Star Trek's Third Season Miracle

[darkwing_duck1]

We came "this" close to never getting Season three, according to a sci-fi historian I heard interviewed on Coast to Coast earlier tonight. I only caught part of the interview, but apparently the original plan was to simply CLOSE Desilu down, or to sell it to buyers who had no interest in the current studio offernings.

Lucy herself apparently intervened and found a way to sell out to Paramount, instead. She did this because she didn't want to see the actors on "her" shows summarily lose their jobs the way SHE had when something similar happened to her when she was younger.

He also let slip that GR's refusal to line produce Season 3 was the real beginnings of the "feud" between him and Paramount that would lead in latter year to him being "benched".

 

[NickintheATL]

darkwing_duck1 said:
Lucy herself apparently intervened and found a way to sell out to Paramount, instead. She did this because she didn't want to see the actors on "her" shows summarily lose their jobs the way SHE had when something similar happened to her when she was younger.

This cannot be true. The studio changed hands in the middle of Season Two's production. It was never the studio who was going to cancel the show anyway, it was up to NBC.

 

[Sulu_Love_child]

Fascinating...

 

[darkwing_duck1]

NicholasM79 said:

darkwing_duck1 said:
Lucy herself apparently intervened and found a way to sell out to Paramount, instead. She did this because she didn't want to see the actors on "her" shows summarily lose their jobs the way SHE had when something similar happened to her when she was younger.

This cannot be true. The studio changed hands in the middle of Season Two's production. It was never the studio who was going to cancel the show anyway, it was up to NBC.

If the studio had shut down entirely then the show would be GONE no matter what NBC wanted, since there was no place to FILM the show.

At any rate, the show should be archived on the C2C website for August 14. D/l or stream it and listen for yourself. The speaker is a noted historian of SF/horror tv and cinema.

 

[Shatmandu]

The only miracle I can think of from the Third Season is that Shakespeare's ghost didn't appear and start hitting everyone involved over the head with his handbag.

Joe, socking it to you

 

[TiberiusK]

This is debatable. Paramount was looking to expand its lot, and Desilu was a prime target. The only thing keeping it afloat prior to Mission Impossible was The Lucy Show. Otherwise, Desilu was already renting out spaces on the lot to Paramount productions. It was only a matter of time before the fence was torn down.

And Season 3 had little to do with the Desilu buy out, nor did fans save the show with bumper sticker terrorism.

 

[darkwing_duck1]

TiberiusK said:
This is debatable. Paramount was looking to expand its lot, and Desilu was a prime target. The only thing keeping it afloat prior to Mission Impossible was The Lucy Show. Otherwise, Desilu was already renting out spaces on the lot to Paramount productions. It was only a matter of time before the fence was torn down.

And Season 3 had little to do with the Desilu buy out, nor did fans save the show with bumper sticker terrorism.

All I know is what John Stanley (the guest) said, and he got his information in an interview with Lucy HERSELF.

Link to page with link to Stanley interview

 

[Outpost4]

That Lucy would claim credit for saving Star Trek doesn't surprise me. A lot of people have taken credit for saving Star Trek. Add Lucy to the list.

 

[number6]

I also saved Star Trek, but that seems to get glossed over a lot in conversation..

I think it's because Lucy had nicer tits.

 

[Neopeius]

Number6 said:
I also saved Star Trek, but that seems to get glossed over a lot in conversation..

I think it's because Lucy had nicer tits.

Don't sell yourself short. You have very nice tits.

 

[Trekwatcher]

This sounds like a bit of a stretch, and is never really mentioned much in other contexts. Hmmmmmm...

 

[toonloon]

If memory serves, Robert Evans mentions the purchase of Desilu in his autobiography "The Kid Stays in the Picture". Its a fantastic book for those of you who don't know it. Oh! I should probably mention that he was head of Paramount Pictures during the 60's and 70's. I also seem to remember there was a passing reference to Star Trek, but I think it was only in terms of blockbuster movies.

 

[Jack Bauer]

Neopeius said:

Number6 said:
I also saved Star Trek, but that seems to get glossed over a lot in conversation..

I think it's because Lucy had nicer tits.

Don't sell yourself short. You have very nice tits.

Man boobs count as tits? I better go and buy a bra then...

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

^It's known as a "bro" or a "manzeer."

 

[Trubinator]

Interesting. I had no idea that the show was in danger of becoming canceled before the third season. Thanks for posting.

 

[RAMA]

The miracle is that we still remember TOS as a great series after it's last season almost ruined its reputation as quality SF! Most series just fade away and die after such poor quality.

RAMA

 

[Sulu_Love_child]

Not a surprise. I've heard about the so-called miracle before. It's typical business.

 

[GreenBlood]

Trubinator said:
Interesting. I had no idea that the show was in danger of becoming canceled before the third season. Thanks for posting.

Ditto

 

[TiberiusK]

There were two different Save Star Trek campaigns. One during the first season and one during the second to keep it on the air. Both campaigns were partially financed and coordinated by Roddenberry on the inside. There wasn't a Save Star Trek campaign during season 3, at least not one of any significance.