This previous September 8 marked the 55th anniversary of the best for creator Gene Roddenberrys “Star Trek,” a “Wagon Train To the Stars” series that Lucille Balls production company took a big gamble on to spawn a multi-billion dollar franchise covering the whole popular culture sphere.Starting tonight (Nov. 5), The History Channel commemorates that sci-fi legacy with “The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek,” a new 10-part docu-series directed by Brian Volk-Weiss (“The Movies That Made Us,” “The Toys That Made Us”). Narrated and executive-produced by Gates McFadden, who portrayed Dr. Beverly Crusher on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” each episode exposes a specific chapter in the half-century history of “Star Trek,” from the genesis of “The Original Series” to a constellation of follows up and spinoffs seen in theaters and on tv. (If youre wondering how you can watch any “Star Trek” series, have a look at our Star Trek streaming guide to see where to capture the sci-fi franchise online.)”The Center Seat” likewise spotlights fresh interviews with “Star Trek” alumni like Nichelle Nichols, Brent Spiner, Kirstie Alley, Walter Koenig, Kate Mulgrew, Denise Crosby, Wil Wheaton, John De Lancie, Nicholas Meyer, Ronald D. Moore, Brannon Braga, Nana Visitor, Robert Picardo, Ethan Phillips, Diana Muldaur, Nicole de Boer, Roxann Dawson, Robert Beltran, Tim Russ, John Billingsley, John Dykstra, D.C. Fontana, Rick Berman and F. Murray Abraham.The preliminary four episodes of “The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek” debut on the History Channel weekly beginning Friday, Nov. 5 at 10pm ET/PT, with 6 extra episodes readily available on “History Vault,” the networks membership video service. Space.com talked to series creator/director Brian Volk-Weiss for more information about this tremendous “Star Trek” undertaking, who he was most fired up to interview, his childhood memories of “Star Trek,” and why actress Kirstie Alley used a bathrobe in “The Wrath of Khan.””The Center Seat” on the History Channel is a 10-part series narrating the history of “Star Trek.” (Image credit: History Channel)Space.com: What made you turn your attention to “Star Trek” and how did you approach this ambitious docuseries?Brian Volk-Weiss: Well, structurally we had a lot of advantages that other docs have not had due to the fact that we were making 10 episodes at the same time. We knew even prior to we paid for a box of paperclips that we might devote an hour to the original series, an hour to the animated series, an hour to “Star Trek: Enterprise.” That was a genuine high-end, and to the best of my understanding, Im not knowledgeable about anyone else having that with another “Star Trek” doc.The inspiration was Ken Burns. I keep in mind being a kid hearing that there resembled twenty hours coming out about Gettysburg? How could you possibly do twenty hours? Then I finished it and wished it was 40 hours on Gettysburg. So that was the mindset we truly tried to give it. We have the luxury of doing the inmost dive ever, documentary-wise, into “Star Trek.” Thats what we set out to do and well find out quickly if we achieved it or not.Space.com: Growing up, what were your earliest memories of”Star Trek?” Volk-Weiss: I have two memories that are my first of “Star Trek.” My first is being on a ski lift with my mama in Massachusetts and her discussing the program to me. She was discussing the original series and telling me how television works. Thats how young I was. And the other memory, I dont think I was ever more distressed in a movie than enjoying the Ceti eel go in and out of Chekovs ear [” Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan”] Space.com: Dropping down the research study rabbit hole on “The Center Seat,” what were some unexpected truths you discovered?Volk-Weiss: Well, we found out a lot! I dont want to hand out too much, however Ive seen “The Wrath of Khan” 3 or 4 hundred times. Im speaking with Kirstie Alley and she was going on about coming to Hollywood to be Vivian Leigh. She discovered that Vulcans were the outermost you could be from Vivian Leigh. It was her very first task in show organization and she could not turn it down and she used her charm to make the character more like Leigh. However theres no character less than her than Saavik and I was a bit confused. She says, “Brian, did you ever observe the first time you see Saavik her hair is in a bun, no makeup whatsoever and the last time you see her, her hair is down and shes wearing mascara, shes got eyelashes, and lipstick on?” I informed her Ive never discovered that. She said, “have you ever seen a scene in any other Star Trek motion picture or TV reveal where theres a character in a bathrobe in an elevator?” She described that she was actually young and pretty and she was toes-to-neck covered up without any makeup. Every day she attempted to press hair and makeup and director Nicolas Meyer to let her appear like herself. Thats my insane piece of trivia that I learned.Space.com: Who were you eagerly anticipating talking to most for this project, and who did you actually desire but could not get?Volk-Weiss: Patrick Stewart is the person we desired most but didnt get. A close second place was Avery Brooks [Captain Sisko] However I knew before we started that hes famous for refraining from doing interviews about “Star Trek,” so my expectations were handled. The interview I was most anticipating, since his composing changed my life, was Nicolas Meyer.Space.com: What do you feel is the