Star trek
- Release Date
- September 8, 1966
- Cast
- William Shatner , Leonard Nimoy , Deforest Kelley , James Doohan , Walter Koenig , George Takei , Nichelle Nichols , Majel Barrett
- Main Genre
- Action
- Seasons
- 3
- Website
- http://www.startrek.com
- Franchise
- Star Trek
Summary
Star Trek chronicles the 23rd century adventures of the U.S.S. Enterprise, one of twelve state-of-the-art starships representing Starfleet, the exploration branch of the United Federation of Planets, an alliance of alien races including Earth, Vulcan, Tellar, and Andor. Captain James T. Kirk, the youngest starship captain in the Fleet, commands the Enterprise with a combination of brashness, authority, and imagination. The half-Vulcan/half-human Mr. Spock serves as his extremely logical and efficient First Officer and Science Officer. The ship's chief medical officer is Dr. Leonard McCoy, who has supreme medical authority on the ship and tends to the physical and mental needs of the Enterprise's crew of approximately 430. Other ranking crew members include: Montgomery Scott, a man dedicated to his ship engines but not adverse to a bit of shore leave; Hikaru Sulu, helmsman and a man of many hobbies ranging from botany to fencing, Nyota Uhura, the extremely competent head of Communications, and Pavel Chekov, brash young navigator with a fierce pride in his native Russia. Star Trek was created by producer Gene Roddenberry, who sold the series as a "Wagon Train to the Stars" to the executives at NBC, even though the final result bore very little resemblance to the initial sales pitch. Roddenberry first produced the 1964 pilot "The Cage," featuring Jeffrey Hunter as Enterprise captain Christopher Pike (early drafts listed him as Captain Spring and Winter). When NBC rejected that pilot, Roddenberry took the extraordinary step of producing a second pilot, "Where No Man Has Gone Before," recasting William Shatner as Captain James T. Kirk. NBC was impressed and bought the series. The series premiered on NBC on Thursday, September 8, 1966 in the 8:30-9:30 PM time slot with the episode "The Man Trap." Both of the pilots were originally aired, although "The Cage" was restructured as a flashback episode of sorts in the two-parter "The Menagerie." The show never received high ratings but gathered a small but devoted fan following. NBC considered canceling the series in its second year but a letter-writing campaign purportedly saved it. However, NBC moved the series to a later Friday night time slot and Roddenberry left his position as executive producer in protest. Since then Star Trek has run almost continuously in syndication and has inspired an animated series, six feature films, and four additional spin-off television shows as of 2007. The show has spawned a huge amount of merchandise, including novels, comic books, memorabilia, and games. Fans have created vast amount of fan fiction and even low-budget web episodes, some involving original creators. Despite its short network run, Star Trek has become one of the most successful shows in television history.
latest
Rare Star Trek Footage Features Leonard Nimoy Hosting the Series' Original Pilot Movie
Star Trek's Spock actor Leonard Nimoy appeared in a rare footage hosting a 1975 TV special for the franchise.
15 Classic Star Trek Episodes That Are Deeply Philosophical
Star Trek had many thought-provoking themes, like censorship, Kierkegaardian and Sartrean existentialism, the nature of time, and genetic selection.
Star Trek: The Next Generation Writer Fought TNG Producer’s Idiotic Rule in Order to Mention Mr. Spock’s Name
Writer Ira Steven Behr nearly had to go to the mattresses to include Mr. Spock's name in the season three episode, Sarek.
Star Trek: Spock Reveals the Reason Why He Declined Captaincy After Kirk's Death
The comic series Star Trek: Defiant examines Spock's character on a deeper level.
12 Surprising Facts About Star Trek: The Original Series
Here's some lesser-known behind-the-scenes trivia about the show that spawned the iconic space-opera franchise.
Star Trek’s Patrick Stewart Explains Why He Stole One Thing From William Shatner's Captain Kirk
William Shatner nailed one key component of his Star Trek performance that Patrick Stewart absolutely had to copy for his own character.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s James Marsters Reveals One Big Thing the Series Has in Common with Star Trek
James Marsters shares one major similarity of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Star Trek: The Original Series.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds' Paul Wesley Fondly Remembers Meeting William Shatner When He Won the Role of James T. Kirk on SNW
Star Trek mirror universes collide when the original captain of the Enterprise bumps into SNW's James T. Kirk on a flight they shared.
Celebrate Star Trek Day on September 8: A Science Fiction Event 57 Years in the Making
Trekkies can stream the Star Trek Day celebration via Paramount+ on September 8.
Star Trek's Gene Roddenberry Regretted Firing Yeoman Rand Actress Grace Lee Whitney
Gene Roddenberry hated the fact that he fired Grace Lee Whitney from Star Trek: The Original Series.
Gorn, Explained: A History of the Star Trek Aliens
The Gorn are one of the most famous aliens in Star Trek. Here is everything to know about the reptilian humanoid alien species.
Star Trek: Captain Kirk's 15 Best Quotes, Ranked
William Shatner's James T. Kirk was the first captain to take Star Trek fans into the final frontier, and he shared a lot of wisdom along the way.
Star Trek: Spock's 15 Best Quotes, Ranked
Spock is one of the most notable figures within the Star Trek franchise, and his philosophy on life and logic brings timeless wisdom to all.
William Shatner Recalls Landing His Star Trek Role as Captain Kirk
William Shatner shared the story behind his casting in Star Trek at SXSW 2023.
DeForest Kelley's DNA Will Be Sent to Space With Ashes of Fellow Star Trek Legends
A lock of DeForest Kelley's hair will be sent to space with the ashes of Nichelle Nichols and other late Star Trek stars.
Ashes of Nichelle Nichols and Other Star Trek Crew to Be Launched Into Space
The cremated remains of Nichelle Nichols will join James Doohan and Gene and Majel Roddenberry in a space burial.
Nichelle Nichols to Be Honored with Special Video Tribute for Star Trek Day on Paramount+
Late Star Trek legend Nichelle Nichols will be recognized on the streaming platform Paramount+ on Star Trek Day in September.
The Smithsonian Releases Rare Footage of Nichelle Nichols
The short film shows Nichelle Nichols as Uhura encouraging children to explore the stars
Star Trek Stars Pay Tribute to Nichelle Nichols: 'We Lived Long and Prospered'
George Takei, Kate Mulgrew, and more are remembering Nichelle Nichols after the Star Trek star's death was announced.
Jess Bush Binged Star Trek: The Original Series for Strange New Worlds Role
Jess Bush read as much as she could about Majel Barrett-Roddenberry and Nurse Chapel.