Bob Orci: Spoke with CBS about returning Trek To TV

[UFO]

I am sure they would prefer one of their own networks but can still sell to other networks, it all depends on the level of interest. Showtime, while not as good as HBO, will still be better than CBS or Syfy.

Ya know, Showtime or HBO really isn't that appealing to me. Look at all the Sex in Torchwood miracle Day (Which is actually minor compared to other shows on Showtime and HBO) and True Blood or Game of Thrones. If I want to watch people having sex a couple times every episode, I'd rather just watch a real porno. I have no problem with an in context sex scene here and there, but, I don't really want my SciFi watered down with it a couple times in every episode

Agreed. I also don't need them to be dropping "F-bombs" every other sentence either.

Yes. I argee on both points.

I want to see them do a Trek series along the lines of what they are doing with modern shows like "Persons of Interest". They have weekly eps that may directly or not intertwine with the overall arc of the show with snippets here and there that continue the overall storyline. DS9 kinda did this.

Good call. For me mostly self contained episode shows are more rewatchable too. In fact I wouldn't mind seeing the guys who write for "Person of Interest" given a shot at ST.

After umpteen variations of Captain Blank of the Starship Blank, it's time to just stick to the source material.

That suggestion does have a number of virtues, but if you don't have the right people playing the right characters with good stories, it won't guarantee success. On the other hand, with those qualities, a new ship and crew would also be likely to work.

 

[Cyrus]

I am not sure why everyone assumes a Trek show on HBO means sex & nudity. It all depends on who is given creative control. They don't try to censor stuff, that why they get a lot of talented writers/producers, but I doubt if they demand sex, nudity or violence to be in every show. I could be wrong but I don't remember any nudity in "Curb your enthusiasm" (though plenty of hilarious f-bombs). btw, I never cared for fantasy stuff but Game of Thrones is awesome (with or without sex scenes). We will be lucky if we get a Trek show as good as that.

What I consider the advantages of a cable series are these (doesn't have to HBO, could be AMC or some other channel):

- Shorter seasons & fewer episodes produced (10-12 instead of 22+ on broadcast network) so scripts can be of higher quality.
- Less schedule pressure. Seasons don't have to start every year on September/October. If producers need more time they get it.
- Episodes don't have to be a specific length (e.g. 48 minutes). I have heard many stories about good scenes that had to be cut from some Trek episodes so they can achieve the desired episode length.
- More creative control for the writers, less interference from network executives. Of course this makes it even more important to put the right dude in charge of the show.

 

[WarpFactorZ]

It's kind of discouraging, really. Then again, I'm around otherwise educated and literate people who casually drop f-bombs all the time, so maybe it is more realistic or at least more everyday.

Use of profanity in speech has nothing to do with "education" or "literacy."

 

[austen_pierce]

I want to see them do a Trek series along the lines of what they are doing with modern shows like "Persons of Interest". They have weekly eps that may directly or not intertwine with the overall arc of the show with snippets here and there that continue the overall storyline. DS9 kinda did this.

ENT tried this in season III with the Xindi arc. For me it was a yawner. Since we were in prequel territory, I wanted to see something that tied in with the history I knew. Not more reset button diversions.

This reminds me that I've expressed interest in an original story for the next film. May need to revisit this...

 

[The Wormhole]

Ya know, Showtime or HBO really isn't that appealing to me. Look at all the Sex in Torchwood miracle Day (Which is actually minor compared to other shows on Showtime and HBO) and True Blood or Game of Thrones. If I want to watch people having sex a couple times every episode, I'd rather just watch a real porno. I have no problem with an in context sex scene here and there, but, I don't really want my SciFi watered down with it a couple times in every episode

Agreed. I also don't need them to be dropping "F-bombs" every other sentence either.

Not every original program on HBO or Showtime features f-bombs and sex. STARGATE SG-1 for example originally began on Showtime and that has been relatively PG-13.

SG-1's pilot episode infamously featured full frontal nudity at the insistence of Showtime.

 

[Cara007]

I want to see TOS characters on TV in another alternate alternate reality separate from the Abram's universe and the standard Prime universe.

 

[C.E. Evans]

CBS is making heaps from Star Trek re-runs and merchandising without spending any money on new episodes (or their Star Trek website) so whats their motivation for a new series?

CBS doesn't have to spend money on a new series, they can license the rights to a production house to actually make the show, then collect royalties on the back end when it airs.

I think an issue of who actually owns that new series would come into play at that point.

 

[Shaka Zulu]

If it happens, honestly, let Orci do what he will at this point. He has the keys to the kingdom. Those of us who don't care for his interpretation had better just get about creating something new that caters to what we want.

If Orci is heading up a show, I'd put a wager on him doing what he did with the Transformers Live Action Franchise: Live Action to CGI Animated series.

...Those of us who don't care for his interpretation had better just get about creating something new that caters to what we want.

It's called fanfilms.

Of which the only good one is Phase II and (maybe) the Scots one called Intrepid. Not much for the anti-Abrams/Orci/Kurtzman crowd to crow about or boast about as far as number of fans is concerned.

In all seriousness, I hope Pete Markowski persuades them to do his vision of an animated series, because it would F***ING rawk.

And the Reboot Team should quake in fear! Quake, I say, before the Great Markowski... and his heirs!

(But SRSLY, check out Markowski's work, it's amazing.)

Sorry, I'm tired of that style, and would like to see something similar to anime, The Legend Of Korra, or Young Justice as far as the animation style of a future Star Trek series is concerned. Serious animation style for a serious show.

