As reported previously, 'Unimatrix Zero', the 'Voyager' season finale, will be the 500th episode of the three latest Trek series combined. This also means that it will be the 500th episode in which Star Trek Executive Producer Rick Berman was involved, as Gene Roddenberry already brought him onboard for the TNG premiere 'Encounter At Farpoint'. To commemorate this fact, Paramount just sent out the following press release:

Prolific Producer Rick Berman Reaches Landmark 500th Episode of Star Trek With Season Finale of Paramount's 'Star Trek: Voyager'

Finale Episode Marks Return of The Borg Queen

HOLLYWOOD, May 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Prolific Emmy Award-winning producer and writer Rick Berman reaches his landmark 500th episode of producing Star Trek with the airing of this season's finale episode of Paramount's acclaimed one-hour drama STAR TREK: VOYAGER for UPN. In the sixth season's cliffhanger, entitled "Unimatrix Zero," Voyager discovers a mysterious underground movement within the Borg Collective and features the return of the Borg Queen (portrayed by Susanna Thompson). "Unimatrix Zero" is scheduled to air on Wednesday, May 24 at 9:00-10:00pm ET/PT on UPN. The seventh and final season of STAR TREK: VOYAGER begins this fall.

Berman first joined Star Trek in 1987, when he was selected by Gene Roddenberry to join him as he created the multiple Emmy Award-winning syndicated series Star Trek: The Next Generation'' which produced 178 episodes. In 1991, following Roddenberry's death, Berman took over the reigns of the Star Trek franchise. In 1993, he co-created and executive produced the acclaimed syndicated series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' (176 episodes) and in 1995 he co-created and executive produced Star Trek: Voyager'' (146 episodes to date).

Under Berman's guidance, Star Trek: The Next Generation'' became the first syndicated series in television history to be nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama. During its seven year run, Star Trek: The Next Generation'' received 55 Emmy nominations, and remains among the most-nominated dramatic series of all time, winning 16 Emmy Awards. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,'' which Berman co-created with Michael Piller, received 31 Emmy nominations and garnered 4 Emmy Awards during its seven year run. Since its debut as UPN's flagship series in 1995, the multiple Emmy Award-winning STAR TREK VOYAGER, created by Berman, Piller and Jeri Taylor, continues to be the #1-rated UPN series among adults and households. Currently, Berman is creating his fourth Star Trek series with Brannon Braga.

In the feature film arena, Berman was the producer and co-story writer of Star Trek: Generations'' (1994), Star Trek: First Contact'' (1996) and Star Trek: Insurrection'' (1998). Star Trek: First Contact'' is the highest- grossing of the eight 'Trek' films, reaching nearly $140 million to-date (domestic and international combined). Berman is currently in development on his fourth Star Trek feature film.

Under his overall production deal with Paramount's Motion Picture and Television groups, Berman and his Rick Berman Productions, Inc. banner develop and produce theatrical films, television series and telefilms for all broadcast outlets including network, syndication, cable and pay television; and new media ventures encompassing all areas of the studio. Additionally, he has creative input into projects for Paramount Parks.

Berman joined Paramount in 1984 as director of current programming, overseeing Cheers,'' Family Ties'' and Webster.'' Within a year, he was named executive director of drama programming, overseeing the epic miniseries Space,'' Wallenberg: A Hero's Story'' and ABC's top-rated MacGYVER.'' He was promoted in May 1986 to vice president, longform and special projects, for Paramount Network Television, overseeing the development of Telefilms, miniseries and specials.

Prior to joining Paramount, he was director of drama development for Warner Bros. Television. Berman was an independent producer on numerous projects from 1982-1984, including What On Earth,'' an informational series for HBO and The Primal Mind,'' a one-hour, award-winning special for PBS. From 1977-1982, he was senior producer of The Big Blue Marble,'' for which he won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Series.

The Paramount Television Group is part of the entertainment operations of Viacom Inc.

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