Where Have All the Good Shows Gone?

There seems to be a paucity of good science fiction shows on American television today.  But, unfortunately, that has often been the story.  A great deal of the problem lies in the fact that network executives often just don't get the whole genre of sci-fi.   In the very early days of television, sci-fi was largely just a repackaging of the popular westerns.  Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers (even his name shouts "wild west") were recycled cowboys and the original Star Trek was pitched as a Wagon Train in outer space. 

 In the early days of television (which consisted primarily of variety shows), anthology science fiction, like Outer Limits and Twilight Zone, were popular.  However, as the television series took hold (I Love Lucy and Gunsmoke), networks tried their hand at the science fiction series. Historically, traditional science fiction series (stories set in outer space and involving species from other planets) are short lived. Star Trek struggled to survive four seasons, Lost in Space made it three, and Battlestar Galactica a mere eighteen months. Only during the Golden Age of science fiction on American television (in the 90's), did traditional science fiction find its niche with the Stargate  and new Star Trek franchises. By the new millennium, however, these shows were again on the decline and exceptional sci-fi shows, like Firefly (which, ironically, was a western in space), quickly got the axe.

More palatable to the tastes of the average American viewer were shows that fell into the category of urban science fiction (stories set primarily on earth, but including elements of science fiction).  Among the early shows of this genre are Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, The Time Tunnel, and My Favorite Martian. The appeal of this style of sci-fi series is evident in the success of shows like Mork and Mindy, The Incredible Hulk, and the Six Million Dollar Man.  Even during the Golden Age, urban sci-fi reached the masses with shows like X-Files and Third Rock from the Sun. 

The new millennium showed a marked decline in traditional science fiction televisions series.  The Star Trek and Stargate franchises were in their decline, but shows like Lost, Eureka, and Fringe were all the buzz.  As this decade began, apocalyptic shows were all the rage; from Falling Skies to Walking Dead.  Only one traditional sci-fi show seems to be taking hold of Americans- and it isn't even produced in America.  The new Doctor Who has taken sci-fi fans by storm and promises to be as brilliant as its predecessor (which aired for an amazing 26 seasons).

We can only hope that American television networks will sit up and take note of the popularity of Doctor Who and decide that it is time to create our own traditional science fiction series. Until then, I'm not about to miss the Doctor's new exploits, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that American television will soon be back in the game.

Star Trek: Into the Future

In 1966, America had just landed its first space probe on the moon and the Apollo program was just taking its first steps. We were a mere three years from landing a man on the moon. However, what most people don't realize is that, in 1960's more than half of all Americans believed that the space program was a waste of money. The Cold War, which had initially spurred the drive into space, had cooled down- and with it the American fervor for conquering space.

When Star Trek aired in September of 1966, most Americans just didn't get it.  Touted as a "Wagon Train to the stars," Gene Roddenberry tried using the popularity of westerns as a selling point since the idea of a science fiction show was unpalatable to the television executives of that time. Though he managed to sell the idea eventually, the show struggled from the beginning. Star Trek was too visionary and too controversial (portraying the first televised interracial kiss) for those raised during the Great Depression. When it was cancelled in 1969, the network never expected it to become the icon it is today. What the executives failed to understand was that the show epitomized the hopes and dreams of the youth in the 1960's. The parents may not have been watching the show, but you better believe that the kids were!

Since that time, numerous television series and feature films have spun-off from the original Star Trek series.  While everyone has their own likes and dislikes regarding each one, the Star Trek franchise itself has not diminished in our affections.  Not only have the shows entertained us, but they have inspired advances in technology that have enriched our lives:from automatic doors to cell phones. The franchise hit the peak of its visibility in the 1990's with three television shows and four movies.

Now, eight long years have passed since the last Star Trek series, Star Trek: Enterprise, aired on television. With the reboot of the timeline in the 2009 movie, Star Trek, and its upcoming sequel, Into the Darkness, there is a lot of discussion regarding the possibility of a new television series.  While rumors fly about a possible series by Bryan Fuller about the decline of the Federation in the far, far future, as yet there is nothing on the horizon.

