“Those shows are s**t.”
Star Trek suffered a recent loss with the cancellation of Starfleet Academy on March 23, while the adaptation of novelist Andy Weir’s 2021 book, Project Hail Mary, dropped in cinemas shortly before. And since making its theatrical debut, the film has made $306.1 million worldwide.
However, the Hugo Award-nominated author has a bit of a bone to pick with modern-day Star Trek series, according to a headline published by The Hollywood Reporter. During a recent appearance on The Critical Drinker After Hours, Weir did say, “I don’t like a lot of the new Trek […] Those shows are s**t.” I do feel it's necessary to point out that the author claims to be a Trekkie.
“I’ll give you my opinion and I’m just a consumer,” Weir explained during the interview. “I like Strange New Worlds. I think it’s pretty good. I didn’t hate Enterprise. I thought it was kind of weird […] Lower Decks I thought was entertaining and fun. All the others, they can go.”
Weir continued by saying:
“And here’s another thing: So, I pitched a Star Trek show to Paramount, and I was in a Zoom with the showrunners with all the shows […] I spent a long time talking to [Star Trek producer] Alex Kurtzman. I don’t like a lot of the new Trek, but I have to say he, as a person, is a really nice guy. I feel a little bad for him, but at the same time, those shows are s**t. He is a nice guy, but, you know, they didn’t accept my pitch. So, you know, f**k ’em [laughs]. Nah, I don’t know.”
Personally, I don’t think Weir has seen a single episode of Prodigy, which is effectively a sequel to Voyager — and neither of its two seasons fit into his “those shows are s**t” rant. It also sounds to me like Weir is still a little upset that his Star Trek pitch was turned down.
However, I don’t think he’s anything more than a fan of The Original Series and the other shows through Voyager, who is yearning for a more nostalgic Trek to return on streaming. I read countless comments on the Redshirts Always Die social media channels from disappointed fans, whose remarks line up with Weir’s assessment.
I’m happy that Weir’s New York Times Bestseller was adapted into a movie, which is also finding an audience in theaters around the globe. However, I take exception to the novelist declaring all Star Trek’s modern-day “shows are s**t,” especially when his own Trek pitch couldn’t cut the mustard.
As I mentioned before, I truly believe Weir would enjoy Prodigy, too, if he gives it a try. And how could he not have enjoyed seasons 2 and 3 of Picard?
Do you agree with Weir’s take on modern Trek series? Share your thoughts and comments with us on the Redshirts Always Die Facebook and X pages.
Live long and prosper, Trekkies!