"STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE" TO END ITS CURRENT VOYAGE ON UPN IN MAY

UPN and Paramount Network Television have jointly announced that this will be the final season of STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE on UPN. The series finale will air on Friday, May 13, 2005.

"Star Trek has been an important part of UPN's history, and ENTERPRISE has carried on the tradition of its predecessors with great distinction," said Dawn Ostroff, President, Entertainment, UPN. "We'd like to thank Rick Berman, Brannon Braga and an incredibly talented cast for creating an engaging, new dimension to the Star Trek universe on UPN, and we look forward to working with them, and our partners at Paramount Network Television, on a send-off that salutes its contributions to The Network and satisfies its loyal viewers."

David Stapf, President of Paramount Network Television, said, "The creators, stars and crew of STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE ambitiously and proudly upheld the fine traditions of the STAR TREK franchise. We are grateful for their contributions to the legacy of TREK and commend them on completing nearly 100 exciting, dramatic and visually stunning episodes. All of us at Paramount warmly bid goodbye to ENTERPRISE, and we all look forward to a new chapter of this enduring franchise in the future."

A prequel to the original "Star Trek" series, STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE premiered on UPN on Sept. 26, 2001, and aired for its first three seasons on Wednesdays (8:00-9:00PM, ET/PT). On Oct. 8, 2004, STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE moved into its current time on Fridays (8:00-9:00PM, ET/PT). Through its four-year run, STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE produced a total of 98 episodes and earned four Emmy Awards.

In January, Paramount Domestic Television sold the rebroadcasts of STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE into off-network syndication in over 90% of the country, including 49 of the 50 top markets, and is set for debut in Fall 2005.

The series stars Scott Bakula as Capt. Jonathan Archer, John Billingsley as Dr. Phlox, Jolene Blalock as the Vulcan Sub Commander T'Pol, Dominic Keating as Lt. Malcolm Reed, Anthony Montgomery as Ensign Travis Mayweather, Linda Park as Ensign Hoshi Sato and Connor Trinneer as Chief Engineer Charles "Trip" Tucker III.

Rick Berman and Brannon Braga are the creators and executive producers of the series. STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE is a Paramount Network Television production.

So long and thanks for all the fish...

It should have read something like this!:

"STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE" TO END ITS CURRENT VOYAGE ON UPN IN MAY

Rick Berman and Brannon Braga are the creators and executive producers of the series and are at fault for slowly destroying was left of the once great Sci-Fi piece of history, thanks guys! STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE is a Paramount Network Television production.

I seriously doubt "Enterprise" will have the longevity as the other "Star Trek" series that was cancelled before its time and flourish in the afterlife ....


Jose

Of course this season it was actually improving. I am shocked but I have enjoyed what they have done recently........I just pretend most of the previous years shows never happened.

Why they didnt steer the show the way it's going now sooner, I'll never know. At least it's going out on a better note then when it came in.

Star Trek Enterprise never happened. It was just a mass nightmare!

It was just a mass nightmare!

I had a marriage like that once. :drunk:

Like my marriage.....ARGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

Phew!....it was only a dream! NOT!

I guess this is the death knell for Star Trek Models as well.

I guess this is the death knell for Star Trek Models as well.

If "Voyager" didn't kill the franchise, nothing will.

I guess this is the death knell for Star Trek Models as well.

If RC2 has been paying attention (which I doubt), they'll see the Trek models we've been clamoring for have nothing to do with Enterprise.

I seriously doubt "Enterprise" will have the longevity as the other "Star Trek" series that was cancelled before its time and flourish in the afterlife ....


Jose

No post '70s show will have the longevity of earlier shows. 2000 years from now shows like Friends, Sienfeld and Cosby will be long forgotten, but you could stop any idiot on the streets of the Mars colony and they'll know the theme song to Green Acres and Gilligan's Island and be able to name all the Clampetts.

In terms of the impact of this on model kits, it seems to me that this will only steel RC2's resolve to ignore us.

Even before this announcement I believe that RC2 viewed the science fiction models market as a niche market at best. Indeed, science fiction generally is not that popular these days as large numbers of people tune in en masse to reality and makeover shows. In view of all that, I think its clear that we would never have seen "non-mainstream" topics from RC2 such as a Time Machine, Proteus, Martian War Machine, new Seaview etc regardless of the fate of Enterprise. But with its cancellation, I believe that even the more mainstream science fiction model topics are now in jeopardy.

Ya better buy what is out there because this looks like the start of another long dry spell for us modelers.

Huzz

Ya better buy what is out there because this looks like the start of another long dry spell for us modelers. I could not disagree more. I went to my local uber-hobby-mart yesterday to get some brass tubing and the "sci-fi fanatasy Ilse" is packed to the gills. Guess where most of the kits are from? Just guess? Japan. Along with the standard PL kits, they had all the Bandai Trek offerings, the new/repopped Aoshima Alien stuff, some odd garage kits, tons of Anime kits from small to enourmous, Gundam, gundam, gundam, and loads of real space. There has never been a better time to be a sci-fi modeler.

In truth, I buy more GK sci-fi subjects anyway because the GK makers are giving me the pieces I want. All things being equal, I spend the same amount of time chopping up and working over a kit whether is mainstream IM or GK resin. So to heck with worring about the future of mainstream kits. We have alternatives that provide just as much enjoyment. However, if its some sort of validation you're looking for, try modeling aircraft or cars.