I'm just one voice in a sea of Star Trek fans, but I would love to see a series based on the struggles and successes of Star Fleet cadets.  Too long has the spotlight been on the older generations.  Let me see what life is like for the struggling students.  What are their ideas for the present and their vision of the future?  How do they handle the intense competition and colliding ambitions among their peers?

Whatever the subject of the next Star Trek series may be, my greatest wish is that networks won't wait another 8 years to get it started.  And since we're talking about wishes, I might as well sneak in another one: that the producers of the next series maintain Roddenberry's vision for the franchise.  Instead of a dark and brooding tale coupled with unlikeable characters (as is so popular with current producers), keep the hopeful and inspiring vision of the future that Roddenberry cast for us in his original series.

Until then, live long and prosper.

Jean-Luc Picard, Captain of Industry?

Instead of entering the age-old debate of which Star Trek captain is the best, I am examining each in the light of how they would measure up as a corporate CEO.  In this third installment, I will be looking at the pros and cons of working at a company "captained" by Star Trek's Jean-Luc Picard; having already put Captain James T. Kirk under the microscope. 

Picard's style of leadership might most be termed as patriarchal in nature.  As the oldest of the captains of the Enterprise, it isn't surprising that he became a father figure to his crew- and to the viewers.  Picard seemed to believe the old adage that familiarity breeds contempt because he kept a firm, arm's length between himself and the men and women who served under him.  However, his approach did not come across as cold and indifferent, but rather the unshakable confidence of an experienced leader.  So, while his crew would hardly be chummy with him, they would feel that they could come to him for advice and help on any issue.

The Next Generation's captain was much more cautious and pedantic than the other captains; probably due to his age, his nature, and the era to which he was born.  He was more intent on maintaining the final frontier than exploring it and tended to be inflexible and a little too wrapped up in himself and his image. However, Picard certainly loved his ship and his crew; and was willing to lay down his life for either. 

In the business world, Picard's leadership style would make for a pleasant work atmosphere, but might not inspire the loyalty that Kirk would.  Like children are prone to do, his employees might decide to eventually leave home to make a name for themselves, but he seems the type to be willing to help further their career, even if it means working for the competition.  He would most likely guide the company on the safest path, rather than taking innovative risks; so his workers would probably have job security but his company would be unremarkable.  Overall, working under Picard in the corporate world, would be a safe (if dull) job.  And honestly, when it comes to earning a living, that isn't such a bad thing.

The Captains of Star Trek

Like many Americans, my  first introduction to the world of science fiction was through the fantastically popular Star Trek franchise.  Being of a certain age, my "first contact" was with the explorers of the original Trek series.  For those of that generation, it truly was a brave, new world that Roddenberry served up to us.  One that our parents just didn't seem to get.

Since those early days of Captain James T. Kirk, we have had the pleasure of exploring the universe with four other Star Trek captains (yes, I include Benjamin Sisko; even though he "captained" a space station rather than a starship). Recently those five captains met at Comic Con in Philadelphia; together for the first time ever.

The event got me to thinking.  We often debate about the merits of each captain and are quick to express our opinion about who we would want to serve under on a starship. The personalities of each are uniquely their own and each one brings his own distinctive style of leadership to the bridge.  The merits and shortcomings of each captain have been dissected and discussed ad nauseam and I would have little that is new to add to that debate.

However, another question did occur to me.  Given their diverse styles of leadership, exactly how would that translate into the real world of today?  In other words, if each of these captains were placed in management positions in an office, which would make the better boss?

Over the next few weeks, I am going to examine each of the captains in this light; objectively (as much as is possible) looking at the strengths and weaknesses that they would bring to the corporate world. At the end of that time, I'll have a poll available and you (my readers) can decide which captain you would want at the helm of your company.

I hope that you will join me each week as we journey through the psyches of the Star Trek captains. Engage!