Rick Berman

Producer / Show Creator


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his three-hour-plus Archive 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 reigns 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.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"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." 

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Rick Berman on how he came to produce Star Trek: The Next Generation
05:26
Rick Berman on the death of Gene Roddenberry
03:45
Rick Berman on the creation of Star Trek: Enterprise
04:40
Rick Berman on the title of Star Trek: Enterprise
01:24
Rick Berman on the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine  episode "Trials and Tribble-ations"
02:12
Full Interview

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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

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Rick Berman on producing The Big Blue Marble
01:34

Star Trek

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Rick Berman on the then-future of the Star Trek franchise
01:16
Rick Berman on the legacy of Star Trek
01:44
Rick Berman on the future of the Star Trek  franchise
01:16

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

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Rick Berman on how Star Trek: Deep Space Nine came about and its premise
05:59
Rick Berman on dividing his time between Star Trek shows
01:46
Rick Berman on "Commander Cisco" on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
01:29
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
07:58
Rick Berman on keeping Star Trek: Deep Space Nine fresh; on the show's themes
03:15
Rick Berman on the final episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
01:38
Rick Berman on the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Trials and Tribble-ations"
02:12
Rick Berman on the lighting and atmosphere of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
01:14

Star Trek: The Next Generation

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Rick Berman on how he came to produce Star Trek: The Next Generation
05:26
Rick Berman on his impressions of Gene Roddenberry and the series idea for Star Trek: The Next Generation
02:06
Rick Berman on his initial producing duties on Star Trek: The Next Generation
02:35
Rick Berman on Patrick Stewart as "Captain Picard" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
04:25
Rick Berman on the premise of Star Trek: The Next Generation
02:01
Rick Berman on syndicating Star Trek: The Next Generation
00:42
Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation
06:08
Rick Berman on Gates McFadden leaving and returning to Star Trek: The Next Generation
02:10
Rick Berman on Denise Crosby and Wil Wheaton leaving and returning to Star Trek: The Next Generation
01:31
Rick Berman on casting Whoopi Goldberg on Star Trek: The Next Generation
02:08
Rick Berman on Jonathan Frakes as "William Riker" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
02:38
Rick Berman on actors directing Star Trek: The Next Generation
02:16
Rick Berman on writing for Star Trek: The Next Generation
04:15
Rick Berman on Leonard Nimoy appearing as "Spock" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
01:33
Rick Berman on the Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes "The Best of Both Worlds" and the finale "All Good Things"
02:31
Rick Berman on the visual effects of Star Trek: The Next Generation
03:09
Rick Berman on the make-up work on Star Trek: The Next Generation
02:06
Rick Berman on the rules for writing Star Trek: The Next Generation
03:06
Rick Berman on the critical and fan reaction to Star Trek: The Next Generation
01:03
Rick Berman on his shifting producing duties on Star Trek: The Next Generation
01:17
Rick Berman on the death of Gene Roddenberry
03:45
Rick Berman on the end of Star Trek: The Next Generation
01:26
Rick Berman on dividing his time between Star Trek shows
01:46
Rick Berman on Star Trek: The Next Generation being his favorite of all the Star Trek series and his favorite moments
02:52

Star Trek: Voyager

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Rick Berman on the creation of Star Trek: Voyager and casting "Captain Janeway"
07:14
Rick Berman on Kate Mulgrew as "Captain Janeway" on Star Trek: Voyager
03:17
Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: Voyager
02:56
Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager
07:54
Rick Berman on the Holodeck as a story-telling device on Star Trek: Voyager
02:59
Rick Berman on the end of Star Trek: Voyager
01:58
Topics

Advice

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Rick Berman on advice to an aspiring producer
01:29

Characters & Catchphrases

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Rick Berman on Patrick Stewart as "Captain Picard" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
04:25
Rick Berman on Leonard Nimoy appearing as "Spock" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
01:33
Rick Berman on Kate Mulgrew as "Captain Janeway" on Star Trek: Voyager
03:17
Rick Berman on Scott Bakula as "Captain Archer" on Star Trek: Enterprise
02:17

Classic TV series episodes

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Rick Berman on the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine  episode "Trials and Tribble-ations"
02:12

Creative Influences and Inspiration

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Rick Berman on the death of Gene Roddenberry
03:45
Rick Berman on how he'd like to be remembered
01:26

