I think this show was supposed to premiere ages ago. It has Marcus Graham in it. And if I think it is who I think it is then hes an Aussie and was in a show called Good Guys, Bad Guys or something like that, that was recently repeated at like midnight.
UPN were proud to announce this week that Enterprise moved up to 4th position for its timeslot. An excellent result considering that it has been rating in last place since the season premiere. It finished with a 4% share of americans watching Enterprise.
1st NBC 'Dateline' 2nd CBS 'Joan of Arcadia' 3rd ABC '8 Simple Rules' & 'Complete Savages' 4th UPN 'Star Trek: Enterprise' 5th WB 'What I like about You' & 'Grounded For Life' 6th FOX ' Worlds Craziest Videos'
UPN came last in all its other programs last Friday night, so they must be happy with Enterprise starting to do a bit of damage to some of the other networks, especially Enterprises primary demographic group being young to middle aged men.
This was also the last episode in the arc with Brent Spiner involved. Lets hope that the new viewers stay on now that he has departed.
Be wary of that info. Grounded for Life has been cancelled in America and they are just burning off the final few episodes. What I Like About You is the lowest rating show on the WB and is surely in trouble. World's Wackiest Videos is nothing more than a filler for FOX and has also been cancelled with FOX just burning off episodes. If that very very small amount of momentum continues then UPN may very slightly consider keeping it BUT I suspect that with its break over Christmas, the show will return to dismal ratings in January. They now have enough episodes for Syndication and I suspect the end is near.
Your probably right Aaron, however I am a tad bias as my info comes direct from a friend at UPN, which is why I probably did over indulge myself to the ratings info I received. I would IDEALLY love to think that the increase in the ratings is due to the new writing direction adopted by the new exec producer of the show, and also the appearance of Brent Spiner etc.
Also, Enterprise is aimed at a different demographic to that of the WB & Fox programs that its up against. So when the WB/Fox replace the programs with something else to go against Enterprise, it will be interesting to see if Enterprise's ratings will have changed. Then I'll concede to what your saying, even if it does make perfect sense
Hi Upsight I've been following this thread with interest for the past few weeks. I am on the edge of my seat, like most others, on the Shatner Enterprise issue. He said yesterday there's a fair chance we could see him on the show, as ever, non-commital language.
The big question for me is, will he be playing *THE* James T Kirk. I'm not interested in a clone, or an alternative universe version. I want to see the character I grew up watching and love, and that's the Kirk we saw in the original series and movies. I also want to see the character have a happy ending. Any idea on plot, as in what Shatner's idea is, and what all this speil about a "variant" of a Kirk is?
I can accept a nexus version of Kirk that didn't die in Generations (as he would be equal to the Kirk that did), or the Kirk that died in Generations who lived on again in the Nexus (time has no meaning), and a revived Kirk (there are many beings capable of restoring the dead in Trek). Anything else is a cheat to fans of the character.
Quoted from KirkFan, posted November 18th, 2004, 8:33pm at here
Hi Upsight I've been following this thread with interest for the past few weeks. I am on the edge of my seat, like most others, on the Shatner Enterprise issue. He said yesterday there's a fair chance we could see him on the show, as ever, non-commital language.
The big question for me is, will he be playing *THE* James T Kirk.
Hey Kirkfan and everyone
Around a month ago or so, I reported that Shatner was in the final stages of signing a deal with exec producers of Enterprise.The latest news is that Shatner has definitely signed a deal with exec producers to star on Enterprise. This is locked in (no damn ask the audience, no stupid phone a friend, this is DEF locked in). Developments are now underway for Shatners return as Captain James T Kirk. Shatner has made a deal that he would only return if it was the way he wanted to come back as forementioned in the script he gave to berman earlier in the year. I had reported that it may be a 3 episode arc, at this stage, it could be longer....
Unfortunately, details are still sketchy and sources havent been able to give me much more information about the exact details of his return, and the script. Kirkfan, you may have nailed it when mentioning the 'Generations' paradox as Shatner was never happy with being killed. I have been told there is a good chance that the original Captain Kirk will reapprise his role, how that happens, for now, I dont know But you can be sure that as soon as my source knows, the readers of this post will as well
So good news for all Hope that helps out Kirkfan
and as the radio saying goes....thats the news...and your up to date
Thanks for the reply Upsight, but obviously there are more questions.
