The original Star Trek series made its TV debut on Sept. 8, 1966, and was cancelled three years later due to mediocre ratings. Yet instead of disappearing into a black hole, the show found new life in syndication, and its iconic characters became ingrained in our popular culture. But Star Trek as we know it almost didn't happen. Here's a look at 10 oddities in the show's rocky history.
10. Star Trek Was Social Commentary Disguised As Sci-fi
Gene Roddenberry, a former L.A. cop, wrote numerous TV scripts during the late Fifties and early Sixties, especially for police dramas. But the networks wouldn't let him touch on controversial topics such as war, sexuality, and racial prejudice. Roddenberry decided that in order to address social and political issues, he would have to create his own series and set it in the future. That way, he could use allegory to comment on current events, and the network "suits" would never figure it out. Nichelle Nichols has recalled that about halfway through the first season, she approached Roddenberry and said, "I know what you're really doing, Gene. You're writing morality plays, aren't you?" And he whispered, "Shh don't tell anyone."