Star Trek characters serve as role models for viewers, and the show serves as a role model for TV.

`And to boldly go where no one has gone before."

Most Trekkers (the new fan nickname) recognize this phrase from the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation. And while only one word has changed from the original phrase _ from "no man" to "no one" _ the series is markedly different.

Children's Express had an opportunity to break new ground recently by getting four cast members' views about how their characters are perceived as role models. We also found out who some of their individual role models are and were.

We talked to them by phone from their taping location in Hollywood.

"I think Riker is probably a good role model because he's honest and straightforward," says Jonathan Frakes, who plays Commander William Riker on the series, which airs at 10:30 p.m. weeknights on WXIN (Channel 59) in Indianapolis.

"He has the ability to lead without being overbearing. I think he understands how to deal with people, and how (he) can get the work done and still have a good time and have a few laughs," Frakes says.

Marina Sirtis, most commonly known as the ship's counselor, Deanna Troi, says her character also has been praised for leadership skills.

"I get a lot of fan mail from mothers who say that they think Troi is a really good role model for their daughters," she explains.

"I think it's because she is very strong, but she's still very feminine. . . . She gets the point across without becoming masculine, or hard, or confrontational _ the kinds of things that sometimes society doesn't want women to be."

While Sirtis and Frakes focus on their command abilities, Gates McFadden, who plays Dr. Beverly Crusher, says her fans find her character kind, but direct. "(Dr. Crusher) is (a) nurturing, compassionate person who cares first about healing and saving her patients," McFadden says. "She performs her duties very clearly."

LeVar Burton sees himself in his character, Engineering Chief Geordi LaForge. "I think Geordi and I both share a real enthusiasm for living. That's real important to me," Burton says. "I think both Geordi and LeVar find it really important to enjoy themselves and to not take themselves so seriously."

Today, these Star Trek characters serve as role models for people of all ages. But these actors and actresses had role models of their own when they were growing up. While their role models ranged from actors, to parents, to teachers, they had one thing in common: They encouraged the soon-to-be performers to pursue their acting dream.

McFadden was influenced by many role models, including comedian Buster Keaton, dancers Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and actress Lucille Ball.

She also had a role model at home. "Probably my most important role model was my mother. She was very _ she still is _ a very passionate, enthusiastic human being."

Likewise, actresses Bette Davis and Greta Garbo had an impact on Sirtis. "Bette Davis because she was so strong and she really didn't take any stuff from anybody. . . . And Greta Garbo because she just had this magic on the screen that you couldn't define."

Sirtis also had a role model in school. "I had a history teacher in school who really encouraged me, and she was a very career-oriented, strong, fair, intelligent woman. She really helped me realize my dreams."

Frakes' childhood role model was closer to home. "My father was very encouraging to me as I was growing up _ to do whatever I was going to do, to make sure I liked whatever it was."

Burton, who was born in Germany and raised in Sacramento, Calif., had role models who came from another time.

"When I was a kid, I read a lot of stories about the lives of the saints, and they were role models to me," Burton said. "Of course, none of them were alive. They were all dead. But I still found a lot of inspiration in the way they lived their lives."

All four Star Trek members agree that the show serves as a role model for television. As Burton says, "Star Trek represents to me television at its best. . . . It's television that's not just entertaining. It's more than that. It's educational, it's enlightening. It causes people to think. It challenges them mentally and emotionally _ spiritually."

Sirtis agrees. "There's a distinct lack of intelligent programming on television. And I think Star Trek is one of the few shows that address problems like (terrorism, drug abuse and rape). . . . I think Star Trek handles the problems in a way that is digestible, if you like, for children. They can get the message but they're not traumatized by watching it."

Frakes says each episode contains a moral message.

"Gene Roddenberry, who created the show, may he rest in peace (the executive director died in October 1991), always felt that we were doing a morality play every week. And that by the time the hour was up, he hoped that we would make some positive statement about how mankind should treat each other."

McFadden praises the peace and tranquility of life aboard Star Trek's vessel, the USS Enterprise: "There is a respect and tolerance of others that the show espouses, and I think that's a very positive philosophy.