CBS Blocks Use of Unused Trek Script

[Wee67]

Last fall an unused script for the cult 1960s television show turned up after being forgotten for years. Its author, the science-fiction writer Norman Spinrad, announced it would become an episode of a popular Web series, “Star Trek New Voyages: Phase II,” which features amateur actors in the classic roles of Capt. James T. Kirk, Mr. Spock and other crew members of the starship Enterprise.

But then another player stepped in: CBS, which said it owned the script and blocked a planned Web production of it. Trekkies were appalled. “These executives should be phasered on heavy stun,” said Harmon Fields of Manhattan, who called himself “a ‘Star Trek’ fan of galactic proportions.”

Complete Story at the New York Times-
CBS Blocks Use of Unused ‘Star Trek’ Script by Spinrad - NYTimes.com

[johnmiic]

CBS has to realize that a bad/rejected story can be very popular when it's free but near worthless if they plan to charge $$$ for it. The article also mentions David Gerrold's Blood and Fire which was rejected by TNG but was also filmed by James Crawley for Phase II. There seems to be a lack of continuity here on CBS's part.

I think CBS jumped the gun on this. In the case of The City on the Edge of Forever, the original, unused script by Ellison reverted back to him. He published his own release of it; tho I read it in an earlier book titled Seven Science Fiction Plays for which he authorized it's use. I wonder did Spinrad's contract have the same stipulation?

[nobody]

CBS has to realize that a bad/rejected story can be very popular when it's free but near worthless if they plan to charge $$$ for it. The article also mentions David Gerrold's Blood and Fire which was rejected by TNG but was also filmed by James Crawley for Phase II. There seems to be a lack of continuity here on CBS's part.

I think CBS jumped the gun on this. In the case of The City on the Edge of Forever, the original, unused script by Ellison reverted back to him. He published his own release of it; tho I read it in an earlier book titled Seven Science Fiction Plays for which he authorized it's use. I wonder did Spinrad's contract have the same stipulation?

Not to be a nitpicker, but it's James Cawley. People always do that. I say it sometimes. But, I loves me some Star Trek Phase 2.