Hey, Prodigy is great. Of course they tried to cancel it.
Comment on Meet the New Class of Cadets in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy
electric@lemmy.world 2 months ago
Under the watchful and demanding eyes of their instructors, they discover what it takes to become Starfleet officers as they navigate blossoming friendships, explosive rivalries, first loves…
These executives are allergic to making good shows.
then_three_more@lemmy.world 2 months ago
ipacialsection@startrek.website 2 months ago
Actually, I wonder if this show was greenlit in some way because of Prodigy’s cancellation. They’re trying to draw in a younger audience for the sake of the franchise’s long term prospects, but Prodigy didn’t get as many views on Paramount+ as they hoped (and is now on a different service), so they wanted to make a version of that which is better suited to streaming, without the awkward concessions to Nickelodeon’s release schedule.
Though, I think the problem is really Paramount+. A streaming service that is best known for Star Trek and a bunch of dramas that old people watch is unlikely to get anyone under 30 into Star Trek.
ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 2 months ago
I doubt it - “Academy” was officially announced on May 30, 2023 (and was rumoured to be in development dating back to 2018). “Prodigy” was cancelled on June 23, 2023.
I’ll grant that the dates are pretty close together, but I think in a perfect world the two shows would run together, with “Prodigy” targeting the tween crowd, and “Academy” skewing a bit older.
I think the problem is really Paramount+.
This, I completely agree with.
AlexisFR@jlai.lu 2 months ago
Let’s just call it part of the “Discovery Timeline” and be done with it.
usernamefactory@lemmy.ca 2 months ago
Not every teen drama is Riverdale. No idea if this show will be any good, but there’s nothing wrong with the premise.
ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 2 months ago
“Riverdale” is an odd comparison - like it or hate it, it was one of the most high-concept “teen shows” of all time. Absolutely bonkers.
usernamefactory@lemmy.ca 2 months ago
Seemed like the best reference as a notoriously bad teen drama. That doesn’t mean I didn’t watch every episode. It’s fabulously, gloriously bad. Anything else I could name would be mediocre at most.
ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 2 months ago
While I certainly wouldn’t want every show to be like that, I would absolutely not call it “bad”.
It was…transcendent.
electric@lemmy.world 2 months ago
I enjoyed Riverdale. I would never want it to replace a Star Trek show. A teen drama with Star Trek dressing absolutely stinks of desperation from Paramount.
usernamefactory@lemmy.ca 2 months ago
In 1997 adding a sexy Bord crew member to Voyager reeked of desperation. But the writers told to make it work actually gave a shit and whoever was in charge of casting took the time to find someone who could actually act, so in the end Seven Of Nine became one of the best things to come out of Voyager (nevermind the cringe worthy marketing and costume).
End of the day, I don’t care about the mental state of the exec signing off on an idea, because even a bad one can turn out good with the right talent. And I don’t even see why Star Trek as a teen drama is a bad idea. Star Trek can work with all sorts of genres, and we’ve still got SNW holding down the fort as the old school exploration series.
FaceDeer@fedia.io 2 months ago
But we need to attract a hip young new audience! The sort of audience that doesn't care about Star Trek, and just wants teen drama and unprofessional nonsense!
ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 2 months ago
Ah yes, the eternal sin of “trying to attract new viewers.”
Why can’t they continue catering to the original, immortal fanbase? That’s just good business!
electric@lemmy.world 2 months ago
As if Star Trek is starving for a fan base.
ValueSubtracted@startrek.website 2 months ago
The aging fanbase has been an issue that’s been highlighted recently by Jonathan Frakes, among others.
StillPaisleyCat@startrek.website 2 months ago
Advertisers care mainly about 18-35 year olds, and now that streaming has ads that key demographic is important for the survival of the franchise.
Besides if the franchise hadn’t expanded its fanbase in the 90s it wouldn’t be viable now. And let’s face it, it’s not that significant outside North America. Gone are the days when US audiences were adequate for survival.