Monster Media 1994 #1/monster.zip/monster/FREQ_QA/STARFAQS.ZIP/STARSERI.FAQ

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From: Otto Heuer #3 <[e-mail]>
Subject: FAQL: NEW STAR TREK TV SERIES
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Archive-Name: faql.rec.arts.startrek.new-series

INFORMATION ON THE NEW STAR TREK TV SERIES (last updated 9 December 1993)

This posting is intended to cut down on questions that seem to pop up daily
asking what is known about the new Star Trek series in the works.  It is
one of a number of periodic postings posted to r.a.s.*.  For a full list of
informational postings, please read the "LIST OF PERIODIC POSTINGS" article
in rec.arts.startrek.misc.  For a list of acronyms used in this (and other)
postings, please refer to the "ACRONYM LIST" which can be found in
rec.arts.startrek.misc.

===========================================================================

           YET ANOTHER TV SERIES IN THE WORKS?

The 28 June 1993 issue of Broadcasting and Cable (considered the bible for
the broadcasting industry) has an article titled "Getting an early start on
'94-'95" on page 8 column 3 under the heading "A piece of the
action-adventure":

 In the weekly action-adventure arena, station rep sources say Paramount
 officials have told them a third syndicated Star Trek series is going to be
 developed for the 1994-95 season to fill time periods vacated by Star Trek:
 The Next Generation, which they said will end production after next season.
 (TNG's cast will be trasitioning into a series of motion picture releases
 for the studio.)

This seems to be talking about a fifth TV series (1=TOS, 2=TAS, 3=TNG,
4=DS9).

Tim Lynch reports that a person in contact with Brannon Braga, (a story
editor for TNG) said:

 ...he also says the net rumors about a new Star Trek series are
 "completely unfounded."  The staff talks about such things from time to
 time, but there isn't anything in the works."

Of course they might just be feeding false rumors out (either about there
being a new series or about there NOT being a new series).

In the weekly action-adventure arena, station rep sources say Paramount
officials have told them a third syndicated Star Trek series is going to be
developed for the 1994-95 season to fill time periods vacated by Star Trek:
The Next Generation, which they said will end production after next season.
(TNG's cast will be trasitioning into a series of motion picture releases
for the studio.)

Mid-July 1993:  This agrees with what Peter David and Archie Waugh said at
DragonCon.  They did add that it would be a ship-based show.  As to who
would be on the show, and what ship it would be, they had no details.

29 July 1993:  "Daily Variety" had a front-page article that stated that TV
station programmers say that Paramount has confirmed in meetings that TNG
will end with 93/94 season; they also report a new Trek series for the
following season.  However, a Paramount spokesman termed "purely
speculative" reports of a new Trek series.

29 July 1993:  "Entertainment Tonight" mentioned that the studio said that
a third show would be added.

End-July 1993:  A UK Satellite magazine's gossip column mentioned that
Paramount was thinking of adding a 3rd series "StarFleet Academy" aimed at
younger audience than DSN/TNG.

3 August 1993 CNN's Larry King Live:  Patrick Stewart responded to Larry
King's question of another Star Trek series that "I've heard talk, yes; and
there is absolutely no reason why it shouldn't go on forever."

Early August "Science Fiction Age Magazine" stated that Paramount is
working on a new series to replase TNG when it goes to the movies.  All the
detail they had was that it involved a starship travelling around and
getting into trouble (more like TNG and TOS than DS9).

Early August 1993 Cinefantastique Annual Star Trek Issue (vol 24) reports
that according to Rick Berman, "There have been preliminary discussions of
a new series."  The new series would be one of the following:
- A spin-off of TNG with a new crew.
- Riker is promoted to captain, either continue the voyages on the
  Enterprise or a new ship.  Frakes loves the idea, as does Sirtis, and both
  would jump at the chance to do it.
- Ron Moore suggests a Klingon show or one that goes back before Kirk's
  time.  [would they be able to find enough people that would volunteer
  to endure all that time getting into and out of makeup each day? --hm]
- Starfleet Academy (possibly with Wesley Crusher in the lead).
Brannon Bragga (TNG Story Editor) said he would "Probably go to another
starship.  I'd get out of out galaxy and continue the exploration.  My
impulse would be to stay on a Starship of different design and magnitude
and continue exploring the universe."  He also said that it would be
"interesting to do a show 20 years from when the cultural and political
climate have changed and see what the show is like."