First, in USA TODAY, just today, Shatner said that he hadn't heard back regarding his salary demands. Why would he continue this line of discussion if he is already signed?
He's always been a bit inconsistent. In fact, yesterday he said that there is a FAIR chance of his being on Enterprise. He's open to it.
Nothing sounds definitive yet.
But let's assume you're right, and they do the right thing on the will they or won't they question.
The BBK movement is important because it shows just how passionate a large group of fans are regard Kirk's return. That passion will translate to ratings for Enterprise.
But here's the catch--the PLOT is just as important as the appearance of Shatner.
He HAS to be James T. Kirk, post-Generations. If not, then those fans who are so passionate, will be disappointed, and that disappointment will translate to a lesser effect on the ratings.
We've had inconsistent plot info leaked so far. The most disturbing was the most recent comment, where Rick Berman said that this would be a Captain Kirk of an alternate reality. That is NOT going to solve the Generations issue, and will be disappointing.
Are you now saying that Berman's statement is not accurate, and that the ORIGINAL, JTK, the one that we followed for 30 years and went into the nexus, will be returning?
This is the biggest Trek story in YEARS. There is no bigger story, nothing more exciting.
So it has to be handled right. If you have a contact in UPN, how high up is he or she? The reason I'm asking is because it's a unique opportunity to have a dialogue between the studio and the fans. The Bring Back Kirk campaign has a lot riding on this appearance. Imagine nearly a decade's worth of work coming to fruition. A lot of people have spent a lot of time on Kirk's return, and to have something so close, screwed up, would be a terrible thing for Trek. You should contact the Bring Back Kirk campaign. Officials@bringbackkirk.com.
Firstly, whilst I appreciate the fact that there must be hundreds of thousands of William Shatner fans, the information I provide on this forum I do for the readers of ebroadcast. Im sorry, but I dont want to sound selfish, but I have no desire to become a source of information to multiple outlets. I enjoy reading other posts from this forum and like to contribute back by getting this information as my contribution to the service ebroadcast provides, and its posters use. Some people on this forum do fantastic jobs in providing ratings information, views on certain television programs, latest australian channel programming information etc (which I throughly enjoy), whilst I focus on a few select television programs (which i myself enjoy, and know other people might as well).
As you have guessed, it is mainly Enterprise that I post about. Whilst I cant give you exact details of my contact, I get permission from them to give this information out, in a forum, and it then becomes my responsibility regarding the distribution of the information that I write about.
Firstly, I will say that I am in no way affliated with UPN, and the information I give is without total confirmation. UPN or Paramount holds no responsibility regarding the information I provide and will not be held liable. I am a private user and the information I give has been posted by myself as an individual.(I know people often have questions when information of this nature is told, but honestly, I only like to provide the info im told)
Now that the above is out of the way I can move on to your questions.
I will tell you that for purposes beyond my ability to comprehend why Shatner advised that he is still in discussions, Shatner has signed on to Enterprise. I am not going to discuss the article in USA TODAY, I dont know if he doesnt want other future career prospects to be intefered by him going to Enterprise or what. (Yes I reported the salary demands earlier in this forum as well, however, the increase since winning his emmy was still within the production budget & also in the best interests of Enterprise obtaining him).
I am also familiar with the online chat Shatner had with his fans and the specific question asked about him appearing on Enterprise. Again, I refer back to the USA TODAY article, that he may not want it interfering with future career prospects (that is my guess). So thats the only theory I can give you regarding the above.
I am aware of the BBK campaign, and apparently so are the enterprise team. And as I reported earlier in this forum, I told users that Kirk may return via time travel/alt universe, as it was told to me at the time. All I know is that Shatners script returns Kirk the way Shatner wants to be returned. Im sure what the BBK.com fans want will play a part in how he does as well, but at the end of the day, Shatner is the man pulling the strings. Again I say I know of NO specific knowledge for his return, apart from what I have mentioned.
Also I did NOT guarantee that the original Kirk will reapprise his role, nor did I guarantee it being anything to do with the 'Generations' movie. I said that 'you may have nailed it when mentioning the 'Generations' paradox as Shatner was never happy with being killed. I have been told there is a good chance that the original Captain Kirk will reapprise his role, HOW THAT HAPPENS, FOR NOW, I DONT KNOW'.
