--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Star Wars is adolescent nonsense; Close…" description: "\"Star Wars is adolescent nonsense; Close Encounters is obscurist drivel; ‘Star Trek’ can turn your brains into puree of bat guano; and the greatest scie..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/030/harlan-ellison-2133_all-time_star-wars-is-adolescent-nonsense-close-e_2597496.jpg" --- # Star Wars is adolescent nonsense; Close Encounters is… ![“Star Wars is adolescent nonsense; Close Encounters is obscurist drivel; ‘Star Trek’ can turn your brains into puree of bat guano; and the greatest science fiction series of all time is Doctor Who! And I'll take you all on, one-by-one or all in a bunch to back it up!” quote by Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/030/harlan-ellison-2133_all-time_star-wars-is-adolescent-nonsense-close-e_2597496.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/030/harlan-ellison-2133_all-time_star-wars-is-adolescent-nonsense-close-e_2597496.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/030/harlan-ellison-2133_all-time_star-wars-is-adolescent-nonsense-close-e_2597496.jpg) > “Star Wars is adolescent nonsense; Close Encounters is obscurist drivel; ‘Star Trek’ can turn your brains into puree of bat guano; and the greatest science fiction series of all time is Doctor Who! And I'll take you all on, one-by-one or all in a bunch to back it up!” [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker critiques popular sci‑fi franchises, then champions Doctor Who as the ultimate series, urging a comparative analysis. **In simple terms:** He dismisses some shows and praises Doctor Who above all. Key Takeaway Consider why Doctor Who stands out for you. Themes critique comparison enthusiasm Mood defensive passionate Type critical enthusiastic When to use this quote - TV review - podcast discussion - blog post - forum debate Key Concepts media criticism genre hierarchy fan culture Questions to Reflect On - Which series truly reshapes your imagination? - How do personal biases shape media rankings? A Different Perspective The assessment may be overly subjective and dismissive of other fans. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Close encounters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/close-encounters/) [Doctor who](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctor-who/) [Doctors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doctors/) [Encounters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/encounters/) [Fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fiction/) [Nonsense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nonsense/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Science fiction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science-fiction/) [Star trek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/star-trek/) [Star wars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/star-wars/) [Stars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stars/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [From being a little kid, I've always been interested in space. 'Star Trek' and 'Close Encounters' - not 'Star Wars.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-ryder/from-being-a-little-kid-i-ve-always-been-interested-in-space-star/) [Shaun Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-ryder/) > [“If all men by nature desire to know, then they desire most of all the greatest knowledge of science. And he immediately indicates what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-duns-scotus/if-all-men-by-nature-desire-to-know-then-they-desire-most-of-all-the/) John Duns Scotus > [The greatest science in the world; in heaven and on earth; is love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-greatest-science-in-the-world-in-heaven-and-on-earth-is-love/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The study of mathematics is apt to commence in disappointment. . . . We are told that by its aid the stars are weighed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/the-study-of-mathematics-is-apt-to-commence-in-disappointment-we-are/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [I would jump at the chance to work with the inordinately-talented J.J. Abrams on a new 'Star Trek' film.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-would-jump-at-the-chance-to-work-with-the-inordinately-talented-j-j/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [It was a superlative joy of my long life to have worked with Leonard Nimoy, who became my friend, and many others at 'Star…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/it-was-a-superlative-joy-of-my-long-life-to-have-worked-with-leonard/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [My favorite sci-fi movie of all time is 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-parsons/my-favorite-sci-fi-movie-of-all-time-is-close-encounters-of-the-third/) [Jim Parsons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-parsons/) > [When one is young, aspiring to play for the country, doing well, any hindrance, like injury or being out of form, can be frustrating…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuvraj-singh/when-one-is-young-aspiring-to-play-for-the-country-doing-well-any/) [Yuvraj Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuvraj-singh/) > [When I was a child, I thought I was going to be a paleontologist because I loved dinosaurs. I loved monster movies and sci-fi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dee-bradley-baker/when-i-was-a-child-i-thought-i-was-going-to-be-a-paleontologist/) [Dee Bradley Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dee-bradley-baker/) > [That's the harm of Close Encounters: that it convinces tens of millions that that's what just science fiction is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/that-s-the-harm-of-close-encounters-that-it-convinces-tens-of/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [“The evil components of our shadow are the part of us that we deplore, the part of us that we prefer not to admit.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/the-evil-components-of-our-shadow-are-the-part-of-us-that-we-deplore/) [Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/) > [Some of our favorite movies, like 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' and 'Breaking Away,' were set in Indiana.