TMC
05-12-2004, 03:59 PM
http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20040512/6194301s.htm
'Star Trek' voyage could end Shrinking audience may threaten classic
By Bill Keveney
USA TODAY
After crossing galaxies and time, the U.S.S. Enterprise could soon meekly go where it hasn't gone in years: dry dock.
A third year of shrinking audiences means potential cancellation for UPN's Star Trek: Enterprise -- and the first season in 17 years without a Star Trek series.
Couple that with quiet on the film front, after 2002's Star Trek: Nemesis had the movie series' smallest box office ($43.3 million), and fans of the Paramount franchise face the prospect of no new Star Trek on the near horizon for the first time in a quarter-century.
Aware of that possibility, Trek fans organized to make Enterprise's salvation easily the top pick in USA TODAY's recent Save Our Shows survey with 70% of the vote.
Longtime Trek executive producer Rick Berman doesn't believe the end is here. He cites a general critical view that Enterprise (tonight, 8 ET/PT) is having its best season creatively, with a season-long story arc, a Trek first. ''Right now, I'm optimistic the show is going to be picked up for a fourth season,'' he says.
Steve Krutzler, editor of fan site TrekWeb.com, agrees that this has been the best season, but adds that even devoted fans are divided over whether the series should continue. He speculates that Paramount could consider first-run syndication if UPN drops the show.
Even if Enterprise were renewed, Berman concedes the franchise could take an unaccustomed break in the near future.
''As to whether it could use a rest for a while, that's a valid question,'' Berman says. ''I think, eventually, Star Trek will be taking a breather.''
The franchise has had inspirational value, encouraging many fans to embark on scientific careers, says Ed Weiler, NASA's associate administrator for space science. The loss of Trek would be ''a sad statement'' if it reflected declining interest in ''exploring and dreaming.''
UPN likely won't reveal Enterprise's fate until it announces its fall slate next week. Viewership is off 43% from its first season, and the series suffered its lowest-rated regularly scheduled original episode in April (2.9 million).
Although Enterprise attracted 12.5 million viewers when it premiered in 2001, the sci-fi series now trails UPN's new ratings leader, America's Next Top Model, and even some of its comedies. UPN could shift focus from male-skewing shows, such as Enterprise, to those that attract women, after the success of Model.
''The pivotal question is really how UPN sees the Star Trek franchise within its total strategy going forward,'' says Stacey Lynn Koerner of media firm Initiative.
Berman, however, has more than blind hope for renewal. This season's year-long battle against the Xindi has earned Enterprise its best critical reviews to date. Despite substantial production costs, an extra two dozen episodes would give Enterprise 100 episodes, making it more attractive to syndicators. And, Viacom, the parent company of UPN and Paramount, must consider the effect renewal or cancellation would have on the estimated $200 million a year in revenue that comes from Trek movies, TV series and merchandise.
Berman and two other producers also are in ''very early discussions'' about another Star Trek feature film. It would be a prequel, but not related to Enterprise, he says.
Michael Piller, a former Trek writer who produces USA's The Dead Zone, says Enterprise is improving. He'd be surprised if it doesn't get another year, but a break could let it recharge.
''It wouldn't be the end of the world,'' Piller says. ''It will be back. It will be great again.''
'Star Trek' voyage could end Shrinking audience may threaten classic
By Bill Keveney
USA TODAY
After crossing galaxies and time, the U.S.S. Enterprise could soon meekly go where it hasn't gone in years: dry dock.
A third year of shrinking audiences means potential cancellation for UPN's Star Trek: Enterprise -- and the first season in 17 years without a Star Trek series.
Couple that with quiet on the film front, after 2002's Star Trek: Nemesis had the movie series' smallest box office ($43.3 million), and fans of the Paramount franchise face the prospect of no new Star Trek on the near horizon for the first time in a quarter-century.
Aware of that possibility, Trek fans organized to make Enterprise's salvation easily the top pick in USA TODAY's recent Save Our Shows survey with 70% of the vote.
Longtime Trek executive producer Rick Berman doesn't believe the end is here. He cites a general critical view that Enterprise (tonight, 8 ET/PT) is having its best season creatively, with a season-long story arc, a Trek first. ''Right now, I'm optimistic the show is going to be picked up for a fourth season,'' he says.
Steve Krutzler, editor of fan site TrekWeb.com, agrees that this has been the best season, but adds that even devoted fans are divided over whether the series should continue. He speculates that Paramount could consider first-run syndication if UPN drops the show.
Even if Enterprise were renewed, Berman concedes the franchise could take an unaccustomed break in the near future.
''As to whether it could use a rest for a while, that's a valid question,'' Berman says. ''I think, eventually, Star Trek will be taking a breather.''
The franchise has had inspirational value, encouraging many fans to embark on scientific careers, says Ed Weiler, NASA's associate administrator for space science. The loss of Trek would be ''a sad statement'' if it reflected declining interest in ''exploring and dreaming.''
UPN likely won't reveal Enterprise's fate until it announces its fall slate next week. Viewership is off 43% from its first season, and the series suffered its lowest-rated regularly scheduled original episode in April (2.9 million).
Although Enterprise attracted 12.5 million viewers when it premiered in 2001, the sci-fi series now trails UPN's new ratings leader, America's Next Top Model, and even some of its comedies. UPN could shift focus from male-skewing shows, such as Enterprise, to those that attract women, after the success of Model.
''The pivotal question is really how UPN sees the Star Trek franchise within its total strategy going forward,'' says Stacey Lynn Koerner of media firm Initiative.
Berman, however, has more than blind hope for renewal. This season's year-long battle against the Xindi has earned Enterprise its best critical reviews to date. Despite substantial production costs, an extra two dozen episodes would give Enterprise 100 episodes, making it more attractive to syndicators. And, Viacom, the parent company of UPN and Paramount, must consider the effect renewal or cancellation would have on the estimated $200 million a year in revenue that comes from Trek movies, TV series and merchandise.
Berman and two other producers also are in ''very early discussions'' about another Star Trek feature film. It would be a prequel, but not related to Enterprise, he says.
Michael Piller, a former Trek writer who produces USA's The Dead Zone, says Enterprise is improving. He'd be surprised if it doesn't get another year, but a break could let it recharge.
''It wouldn't be the end of the world,'' Piller says. ''It will be back. It will be great again.''