Gimme That Star Trek Ep.49: Riding TNG’s Coat Tails

In the late 80s and 1990s, a new era dawned for television science-fiction, in no small part thanks to Star Trek: The Next Generation's success. Siskoid and Gene Hendricks sit down to discuss six very different SF series of that era, looking at how they were influenced by TNG and in turn may have influenced what came after.

Listen to Episode 49 below!

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Credits:
"Star Trek Theme" by Alexander Courage, with the Irredeemable Shagg on vocals. End theme: "Deep Space Nine Theme" by Dennis McCarthy.

Bonus clip from: "Alien Nation", starring Eric Pierpoint and Gary Graham.

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8 responses to “Gimme That Star Trek Ep.49: Riding TNG’s Coat Tails

  1. I kind of miss the crazy days of 90s sci-fi. Great look back at some of the series shaped by the success of TNG. And man, Alien Nation was fantastic. Definitely hit some of the old 80s cops tropes, but it was a gem of a series.

    And Quantum Leap – in a league of its own.

    Was Final Conflict any good? it looked very…budgeted. That’s all I remember.

      1. One of my favorite subgenres or movie is the intelligent indie sci-fi film made on a budget (like essentially everything Brit Marling ever made, and stuff like Christmas on Mars and The American Astronaut and Happy Accidents). That should translate to TV.

  2. And Siskoid forgot to mention the other sci-fi property that launched immediately after TNG, Canada’s own War of the Worlds!

  3. This was lots of fun, gentlemen! I always enjoy listening to Siskoid and Gene as they always bring the knowledge to anything they talk about. I understand most people may not like a Star Trek podcast not about Star Trek, but I found it fascinating how you talked about the different shows that spun out of the success of Star Trek:TNG and tying it back into Star Trek. I’m sad to say I never really watched any of these shows mentioned (except for one!) but you make them sound interesting enough that I want to try them out now.

    The one show I did catch was Quantum Leap. It was a personal favourite because it’s the one few shows I watched with my mom. Gene had it right, my mom came for the drama and period nostalgia, I was there for the sci-fi elements. It was so much fun to see what problem Sam had jumped into and what he needed to change (or make right) to be able to jump out again. Even though it was episodic, that story hook made me want to come back week after week to see what would happen.

    I hadn’t heard that there might be a sequel/reboot! As soon as you mentioned it, my mind immediately went to the idea that the government tried to send another “Leaper” in to see if they could find Sam, who never made it home. Now I really want to see this show. Where do I throw my money?!?

    Well done on another great episode. Keep up the great work!

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