WWTBAM Bored

Series premiered fifty years ago, today, on NBC.

An episode of Star Trek was first shown to a public audience at a science fiction convention four days before it premiered on NBC. Of course, I only mention that because that sci-fi convention screening happened on the day I was born.

From TV Guide:

I heard a talk by Gene Roddenberry when I was in college, around 1974. Star Trek had been cancelled a few years earlier, but it was very popular in syndicated reruns. We'd gather every evening to watch it. He showed a rare black-and-white film of the original 1965 pilot "The Cage." (Excerpts of "The Cage," in color, were included in the 2-part episode "The Menagerie" in 1967.) "The Cage" starred Jeffrey Hunter as Capt. Pike, Majel Barrett as Number One, and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. Gene joked that when Majel married her boss, she was demoted from second-in-command to ship's nurse. Gene was excited that Paramount was seriously considering making a feature film based on Star Trek.

Happy birthday, danielh41!

Happy!

I was an 11 year old science fiction fan. It was must see TV (on a black and white TV)

lb13

Absolutely must see, but it wasn't easy in our area. Our NBC affiliate put it on after NBC's Saturday Night at the Movies, which could end anywhere from 9 to around 10:30. Very frustrating.

i love it that Star Trek's birthday is four days ahead of mine. Makes it easy to remember.

That moment you realize the promo for the crappy promo is better than the crappy promo itself:

Yay Star Trek!

I don't love it with the fervor I once did, but it still occupies a big place in my heart.

Love ya Spock!

jarnon wrote:I heard a talk by Gene Roddenberry when I was in college, around 1974. Star Trek had been cancelled a few years earlier, but it was very popular in syndicated reruns. We'd gather every evening to watch it. He showed a rare black-and-white film of the original 1965 pilot "The Cage." (Excerpts of "The Cage," in color, were included in the 2-part episode "The Menagerie" in 1967.) "The Cage" starred Jeffrey Hunter as Capt. Pike, Majel Barrett as Number One, and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. Gene joked that when Majel married her boss, she was demoted from second-in-command to ship's nurse.

Although "the public isn't ready for a woman in a strong command role" sounds good, and likely was a part of the decision-making process, I have read that the network was familiar with Gene and Majel's relationship at the time, and wasn't keen about it. Remember, the networks generally frowned on "couples" working on the same series, especially after what happened with Desi and Lucy. (IIRC, CBS has an outright ban on married couples starring on series together until the late 1970s.)

Vandal wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:25 am

Now 55!

Eligible to join AARP!

Fascinating.

earendel wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:07 am

Vandal wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:25 am

Now 55!

Eligible to join AARP!

It could have joined five years ago.

earendel wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 08, 2021 9:07 am

Vandal wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 08, 2021 8:25 am

Now 55!

Eligible to join AARP!

It could have joined five years ago.

I was at a town hall meeting today where I was sure somebody was gonna ask, "Whose birthday is it!!??" And I woulda known. Didn't happen. Dang buncha kids.

Oddly enough, Star Trek and I are exactly the same age.

And, the AARP mailers will still continue to go in the garbage. Not ready for Senior Discounts and all that crap.