many of us have actually turned to diet soda in recent years; an alternative that’s supposedly not as bad for your health, but still goes some way to curing the craving. And yet, many reorts would have you believe that the chemicals in diet soda can be just as damaging to your body and, whilst research is still in its early stages, it looks like the safest bet might be giving up soda altogether.

Not convinced? I wasn’t either, not entirely. That was until I discovered a list of things that change in your body when you stop drinking diet soda. Interested? Read on below to see how you could alter your body by cutting it out …

A lot of times we think that to avoid the ‘greater evil’ of a regular cold drink, we can just choose one that has low or zero sugar. However, research shows that this might not be a good option either.

Sometimes, products that are marketed as ‘healthy’ can actually hide some other facts that would make them less desirable.

So, if you are someone who takes care of their health and likes to know exactly what they are putting into their body, then keep reading.

1. Less sugar cravings

With most diet soda relying on aspartame as a substitute for real sugar, you’d be forgiven for thinking the drinks don’t affect your cravings for sugar.

Wrong. Aspartame actually makes you crave sugar, because the artificial sweetness causes your insulin levels to spike. As diet and fitness expert Dr. Melina Jampolis explains: “The taste of sweet does cause the release of insulin, which lowers blood sugar, and if carbohydrates are not consumed, it causes a drop in blood sugar, which triggers hunger and cravings for sugar.”

2. Less food cravings overall

Sugar isn’t the only thing diet soda could be making you crave. In fact, it actually makes you long for a whole lot more.

As per nutritionist Isabel Smith: “Artificial sweeteners affect our sense of satiety. Our bodies have [evolved] to expect a large amount of calories when we take in something exceedingly sweet, and those artificial sweeteners are from 400 times to 8,000 times sweeter than sugar.”

She continues: “The muscles in your stomach relax so you can take in food, and hormones are released. With artificial sweeteners, your body says, ‘Wait a minute, you told me you were going to give me all this high-calorie food. It can actually send some people searching for more food, out of lack of satisfaction.”

Basically, when your body doesn’t get what it was expecting, it turns to other options – namely seeking out high-calorie foods that can give it what it’s after.

3. You could actually lose weight

Making the switch from regular soda to diet soda is usually one done with weight loss in mind. Yet, due to bloat and the aforementioned cravings, consuming diet soda can actually make it really difficult for one to effectively drop the pounds. Studies have found that diet sodas can cause an increase in metabolic syndrome, obesity, high-blood pressure and diabetes, so it’s probably better to cut out the sodas altogether.

4. You’ll taste more food

The artificial sweeteners in diet sodas actually overwhelm your tastebuds over time, meaning they can’t properly appreciate the whole range of flavors they might have been able to before.

As a result, you’ll notice a change in your tastebuds after giving up diet sodas, including being able to notice how sweet things really are. If that’s not a motivation then I don’t know what is.

5. Your immune system can improve

Researchers now believe that diet sodas affect not only your cravings and sugar intake, but also manipulate your metabolism.

According to Isabel Smith, diet sodas can impact the “healthy gut bacteria” and change how your body processes everything, from your blood sugar to your immune system.

6. Stronger bones

With research still in its formative stages it’s unclear exactly as to why, but studies have shown that even one diet soda per day can increase your risk of a hip fracture by 14%.

There’s an existing link between those who drink a lot of soda and lower bone density, which could mean that cutting out the fizz gives you healthier bones!

7. You won’t get drunk as easily

This one’s strictly for those who use diet soda as a mixer with alcoholic drinks.

If you do so, you might find yourself getting drunk faster than friends who don’t. This is because the diet soda passes through your system quicker than regular soda, leaving you with just the alcohol, which in turn increases your blood alcohol level.

Switching to other alternatives could mean that you’re able to party for longer … and that’s never been a bad thing.

8. Healthier kidneys

It should go without saying that optimal kidney function is important. That’s why it’s only right to warn you that the ingredients in diet soda tend to give your kidneys quite a hard time.

When your kidneys are no longer occupied with having to sort through all those complicated ingredients, your body should be able to clear toxins and stabilize blood sugar levels more efficiently.

Well, that’s certainly opened my eyes a fair bit. If you regularly drink diet soda, why not try cutting it out to test the effects on your body? If that seems impossible, perhaps see if you can lower the amount you drink, with an eye on eventually stopping for good.

Help us spread word of the harmful effects of drinking diet soda by sharing this article with your friends and family on Facebook!

The thought of dying in your sleep has probably crossed your mind more than once. It’s a terrifying idea — one you’d rather not dwell on before closing your eyes at night.

But at the same time, it might be good to know if you’re at risk so you can take steps to prevent it. Let’s see what experienced doctors have to say:

Hypnophobia is the overwhelming fear of falling asleep, often fueled by the fear of losing control or even dying during sleep. For some, this fear becomes so intense that it disrupts their quality of life and takes a toll on their health. But what’s behind this fear, and is there any truth to the idea that sleep could be dangerous?

