the buzz log

Change is coming to "Star Trek," and not everyone's happy about it being so fun and glitzy and all.

Yes, that sounds like an Onion parody. In fact, it is an Onion parody—but humor site inadvertently stumbled into reality. All signs show that cinematic prequel should live up to its blockbuster aspirations, but crinkly naysayers—likely those with the well-thumbed copies of the "The Star Trek Fleet Technical Manual"—have been outraged that the reimagining may go against the "canon." 

Perhaps admissions by director J.J. Abrams and the crew about their lukewarm attitude to the series have worried old-timers. Disgruntled diehards though may want to consider standing in the way of its beloved franchise getting a 21st-century audience. Compare Search interest for "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" (from kids to people in their 40s) or the upcoming "GI Joe" (mainly ages 21-44). "Star Trek" followers online are 21-54, but tilted more heavily in the 40s and 50s range.

Hollywood wants to hit the under-25 sweet spot, but right now there are youngsters out there who don't know the difference between a Cardassian and a Kim Kardashian. Solution: Start from scratch.

Some long-time aficionados dare to suggest that grumpy devotees may be too used to mediocrity (and they're not talking about the 1966 TV series's low ratings throughout its three-year existence). One commenter to "an NPR post about petulant Trekkers wrote "Sometimes it seems longtime fans—and I count myself as one—have forgotten how 'bad' earlier versions can be." Even Leonard "I Am Not Spock/I Am Spock" Nimoy himself have dismissed Canon-ites as people who "have to cling to their knowledge of the minutiae." Oh, snap.

In the end, the quibblers should be in the minority, given the Web revival of all things "Star Trek," among them the "english to klingon translator," "romulan ale" and "ferengi rules of acquisition." And in a sure sign that Hollywood still cares about its old faithfuls: The premiere opens not on the midnight hour, but 7 p.m. on a Thursday. Enough time for an early-bird and still be in bed by 11 p.m.

Below, the top "Star Trek" terms a'buzzing.

 Top "Star Trek" Searches on Yahoo!, past 7 days