In contrast to the reigning myth, Star Trek was not the sole creation of Gene Roddenberry. In this book, Herb Solow, the Executive in Chart of Production of Star Trek and Bob Justman, Associate Producer of Star Trek, tell the story of Star Trek.
Pitched by Gene Roddenberry as "Wagon Train to the stars" the series was produced by Lucille Ball's Desilu studios in an attempt to salvage the dying studio. After three years, Star Trek, the "first prime-time, adult science-fiction, color television series would be looked on as a gallant and expensive effort - that failed" (409).
It would probably have been forgotten if not for its initial success in sydication on UHF stations during the 6:00 news hour, and then its continued syndication from 1972 and forward. Of course, we all know the rest of the story.
It was interesting to read about Gene Roddenberry's endless womanizing. There is a reason that every woman on Star Trek is barely clothed and, generally speaking, serves as a sex-object in a boy's world.
Before the series premiered, the network censors wanted to get rid of Spock, claiming that with his pointed ears he looked too demonic. Turns out that Spock was the most popular character on the series - surpassing even Captain Kirk. Throughout the life of the series, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy constantly argued over who the "real star" of Star Trek was.
This was an interesting, entertaining, and insightful look at one of my all-time favorite TV series growing up. I'll never forget how excited I used to get while watching Star Trek!
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