WI: Star Trek Cancelled after Season 2

In the OTL, Star Trek was cancelled after 3 seasons of 79 episodes. After that cancellation, the actors involved had trouble finding work, and face typecasting problems. Shatner, for instance, had to live in his truck for a while. Star Trek itself looked like it may have been soon to be forgotten, but in the 70s, it went into syndication (which it didn't look like it would do given it didn't even have the normal 100 episodes for syndication) and since it was in good time slots, it took off in popularity beyond its original cult following. That lead to an animated series (1973-1974), and in 1979 they finally did a movie and thereafter started a movie franchise based on the original Star Trek, and the subsequent Next Generation was spun off and so on.

However, Star Trek was actually originally cancelled after Season 2. It was only after a well organized and massive letter writing campaign to save the show that NBC executives ok'd it for a third season. The third season being when it was shoved into the Friday night "death slot" time when no one watched, was given a new producer who wanted a new direction, and saw increasingly outlandish/campy episodes.

But what if that letter writing campaign wasn't successful, and the show was cancelled in 1968 after 2 Seasons and 55 episodes? What would the effect of that earlier demise be on the people involved, the culture and Star Trek as a show and an intellectual property?
 
55 episodes is probably too few for syndication, so it doesn't become popular in reruns like it did in OTL. Basically, this kills Star Trek altogether.

Gene Roddenberry moves on to other things, like he attempted to do in OTL with The Questor Tapes, Genesis II and Planet Earth.
 
55 episodes is probably too few for syndication, so it doesn't become popular in reruns like it did in OTL. Basically, this kills Star Trek altogether.

Gene Roddenberry moves on to other things, like he attempted to do in OTL with The Questor Tapes, Genesis II and Planet Earth.

Potentially, but couldn't it have a shot at syndication given the actual Star Trek had only 79 episodes?
 
In the OTL, Star Trek was cancelled after 3 seasons of 79 episodes.
Yes, someone should really write a TL changing that, shouldn't they? ;)

Emperor Norton I said:
Shatner, for instance, had to live in his truck for a while.
Because of a very messy divorce with his first wife, Gloria Rand, who got alimony commensurate with his Star Trek salary... right before it was cancelled!

Emperor Norton I said:
However, Star Trek was actually originally cancelled after Season 2. It was only after a well organized and massive letter writing campaign to save the show that NBC executives ok'd it for a third season.
Believe it or not, this is a popular misconception. Most of the evidence I've found in my research says that NBC had no plans to cancel the show (because of its popularity with the valuable demographics so often touted retrospectively; they knew about them back then, too), but the letter-writing campaign was based on the logical but unfounded assumption that they did plan to (Hollywood has always been a breeding ground for rumours and gossip).

Emperor Norton I said:
But what if that letter writing campaign wasn't successful, and the show was cancelled in 1968 after 2 Seasons and 55 episodes? What would the effect of that earlier demise be on the people involved, the culture and Star Trek as a show and an intellectual property?
But I'll go ahead and play along. The minimum viable number for syndication, generally speaking, is 65 episodes today, as opposed to the traditional 100, specifically because of examples like Star Trek (as well as 65-episode kids' shows popular in the 1980s and 1990s). There have been syndicated shows with fewer episodes than even the 55 you posit here (The Honeymooners had a mere 39, for example). You know what? I think that Star Trek could still make it. It's already one of the defining syndication success stories IOTL, so I don't see why it wouldn't be in this case - especially since the season we're lopping off is the weakest by far. Many of the most heavily derided and parodied elements of the show come from the Turd Season. Could you imagine how acclaimed the show would be with only the first two seasons to measure it by?
 
55 episodes is probably too few for syndication, so it doesn't become popular in reruns like it did in OTL. Basically, this kills Star Trek altogether.

Gene Roddenberry moves on to other things, like he attempted to do in OTL with The Questor Tapes, Genesis II and Planet Earth.

Star Trek going to be more of a Cult series with only 55 episodes. Look at the original Outer Limits for a example. People will have heard of it and even remember seeing episodes but it will be more likely to be aired one a week on the weekend than every day as the Show was in OTL.

When I was discussing The Star Trek Spin off Assignment Earth, it was pointed out to me that one reason Assignment Earth did not go to series was because NBC already had Star Trek. With the Star Trek cancel, it may have been easier to sell Assignment Earth. Roddenberry could as sold it to compete with ABC The Invaders that was popular at the Time.
 
55 episodes is probably too few for syndication, so it doesn't become popular in reruns like it did in OTL. Basically, this kills Star Trek altogether.

Gene Roddenberry moves on to other things, like he attempted to do in OTL with The Questor Tapes, Genesis II and Planet Earth.

