A Humorous Slip-Up Leads to Sincere Regret
A Blunt Assessment of Star Trek's Current Landscape
During a recent appearance on the "Critical Drinking" podcast, Andy Weir offered his candid thoughts on the current slate of "Star Trek" series available on Paramount+. He expressed appreciation for certain shows, such as "Strange New Worlds" and "Lower Decks," while indicating a less favorable view of others, stating his opinions as a consumer.
An Attempted Pitch and an Unfiltered Opinion
Weir revealed that he had previously pitched a "Star Trek" concept to Paramount, engaging in discussions with showrunners and executive producer Alex Kurtzman. Despite acknowledging Kurtzman as a personable individual, Weir candidly admitted to not being fond of many of the newer "Trek" iterations, characterizing them with strong, dismissive language.
The Public Apology: A Facebook Post to Alex Kurtzman
Recognizing the potential for misunderstanding and offense, Weir subsequently issued a public apology to Alex Kurtzman via Facebook. In his open letter, he clarified that his critical remarks were intended to be humorous and self-deprecating, rather than genuinely disrespectful. He emphasized his personal regard for Kurtzman and reiterated his enjoyment of certain "Star Trek" series.
Reflecting on the Weight of Words in the Public Eye
Weir acknowledged his inherent bluntness and conceded that, after a decade away from constant media scrutiny, he had become less guarded with his words. He expressed regret that his humor might have been misconstrued, particularly given the recent success of his work in cinema, and offered to discuss the matter directly with Kurtzman.