11 August 1993 Daily Express (mid-range UK newpaper) mentioned that the
captain of the ship (the Excalibur) will be "a glamourous woman".  Casters
are searching as we speak.  Among the actresses being suggested for the
role are Uma Thurman, Rachel Ward, Michelle Pfeiffer, Laura Dern, and Meg
Ryan.  Paramount Pictures executives have given the go-ahead to the new $50
million television series drama which will take over from ST:TNG.  As
filming on the Excalibur starts later this year, Captain Picard - British
actor Patrick Stewart - and his crew will be filming a Star Trek movie.
The fourth [live-action] Star Trek series will set off on its space journey
at the same time.  A Paramount Pictures insider revealed:  "writers have
been contracted to prepare scripts for the new series, and casting agents
have been told to look for a beautiful young woman to captain the
Excalibur.  There is no sex discrimination in the 24th century and a
female can command a ship as well, if not better, and any male."  The
series will be filmed on current Next Generation sets at Paramount Pictures
and will be screened in America in the autumn of next year.

Mid-August 1993 San Jose Creation con:  David Rossi, the Assistant to the
Line Producer of TNG reports that the new series will have an Enterprise as
the ship (I don't know which letter).

16 August 1993 Broadcasting & Cable:  "One of the leading candidates,
according to a source close to Paramount Domestic Television, is a series
premise revolving around the Star Fleet Academy (based in a futuristic San
Francisco), where actor Wil Wheaton's young cadet character (Wesley
Crusher) would provide a transitional link from TNG.  Another has Jonathan
Frake's William Riker being promoted to captain of the 'Enterprise' or
another starship."

16 August 1993 Broadcasting & Cable:  "Paramount Television Group Chairman
Kerry McCluggage confirmed to Broadcasting & Cable that ...  Paramount
executives are hard at work on yet another spin-off for early 1995.
Several different proposed series formats have, in fact, begun to surface.
One has actor Wil Wheaton, who played Wesley Crusher in _Next Generation_,
returning as a young cadet in a series based out of the Starfleet Academy.
Another concept would have Jonathan Frakes transition in the new series,
but as a slightly different character from his current William Riker role
on _TNG_, according to a source close to Paramount.  [Lt Tom Riker] is
posted to helm the starship _U.S.S.  Gahndi_, leaving the storyline open
for possible development as a series.  'Frakes and Marina Sirtis ...  have
expressed strong interest in continuing with the new series,' said the
source."

Late August 1993:  CNN had a sound byte that seems to confirm that the new
series indeed will star Wesley at the Academy.

Mid September 1993 reports from CompuServe confirm the new Star Trek
series, to debut in the fall of 1994.  The strongest rumors say it will be
a starship-based series.  Its tentative name is "Star Trek:  The New
Frontier."

25 September 1993 SD Creation con:  The new Star Trek series that will be
coming out sometime next year will be led by Michael Piller, Rick Berman,
and Jeri Taylor.  The creation host said that the new series will be
Enterprise-based (if this is the case, any of the current TNG characters
that didn't want to continue would no doubt have to move off the ship).  A
TNG extra mentoined later in the same con that the new series would *not*
be Enterprise-based.  They also say that the characters will be younger.
Wil Wheaton may be on it.  (He's currently working for NewTek in Kansas
city.)

Early October 1993 TV Guide:  Rick Berman said that there is always the
possibility of a new Trek series.

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            S T A R   T R E K   V O Y A G E R
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26 October 1993:  Entertainment Tonight (Paramount's mouthpiece) reported
that Paramount plans to start up a new network with Chris-Craft, starting
with four hours of programming per week (similar to PTEN).  One of the
hours would be a new series called "Star Trek: VOYAGER".  Slated to begin
airing January '95.

