Starlog 2. Stardate 2/3/2020.
The question: To what extent did the business model of network television enable Star Trek: The Original Series to appeal to such a wide range of audiences? In what ways did that same model constrain it?
The model for network television benefited Star Trek because what they were asking for was what made it such a compelling show. It was started at a time when the goal of networks was to air content that would appeal to a wide audience, and which would keep that audience interested so they didn't switch the channel during a commercial break. That, combined with Lucille Ball, owner of Desilu productions, supporting the show herself, gave it the space to create something that people really responded to.
The way the show was relaunched after the initial pilot was action-packed and exciting- content that viewers were willing to sit through commercials for. It was also engaging to look at, with brightly colored uniforms and visions of space and new planets. But while it moved away from the "too cerebral feeling of the first pilot, I really don't think that it gave that up entirely. Something I felt while watching it, which may or may not have applied to its initial audience, is that it brought up topics, both lighthearted and serious, that could appeal to older audiences as well as those who showed up for the action. It had its laser fights, but it also had a cast of characters that worked together as a unit and addressed genuine societal issues in a way that started a conversation. Captain Pike was replaced with Captain Kirk, someone serious and "cerebral," with someone full-of-life, energetic, and dramatic, though still with a depth of character that made him appealing in a variety of ways, not just to watch but to care for and engage with as a fan. [This is not a comment on the network model, but I just wanted to take a moment to say thank goodness they didn't really change Spock that much because he is PERFECT and no I will not hear any argument on the matter.]
Of course the problem with the Network television model was that it was an expensive show to produce, and without those demographics telling the producers that the audience that really came out for Star Trek was the ever-valuable younger demographics. That, combined with Lucille Ball's company being bought by Paramount, resulted in the cancellation of it.
Update: I am an ENSIGN now watch out
The question: To what extent did the business model of network television enable Star Trek: The Original Series to appeal to such a wide range of audiences? In what ways did that same model constrain it?
The model for network television benefited Star Trek because what they were asking for was what made it such a compelling show. It was started at a time when the goal of networks was to air content that would appeal to a wide audience, and which would keep that audience interested so they didn't switch the channel during a commercial break. That, combined with Lucille Ball, owner of Desilu productions, supporting the show herself, gave it the space to create something that people really responded to.
The way the show was relaunched after the initial pilot was action-packed and exciting- content that viewers were willing to sit through commercials for. It was also engaging to look at, with brightly colored uniforms and visions of space and new planets. But while it moved away from the "too cerebral feeling of the first pilot, I really don't think that it gave that up entirely. Something I felt while watching it, which may or may not have applied to its initial audience, is that it brought up topics, both lighthearted and serious, that could appeal to older audiences as well as those who showed up for the action. It had its laser fights, but it also had a cast of characters that worked together as a unit and addressed genuine societal issues in a way that started a conversation. Captain Pike was replaced with Captain Kirk, someone serious and "cerebral," with someone full-of-life, energetic, and dramatic, though still with a depth of character that made him appealing in a variety of ways, not just to watch but to care for and engage with as a fan. [This is not a comment on the network model, but I just wanted to take a moment to say thank goodness they didn't really change Spock that much because he is PERFECT and no I will not hear any argument on the matter.]
Of course the problem with the Network television model was that it was an expensive show to produce, and without those demographics telling the producers that the audience that really came out for Star Trek was the ever-valuable younger demographics. That, combined with Lucille Ball's company being bought by Paramount, resulted in the cancellation of it.
Update: I am an ENSIGN now watch out
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