Network Needs Tour of the Enterprise
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| Title: | Network Needs Tour of the Enterprise |
| Creator: | Tom Freeman |
| Date(s): | 1974 |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | science fiction, with a focus of Planet of the Apes |
| Topic: | |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Network Needs Tour of the Enterprise is a 1974 essay by Tom Freeman.
It was published in Star Trek Nuts & Bolts #1.
The topic is dissatisfaction of the quality of science fiction on television.
From the Essay
The television industry has always held a weak interest in science fiction, and an overpowering interest in police and detective dramas. Looking at this past year's television season, I find myself asking: "Is it fair treatment to us...the viewers?" Science fiction is being neglected, while the networks hold the attitude of "Here it is, baby...this is all the science fiction you get. Take it or leave it."
CBS has held a record of producing cheap trashy shows, which do not deserve the honor of being science fiction. The network rejected STAR TREK, because they had a science fiction series of their own... LOST IN SPACE. (Which is exactly where the films of that show should have been.) however, they don't seem to limit the amount of police shows on the air. This is science fiction discrimination! CBS also can take what was a truly adventurous science fiction and, turn it into the worst piece of S**T you've ever seen. Their latest example is PLANET OF THE APES...
When the three movies PLANET OF THE APES, BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES, and ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES were shown, they had. surprisingly, again to the networks, high ratings. CBS was proud and pleased with their discovery and they decided, to put their baby to work. A weekly series based on the PLANET OF THE APES movies was bound to be an instant success. So the butchers started rewriting and redesigning the show. Then came the simple part...casting.
There are only two true things that remain in the PLANET OF THE APES television version. The title, and the fact that Roddy McDowell stars in it. His name is different, so is his occupation. He is Galen, a onetime friend of Zaius, who saved the lives of two Astronauts who accidentally land in their time period, from the year 1988, Virdon (Ron Harper) and Burke (James Haughton) from the hands of the hated gorilla Urko (Mark Leonard [sic]) (!). Mark Leonard portrayed a fine role of Sarek, Mr. Spock's father on STAR TREK as well as a Romulan commander in another episode. So he got stuck with a rotten role in HERE COME THE BRIDES...Is that any reason to make him up as a crummy ape with a sickening one track mind?
On well, let's consider the source... After all, none of these actors decided as to how this show would be, they just assumed it would improve with time.
CBS...I swear I am going to lock onto you, set a destiny of deep space, and energize you out there, spreading your diseased minds all across the universe.