Should Paramount make a new TV version of TOS?

[LMFAOschwarz]

This is one of the reasons that nothing is any fun anymore. Your recently cited Superman vs. Hulk example, Christopher, is a good example of why. Once upon a time, that would have been of interest to readers. Now, in this blockbuster film era, it's "The Silver Surfer is owned by Fox, so they can't use him in a Fantastic Four movie until the rights expire" kind of conversation. I hear this stuff all the time, and it's so refreshing to still occasionally run into someone who simply says "Magneto is cool" without all the legalistic licensing commentary attached like barnacles to the conversation.

Except that's not comparable. CBS owns all of Star Trek. If they want to make a Trek TV series, there's nothing to prevent them from doing that or from using any of its past elements that they want to. Paramount has a copyright on the material from the new movies, but CBS shares that copyright, and the two companies are on friendly terms (since they branched off from the same origin). So it's not like the Marvel movie rights situation. I wasn't saying that anyone was prohibited from making anything; I was just clarifying which studio it is that would actually be responsible for making a new Trek TV series. As Nebusj said, the title question of the thread should actually be "Should CBS make a new TV version of TOS?", because they're the ones who are in a position to do that and have been for the past 9 years. They are the owners of Star Trek, because they're actually the same company that used to be called Paramount Television but is now called CBS Television Studios. All the corporate name changes are confusing, and I'm just trying to clarify who the players are.

I appreciate that. The conversations I've heard get so confusing, I was under the impression there were two separate entities. It led me to believe it was sort of a 'one owns Cagney, one owns Lacey ' situation. Now, I know better.

(Also, the Fantastic Four movie rights are owned by Fox too, so the example you cited doesn't work. They already made an FF/Silver Surfer movie, after all. Here's a handy chart showing who controls what movie rights, except it's a little inaccurate where Namor is concerned; apparently his rights are in some sort of complicated limbo state.)

That was my mistake (no surprise ). I should have used made-up "Captain Wonderful" type examples, for in reality I had no clue who owns Silver Surfer...or the FF...or The Inhumans...or Wyatt Wingfoot or Agatha Harkness, for that matter!

 

[HarryM]

At this point, no. No TOS prequels or TOS era set in original continuity. Leave it in the hands of fan productions for now. I *like* the original sets and costumes and think they look fine, I think how good "In a Mirror Darkly" looked was proof of that concept, even though I thought the story was lacking. But the powers that be could never let themselves to go that route, so just leave it alone.

 

[A beaker full of death]

If they can come up with something original, and have some stories worth telling, then sure. That's where modern TV mostly falls down. But if they actually have decent talent both behind and in front of the camera, sure. But in that case, it doesn't matter if it's Star Trek or something else entirely. Probably best to not make it Star Trek, so as to avoid the baggage.

 

[Warped9]

If they can come up with something original, and have some stories worth telling, then sure. That's where modern TV mostly falls down. But if they actually have decent talent both behind and in front of the camera, sure. But in that case, it doesn't matter if it's Star Trek or something else entirely. Probably best to not make it Star Trek, so as to avoid the baggage.

If a wholly original non-Trek space adventure came along that touched on many similar ideas and it was well done then I could get behind that.

It's happened before. I enjoyed Babylon 5, Stargate SG-1 and Stargate: Atlantis. So something else could come along.

And I enjoyed Babylon 5 more than any of the actual Trek spin-offs.

 

[Dukhat]

If they did reuse the JJ sets and such there'd be another reason I'd stay away since it would be another connection to that version and continuity.

That's an incredibly silly way to think. That's like saying that if I hated the TOS films, I'd never watch TNG because they reused the TMP corridors for the Enterprise-D, and reused stock footage of Klingon battlecruisers, Regula 1, and Spacedock in TNG, and the ship models from TWOK and TSFS in TNG. That's ludicrous.

 

[Warped9]

If they did reuse the JJ sets and such there'd be another reason I'd stay away since it would be another connection to that version and continuity.

