Bob Orci: Spoke with CBS about returning Trek To TV

[Jeyl]

Prime timeline, post-Romulus' destruction, new crew, Enterprise-F. Make it so.

I like a lot of what you said, except the Enterprise-F. Give the ship a different ship name so that the franchise doesn't come off as so Enterprise dependent that only important things happen to ships named Enterprise.

Now if your main ship was a different name but there was still an Enterprise F that'd show up here and there, that'd be interesting.

 

[BillJ]

Prime timeline, post-Romulus' destruction, new crew, Enterprise-F. Make it so.

Never going to happen.

Now if your main ship was a different name but there was still an Enterprise F that'd show up here and there, that'd be interesting.

Why would that be interesting?

 

[Jeyl]

Why would that be interesting?

Maybe to give the characters of a different starship some perspective regarding their role in the Federation. They know their ship carries a name that isn't legendary and they know that the Enterprise that exists in the fleet will most likely be getting all the attention and yearning from every officer who wants to explore space. Give them a chance to explore ideas without the burden of being on a ship that's neither "The flagship of the Federation" and/or carry the name "Enterprise".

I just want to see the Star Trek universe be more than a branded name like Enterprise. One where the the people who make up Starfleet, the Federation and even the nobodies who couldn't care less about space travel have a role to play.

 

[WarpFactorZ]

I just want to see the Star Trek universe be more than a branded name like Enterprise.

You obviously missed most of the 1990s Berman Trek.

 

[BillJ]

I just want to see the Star Trek universe be more than a branded name like Enterprise. One where the the people who make up Starfleet, the Federation and even the nobodies who couldn't care less about space travel have a role to play.

I don't. I want Star Trek to be big, fun adventure on a cool spaceship (the Enterprise) with the final frontier as a backdrop.

I think that's why I'm still so attached to the original Star Trek after all these years. It was big and fun and didn't take itself so seriously. It's why I like the Abrams films.

 

[MakeshiftPython]

I agree with Ron Moore's idea of TOS that the Enterprise was not the flagship of the Federation and that there could be many other starships that have adventures that more or less are equal to what the Enterprise faces. I'd like to return to that idea, that there is no "best ship and crew in the fleet", because that's what every captain says of their command, unless it's the Saratoga because that's Starfleet's bitch.

I think it would be best to avoid the Enterprise name, especially since the Abrams films are using it now. Just have a new name, new crew, but the adventures are just as grand. "And folks say it's the Enterprise that gets all the action".

 

[Ralphis]

I agree with Ron Moore's idea of TOS that the Enterprise was not the flagship of the Federation and that there could be many other starships that have adventures that more or less are equal to what the Enterprise faces. I'd like to return to that idea, that there is no "best ship and crew in the fleet", because that's what every captain says of their command, unless it's the Saratoga because that's Starfleet's bitch.

I think it would be best to avoid the Enterprise name, especially since the Abrams films are using it now. Just have a new name, new crew, but the adventures are just as grand. "And folks say it's the Enterprise that gets all the action".

Sure. Absolutely. BIG DS9 fan. Enjoyed Voyager for the most part. I know Star Trek works just as well when it's not Enterprise-centric. I just wrote 'Enterprise-F' because it's basically a brand name, and I've always wanted to see a next-next generation. But I'm not suck on it either. Whatever keeps Star Trek going.

 

[Franklin]

I'm in a fading demographic, so nobody cares about me (unless Depends, Viagra, Cadillac, reverse mortgages, Ex Lax, and Life Line will be big sponsors of the show), but I'd like to see something set in the new universe, so that all the baggage that accumulated and eventually bogged down the franchise is gone.

Keep it in the recognizable future. Sometime in the 2260s to early 2300s.

Even though it's the new universe, I'd like to see at least a few familiar characters. Perhaps Picard and a couple others from TNG with the rest of the crew brand new, for example. Maybe even Picard with first officer Benjamin Sisko. But please, no adventures of Captain Sulu or Captain Worf, or anything like that. Not the "B Team" in the lead. That'll only make me wonder what Kirk is doing.

If it's going to be the only Trek on TV, then it needs to be set on starship, that starship has to be, "boldly going," and that starship has to be the Enterprise.

No 22 episode season either, please. Six or eight good episodes a year or even every other year would be just fine. Maybe even go the Netflix route and only make the episodes available for sale to be downloaded and viewed any time one wants.

 

[Sindatur]

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. I'd much rather see it on TNT or AMC

 

[BillJ]

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.

 

[Balrog]

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.

 

[MakeshiftPython]

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.

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.

 

[BillJ]

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.

That was 1997.

What premium channels are showing now is far different than then.

 

[MakeshiftPython]

That still doesn't mean Star Trek would incorporate those elements if it ended up on Showtime, unless Ron Moore were in charge.

 

[BillJ]

That still doesn't mean Star Trek would incorporate those elements if it ended up on Showtime, unless Ron Moore were in charge.

What worked in 1997 likely wouldn't work today.

As basic cable networks began producing original programming the premium networks had to push the envelope in order to drive subscriptions.

I don't think any premium network would spend five-to-ten million dollars an episode on a show that doesn't fit in with the rest of their programming.

I could be wrong, but I think any new Trek show would end up on either the CBS network or a basic cable network.

 

[Franklin]

Colorful metaphors sure worked their way into STID. "Shit," seemed to be a favorite in the 2260s.

Can you imagine an uncensored Dr. McCoy? "Goddamnit, Spock! I'm a doctor, not a fucking parking lot attendant!"

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.

 

[MakeshiftPython]

That still doesn't mean Star Trek would incorporate those elements if it ended up on Showtime, unless Ron Moore were in charge.

What worked in 1997 likely wouldn't work today.

As basic cable networks began producing original programming the premium networks had to push the envelope in order to drive subscriptions.

I don't think any premium network would spend five-to-ten million dollars an episode on a show that doesn't fit in with the rest of their programming.

I could be wrong, but I think any new Trek show would end up on either the CBS network or a basic cable network.

It could work, it's not like HBO and Showtime promotes themselves as "the network that prefers swearing and sex", it's just something they allow on their programming and they happen to have a lot of them. I doubt they actually make it a policy to have sex and swearing on every show, or impose them on the shows, unless you can prove me wrong on that. Trek would remain PG-13, as much their programming directed at children remains G rated.

I do agree with you though that a cable network would be the best place. I think it should be 13 episodes a season, just so things stay fresh and there's a clear focus for what the writers want to do with that season.

 

[Ryan8bit]

The difference between HBO Trek and the new movies would just be that Uhura would have taken her bra off when Kirk was peeping on her. Or any of the bedroom scenes would have possibly involved more nudity. And you thought fans were upset at Carol Marcus' underwear...

 

[drt]

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.

 

[Hober Mallow]

Prime timeline, post-Romulus' destruction, new crew, Enterprise-F. Make it so.

"Engage ratings failure... ratings failure engaged..."

I just want to see the Star Trek universe be more than a branded name like Enterprise. One where the the people who make up Starfleet, the Federation and even the nobodies who couldn't care less about space travel have a role to play.

I don't. I want Star Trek to be big, fun adventure on a cool spaceship (the Enterprise) with the final frontier as a backdrop.

I think that's why I'm still so attached to the original Star Trek after all these years. It was big and fun and didn't take itself so seriously. It's why I like the Abrams films.

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

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.

It's interesting to me that as TV has continued to push the boundaries of sex and nudity, feature films, at least mainstream films, have dialed it way back. It's more rare to see a nude scene in a big feature these days; on the other hand, a few years ago HBO had a dramatic series which showed a handjob to climax.