Discovery is being “overshadowed" by The Orville

[Psion]

My worry is that The Orville is to Trek as the Austin Powers movies were to James Bond: a mockery that forces the franchise to pull back and re-evaluate its tone and premise. I'm intrigued by Discovery, and if it is half as good as I hope it is, I'd hate to see the series fall flat just because it was done-in by a blue-collar comedy.

 

[BillJ]

...I'd hate to see the series fall flat just because it was done-in by a blue-collar comedy.

If it is done in by a blue collar comedy, then it isn't worth watching to begin with. But that isn't going to happen here, as there's more than one hour in any given week. People interested in both will be able to watch both.

 

[Sophie74656]

My worry is that The Orville is to Trek as the Austin Powers movies were to James Bond: a mockery that forces the franchise to pull back and re-evaluate its tone and premise. I'm intrigued by Discovery, and if it is half as good as I hope it is, I'd hate to see the series fall flat just because it was done-in by a blue-collar comedy.

To be honest, if a parody can bring it crashing down then it probably wasn't very good was it?

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

My worry is that The Orville is to Trek as the Austin Powers movies were to James Bond: a mockery that forces the franchise to pull back and re-evaluate its tone and premise. I'm intrigued by Discovery, and if it is half as good as I hope it is, I'd hate to see the series fall flat just because it was done-in by a blue-collar comedy.

In the case of the Bond franchise, its original tone -- while playful at times -- was much more serious than the tone the franchise devolved into (especially the later Roger Moore installments) prior to the Casino Royal reboot.

While it may be true that the past three Bond films have a bit of a different tone than, say, Dr. No, I think it is more meaningful that they are MUCH different in tone than, say, Moonraker.

I think Austin Powers was a parody of Moonraker-type Bond films, and less a parody of Dr. No style films.

 

[Borgminister]

Orville's not a parody. Not sure what it is, but I know Macfarlane wants it to be more than that. Could happen, interesting hybrid so far.

 

[Krandor]

Orville's not a parody. Not sure what it is, but I know Macfarlane wants it to be more than that. Could happen, interesting hybrid so far.

That is the issue orville has. It doesn't seem quite sure what it wants to be or at least I'm not sure what it wants to be.

 

[Noname Given]

Unless Netflix brings an unprecedented amount of money to the table.

^^^
Maybe not. Rumor was when ENT bwas cancelled a number of Cable Networks expressed interest in picking the show up, and shouldering all production costs, etc. At the time, Les Moonves believed it was better for the franchise to take a break after 18 years on the air.

My point? CBS will do what it thinks is best long term for the Star Trek franchise - and as a result, might still turn down such an offer from Netflix if they felt it would be better for the franchise long term.

 

[Mudd]

My worry is that The Orville is to Trek as the Austin Powers movies were to James Bond: a mockery that forces the franchise to pull back and re-evaluate its tone and premise.

Why is that a worry? If it happens, as with James Bond, it needs to happen.

 

[Jedi_Master]

As always in these discussions, I marvel at how many folks are Marketing Specialists.
If it weren't for "concerns" about how Show X is being marketed, a bunch of blogs, fansites, and even message boards would fold for lack of interest.

 

[Psion]

Why is that a worry? If it happens, as with James Bond, it needs to happen.

Because these things are ruled by fads or fashions, not necessarily by some objective aesthetic. There was nothing wrong with the older James Bond movies ... I certainly found the Brosnan films enjoyable. And while the later Roger Moore films got silly in tone and content, the films after those were exciting and fun. That isn't to say the Daniel Craig films aren't great, they certainly have some of the best cinematography in the franchise, but I miss the whimsy Craig's films lack.

 

[Mudd]

Because these things are ruled by fads or fashions, not necessarily by some objective aesthetic. There was nothing wrong with the older James Bond movies ... I certainly found the Brosnan films enjoyable.

Well, that's a fail then.

The Bond films needed to change.

 

[CorporalClegg]

It's marketed like beer.

Classic Trek is like Guinness. It's thick and has plenty of flavor but only on tap. They later came out with those special cans to re market it in later years, but they never really did anything. It was also sold with the implied caveat it was an acquired taste.

