Beam Me Up, Scotty!

Every Trekkie worth their phaser knows that without those classic ’60s sitcoms, Star Trek as we know it might not have made it past the pilot stage. You see, Lucille Ball—yes, the I Love Lucy legend—was the powerhouse behind Desilu, the company that boldly went where no TV show had gone before. She championed Gene Roddenberry, helping him secure a second attempt after CBS was like, ‘Nah, we’re good!’ But hold onto your tricorders, because another ’60s gem lent its magic to the design of the iconic starship Voyager.

A Visit from a Martian

Oscar-winning designer Doug Drexler once shared some behind-the-scenes gossip on the All Access Star Trek podcast, reminiscing about how his favorite sitcom, My Favorite Martian, influenced the design of Voyager. “Man, I loved that show!” Drexler exclaimed. “Ray Walston’s spaceship was like a sporty little ride, just chillin’ in a garage! I was obsessed!” He even kept a model of Uncle Martin’s spaceship on his desk—because why not? Following some brainstorming, he submitted a design with a longer nose, and the bigwigs were like, ‘Bingo! That’s the one!’

Martian Shenanigans and Starfleet Dreams

For those not in the know, My Favorite Martian aired from 1963 to 1966 and spun around the hilarious escapades of Tim O’Hara (played by the fabulous Bill Bixby, who later had a little green alter-ego). He was forever trying to keep Uncle Martin, the martian, under wraps after he crash-landed on Earth. This quirky series was such a hit it spawned a cartoon in the ’70s and a movie in the ’90s featuring Christopher Lloyd. Despite its silly premise, the series is best remembered for launching Walston’s career, leading to his legendary role as Boothby in The Next Generation and, of course, on Voyager.

Ship Happens!

Drexler’s fascination with ships wasn’t about the plot—oh no! It was all about that starship bling! Unlike Deep Space Nine, which hung out on a space station most of the time, Voyager was all about the ride. The show ventured into the wilds of the Delta Quadrant, where the crew faced crazy adventures and equally crazy aliens.

The Design Dilemma

Given how crucial the ship was to the plot, the producers didn’t just want any old design—they wanted the best! Drexler remembered a general call for ideas: ‘Throw anything into the ring!’ So, with a cheeky twist, designer Mike Okuda asked Drexler to create an unmemorable design—a kind of throwaway idea that was sure to get the boot. But when Drexler tossed in his goofy My Favorite Martian homage, the tables turned. “When Mike came back from the meeting, I was shocked to learn they wanted to explore my sketches!” he recounted, shaking his head in mock disbelief.

The Legacy of a Silly Ship

And that’s how a design inspired by a forgotten sitcom became the cornerstone of a new Star Trek series. A series that Paramount was planning to launch on their shiny new network, UPN—now that sounds like the plot of an old ’60s sitcom, doesn’t it? Buckle up, folks, ’cause this is how we journey to infinity and beyond!