Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of 'Star Trek TOS' – Gene Roddenberry

 

Anyone who is a Star Trek fan should truly appreciate Gene Roddenberry. The creator of The Original Series is responsible for this cultural juggernaut that went on to be expanded into feature films and then multiple TV series that were inspired by him. I would boldly say that after the Beatles no one had a greater impact on 1960s America than Gene Roddenberry. But who was this legendary visionary who went on to have such a lasting influence on our lives?

Early Life

Gene when he was in high school.

Gene was born in El Paso, Texas, on August 19, 1921, to parents who lived modestly in a rented home. Fortuitously for Gene, his father got a job in California which brought the family to live in Los Angeles. During his childhood he was very interested in space related stories like John Carter of Mars. 

Gene during WWII

Gene graduated from high school in 1939 and went on to study at Los Angeles City College, where he met Eileen Rexroat, who would become his first wife. While at college Gene became fascinated with aeronautical engineering and obtained his pilot's license. He enlisted in the USAAC and graduated and became a second lieutenant. Gene would go on to flying combat missions during World War II and later would be a pilot for Pan American World Airways. 

His Introduction to TV 

After the war Gene became an officer in the Los Angeles Police Department, where he eventually became a writer for the Chief of Police. This led him to an opportunity to become the LAPD advisor to the popular TV series Dragnet. He eventually became a writer for the show and for other police related TV series. After some time doing two jobs, Gene realized his calling and resigned from the police department to focus on his writing jobs.

Gene went on to write scripts for a number of TV series. During this time he tried to pitch a series of his own but that went nowhere. This did lead to a job with Screen Gems where he wrote scripts for several pilots that were not successful, This is where he met Majel Barrett, who would later go on to play Number One in the first Star Trek pilot and Nurse Chapel in The Original Series, and she also would become Gene's second wife. 

Star Trek

Gene originally had an idea for a series set on a ship in Hawaiian waters manned by a multiracial crew. Remembering his childhood love of space stories, Gene then changed the premise of the series to be a ship in outer space and gave it the title Star Trek. He took the idea to Oscar Katz, head of programming at Desilu Productions, and they pitched the proposal for a pilot to CBS Television, but CBS passed on the project because they already had a science fiction show ready to go into production called Lost in Space. 

Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Pike in the First Pilot

Roddenberry and Katz then took the idea to NBC, where its concept was approved. Out of the story ideas pitched, "The Menagerie" was accepted and it would be filmed as the pilot – it would later become known as "The Cage" in a an episode of TOS. Somehow Roddenberry secured established star Jeffrey Hunter to play Captain Christopher Pike, and Barrett suggested Leonard Nimoy whom she had previously worked with to play the role of alien science officer Spock. The pilot was made but test audiences did not like it overall, and NBC executives discounted it as "too cerebral."

Shatner and Kellerman in the Second Pilot

Roddenberry and Katz did not give up after this rejection, and somehow a second pilot was ordered – which is usually unheard of when the first pilot is rejected. One factor in the second pilot's favor was that the sets were already built, which cut the cost of filming the second pilot. With Hunter unavailable, Roddenberry chose William Shatner to play the captain in "Where No Man Has Gone Before," and also brought on board established actors Gary Lockwood and Sally Kellerman. 

Success

NBC test audiences approved of the new pilot. Roddenberry brought the pilot to The World Science Fiction Convention where it was viewed and received a standing ovation. NBC accepted the series, and it went into production of 13 episodes and premiered on September 8, 1966. Gene had achieved his goal of getting his concept realized and shown on broadcast TV. 

Nichols as Uhura and Takei as Sulu 

His vision for a multiracial cast for The Original Series was also realized. Nichelle Nichols was brought in to play Black communications officer Nyota Uhura and George Takei was selected to play the Japanese helmsman Hikaru Sulu. Perhaps the greatest casting of all was Nimoy as the Vulcan Spock. For a 1960s television show to have an alien from another planet as a main cast member was quite an accomplishment.

Impact

Despite only running for three seasons (79 episodes), Star Trek has had a lasting cultural impact that resonates to this day. Gene's vision was for a future where Earth was at peace and that space travel to "strange new worlds" was possible, and it is where we would meet a vast array of alien beings who were different from us but also similar in so many ways. 