27 October 1993 Cincinnati Enquirer:
                PARAMOUNT TO CREATE FIFTH NETWORK
                Plans to premiere in January, 1995
                Bloomberg Business News
New York - Paramount Communications Inc. said Tuesday it would form a
fifth U.S. broadcast television network with Chris-Craft Industries Inc.
Paramount, which has been considering a fifth network for some time, said
the network will premiere in January, 1995, with two nights of programming
each week on 10 stations.  It would be the first new U.S. broadcast
network since News Corp. created Fox Broadcasting in 1986.  The network
gives Paramount a guaranteed outlet for its television shows.  Initially,
the lineup will be anchored by a spin-off of Paramount's popular "Star
Trek" space adventure series, to be called "Star Trek: Voyager."  The
network also will acquire original programs from other television
producers.  Controlling the network's scheduling ensures Paramount's shows
will get prime-time exposure.  Time-Warner Inc., the biggest producer of
prime-time programming in the United States, has reportedly studied
creating a network over the past year for the many of the same reasons.
"What it's basically providing is another avenue to make sure the programs
Paramount produces get good air time, especially since the networks have
their own programming agenda, said James Goss, an analyst for Duff &
Phelps.  The new "Paramount Network" will be jointly owned and operated by
Paramount and Chris-Craft, a New York-based company headed by longtime
media investor Herbert Siegel.  Through 70%-owned subsidiary BHC
Communications, Chris-Craft owns six independent stations and two network
affiliates.  Combined with Paramount's four independent stations, the
company estimated that the stations reach more than 27% of U.S.
households.  The companies said the venture has been approved by Viacom,
which is in a bidding war against QVC Network Inc. for Paramount.

27 October 1993 New York Times:  "...The Paramount Network would begin in
January 1995 with four hours of programming over two nights, using as its
foundation one of Paramount's most successful programming franchises, "Star
Trek."  A new series "Star Trek Voyager," is the first program to be
scheduled..."

26-27 October 1993:  An article in the New York Times on the announcement
seems to indicate that Paramount's going to try and get on some
"Superstations" like WOR, WTBS, or WGN as a way of reaching areas that
aren't covered by Paramount/Chris-Craft stations.

Late-October 1993 Saramento Bee reports the same news about the new Trek
series being the anchor of the new Paramount network.  They also reported
that none of the current Trek programs would be yanked and moved over to
the new network (TNG should be done by then and DS9 will continue as it
currently is).

27 October 1993 Atlanta Journal/Constitution:  "Details are still very
sketchy, but Paramount Communications Inc., the prize in a major
acquisition battle says it will collaborate with station owner Chris-Craft
Industries to launch a fifth TV network in 1995.  The network will begin
with four hours of original programming over two nights anchored by a new
"Star Trek" show, the company announced.  While four hours doesn't sound
like much of a network, Fox started at roughly the same level in 1987.
Eventually, the still unnamed network hopes to compete against ABC, CBS,
Fox, and NBC."

27 October 1993 Wall Street Journal:  ST:VOY will be a new show with new
characters in an hour long action-adventure format.

Late-October 1993:  USA Today reports that areas that won't have a
Paramount station will likely show the Paramount shows on cable stations;
meaning the regular FOX/ABC/CBS/NBC/Indpendents are probably out (unless,
of course, they join the network; it isn't unheard of for one station to
carry TWO networks).  Also, since Chris-Craft owns WWOR, cable companies
that carry WWOR may get ST:VOY if their local stations don't carry it.
They said it will be based "on a ship like the original Enterprise".  I
assume this just means "not like DS9", so it can still take place in the
same time period as TNG (some peeople were thinking it may be a TOS-era
series).

27 October 1993 USA Today (from Brodcasting and Cable Yearbook):  Here is a
list of stations that SHOULD have the new Paramount/Chris-Craft network.
These are stations that are owned by the two companys and ARE NOT already
affiliated with a network:

         Station           Owner                 Area of Country
         --------------------------------------------------------------
           KPTV            Chris-Craft           Portland, Ore.
           KBHK            Chris-Craft           San Franscico, Ca.
           KCOP            Chris-Craft           Los Angeles, Ca.
           KUTP            Chris-Craft           Phoenix, Ariz.
           KTXA            Paramount             Dallas/Fort Worth, Tx.
           KTXH            Paramount             Houston, Tx.
           KMSP-9          Chris-Craft           Minneapolis, Mn.
           WDCA            Paramount             Washington, DC.
           WTXF            Paramount             Philadelphia, Penn.
           WWOR            Chris-Craft           New York, NY.

