Source: Star Trek.com and TrekWeb
Written by: S.K. Sloan
When it comes to Paramount taking Star Trek: Enterprise off of the air before its time and letting the Star Trek franchise sit idle, two of Hollywood’s most versatile and gifted icons let their own feelings be heard…….and no surprise, they echo the sentiments of most Star Trek fans.
At the recent Las Vegas, Nevada Star Trek Convention several of the Star Trek alumni were asked if they were at all disappointed to see that, after 40 years, there is no new Trek positioned on the horizon.
The “main man” of anything Trek, William Shatner [Captain James T. Kirk] was present and accounted for and was not short on response. Shatner, famous for his signature line “Get A Life,” a Saturday Night Live parody on “Trekkies,” has always been a supporter of the Star Trek franchise, and has been one of the most instrumental people in helping to keep it alive for nearly 40 years.
Standing on the stage with the other captain of the Enterprise, Patrick Stewart [Captain Jean Luc Picard], Shatner very frankly stated, “I’d say [to those in control of the franchise], you gotta get outta there, guys. Bring a new team in and see ya later.” He added, “I would say, take a broom, let’s clean everything out and start absolutely [from scratch] with some wonderful writers who love Star Trek, wonderful producers who love Star Trek, who wish to put it back on.” Then Shatner drove the point home with, “And have a singular person – that person we gotta find – to drive with honesty, and sincerity, and with veracity, and clarity, the whole Star Trek concept.”
Shatner did end his comments on a positive and upbeat note for fans, “Those of us who love Star Trek know that there is a future. It’s just taking a pause right now. We don’t have anything to worry about. Paramount Studios has made … in excess of $2 billion? From the franchise of Star Trek? They aren’t gonna let that die! There’s too much money there! So, there will be another Star Trek, I assure you.”
LeVar Burton [Commander Geordi LeForge] was a little less diplomatic but no less accurate in voicing the climate among Star Trek fans, “I’m so pissed! Because I love Star Trek. Long before I became a member of this family [Star Trek: TNG], I was a fan of Star Trek. I’m a child of the television age, and it was rare when I was growing up to see people of color in the popular culture. It was a big deal for me to see Diahann Carroll with her own television show on CBS (Julia); it was a big deal to see Sammy Davis Jr. on The Rifleman; it was a big deal to see Clarence Williams III on Mod Squad; it was a big deal to see Nichelle Nichols on the bridge of the Enterprise. Star Trek was really instrumental in helping me form my own identity in the world. And so I love this thing that we all love. And take it very personally when those who are in charge of driving the ship tend to let it crash.”
I’m a bit surprised by this… The article implies that many Trek fans are visibly upset with the nature of the franchise as it currently is. Really? This is the first that I’ve heard about it.
As for me (a long time die-hard Trek fan), while I found J.J’s re-boot to have some serious flaws, what did work was so overwhelmingly positive that it helped me to absolutely love the film.
Ben, did you happen to notice that this article is 6 years old? The Trek fans’ anger then was at how Enterprise was being handled. The new movie wasn’t even on the drawing board in August 2005.
Suffice to say a lot has happened with the franchise since then 🙂
(hey, did you find this article from the new “related articles” feature I installed? Is working? sweet!)
“re-boot to have some serious *flaws*”
Hey Ben! I think you misspelled flares 🙂