The crew of the Enterprise lived and worked together in harmony as opposed to life during the era of the Cold War that was far from harmonious. The show did not only feature a diverse crew but also addressed many social, economic, and political issues of the time in a fresh and many times astonishing way that still matters now.

Gene's Legacy

Gene Roddenberry was a visionary who knew the worst of humanity and sought to elevate us in a future world where all of our conflicts were resolved. Things like race and social standing and wealth no longer mattered in the world he created. By overcoming the things that separated people, Gene brought together the human race with beings from other worlds that all basically wanted to live peacefully – although there were the Klingons, Romulans, and Gorn who would have different intentions.

The Prime Directive was an ingenious way of showing humanity at its best. Unlike those the empires and kingdoms that came before, Star Trek showed us the way in the sense that despite superior technology that captains were not kings. They could not interfere in the society of the worlds that they encountered. This was as resonant in the 1960s as it still is today.

Gene's initial concept has spawned multiple TV series, films, and a slew of merchandise including toys, video games, and and clothing lines. That young boy who dreamed about space stories could perhaps never have imagined the impact he would have on television, film, and the world.

Nimoy as Spock - Live Long and Prosper

So, I feel a huge debt of gratitude to Gene Roddenberry because Star Trek has impacted my life since I was a little boy. I appreciate his vision and am grateful for how he helped me view the world – and the final frontier of space beyond it. 

Thank you, Gene, for helping me to dream about a better world and countless fans across the decades as well. You helped us to believe we were better than ourselves and could live in peace and harmony. Now, if only somehow we could manifest this in the real world. 

Indeed, I wish everyone reading this will be able to follow Spock's mantra and Live long and prosper! 

Please watch the video below featuring Gene talking about his Trek philosophy.

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of 'Star Trek TOS' – Let's Boldly Go There!

This is the first of a series of posts celebrating the 60th anniversary of Star Trek: The Original Series. I have recently written a series of posts celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Batman television series. Though I know I'm not alone, I just cannot even believe I was so fortunate to have grown up at at time to experience originally broadcasted episodes of Batman and Star Trek. For me, it was my golden age of television to be sure. 

Star Trek: The Original Series affected me in many ways. While I was watching wacky villains on Batman each week – a show where nothing was taken seriously – Star Trek dealt with very serious issues. Yes, there were intentional moments of levity like the "The Trouble with Tribbles" episode (Season 2 Episode 15), there was also the unintentional hilarity like the episode when someone stole Spock's brain (Season 3, Episode 1). 

Overall, both Batman and Star Trek shaped the malleable putty that was my young brain. Batman helped me learn not to take life too seriously, while Star Trek guided me to evaluate the world in a more serious way – even though I was just a little kid I knew that Star Trek was at a higher level of thinking and that was a good thing. 

So, over the weeks ahead, I will be posting about different aspects of the TOS as we move toward September 8, 2026, which is the true 60th anniversary of the first episode airing in in 1966.

I hope that you will join me on this journey of exploring the TOS – Gene Roddenberry's visionary series that started it all. Until then, Live long and prosper! 

Please watch this video about the 60th anniversary!

 

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the 'Batman' TV Series – 'Batman' Bloopers

 

After writing a series of posts celebrating the Batman TV series (1966-1968), I got some great feedback after sharing them on social media. Many of us "kids" who grew up with the show look back at it fondly. 

Despite the deliberately campy atmosphere and tongue-in cheek performances, we loved the show and have wonderful memories. Some of my feedback brought up questions about bloopers, and I started thinking about them too.

After doing some researching and watching videos online, I found what I believe has the best compilation of blunders featuring Batman, Robin, and company.

So grab a bowl of popcorn, sit back, and enjoy this video.    

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the 'Batman' TV Series – Batman the Great!!

In this last of a series of posts celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Batman TV series, I am turning the spotlight on Batman/Bruce Wayne. I've written about the Batmobile – which deservedly gets a spotlight – the most recurring villains, other villains, and Team Batman, but there was no series worth watching if all those luminaries did not orbit around Batman's sun.  