most underrated “Star Trek” movie or series?Volk-Weiss: I d need to state its a tie between “Star Trek III: The Search For Spock” and “Star Trek: VI: The Undiscovered Country.” I believe “Star Trek III” is a great movie. It has humor, stakes, pathos, it has feeling and great discussion. The stealing of the Enterprise ?! One of the best moments in all of “Star Trek.” David getting killed? The Enterprise being destroyed? A great deal of extremely important things take place in “Star Trek III,” but it has the bad luck of coming after what I consider the very best “Star Trek” movie ever made, and the misfortune of coming before the most fun and effective of the initial series movie era.And then “Star Trek VI” is a great story, a relevant story even today. You got to lastly see Sulu become a captain. You got to see Captain Kirk in action one last time. Both movies are wonderful and I do not believe they get the love they deserve.Space.com: Are you pleased with the instructions of the newer “Star Trek: Discovery” series and animated programs, and if handed the keys to the franchise where would you take it?Volk-Weiss: Heres my favorable answer. Im very happy with “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” and Ill leave it at that. If I were put in charge, I would have all the programs be about expedition and have them be more about what I call the “Riddle of the Week,” and less about developing mythologies. To me, “The Original Series,” “The Next Generation,” and “Deep Space Nine” worked due to the fact that these were brilliant casts. The actors they hired and the writing are all A-Plus. And that was half the fight. The other half is the “Riddle of the Week.” There would be a problem at minute 6 and they would have it dealt with by minute 46. To me thats what “Star Trek” is. A great cast with excellent writing. These are individuals you d wish to have supper with however theyre solving mysteries.Space.com: The series finale of “Star Trek: Enterprise” was polarizing at best. What were your reactions to that upsetting and strange last episode?Volk-Weiss: To this day, it lacks a doubt the finest “Star Trek” pilot, which doesnt state a lot. I feel like “Enterprise” is the reverse of every other “Star Trek” series. “The Next Generation” took about two years to discover itself. “Deep Space Nine,” I would argue, took three years to find itself. “Voyager,” if someone thinks it found itself, I d say perhaps year three or four. “Enterprises” very first season, I believe its the very best season in “Star Trek” history and the majority of season 2 is respectable too. Them getting into the 9-11 things in the future with a laser beam throughout Florida, when all we desire to see is first contact with the Romulans and the foundation of the Federation? The plotline between the people and the Vulcans in season one was fantastic. I d already tapped out of it by the time the finale ran so I didnt see it prior to I d heard from individuals for many years about how offensive and bad it was. By the time I did see it I thought, “yeah, this draws as bad as everybody states it does.” It was really peculiar. Rick Berman was attempting to finish up his period and it actually was about him, not so much about “Enterprise.”Space.com: What are you most happy with after completing “The Center Seat” and what do you hope fans take away from it?Volk-Weiss: I dont make these programs for myself. I made this for the “Star Trek” community, and if the community loves the program then Ill be really delighted. If they do not enjoy it Ill be sad. So Im not going to state Im happy with anything until a month after it premieres and I hear what everyone else thinks. Ill be pleased if theyre delighted. If theyre not, Ill attempt to do better next time.And Gates McFadden, who tells the program, took it upon herself to schedule the hell out of it. We do not have Brent Spiner or Kate Mulgrew without her. I waited till the eleventh hour to pick the storyteller. Thankfully, Gates said yes and I think her voice-over makes the show. I was extremely blessed.The first 4 episodes of “The Center Seat: 55 Years of Star Trek” will premiere on the History Channel weekly beginning Friday, Nov. 5 at 10pm ET/PT, with six extra episodes offered on “History Vault,” the networks membership video service, which is available for $4.99 a month.Todays best Paramount Plus dealsFollow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
Told and executive-produced by Gates McFadden, who depicted Dr. Beverly Crusher on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” each episode exposes a specific chapter in the half-century history of “Star Trek,” from the genesis of “The Original Series” to a constellation of spinoffs and sequels seen in theaters and on television. That was a real high-end, and to the finest of my understanding, Im not mindful of any person else having that with another “Star Trek” doc.The motivation was Ken Burns. I knew before we began that hes popular for not doing interviews about “Star Trek,” so my expectations were managed. A lot of extremely crucial things happen in “Star Trek III,” but it has the bad luck of coming after what I think about the best “Star Trek” film ever made, and the bad luck of coming prior to the most enjoyable and successful of the original series movie era.And then “Star Trek VI” is a fantastic story, a pertinent story even today. These are individuals you d desire to have supper with however theyre fixing mysteries.Space.com: The series finale of “Star Trek: Enterprise” was polarizing at finest.