I summarise and theorise the information im provided. Shatner was not happy that his character was killed off, and with information stating that there is a good chance he returns as his original character, I would theorise that him returning, in relation to the script he has written, would be in relation to his death in 'Generations' and some how centered on that for his return to the timeline of Enterprise.
And finally my contact, a good friend of mine whom i have worked with before, was promoted through paramount to UPN, is, you could say, fairly high in the chain of things in UPN programming and what happens. I will not say the name nor will i say there position as they have no intention of being a contact for the public, simply being, they give me the information, and as I said, im only interested in sharing with users of this forum. Also, I dont want to have BBK.com fans registering with this site just so I can send questions off to have them answered. Sorry to be blunt, but thats the way id like it. I simply enjoy sharing the info I get, thats it.
Ill continue to post ratings information, and upcoming enterprise news, however, I may steer clear from the Shatner issue now; I will however write anything MAJOR of consequence regarding the issue as it arises.
Thanks for the questions kirkfan, i understand your enthuisiasm and passion for shatner returning to our screens, as I to share it, I also believe it will help Enterprise attract some 'Old Series' viewers. But for now, thats all the info I can give.
Based on your post, I'll respect what you're saying and rest assured, there won't be an influx of new registrants on this board to hound you. In other words, I'll keep my mouth shut.
Understand that I am one of the MANY people unbelievably enthusiastic about a Kirk return. So if I push, it's because the passion to see this runs deep.
I have no doubt that Shatner would sign off on the plot, and I also have no doubt that Shatner was never happy about Generations. Honestly, how many people ARE happy about the way Kirk was killed off in Generations?
It's an extraordinary opportunity here. I really believe that a KIRK return on this show could bring an episode with potentially Broken Bow type ratings.
I'm glad you're aware of BBK, and VERY glad the Enterprise team is as well. They will find a no more committed group of fans. Word of mouth is huge, and working together, BBK can help Enterprise promote this.
Rick Berman, Manny Coto, William Shatner and the writing team really need to see how important the story is. Bringing back the character leads to a slew of opportunities.
1. Future use--Star Trek is now made whole again. The character can return to the 24th century and continue his life as depicted in the Shatnerverse novels, or pop up again on Enterprise or a movie.
2. GENERATIONS--there is a LOT of bitterness over that film, and virtually ALL of that bitterness comes from Kirk's death. Suddenly, if Kirk lives at the end of Enterprise, the movie isn't a horrible finale. That bitterness is removed, and there could be a spike in DVD sales.
3. Goodwill--again stemming from that bitterness, there is no better way to reach out to TOS fans than to bring back Kirk. They won't get that with an alternate reality.
4. Ratings--While the writing HAS improved, they need a big event to get more people involved to get the audience to watch. If the episode after Kirk's return is as good as the Spiner arc, then they could find themselves seriously improving permanently.
5. Free publicity--Just the negotiation of Shatner's return got national news. FoxNews, NY Post, Good Morning America, and others have all covered this story. Imagine what doing it for real might get?
6. Buzz--while Shatner appearing is nice, the return of Kirk will get people rocking.
7. History--People LOVE nostalgia. Whenever they did a good crossover with TOS, the ratings went up dramatically. Trials and Tribbleations got a 7.7. No Trek episode has reached that number since. The average episode that season got a 5.7. That's a 2 point bump--35%. I believe all three TOS crossover episodes (McCoy in Farpoint, Spock in Unification, and Scotty in Relics) are in the top 10 highest rated TNG shows (maybe even top 5). The only exception was Flashback. But that wasn't the "real" Sulu. That got a bump, but only about 10%. Using Shatner in any capacity other than Kirk would be a waste. And I might add that the first time Christopher Reeve appeared on Smallville, he delivered the show's highest rating of the year.
8. MONEY--UPN should be able to charge higher ad rates because of the higher ratings expected. Plus, if there is a long lasting effect, that will lead to constant influx of higher ad rates. In addition to that, they could be smart and release a single story arc DVD a few weeks after the airing. People will buy it. This would make a great introductory episode as they will eventually want to buy the season sets. In addition to THAT, they could churn out a quick novelization of the story, which would lead to MORE money. This just doesn't happen if Shatner plays an alternate universe Kirk.
