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Sub Space 9208_C05
STAR TREK: THE (UNOFFICIAL) SURVEY
by Ken Aitchison
July 15, 1992
Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Star Trek or with
Paramount. This is not an "official" survey, but reflects the
opinions of a large number of participants in the Star Trek
conferences of several nets. You are free to distribute this
survey to whomever you wish, or upload it to any Bulletin Board
or service that you like. Please upload it all in one piece to
ensure that this disclaimer is not lost. Thanks!
1. Who are your favorite and second favorite Star Trek: The
Original Series characters?
Favorite:
Spock = 45.1% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Kirk = 25.5% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
McCoy = 15.7% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Sulu = 5.9% ßßßßßß
Other = 7.8% ßßßßßßßß
% 0 10 20 30 40 50
Other Trek idols include: Khan, Chekov, Mudd and Scotty.
Total votes: 51
Second Favorite:
Ú McCoy = 28.6% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
À Spock = 28.6% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Scotty = 20.4% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Kirk = 14.3% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Ú Uhura = 4.1% ßßßß
À Other = 4.1% ßßßß
% 0 10 20 30 40 50
Other popular second bananas are: Commodore Decker and Saavik
(Kirstie).
Total votes: 49
=========================================================================
2. Same as #1, but with Star Trek: The Next Generation.
Favorite:
Data = 43.1% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Picard = 29.4% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Worf = 9.8% ßßßßßßßßßß
Ú Riker = 3.9% ßßßß
À Yar = 3.9% ßßßß
Other = 9.8% ßßßßßßßßßß
% 0 10 20 30 40 50
The remaining suggested write in votes for President include:
Guinan, Deanna, Geordi, Wesley and Q.
Total votes: 51
Second Favorite:
Picard = 30.6% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Data = 28.6% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Worf = 10.2% ßßßßßßßßßß
Geordi = 9.2% ßßßßßßßßß
Ú Beverly = 4.1% ßßßß
à Guinan = 4.1% ßßßß
à Deanna = 4.1% ßßßß
À Riker = 4.1% ßßßß
Pulaski = 3.1% ßßß
Tam Elbrum = 2% ßß
% 0 10 20 30 40 50
Oddly enough, there were no other votes in this category.
Total votes: 49
========================================================================================
3. Who are your least and second least favorite TOS characters?
Least Favorite:
Kirk = 28.2% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Chekov = 17.9% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Uhura = 12.8% ßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Chapel = 10.3% ßßßßßßßßßß
Other = 30.8% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
% 0 10 20 30 40 50
There were quite a few different votes on this question. Other
candidates for beam out, wide dispersal include Janice Rand,
Roger Korby, Leslie, McCoy, Spock, Harry Mudd, Sulu, Red Shirts,
Starfleet Buerocrats, and all of the space hippies from "The Way
to Eden".
Total votes: 39
Second Least Favorite:
Ú Chekov = 12.9% ßßßßßßßßßßßßß
À Uhura = 12.9% ßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Ú Dr. McCoy = 9.7% ßßßßßßßßßß
à Christine Chapel = 9.7% ßßßßßßßßßß
à "Red Shirts" = 9.7% ßßßßßßßßßß
À Sulu = 9.7% ßßßßßßßßßß
Ú Kirk = 6.5% ßßßßßßß
À Janice Rand = 6.5% ßßßßßßß
Other = 22.6% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
% 0 10 20 30 40
The rest of the Denebian slime devils are: Scotty, Stonn,
Captain Stiles, Ilea, Edith Keeler and Stella Mudd.
Total votes: 31
=========================================================================
4. Who are your first and second Least favorite TNG characters?
Least Favorite:
Wesley = 18.9% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Deanna = 17.8% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Ro = 11.1% ßßßßßßßßßßß
Pulaski = 8.9% ßßßßßßßßß
Yar = 6.7% ßßßßßßß
Ú Riker = 4.4% ßßßß
À O'Brien = 4.4% ßßßß
Beverly = 3.3% ßßß
Other = 24.4% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
% 0 10 20 30 40 50
Other potential pinups for dart practice include: Geordi,
Barclay, Guinan, Kivas Fago, Lore, Q, Selar, Worf, Lwuxana,
Nameless extras and Ensign Bimbo-of-the-week.