TOS films are Heineken. Made and marketed for the same consumer crowed. But really a totally different flavor. Being lighter and much easier to swallow allowed it to become more mainstream.

90s Trek is Budweiser. Watered-down and mass produced but with no real flavor at all. Sold with the idea that people will drink it because it's beer and ignore the total lack of quality.

Orville is Coors. Basically the same thing, but with a lot more character.

Kelvin Trek is Sam Adams. Still American but of much higher quality. But the fresh coat of paint and attempts to spruce up the place didn't hide the fact it was still made in a large brewery.

Discovery is like one of those wannabe trendy micro-brews. It has all the fancy packaging and the hip name, but look closely at the label, and it still reads "Anheuser Busch."

 

[BillJ]

Well, that's a fail then.

The Bond films needed to change.

Star Trek needs to change as well, into something that doesn't take itself so seriously. I was hoping the TV series would take a cue from the Abrams films in this regard, but it doesn't look like it.

 

[BillJ]

Discovery is like one of those wannabe trendy micro-brews. It has all the fancy packaging and the hip name, but look closely at the label, and it still reads "Anheuser Busch."

 

[Jackson_Roykirk]

Discovery is like one of those wannabe trendy micro-brews. It has all the fancy packaging and the hip name, but look closely at the label, and it still reads "Anheuser Busch."

Ha! That's definitely true for DC superhero films v. Marvel films.

The uber-fans of DC films want so bad for DC films to be considered as being thoughtful and serious works of drama -- while in reality they are no more thoughtful, introspective, and serious works of drama than are the Marvel films.
Self-indulgent should not be confused with thoughtfully introspective.

 

[Noname Given]

Ha! That's definitely true for DC superhero films v. Marvel films.

The uber-fans of DC films want so bad for DC films to be considered as being thoughtful and serious works of drama -- while in reality they are no more thoughtful, introspective, and serious works of drama than are the Marvel films.
Self-indulgent should not be confused with thoughtfully introspective.

^^^
The DC films are 'Dramatic' if your sense of Drama is in the style of old and dark and overwrought Germanic operas from the 17th and 18th centuries.

 

[JediMindMeld]

My worry is that The Orville is to Trek as the Austin Powers movies were to James Bond: a mockery that forces the franchise to pull back and re-evaluate its tone and premise. I'm intrigued by Discovery, and if it is half as good as I hope it is, I'd hate to see the series fall flat just because it was done-in by a blue-collar comedy.

I wouldn't worry about it mate. I think it's pretty unlikely, considering that The Orville is just a lame imitation of what Star Trek looked like several decades ago. Trek has already re-evaluated its tone and premise, and it did it long before The Orville was even conceived. The result is Discovery.

While we're on the subject of The Orville, I think it's laughably bad tv. It's a case study in why you don't let fans make their own shows. It parodies things that are already 30 years into the past while its own convictions fall flat. It's pretty much what you'd expect from Seth MacFarlane, but I was still hoping he'd break his mould here. I worry about that steaming pile of poo overshadowing Star Trek about as much as I worry about bad fanfiction doing the same.

 

[Psion]

I wouldn't worry about it mate. I think it's pretty unlikely, considering that The Orville is just a lame imitation of what Star Trek looked like several decades ago. Trek has already re-evaluated its tone and premise, and it did it long before The Orville was even conceived. The result is Discovery.

While we're on the subject of The Orville, I think it's laughably bad tv. It's a case study in why you don't let fans make their own shows. It parodies things that are already 30 years into the past while its own convictions fall flat. It's pretty much what you'd expect from Seth MacFarlane, but I was still hoping he'd break his mould here. I worry about that steaming pile of poo overshadowing Star Trek about as much as I worry about bad fanfiction doing the same.

I tend to agree about Orville, it's a huge disappointment.

 

[Krandor]

I tend to agree about Orville, it's a huge disappointment.

I think it's ok... it just feels very... uneven. They have some interesting ideas like the first time somebody is in command then interrupt it with jarring transitions and scenes.

 

[Psion]

I think it's ok... it just feels very... uneven. They have some interesting ideas like the first time somebody is in command then interrupt it with jarring transitions and scenes.

Alright, I'll give you that. I exaggerated with 'huge'. All the hip people are saying that these days.