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One last attempt at valid revision. Will likely fail as this is a page completely under the control of one EEMIV (16 edits in one day). Seems some Trek fans don't make good Wikipedians.
These were the chamges I tried make. There may be a citation issue. But will likely not be "approved" by EEMIV, so I give up.
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==Star Trek==
==Star Trek==
In 1987, [[Gene Roddenberry]] selected Berman and [[Maurice Hurley]] to help create ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''.<ref name="tngcompanion">{{cite book|title=Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]|year=2003|last=Nemeck|first=Larry|isbn=0-7434-5798-6}}</ref> Initially, he shared supervising producer duties with [[Robert H. Justman]]; after Justman changed to consulting producer duties, Berman was promoted to co-executive producer.<ref name="tngcompanion" /> As Roddenberry's health declined, Berman took over more of the show's daily production; he was promoted to executive producer in the show's third season, following the departure of Maurice Hurley.<ref name="tngcompanion" /> Berman wrote the ''TNG'' episodes "[[Brothers (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Brothers]]" and "[[A Matter of Time (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|A Matter of Time]]" and also come up with numerous story ideas as well as serving as co-creator for three Star Trek spin-offs.<ref name="tngcompanion" /> In its final year, ''The Next Generation'' became the first syndicated television show to be nominated for the Best Dramatic Series Emmy.<ref name="tngcompanion" />
In 1987, [[Gene Roddenberry]] selected Berman and [[Maurice Hurley]] to help create ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation]]''.<ref name="tngcompanion">{{cite book|title=Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion|publisher=[[Pocket Books]]|year=2003|last=Nemeck|first=Larry|isbn=0-7434-5798-6}}</ref> Initially, he shared supervising producer duties with [[Robert H. Justman]]; after Justman changed to consulting producer duties, Berman was promoted to co-executive producer.<ref name="tngcompanion" /> As Roddenberry's health declined, Berman took over more of the show's daily production; he was promoted to executive producer in the show's third season, following the departure of Maurice Hurley.<ref name="tngcompanion" /> Unlike previous de facto head's of the Star Trek franchise (such as Gene Rodenberry, [[Harve Bennett]] or [[Nicholas Meyer]]) Rick Berman did not serve as chief writer on the series he produced, assigning this task to various co-producers including Maurice Hurley, [[Michael Piller]], [[Ira Steven Behr]] and [[Brannon Braga]]. However, during his tenure, Berman did write the TNG episodes "[[Brothers (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|Brothers]]" and "[[A Matter of Time (Star Trek: The Next Generation)|A Matter of Time]]" and also come up with numerous story ideas as well as serving as co-creator for three Star Trek spin-offs.<ref name="tngcompanion" /> In its final year, ''The Next Generation'' became the first syndicated television show to be nominated for the Best Dramatic Series Emmy.<ref name="tngcompanion" />


During ''The Next Generation''{{'}}s penultimate season, Berman co-created ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' with Michael Piller, marking the first time two ''Star Trek'' series ran concurrently.<ref name="ds9companion">{{cite book|title= Deep Space Nine Companion|first=Terry J.|last=Erdmann|coauthors=Paula M. Block|date=2000-08-01|isbn=978-0671501068}}</ref> After ''The Next Generation'' completed its run, Berman co-created ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' with Piller and [[Jeri Taylor]]. In 2001, he co-created ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise|Enterprise]]'' (retitled ''Star Trek: Enterprise'' in 2003) with [[Brannon Braga]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/111735.html|title=Dispatch: Berman Celebrates Milestone|date=2000-05-22|accessdate=2009-04-11}}</ref> During ths same period, Berman was also lead producer on the four ''Next Generation'' feature films: ''[[Star Trek Generations|Generations]]'' (1994), ''[[Star Trek: First Contact|First Contact]]'' (1996), ''[[Star Trek: Insurrection|Insurrection]]'' (1998), and ''[[Star Trek Nemesis|Nemesis]]'' (2002). Berman received both producer and story credit on all four films.
During ''The Next Generation''{{'}}s penultimate season, Berman co-created ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]'' with Michael Piller, marking the first time two ''Star Trek'' series ran concurrently.<ref name="ds9companion">{{cite book|title= Deep Space Nine Companion|first=Terry J.|last=Erdmann|coauthors=Paula M. Block|date=2000-08-01|isbn=978-0671501068}}</ref> After ''The Next Generation'' completed its run, Berman co-created ''[[Star Trek: Voyager]]'' with Piller and [[Jeri Taylor]]. In 2001, he co-created ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise|Enterprise]]'' (retitled ''Star Trek: Enterprise'' in 2003) with [[Brannon Braga]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/111735.html|title=Dispatch: Berman Celebrates Milestone|date=2000-05-22|accessdate=2009-04-11}}</ref> During ths same period, Berman was also lead producer on the four ''Next Generation'' feature films: ''[[Star Trek Generations|Generations]]'' (1994), ''[[Star Trek: First Contact|First Contact]]'' (1996), ''[[Star Trek: Insurrection|Insurrection]]'' (1998), and ''[[Star Trek Nemesis|Nemesis]]'' (2002). Berman received both producer and story credit on all four films.