Total votes: 45
Second Least Favorite:
Deanna = 21.6% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Yar = 16.2% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Wesley = 12.2% ßßßßßßßßßßßß
Beverly = 9.5% ßßßßßßßßßß
Keiko = 8.1% ßßßßßßßß
Ú O'Brien = 5.4% ßßßßß
À Barclay = 5.4% ßßßßß
Other = 21.6% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
% 0 10 20 30 40 50
The remainder of the errors-Nomad-ought-to-sterilize include:
Riker, Picard, Ro, Lwuxana, Armus, Crystalline entity, Vash and
Pulaski.
Total votes: 37
=========================================================================
5a. What is your favorite Star Trek: The Original Series episode?
City on the Edge of Forever = 28.6% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
The Trouble With Tribbles = 10.9% ßßßßßßßßßßß
The Doomsday Machine = 10.2% ßßßßßßßßßß
Balance of Terror = 6.1% ßßßßßß
Ú Mirror, Mirror = 4.1% ßßßß
à The Enterprise Incident = 4.1% ßßßß
À Amok Time = 4.1% ßßßß
I, Mudd = 2.7% ßßß
Other = 12.9% ßßßßßßßßßßßßß
No Opinion = 16.3% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
% 0 10 20 30
Total votes: 49
===========================================================================================================
3. Who are your least and second least favorite TOS characters?
Least Favorite:
Kirk = 28.2% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Chekov = 17.9% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Uhura = 12.8% ßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Chapel = 10.3% ßßßßßßßßßß
Other = 30.8% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
% 0 10 20 30 40 50
There were quite a few different votes on this question. Other
candidates for beam out, wide dispersal include Janice Rand,
Roger Korby, Leslie, McCoy, Spock, Harry Mudd, Sulu, Red Shirts,
Starfleet Buerocrats, and all of the space hippies from "The Way
to Eden".
Total votes: 39
Second Least Favorite:
Ú Chekov = 12.9% ßßßßßßßßßßßßß
À Uhura = 12.9% ßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Ú Dr. McCoy = 9.7% ßßßßßßßßßß
à Christine Chapel = 9.7% ßßßßßßßßßß
à "Red Shirts" = 9.7% ßßßßßßßßßß
À Sulu = 9.7% ßßßßßßßßßß
Ú Kirk = 6.5% ßßßßßßß
À Janice Rand = 6.5% ßßßßßßß
Other = 22.6% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
% 0 10 20 30 40
The rest of the Denebian slime devils are: Scotty, Stonn,
Captain Stiles, Ilea, Edith Keeler and Stella Mudd.
Total votes: 31
=========================================================================
4. Who are your first and second Least favorite TNG characters?
Least Favorite:
Wesley = 18.9% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Deanna = 17.8% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Ro = 11.1% ßßßßßßßßßßß
Pulaski = 8.9% ßßßßßßßßß
Yar = 6.7% ßßßßßßß
Ú Riker = 4.4% ßßßß
À O'Brien = 4.4% ßßßß
Beverly = 3.3% ßßß
Other = 24.4% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
% 0 10 20 30 40 50
Other potential pinups for dart practice include: Geordi,
Barclay, Guinan, Kivas Fago, Lore, Q, Selar, Worf, Lwuxana,
Nameless extras and Ensign Bimbo-of-the-week.
Total votes: 45
Second Least Favorite:
Deanna = 21.6% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Yar = 16.2% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Wesley = 12.2% ßßßßßßßßßßßß
Beverly = 9.5% ßßßßßßßßßß
Keiko = 8.1% ßßßßßßßß
Ú O'Brien = 5.4% ßßßßß
À Barclay = 5.4% ßßßßß
Other = 21.6% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
% 0 10 20 30 40 50
The remainder of the errors-Nomad-ought-to-sterilize include:
Riker, Picard, Ro, Lwuxana, Armus, Crystalline entity, Vash and
Pulaski.
