All Glory Is Fleeting

The latest installment of PBS’ Pioneers of Television about three moguls of 1960s science fiction television, Rod Serling, Gene Roddenberry and Irwin Allen, drew this quirky criticism from syndicated columnist Kevin McDonough:

…Serling’s timeless “Twilight Zone,” [was] an anthology series drawing on some of the finest sci-fi writers of its time. While “Pioneers” mentions their contribution to “Zone,” it implies that most “Star Trek” episodes were written by Roddenberry, when in fact that series also reflected stories and ideas by notable writers, including Ray Bradbury and Harlan Ellison.

Just one problem: if you’re going to stand up for the unsung science fiction writers who helped make Star Trek a success, it would be best to name ones who actually wrote for the series — which Ray Bradbury never did.

[Thanks to Andrew Porter for the story.]

3 thoughts on “All Glory Is Fleeting

  1. It’s true that Mr. Bradbury never wrote for Mr. Roddenberry — but they did admire each others’ work and were personal friends, and while I can’t quote with any certainty, I believe G. R. said at least once or twice that R. B. was one of his influences.

  2. @David: Yes, very true. Ray even visited the set of Star Trek and I as I understand it Roddenberry invited Ray to write something for the series, but for whatever reason he didn’t do so.

  3. The first aired Star Trek was The Man Trap, better known as the salt monster episode. That was written by George Clayton Johnson.

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