Berman received criticism for his approach to dramatic musical scoring.<ref>{{cite web|accessdate|2009-05-03|url=http://www.soundtrack-express.com/osts/startrektv.htm|title=Next Generarion Music| author=Soundtrack Express|date=1998}}</ref> [[Ron Jones]], a composer who worked under Berman, noted that "Ricky Berman always considered music an intrusion, a necessary evil. I now can relate to the poor composers that were brought up before Stalin for being too creative. They were made to apologize for thinking out of the Party line."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.startreksoundtracks.com/interview-ronjones.html|title=Ron Jones Interview|publisher=Star Trek Soundtracks|date=2002-12-19}}</ref> Star Trek writer [[David Weddle]] noted that he believed that the "moribund aesthetics of Rick Berman" were the "constrictions that slowly strangled the franchise." <ref>{{cite web | url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2005/04/a_season_1_batt.html | title=David Weddle interview | author=Chicago Tribune | date=April 2005 | }}</ref> In reviewing ''Nemesis'', the final Star Trek project with which Berman was involved, [[IGN]]'s Glen Oliver argued that Berman and co-producer Brannon Braga seemed to be responsible for much of Star Trek no longer being "bold".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/380/380136p1.html|title=Review of Star Trek Nemesis|first=Glen|last=Oliver|date=2002-12-12|accessdate=2009-04-12|work=[[IGN]]}}</ref> However, former ''Next Generation'' star [[Brent Spiner]] rejected such claims echoed by fans and credits Berman with having "protected Gene Roddenberry's vision".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://trekmovie.com/2008/12/10/spiner-comes-to-the-defense-of-rick-berman-and-jj-abrams/ | title=Spiner Comes To The Defense Of Rick Berman (and JJ Abrams) | author=Anthony Pascale | date=December 10, 2008 | work=TrekMovie.com}}</ref> [[Salon.com]]'s Robert Wilonsky asserted that Berman deserves credit for producing hundreds of hours of popular programming, and that "without Berman to keep the show alive, there'd be no Berman to blame for the show's death".<ref name="salonpg3">{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/ent/feature/1999/10/29/trek/index2.html|title=The trouble with "Trek"|first=Robert|last=Wilonsky|date=1999-10-29|accessdate=2009-04-12|work=[[Salon.com]]|pages=3}}</ref>
Berman's tenure on Star Trek has been the subject of considerable debate among fans. While gaining praise for overseeing a consistent format, conversely that same consistensy also drew criticism for it's increasing stylistic sameness. For example, Berman received strong criticism for his approach to dramatic musical scoring<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.soundtrack-express.com/osts/startrektv.htm | title=Next Generarion Music | author=Soundtrack Express | date=1998 | }}</ref>, eschewing the traditional Star Trek approach of melodic and distinctive music in favor of so-called "sonic wallpaper"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.filmscoremonthly.com/articles/2002/06_Mar---Velton_Ray_Bunch_scores_Enterprise.asp | title=Velton Ray Bunch scores Enterprise | author=Film Score Monthly | date=2002 | }}</ref> - which Berman felt was more appropriate in that it was less "noticeable"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Ron_Jones | title=Ron Jones | author=Memory Alpha | }}</ref>. [[Ron Jones]], a composer who worked under Berman (and who was later fired for ignoring this shift in musical style<ref>{{cite web | url=http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Ron_Jones | title=Ron Jones | author=Memory Alpha | }}</ref>), noted that "Ricky Berman always considered music an intrusion, a necessary evil. I now can relate to the poor composers that were brought up before Stalin for being too creative. They were made to apologize for thinking out of the Party line."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.startreksoundtracks.com/interview-ronjones.html | title=Ron Jones Interview | author=Star Trek Soundtracks | date=December 19, 2002 | }}</ref> Expanding on this critique, Star Trek writer [[David Weddle]] noted that he believed that the "moribund aesthetics of Rick Berman" were the "constrictions that slowly strangled the franchise." <ref>{{cite web | url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2005/04/a_season_1_batt.html | title=David Weddle interview | author=Chicago Tribune | date=April 2005 | }}</ref>
In reviewing Star Trek ''Nemesis'', the final Star Trek project with which Rick Berman was involved, [[IGN]]'s Glen Oliver argued that Berman and co-producer Brannon Braga seemed to be responsible for much of Star Trek no longer being "bold",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/380/380136p1.html|title=Review of Star Trek Nemesis|first=Glen|last=Oliver|date=2002-12-12|accessdate=2009-04-12|work=[[IGN]]}}</ref> However, former ''Next Generation'' star [[Brent Spiner]] rejected such claims echoed by fans and credits Berman with having "protected Gene Roddenberry's vision".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://trekmovie.com/2008/12/10/spiner-comes-to-the-defense-of-rick-berman-and-jj-abrams/ | title=Spiner Comes To The Defense Of Rick Berman (and JJ Abrams) | author=Anthony Pascale | date=December 10, 2008 | work=TrekMovie.com}}</ref> [[Salon.com]]'s Robert Wilonsky asserted that Berman deserves credit for producing hundreds of hours of popular programming, and that "without Berman to keep the show alive, there'd be no Berman to blame for the show's death".<ref name="salonpg3">{{cite web|url=http://www.salon.com/ent/feature/1999/10/29/trek/index2.html|title=The trouble with "Trek"|first=Robert|last=Wilonsky|date=1999-10-29|accessdate=2009-04-12|work=[[Salon.com]]|pages=3}}</ref>


