Like most classic television shows, Star Trek has its own creation myths and some facts shrouded in rumors. However, some of these have their basis in facts, and one of the most unusual is how a famous comedian (and, at the time, one of the most powerful women in television) helped save Star Trek from NBC’s ash can: Lucille Ball.
Lucy and Desilu Studios
I Love Lucy, which premiered on October 15th, 1951, was a massive hit and the top-rated show for all but the last two seasons of its run. By the end of the series, Lucy and her husband, Desi Arnaz, had the funding to buy and run their own studio, Desilu. After divorcing Arnaz, Ball bought out his share and ran the studio on her own. This was a bold move for a woman in 1962, and it made her one of the most influential individuals in a business mostly dominated by men at the time.
Lucy loves Star Trek
When Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry first began to develop the show, Ball saw quite a lot of potential in it (although at first, she thought the series was about a group of actors traveling for the USO) and got Desilu involved. Her board of directors was not as convinced and recommended she not invest the studio’s money. However, as the head of the studio, Ball made the final decisions and backed the show. NBC greenlit the first pilot, which featured Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Pike.
Star Trek’s near-death
Considering the sci-fi and cultural icon Star Trek is today, it’s almost unimaginable that it nearly went into NBC’s circular file of failed television pilots. NBC declined to pick up the series, deeming “The Cage” “too cerebral” with too slow a pace. Thankfully, the network commissioned a second pilot, “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” which Ball financially backed over the advice of Desilu’s BoD. This pilot, starring William Shatner as Captain Kirk (as Hunter was already filming elsewhere), is more the Star Trek we know and love today, thanks to Ball and Desilu. We love you, Lucy!
Which Star Trek pilot do you think is closer to Roddenberry’s vision? Which do you like better? Visit our X page and Facebook to discuss this topic and many others—we’d love to see you there!