They did it in a way that had not been done before.  Star Trek fans literally shocked the world in the 70s with their numbers, their devotion...and sometimes their behavior.

They demonstrated that there was an audience for the show.  Studio executives who thought Star Trek was a dead property began tot are notice as fans published their own magazines and newsletters, attend conventions by the thousands, forced up the shows ratings in syndication and demanded that their president name the first-ever NASA space shuttle after their beloved starship, Enterprise.

Co-hosts Bob Turner and Kelly Casto take a look at Trek fandom in the 70s on this episode of 70s Trek.

Star Trek Fandom in the 1970s - Episode 16

After Star Trek went off the air, there was a 27-month period when there wasn’t much new science fiction on TV. Then in the fall of 1971, along came the British TV show UFO.

It was ground breaking with a unique style.  But more importantly, UFO gave some comfort to the growing Star Trek audience.  The fact that it was on TV said to them, “Science fiction is relevant, here’s another form of it, and it’s of to like it."

It also raised the bar for sci-fi producers.  This was a smart, stylish show dealing with contemporary issues such as politics, drug abuse, adultery and divorce.  UFO was not a hokey kids show.

There's a Trek connection, as well.  Series star Ed Bishop voiced the character Asmodeus in the Animated Series episode The Magicks of Megas Tu.

Co-hosts Bob Turner and Kelly Casto take a look at this unique show on this episode of 70s Trek.

British TV Show UFO - Episode 17

Mr. Scott is perhaps one of the most beloved characters in all of Star Trek, largely because of the way he was portrayed by actor James Doohan.

Co-hosts Bob Turner and Kelly Casto take a look at the Canadian actor on this episode  of 70s Trek.

Before Jimmy Doohan was an actor, he was a war hero, having stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day during the Second World War.  After leaving the armed services, Doohan decided to try his hand performing.  It eventually brought him to Hollywood during TV's Golden Age.

After Star Trek, Doohan supported his family through the occasionally TV episode and personal appearances.

But throughout the 70s, he stayed excited for Star Trek, believing the show would be back as a major motion picture.

James Doohan - Episode 18

Star Trek: The Animated Series is often over-looked in the history of Star Trek.  But it is noteworthy because it is the moment when Star Trek moved from being a cancelled show to a franchise.

Co-hosts Bob Turner and Kelly Casto take a look at the Animated Series in this episode of 70s Trek.

The show aired from September 1973 to October 1974 and consisted of 22 episodes. Many writers that worked on the original series lent their talents to the Animated Series, which helped the stories be consistent with the live action version.  Some were also just good stories.

The Animated Series won an Emmy for Best Children's Programming.  While the animation itself might be primitive, the show remains very faithful to The Original Series and is full of detail.

If you're a Trek fan, it is worth your time.

This is Part 1 of our look a the Animated Series.  We discuss the following episodes:

"Mudd's Passion"
"The Magicks of Megas Tu"
"The Lorelei Signal"
"Time Trap"
"The Infinite Vulcan"
"Beyond the Farthest Star"
"The Countercheck Incident."

Star Trek: The Animated Series, Part 2 - Episode 20

70s Trek is a fan show that explores Star Trek in the 1970s.  We discuss the cast, crew, writers, the major influences and the wider culture surrounding it.  Though cancelled by NBC in 1969, Star Trek was never far from the public's consciousness.  It was never allowed to be!  We explore how it stayed alive after cancellation and how it was resurrected to become a major motion picture in 1979.

70s Trek - Star Trek in the 1970s