Manny Coto Plans TREK Pitch to Paramount | Report this post to moderator
By: the quickening (Odo's file, contact) @ 14:41:38 on Apr 17, 2005

Do we really need anymore TREK on television? In my opinion, TREK has run it's course on TV. Waiting 2 to 3 years is not enough time to remove the bad taste of lackluster and overexposed TV and movie products we have been getting over the years. And we ABSOLUTELY don't need a TREK TV series and a TREK movie series running concurrently. TREK is just not popular enough for that--and hasn't been for many, many years. Sure, they could get away with it during TOS-TNG era--and even then it was a foolish thing to do--but it makes no logically sense to put out both in the same media arena, especially given TREKs current declining popularity and image. This is nothing short of suicide and the greatest example of desperation and greed imaginable.

In regards to desperation, PARAMOUNT needs a hit movie and/or successful movie franchise; their movie division is in shambles and for that reason, I can at least see why they are planning on TREK features; TREK and MISSION IMPOSSIBLE are currently their only potentially big money tickets. I don't agree with producing anything TREK--it needs a break to build excitement, anticipation, hunger, interest, etc., and probably needs to be re-imagined, too. However, there is NO business reason to justify a return to TV. PARAMOUNT/VIACOM/CBS are doing great! The TV division doesn't need TREK and TREK doesn't need to return to TV.

Attempt after attempt has been made to recapture lighting in the bottle and/or find a series whose rating didn't decline year after year and it hasn't worked: the creative and quality of DS9 didn't work; the over-the-top action of VOYAGER didn't work; reusing the BORG, again and again on VOYAGER didn't work; returning once again--after DS9--to the overdone, star-ship-crew-exploring-the-galaxy concept didn't work; season-long story arcs didn't work; sex didn't work; fan-boy/TOS story gimmicks didn't work; top-notch production design didn't work; top-notch CGI didn't work; new creative writing head didn't work; better writing didn't work; etc.... How many times are TPTB going to keep this up? It's time to face it: TREK has run it's course on TV and probably at the movie theater as well.

The question is, has PARAMOUNT finally got it? I sure hope so. They seem to be at least rethinking their tactics. Planning a big, epic (possibly re-imagined with big stars, no small-thinking TV connections, big bucks, etc.) movie and/or movie series is a hugh risk, but I think it's really the only thing they can do with TREK at this point. PARAMOUNT is going to continue to rape the public over with TREK anyway--the movie division is desperate--so at least they are doing something business-wise, that makes a little sense, though still not very wise. They probably feel they have to gamble. A less-is-more direction a film series gives the TREK franchise is better than back-stepping once again with another overexposing, potentially mundane TV series.

Deep down, I know they are not really going to stop making TREK TV or movies. They will destroy whatever life that is left in it. That's just the corporate climate in this country right now: making money in the bottom line--whatever the cost, so why should I expect anything less from PARAMOUNT? So, go on and make the damn movie, but at least give yourself a fighting chance to create a hit and stay off TV while doing it. (Manny, I am grateful for what you have done with ENTERPRISE this season, but it's time for you to move on as well. The TV series 24 really needs you and you need them. However, we don't need another TREK series right now or 2-3 years from now.)

Question? What is this love affair the fans have with Coto? l like some of the things he has done this season; ENTERPRISE did improve, but I have not been THAT impressed. I still don't think this final season of ENTERPRISE even comes close to matching the best of TOS--seasons 1 & 2; TNG--seasons 3-5; DS9--seasons 4-7. The show is contrived and at times seems like a fan-boy exercise. Also, the characters still don't work for me. With TREK, character is...paramount, and Coto has just failed to deliver in this area.

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*UGH* | Report this post to moderator
By: EntFan! (Odo's file, contact) @ 19:07:25 on Apr 16, 2005

Well, it's gonna be a llllllllooooooooonnnnnnnnngggggggg wait til us fans here rumors at to what Coto's pitch is.

Two to three years for the most part seems like a long time. Yet, it's scary to think that it feels like yesterday I was watching the finales of TNG, DS9 and VOY.

Yeesh, just someone speed up the clock a little bit please...

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"Whose gonna watch Girls Who Love Girls Who Love Ghandi!"

--Hollow Men



"I didn't want to be drunk in pub-lic, these assholes threw me out into pub-lic, I want to be drunk in a bar...arrest them!"

-Ron White



ULTIMATE PROOF WHY NO FAN SHOULD BE IN CHARGE OF STAR TREK

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STAR TREK Hiatus | Report this post to moderator
By: GustavoLeao (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 16:20:31 on Apr 16, 2005

Coto also told The IESB that the break would be two to three years, and said that he thought it would be wise to move into the generation after that of Picard, Sisko and Janeway, and that he would love to work on it if and when it happens.

