That’s all she wrote folks.After struggling with abysmal stories and even worse ratings, Paramount has announced that Star Trek: Enterprise has been cancelled after 4 seasons. Just enough to sell its episode run into syndication.For more, read on… From Reuters and msnbc.com –“LOS ANGELES – “Star Trek: Enterprise,” the latest incarnation of one of the most storied franchises in televised science-fiction history, will end its four-season run in May, broadcaster UPN said Wednesday. UPN said the last episode would air Friday, May 13. The series generated 98 episodes over its run, although it struggled in the ratings.The original 1960s “Star Trek” series gave rise to generations of fans who eagerly took in movies, books, and TV spinoffs like “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Star Trek: Voyager.”“Star Trek: Enterprise” was positioned as a prequel to the original “Star Trek.” It starred Scott Bakula and premiered in September 2001.”From startrek.com –“PRESS RELEASEUPN and Paramount Network Television have jointly announced that this will be the final season of Star Trek: Enterprise on UPN. [Production will continue until the end of this season, which will finish shooting in March.] The series finale will air on Friday, May 13, 2005. “Star Trek has been an important part of UPN’s history, and Enterprise has carried on the tradition of its predecessors with great distinction,” said Dawn Ostroff, President, Entertainment, UPN. “We’d like to thank Rick Berman, Brannon Braga and an incredibly talented cast for creating an engaging, new dimension to the Star Trek universe on UPN, and we look forward to working with them, and our partners at Paramount Network Television, on a send-off that salutes its contributions to The Network and satisfies its loyal viewers.”David Stapf, President of Paramount Network Television, said, “The creators, stars and crew of Star Trek: Enterprise ambitiously and proudly upheld the fine traditions of the Star Trek franchise. We are grateful for their contributions to the legacy of Trek and commend them on completing nearly 100 exciting, dramatic and visually stunning episodes. All of us at Paramount warmly bid goodbye to Enterprise, and we all look forward to a new chapter of this enduring franchise in the future.”A prequel to the original “Star Trek” series, STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE premiered on UPN on Sept. 26, 2001, and aired for its first three seasons on Wednesdays (8:00-9:00PM, ET/PT). On Oct. 8, 2004, STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE moved into its current time on Fridays (8:00-9:00PM, ET/PT). Through its four-year run, STAR TREK: ENTERPRISE produced a total of 98 episodes and earned four Emmy Awards.”Personally, I think Enterprise will be remembered as the show that could have been, but wasn’t. For the first three and a half seasons the show was absolutely terrible and had little to nothing to do with Star Trek. Producers Rick Berman and Brannon Braga ( who were never great anyhow) ran the franchaise further and further into the ground. However, the second half of the 4th season has proven quite surprising. As Berman and Braga gave up more and more creative control, episodes became interesting and involved plots that tied into the Star Trek universe. Familar aliens and situations began to come forth. There was actually a glimmer of hope. I guess all that’s gone now and all that’s left is the remaining episodes set to air. Let’s just hope that the silly rumor of Jonathan Frakes and Marina Sirtis coming on the final show as Riker and Troi are false. Sadly Trek fans, don’t look for another addition to the Trek TV franchaise or another movie until Paramount management changes creative directions. With their current mindset, I don’t think that will be for quite sometime. For those who will need an Enterprise fix when the dust has cleared, the show is coming to DVD in may.
