Movies - TV
Star Trek Nearly Had To Cut Spock From Season 2
By WITNEY SEIBOLD
The NBC series “Star Trek” only got off the ground 57 years ago due to the bolstering of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz — whose Desilu studio backed Gene Roddenberry's sci-fi project.
By Season 2, Desilu apparently had a change of heart and wanted to pull the plug on “Star Trek” or perhaps cut Spock, the science officer played by Leonard Nimoy, from the lineup.
Though Spock, the alien with pointy ears, angled eyebrows, and lack of emotions, seemed key to the show, Desilu wanted to fire Nimoy because his salary demands were too high.
However, Nimoy knew from fan mail that Spock was crucial to the show’s success and began renegotiating his contract; he felt the show couldn’t go on without him — and NBC agreed.
According to Marc Cushman, an author and “Trek” expert, NBC told Desilu, “You are not doing the show without that guy. Pay him whatever you need to pay him.” Nimoy got his raise.