I’m sure for our more ‘experienced’ readers, the mid-1960s would be what they still consider the golden age of television.
By the time the fall season was set to roll out in 1966, popular programs like Gunsmoke, Get Smart, Bonanza, I Dream of Jeannie and The Andy Griffith Show were in their heyday. I’m not sure why I chose those five – but I do know that there are literally too many iconic titles to list here. Westerns, situational comedies and variety shows remained the crown jewels of the big American television networks.
The science fiction realm was largely one in decline following the influx of mostly ‘B movie’ offerings from the previous decade, although many of them are now considered cult classics. There wasn’t much offered in the way of decent television sci-fi (Lost in Space debuted in 1965, not a fan) by the mid-1960s, and Gene Roddenberry knew it.
It was exactly 56 years ago tonight – Sept. 8, 1966 – that Star Trek made its storied debut on NBC, appearing two nights later in Canada on CTV. Roddenberry and company had actually produced about half a dozen episodes to potentially serve as the show’s pilot, ultimately deciding on “The Man Trap” – with a narrative revolving around the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise travelling to a planet where they encounter a shape-shifting, salt-sucking vampire-like creature. Bill Shatner (as close as we’ve become over the years, I think I’ve earned the right to call him Bill) was rumoured to have said he believed it was the worst of the bunch, but that was the horse they decided to bet on.
Star Trek fared well in its Thursday night debut, finishing top in the spot in the Nielsen ratings, mostly because it was going up against other programs opting to show reruns. It would drop down a bit in subsequent weeks, but nonetheless, the show persevered for three seasons, since becoming a pop culture phenomenon with millions of fans while generating several spinoff series and feature films.
There’s no question the original Star Trek series was campy as all hell. Working under a tight budget for every episode, the backdrops were fairly rudimentary, the costumes were at times ridiculous and the effects were pretty bare bones to what we’re used to seeing today. But looking past some of the visual shortcomings, the show was way ahead of its time on many fronts.
The issues it tackled were reflective of the social turmoil of the 1960s. Matters of racism, poverty, war and the constant ethical dilemma of whether or not to interfere in the natural process of other cultures (case in point, the Prime Directive) were all brought to the forefront on a weekly basis. Diversity is a term commonplace in the 21st century, but Star Trek helped usher in a level of equality that was unheard of at the time when most television series were featuring all-white casts, with People of Colour and other global ethnicities primarily filling minor or supporting roles.
One just has to look at the Enterprise’s bridge crew to illustrate this. Captain James T. Kirk, Dr. Leonard McCoy and Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott were middle-aged white men, yes, but then you had a first officer in Spock who was from the alien world of Vulcan. The communications officer was a Black woman (rest in peace, Nichelle Nichols); the weapons officer was a Russian (at the height of the Cold War going on, no less); and the helmsman was Japanese (only 20 years removed from the Second World War when there was still plenty of bitterness towards Japan following a long Pacific conflict that cost countless American lives, starting with the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941). Star Trek showed that everyone could work together towards a common goal, namely the exploration of a vast galaxy that was brimming with unknown wonders and dangers.
There was truly never a show like it prior to its debut, and arguably there may never be one of accurate comparison again.
My mom got me into the Star Trek realm at a young age. I grew up during The Next Generation era, and it wasn’t long before I was exploring all aspects of the franchise, from Star Trek: The Original Series as it is now known, to Deep Space Nine, Voyager, Enterprise, and beyond.
Science fiction always held a deep fascination for me, and it all began with Star Trek. It gave and still does give me, hope, that one day our planet will unite to help solve the devastating environmental, social and economic global problems that are only growing worse with each passing day. Maybe it’s just a pipe dream at this point, but a dream nonetheless.
Debates still rage today between fans of Star Trek and Star Wars over which is the better franchise – I’ve found myself in the thick of several of them, and I always stick to my guns as a loyal ‘Trekkie’ (‘Trekker,’ whatever floats your boat). Talking numbers when it comes to economic success and general popularity, there’s probably not much comparison between the two.
I’m actually a fan of both franchises; I very much enjoy the universe George Lucas created – the visual presentation is spectacular and the stories involved are without a doubt intriguing. But looking at the underlying substance of what Star Trek has to offer just speaking to the social issues its creators had the fortitude to discuss through parallel situations during one of the most turbulent periods of modern human history, I interject there is again no comparison between the two.
Sept. 8, 1966 is truly a landmark date in the history of television. At a time of great social turmoil, uncertainty and fear, at least for one hour every week people could tune in and escape, even if it was for just a little while. The stories Star Trek told were meant to entertain, but also designed to make us look a little closer at ourselves and our society, and the limitless strides we could take as a species if we only put our petty differences aside.
Thanks for reading and I’ll see you back here in a fortnight.
***
This is a bi-weekly opinion column; for question or comment contact Dan McNee at dmcnee@midwesternnewspapers.com.