I hear what you're saying about Shatner's idea. I really hope that the people in charge consider all of this. That in the end, Captain Kirk must be alive and well, and off to the next adventure. The BBK people don't want the show to focus on Kirk again--they are just after one final appearance to let Kirk ride off into the sunset--a happy ending.
I'm really hoping this is what happens, and it's not some alternate reality or any other story that doesn't resolve Generations.
For the record, I know you didn't guarantee it would be the "real" Kirk. I understand you don't know, and I appreciate you telling what you do know. I also understand you not revealing the name of your contact. I respect that.
But at least this board is a good forum to express concerns and hopes, as well as speculation. I really think that the best thing for Enterprise is to get Kirk back. It would be a dramatic increase in ratings which could stick if they do the story right.
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There have been a few books with Kirk returning after being buried in 'Generations'. I can't remember how the authors revived him, I read them ages ago, but it was plausible. Maybe it was some borg technology or cloning?
The writers on 'Enterprise' could borrow the plots from those books and have Kirk back alive and well.
Shatner did write (and is continuing to write) a series of novels about the adventures of Kirk post-generations. His collaborators on these books are Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens, who've joined the Enterprise writing team this season. So it's possible that some of the ideas from those books could form the basis for Kirk's return.
I'm also eager to see his return to Star Trek. I was watching the special edition of the Generations DVD the other day, and no matter how many times I see it, the way Kirk died was simply a disgrace to the character. Even the DVD commentary by the writers admitted as much - if Kirk should die, it should be a heroic death on the bridge of his ship, not on some uninhabited planet, at the hands of some second-rate villain.
Now is a great time for Shatner to return to Trek. His career has experienced a surge recently with his Emmy win, his delightful role in Boston Legal, and even an album that he recently released. Shatner's appearance could do for Enterprise what Christopher Reeve did for Smallville - give it a serious ratings boost and help secure a fifth season.
Quoted from mlim, posted November 19th, 2004, 9:42am at here
the way Kirk died was simply a disgrace to the character. Even the DVD commentary by the writers admitted as much - if Kirk should die, it should be a heroic death on the bridge of his ship, not on some uninhabited planet, at the hands of some second-rate villain.
It's an interesting discussion to have, the whole concept of 'how does a hero die?'
It almost seems appropriate and ironic that someone who saves humanity should die from something like the flu. Or trips and falls down a hole on an away mission.
It would really highlight the impermanence of life and the tragedy of death.
Quoted from ToeCutter21, posted November 19th, 2004, 10:18am at here
It almost seems appropriate and ironic that someone who saves humanity should die from something like the flu. Or trips and falls down a hole on an away mission.
You know, this is precisely what the writers had in mind too. They wanted to go against general expectation, which was to have him go down with the ship. They too wanted a hint of irony, to suggest that after so many adventures, after saving the galaxy so many times, Kirk ends up getting killed not in a blaze of glory, but with a whimper. The version of his death that ended up on the screen was actually more heroic than the original unaired version, which had Kirk die after getting shot in the back!
Quoted from mlim, posted November 19th, 2004, 4:17pm at here
You know, this is precisely what the writers had in mind too. They wanted to go against general expectation, which was to have him go down with the ship. They too wanted a hint of irony, to suggest that after so many adventures, after saving the galaxy so many times, Kirk ends up getting killed not in a blaze of glory, but with a whimper. The version of his death that ended up on the screen was actually more heroic than the original unaired version, which had Kirk die after getting shot in the back!
The problem with that is that it backfired. The fan reaction was overwhelmingly negative. Captain Kirk simply isn't about dying. We know he's human, but we shouldn't see him die under ANY circumstances. The best finale for Kirk was Star Trek 6, when he and his crew just sailed off to the next adventure. The purpose of bringing Kirk on Enterprise is to show that he's ok, and will continue to be out there, living the human adventure. A happy ending. There's a reason the Shatner books were so successful. Kirk's death was that unpopular.
And because of that, bringing back a legend--the legend--on Enterprise would be a MONSTER success. This is the last plot that really will get fans excited and have a major impact on the ratings. They don't have another card to play better than Shatner as Kirk.
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