Roddenberry was a dirtbag

[trevanian]

Oh, I dunno, dragging Hitler into a conversation (even a fictional one) in the 23rd century still seemed a little relevant in TUC. More importantly, it was EFFECTIVE. (Nixon too for that matter.)

For the record, I didn't drag Bush into this. But you might want to consider this as a thingstocome on how often Bush the Second is going to serve as this era's example for a lot of negative connotations associated with the country and the presidency. I would hope he'd be used as a bad example about 5000 times more than Nixon, who actually did some small measure of good while messing things up.

 

[Warped9]

^^ I gotta laugh because back in the day so many people wondered how anyone could be worse than Nixon.

Never say never.

 

[Red Ranger]

Oh, I dunno, dragging Hitler into a conversation (even a fictional one) in the 23rd century still seemed a little relevant in TUC. More importantly, it was EFFECTIVE. (Nixon too for that matter.)

For the record, I didn't drag Bush into this. But you might want to consider this as a thingstocome on how often Bush the Second is going to serve as this era's example for a lot of negative connotations associated with the country and the presidency. I would hope he'd be used as a bad example about 5000 times more than Nixon, who actually did some small measure of good while messing things up.

Agreed 100%! -- RR

 

[Newspaper Taxi]

Just a quick thought -- maybe Roddenberry thought of the bright, happy future for humanity because he sub-conciously realized what a sleaze he was. You know, creating a world full of characters that were a person he never was and couldn't (or didn't want) to be.

 

[pookha]

i think it has been bought up but a reoccuring theme of tos is that mankind even in the tos future is still aspiring to be better.

and really with characters like captain tracy running around it wasnt all bright shiny happy people.

 

[AJBryant]

Can you guys PLEASE keep your frikking politics off the board?

 

[trevanian]

Can you guys PLEASE keep your frikking politics off the board?

Ought to add that to the FAQ:

Only Nicholas Meyer's politics (as seen & HEARD onscreen) are allowed for discussion on the trekmovie board.

 

[Cap.T]

Even though I'm a Trek-Fan for a long time I didn't know to much about Roddenberry besides the fact that he created Star Trek for which I will be eternally greatful. Last week I read William Shatners new Biography and sometimes Leonard Nimoy "drops by" to tell his side of the story. One of the storys Nimoy told really shocked me, because not knowing much about GR I would not have expected it. I'm just going to retell the story here from my memory, I don't know if it is allowed to just write down that paragraph.

Shortly after Star Trek had started Nimoys agent had booked him a "convention" appearance. Nimoy would have earned 2000$ for that appearance. His agent would have gotten 10%. In order to attend he would have needed to leave the set an hour and 18 minutes early, which he asked the producers for. After dragging there feet for a few days Roddenberry med with Nimoy and told him he had created a company for Star Trek merchandise. He also wanted that company to represent the actors for there appearances. The fee for the company would have been another 20%. When he asked Roddenberry why he had to pay him too Roddenberry told him, because he could get him out in time, his agent couldn't. Nimoy wasn't willing to that because he didn't think it was fair to his agent who got him the appearence. Roddenberry then told him and this is the exact quote from the book: "Well you're just going to have to learn how to bow down and say master." Nimoy goes on telling that he told Roddenberry he got the wrong guy for that and that Roddenberry backed down eventually so Nimoy could get to the appearence. His relationship with Roddenberry was basically done after that.

Again he created Star Trek and I'm thankfull for that but that he was really so Hollywood like kind of makes me sad.

 

[jayrath]

May I speak for what I think is the majority of Star Trek fans?

We don't give a rat's ass as to his personal life, or even his professional ethics.

He had an idea for a TV series. It eventually was approved. It had a unique vision which still attracts many today.

Good enough for me.

 

[SeerSGB]

William Shatner Parade Magazine Interview

Of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, William said flatly, “He was a chiseler who wanted a cut of outside money his cast earned, demanded to be called ‘master,’ and prohibited poor Nimoy from using a company pencil.”

 

[TOS Purist]

Call it coincidence, but a new article on TrekMovie.com is about this EXACT same topic. Here's the link: http://trekmovie.com/2008/06/02/shatner-roddenberry-was-a-chiseler/#more-2026

The examples that Shatner gives of Gene's douchebaggery are appalling. Any respect I may have had for Gene's personal life have gone right out the window!!

 

[TheLonelySquire]

^^ I gotta laugh because back in the day so many people wondered how anyone could be worse than Nixon.

Never say never.

And along came Slick Willie......

 

[TheLonelySquire]

May I speak for what I think is the majority of Star Trek fans?

We don't give a rat's ass as to his personal life, or even his professional ethics.

He had an idea for a TV series. It eventually was approved. It had a unique vision which still attracts many today.

Good enough for me.

