Is TOS considered an integral part of pop culture?

Integral as in essential? Eh. Ingrained? Yes, definitely. "Star Wars" and The Beatles are integral. They were a world-wide phenomenon. I'd say "Star Trek" isn't quite up there. It's the difference between how ubiquitous, "May the force be with you," is compared to, "Live long and prosper."

 

OTOH, we have the German band Nena with the lyrics

And a British band that named it's self "T'Pau"


Then there's the infamous Turkish Star Trek

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7iXNLUaaSk[/yt]

 

Not to mention this song which managed to reach number 1 in the UK

[yt]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZS2-4-iUJ4[/yt]

 

The ending is missing in that one. Here's the whole thing:

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The band that wanted me to play trumpet for them was going to call itself "Majel Barret and the Roddenberries".

 

In which episode does Spock say "Pure energy?" I'm thinking Errand of Mercy.

 

Only two that I am aware of:

"Errand of Mercy":

"Return To Tomorrow":

According to Wikipedia:

 

Not to mention a metal band that calls itself Stovokor, btw.

 

What I know about metal could fit inside a nanite. So I'll take your word for it,

 

Any time a top-ranked network sitcom can reliably draw laughs using a reference, that subject has embedded itself into the mainstream public consciousness.

 

With or without this?





2331

 

Parody is a key indicator of how familiar and appreciated some media creations are. TOS received that treatment in the 60s in the pages of MAD magazine, but in the wake of the early 70s syndication boom, other publications and TV (notably Saturday Night Live) all took (what I would call) loving shots at TOS.

Others mentioned just how far TOS influenced individuals in the arts and sciences--the latter capped off (in the grand scheme) in a nationally recognized manner with naming the 1st space shuttle Enterprise. Then, not even a decade post-cancellation had passed before props and miniatures from TOS were displayed at the Smithsonian. More than anything else, that kind of recognition meant TOS was a treasured part of general culture, not simply popular culture.

The Smithsonian and/or NASA would not recognize something that lives in the truly cult pit of productions like Roger Corman movies, or gimmick TV such as The Munsters.

 

I'd say at least from my standpoint with the very famous TOS quotes and Kirk/Spock, and all the TNG reaction images. Definitely without a doubt embedded in culture.

 

When a comedian can paraphrase Scotty complaining about the engines for his routine and people get it, it is pretty much a known thing.

 

People of what age?

Not all people are baby boomers.

Those things pass when new generations arrive.
Bob Hope was mainstream once as well.




807

 

The comedian is different than the joke. Hope didn't build his career on telling jokes with references that people didn't get.

 

Integral | Define Integral at Dictionary.com
dictionary.reference.com/browse/integral


Integral definition, of, relating to, or belonging as a part of the whole; constituent or component: integral parts.

Is Star Trek considered an integral part of Pop Culture? Of course it is.

The quote below is taken from the source cited. It is a pretty good read, overall, but worth it if you doubt Star Trek's pop culture integration. Or, even if you do not,



Oxford University Press
Journal of Consumer Research


"Utopian Enterprise: Articulating the Meanings of Star Trek's Culture of Consumption"


"Star Trek is perhaps one of the great consumption phenomena of our time. The science fiction series has been hailed as “the most successful and lucrative cult phenomenon in television history” (Entertainment Weekly 1994, p. 9). To date, the original Star Trek television series (which ran from 1966 to 1969 and became enormously popular in syndication) has spawned four spin-off series and nine major motion pictures, and it has accounted for billions of dollars in licensed merchandise revenues. Exemplifying a cultural phenomenon, Star Trek fans run the gamut from commonplace mainstream viewers to highly devoted members of an alternative subculture."

 

^ Well, the question in the OP was limited to TOS, and it was in the present tense. Although really, the OP asked multiple questions, in the guise of one, I think.

As far as the definition of integral, here's Merriam-Webster's definition:

 

I like your avatar, CorporalCaptain.