Let’s explore why some people die in their sleep and what you should know about the risks.

Oversleeping

Did you know that sleeping too much could be problematic? Over the years, a lot of research has been conducted on sleep, and many people still believe that getting plenty of it is always good for the body. But if you’re sleeping more than seven to eight hours a night, you might want to pay attention—it could be a warning sign.

Researchers have discovered a link between excessive sleep and an increased risk of early death, according to The Guardian.

Sleeping ten hours a night raises your risk of dying early by 30% compared to someone who sleeps eight hours. This was revealed in a 2018 study published in The Journal of the American Heart Association.

Additionally, sleeping ten hours is associated with a 56% higher risk of dying from a stroke and a 49% higher risk of dying from cardiovascular diseases.

Why people die in their sleep

In 2023, Dr. Milind Sovani from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in the UK shared some insight with Newsweek about the mystery of dying in one’s sleep. According to Dr. Sovani, these sudden and silent deaths are “usually related to the heart, lungs, or brain.”

People can die in their sleep for various reasons, with sudden cardiac arrest being one of the most common causes. A 2021 study in Heart Rhythms found that about 22% of these deaths happen between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Dead-in-bed syndrome

Dr. Milind Sovani highlights another risk factor for dying in your sleep: ”Occasionally, people with diabetes can die in their sleep from low glucose levels,” he explains.

There’s even a term for this tragic phenomenon — Dead-in-Bed Syndrome (DIB). This term refers to cases where someone with type 1 diabetes (T1D) goes to bed seemingly healthy but doesn’t wake up.

Younger individuals with type 1 diabetes, especially those under 50, are at a higher risk of experiencing Dead in Bed Syndrome.

The good news is that DIB syndrome is rare, accounting for only about 6% of all deaths in people under 40 with type 1 diabetes, according to Diabetes UK.

Pompe Disease

There are also more complex and less common medical conditions that can lead to someone dying in their sleep. For instance, sleep apnea, a disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep, can sometimes result in fatal complications if left untreated.

If you’re worried about having involuntary sleep interruptions, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor. There are tests you can do overnight. If you have obstructive sleep apnea, you may be able to treat it with a device called a CPAP machine. This machine uses a hose connected to a mask or nosepiece to provide constant, steady air pressure to help you breathe while you sleep.

Dr. Sovani once treated a patient with Pompe Disease, a rare genetic condition where glycogen — a complex sugar—accumulates in the cells of the body, specifically in the lysosomes, as explained by the Cleveland Clinic. This happens when the body lacks an essential enzyme called acid alpha-glucosidase (GAA). The disease leads to severe muscle weakness and wasting, and if left undiagnosed or untreated, it can be fatal.

Sadly, the patient, who was in his late 30s, passed away in his sleep. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by undiagnosed genetic conditions and the importance of early detection and treatment.

Diaphragmatic paralysis

Conditions like unilateral diaphragmatic paralysis, where one side of the diaphragm doesn’t work, can make breathing harder, especially when lying down. Dr. Sovani points out that this can mess with your lung capacity, which can lead to complications.

Another thing to watch out for is Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), which is more common for those with uncontrolled epilepsy. Essentially, a seizure can cause problems with breathing or heart rhythm, as the CDC explains.

On top of that, high blood pressure that’s not under control, heart failure, and sleep apnea — which causes your breathing to stop and start throughout the night — can all increase the chances of dying in your sleep. It’s definitely something to keep in mind if you’re dealing with any of these conditions.

”If you suffer from a heart condition, you may also be fitted with a pacemaker or implanted defibrillator,” Dr. Sovani adds, which help regulate your heartbeat.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle — getting enough sleep, eating well, and exercising—along with regular check-ins with your doctor, can also play a big role in preventing these conditions from getting worse.

Concussion – be aware of this

If you’ve hit your head hard or experienced significant trauma to your head, it’s important to keep an eye on things. Severe brain injuries can sometimes lead to sudden death, often while a person is asleep. Symptoms like nausea, constant headaches, or dilated pupils can sometimes be missed or brushed off after a head injury. If someone tries to ”sleep off” these symptoms, they could end up having a brain bleed during the night and passing away.

It’s generally okay to sleep after a concussion, but it’s crucial to see a healthcare provider or go to the emergency room first for an evaluation.

Is it painful to die in your sleep?

Whether dying in your sleep is painful or not really depends on what causes it. Some people pass away peacefully, not feeling any pain or even realizing what’s happening.

But for others, they might wake up for a moment and feel some distress before they pass. Conditions like a heart attack or trouble breathing can bring pain before death.

The thought of dying suddenly in your sleep is terrifying, and it’s something none of us want to imagine. But it’s important to remember that it’s rare to pass away unexpectedly without having been diagnosed with a serious condition.

While there are risk factors that could increase the chances of dying in your sleep, don’t forget to live. Life is precious, and it’s the moments we share, the love we give, and the memories we create that truly matter. So, take care of yourself, cherish those around you, and live fully—because each day is a gift.