But would Roddenberry been more successful with these Pilots with Star Trek Less successful . One reason he was able to do the Pilots he did was because the networks were hoping for the next cult hit like Star Trek. But In OTL he was not able to sell any past Pilot. So why would a Timeline were Star Trek is less successful help Roddenberry other Pilots.
 
But I'll go ahead and play along. The minimum viable number for syndication, generally speaking, is 65 episodes today, as opposed to the traditional 100, specifically because of examples like Star Trek (as well as 65-episode kids' shows popular in the 1980s and 1990s). There have been syndicated shows with fewer episodes than even the 55 you posit here (The Honeymooners had a mere 39, for example). You know what? I think that Star Trek could still make it. It's already one of the defining syndication success stories IOTL, so I don't see why it wouldn't be in this case - especially since the season we're lopping off is the weakest by far. Many of the most heavily derided and parodied elements of the show come from the Turd Season. Could you imagine how acclaimed the show would be with only the first two seasons to measure it by?
Hrm. So if it's been...distilled by this earlier demise, and it's still aired as often, then the better episodes from the earlier seasons would as you say air more often, and some huge stinkers are left unmade--Spock's Brain, And the Children Shall Lead, Turnabout Intruder...we do lose a couple of my favorites, Tholian Web and The Enterprise Incident, but perhaps in the long run it's better for the show. Maybe with a higher "good" to "bad" ratio, it attracts more interest for a revival (like the animated series or Phase II) or the OTL movies sooner? Same demand, or maybe even increased demand, lower supply could lead to someone saying, "Well, why not make some more?"
 
Maybe with a higher "good" to "bad" ratio, it attracts more interest for a revival (like the animated series or Phase II) or the OTL movies sooner? Same demand, or maybe even increased demand, lower supply could lead to someone saying, "Well, why not make some more?"
This is exactly what I was thinking. A *Phase II would far likelier see the light of day ITTL. (And someone should write a timeline about that, too ;))

Also, perhaps the definitive example of a two-season show being reborn in syndication: The Addams Family! Only 64 episodes, too.

I definitely think we can book a two-season Star Trek as a success along those lines.
 
This is exactly what I was thinking. A *Phase II would far likelier see the light of day ITTL. (And someone should write a timeline about that, too ;))

Also, perhaps the definitive example of a two-season show being reborn in syndication: The Addams Family! Only 64 episodes, too.

I definitely think we can book a two-season Star Trek as a success along those lines.
As far as low-episode but highly succesful shows from around that time, another example would be Scooby-Doo--only 41 episodes, originally, but they brought it back after a couple years based on the success in syndication and just basically never let it die.
 
e of pi said:
with a higher "good" to "bad" ratio, it attracts more interest for a revival (like the animated series or Phase II) or the OTL movies sooner? Same demand, or maybe even increased demand, lower supply could lead to someone saying, "Well, why not make some more?"
That makes a lot of sense to me. IMO, a revival is more probable than a movie, more "TNG" than *"Phase II" (with more/less the original cast, as I understand was intended).

That butterflies some "TAS" species...& would have some intriguing:p butterflies for the notional "Phase II" cast TTL. Persis Khambatta & Stephen Collins as Ilia & Decker? (Personally, I never liked Collins--but if they bearded him, like they did with Frakes...;) ) David Gautreaux as Xon (in the role of Tuvok)? Maybe; I'd sooner see that go to a minority actor. Terry Carter? Robert Guillaume (too old?)? Lou Gossett? James Avery? Or, do what I wish Gene had done to begin with, & use a black woman as *Spock: Debbie Allen? Or, & mabye butterfly "Kotter", Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs?

BTW, I entirely agree with Brainbin (& he's likely to know:p) about cancellation & syndication: the desirable demos "TOS" attracts (attracted) would make it attractive for syndication markets.
 
That makes a lot of sense to me. IMO, a revival is more probable than a movie, more "TNG" than *"Phase II" (with more/less the original cast, as I understand was intended).

That butterflies some "TAS" species...& would have some intriguing:p butterflies for the notional "Phase II" cast TTL. Persis Khambatta & Stephen Collins as Ilia & Decker? (Personally, I never liked Collins--but if they bearded him, like they did with Frakes...;) ) David Gautreaux as Xon (in the role of Tuvok)? Maybe; I'd sooner see that go to a minority actor. Terry Carter? Robert Guillaume (too old?)? Lou Gossett? James Avery? Or, do what I wish Gene had done to begin with, & use a black woman as *Spock: Debbie Allen? Or, & mabye butterfly "Kotter", Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs?

BTW, I entirely agree with Brainbin (& he's likely to know:p) about cancellation & syndication: the desirable demos "TOS" attracts (attracted) would make it attractive for syndication markets.

