--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: 'The Next Generation' was a lot of fun…" description: "\"'The Next Generation' was a lot of fun for a while, and then it wasn't a lot of fun. The reason it wasn't a lot of fun was that this one was going to b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a8/david-gerrold-9333_fun_the-next-generation-was-a-lot-of-fun-for_777435.jpg" --- # 'The Next Generation' was a lot of fun for a while, and… ![“'The Next Generation' was a lot of fun for a while, and then it wasn't a lot of fun. The reason it wasn't a lot of fun was that this one was going to be a guaranteed hit. The original 'Star Trek' was never a guaranteed hit.” quote by David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a8/david-gerrold-9333_fun_the-next-generation-was-a-lot-of-fun-for_777435.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a8/david-gerrold-9333_fun_the-next-generation-was-a-lot-of-fun-for_777435.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4a8/david-gerrold-9333_fun_the-next-generation-was-a-lot-of-fun-for_777435.jpg) > “'The Next Generation' was a lot of fun for a while, and then it wasn't a lot of fun. The reason it wasn't a lot of fun was that this one was going to be a guaranteed hit. The original 'Star Trek' was never a guaranteed hit.” [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Predictable, formulaic sequels can lose charm, while original works retain spontaneity and risk. **In simple terms:** Originals stay fresh. Key Takeaway Value originality. Themes creativity originality media criticism Mood critical thoughtful Type analytical media When to use this quote - watching TV - choosing shows - media analysis Key Concepts storytelling risk taking Questions to Reflect On - Why do we love originals? - How can sequels stay fresh? 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Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-d-moore/) > [I was addicted to the original 'Star Trek' when I was growing up, because of my dad. We grew up in St. Helens, Oregon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katee-sackhoff/i-was-addicted-to-the-original-star-trek-when-i-was-growing-up/) [Katee Sackhoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katee-sackhoff/) > [I was brought to Hollywood by Gene Roddenberry and Michael Eisner, chosen from 600 hopefuls to star in the original 'Star Trek' motion picture.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/persis-khambatta/i-was-brought-to-hollywood-by-gene-roddenberry-and-michael-eisner/) [Persis Khambatta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/persis-khambatta/) > [Star Trek' is the McDonald's of science fiction; it's fast food storytelling. Every problem is like every other problem. They all get solved in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/star-trek-is-the-mcdonald-s-of-science-fiction-it-s-fast-food/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [My approach to 'Star Trek' was, 'I know science fiction, and I know screen writing.' That was very arrogant of me, but you really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/my-approach-to-star-trek-was-i-know-science-fiction-and-i-know-screen/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [The original Star Wars ("A New Hope") has had the greatest impact on me of all the films I've ever watched. It's really what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-campisi/the-original-star-wars-a-new-hope-has-had-the-greatest-impact-on-me/) [Gabriel Campisi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-campisi/) > [Being part of the original 'Star Wars' generation, I have always known a dark future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-van-eekhout/being-part-of-the-original-star-wars-generation-i-have-always-known-a/) [Greg van Eekhout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-van-eekhout/) > [I don't think anybody wants to see a dour 'Star Trek' movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/damon-lindelof/i-don-t-think-anybody-wants-to-see-a-dour-star-trek-movie/) [Damon Lindelof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/damon-lindelof/) > [I didn't want to be trapped in an idea of replicating other 'Star Trek' characters; especially Vulcans. But my love and I have Spock…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamlyn-tomita/i-didn-t-want-to-be-trapped-in-an-idea-of-replicating-other-star-trek/) [Tamlyn Tomita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamlyn-tomita/) > [I grew up watching 'Star Trek.' I love 'Star Trek.' 'Star Trek' made me want to see alien creatures, creatures from a far-distant world.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dickinson/i-grew-up-watching-star-trek-i-love-star-trek-star-trek-made-me-want/) [Michael Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dickinson/) > [It's 'Star Trek!' It's as close to an American mythology as we get. To be a part of that storytelling after being a fan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-cruz/it-s-star-trek-it-s-as-close-to-an-american-mythology-as-we-get-to-be/) [Wilson Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-cruz/) > ['Star Trek' never grabbed me. Every time I hear about Klingons, I think of those little lint balls that stick to your clothes in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-brett/star-trek-never-grabbed-me-every-time-i-hear-about-klingons-i-think/) [Regina Brett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-brett/) > [It takes a certain kind of person who loves 'Star Trek' to bring it to life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilson-cruz/it-takes-a-certain-kind-of-person-who-loves-star-trek-to-bring-it-to/) [Wilson Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilson-cruz/) > [My brothers and I would try to talk our dad into letting us stay up and watch 'Star Trek.' I remember watching it and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-lin/my-brothers-and-i-would-try-to-talk-our-dad-into-letting-us-stay-up/) [Justin Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-lin/) > [I'm a geek - I read fantasy novels, I play 'World of Warcraft,' I'm a massive gamer, I have 'Star Trek' outfits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kazinsky/i-m-a-geek-i-read-fantasy-novels-i-play-world-of-warcraft-i-m-a/) [Robert Kazinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kazinsky/) ## More by David Gerrold > [Star Trek' is the McDonald's of science fiction; it's fast food storytelling. Every problem is like every other problem. They all get solved in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/star-trek-is-the-mcdonald-s-of-science-fiction-it-s-fast-food/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [The human race never solves any of its problems, it only outlives them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/the-human-race-never-solves-any-of-its-problems-it-only-outlives-them/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [What I wish is that people would look beyond the tribbles and see I've written some other books that I really would like people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/what-i-wish-is-that-people-would-look-beyond-the-tribbles-and-see-i/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [When television began, it modeled itself after radio. Many early television programs were radio programs first. 