West before Batman

One key ingredient for the success of this series was the casting of Adam West. Series producer and creator William Dozier got the idea to bring in West for an audition after seeing him in a commercial for Nestle's Quik playing a James Bond type spy. West seemed to have the right blend of good looks with a penchant for humor.  

Dozier chose him over Carol Burnett Show actor Lyle Waggoner (who also auditioned) because West seemed to have a "cultured persona" that he could work with as Bruce Wayne, a quick wit, and West accepted the fact that this was a live action comic book show. Nothing – absolutely nothing – would be taken seriously. West impressed Dozier because he could say the dialogue that no one else could deliver without laughing. 

Having watched all 120 episodes and the movie, I can tell you that West fully embraced the campy, colorful, and total lack of seriousness with vigor. The key was that West had to play both Wayne and Batman as if they were completely unaware of the hilarity all around them. 

Batman dancing the Batusi

West had an excellent way of delivering deadpan lines. In one scene he walks into a bar in costume where everyone else is dancing and noticing him, and the waiter asks him if he would like a table. Batman says that he prefers to stand at the bar as to not attract any attention. I laughed out loud at the way he delivered that line perfectly. 

Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson

West was handsome with a charisma that exuded from him in every scene. What is interesting is how he interacted with Burt Ward who played Robin/Dick Grayson. Whether they were in the living room of stately Wayne Manor playing chess or out in the street chasing some villain, Bruce/Batman never took his responsibility for his young ward for granted. He would find teachable moments, and we kids who were watching took notice. 

While nothing was being taken seriously on screen and the guest actors were over the top and flamboyant, Batman always stood his ground and remained slightly aloof, as if the outrageous goings on did not seem like anything but another normal day on the job.

Driving in the iconic Batmobile

As a kid, I didn't know anything about what was campy or outlandish. I was a fan of the comic books, and I just felt that what I loved to read had been brought to live action in the most perfect way possible. Years later as I watched the series again, all I felt was an overwhelming sense of happiness. Drama and adventure stories have their place, but there is nothing quite like the Batman TV series. It is truly a unique, joyful entertainment experience. 

If you are only familiar with the series and West in a casual way, you are doing yourself a disservice. I highly recommending watching the series. Now, it makes me feel like I am in on the joke and, even though I know the punchline, I'm going to laugh anyway.

I hope that you have enjoyed my series of articles about this classic TV series. I will end by saying that I will always be ready for the same Bat time, same Bat channel. 

Please check out the videos below to get a feel about what this series was all about!

Batman dancing the Batusi

Watch the iconic opening credits.

Watch how West handles a conversation between Batman and Bruce Wayne!

This scene is from the Batman movie but

captures the character of Batman perfectly!

"Some days you can't get rid of a bomb!"

Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the 'Batman' TV Series – Team Batman

 

In my last three posts in this series celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Batman TV series,  I focused on the villains that appeared during three seasons of the show. With good reason! These outlandish characters stood out as special guest villains and were played by famous Hollywood stars. It is understandable that they got so much attention.

However, the men and women who were on Batman's side – I call them Team Batman  –made a pretty strong and memorable impression as well.  Let's take a look at the people who supported Batman/Bruce Wayne no matter what the odds that were against them.

Robin/Dick Grayson

As he was Bruce Wayne's young ward, Dick Grayson (Burt Ward) got to live in stately Wayne Manor where he enjoyed all the perks of the good life. Dick learned to play the piano alongside Aunt Harriet (Madge Blake) and about the finer things in life from Bruce himself, but life wasn't just free and easy for young Dick.

When suiting up to play Robin (the Boy Wonder), Dick was ready to take on all of Gotham's bad guys. Robin always had Batman's back, and he would invariably wind up in some dangerous situations along with Batman that were life threatening.

My favorite aspect of Robin was the way he would say "Holy ...." and add a word fitting to the moment. He actually said "Holy..." 356 times during the series' run. My favorite one was when Batman/Bruce finds out that Miss Kitka is actually Catwoman (I know this actually was in the Batman movie, but it is still my favorite). This is when Robin says, "Holy Heartbreak." Funny, and yet, spot on indeed!

Please check out this video of some of the key times Robin says "Holy...."