It would be a totally different thing. There wouldn't be Illia and Decker and Xon and all that. There's no destiny in TV/movie universes since they don't really exist, and creative people are just crapping out random ideas at random, and putting them in place among a list of many other ideas till they build something larger that is the final product.
 

JRScott

Banned
I believe as others point out that Phase II would have occurred with a resurgence.

1966 to 1968 for TOS

Phase II would come earlier I believe, probably by the mid 70s (Before Star Wars) in this scenario as it would better received, this instead of Gene's film attempts at a Motion picture at the time.

Phase II like the original vision would be a second 5 year mission. With it occurring earlier Spock most likely would remain as the dispute and other job would not arise to create conflict as much.

Spock though would be First Officer and Lt. Xon would be Science Officer rather than Spock holding both positions.

Commander Decker would have assumed a role akin to a Second Officer, leading the landing parties etc as originally intended, while Kirk and Spock remain on Enterprise.

Chekov moving to head of Security, would open the Helms position for Ilia.

Nurse Chapman would be a Doctor now as per the original intentions and she was played by Gene's wife if I remember right. She would probably be a junior doctor to McCoy.

The extra people give a little more play with the scripts, meaning some characters might not appear in all episodes, or only appear in the background allowing them to also do other work potentially on the side.

Phase II then probably runs I'd guess 1975 til around 1980.

There would probably then be a motion picture much different than the one we say in 79. It would probably culminate though in a newer Enterprise, possibly by having the NCC-1701 destroyed and replaced or coming out of refit. This might also have Kirk promoted to an Admiral Position.

I'm not sure the original crew would sign up for a Phase III series, however with promotions in the motion pictures they could be background characters, and you could still make movies with them. They'd do cameos in the series inspecting ships etc. Largely a newer crew would take over though possibly with some of the characters from Phase II being in command, for example Captain Decker might command Enterprise now with Ilia as his Counselor and Xon as his first Officer.

The other possibility is that you have TNG where you jump ahead in years and see a more modern Enterprise. Probably appears mid 80s or even around 1987 like OTL :). Admiral Xon given the life expectancies of Vulcan's could still make appearances, though they'd be rare, just like Spock did. Other former cast members might as they did make cameos. Perhaps in a twist Deanna Troy ends up being Deanna Decker (the daughter or grand daughter of William Decker and Ilia).
 
would it prevent the extreme inflation of shatners ego?

I mean it must be the the size of the universe by now.
 
I think the series would have survived, even with less syndication. I don't think a mid-seventies revival is likely, because science fact overshadowed futuristic science fiction after the moon landings. Notice how 2001: A Space Odyssey was set near term and looked believable. Horror/thriller shows went supernatural in the early seventies. It took Star Wars, with its spectacular graphics to re-kindle space adventure science fiction in 1977.

Roddenberry would revive the original cast in a move as in OTL and proceed with TNG as space adventures were becoming popular again.
 
Emperor Norton I said:
It would be a totally different thing. There wouldn't be Illia and Decker and Xon and all that.
I never expected they'd be exactly the same characters, only the same casting. If Gene & the Gang are drawing from TOS, I'd expect at least some connections, so Matt Decker's kid wouldn't be out of place. Captain (Lt Cdr?) Garrovick (Stephen Brooks; viz "Obsession")? A promotion for Riley? Make Chapel CMO? (Please don't; I always hated Chapel.) Make M'Benga CMO?:cool: Reappearance of "Number One" (now with an actual name...), still played by Majel? Reappearance of Colt (or Laurel Goodwin)? Commander Jose Tyler (Peter Duryea)? Sean Kenney, in an actual speaking role?:p

Or how about Joanne Linville as a Vulcan?:cool::cool: (Or a recurring villain...?:cool:)

Or Eddie Paskey who, shockingly, did more episodes than Walter Koenig or Geoge Takei.:eek::eek:

I'd hope they at least avoid the stupid "Enterprise-A" gimmick.:rolleyes: Depending on when the show is set, the name might be reused, but reusing the contract number is nonsensical.:rolleyes:
 
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Yes, someone should really write a TL changing that, shouldn't they? ;)

I have a plan to have Star Trek run for five seasons 1966-67, 67-68, 68-69, 69-70, & 70-71 with the last episode airing sometime in mid-March 1971.

After the shooting ends for season 5, in October/November of 1970, I have special career trajectories for each of the main characters.

William Shatner goes and stars in "The Barbary Coast". After only one season and 24 episodes, the show is cancelled in March of 1972. The producers, writers, and cast all agree that Mr. Shatner's behavior towards everyone else on the set is a major factor in the ending of the show.

