CLASSIC IMAGE: The S.S. Enterprise on Star Trek

Star Trek Television Show Premiered on NBC on Thursday, September 8, 1966 Star Trek was created by Gene Roddenberry that followed the adventures of the crew of the starship U.S.S. Enterprise. The 1964 pilot "The Cage" featured Jeffrey Hunter as Enterprise captain Christopher Pike. The pilot was rejected by NBC executives as being too cerebral. Another pilot entitled "Where No Man Has Gone Before" starred the Enterprise captain played by William Shatner. Leonard Nimoy as Mr. Spock was the only character to return from the original pilot. The response was good and NBC gave the go ahead to the series. Critical response to the series was mixed and rating were lower than expected. In its second season, reoccurring guest star DeForest Kelley was added to the series' starring cast. A decline in the ratings, however, prompted NBC to attempt to cancel the series after its second season, but a letter writing campaign by die hard fans of the show saved it. Ratings continued to decline, and despite another letter writing campaign, the series was finally cancelled after its third season. Star Trek began running in syndication where it was discovered by legion of new fans and became a phenomenon.