Alfred, the Butler 

Alfred Pennyworth (as played with impeccable poise by Alan Napier) was the stalwart presence in Batman/Bruce Wayne's life. Alfred even dressed up as Batman to accompany Robin to a Wayne event which proved that Bruce Wayne was just a handsome rich guy and not Batman.

Napier played Alfred with charm, grace, and a deadpan delivery.  How he kept the two worlds of Bruce Wayne and Batman from crashing into one another is a mystery. Alfred's efforts always proved successful, and his loyalty was unquestionable. 

The one question I want answered is how did Commissioner Gordon not recognize Alfred's voice when he answered the Bat Phone?

Please check out this video of Alfred dressed as Batman saving the day.

Commissioner James Gordon

As played with an amazing tenacity by Neil Hamilton, Gordon worshipped at the altar of Batman with a most fervent admiration. Whatever Batman (and Robin) did, Gordon would give their actions a five star review. 

While everything in the series was chaotic and purposeful mayhem, Gordon stood amidst the whirlwind as straight as an arrow. When he would look at the Bat Phone in his office as if he were looking at something sacred, Gordon would mention how lucky they were to be able to count on Batman.

I have to give Hamilton credit for being able to remain so serious during the most bizarre of scenes. His presence made the series all the more glorious because we were in on the joke that Gordon didn't even know was funny. 

Please check out this scene of Gordon being Batman and Robin's superfan. 

Chief Miles Clancy O'Hara

As played as slightly bumbling by Stafford Repp, Chief O'Hara followed the lead of his boss in admiration of the Dynamic Duo. As he and the commissioner would talk about them as if they were in line for sainthood, it was hilarious when thinking about them deferring all decisions to two men dressed up in Halloween costumes.

While Hamilton played Gordon as straight faced and stoic, Repp made O'Hara human and a little bit overwhelmed at times. Despite the ludicrousness of the situation, O'Hara is another beloved character especially for those of us who grew up with the show. 

Please check out Chief O'Hara at one of his best and funniest moments.

Aunt Harriet 

Madge Blake played Aunt Harriet as perfectly clueless, and we love her for it. While it is easy to dismiss her character in the grand scheme of things that happened during the series,  and why not with such flamboyant villains and our intrepid heroes getting much of the attention  Aunt Harriet was quietly a symbol of stability in the lives of Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson, something even Batman and Robin desperately needed. 

I have a feeling that her inclusion in the series as unknowingly living with the men who were crimefighters was a way of showing that even Batman and Robin had a family. If they were out there fighting evil in the streets, they were doing it for innocent people like their Aunt Harriet. 

Madge Blake did an excellent job, making Harriet loving and supportive. Like many stabilizing factors in  our lives, she may have been taken for granted in the bigger picture, but when she was missing –  in episodes during season three (due to Blake's health issues) –her absence was even more noticeable. 

Please check out one of Aunt Harriet's typical moments. 

Batgirl  

In the third season the appearance of Batgirl (the beautiful Yvonne Craig) changed the game for Batman and Robin. While she existed in the comic books, she was notably absent during the first two seasons. Batgirl certainly appealed to me as a little kid because – before this the only females (besides Aunt Harriet) in the series were villains, and you can't like them – but Batgirl was on the side of good and sexy too.

I have heard some negativity about Batgirl over the years, but Craig played her perfectly. She had her secret room with all her uniforms and gadgets, and she rode a very cool motorcycle. I think she was a great addition to the show. It is certainly unfortunate that a show featuring her on her own never got the chance. If there could be a show about Gidget and Patty Duke, why couldn't we have a had a show about Batgirl?

Introducing Yvonne Craig as Batgirl 

Villains vs. Team Batman 

While the villains were all fireworks and smoke and mirrors, Team Batman was slow and steady, and they win the race. They were there to support Batman, and did so in hilarious ways. While I like the villains and they were very entertaining, I love Team Batman and, in the end, they are my favorite part of the Batman TV series. 

What's Next?

In the next post – which will be the last of this series – I will be taking a look at the one and only Batman: The Caped Crusader! 

So, until next time, see you at the Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel!

 

Get My New Book in a Valentine's Day Kindle Countdown Deal!

