About
"I'd like to be remembered as somebody who took Gene Roddenberry's vision of the future and his idea of what 'Star Trek' was supposed to be and tried to keep these four series and four movies that we've done true to his ideals."
In his three-hour-plus interview, Rick Berman talks about his early years in television, where he worked as a producer on documentary series and specials including The Big Blue Marble. He recalls his move to Los Angeles and his work as a development executive before being tapped by Gene Roddenberry to work on his new series. He recounts his involvement in launching Star Trek: The Next Generation, and his long association with the subsequent franchise in both television and feature films. He gives his impressions of series creator Gene Roddenberry and talks about Roddenberry's vision of a hopeful future for mankind. Berman discusses taking the reins of the series following Roddenberry's death and speaks of his roles as both a producer and co-creator of the later Star Trek series: Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise. He outlines the premise for each of those series and speaks in-depth about the cast members, their characters, and the sometimes arduous nature of pleasing the fans of the franchise. Jennifer Howard conducted the interview on May 31, 2006 in Los Angeles, CA.
Highlights
Rick Berman on how he came to produce Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on the death of Gene Roddenberry
Rick Berman on the creation of Star Trek: Enterprise
Rick Berman on the title of Star Trek: Enterprise
Rick Berman on the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Trials and Tribble-ations"
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On his early life and influences; on his early work as a producer; on going to work at Warner Bros. and Paramount
On how he came to produce Star Trek: The Next Generation; on working with Gene Roddenberry; on his initial producing duties on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Chapter 2
On the premise of Star Trek: The Next Generation; on syndicating Star Trek: The Next Generation; on casting the show
On Whoopi Goldberg and Jonathan Frakes on Star Trek: The Next Generation; on actors directing Star Trek: The Next Generation; on writing some episodes of the show
Chapter 3
On Leonard Nimoy appearing on Star Trek: The Next Generation; on the visual effects and make-up on Star Trek: The Next Generation; on his shifting producing duties on the show
On the death of Gene Roddenberry; on the end of Star Trek: The Next Generation; on the creation of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Chapter 4
On the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; on the themes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine; on the lighting and atmosphere of the show
On creating and casting Star Trek: Voyager
Chapter 5
On the cast of Star Trek: Voyager; on using the Holodeck as a story-telling device on Star Trek: Voyager; on the end of the show
On the creation of Star Trek: Enterprise; on Scott Bakula as "Captain Archer" on Star Trek: Enterprise; on cast of the show
Chapter 6
On the design of the ship on Star Trek: Enterprise; on the show's theme song; on the title and story arc of Star Trek: Enterprise; on the end of the show
On the feature film "Star Trek: First Contact"; on the then-future and legacy of the Star Trek series; on advice to aspiring producers
Chapter 7
On his management style; on career highlights and regrets; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows
Big Blue Marble
Rick Berman on producing The Big Blue Marble
Star Trek
Rick Berman on the then-future of the Star Trek franchise
Rick Berman on the legacy of Star Trek
Rick Berman on the future of the Star Trek franchise
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Rick Berman on how Star Trek: Deep Space Nine came about and its premise
Rick Berman on dividing his time between Star Trek shows
Rick Berman on "Commander Cisco" on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Rick Berman on keeping Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fresh; on the show's themes
Rick Berman on the final episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Rick Berman on the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Trials and Tribble-ations"
Rick Berman on the lighting and atmosphere of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on how he came to produce Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on his impressions of Gene Roddenberry and the series idea for Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on his initial producing duties on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on Patrick Stewart as "Captain Picard" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on the premise of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on syndicating Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on Gates McFadden leaving and returning to Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on Denise Crosby and Wil Wheaton leaving and returning to Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on casting Whoopi Goldberg on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on Jonathan Frakes as "William Riker" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on actors directing Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on writing for Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on Leonard Nimoy appearing as "Spock" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on the Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes "The Best of Both Worlds" and the finale "All Good Things"
Rick Berman on the visual effects of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on the make-up work on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on the rules for writing Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on the critical and fan reaction to Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on his shifting producing duties on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on the death of Gene Roddenberry
