michaelfaries
May 6th, 2003, 12:16 AM
Back in the early 1970s, my father and I watched "The Questor Tapes" (TQT) television movie when it first aired. (And during an age without VCRs, I remember being excited when it eventually aired again.) Ironically, as I replace much of my VHS collection with DVD versions, I still keep my TQT VHS copy at the forefront. It's been a while since last viewing, but what wonderful memories it provides when I do watch it.
This was Gene Roddenberry's baby. It was a brilliant concept and superbly acted by Robert Foxworthy and Mike Farrell. I actually remember having the 1974 Lincoln Enterprises mailing with "Questor Tapes" merchandise mentioned, alongside the TOS items.
Anyways, I was thrilled to see this May 2, 2003 announcement:
http://www.startrek.com/news/news.asp?ID=128680
Among the quotes: "Herbert Wright, a producer and writer on Next Generation whose relationship with the Star Trek creator goes back to the 70's, has secured the rights from the Roddenberry family to finally bring Questor to fruition after 30 years. And he, along with his creative team, are currently engaged in reconceptualizing and contemporizing the project, while staying faithful to Roddenberry's original notes and the original pilot script written by him and Gene L. Coon. They could even go into production as early as this fall."
"Reconceptualizing" and "contemporizing." Those are two words which sound akin to the BG remake/reimagining which many have issues with. Those words made me pause when I saw them. Combine that with the fact that another ex-Trek producer is re-doing a prior science fiction property and you wonder what's next...
The more I read about the new "Questor," the less I worried.
The major differences here (as opposed to the BG remake), imho:
- "The Questor Tapes" is a 30 year old show which doesn't lend to using the same cast members in their roles, as opposed to a BG continuation, which continues a 25 year old saga and permits the originals in their roles. And unlike the remake, I believe an original cast member (like Foxworthy) will be a LOT more open to participating in a cameo role.
- "(...) staying faithful to Roddenberry's original notes and the original pilot script written by him and Gene L. Coon." (I guess this depends on your perspective.)
- The commentary that the Roddenberrys are involved; they've entrusted the property to Mr. Wright's team; and they (ie. a comment from Rod Roddenberry) support him "100%."
There isn't a large "Questor" fanbase, save those people like myself and others who remember the original television pilot episode. But Mr. Wright's team is honoring the original -- and enlisting the creator's family (the Roddenberrys).
It's possible that we'll see Mr. Larson (BG's "creator", executive producer, scriptwriter, co-composer) vocally supporting the BG remake series. Maybe so, maybe not. But it's nice to see the Roddenberrys taking a vocal, public interest in the new "Questor" series from the start.
That's something which the new BG remake hasn't had. Yet.
Bring on "Questor." I'll be watching.
Michael
:colwar:
This was Gene Roddenberry's baby. It was a brilliant concept and superbly acted by Robert Foxworthy and Mike Farrell. I actually remember having the 1974 Lincoln Enterprises mailing with "Questor Tapes" merchandise mentioned, alongside the TOS items.
Anyways, I was thrilled to see this May 2, 2003 announcement:
http://www.startrek.com/news/news.asp?ID=128680
Among the quotes: "Herbert Wright, a producer and writer on Next Generation whose relationship with the Star Trek creator goes back to the 70's, has secured the rights from the Roddenberry family to finally bring Questor to fruition after 30 years. And he, along with his creative team, are currently engaged in reconceptualizing and contemporizing the project, while staying faithful to Roddenberry's original notes and the original pilot script written by him and Gene L. Coon. They could even go into production as early as this fall."
"Reconceptualizing" and "contemporizing." Those are two words which sound akin to the BG remake/reimagining which many have issues with. Those words made me pause when I saw them. Combine that with the fact that another ex-Trek producer is re-doing a prior science fiction property and you wonder what's next...
The more I read about the new "Questor," the less I worried.
The major differences here (as opposed to the BG remake), imho:
- "The Questor Tapes" is a 30 year old show which doesn't lend to using the same cast members in their roles, as opposed to a BG continuation, which continues a 25 year old saga and permits the originals in their roles. And unlike the remake, I believe an original cast member (like Foxworthy) will be a LOT more open to participating in a cameo role.
- "(...) staying faithful to Roddenberry's original notes and the original pilot script written by him and Gene L. Coon." (I guess this depends on your perspective.)
- The commentary that the Roddenberrys are involved; they've entrusted the property to Mr. Wright's team; and they (ie. a comment from Rod Roddenberry) support him "100%."
There isn't a large "Questor" fanbase, save those people like myself and others who remember the original television pilot episode. But Mr. Wright's team is honoring the original -- and enlisting the creator's family (the Roddenberrys).
It's possible that we'll see Mr. Larson (BG's "creator", executive producer, scriptwriter, co-composer) vocally supporting the BG remake series. Maybe so, maybe not. But it's nice to see the Roddenberrys taking a vocal, public interest in the new "Questor" series from the start.
That's something which the new BG remake hasn't had. Yet.
Bring on "Questor." I'll be watching.
Michael
:colwar: