Berman Memoirs

[Trent Roman]

^ Assuming it's not a white-wash, of course. I'd love to see a controversial figure pen a brutally honest account of his time with Trek, but there are a number of factors agitating against that possibility, unfortunately.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[Christopher]

^^See, the problem is, a lot of people are going to assume Berman is engaged in a "whitewash" if he does anything less than confirm their preconceptions and prejudices about him down to the last detail. And frankly I think it's ridiculous the way people talk about "controversy" in this context as though Berman had falsified evidence to start a war or covered up the torture of political prisoners or something. He made a TV show in a way that some people didn't like. Big frelling whoop. He has no reason to "whitewash" anything, because there's no scandal except in the minds of fanboys who have no sense of perspective. There were just people making a show and making creative and business decisions for reasons that made sense to them. Naturally there were differences of opinion and approach, naturally there would be issues where different people had conflicts or disagreed with each other, but that's true in any human endeavor. Berman is not only entitled to tell his version, but deserves to be given a fair hearing.

Hell, he can't have treated his colleagues any worse than Roddenberry did, and yet Roddenberry is extolled as a god by some of the same people who see Berman as the Antichrist. Reputations -- feh.

 

[JD]

Hell, he can't have treated his colleagues any worse than Roddenberry did, and yet Roddenberry is extolled as a god by some of the same people who see Berman as the Antichrist. Reputations -- feh.

Yeah, the more I hear about Roddennberry, the less I respect him. He did come up with some great ideas, but it sounds to me like some of his other actions and ideas weren't quite as impressive.

 

[Trent Roman]

Perhaps 'controversy' is too strong a word, but as for the absence of scandal... we were just talking in the other thread how Michael Pillar wasn't able to publish his book on "Insurrection", likely because of what the higher-ups thought. So it's not just the fanboys who have something invested in behind-the-scenes material and what they may reveal; rightly or wrongly, it seems many people are concerned about reputations taking a hit.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[Christopher]

Perhaps 'controversy' is too strong a word, but as for the absence of scandal... we were just talking in the other thread how Michael Pillar wasn't able to publish his book on "Insurrection", likely because of what the higher-ups thought.

Why assume those "higher-ups" included Rick Berman? There were people higher than him at the studio.

So it's not just the fanboys who have something invested in behind-the-scenes material and what they may reveal; rightly or wrongly, it seems many people are concerned about reputations taking a hit.

Well, I for one have little interest in a tell-all book about exposing scandals and dirty laundry. I just want insight into the creative and logistical process behind the Trek series and films Berman produced. Although he had his weaknesses as a creator, as a logistical producer he was top-notch, with an incredible attention to detail and a great commitment to quality production values. Basically his job on the later shows was sort of a combination of what Herb Solow and Bob Justman did on TOS, and Solow & Justman's Inside Star Trek revealed some wonderful insights about the production process and the business of Star Trek, although it did air a certain amount of dirty laundry here and there. Berman's memoir has the potential to be a fascinating insight into the business and production of television.

 

[Trent Roman]

Why assume those "higher-ups" included Rick Berman? There were people higher than him at the studio.

I didn't. I don't particularly follow behind the scenes stuff, and so have no idea who the higher-ups might have been on this particular project. Why, do you think Berman was involved?

Well, I for one have little interest in a tell-all book about exposing scandals and dirty laundry. I just want insight into the creative and logistical process behind the Trek series and films Berman produced.

Given how fraught the end product often seemed on this side of things, I'd be surprised if you could do one without the other. Well, honestly, anyway.

Fictitiously yours, Trent Roman

 

[Christopher]

Why assume those "higher-ups" included Rick Berman? There were people higher than him at the studio.

I didn't. I don't particularly follow behind the scenes stuff, and so have no idea who the higher-ups might have been on this particular project. Why, do you think Berman was involved?

Huh??? No, I thought you were implying that.

