The Orville

[Chris L]

I know that we have at least one Star Trek fan on board, er, the ship here. (@DiveMilw, I'm looking at you. @valmont may be one too, though I can't recall if you've ever said, Darin.) Based on its first episode, Seth McFarlane's new Fox series The Orville is a very clever Star Trek parody, which manages the not-inconsiderable trick of being both an exciting piece of space fluff and an effective comedy at the same time. Thankfully, it lacks the self-seriousness of the later Star Trek shows, from Next Generation on. (There'll be an actual new Star Trek show later this month on CBS All-Access, Star Trek: Discovery, to compare it to.)

If you're into that sort of thing at all it's worth watching at least the premiere. And there's a Sondheim connection, with Victor Garber in a major supporting role.

[valmont]

I know that we have at least one Star Trek fan on board, er, the ship here. (@DiveMilw, I'm looking at you. @valmont may be one too, though I can't recall if you've ever said, Darin.) Based on its first episode, Seth McFarlane's new Fox series The Orville is a very clever Star Trek parody, which manages the not-inconsiderable trick of being both an exciting piece of space fluff and an effective comedy at the same time. Thankfully, it lacks the self-seriousness of the later Star Trek shows, from Next Generation on. (There'll be an actual new Star Trek show later this month on CBS All-Access, Star Trek: Discovery, to compare it to.)

If you're into that sort of thing at all it's worth watching at least the premiere. And there's a Sondheim connection, with Victor Garber in a major supporting role.

Oh, that sounds fun! I will keep an eye out for it (although one of the things I find most amusing about Star Trek is its self-seriousness; I think that quality is why The Trouble with Tribbles lands so squarely)

[Chris L]

The original series wasn't as self-serious as the later shows, at least not until their final season, but yes, "The Trouble With Tribbles" was as close as they got to straight-up comedy.

(I actually have a two-degree connection with that episode. David Gerrold, the science-fiction writer who wrote it, bought my first short story for an anthology he was putting together in the 70s, turning me into a professional writer at the age of 23. Alas, the anthology never came out and I long ago lost the manuscript, which is honestly no great loss.)

[Chris L]

An old friend of mine is a moderator on a Facebook group for the new Star Trek show, Star Trek: Discovery, which is debuting this weekend on CBS All-Access. (The first episode will also be on broadcast.) I'm seeing a strange dynamic at work. Star Trek fans are flocking in droves to The Orville and my friend is already a raving fan. Excitement about Discovery is relatively tempered, with a lot of Trekkies hating it in advance. (They did this before Next Generation debuted too, so it's just one of those weird fan quirks.)

The fan reaction to The Orville is amazing, though, with discussions already breaking out on Facebook over the ship design, etc. And I have to admit that it's the best Star Trek series in years, precisely because it refuses to take itself so damned seriously.

[DiveMilw]

My friend, Dori (and her husband), and I watched the first three episodes while I was visiting last week.  We LOVED them.  I had seen a few snippets online that people hated the show.  I don't know why.  I thought they were great.  And the view-screen at the beginning of the second episode was hilarious.  It wasn't sophisticated humor but I couldn't stop laughing.  That might also have to do with the Apreol spritz I was drinking but we are looking forward to watching the rest of the series.  

[Chris L]

I think The Orville is a clever piece of light humor that's somehow become divisive. I know Trekkies who love it. I know other people who hate it. Personally I think it's very nicely done, as long as you don't bring overblown expectations to it.

It's light comedy. It's well cast. It's not trying to save the universe.

And clearly the showrunners love Star Trek. They aren't burdened by the expectations that have hobbled Star Trek: Discovery and they're free to reinvent the original Trek without a half century of canon on their shoulders. I like it.

[Bobster]

I know that we have at least one Star Trek fan on board, er, the ship here. (@DiveMilw, I'm looking at you. @valmont may be one too, though I can't recall if you've ever said, Darin.)

EXCUSE ME??

[Bobster]

The reviews weren't kind (I didn't expect them to be) and looked to be a little insulting so I had skipped.  You all praising will make me take a peek.

(And I'm liking Star Trek: Discovery right now.  I have a question once a couple more of you have watched but other than that...)

[Leighton]

I have watched Discovery's first three episodes 

[fjlumia]

I think "the Orville" is a fun show.  The variety of characters from various planets rivals the original Star Wars bar scene.  the big macho fellow who has to sit on the egg and whose partner feels neglected was fun!

[Chris L]

(And I'm liking Star Trek: Discovery right now.  I have a question once a couple more of you have watched but other than that...)

I've seen the first four episodes. Ask away.