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Patrick Stewart believes long-running British Sci-Fi series ripped off Star Trek

BBG News

As a gamer who has spent countless hours exploring the vast expanse of sci-fi universes, I can confidently say that Star Trek holds a special place in the hearts of many. With its rich history and endless content, it’s no wonder that other franchises might find inspiration in its success.

Nowadays, Star Trek seldom gazes back at its past. Not only is it one of the most accomplished and enduring series in the realm of science fiction, but it also stands almost unparalleled. Those rare contenders who attempt to share the limelight often fall short when compared to the depth, quality, or sheer volume of material that Star Trek has produced over nearly six decades.

Occasionally, it’s no shock when a show borrows elements from a franchise every now and then, and sometimes they do it quite well. A notable example of this is a widely beloved British sci-fi comedy series that dared to mock the colossal phenomenon known as Star Trek – I’m referring to Red Dwarf.

Back in the day, I’ve been quite the regular in this gaming world, sticking around for decades through different seasons and reboots. Then, during the mid-1990s, an episode caught my attention – or should I say, it caught the eye of a certain Patrick Stewart, known as Captain Jean-Luc Picard from Star Trek: The Next Generation and the second in command in the Trek films. He didn’t specifically name that episode, but rumor has it that he might have been watching “The Gunmen of the Apcoplayse”.

Some people think this episode drew inspiration from “A Fistful of Datas” from The Next Generation, but given the release schedules, that seems improbable. However, when Patrick Stewart was chosen to introduce Red Dwarf Night on BBC in 1998, he shared his surprise upon watching an episode reminiscent of a Star Trek episode he had starred in.

At the beginning, Stewart humorously shares an anecdote that hints at his past disagreement with the creators of Red Dwarf, implying they copied the concept and even using terms like “ripoff.” However, it’s unclear whether this story is entirely fictional or if there was truth behind it, as he might have been on the verge of contacting lawyers to initiate a lawsuit.

Regardless, Stewart had no problem with the series, as he would later sit down to film the introduction. While he comes off as stuffy, it’s fair to say that Stewart has always had a healthy sense of humor, especially when it comes to his work.

A quick glance at his collaborations with Seth MacFarlane, particularly in shows like Family Guy and American Dad, makes it evident that he possesses a remarkable knack for humor and isn’t shy about taking jabs at himself.

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2024-08-21 05:23

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