Total votes: 37
=========================================================================
5a. What is your favorite Star Trek: The Original Series episode?
City on the Edge of Forever = 28.6% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
The Trouble With Tribbles = 10.9% ßßßßßßßßßßß
The Doomsday Machine = 10.2% ßßßßßßßßßß
Balance of Terror = 6.1% ßßßßßß
Ú Mirror, Mirror = 4.1% ßßßß
à The Enterprise Incident = 4.1% ßßßß
À Amok Time = 4.1% ßßßß
I, Mudd = 2.7% ßßß
Other = 12.9% ßßßßßßßßßßßßß
No Opinion = 16.3% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
% 0 10 20 30
Total votes: 49
==========================================================================================================
(b) What's your least favorite ST movie?
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier 65.7%
ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Star Trek: The Motion Picture 16.7%
ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
Ú Star Trek III: The Search for Spock 3.9%
³ ßßßß
À Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home 3.9%
ßßßß
Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country 2.0%
ßß
Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan 0.0%
No Opinion 9.8%
ßßßßßßßßßß
% 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Total votes: 51
=========================================================================
8. Overall, which series is better?
The Next Generation = 78.8% ßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßßß
The Original Series = 7.7% ßßßß
It's a tie = 3.8% ßß
No Opinion = 9.6% ßßßßß
% 0 20 40 60 80
Total votes: 52
=========================================================================
9. What's the one thing you would change about Star Trek if the
decision was up to you?
Six people state that they would work on reducing inconsistiencies
in the Trek universe. Don Tyro clarifies this by saying that he would
reduce the major YATIs. He states, "Notice I said MAJOR. Just 'cause
there's some minor ones in there doesn't spoil the entertainment value."
Milan Rezac specifies his thoughts as well. "I would get more
consistency between on-screen material and novels, manuals, etc."
Six people agreed that there should be more action featured in the
show. Andy Krokamp says simply, "It's getting too soft!" Ian Columby
feels that "Watching the crew solve other people's problems gets boring
week after week."
Three would alter the writing to remove the social commentary that
is often featured on ST. Scott Smith explains that he would "make the
episodes less "slice of life", where things that occur now are portrayed
in the future." Douglas Bueoy says that there should be "Less political
correctness, which would result in the charaters being even more
believable."
Two surveygoers would not cancel TNG after the seventh season is
completed, and would continue producing new episodes indefinitely.
Two others would work on eliminating "rushed" endings for episodes.
Eric Troup says that he would "get rid of the five-minute wrap-up for
episodes.
Two people wouldn't change a thing, if the decision was theirs.
Jimmy Riddle states, "I like it just the way it is!"
Several Trek fans want to see more. Joann Mantych wants more
Science Fiction on the show, Terrence M. Begley would like to see more
androids, while Stuart Glen states that he would have "more posting
in/out of regular characters. Make it a flexible cast."
Many people felt the major improvement would be to lose one or more
members of the cast. Those mentioned were Alexander, Lwuxana, Kirk,
Deanna, Ferengi, and children on board the Enterprise.
A number had specific nits to pick with specific charaters.
Michael Burkhart would like to get Riker and Troi off the bridge,
Richard Devaney wants to see more interaction between Picard and
Crusher, Wtin Jalanugraha would bring back Wesley Crusher, and says
Cindy Matthes, "I would make better use of Troi's supposed powers. I
think they should make use of her ability to communicate telepathically
with Riker."
Two people had opinions on characterizations. Heather Howe would
have the characters grow more, and Deborah Bolen wishes to see "more
real-life characterizations - ie: more comradery, more conflict, less
`sweetness & light'."
Quite a few had their say on how the technological end of the
show ought to be altered. Dennis Virzi would "ditch the holodeck", Rick
Salazar wants "to see more and different types of Starships", and John
Aitchison would instruct the writers to stop violating the laws of
physics where transporters and warp drive are concerned.
