Paramount kills new Trek shows

Geekyfanboy · April 08, 2011, 08:30:16 AM

Why did Paramount kill new Trek shows from Shatner and Frakes?

We haven't seen Star Trek on TV since Enterprise ended in 2005, and we had to wait four years until Trek came back into our lives in the form of J.J. Abrams' successful movie reboot of the venerable sci-fi franchise. But did you know there were a few attempts to bring back Star Trek to television that were literally crushed?

In an interview with UGO, Jonathan Frakes—who played Commander William T. Riker, Captain Jean-Luc Picard's (Patrick Stewart) first officer on the Enterprise in Star Trek: The Next Generation and four movies —made some startling revelations about a couple of proposed Star Trek TV series ideas that Paramount ended up rejecting.

"I had a Star Trek that I developed for TV, and we were told in no uncertain terms that they said no to Bryan Singer television Star Trek, they said no to a William Shatner television Star Trek. They feel at CBS/Paramount that they don't want to make the same mistake that's been made before, which was watering down the brand by having a TV show and a movie. That's what happened with Star Trek: Nemesis, and that's why I think Star Trek: Enterprise didn't last the way they expected to."

The First Contact director and actor then summed up Star Trek producer Rick Berman's franchise fatigue theory for the demise of Enterprise and the whole of Star Trek in 2005:

"It was the classic corporate greed of 'we've got something good, so let's continue to milk it' and we milked it so dry that the fans had no appetite for a movie. So I think what they've done by taking time off before the Abrams Star Trek, and they're doing it again because they haven't even begun to shoot the second one, is a much smarter business plan. Much to my chagrin! Not that wouldn't love the Titan, or the Rikers in Space, or any of those shows on the air."

Were Paramount right in refusing to bring back Star Trek to TV? Think we'll ever get a new series on the small screen now that J.J. Abrams has made Star Trek so successfull on the big screen? What do you think Shatner's Trek series was all about? And do you think that Star Trek: Titan—which is now a very successful ongoing book series about the adventures of Captain Riker and his crew on the U.S.S Titan— should get it's chance to shine on television?

Rico · April 08, 2011, 08:41:14 AM

I've heard these stories and a few others over the years. George Takei also tried for a Captain Sulu series as well. The truth is, the studios warned people that as the ratings declined for "Enterprise" that it was likely we wouldn't see Trek on TV for 10 years or more. And they are sticking to that. And truthfully, I'm not opposed to that scenario. Many fans had drifted away and there are only so many black marks a property can take before it might never come back. I still believe CBS (who owns TV Trek, Paramount is the movie Trek owner) will do another series at some point in time. Perhaps after 2012 if the next film is a big success.

Bromptonboy · April 08, 2011, 08:45:59 AM

Although I am dying for more Trek - I can see the sense of this plan.

Feathers · April 08, 2011, 10:27:12 AM

An interesting story. It's nice to know attempts are still ongoing. As long as someone's pitching, there's a chance for one to be accepted one day.

jedijeff · April 08, 2011, 11:45:42 AM

I can see the logic behind the decision as well to just stick with movies, just really miss weekly Trek series. I always felt the TV series were the real gem to Star Trek for me, the movies were good, but the series is really where Star Trek came to life. I guess given how most Sci-Fi shows struggle on TV right now, probably not the best time to launch another Trek series on TV sadly.

turtlesrock · April 08, 2011, 02:13:49 PM

i really hope there'll be a small screen series in the future. when that will be, i have no clue. but someday.
now probably isn't the right time, given that there'll be another movie in a little more than a year.
maybe (if there's no star trek 13 planned) just maybe then will be the time to make another series.
but now we wait. :-|

i think this quote fits the subject nicely:
"You may find that having is not so pleasing a thing, after all, as wanting. It is no logical, but it is often true"
Spock :vulcan- Amok Time

Geekyfanboy · April 08, 2011, 03:14:05 PM

Quote from: jedijeff on April 08, 2011, 11:45:42 AM
I can see the logic behind the decision as well to just stick with movies, just really miss weekly Trek series. I always felt the TV series were the real gem to Star Trek for me, the movies were good, but the series is really where Star Trek came to life. I guess given how most Sci-Fi shows struggle on TV right now, probably not the best time to launch another Trek series on TV sadly.

I'm with you Jeff.. the movies are great.. but give me a Star Trek TV series over new movies any day.

turtlesrock · April 08, 2011, 07:46:26 PM

Quote from: Geekyfanboy on April 08, 2011, 03:14:05 PM
Quote from: jedijeff on April 08, 2011, 11:45:42 AM
I can see the logic behind the decision as well to just stick with movies, just really miss weekly Trek series. I always felt the TV series were the real gem to Star Trek for me, the movies were good, but the series is really where Star Trek came to life. I guess given how most Sci-Fi shows struggle on TV right now, probably not the best time to launch another Trek series on TV sadly.

I'm with you Jeff.. the movies are great.. but give me a Star Trek TV series over new movies any day.

same.
well, i guess it depends on the movie and series. i'd rather have a great movie than a so-so series.

Dangelus · April 08, 2011, 11:19:43 PM

It's a head vs heart situation. I understand their view, they are a business afterall. But...

To me Star Trek is a TV entity, complimented by movies. Trek works best on TV, slowly developing arcs, one off tales, I miss it all!

turtlesrock · April 09, 2011, 02:20:38 PM

we all do. but sometimes we need a little downtime. now just happens to be part of a downtime that's been going on since 2005.
this downtime may go on for many more years, but it will end sometime.
the only thing left to find out is when that sometime is.

Dangelus · April 09, 2011, 02:27:04 PM

Yeah but we will end up with reboot Trek TV shows by then.

Ktrek · April 09, 2011, 10:41:37 PM

I think unless there is a huge surge of renewed interest in Star Trek we are unlikely to see any new Trek on TV. The movies I'm pretty sure are a whole lot more profitable and they see the return on their investment rather soon. I recall reading that the TV shows did not make any profit until they reached syndication. That means several years of cranking out a show at a loss. Yea...they evnetually recover their investment and then some but not like they do with the movies. I would love to see Trek come back to the small screen but I just think it's unlikely in my lifetime now.

Kevin

Scott · April 23, 2011, 08:51:36 AM

Paramount should just officially help fan projects. They can fund the shows with a little money and maybe manpower to speed up production and put a pre-roll and post-roll add. Maybe let the fan projects sell dvds through official channels and make 50% of the revenue. I dunno. Just a thought that occured.

KingIsaacLinksr · April 23, 2011, 08:57:51 AM

Quote from: Scott on April 23, 2011, 08:51:36 AM
Paramount should just officially help fan projects. They can fund the shows with a little money and maybe manpower to speed up production and put a pre-roll and post-roll add. Maybe let the fan projects sell dvds through official channels and make 50% of the revenue. I dunno. Just a thought that occured.

The problem with this idea is that if they support one of them, then all of the fan projects will expect Paramount to do something for them, so its fairly unlikely to happen.

King

Feathers · April 23, 2011, 03:31:36 PM

Any sort of endorsement would surely work against the whole philosophy of 'time off' for the franchise. If that's the plan they're working to then supporting any sort of project could be nothing other than counter-productive from their point of view.