 

[cultcross]

Since it's been another year since this was last raised, as far as the search function can tell me, has anyone heard anything, official or unofficial, about the "Berman Memoir"? I'm very keen to read his take on everything, especially now with a brand new team behind the Star Trek helm ready to release the first Trek project Berman hasn't been involved in for twenty years.

 

[ClayinCA]

I'm far more interested in Harve Bennett's autobiography. He's read from it twice at Farpoint -- first in 2006, then in 2007 -- and I can't wait to read the whole thing for myself.

I'd like more information about this as well. I'd be very interested in reading Harve's memoirs, as he's been involved in some of my favourite entertainment ever.

 

[CaptJimboJones]

Honestly, I'm not convinced that a "Berman Memoir" would even be published. Is there much of a market for a memoir by a guy who is virtually unknown outside of hardcore Star Trek fandom? (And is generally hated by said fandom, many of whom would probably boycott the book on general principles ... )

Still, I'd read it, if only to get his viewpoint on his era of the Trek franchise.

 

[Dayton Ward]

It will be published as a series of Twitter updates.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

I'd like more information about this as well. I'd be very interested in reading Harve's memoirs, as he's been involved in some of my favourite entertainment ever.

I spoke with Bennett at Farpoint this year briefly, but sadly I neglected to ask him about the autobiography. Though I didn't have the chance to attend either of his talks at the convention this year (Saturday I was occupied, and Sunday I was a tired-trippy), I did pay my respects at the autograph table. I was, to be honest, shocked at how frail he looked this year as compared to two years ago. (Bennett cancelled his appearance at Farpoint last year.)

He said at Farpoint 2007 he had a book deal for his memoirs, but his publisher was the same outfit that collapsed in the wake of O.J. Simpson's If I Did It debacle.

Even if the book is never published, I'm glad I got to hear him read from it in 2006 and 2007. He read the story of how he was hired to produce Star Trek II (which is nearly verbatim the account in Shatner's Star Trek Movie Memories), but honestly it was the non-Trek stories that I found more interesting -- and far more moving. His story of working with Ingrid Bergman on A Woman Named Golda would move anyone to tears.

I suspect that there's not really a market for his memoirs, which I think is unfortunate. If it weren't for Bennett and the people he surrounded himself with on Star Trek II, like Nick Meyer, I doubt I would be a Star Trek fan today. I would gladly give up any of the Roddenberry biographies that have been published for the chance to have Harve Bennett's autobiography on my shelf.

 

[Christopher]

Honestly, I'm not convinced that a "Berman Memoir" would even be published. Is there much of a market for a memoir by a guy who is virtually unknown outside of hardcore Star Trek fandom? (And is generally hated by said fandom, many of whom would probably boycott the book on general principles ... )

Still, I'd read it, if only to get his viewpoint on his era of the Trek franchise.

I think you answered your own question. A lot of people who disapprove of Berman would probably get the book anyway just to see "What was he thinking?" And I doubt the hate is as widespread as you claim. There's always a vocal minority dominating the conversation, but that usually hides the presence of a quieter, more moderate majority. And I'm sure many people who aren't happy with Berman's choices with regard to writing or character development or music or the like still appreciate all he accomplished and made possible on the logistical side of the production.

Besides, Rick Berman had an active career in the television industry before ST, so I imagine his memoir would be of interest to scholars of television production in general. Just as back in the '60s and '70s, The Making of Star Trek became a highly popular book among film/TV students in general, not just Trek fans, because of its valuable insights into the production process.

 

[Bobatiel]

He once joked with me that his middle name was "About Something," a characteristic he strived to give to all his work.

So then no Seinfeld writing credits I assume?

 

[ronny]

There's always a vocal minority dominating the conversation, but that usually hides the presence of a quieter, more moderate majority.

You wouldn't be talking about a few threads here would you?

 

[Christopher]

^I'm talking about a pattern that recurs all over.