Colby Gibson had this to say: "I would continue to use some of the
intelligence and the technology that is discovered all of a sudden, not
just take it away."
Mike Bayliss has a suggestion for "away teams": "I would have them
having more adventures on barren moons and spacehulks so that we get to
see a spacesuit or two."
Finally, Bill Mertz would do away with the "ultra-high technology"
and "any story using pseudo-tech as the plot device."
Several BBSers had ideas on certain types of episodes. Ethan
Arenson would reduce the number of "character study" episodes, Rick
Ekle would feature "more episodes on planets' surfaces", while Jim
Buntjer wants to "do some follow up episodes. They need to follow
up Conspiracy and Cause and Effect."
Two guys want more realism in Star trek. Rick Dexter says he would
use "less of the sound effects and protocol-oriented restrictions",
while Scott Hollifield says "I would up the seriousness of the writing a
notch or two."
The majority of the answers were unique. Some of the best ones
were as follows:
Timothy Phipps: "I would have a long multi-part story line (not just a
two parter). It wouldn't have to be the major story, maybe have
the federation at war with someone and have stories that revolve
around that."
Stephanie Fysh: "[Change] The costumes."
Douglas Bliss: "Reduce the use of `strange' beings, make them
believable."
Eric Marcotte: "[Abolish] the silly idea of successful interbreeding of
different species."
Thaiphong Vo: "The Prime Directive... Change it; [but do] not get rid
of it."
Kevin Karmann: "A Horta on the bridge!"
There were two people who gave no opinion at all. Whether this
means that they wouldn't change anything is unknown.
=========================================================================
10. What do you think Star Trek's legacy will be like 25 years from now?
30.4% (c) Star Trek will continue to feature new television
episodes/feature films and will be an ongoing legacy.
27.4% (a) It will be regarded as a classic TV show who served its
time and entertained many.
21.6% (d) Trek will be even larger than it is today, with many
related series and films being produced at the time.
20.6% (b) Star Trek will no longer feature new material, but will be
well known via syndication and ongoing conventions.
Total votes: 51
=========================================================================
11. Which is your favorite Star Trek Uniform?
42.0% Star Trek: The Next Generation
36.7% ST: TWOK until about 20 years prior to TNG (Mostly red)
10.0% Klingon uniforms (in general)
4.7% Original Series
4.0% TNG Cadet Uniforms
2.7% ST: The Motion Picture (similar to TOS with some changes)
Total votes: 50
=========================================================================
12. What is your favorite Ship type?
53.2% Galaxy class (NCC-1701-D; the enterprise of TNG)
Ú 11.7% Romulan Warbird (TNG)
À 11.7% Refit enterprise and enterprise-A (throughout movies)
9.6% Klingon Bird of Prey
5.3% Reliant type Starship (seen in ST: The Wrath of Khan)
Ú 2.1% Original enterprise (during TOS)
à 2.1% Excelsior type (NCC-1701-B)
À 2.1% Borg Ship (Cube)
Ú 1.1% Klingon Battlecruiser
À 1.1% Ferengi Marauder
Total votes: 47
=========================================================================
13. What's your favorite item of Star Trek technology?
33.3% Holodeck
20.8% Transporter
17.7% Computer
12.5% Warp drive
5.2% Phasers (both hand and ship)
3.1% Cloaking device
Ú 2.1% Tricorder
à 2.1% Androids
À 2.1% Replicator
1.0% Communicators
Total votes: 48
=========================================================================
14. Who are your favorite Star Trek antagonists? (races; not individuals)
Ú 26.5% Borg
À 26.5% Romulans
20.4% Klingons
13.3% Powerful beings (Q, Trelane, Metrons, etc...)
8.2% Ferengi
5.1% Cardassians
Total votes: 49
=========================================================================
15. What is your favorite Star Trek race in general?
23.2% Androids
19.2% Humans
18.5% Klingons
17.0% Vulcans
7.6% Powerful beings (Q, Trelane, Metrons, etc...)
