alternatehistory.com

I'm presuming most here are aware Gene created "Star Trek".:rolleyes: I'm betting many are also aware he was a speechwriter for LAPD Chief Daryl Gates (yes, that one:mad:). Many probably know Gene also created "The Lieutenant" for MGM, which didn't last.

He'd had the idea for what became "ST:TOS" for years, but didn't try & sell it until after he got hired at Desilu, where his first project was an unsold pilot, "Police Story".

So, suppose his career had taken a slightly different path? Suppose, instead, he'd been hired by Mark VII, Jack Webb's company, & had sold "Police Story". Could it have been as successful as "ST"? Could it (would it) have been as integrated? Or would Webb have insisted on greater realism? Or maybe insisted it be more friendly to LAPD, akin to "Adam 12"?

Would Gene R. never meet Gene L., Bob Justman, & the others on "ST"?:eek: Was it impossible to create something as unusual as "ST" outside Desilu? Or was the alt-"Police Story" bound to be a variation on "Dragnet" or "Adam 12" or "Ironside"?

Was it possible Gene, with his LAPD background, could attract the likes of Joe Wambaugh & break new ground? Maybe not quite "Hill Street" (which required being willing to use Arriflexes), but...

Any thoughts?
Top