First Big Break

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Rick Berman on his early days in Los Angeles going to work at Warner Bros. and Paramount
08:49

Pivotal Career Moments

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Rick Berman on his early days in Los Angeles going to work at Warner Bros. and Paramount
08:49

Pop Culture

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Rick Berman on Patrick Stewart as "Captain Picard" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
04:25
Rick Berman on Leonard Nimoy appearing as "Spock" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
01:33
Rick Berman on Kate Mulgrew as "Captain Janeway" on Star Trek: Voyager
03:17
Rick Berman on the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine  episode "Trials and Tribble-ations"
02:12
Rick Berman on Scott Bakula as "Captain Archer" on Star Trek: Enterprise
02:17
Rick Berman on the design of the ship and the theme song of Star Trek: Enterprise
04:49

TV Theme Songs

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Rick Berman on the design of the ship and the theme song of Star Trek: Enterprise
04:49

Technological Innovation

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Rick Berman on the visual effects of Star Trek: The Next Generation
03:09

Television Industry

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Rick Berman on advice to an aspiring producer
01:29
Professions

Producers

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Rick Berman on advice to an aspiring producer
01:29
Rick Berman on his management style
01:42
Genres

Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series

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Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: The Next Generation (Part 1)
10:07
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: The Next Generation (Part 2)
29:22
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: The Next Generation (Part 3)
19:56
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: Deep Space Nine  (Part 1) 
09:14
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (Part 2)
16:17
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: Voyager (Part 1)
13:27
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: Voyager (Part 2) 
12:51
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: Enterprise  (Part 1)
16:33
Rick Berman on producing Star Trek: Enterprise (Part 2)
15:26
People

Rene Auberjonois

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Rene Auberjonois
07:58

Scott Bakula

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Rick Berman on Scott Bakula as "Captain Archer" on Star Trek: Enterprise
02:17

Jolene Blalock

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Enterprise: Jolene Blalock
06:25

Avery Brooks

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Avery Brooks
07:58

LeVar Burton

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Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation: LeVar Burton
06:08

Denise Crosby

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Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation: Denise Crosby
06:08
Rick Berman on Denise Crosby and Wil Wheaton leaving and returning to Star Trek: The Next Generation
01:31

Michael Dorn

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Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation: Michael Dorn
06:08

Terry Farrell

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Terry Farrell
07:58

Jonathan Frakes

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Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation: Jonathan Frakes
06:08
Rick Berman on Jonathan Frakes as "William Riker" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
02:38

Whoopi Goldberg

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Rick Berman on casting Whoopi Goldberg on Star Trek: The Next Generation
02:08

Dominic Keating

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Enterprise: Dominic Keating
06:25

Jennifer Lien

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager: Jennifer Lien      
07:54

Gates McFadden

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Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation: Gates McFadden
06:08
Rick Berman on Gates McFadden leaving and returning to Star Trek: The Next Generation
02:10

Robert Duncan McNeill

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager: Robert Duncan McNeill
07:54

Colm Meaney

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Colm Meaney
07:58

Kate Mulgrew

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Rick Berman on Kate Mulgrew as "Captain Janeway" on Star Trek: Voyager
03:17

Leonard Nimoy

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Rick Berman on Leonard Nimoy appearing as "Spock" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
01:33

Linda Park

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Enterprise: Linda Park
06:25

Ethan Phillips

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager: Ethan Phillips
07:54

Robert Picardo

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager: Robert Picardo
07:54

Gene Roddenberry

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Rick Berman on how he came to produce Star Trek: The Next Generation
05:26
Rick Berman on his impressions of Gene Roddenberry and the series idea for Star Trek: The Next Generation
02:06
Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation
06:08
Rick Berman on the death of Gene Roddenberry
03:45

Jeri Ryan

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager: Jeri Ryan
07:54

Brent Spiner

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Rick Berman on casting Star Trek: The Next Generation: Brent Spiner
06:08

Patrick Stewart

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Rick Berman on Patrick Steward as "Captain Picard" on Star Trek: The Next Generation
04:25

Connor Trinneer

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Enterprise: Connor Trinneer
06:25

Nana Visitor

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine: Nana Visitor
07:58

Garrett Wang

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Rick Berman on the cast of Star Trek: Voyager: Garrett Wang
07:54

Wil Wheaton

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Rick Berman on Denise Crosby and Wil Wheaton leaving and returning to Star Trek: The Next Generation
01:31

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