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-duffer/some-of-our-favorite-movies-like-close-encounters-of-the-third-kind/) [Ross Duffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-duffer/) > [ I've kept the people who've been in my career who I feel are my family. Kathy \[Kennedy\] had been with me since 1978. Janusz… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-spielberg/i-ve-kept-the-people-who-ve-been-in-my-career-who-i-feel-are-my/) [Steven Spielberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-spielberg/) > [I've had some very close encounters with the other side. They chose me to do this - I was doing this all before a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zak-bagans/i-ve-had-some-very-close-encounters-with-the-other-side-they-chose-me/) [Zak Bagans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zak-bagans/) > [A crisis is a close encounter of the third kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-finley/a-crisis-is-a-close-encounter-of-the-third-kind/) [Guy Finley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-finley/) ## More by Harlan Ellison > [Posing the question: does the god of love use underarm deodorant, vaginal spray and fluoride toothpaste?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/posing-the-question-does-the-god-of-love-use-underarm-deodorant/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [They change scapegoats at the networks more regularly than some people change socks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/they-change-scapegoats-at-the-networks-more-regularly-than-some/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [They minute people fall in love they become liars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/they-minute-people-fall-in-love-they-become-liars/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [Repent, Harlequin," said the Ticktock Man. "Get stuffed," the Harlequin replied.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/repent-harlequin-said-the-ticktock-man-get-stuffed-the-harlequin/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“Living under the land, under the sea, in the belly of AM, whom we created...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/living-under-the-land-under-the-sea-in-the-belly-of-am-whom-we-created/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [I have no mouth. And I must scream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-have-no-mouth-and-i-must-scream/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [There in the midst of the Amazon Jungle, Simon Haskell has cobbled up for himself a replica of an Art Deco salon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/there-in-the-midst-of-the-amazon-jungle-simon-haskell-has-cobbled-up/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [For the first time we have a weapon that nobody has used for thirty years. This gives me great hope for the human race.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/for-the-first-time-we-have-a-weapon-that-nobody-has-used-for-thirty/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“There are forces in the world today, Mr. Winsocki, that are invisibly working to make us all carbon copies of one another. Forces that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/there-are-forces-in-the-world-today-mr-winsocki-that-are-invisibly/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“Men rarely (if ever) manage to dream up a god superior to themselves. Most gods have the manners and morals of a spoiled child.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/men-rarely-if-ever-manage-to-dream-up-a-god-superior-to-themselves/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [I write a kind of surreal fantasy, but they can't put 'surreal fantasy' on a paperback.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-write-a-kind-of-surreal-fantasy-but-they-can-t-put-surreal-fantasy/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [Don't start an argument with somebody who has a microphone when you don't. They'll make you look like chopped liver.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/don-t-start-an-argument-with-somebody-who-has-a-microphone-when-you/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“I intend to keep writing stories that piss people off, that tell the particular kind of truth I think is valid, that will make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/i-intend-to-keep-writing-stories-that-piss-people-off-that-tell-the/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [“Who Needs the Taj Mahal when it's a drag to live at all?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/who-needs-the-taj-mahal-when-it-s-a-drag-to-live-at-all/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) > [Like a wind crying endlessly through the universe, Time carries away the names and the deeds of conquerors and commoners alike. And all that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harlan-ellison/like-a-wind-crying-endlessly-through-the-universe-time-carries-away/) [Harlan Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) [Explore all 165 Harlan Ellison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harlan-ellison/) ## More All time quotes > [To be positive at all times is to ignore all that is important, sacred or valuable. To be negative at all times is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-cobain/to-be-positive-at-all-times-is-to-ignore-all-that-is-important-sacred/) [Kurt Cobain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-cobain/) > [One of our great allies at present is the Church itself. Do not misunderstand me. I do not mean the Church as we see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis/one-of-our-great-allies-at-present-is-the-church-itself-do-not/) [C. S. 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I have a suspicion that on our hard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-snow/i-don-t-know-whether-we-think-in-moving-images-or-whether-we-think-in/) [Jon Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-snow/) > [I'm big on tomato mozzarella salad. That's my favorite all-time food.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-fields/i-m-big-on-tomato-mozzarella-salad-that-s-my-favorite-all-time-food/) [Jan Fields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-fields/) > [If you are my friend,you are down for me at all times,not just when it's convenient.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine-v/if-you-are-my-friend-you-are-down-for-me-at-all-times-not-just-when/) [Jasmine V](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine-v/) > [At age 22 I set what I insist is an all-time record for distance hitchhiking in Bermuda shorts: 3,700 miles in three weeks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/at-age-22-i-set-what-i-insist-is-an-all-time-record-for-distance/) [Hunter S. 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