Rick Berman on the end of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on dividing his time between Star Trek shows
Rick Berman on Star Trek: The Next Generation being his favorite of all the Star Trek series and his favorite moments
Star Trek: Voyager
Rick Berman on the creation of Star Trek: Voyager and casting "Captain Janeway"
Rick Berman on Kate Mulgrew as "Captain Janeway" on Star Trek: Voyager
Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: Voyager
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager
Rick Berman on the Holodeck as a story-telling device on Star Trek: Voyager
Rick Berman on the end of Star Trek: Voyager
Topics
Advice
Rick Berman on advice to an aspiring producer
Characters & Catchphrases
Rick Berman on Patrick Stewart as "Captain Picard" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on Leonard Nimoy appearing as "Spock" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on Kate Mulgrew as "Captain Janeway" on Star Trek: Voyager
Rick Berman on Scott Bakula as "Captain Archer" on Star Trek: Enterprise
Classic TV Series Episodes
Rick Berman on the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Trials and Tribble-ations"
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Rick Berman on the death of Gene Roddenberry
Rick Berman on how he'd like to be remembered
First Big Break
Rick Berman on his early days in Los Angeles going to work at Warner Bros. and Paramount
Pivotal Career Moments
Rick Berman on his early days in Los Angeles going to work at Warner Bros. and Paramount
Pop Culture
Rick Berman on Patrick Stewart as "Captain Picard" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on Leonard Nimoy appearing as "Spock" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on Kate Mulgrew as "Captain Janeway" on Star Trek: Voyager
Rick Berman on the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Trials and Tribble-ations"
Rick Berman on Scott Bakula as "Captain Archer" on Star Trek: Enterprise
Rick Berman on the design of the ship and the theme song of Star Trek: Enterprise
Technological Innovation
Rick Berman on the visual effects of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Television Industry
Rick Berman on advice to an aspiring producer
TV Theme Songs
Rick Berman on the design of the ship and the theme song of Star Trek: Enterprise
Professions
Producers
Rick Berman on advice to an aspiring producer
Rick Berman on his management style
Genres
Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: The Next Generation (Part 1)
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: The Next Generation (Part 2)
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: The Next Generation (Part 3)
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Part 1)
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Part 2)
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: Voyager (Part 1)
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: Voyager (Part 2)
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: Enterprise (Part 1)
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: Enterprise (Part 2)
People
Rene Auberjonois
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Rene Auberjonois
Scott Bakula
Rick Berman on Scott Bakula as "Captain Archer" on Star Trek: Enterprise
Jolene Blalock
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Enterprise: Jolene Blalock
Avery Brooks
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Avery Brooks
LeVar Burton
Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation: LeVar Burton
Denise Crosby
Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation: Denise Crosby
Rick Berman on Denise Crosby and Wil Wheaton leaving and returning to Star Trek: The Next Generation
Michael Dorn
Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation: Michael Dorn
Terry Farrell
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Terry Farrell
Jonathan Frakes
Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation: Jonathan Frakes
Rick Berman on Jonathan Frakes as "William Riker" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Whoopi Goldberg
Rick Berman on casting Whoopi Goldberg on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Dominic Keating
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Enterprise: Dominic Keating
Jennifer Lien
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager: Jennifer Lien
Gates McFadden
Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation: Gates McFadden
Rick Berman on Gates McFadden leaving and returning to Star Trek: The Next Generation
Robert Duncan McNeill
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager: Robert Duncan McNeill
Colm Meaney
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Colm Meaney
Kate Mulgrew
Rick Berman on Kate Mulgrew as "Captain Janeway" on Star Trek: Voyager
Leonard Nimoy
Rick Berman on Leonard Nimoy appearing as "Spock" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Linda Park
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Enterprise: Linda Park
Ethan Phillips
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager: Ethan Phillips
Robert Picardo
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager: Robert Picardo
Gene Roddenberry
Rick Berman on how he came to produce Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on his impressions of Gene Roddenberry and the series idea for Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation
Rick Berman on the death of Gene Roddenberry
Jeri Ryan
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager: Jeri Ryan
Brent Spiner
Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation: Brent Spiner
Patrick Stewart
Rick Berman on Patrick Steward as "Captain Picard" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
Connor Trinneer
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Enterprise: Connor Trinneer
Nana Visitor
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Nana Visitor
Garrett Wang
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager: Garrett Wang
Wil Wheaton
Rick Berman on Denise Crosby and Wil Wheaton leaving and returning to Star Trek: The Next Generation