Is "Star Trek's" TV franchise kaput?

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http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/2...2/6194301s.htm

'Star Trek' voyage could end Shrinking audience may threaten classic
By Bill Keveney
USA TODAY


After crossing galaxies and time, the U.S.S. Enterprise could soon meekly go where it hasn't gone in years: dry dock.

A third year of shrinking audiences means potential cancellation for UPN's Star Trek: Enterprise -- and the first season in 17 years without a Star Trek series.

Couple that with quiet on the film front, after 2002's Star Trek: Nemesis had the movie series' smallest box office ($43.3 million), and fans of the Paramount franchise face the prospect of no new Star Trek on the near horizon for the first time in a quarter-century.

Aware of that possibility, Trek fans organized to make Enterprise's salvation easily the top pick in USA TODAY's recent Save Our Shows survey with 70% of the vote.

Longtime Trek executive producer Rick Berman doesn't believe the end is here. He cites a general critical view that Enterprise (tonight, 8 ET/PT) is having its best season creatively, with a season-long story arc, a Trek first. ''Right now, I'm optimistic the show is going to be picked up for a fourth season,'' he says.

Steve Krutzler, editor of fan site TrekWeb.com, agrees that this has been the best season, but adds that even devoted fans are divided over whether the series should continue. He speculates that Paramount could consider first-run syndication if UPN drops the show.

Even if Enterprise were renewed, Berman concedes the franchise could take an unaccustomed break in the near future.

''As to whether it could use a rest for a while, that's a valid question,'' Berman says. ''I think, eventually, Star Trek will be taking a breather.''

The franchise has had inspirational value, encouraging many fans to embark on scientific careers, says Ed Weiler, NASA's associate administrator for space science. The loss of Trek would be ''a sad statement'' if it reflected declining interest in ''exploring and dreaming.''

UPN likely won't reveal Enterprise's fate until it announces its fall slate next week. Viewership is off 43% from its first season, and the series suffered its lowest-rated regularly scheduled original episode in April (2.9 million).

Although Enterprise attracted 12.5 million viewers when it premiered in 2001, the sci-fi series now trails UPN's new ratings leader, America's Next Top Model, and even some of its comedies. UPN could shift focus from male-skewing shows, such as Enterprise, to those that attract women, after the success of Model.

''The pivotal question is really how UPN sees the Star Trek franchise within its total strategy going forward,'' says Stacey Lynn Koerner of media firm Initiative.

Berman, however, has more than blind hope for renewal. This season's year-long battle against the Xindi has earned Enterprise its best critical reviews to date. Despite substantial production costs, an extra two dozen episodes would give Enterprise 100 episodes, making it more attractive to syndicators. And, Viacom, the parent company of UPN and Paramount, must consider the effect renewal or cancellation would have on the estimated $200 million a year in revenue that comes from Trek movies, TV series and merchandise.

Berman and two other producers also are in ''very early discussions'' about another Star Trek feature film. It would be a prequel, but not related to Enterprise, he says.

Michael Piller, a former Trek writer who produces USA's The Dead Zone, says Enterprise is improving. He'd be surprised if it doesn't get another year, but a break could let it recharge.

''It wouldn't be the end of the world,'' Piller says. ''It will be back. It will be great again.''

[Nighthawk76]

I grew up on Star Trek and Star Trek-The Next Generation, and I love Deep Space Nine. I was never able to get into either Voyager or Enterprise. I stopped watching both after their first seasons. I think both suffered from poor writing and unintersting characters. I think that it would be better for Star Trek if Enterprise DID NOT return next season. To much Star Trek has been shoved down the public's throats to such a degree that the franchise has become something of a joke to many people. Star Trek deservers better then this. I think they should have stopped after Deep Space Nine, then they would have been going out on top.

[TJL]

It would be a shame if "Enterprise" was cancelled, but I wouldn't be surprised.

The Trek farnchise had a great run. Maybe it's time to let things rest for a few years.

[Max Whittaker]

Originally posted by dukey
I grew up on Star Trek and Star Trek-The Next Generation, and I love Deep Space Nine. I was never able to get into either Voyager or Enterprise. I stopped watching both after their first seasons. I think both suffered from poor writing and unintersting characters. I think that it would be better for Star Trek if Enterprise DID NOT return next season. To much Star Trek has been shoved down the public's throats to such a degree that the franchise has become something of a joke to many people. Star Trek deservers better then this. I think they should have stopped after Deep Space Nine, then they would have been going out on top.

I agree. I'm not happy with the direction Star Trek has taken. I was particularly disappointed with the most recent movies and "Enterprise". I can't even bring myself to see Enterprise as a Star Trek series. It's story has failed to follow the history that was implied throughout the franshise, starting with naming the ship Enterprise, assigning a grumpy Vulcan on board and (gasp) meeting the Klingons and not going to war with them! Wasn't it implied that first contact with the Klingons ended in war? Then, I heard they were introducing the Ferengi and the Borg, both species were supposed to be encounted first in the Next Generation! Especially the Borg!
I thought the series had potential at first. Maybe that was wishful thinking. Perhaps it was doomed at the get-go...


But as long as I live, I will be a True Blue fan of True Blue Trek; the kind of Trek that shows hope for humanity and acknowledges our flaws and places emphasis on our potential. That is what drew me to the franshise. That's what kept me hooked on the franshise. That is something I believe we have lost in our beloved Trek. Trek has lost heart...

[TJL]

Originally posted by Max Whittaker
It's story has failed to follow the history that was implied throughout the franshise, starting with naming the ship Enterprise, assigning a grumpy Vulcan on board and (gasp) meeting the Klingons and not going to war with them! Wasn't it implied that first contact with the Klingons ended in war? Then, I heard they were introducing the Ferengi and the Borg, both species were supposed to be encounted first in the Next Generation! Especially the Borg!
I thought the series had potential at first. Maybe that was wishful thinking. Perhaps it was doomed at the get-go...

Yeah, I hate how they've screwed up the timeline of the entire Trek franchise.

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Is "Star Trek's" TV franchise kaput?


Comic Book Resources Forums > Miscellaneous Forums > TV/Film
Is "Star Trek's" TV franchise kaput? 2

[ClassicComedyFan2]

The good thing is that Star Trek Enterprise has been picked up for a fourth season!!!!

And, much more, Star Trek has tons of life left in it! Long live Trek!