Star Schlep, a new science fiction show on CBS, has taken a large share of the prime-time ratings. The show, set several hundred years in the future, follows an all-Jewish crew aboard a large starship known as the S.S. Entrepreneur. The crew is led by the fearless, yet practical Captain Mensch whose motto is "To boldly go where no man will oppress me." He is joined in his quest by two chief officers -- Mr. Spoch, science officer and dabbler in kabbalah, and Dr. "Bagel" Kaplan, ship's psychiatrist. Each week the three men face daunting challenges as they come into contact with foreign planets and alien races. In the three episodes that have aired so far, the crew of the Entrepreneur have had to overcome a dire shortage of space-kosher cuisine, find safe harbor for Shabbat Teshuva, and fly back in time to early 21st Century Earth in order to level Palestine with a deadly phaser attack.
The show has already accumulated a strong base of upper middle class, regularly psychoanalyzed fans. The fans, known as "schleppers," have organized large conventions where they can dress up as characters from the show, meet the show's cast, and purchase official Star Schlep memorabilia such as a Star Federation menorah and a replica of Dr. Kaplan's sleek, futuristic psychiatrist's sofa. Schleppers often quote dialog from the show, like Mr. Spoch's catch-phrase: "Live long and prosper, but don't live too long. I mean you should be so lucky. It's God's will after all. Aw, forget it."
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment