BEAMME UP, LUCY How Lucille Ball Saved ‘Star Trek’ in the 1960s
D id You know that Lucille Ball — the iconic comedian best known for her 1950s show “I Love Lucy” — is the reason “Star Trek” exists today? Ball was a Hollywood force in the ‘50s and ‘60s, and she produced hit after hit with her production company. In fact, Desilu, co-founded by Ball and her then-husband, Desi Arnaz, was responsible for hits like “The Andy Griffith Show” and
In 1965, Ball took the pitches to her longtime network collaborator, CBS. They said no to “Star Trek” (but yes to “Mission: Impossible”), but Ball wasn’t about to give up on this new science fiction show, so she took it to NBC. The network was skeptical at first but ordered a pilot. The pilot starred Jeffrey Hunter as Captain Pike and Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock. There was no James T. Kirk to be found — not yet, anyway. The pilot, titled “The Cage,” was a disappointment. NBC executives weren’t about to put it on air, but they decided to order a second pilot after Ball agreed to help finance it.
“The Dick Van Dyke Show.” The two were partners in the company until their divorce in 1960, and in 1962, Ball took over Arnaz’s share. In that moment, Ball became one of the most powerful women in Hollywood, and Desilu, one of the biggest independent
The second pilot starred William Shatner as Captain Kirk, and he was joined again by Leonard Nimoy as Spock. NBC executives liked what they saw. The new pilot, titled “Where No Man Has Gone Before,” was put on NBC’s fall schedule, though it wasn’t the first episode aired on NBC. That honor went to the episode titled “The Man Trap,” which aired on Sept. 8, 1966.
production companies at the time, had a lot of pull in the industry. In 1963, one of Desilu’s biggest hits was coming to an end. “The Untouchables” was a crime drama starring Robert Stack. Ball needed a replacement, and two potential shows hit Ball’s desk: “Star Trek” and “Mission: Impossible.”
While Gene Roddenberry’s original “Star Trek” only lasted three seasons, it went on to become a major TV and film franchise. One of its recent iterations, “Star Trek: Discovery,” is about to enter its third season on the streaming service CBS All Access — all because Lucille Ball saw potential in a little show back in 1965.
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Balsamic Marinated Flank Steak Inspired by FoodAndWine.com
Ingredients
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2 garlic cloves, sliced
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for grilling
1 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves
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1 tbsp dried oregano
1 3-lb flank steak Kosher salt, to taste
2 tbsp whole-grain mustard 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
Directions
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Combine garlic, rosemary, oregano, mustard, and vinegar in a blender. Purée until garlic is minced. Add oil and continue blending until creamy, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Reserve 1/4 cup. Place steak in a ceramic or glass baking dish and cover steak with the remaining marinade. Turn to coat the other side, cover, and let marinate in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
Remove steak from marinade and let excess marinade drip off. Sprinkle the steak lightly with salt and pepper. Light grill and oil grates with olive oil. Grill steak over moderate heat for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway through, until steak is lightly charred and the internal temperature reaches 125 F. Let the steak rest for 5 minutes. Thinly slice, drizzle reserved sauce, and serve.
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Easy way out
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