De Forrest Kelley becomes a pitchman for Heinz Ketchup from 1970-72.
Between October of 1972 & April of 1976, Mr. Kelley performs as a country doctor in the old west....of Western Australia. The series "Diggers West", takes place in Western Australia in the early 1890's. Mr. Kelley is Dr. Malcolm Digger, a doctor who tends the cattlemen & miners in Western Australia. The show is well received, runs on CBS on Thursday nights from 10:00 PM til 11:00 PM. William Shatner makes comments that he believes that the show is.....just......missing........"something".

Leonard Nimoy, due to a fortunate contract loophole, is able to be a part of another show while Star Trek is still in production. From 1970 and until its' last show in the Spring of 1974, Mr. Nimoy is a part of the IMF, on "Mission Impossible". Mr. Nimoy has several guest appearances on several other shows and movies throughout the 1970's and early 1980's. With the sudden death of Rod Serling in 1975, Mr. Nimoy becomes the host of the wildly popular series; "In Search Of....". William Shatner comments that "I.S.O." seems to waste viewers time with way too many childish & churlish topics that most people are simply not interested in. "In Search Of...." runs from 1976 until May of 1982.

Nichelle Nichols: Miss Nichols goes on to perform in the happy-feel-good series called: "Miss Carter's Room". Miss Carter is a high school guidance counselor who is able to solve huge problems for the 14-16 year old's who come to her office. Miss Carter goes the extra mile by going to students homes after hours to check on various students home lifes and by the end of each episode, Miss Carter is able to solve problems of divorce, alcoholism, teenage pregnancy, child abuse, hunger, etc. The show runs from October of 1971 until April of 1976. William Shatner comments that Miss Nichols show is unrealistic and too unbelievable to watch.

In 1971 George Takei is cast as Kato in a new series of the Green Hornet. The new Green Hornet runs for only one season (32 episodes). The Green Hornet runs from October 1971 until May of 1972. From September of 1972 until April of 1977, Mr. Takei is part of the cast of "Hard Beat", a police drama show taking place in late 1960's New York City. Mr. Takei's character is Detective Jimmy Liu. William Shatner comments that George does well but his character is too unbelievable.

After Star Trek, James Doohan took a chance and went to Australia in 1972 to do commercials. He was signed by a agent and took a part as "Capt. Colby, Bush Ranger" Capt. Colby was a precurser to the "Crocodile Hunter" with Steve Irwin. Capt. Colby ran from 1972-1978. According to William Shatner, Mr. Doohan's character did not dress the way that a man of the Australian bush would dress. He also said that Doohan's accent was not Australian enough.

Walter Koening: After Star Trek, Mr. Koening did a few commercials for both Chevrolet and Oldsmobile. Then in 1973, Mr. Koenig got a part to be a firefighter in 1974's "Towering Inferno". After Inferno, Koening did a few guest appearances on: Kung-Fu, McCloud, Barnaby Jones, all in 1974. In the Spring of 1975 Mr. Koening recorded an album that contained 13 disco songs. One of which rose to #3 on both the pop and disco charts simultaneously in December of 1975.

At the same time as Koenig's album was reaching the charts, the Los Angeles County police report to a drunk and disorderly person at a gas station who was threatening to blow up the gas station. Upon arrival, the CHiP's started laughing believing that it was just a stunt perpetrated by Mr. Shatner since he was the man who was creating a scene at the Union 76 gas station. Allegedly, Mr. Shatner poured a bottle of Johnny Walker Red all over himself and was ordering & yelling at the CHiP's to arrest him since he was drunk. As the CHiP's rode away laughing, Bill was screaming at the top of his lungs: "Why can't I even get arrested?! I AM SHaaatner! I AM SHaaaat-neeeeeer!".

Mr. Koening became a guest on the Hollywood Squares, he appeared on Match-Game '75, '76, & '77, he appeared on Johnny Carson three times between January of 1976 and October of 1977. Mr. Koening also was able to get a small role in the 1977 James Bond movie, "The Spy Who Loved Me". Mr. Koening played the part of Commander Carter, a submarine captain. As a result of Koening's minor celebrity, he briefly becomes romantically involved first with Farrah Fawcett as well as Linda Ronstadt. Upon hearing of the continued success of Walter Koening, William Shatner checks himself into a sanitarium in the Hollywood Hills. A small article on page 17 of the Van Nuys Gazette (penny-saver) briefly mentioned it in a five line paragraph.
 
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joho6411 said:
I have a plan to have Star Trek run for five seasons 1966-67, 67-68, 68-69, 69-70, & 70-71 with the last episode airing sometime in mid-March 1971.

After the shooting ends for season 5, in October/November of 1970, I have special career trajectories for each of the main characters.
Ah, thread highjack to hate Shatner...:rolleyes:
 
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