On September 8th, 1966, the very first episode of Star Trek was aired on American TV. I was nearly 3 years old. American TV shows were usually broadcast 3 or 4 years later in Australia. I was 6 or 7 when Star Trek had its first run in Australia. It was groundbreaking [trying new things] TV, addressing such taboo [not usually talked about] subjects for the time as sexual equality & liberation, racial descrimination and integration, the futility of war, and even the explotation of the working class – dangerous topics for the establishment [government & big businesses] to allow in the middle of the Cold and Vietnam Wars. (As I was only 6 or 7, these topics were not the main attraction – I was mostly interested in the monsters!) For this reason, the program ran very late – around 11:00pm (just before the TV stations used to turn off for the night!). I used to beg my parents to let me stay up and watch it. Sometimes they did!
The original series only ran for 3 years. However, apparentlty I wasn't the only 6 or 7-year-old begging his parents to let him stay up late. After the show was cancelled, it just became more and more popular. Eventually, it was the basis of 5 new TV series and 10 movies! (Click here for more info in English or Click here for more info in Japanese)
And it's not over yet! Today the newest movie starts in Japan. Whether you're a big fan or totally new to the series, I recommend you “boldly go” to the movies this weekend to check it out.
Captain Kirk & Mr Spock – then and now!
For photos of the 35th anniversary of Star Trek party we held in 2001 (Click here!)
Live long and prosper!
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