 

My new novel, Life and Death in Venice, is entering a special Valentine's Day Kindle Countdown Deal. The promotion begins with the book being available for 99 cents starting on February 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM EST. It will end on February 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM EST. 

With Valentine's Day coming, Life and Death in Venice takes place in one of the most romantic cities in the world. It will make a great gift for the one you love or even be a sweet treat for yourself. 

So, please get in on this great deal that will last one week. Thank you to everyone who has already ordered a copy. 

Also, the paperback version of the book is now available for those of you who prefer to give a physical book as a Valentine's Day gift or to read a book held in your own hands. 

Get your deal here: Kindle Countdown Valentine's Special. 

TV Review: 'Fallout' – Two Terrific Seasons

* Beware of Spoilers!      

After having binge watched two seasons of this series, I have to say that I am just blown away by Fallout. If you are not aware of this excellent show available on Amazon Prime Video, I highly suggest that you invest some time to watch it.  

What the Story is About

Set in the future in a post-apocalyptic world after nuclear blasts have destroyed society, what is left of humanity lives in under ground bunkers (called Vaults) where they are protected from left over radiation as well as the various surface survivors and mutant beings. Creators Graham Wagner and Geneva Roberts-Dworet have fashioned a world that is unbelievably complex based on the role playing video game (with which I have no experience).

The background for the story is that there was a nuclear war in the past, and people survived in the Vaults where they were unknowingly part of experiments implemented by Vault-Tec. While they live rather well in terms of safety and nutrition, the people in the Vaults are basically trapped because they fear what is on the surface.

We Love Lucy

200 years after the nuclear decimation, a young woman named Lucy MacLean (an excellent Ella Purnell) takes a bold move to leave Vault 33 to find her kidnapped father Hank (Kyle MacLachlan).  As she emerges in a devastated Los Angeles, Lucy experiences one shock after another as she realizes what has happened to a world she has never known.

Along the way she meets Maximus (Aaron Moten), who is a young squire of the Brotherhood of Steel (soldiers that wear a bulky Power Armor) and the Ghoul (Walton Goggins) who used to be a famous actor named Cooper Howard. Both men have complicated back stories that are explored in flashbacks.

Lucy is our intrepid heroine 

Lucy is the heart of the series because she is on a quest to not only find her father but to find answers to questions that we viewers also have. Purnell makes Lucy into a multidimensional heroine who is frightened, angry, and feisty. She is shocked by the injustices she witnesses and cannot understand why the world is not more like the Vault where everything was less complicated.

Season 2

The action moves to what was Las Vegas (now called New Vegas) where Lucy and the Ghoul go to get answers about Vault-Tec. Lucy hopes to find her father, and the Ghoul wants to know what happened to his wife and daughter. While Maximus, who has been elevated to Knight, continues to wrestle with the complicated rules of the Brotherhood and becomes disillusioned by the reality he faces. 

The Factions 

Lacerta Aspires to be Caesar

Lucy is captured by the Legion (they fancy themselves as Romans and have an emperor named Caesar). As would be suspected, they follow the worst aspects of Rome including crucifying their enemies. She meets Lacerta Legate (Macaulay Culkin) who explains the the situation about the civil war they are fighting before crucifying her. She is later saved by the Ghoul.

There is also the Brotherhood and the California New Republic (CNR). All of these factions are seeking to rule and take out their enemies. After the Ghoul saves Lucy, they try to navigate Vegas and find their way to Vault-Tec headquarters. 

The ghouls are basically living dead people. The Ghoul/Cooper is over 200 years old. Ghouls can be wounded but they continue to survive. Some of them suffer with boils and other conditions. Thaddeus (Johnny Pemberton), who becomes Maximus' squire, is a ghoul whose physical condition is degrading. 

Hail Caesar!

Lacerta drags the dead body of the true Caesar into a tent. Caesar had a note on his body saying that he was the Legion and after him that it was over. Lacerta literally gobbles up the note, stabs a soldier who is a witness, and places Caesar's crown on his head. 

He exits the tent and the men see him wearing the crown and cheer him on as the new Caesar. He promises to conquer New Vegas and build a palace aptly named Caesar's Palace. Now, if he could just get The Rat Pack to headline the first show.

