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Harlan Ellison Sues For "Star Trek" Episode

Posted by kdawson on from the dangerous-visions dept.

Miracle Jones writes "The ever-quotable speculative fiction writer Harlan Ellison has launched a lawsuit against Paramount and the Writer's Guild West for rights to residuals surrounding his famous and award winning 'City on the Edge of Forever' episode for the original Star Trek series. Ellison, recently featured in the documentary 'Dreams with Sharp Teeth,' said that 'The Trek fans who know my City screenplay understand just exactly why I'm bare-fangs-of-Adamantium about this.' Regarding his lawsuit, he had this to say: 'The arrogance, the pompous dismissive imperial manner of those who "have more important things to worry about," who'll have their assistant get back to you, who don't actually read or create, who merely "take" meetings, and shuffle papers — much of which is paper money denied to those who actually did the manual labor of creating those dreams — they refuse even to notice... until you jam a Federal lawsuit in their eye. To hell with all that obfuscation and phony flag-waving: they got my money. Pay me and pay off all the other writers from whom you've made hundreds of thousands of millions of dollars... from OUR labors... just so you can float your fat asses in warm Bahamian waters.'"

11 of 483 comments (clear)

  1. wow by Shakrai · · Score: 5, Funny

    Tell us what you really think dude ;)

    --
    I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
    We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
    1. Re:wow by Jeremiah+Cornelius · · Score: 4, Funny

      "REPENT Harlanquin!" Said the FatCat man.

      --
      "Flyin' in just a sweet place,
      Never been known to fail..."
    2. Re:wow by Shakrai · · Score: 4, Funny

      Yeah, Hollywood has always ripped off its writers

      Fixed that for you.

      --
      I want peace on earth and goodwill toward man.
      We are the United States Government! We don't do that sort of thing.
    3. Re:wow by ScrewMaster · · Score: 4, Funny

      Tell us what you really think dude ;)

      What is Star-Trek?

      It's an old TV show where men in tight-fitting outfits and women in mini-skirts and tight-fitting nylons flew a primitive warp-drive spaceship around, interfering in the development of numerous civilizations around our part of the galaxy on a weekly basis. That fine tradition was continued in the various Star Trek spinoff franchises that popped up (rather like weeds) in the decades since the original series was aired. Note to first-time viewers: the various characters in TOS (i.e., The Original Series) were conveniently color-coded for longevity: those wearing tight-fitting red outfits generally didn't make it out of any given episode alive.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    4. Re:wow by plover · · Score: 4, Funny

      That's right. We should support those Hollywood writers by buying their stories, not just watching re-runs that make money only for the studios.

      Here's one way to support Harlan: buy the book. Make sure he gets paid for his fabulous story.

      Oh, wait. It's out of print, and that's a site that sells used copies. Sorry, Harlan!

      --
      John
  2. Hmm... by fuzzyfuzzyfungus · · Score: 5, Funny

    He has a mouth and he must sue...

  3. I really... by AresTheImpaler · · Score: 5, Funny

    I really enjoyed the Star Wars stuff he wrote...

  4. On one hand... by Chyeld · · Score: 5, Funny

    On one hand, we have the tired old story of a writer/creative not receiving due credit for his work. On the other hand, said creative is possibly the most obnoxious asshole still living that I've known of.

    On the third hand, this is Star Trek.

    God, I'm so conflicted here, who do I want screwed over the most?

    1. Re:On one hand... by Chyeld · · Score: 4, Funny

      With your nick, I shall take you at your word. ^_^

    2. Re:On one hand... by Lumpy · · Score: 5, Funny

      Harlan has tilted at windmills his entire life.

      This is where he is happy, fighting the impossible fight that gives him the limelight one more time...

      I will never forget my personal berating at the hand of the man. The profanity he spouted when I handed him a book to sign, he signed it and when I got it back I said in jest, "Wait I though you were Kurt Vonnegut"...

      He came unglued.... It was spectacular.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  5. hey, this can only end well by speedtux · · Score: 4, Funny

    Greedy, arrogant writer sues greedy, arrogant corporation.