2.9% Romulans
Ú 2.2% Ferengi
à 2.2% Borg
à 2.2% Shapeshifters
à 2.2% Tellarites
À 2.2% Tribbles
0.7% Cardassians
Total votes: 46
=========================================================================
16. How much Star Trek have you seen in each of the following
categories? Rate yourself on a scale of 1-5, which generally
translates to the following:
(1) Star Trek? What's that?
(2) I've seen just a little bit of this category.
(3) I've seen a fair amount.
(4) I've seen most of these, but not all.
(5) I can recite it in my sleep!
(a) The Original Series
1 = 0.0% 2 = 5.0% 3 = 10.0% 4 = 12.5% 5 = 72.5%
Total votes: 40
(b) The Animated Series
1 = 45.9% 2 = 21.6% 3 = 13.5% 4 = 5.4% 5 = 13.5%
Total votes: 37
(c) The Feature Films
1 = 2.6% 2 = 2.6% 3 = 15.4% 4 = 12.8% 5 = 66.7%
Total votes: 39
(d) The Next Generation
1 = 2.6% 2 = 2.6% 3 = 0.0% 4 = 15.4% 5 = 79.5%
Total votes: 39
(e) Star Trek novels
1 = 28.2% 2 = 25.6% 3 = 12.8% 4 = 15.4% 5 = 17.9%
Total votes: 39
18.4% of those polled didn't understand the question. Apparently I
didn't phrase it very well. 8^)
=========================================================================
17a. Do you consider yourself to be a "Trekker", a "Trekkie" or neither?
Trekker = 40.0% (8 votes)
Trekkie = 40.0% (8 votes)
Neither = 20.0% (4 votes)
Total votes: 20
The only conclusion that can be drawn from this question is that
I need to word it more carefully in the future so I can get more
votes! It would probably be a close race in any event, however.
17b. Are you vocal about letting others know that you enjoy Trek?
39.1% (a) Yes!
43.5% (b) Somewhat.
17.4% (c) Not really; but I'm not embarrased. I just don't mention it.
0% (d) No; only on BBS'es.
0% (e) I'd die if anyone I knew found out!
Total votes: 46
=========================================================================
18. How much BBSing do you do?
14.3% (a) I'm a conference host/SysOp. Need I say more?
59.2% (b) I read and reply to messages daily in many conferences.
0% (c) I read and reply daily; but only in Star Trek.
18.4% (d) I BBS several times a week.
0% (e) I BBS once every four days to a week on the average.
8.2% (f) It's a miracle you're even getting this reply!
Total votes: 49
=========================================================================
I would like to thank everyone who participated in this survey.
ANDY KROMKAMP BILL MERTZ CHRIS SYPAL
CINDY MATTHES COLBY GIBSON DARREN MICHAELS
DAVID BARNES DEBORAH BOLEN DENNIS VIRZI
DON TYRO DOUG SWALEN DOUGLAS BLISS
DOUGLAS BUEOY DUSTIN GRIESDORF ERIC MARCOTTE
ERIC TROUP ETHAN ARENSON HEATHER HOWE
IAN COLOMBY JAMIE BRAZEE JASON SHELBROCK
JIM BUNTJER JIMMY RIDDLE JOANN MANTYCH
JOHN AITCHISON JOHN CARLSON JOSEPH GEORGE
KELLY O'GUINN KEN AITCHISON KEVIN KARMANN
MICHAEL BURKHART MICHAEL WAGNER MIKE BAYLISS
MIKE KUKER MILAN REZAC PAMELA AITCHISON
PAUL ROBINSON PEGGY LANDT PETER RAYMOND
RAKE STAGE RICHARD DEVANEY RICK DEXTER
RICK EKLE RICK SALAZAR ROBERT AITCHISON
SCOTT HOLLIFIELD SCOTT SMITH STEPHANIE FYSH
STUART GLEN TERRENCE M BEGLEY THAIPHONG VO
TIMOTHY PHIPPS WTIN JALANUGRAHA J. RUSSELL DEWOLFE
DAVID CULVER