 

[SeerSGB]

Macross Frontier's style, I would love to see a Trek animated series in that style.

 

[Shaka Zulu]

Which is what I said and linked to:

Actually, what you said was "If Orci is heading up a show, I'd put a wager on him doing what he did with the Transformers Live Action Franchise."

I wasn't commenting on what Orci was doing with the Transformers live action franchise (the less said about that the better), just the animated series Prime Orci was involved with as an exec producer.

I'm glad to see the interest in an animated series. Not sure I understand why it would necessarily have to be primarily kid-focused -- didn't The Simpsons family atomics blow a hole in the mainstream-market shield wall like, way back in the forties or something? -- but I'm not fussed either way.

"Kid-friendly" or even "aimed at kids" doesn't always mean "just for kids." Shows like Green Lantern: The Animated Series and even The Clone Wars can be considered kid-friendly, but they also dealt with topics such as love, tragedy, and death when their stories required them.

Because kids at that age never deal with love, tragedy and death.

^^^

And there were never episodes of animated shows (or specials) for kids dealing with weighty topics.

Like:

Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids
(#102) Talk—Don't Fight

Superman: TAS-Apokolips Now!

Last of the Curlews

The Little Drummer Boy

Why, Charlie Brown, Why?


There are also a ton of other episodes of animated shows (and specials) that have dealt with serious topics, but you can Google-search them well enough. But PLEASE don't say that kids can deal with serious topics; if it's well-presented and made, kids can understand anything.

Macross Frontier's style, I would love to see a Trek animated series in that style.

Me too. In fact, I want to see CBS & Paramount take a leap of faith and make a TV series or a movie in the anime style. If Marvel Studios can do it with Iron Man...

 

[Timewalker]

I think I'd be very happy with John Cho heading up a series. As much as I liked George Takei, I don't think he had the chops to be a series lead.

And that's because he tried and failed...?

Oh, right. He was never given the chance to even try, therefore you conclude he couldn't have done it.

Whatever.

I might be interested if they get away from 22nd century through 24th century. Those years are getting rather crowded. It would be interesting to see some later stuff. Or, as someone suggested earlier, go beyond our galaxy.

 

[Hober Mallow]

"Captain! Subspace shockwave!"

"Ohhhhhhh, miiiieeeeee!!!"

 

[M'Sharak]

I think I'd be very happy with John Cho heading up a series. As much as I liked George Takei, I don't think he had the chops to be a series lead.

And that's because he tried and failed...?

Oh, right. He was never given the chance to even try, therefore you conclude he couldn't have done it.

No, he was stating an opinion. You, on the other hand, were putting words into someone's mouth. Please don't do that - it's poor form.

 

[Timewalker]

I am showing skepticism that he has any sort of basis for his opinion. If he can show me that Takei had previous experience as the lead actor on a TV series and failed to carry it off, I'd love to know about it. If not, where does he get any kind of evidence to base his opinion on?

 

[C.E. Evans]

Actually, what you said was "If Orci is heading up a show, I'd put a wager on him doing what he did with the Transformers Live Action Franchise."

I wasn't commenting on what Orci was doing with the Transformers live action franchise (the less said about that the better), just the animated series Prime Orci was involved with as an exec producer.

"Kid-friendly" or even "aimed at kids" doesn't always mean "just for kids." Shows like Green Lantern: The Animated Series and even The Clone Wars can be considered kid-friendly, but they also dealt with topics such as love, tragedy, and death when their stories required them.

Because kids at that age never deal with love, tragedy and death.

^^^

And there were never episodes of animated shows (or specials) for kids dealing with weighty topics.

Like:

Fat Albert & the Cosby Kids
(#102) Talk—Don't Fight

Superman: TAS-Apokolips Now!

Last of the Curlews

The Little Drummer Boy

Why, Charlie Brown, Why?


There are also a ton of other episodes of animated shows (and specials) that have dealt with serious topics, but you can Google-search them well enough. But PLEASE don't say that kids can deal with serious topics; if it's well-presented and made, kids can understand anything.

Um, who said that they couldn't? It certainly wasn't me. In fact, you can go back to Aesop's Fables and Grimms' Fairy Tales, many of which were required reading for kids back in the day, that didn't shy away from "serious topics" such as death and loss.

You're preaching to the choir here.

 

[M'Sharak]

I am showing skepticism that he has any sort of basis for his opinion.

Oh, that was skepticism. Hm. Well, it seems as if it ought to be possible to adequately convey skepticism without employing a hostile tone or a straw man.

If he can show me that Takei had previous experience as the lead actor on a TV series...

Tricky, that. I'm not aware of any such role, myself.

If not, where does he get any kind of evidence to base his opinion on?

Where, indeed?

 

[BillJ]

I think I'd be very happy with John Cho heading up a series. As much as I liked George Takei, I don't think he had the chops to be a series lead.

And that's because he tried and failed...?

Oh, right. He was never given the chance to even try, therefore you conclude he couldn't have done it.

Whatever.

I stated my opinion based on the things I've seen George Takei in. It's not a slam on the actor, not everyone is lead actor material.

 

[MakeshiftPython]

I think Takei would have made a good lead, but that time has passed.

 

[BillJ]

I think Takei would have made a good lead, but that time has passed.

I think "Flashback" sunk any chance of there ever being a Captain Sulu series with Takei in the lead.

 

[MakeshiftPython]

"Flashback" made me wish his show was given the green light instead of VOY.