That's an incredibly silly way to think. That's like saying that if I hated the TOS films, I'd never watch TNG because they reused the TMP corridors for the Enterprise-D, and reused stock footage of Klingon battlecruisers from TMP in TNG, and the ship models from TWOK and TSFS in TNG. That's ludicrous.

I've made no secret that I detest every single creative choice they made in those films. The JJprise is a case in point--what an ugly distortion of an inspired design. I could use more emphatic language, but my point is made.

And I feel exactly the same about everything they did. Everything.

 

[Dukhat]

I've made no secret that I detest every single creative choice they made in those films.

Yes, we know.

The JJprise is a case in point--what an ugly distortion of an inspired design. I could use more emphatic language, but my point is made.

As a matter of fact, I agree with you, and I'll even use "more emphatic language." I fucking hate the JJPrise and its silly design attributes. However, if there was a new show produced and this ship happened to be in it, I'm not going to not watch the show because of that. That's silly.

And I feel exactly the same about everything they did. Everything.

Again, we know. And I'm saying that it's silly to not watch a show because it has design elements that you don't care for. That's just window dressing. If the show is good, who fucking cares if they're using silver phasers that flip around?

 

[BillJ]

And I feel exactly the same about everything they did. Everything.

Which makes no sense. I find it hard to believe that even you believe that every single choice they made was bad. Positions like that make you come off as a cartoon character. Which is a shame, because sometimes you come across rational, intelligent poster.

 

[Warped9]

And I feel exactly the same about everything they did. Everything.

Which makes no sense. I find it hard to believe that even you believe that every single choice they made was bad. Positions like that make you come off as a cartoon character. Which is a shame, because sometimes you come across rational, intelligent poster.

It makes perfect sense when you judge someone(s) to have a zero batting average in the product they wrought.

 

[HIjol]

This is one of the reasons that nothing is any fun anymore. Your recently cited Superman vs. Hulk example, Christopher, is a good example of why. Once upon a time, that would have been of interest to readers. Now, in this blockbuster film era, it's "The Silver Surfer is owned by Fox, so they can't use him in a Fantastic Four movie until the rights expire" kind of conversation. I hear this stuff all the time, and it's so refreshing to still occasionally run into someone who simply says "Magneto is cool" without all the legalistic licensing commentary attached like barnacles to the conversation. (I'm not saying you're no fun, Christopherr: your well thought-out comments are always a treat ..I mean these topics leaking down to the level of the average viewer/reader!)

Imagine if this applied elsewhere. Think of eating your Frosted Flakes, knowing your enjoyment would be limited to the end of 2015, when Kellogg's will lose the rights to General Mills, who will then co-manufacture Frosted Flakes in conjunction with Post, in exchange for limited rights to produce Raisin Bran until 2018, when the rights revert back to Kellogg's, who will begin producing Frosted Flakes featuring Post Raisins. Meanwhile, I just want a bowl of cereal!

WELL SAID!

 

[HIjol]

I am whipping up some Green Eggs and Ham for Warped9

Will you eat them in the Chair?
Will you eat them by lensflare?

Will you eat them on the Bridge?
Will you eat them and
acknowledge?

That any Star Trek can be cool
Even if it breaks your rule

I hope you find the humor in "Sam"
And come have some Green Eggs and Ham!

 

[Gassy Man]

I think it's inevitable that a series will be made -- they have sets, costumes, and a built in audience. All they have to do is recast it with nobodies to keep the cost down. I suspect the desire to make the next film part of the five-year mission has more to do with launching a new series than because of some sense of tradition. When Star Wars comes out, Abrams will once again be all over the news, and if a sci-fi-theme showed with his name on it can be rolled out, the built-in publicity is obvious with Star Trek.

I honestly can't give those in charge credit enough to be thinking in those terms.

If they did reuse the JJ sets and such there'd be another reason I'd stay away since it would be another connection to that version and continuity.