Father and Daughter

Hank Wants His Daughter to Comply

The Ghoul gives up Lucy to Hank (who we have learned is doing bad things to people in a laboratory). Hank is attaching little black units to the back of people's necks that causes their personalities to radically shift. They also become his servants and do whatever he commands.

Lucy handcuffs her father and then takes a crowbar to break into the main computer room  to shut down his whole operation. To her horror she finds the head of Diane Welch (Martha Kelly) is at the center of the room in a jar running things. In a flashback we see her in the back of a car with Cooper who gives the Cold Fusion diode to the President of the United States (Clancy Brown). Poor Diane begs Lucy to kill her – she has been hooked up like that for 200 years – and when we next see Lucy there is blood spattered on her yellow dress. 

Lucy Finds Diane's Head Running the Show

She asks Hank why he's doing what he is doing, and Hank tells her that his job is complicated. No matter how he tries to explain things to her, Lucy's sense of justice keeps getting in the way. When he realizes that he can do nothing to convince Lucy that what he is doing is right, Hank prepares to put a unit on Lucy's neck, but the Ghoul saves her by shooting Hank in the ass. The Ghoul tells her that it's her choice to decide what to do with Hank.

Maximus the Good

Radiation has created large monsters called Deathclaws that are threatening the townspeople. Maximus puts on CNR armor to try to stop people from getting hurt. He is doing well at first, but the suit starts to malfunction, and he has no choice but to crawl out of it. Being this is Vegas, he picks up a roulette wheel from the garbage and a pool cue and prepares to fight the monsters like the knights of old, but he doesn't stand a chance. This proves Maximus' inner goodness as he puts his life on the line to save people. Just as he is about to get crushed, a shot rings out, and he is saved by one of the soldiers from the CNR. Then, the rest of the army marches into town. 

The Surface Was the Experiment

As Hank tells Lucy that the people on the surface were the experiment and not the people in the vaults, he vainly tries one last time to convince her. Lucy has the control in her hand that will erase Hank's mind since he now has the chip in his neck, but Hank beats her to it. Now everyone he operated on who are out there will be activated, and Hank's mind goes blank. Purnell does an amazing job of expressing emotion as she hugs the man whom she still loves, but now he is gone forever. 

The Ghoul Finds the Cryo Tubes

The Ghoul is Heading to Colorado

After searching for two seasons, the Ghoul finally finds the tubes where he believes his wife and daughter have been for these last 200 years. Robert House (Justin Theroux) the RobCo CEO's (who has now become completely digital}voice taunts him as he prepares to open the chambers. He told Cooper that he works for him now, and as the tube opens there is just an empty chair. House continues to bother him about not finding what he wanted, but the Ghoul finds a note left by his wife. He knows where to go (Colorado) to find her and his daughter and is happy to know that they are alive. He leaves House and everything connected to him behind, knowing that he and his program will fade away now.

Max and Lucy Reunited

Maximus and Lucy Together Again

It is a tough moment for Lucy. Her father's mind is gone, and she is in the middle of the street with nowhere to go. Suddenly, someone calls her name – it is Maximus. They reunite in a beautiful moment. They go into the office building and make their way to House's office, but everything is now offline. When they look out the window, they see the Legion led by Caesar Lacerta marching into New Vegas to confront the CNR. Lucy says that she started a war, and Max says that he did too, but the fact that they are together again lets us know that they will survive. 

The Verdict

The two seasons of Fallout are an exciting and entertaining viewing experience. There is a different feel here than you might find in The Last of Us and The Walking Dead. In those shows no one knows what caused the epidemic that devastated the world. In Fallout we know who is responsible – well, there is some question whether the people who created Vault-Tec (known as The Enclave) dropped the bombs. 

But, whoever did it, the nuclear devastation was intentional and not some unknown virus or spores. That makes Fallout stand out from the others, because the suffering was caused by our fellow humans. The ramifications of that are a lot harder to accept or understand. 

I'm looking forward to season three. If you have not yet watched the series, I encourage you to do so. You will not be disappointed. Please check out the video below for a more detailed breakdown of the storyline.