The original series was cancelled after only a three year run on NBC in
1969. It is now broadcast almost continuously on over 120 stations in
the USA and in over 100 countries worldwide.
A 1993 study found that kids in the USA learn more about science from
Star Trek than from any other source.
Such is the impact of the series on American culture that a model of the
Starship Enterprise has been displayed at the Smithsonian Institution of
American History.
The Romulan enemy race which first appeared in the Original Series
remains the only 'adversary' to have been featured on all four Star Trek
series.
The original review of Star Trek in Variety magazine (Sept 14 1966) was
far from favourable:
"Star Trek obviously solicits all-out suspension of disbelief but it
won't work. It was an incredible mess of dreary complexities and
confusion at the kick-off."
Just how wrong can a critic be?
Perhaps the last word on the Original Series should come from William
Shatner in 'Star Trek Memories':
''over time the original cancellation of Star Trek has transformed itself
from the unhappy ending of a story into the opening chapter of a far
bigger tale, an astounding tale that's unsurpassed in the history of
entertainment....''