Well.  Let's just make this all offical by putting the 26 October 1993
Paramount press release in here (thanks Mike!):

Paramount Communications Inc.
15 Columbus Circle
New York, NY  10023-7780
212-373-8000
Fax [phone]                       NEWS

Contact: John A. Wentworth        Evan Thompson
     PARAMOUNT TELEVISION GROUP    CHRIS-CRAFT
     [phone]            [phone]

     Carl Folta
     PARAMOUNT COMMUNICATIONS
     [phone]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                    October 26, 1993

   PARAMOUNT COMMUNICATIONS AND CHRIS-CRAFT INDUSTRIES
     ANNOUNCE FORMATION OF FIFTH TELEVISION NETWORK

   The Paramount Network to Premiere in January 1995 With Two Nights of
    Programming Anchored by Paramount's New STAR TREK: VOYAGER

LOS ANGELES, CA. Oct. 26, 1993--Paramount Communications Inc. and Chris-Craft
Industries, Inc. today announced the formation of The Paramount Network, a
fifth broadcast television network to be launched in January 1995.  The new
network will be jointly owned and operated by Paramount and Chris-Craft.
     The new network will initially present four hours of original programming
over two nights, featuring the introduction of a new, hour-long action/adventure
series, STAR TREK: VOYAGER.  The network will also acquire additional original
programs from Paramount and other leading television producers.  The
introductory prime-time programming blocks presented by the network will be
carried by a group of affiliated stations that will include the six independent
stations owned by Chris-Craft and the four independent stations owned by
Paramount.  Together, these stations reach more than 27% of U.S. television
households.
     Martin S. Davis, chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount
Communications, said, "Under our merger agreement, the launch of The Paramount
Network has been approved by Viacom.  They share our enthusiasm for the vast
opportunities created by this bold venture with Chris-Craft.  The Paramount
Network will benefit substantially from the combination of Paramount's
programming expertise with Viacom's outstanding capabilities in the television
business, particularly in creating immensely popular networks."
     Kerry McCluggage, chairman of the Paramount Television Group, said,
"Paramount brought network quality to first-run syndication with STAR TREK:
THE NEXT GENERATION, STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE and THE UNTOUCHABLES.  Now,
we are taking it to the next level by creating a quality network; Chris-Craft's
expertise in television station operations makes them a perfect partner in
The Paramount Network, ensuring a successful network that will maximize its
affiliate stations's value."
     Evan Thompson, president of Chris-Craft Broadcasting, said, "We are
extremely pleased to join Paramount in the creation of a new national television
network.  We both believe that The Paramount Network represents the most
exciting opportunity to provide independent stations with distinctive,
original programming with which they can differrentiate themselves from other
independents and cable channels above and beyond their current slate of
off-network programs.  By aligning themselves with The Paramount Network,
the affiliated stations around the country will create a valuable franchise
in their markets."
     The Paramount Television Group is a leading producer of both network and
first-run programming, supplying 30-1/2 hours of programming per week to the
CBS, NBC, ABC and USA networks as well as stations across the country and
worldwide.  Paramount is producing ten network series for the current season
including WINGS, FRASIER, BOB, SOUTH OF SUNSET, THE MOMMIES, JOHN AND LEEZA,
VIPER, SISTER SISTER, DUCKMAN and ITSY BITSY SPIDER.  The pioneer of the
first-run syndication market, Paramount's first-run series are STAR TREK:
THE NEXT GENERATION, STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE, ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT, THE
UNTOUCHABLES, THE ARSENIO HALL SHOW, THE MAURY POVICH SHOW and HARD COPY.
     The Paramount Stations Group is comprised of seven stations covering more
than 11% of all U.S. television households: the independent stations are
WTXF in Philadelphiam WDCA in Washington, D.C., KTXA in Dallas/Ft. Worth,
and KTXH in Houston; the FOX network-affiliated stations are WLFL in
Raleigh.Durham, KRRT in San Antonio and WKBD in Detroit.  Paramount
Communications also has significant operations in motion pictures and home
video, cable television networks, motion picture theaterss, theme parks and
live and televised sports and entertainment events, as well as global
piblishing operations serving the educational, consumer and business,
technical and professional markets.
     Chris-Craft, through its 70% owned subsidiary BHC Communications, Inc.,
owns and operates an eight-station group covering approximately 20% of all
U.S. television households.  BHC owns independent stations KCOP in Los
Angeles, WWOR in New York and KPTV in Portland, Oregon.  BHC's 55% owned
subsidiary, United Television, Inc. owns independent stations KMSP in
Minneapolis, KBHK in San Francisco and KUTP in Phoenix, as well as ABC
affiliate KTVX in Salt Lake City and NBC affiliate KMOL in San Antonio.

2 November 1993:  "Entertainment Tonight" had a small interview with Rick
Berman about ST:VOY.  He said that the show is about the Starship Voyager,
and its mission is to chase/find a renegade ship or enemy and bring them to
justice.  Berman also said that ST:VOY won't have "Cardassians and
Klingons", but will have a whole new breed of aliens.

