Production difficulties wreaked havoc on the show from its inception. Gene Roddenberry's health began to decline (due to continued heavy alcohol and drug use, against doctors' orders), following a series of strokes, hypertension, and diabetes, though he did his best to hide his condition from Paramount Pictures and the cast and crew. In a most unusual practice, he set up his lawyer Leonard Maizlish with office space in the production office, to act as an aide. Maizlish clashed repeatedly with the rest of the creative team. In particular, he was caught breaking into offices and computers, and was performing re-writes on scripts, despite no previous writing experience. Roddenberry routinely deferred to Maizlish regarding creative decisions on hiring cast and crew, but, when the lawyer was revealed to have re-written scripts, a violation of WGA practices, he was banned from the lot, though not before original series writers David Gerrold and D.C. Fontana quit the show. Maizlish had also hired producer Maurice Hurley as head writer and producer over Gerrold and Fontana, both of whom were instrumental in creating the new series. Hurley clashed with the rest of the writers and the cast. Thirty writers quit the series in the first season, or were fired at Maizlish's and Roddenberry's behest, and Gates McFadden left after the first season due to creative differences. Between the first two seasons, Hurley suggested Paramount Pictures fire the entire cast and effectively reset the show, though he was overruled. He left following the second season, and was replaced by Rick Berman, who rehired McFadden and retooled the show to be more character-driven. By that time, Roddenberry had all but retired from the show, unable to work due to his ill-health. He died during production of season five.
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05-03-2025 alle ore 08:50
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