In 2005, Berman was involved in developing an eleventh ''Star Trek'' movie based on a script written by [[Erik Jendresen]]; however, when [[Gail Berman]] (no relation) took over as president of Paramount Pictures, Jendresen's script was shelved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airlockalpha.com/news422489.html|title=Star Trek XI Is Down, But It Is Not Out|first=Michael|last=Hinman|date=2006-04-12|accessdate=2009-04-12|publisher=Airlock Alpha}}</ref> In subsequent months, Berman began hinting that his involvement with Star Trek was drawing to a close, stating in November that to "when they re-energise the franchise it's going to be the result of someone fresh, someone who has not been extensively involved with Star Trek".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2005/11/19/a-new-team-will-produce-new-trek-tv-show-says-berman/|title=A New Team Will Produce New Trek TV Show Says Berman|first=Sam|last=Sloan|date=2005-11-19|accessdate=2009-04-12|work=Slice of SciFi}}</ref> In mid-2006, Berman stated he would no longer be involved in producing Star Trek.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.trekweb.com/stories.php?aid=45301415d7b9d&cid=453133f7254fc&tid=45304fe67fb03&threadView=2&clickReply=1 | title=Rick Berman on Leaving the Star Trek Franchise | date=October 13, 2006 | work=TrekWeb}}</ref> Since his departure, Berman has indicated he is still involved in television production as well as projects "not connected to the television business".<ref name="trekmovie">{{cite web |url=http://trekmovie.com/2007/04/20/berman-to-write-book-on-trek-experience/|title=Berman To Write Book On Trek Experience|first=Anthony|last=Pascale|date=2007-04-20|accessdate=2009-04-12|publisher=TrekMovie.com}}</ref> He has also stated an interest in writing a memoir of his experiences at Star Trek.<ref name="trekmovie" />
In 2005, Berman was involved in developing an eleventh ''Star Trek'' movie based on a script written by [[Erik Jendresen]]; however, when [[Gail Berman]] (no relation) took over as president of Paramount Pictures, Jendresen's script was shelved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.airlockalpha.com/news422489.html|title=Star Trek XI Is Down, But It Is Not Out|first=Michael|last=Hinman|date=2006-04-12|accessdate=2009-04-12|publisher=Airlock Alpha}}</ref> In subsequent months, Berman began hinting that his involvement with Star Trek was drawing to a close, stating in November that to "when they re-energise the franchise it's going to be the result of someone fresh, someone who has not been extensively involved with Star Trek".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sliceofscifi.com/2005/11/19/a-new-team-will-produce-new-trek-tv-show-says-berman/|title=A New Team Will Produce New Trek TV Show Says Berman|first=Sam|last=Sloan|date=2005-11-19|accessdate=2009-04-12|work=Slice of SciFi}}</ref> In mid-2006, Berman stated he would no longer be involved in producing Star Trek.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.trekweb.com/stories.php?aid=45301415d7b9d&cid=453133f7254fc&tid=45304fe67fb03&threadView=2&clickReply=1 | title=Rick Berman on Leaving the Star Trek Franchise | date=October 13, 2006 | work=TrekWeb}}</ref> Since his departure, Berman has indicated he is still involved in television production as well as projects "not connected to the television business".<ref name="trekmovie">{{cite web |url=http://trekmovie.com/2007/04/20/berman-to-write-book-on-trek-experience/|title=Berman To Write Book On Trek Experience|first=Anthony|last=Pascale|date=2007-04-20|accessdate=2009-04-12|publisher=TrekMovie.com}}</ref> He has also stated an interest in writing a memoir of his experiences at Star Trek.<ref name="trekmovie" />