3 November 1993 USA Today:  It will first air in 1995, as part of the new
Paramount television network.  In the story, which takes place in the same
time period as TNG and DS9, a crew of Federation officers is pursuing a
band of renegade officers through space, on board the USS Voyager, a new
deep-space class exploration vessel.  Both ships are caught in a
"Bermuda-triangle" in space, which hurls them to the edge of the galaxy.
There, they are forced to join together in the desperate attempt to make it
safely back home.  Some of the characters will include a half-Klingon, a
hologram, and a Native American whose tribe left Earth to settle on another
planet some 150 years before.  The captain of the vessel has not yet been
decided on.  (from Berman:) "They end up in an odd and unique astronomical
phenomenon that puts both of them at the very edge of the galaxy."
Essentially the two crews unite for their common good and explore the area,
while looking for a way to get home.  Crew:  There will be a Captain (but
the gender and ethnic makeup has not been determined), a middle-aged
Vulcan, a female half-human half-Klingon , a holographic character, and a
Native American whose tribe left earth 150 years earlier to settle on
another planet.  The article also says that the series fianle of TNG will
introduce the concept for Voyager.  (thanks Mike!)

mid-November 1993 TV Guide information (that they were given by Rick
Berman):  "...THE CONCEPT:  The two-hour pilot opens with the USS
Voyager--one of a new class of small Starfleet vessels, with a crew of
200--chasing another ship, which is carrying renegade, vigilante
Starfleeters.  The pursuit at the Cardassian border takes the ships into a
kind of Bermuda Triangle called The Badlands, where a strange natural
phenomenon transports them to an unexplored part of the galaxy.  By the
end, the crews are united on the Voyager where, lost in space, they try to
work out their differences as they expore (what else?)  strange new
worlds..."  To debut in January 1995.  The crew:  8 or 9 regulars, still
uncast:  Commander figure whose race and sex are yet undetermined, a
half-Klingon half-human woman, an Asian, a holographic character, "two
members of two alien species unique to this species", "an older male
Vulcan", "a young officer who was dishonorably discharged but asked back
because he has information about the renegades", "and a Native American".
"...Like Star Trek:  Deep Space Nine and The Next Generation, Voyager takes
place in the 24th century, and will include characters from the current
series."

mid-November 1993 ITV TELETEXT UK P351:  Nichelle Nichols, George Takei,
Walter Koeing, Michael Doohan will be in a new SCI-FI series (not related
to Star Trek).  Doohan will be a bartender.  This sounds similar to a
comedy series Walter Koenig was pitching a year or two back.

mid-November 1993:  Richard Arnold stated at a con that all of the cast
members to be on ST:VOY have been cast.  Pattie Yasutake and Shannon Fill
have signed on.  In case you don't know who they are, they are "Nurse
Alyssa Ogawa" and "Ensign Sito" from "The First Duty".

20 November 1993 Omaha, Nebraska convention:  Richard Arnold said that
ST:VOY will start shooting August 1994 for a January 1995 start.  Many of
the characters will appear in an upcoming episode of TNG called "Lower
Decks", watch for it.  The TNG sets will be redressed for ST:VOY and
redressed for the Movies.

26/27 November 1993 New York City Creation convention:  Patti Yasutake
(Nurse Alyssa Ogawa) and the female Bajoran cadet (Cadet Second Class Sito
played by Shannon Fill) that was introduced in "First Duty" are supposed to
spin-off over to the new series.  ST:VOY sets are being built.  Richard
Arnold said he believes that Gene would not approve ST:VOY because of the
flawed Starfleet officers.  And ST is about the search for new life (to go
where no one has gone before)--not a trip back home.  Lolita Fatjo
concurred.

29 November 1993 Broadcasting:  "The Paramount Network has signed three
more stations, bringing its national reach to almost 40%."  New stations:
    WTTV-TV     Indianapolis, IN    River City Broadcasting
    KABB-TV     San Antonio, TX     River City Broadcasting
    WJZY-TV     Charlotte, NC       Capitol Broadcasting
They also said that if QVC buys Paramount, they plan to sell off the
Paramount TV stations and are not interested in starting a network.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you know of any other topics that should be included in this list, feel
free to email me at one of the addresses below.  Be aware that about 10% of
the mail I send out bounces, so if you don't get a reply from me, it isn't
because I'm ignoring you.  :-)

        --Otto "HACK-MAN" Heuer
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