10 Times Star Trek Appeared In Other TV Shows

To boldly go... into ALL these other TV shows.

The Big Bang Theory Star Trek
CBS

There's absolutely no denying that Star Trek is a pop-culture juggernaut: it has been around for over 50 years and imprinted itself upon basically every corner of sci-fi, not to mention been lovingly homaged, referenced, and parodied in all types of TV shows, movies, video games, books, and music.

With Paramount currently churning out five separate Trek shows - Discovery, Picard, Strange New Worlds, Prodigy, and Lower Decks - it's fair to say that Trek fandom just might be at an all-time high.

But outside of its own canonical universe, Trek has been showing up on other TV shows for literally decades at this point, in animated sitcoms, prestige period drama, dark satirical thrillers, and even a legal procedural of all things.

These non-Trek shows have all invoked Trek in one way or another, whether fielding out incredible Easter eggs, making more hands-on homages, or even forcing fans to question whether the show might secretly exist within the same continuity as Star Trek.

Some shows were certainly subtler than others with their references, but each surely left a huge smile plastered across the face of any fan watching...

10. The Simpsons

The Big Bang Theory Star Trek
Fox

It's no secret that The Simpsons creator Matt Groening and his writers room are big fans of Star Trek, which has been continually referenced across more than 50 episodes of the animated sitcom.

But the most memorable of them all was a more involved parody of The Original Series in 1992's season four episode "Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie."

The episode begins with a mocking faux-trailer for a new Star Trek film entitled "Star Trek XII: So Very Tired," with an over-the-hill Captain Kirk monologuing, "Captain's Log, Stardate 6051. Had trouble sleeping last night - my hiatal hernia is acting up. The ship is drafty and damp. I complain, but nobody listens."

The trailer narrator assures audiences the film will be the crew's "latest, greatest adventure," all while Sulu is seen sporting a cane and Scotty is too overweight to reach the control panel.

This was quite clearly lampooning the later Trek films starring the Original Series' cast, particularly 1991's Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, where William Shatner et. al were most certainly showing their age.

Fittingly, The Undiscovered Country was the final Trek film to feature all of the Enterprise's original crew, likely in large part due to sentiments such as this from fans and critics alike.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.