Revision as of 20:05, 3 May 2009

Richard Keith Berman
Born (1945-12-25) December 25, 1945 (age 78)
New York City, New York, US
SpouseElizabeth Berman

Richard Keith "Rick" Berman (born December 25, 1945 in New York, New York, United States) is an American television producer. He is most famous for his work as the executive producer of several Star Trek series and movies, succeeding Gene Roddenberry as head of the franchise until the cancellation of Star Trek: Enterprise in 2005.

Early work

Berman graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1967 with a B.A. in speech.[citation needed] From 1977 to 1982, he was the senior producer of PBS' The Big Blue Marble, which won an Emmy for Outstanding Children's Series.[1] Between 1982 and 1984, he was an independent producer, working on projects that inclluded HBO's What on Earth and PBS' The Primal Mind.[1] In 1984, Berman joined Paramount as the Director of Current Programming, overseeing shows such as Cheers, MacGyver, and Webster.[1] He soon became executive director of dramatic programming, and in 1986 became Paramount Television Networks' vice president for longform and special projects.[1]

Star Trek

In 1987, Gene Roddenberry selected Berman and Maurice Hurley to help create Star Trek: The Next Generation.[2] Initially, he shared supervising producer duties with Robert H. Justman; after Justman changed to consulting producer duties, Berman was promoted to co-executive producer.[2] As Roddenberry's health declined, Berman took over more of the show's daily production; he was promoted to executive producer in the show's third season, following the departure of Maurice Hurley.[2] Unlike previous de facto head's of the Star Trek franchise (such as Gene Rodenberry, Harve Bennett or Nicholas Meyer) Rick Berman did not serve as chief writer on the series he produced, assigning this task to various co-producers including Maurice Hurley, Michael Piller, Ira Steven Behr and Brannon Braga. However, during his tenure, Berman did write the TNG episodes "Brothers" and "A Matter of Time" and also come up with numerous story ideas as well as serving as co-creator for three Star Trek spin-offs.[2] In its final year, The Next Generation became the first syndicated television show to be nominated for the Best Dramatic Series Emmy.[2]

During The Next Generation's penultimate season, Berman co-created Star Trek: Deep Space Nine with Michael Piller, marking the first time two Star Trek series ran concurrently.[3] After The Next Generation completed its run, Berman co-created Star Trek: Voyager with Piller and Jeri Taylor. In 2001, he co-created Enterprise (retitled Star Trek: Enterprise in 2003) with Brannon Braga.[4] During ths same period, Berman was also lead producer on the four Next Generation feature films: Generations (1994), First Contact (1996), Insurrection (1998), and Nemesis (2002). Berman received both producer and story credit on all four films.