I wouldn't want it either, but I'm sure it's being considered. When Star Wars hits in a year or two, and Abrams' egocentric need to have his name everywhere happens, the networks will be looking high and low to put something on TV as a tie-in. Star Trek is ready made.

 

[Kemaiku]

I wouldn't want it either, but I'm sure it's being considered.

Star Trek should never be about what the fans "want". It should be aimed at the audience that will watch it, it's how television works, and some fans seem to have a problem understanding this.

 

[Warped9]

I wouldn't want it either, but I'm sure it's being considered.

Star Trek should never be about what the fans "want". It should be aimed at the audience that will watch it, it's how television works, and some fans seem to have a problem understanding this.

And there's nothing wrong with them expressing their opinions and even hopes as to what may or may not happen.

 

[Dukhat]

I wouldn't want it either, but I'm sure it's being considered.

Star Trek should never be about what the fans "want". It should be aimed at the audience that will watch it, it's how television works, and some fans seem to have a problem understanding this.

And there's nothing wrong with them expressing their opinions and even hopes as to what may or may not happen.

Of course there's nothing wrong with it. But what makes your opinion as a fan better than mine? Or vice versa? Or any of a million fans' opinions, which will be completely different? Chemahkuu is right. No Trek producer should ever cater to what the "fans" want, or listen to their whining on some message board, because fans will want a million different things that they can't possibly provide.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Too many cooks...

 

[doubleohfive]

Star Trek should never be about what the fans "want". It should be aimed at the audience that will watch it, it's how television works, and some fans seem to have a problem understanding this.

And there's nothing wrong with them expressing their opinions and even hopes as to what may or may not happen.

Of course there's nothing wrong with it. But what makes your opinion as a fan better than mine? Or vice versa? Or any of a million fans' opinions, which will be completely different? Chemahkuu is right. No Trek producer should ever cater to what the "fans" want, or listen to their whining on some message board, because fans will want a million different things that they can't possibly provide.

This. Oh, so very much this.

 

[Gassy Man]

Star Trek should never be about what the fans "want". It should be aimed at the audience that will watch it, it's how television works, and some fans seem to have a problem understanding this.

And there's nothing wrong with them expressing their opinions and even hopes as to what may or may not happen.

Of course there's nothing wrong with it. But what makes your opinion as a fan better than mine? Or vice versa? Or any of a million fans' opinions, which will be completely different? Chemahkuu is right. No Trek producer should ever cater to what the "fans" want, or listen to their whining on some message board, because fans will want a million different things that they can't possibly provide.

If no one's opinion is any greater than any other, then it makes no difference one way or the other, but if there is an assumed "audience" for the show, then by definition that audience's opinion would be important. As a film, Star Trek might appeal to a broad audience because there are, perhaps, a couple dozen films competing for attention at any given time. But on television, with so many channels and programming, the audience is more likely to be more narrow and niche-specific.

 

[Nerys Myk]

And there's nothing wrong with them expressing their opinions and even hopes as to what may or may not happen.

Of course there's nothing wrong with it. But what makes your opinion as a fan better than mine? Or vice versa? Or any of a million fans' opinions, which will be completely different? Chemahkuu is right. No Trek producer should ever cater to what the "fans" want, or listen to their whining on some message board, because fans will want a million different things that they can't possibly provide.

If no one's opinion is any greater than any other, then it makes no difference one way or the other, but if there is an assumed "audience" for the show, then by definition that audience's opinion would be important. As a film, Star Trek might appeal to a broad audience because there are, perhaps, a couple dozen films competing for attention at any given time. But on television, with so many channels and programming, the audience is more likely to be more narrow and niche-specific.

Dollars will matter. Ad revenue and ratings.

 

[Dukhat]

...but if there is an assumed "audience" for the show, then by definition that audience's opinion would be important.

Yeah, but only to a point. Imagine if the producers of nuWho went to the fans and said, "We're going to destroy Gallifrey and kill all the Time Lords, and we want your opinion as to whether we should do this or not?"