Gustavo

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RE: SURE | Report this post to moderator
By: NAFF (Odo's file, contact) @ 16:09:36 on Apr 16, 2005

Rather than descending into insults, why don't you tell us all what was so great?

Exactly. It was pap. Go F.Y.

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We love you Manny!!!!!! | Report this post to moderator
By: BennyBot (Odo's file, contact) @ 10:57:06 on Apr 16, 2005

We love you Manny!!!!!!

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"You're too late. We're everywhere."

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Yay! | Report this post to moderator
By: Hbasm (Odo's file, contact) @ 10:49:39 on Apr 16, 2005

Great news. Its positive that several people have expressed an interest in producing a future Star Trek series. William Shatner and the producer of Babylon5 springs to mind.

But I'm careful about "recommending" anyone. Getting a new leader involves a big risk. I don't know a thing about the Babylon5 producer, and I don't really like the "Starfleet Academy" concept, recently pitched by William Shatner.

Truth is, I don't know much about Manny Coto either. He has been working with Star Trek for 2 years, successfully, but in a team. But if I like his concept for a new series (once we hear about it) I see no reason why we shouldn't encourage him to go for it. I think he understands, that he will be carrying a great responsibility.

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Sounds good to a Trekkie/Trekker's eard | Report this post to moderator
By: YodaOldBoy (Odo's file, contact, web site) @ 09:58:07 on Apr 16, 2005

As Coto always seems to be aiming for a bigger plan (arcs for the whole season, 2 about the founding of the Federation...), I wonder what his idea is all about. It sure is good to hear he wants to come back, and hoping he will ask the Reeves-Stevens again. In 2-3 years, we will again be thirsty for Trek and the show will have taken some time to reinvigorate itself and can only come back stronger than it was, especially if Coto is leading.

As a side note, he is joining '24' as a producer? That's a huge change from Star Trek and Odyssey 5! I hope he can do some great work over there as he did with 'Enterprise'. And BTW, anyone thinks to hire a producer so late in the season means they are planning a 5th one?

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You are fulfilling your destiny, Anakin. Become my apprentice. Learn to use the dark side of the Force. -Darth Sidious, Star Wars: Episode III: Revenge of the Sith

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Parallels | Report this post to moderator
By: Sennik (Odo's file, contact) @ 09:17:30 on Apr 16, 2005

Quote:
How long before the next series happens? "I would guess two or three years."

Rick Berman's contract expires at the end of 2006. Coincidence? I think not.

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SURE | Report this post to moderator
By: NAFF (Odo's file, contact) @ 06:15:59 on Apr 16, 2005

Sure this man's a genius.

The same genius that was responsible for last night's utter pap.

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happy happy joy joy | Report this post to moderator
By: AstrocreepNX2112 (Odo's file, contact) @ 04:35:28 on Apr 16, 2005

This rocks!!!

I can't wait!!!

Everything will be fine, given enough time...

...did I mention that this rocks?

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"Um... excuse me Mr. Schroedinger, have you seen my cat around here anywhere?

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Timing | Report this post to moderator
By: Capricorn Two (Odo's file, contact) @ 04:12:13 on Apr 16, 2005

Obviously, MC knows it'll be a matter of timing.

Not at this point will there be a pitch because ENT is having its final days: give it as much limelight as possible.

Also, ST has de-valued in Hollywood standards because of ENT's 'failure' to attact a large audience, generate a for UPN, etc. Right now, we all have to wait for absence-making-the-franchise-grow-fonder to regain some of that worth amongst the Paramount management.

Lastly - Rick Berman's contract. It's possible MC wants to make the pitch when RB is not head of the franchise (sometime in 2006, right?)

But of course any new series is still 2-3 years away - minimum.

With MC's reputation as a writer and producer, his high praise amongst the fanbase: he'll get his day to make his pitch and he'll know when that time is right.

For now - best to MC on '24'.

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Wow! | Report this post to moderator
By: deltaflyer (Odo's file, contact) @ 03:40:57 on Apr 16, 2005

Am I the only one who read this and then jumped off his chair screaming 'YES, YES' like a maniac?

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Yes I am Australian...AND NO I DO NOT OWN A KANGAROO! And it's typical that we were made the last ones to join the federation....

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Wow! | Report this post to moderator
By: deltaflyer (Odo's file, contact) @ 03:38:32 on Apr 16, 2005

Am I the only one who read this and then jumped off his chair screaming 'YES, YES' like a maniac?

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Yes I am Australian...AND NO I DO NOT OWN A KANGAROO! And it's typical that we were made the last ones to join the federation....

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