Berman's tenure on Star Trek has been the subject of considerable debate among fans. While gaining praise for overseeing a consistent format, conversely that same consistensy also drew criticism for it's increasing stylistic sameness. For example, Berman received strong criticism for his approach to dramatic musical scoring[5], eschewing the traditional Star Trek approach of melodic and distinctive music in favor of so-called "sonic wallpaper"[6] - which Berman felt was more appropriate in that it was less "noticeable"[7]. Ron Jones, a composer who worked under Berman (and who was later fired for ignoring this shift in musical style[8]), noted that "Ricky Berman always considered music an intrusion, a necessary evil. I now can relate to the poor composers that were brought up before Stalin for being too creative. They were made to apologize for thinking out of the Party line."[9] Expanding on this critique, Star Trek writer David Weddle noted that he believed that the "moribund aesthetics of Rick Berman" were the "constrictions that slowly strangled the franchise." [10]

In reviewing Star Trek Nemesis, the final Star Trek project with which Rick Berman was involved, IGN's Glen Oliver argued that Berman and co-producer Brannon Braga seemed to be responsible for much of Star Trek no longer being "bold",[11] However, former Next Generation star Brent Spiner rejected such claims echoed by fans and credits Berman with having "protected Gene Roddenberry's vision".[12] Salon.com's Robert Wilonsky asserted that Berman deserves credit for producing hundreds of hours of popular programming, and that "without Berman to keep the show alive, there'd be no Berman to blame for the show's death".[13]

In 2005, Berman was involved in developing an eleventh Star Trek movie based on a script written by Erik Jendresen; however, when Gail Berman (no relation) took over as president of Paramount Pictures, Jendresen's script was shelved.[14] In subsequent months, Berman began hinting that his involvement with Star Trek was drawing to a close, stating in November that to "when they re-energise the franchise it's going to be the result of someone fresh, someone who has not been extensively involved with Star Trek".[15] In mid-2006, Berman stated he would no longer be involved in producing Star Trek.[16] Since his departure, Berman has indicated he is still involved in television production as well as projects "not connected to the television business".[17] He has also stated an interest in writing a memoir of his experiences at Star Trek.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Rick Berman". Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  2. ^ a b c d e Nemeck, Larry (2003). Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion. Pocket Books. ISBN 0-7434-5798-6.
  3. ^ Erdmann, Terry J. (2000-08-01). Deep Space Nine Companion. ISBN 978-0671501068. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "Dispatch: Berman Celebrates Milestone". 2000-05-22. Retrieved 2009-04-11.
  5. ^ Soundtrack Express (1998). "Next Generarion Music". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  6. ^ Film Score Monthly (2002). "Velton Ray Bunch scores Enterprise". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  7. ^ Memory Alpha. "Ron Jones". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  8. ^ Memory Alpha. "Ron Jones". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  9. ^ Star Trek Soundtracks (December 19, 2002). "Ron Jones Interview". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  10. ^ Chicago Tribune (April 2005). "David Weddle interview". {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  11. ^ Oliver, Glen (2002-12-12). "Review of Star Trek Nemesis". IGN. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
  12. ^ Anthony Pascale (December 10, 2008). "Spiner Comes To The Defense Of Rick Berman (and JJ Abrams)". TrekMovie.com.
  13. ^ Wilonsky, Robert (1999-10-29). "The trouble with "Trek"". Salon.com. p. 3. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
  14. ^ Hinman, Michael (2006-04-12). "Star Trek XI Is Down, But It Is Not Out". Airlock Alpha. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
  15. ^ Sloan, Sam (2005-11-19). "A New Team Will Produce New Trek TV Show Says Berman". Slice of SciFi. Retrieved 2009-04-12.
  16. ^ "Rick Berman on Leaving the Star Trek Franchise". TrekWeb. October 13, 2006.
  17. ^ a b Pascale, Anthony (2007-04-20). "Berman To Write Book On Trek Experience". TrekMovie.com. Retrieved 2009-04-12.

See also

External links