'My Favorite Wife,' 'The Jack Benny Show,' 'Burns…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/when-television-began-it-modeled-itself-after-radio-many-early/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [Morality—like velocity—is relative. The determination of it depends on what the objects around you are doing. All one can do is measure one's position…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/morality-like-velocity-is-relative-the-determination-of-it-depends-on/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [Just as movies, radio, and television evolved into new forms over time, the ebook will also become something more than just a way to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/just-as-movies-radio-and-television-evolved-into-new-forms-over-time/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [Doesn't anybody ever want to talk about anything else besides 'Star Trek?' There were 79 episodes of the series; there were 55 different writers.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/doesn-t-anybody-ever-want-to-talk-about-anything-else-besides-star/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [I had always been fascinated by the whole idea that Australia was this different ecology and that when rabbits and prickly pears and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/i-had-always-been-fascinated-by-the-whole-idea-that-australia-was/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [The single most important lesson of effective communication is this: Focus on clarity. Concentrate on precisions. Don’t worry about constructing beautiful sentences. Beauty comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/the-single-most-important-lesson-of-effective-communication-is-this/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [A work of art is an act of love. Critics are crab lice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/a-work-of-art-is-an-act-of-love-critics-are-crab-lice/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [If a thing is worth doing, it's worth doing for money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/if-a-thing-is-worth-doing-it-s-worth-doing-for-money/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [Theres two tiers of science fiction: the McDonalds sci-fi like Star Trek, where they have an adventure and solve it before the last commercial,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/theres-two-tiers-of-science-fiction-the-mcdonalds-sci-fi-like-star/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [I won't even try to predict the specifics, but I think the ebook - as a medium - could be a game-changer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/i-won-t-even-try-to-predict-the-specifics-but-i-think-the-ebook-as-a/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [Incompetency fed on itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/incompetency-fed-on-itself/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) > [Life is hard. Then you die. Then they throw dirt in your face. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gerrold/life-is-hard-then-you-die-then-they-throw-dirt-in-your-face-then-the/) [David Gerrold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) [Explore all 73 David Gerrold quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gerrold/) ## More Fun quotes > [It's really fun and challenging to build things that have never been built before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-mason/it-s-really-fun-and-challenging-to-build-things-that-have-never-been/) [Hilary Mason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-mason/) > [My first ever job after college was as a flight attendant. I wanted to travel and could not afford it, so I decided to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-winspear/my-first-ever-job-after-college-was-as-a-flight-attendant-i-wanted-to/) [Jacqueline Winspear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-winspear/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [I think taking a hookline of a hit song and making a new song is fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-kumar/i-think-taking-a-hookline-of-a-hit-song-and-making-a-new-song-is-fun/) [Tulsi Kumar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-kumar/) > [I enjoy upsetting the right people. I love poking fun at earnest censors. I want to push the bounds of what can be said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milo-yiannopoulos/i-enjoy-upsetting-the-right-people-i-love-poking-fun-at-earnest/) [Milo Yiannopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milo-yiannopoulos/) > [I really like John McCain. He's an awesome dude and was a lot of fun when he hosted "SNL." I'd love to see a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/i-really-like-john-mccain-he-s-an-awesome-dude-and-was-a-lot-of-fun/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [Actors don't hate acting. Most people don't hate acting! Whether you're a child mucking around with your friends or a grown up being paid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liv-hewson/actors-don-t-hate-acting-most-people-don-t-hate-acting-whether-you-re/) [Liv Hewson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liv-hewson/) > [I guess I'm attracted to things that are fun. I guess what is fun about this role in 'Suburgatory' is that there's a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-tudyk/i-guess-i-m-attracted-to-things-that-are-fun-i-guess-what-is-fun/) [Alan Tudyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-tudyk/) > [We did an episode where she goes out to get a job and she gets fired because she's not good. They hire a babysitter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-heaton/we-did-an-episode-where-she-goes-out-to-get-a-job-and-she-gets-fired/) [Patricia Heaton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-heaton/) > [I have no physical genius about me. I can't dribble a ball and run at the same time, I can't do lay-ups - I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rich-mullins/i-have-no-physical-genius-about-me-i-can-t-dribble-a-ball-and-run-at/) [Rich Mullins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rich-mullins/) > [I can't imagine not working, really. I just think work's more fun than fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-quant/i-can-t-imagine-not-working-really-i-just-think-work-s-more-fun-than/) [Mary Quant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-quant/) > [The work, the work, the work. This is what the business is all about. This is the fun, the glory, the pleasure. It's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-dusenberry/the-work-the-work-the-work-this-is-what-the-business-is-all-about/) [Phil Dusenberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-dusenberry/) > [It ain't because lovers are so sensitive that they quarrel so often; it is because there is so much fun n the making up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-billings/it-ain-t-because-lovers-are-so-sensitive-that-they-quarrel-so-often/) [Josh Billings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-billings/) > [It's great when you can write a meaningful song that touches people, but sometimes you just wanna have fun and sing a silly song…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-underwood/it-s-great-when-you-can-write-a-meaningful-song-that-touches-people/) [Carrie Underwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-underwood/) > [I loved duping my parents; I liked manipulating them. It was a way for me to stand out. It was fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/i-loved-duping-my-parents-i-liked-manipulating-them-it-was-a-way-for/) [Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/) [Browse all 15,947 Fun quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "'The Next Generation' was a lot of fun for a while, and then it wasn't a lot of fun. The reason it wasn't a lot of fun was that this one was going to be a guaranteed hit. 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