You may wish to speak for the majority of Trek fans, but I don't feel that you would be speaking accurately.

This board delves into many areas of the lives of the cast outside of the show. Why you would think that Roddenberry would not be of interest to them is beyond me. The fact that the producer included it in his book speaks to that point.

 

[jayrath]

I misspoke. What I meant to convey was: however horrid he was in real life, for me (and I think for many of us) it does not detract in the slightest from the "Star Trek" phenomena; it became greater than one man.

Yes, he was an ass. An ass with one truly great idea.

 

[deg3D]

Indeed, while the Great Bird's vision and talent were immeasurable, his character in many very important ways was, (by reports) shall we say, less than perfect and/or honorable IMO.

Still, he gave what he had to give us, and for that I am thankful, and aside from that, it is not my place or need to judge the man. Things have a way of working their selves out, ultimately, this life-time or a next.

deg

EDIT: Ps. That's a great book BTW. My fav Trek BTS book. And I've read the lot o' them.

 

[Esteban]

Can you guys PLEASE keep your frikking politics off the board?

I think not. You see this sentiment alot on the Internets. Politics, by the very definition, is the peoples' concern. So unless a poster goes nut-job, why not allow him or her a line or two that let's him express his thoughts?

My experience has taught me that people who quote-unquote hate Politics are the same ones that don't know anything about the subject, nor are able to articulate an unembarrasing thought on the topic.

Fortunately, Obama will make it all OK.

 

[PhoenixIreland]

Can you guys PLEASE keep your frikking politics off the board?

I think not. You see this sentiment alot on the Internets. Politics, by the very definition, is the peoples' concern. So unless a poster goes nut-job, why not allow him or her a line or two that let's him express his thoughts?

My experience has taught me that people who quote-unquote hate Politics are the same ones that don't know anything about the subject, nor are able to articulate an unembarrasing thought on the topic.

Fortunately, Obama will make it all OK.

If he gets past the people who are pretending they think hes a super secret muslim so they can avoid saying they just don't like "n****" then maybe hell get a chance to make it all ok...

Even though I'm a Trek-Fan for a long time I didn't know to much about Roddenberry besides the fact that he created Star Trek for which I will be eternally greatful. Last week I read William Shatners new Biography and sometimes Leonard Nimoy "drops by" to tell his side of the story. One of the storys Nimoy told really shocked me, because not knowing much about GR I would not have expected it. I'm just going to retell the story here from my memory, I don't know if it is allowed to just write down that paragraph.

Shortly after Star Trek had started Nimoys agent had booked him a "convention" appearance. Nimoy would have earned 2000$ for that appearance. His agent would have gotten 10%. In order to attend he would have needed to leave the set an hour and 18 minutes early, which he asked the producers for. After dragging there feet for a few days Roddenberry med with Nimoy and told him he had created a company for Star Trek merchandise. He also wanted that company to represent the actors for there appearances. The fee for the company would have been another 20%. When he asked Roddenberry why he had to pay him too Roddenberry told him, because he could get him out in time, his agent couldn't. Nimoy wasn't willing to that because he didn't think it was fair to his agent who got him the appearence. Roddenberry then told him and this is the exact quote from the book: "Well you're just going to have to learn how to bow down and say master." Nimoy goes on telling that he told Roddenberry he got the wrong guy for that and that Roddenberry backed down eventually so Nimoy could get to the appearence. His relationship with Roddenberry was basically done after that.

Again he created Star Trek and I'm thankfull for that but that he was really so Hollywood like kind of makes me sad.

This from the man who talked about a future without currency based economics where we work to better ourselves and others?

Still, I'd imagine many posters here are bigger dirtbags than him

Whichever ye who is without sin cast first stone yadda yadda yadda

 

[TheLonelySquire]

I misspoke. What I meant to convey was: however horrid he was in real life, for me (and I think for many of us) it does not detract in the slightest from the "Star Trek" phenomena; it became greater than one man.

Yes, he was an ass. An ass with one truly great idea.

And I agree with you 100%. He certainly did have a vision and for that I am forever grateful.

 

[TheLonelySquire]

Can you guys PLEASE keep your frikking politics off the board?

I think not. You see this sentiment alot on the Internets. Politics, by the very definition, is the peoples' concern. So unless a poster goes nut-job, why not allow him or her a line or two that let's him express his thoughts?

My experience has taught me that people who quote-unquote hate Politics are the same ones that don't know anything about the subject, nor are able to articulate an unembarrasing thought on the topic.

Fortunately, Obama will make it all OK.

Haven't we captured him yet?

 

[Mallory]

If you folks want to talk about Gene Roddenberry (good, bad or indifferent) then fine. But if you want to talk about GWB or Bill Clinton or Obama, there are more appropriate places on the board to do that.

Give it a rest guys, OK?