 

[David R. George III]

So then no Seinfeld writing credits I assume?

No, certainly not, but Michael Piller did possess several local Emmy awards he won for his time writing in the news division.

 

[Andy Mangels]

^^See, the problem is, a lot of people are going to assume Berman is engaged in a "whitewash" if he does anything less than confirm their preconceptions and prejudices about him down to the last detail. And frankly I think it's ridiculous the way people talk about "controversy" in this context as though Berman had falsified evidence to start a war or covered up the torture of political prisoners or something. He made a TV show in a way that some people didn't like. Big frelling whoop. He has no reason to "whitewash" anything, because there's no scandal except in the minds of fanboys who have no sense of perspective. There were just people making a show and making creative and business decisions for reasons that made sense to them. Naturally there were differences of opinion and approach, naturally there would be issues where different people had conflicts or disagreed with each other, but that's true in any human endeavor. Berman is not only entitled to tell his version, but deserves to be given a fair hearing.

For some of us, Berman did more than just make "a TV show in a way that some people didn't like." According to everyone I've ever discussed the matter with behind the scenes (who WOULD talk about the situation), Berman was the reason gays were excluded from Star Trek. Even using his own words from multiple interviews, it became clear that at the very least, he was not going to do something with gays unless it was the second coming of Dickens, Shakespeare, Hemingway, and Asimov all rolled into one. And even then, he wouldn't be likely to approve it unless a gun to his head was imminent.

If Berman had created a climate in which no African-Americans were ever featured, or no Asian-Americans were featured, the anger would be deafening, and rightly so. But people argue... ARGUE ... that gays should EVER be seen in Star Trek, and Berman was a proponent that they shouldn't. In his own words.

For some people, the "Berman controversy" wasn't just about storytelling choices, but over the politically-motivated denial of their own existence. And that's a denial I can never forgive Berman for.

 

[neogothboy74]

^ What he said.

 

[BillJ]

^^See, the problem is, a lot of people are going to assume Berman is engaged in a "whitewash" if he does anything less than confirm their preconceptions and prejudices about him down to the last detail. And frankly I think it's ridiculous the way people talk about "controversy" in this context as though Berman had falsified evidence to start a war or covered up the torture of political prisoners or something. He made a TV show in a way that some people didn't like. Big frelling whoop. He has no reason to "whitewash" anything, because there's no scandal except in the minds of fanboys who have no sense of perspective. There were just people making a show and making creative and business decisions for reasons that made sense to them. Naturally there were differences of opinion and approach, naturally there would be issues where different people had conflicts or disagreed with each other, but that's true in any human endeavor. Berman is not only entitled to tell his version, but deserves to be given a fair hearing.

For some of us, Berman did more than just make "a TV show in a way that some people didn't like." According to everyone I've ever discussed the matter with behind the scenes (who WOULD talk about the situation), Berman was the reason gays were excluded from Star Trek. Even using his own words from multiple interviews, it became clear that at the very least, he was not going to do something with gays unless it was the second coming of Dickens, Shakespeare, Hemingway, and Asimov all rolled into one. And even then, he wouldn't be likely to approve it unless a gun to his head was imminent.

If Berman had created a climate in which no African-Americans were ever featured, or no Asian-Americans were featured, the anger would be deafening, and rightly so. But people argue... ARGUE ... that gays should EVER be seen in Star Trek, and Berman was a proponent that they shouldn't. In his own words.

For some people, the "Berman controversy" wasn't just about storytelling choices, but over the politically-motivated denial of their own existence. And that's a denial I can never forgive Berman for.

Well there were TNG's "The Outcast" and DS9's "Rejoined". EDIT: Plus there was TNG's "The Host"

But Berman was a "trains run on time" producer, I don't think he would ever put anything on that he would think would offend his audience (don't even mention Nemesis ). Which of course led to Modern Trek being very bland on his watch.

I'd still be interested in reading his memoirs.