John O.

Well John, I certainly do hope that I am wrong with my conclusion above.

Clearly this does not encourage manufacturers to produce science fiction model kits when a franchise like Star Trek fails but it remains to be seen if the effect will be significant.

Time will tell!

Huzz

In terms of the impact of this on model kits, it seems to me that this will only steel RC2's resolve to ignore us.

Even before this announcement I believe that RC2 viewed the science fiction models market as a niche market at best. Indeed, science fiction generally is not that popular these days as large numbers of people tune in en masse to reality and makeover shows. In view of all that, I think its clear that we would never have seen "non-mainstream" topics from RC2 such as a Time Machine, Proteus, Martian War Machine, new Seaview etc regardless of the fate of Enterprise. But with its cancellation, I believe that even the more mainstream science fiction model topics are now in jeopardy.

Ya better buy what is out there because this looks like the start of another long dry spell for us modelers.

Huzz

I don't feel the same way, and in fact don't quite get all the doom & gloom about the demise of Polar Lights. As long as guys like Sarge at Wilco and Scott at Capt Carboard keep putting out subjects I want to build, I'm remarkably unconcerned about what happens with RC2.

I'm not knocking PL, but I haven't been to Wonderfest, or met and corresponded with any of their people like many here have, and don't feel the personal loss like some do. I really liked some of their kits, but question some of their decisions, like stickers instead of decals, and snap-fit. The last PL model I bought or got excited about was TOS Enterprise.

If RC2 doesn't think our disposable income is worth bothering with, f*ck 'em. As technology improves in the GK industry, quality has gone way up and price has gone way down, and should continue to do so. Like many others here, I spent waaay more on GK and import kits than on PL kits last year, and frankly, it was because they were doing better subjects. Yes, styrene kits are usually cheaper and easier to assemble, but that gap is closing too.

Bottom line is we Nautilus/Proteus/Viper/Spinner/Firefox/UFO/Etc have a fair amount of disposable income for our hobby, not as much as NASCAR maybe, but it's not insignificant. If RC2 won't give us what we want, somebody will if the demand is there.

I still don't understand how the big styrene manufacturers say there's no market for sci-fi kits when crappy recast, garage kits, and vintage sci-fi kits are pulling in big bucks on ebay and other secondary markets.

Styrene kits are usually cheaper and easier to assemble, but that gap is closing too. And the cheaper the styrene kits get, it ususlly follows that there is way more work necessary from the assembler/modeler to get a decent model out of it. Its a false economy to wish for cheaper styrene kits ...although the PL TOS-E is a pretty good value, I think. At the same time, while I still have two original AMT TOS D-7's on the shelf, I can't see myself bothering with buying a second PL D-7 - I've got better things to spend my time on than cleaning up that mess.

John O.

Philip and John - I was thinking about the big manufacturers whan I made my post back there. But as you know I have been a big supporter of the stuff that Wilco has given us recently. If all this results in more new stuff from Wilco and other garage companies then that is the silver lining in all this.

And I could not have put it any better so I'll just reiterate what you said:

"If RC2 doesn't think our disposable income is worth bothering with, f*ck 'em!!"

Huzz

I know there are hobby shops that stock lots of special interest kits but MANY in lower populated areas WON'T! Most guys who build models DON'T buy Trek, PL or GK kits.

Heck, if you look at the TWO 'hobby' shops in my area, all they have are car and plane kits. Expand the area from San Luis Obispo to Santa Barbara, something like 100 miles, all you see are those plus military kits. ONE shop will have any PL and Trek but not lots.

As far as ENTERPRISE goes, goodbye to rubbish, a TREK series will return, maybe movies....I hope NOT by B&B!

Os

Hey Oz,

I haven't bought a kit in a bricks & mortar store (with the exception of Peach Creek (http://www.peachcreekshops.com/) for my model railroading supplies) in a very long time. Most are internet purchases. There is only so much overhead and mark up I'm willing to pay for. So when it comes to anything above a Ma&Pa hobby store, they (meaning Uber-Hobby-Marts like Hobby Works) generally don't get my money.

John O.

. . . if its some sort of validation you're looking for, try modeling aircraft or cars.

How depressing a thought! :cry:

How depressing a thought! :cry: Well, I guess ...if you're a pack animal who needs validation from other pack animals. Validation from other sci-fi modelers is very nice and I'm glad to have some company now, but I promise I was doing sci-fi models way back when I thought I was the only one. The modeling will continue whether I get a pat on the back or not.:thumbsup:

John O.

No, it's the idea of modeling (non-scifi) planes and cars that's depressing for me.

I read this in the paper. Of course B&B blamed everything but themselves. Market share, star trek saturation, fan disloyalty, ozone layer....

And I could not have put it any better so I'll just reiterate what you said:

"If RC2 doesn't think our disposable income is worth bothering with, f*ck 'em!!"

Huzz

Well, the fact it's a decision made by a bunch of NASCAR-loving yahoo's does take some of the sting out of it, at least to me.

(Not that there's anything wrong with that)

I will miss Jolene with the Vulcan doo. Makes her so cute and elfish. I hope I know of her next show and it's NOT on HBO, SHO, etc.

Os