Gene the Writer

Discussion in 'General Trek Discussion' started by Thanos007, Mar 26, 2019.

  1. plynch

    plynch Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    I lo ve the sound of the words from S1 when he was heavily rewriting. But I like old movies and radio, Acting! and drama. Samuel Cogley declaring, "Books!" and " I demand it! " The dude could write fine, he has blessed my life immeasurably, far more than any other creative other than maybe Elvis. Go, GR, flawed human being as am I. Rest in peace.
     
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  2. Notsubway

    Notsubway Lieutenant Junior Grade Red Shirt

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    I think Roddenberry was a competent writer who, like his counterpart, George Lucas, that due to ego and/or in Gene's case probably somewhat related to substance abuse, started believing that they and they alone were the creative force of their respective creations.

    The primary difference is that Gene, unlike George, had the distinction of being "forced" out of Trek, not once but twice.
     
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  3. Armus

    Armus Commodore Commodore

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    Gene was forced out after Star Trek: The Motion Picture. Paramount gave him a consulting title and a nice paycheck. Everyone knows that. When else was he forced out?
     
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  4. ATimson

    ATimson Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

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    Do you know where I could find a copy of that script?
     
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  5. Harvey

    Harvey Admiral Admiral

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    The only copy I've ever seen was in the files at UCLA. I don't think Lincoln Enterprises ever sold it.
     
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  6. Notsubway

    Notsubway Lieutenant Junior Grade Red Shirt

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    IIRC, he was basically sent on a plane out of the country so he wouldn't mess with TNG any longer by the original show runner.
     
  7. Armus

    Armus Commodore Commodore

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    That would be Maurice Hurley.

     
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2019
  8. Christopher

    Christopher Writer Admiral

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    Roddenberry was the original TNG showrunner. Hurley took over the role when it became clear that Roddenberry couldn't fulfill it anymore.
     
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  9. Ronald Held

    Ronald Held Vice Admiral Admiral

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    Do you mean for health reasons?
     
  10. BigDaveX

    BigDaveX Captain Captain

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    Not directly, but Roddenberry (or probably more accurately, Leonard Maizlish) had chased out most of the writing staff who started the season, and it was getting to the point where they were in serious danger of running out of usable scripts, which would have gotten the show cancelled for certain. At that point, Hurley basically handed Roddenberry a couple of plane tickets and promised to whip the writing staff into shape while he was on vacation, and apparently did a good enough job that he was officially given the showrunner's role.
     
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  11. Armus

    Armus Commodore Commodore

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    According to Burton Armus (in the 50 Year Mission), a writer would hand in a good script, Rodenberry would slaughter it, and Hurley would salvage Rodenberry's rewrite. In season 2 Hurley got fed up with the pressure and chaos and Gene's rules and left.
     
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  12. BigDaveX

    BigDaveX Captain Captain

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    Suddenly, it makes a lot more sense why the draft script of "Unnatural Selection" is so bizarre and tonally inconsistent, and why the early version of "The Outrageous Okona" is somehow ten times worse than what actually aired.
     
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  13. Greg Cox

    Greg Cox Admiral Premium Member

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    Hi, Ilia-Probe! :)
     
  14. FreddyE

    FreddyE Captain Captain

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    - Troi has three breasts...
     
  15. Armus

    Armus Commodore Commodore

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    I loved D.C Fontana's response to that idea. "We have enough trouble with two."
     
  16. FreddyE

    FreddyE Captain Captain

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    I never heard that before....she seems to have quite the humor :-)