LIVE CHAT - Bob Justman

Chat transcript from 06-01-2002 (Content edited for readability)


BOB JUSTMAN: Call me sweet old Bob... or just the initials (SOB). LOL

NoonienSoong: So Bob what was it like doing a show that had made a different on TV, and in life?

BOB JUSTMAN: NoonienSoong, if we had known going in that working on the show would change our lives... we'd probably would have gone ahead anyhow.

BOB JUSTMAN: After all it was either that or the unemployment line.

M: What was the hardest decision you have had to make on or about star trek and what impact did it have?

BOB JUSTMAN: M, The hardest decision was feeling I had to walk away near the end of the 3rd and final season. There was no way we could maintain the quality that we wanted given what little resources were available to us by the new ownership of the studio. But you can't blame the studio for trying to cut it's losses given he general knowledge that the third season was the last season.

Horta: Desilu was better?

BOB JUSTMAN: Horta, It wasn't that it was better... It was that paramount, the new owners had higher fixed cost each year... And we had therefore less cash to actually make the shows. On the other hand, when we first made STTNG the Paramount management couldn't have been more accommodating to us.

Sci_Fi_Ian: Hi Bob what were you reasons for leaving the team that made TNG?

BOB JUSTMAN: Sci_Fi_Ian, I was tired and I could afford to retire.

Sci_Fi_Ian: So all the rumours about innuendo and lawyers are false:)

BOB JUSTMAN: SCIFI, no, they're correct.

Sci_Fi_Ian: thanks:)

Humbug: Are you still working as a producer, if so what are you producing nowadays?


BOB JUSTMAN: Humbug, No as I said, I've retired. Other than a few magazine articles here and there.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Come to the MARRIOT HOTEL at the Los Angeles Airport on JUNE 27th, 2002 for The BOB JUSTMAN STAR TREK AUCTION. Original Series, Next Generation production memos, scripts, props, rare photographs, wardrobe, you name it… will all be there for your bidding. For a catalogue please contact Profiles in History at (310) 859-7701. Or visit their website at: http://www.profilesinhistory.com.

Parsec: Do you still see people from the show, esp. Majel Roddenberry?

BOB JUSTMAN: Parsec, yes i do, I see her and people like Matt Jefferies.... I see Leonard, Bill, and all the actors.

Andrew: What's going on?!

BOB JUSTMAN: Just telling a few lies Andrew.

Parsec: What do you think of Earth: Final Conflict and Andromeda? Do you watch them?

BOB JUSTMAN: Parsec, I haven't watched them.

Horta: I know someone who writes fan-fic for earth final conflict

BOB JUSTMAN: I think Horta has the right touch like her namesake.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Check out Bob Justman's article in the September issue of STAR TREK: The Magazine.

starwars: Bob, Who was your favourite character in Star Trek?

BOB JUSTMAN: starwars, All three of them. Kirk Spock and McCoy.

M: what is your favourite TV show of all time?

BOB JUSTMAN: M, I'd have to say Star Trek.

M: For what reasons?

BOB JUSTMAN: M, There was another show I loved that I a made called "Then Came Bronson", because It addressed the human condition or should I say... every beings condition.

DaansConsort: hi Bob I love Worf and Tuvok and Spock, who though up these characters?

BOB JUSTMAN: DaansConsort, GR thought up Spock... I assume that Rick Berman had a hand in Tuvok and I convince GR that we needed a Klingon on board as a member of the crew. 

ANNOUNCEMENT: Just to let you all know Eugene is doing the typing. Blame him for the errors.

Starwars: What do you think about Enterprise? and what about Star wars Episode2?

BOB JUSTMAN: Starwars, I'm very happy for it's success.

KESTRA_MODERATOR: If there were anything that you could change about your experience with ST, what would it be?

BOB JUSTMAN: KESTRA_MODERATOR, that we wouldn't get cancelled.

M: What's the biggest influence star trek and Gene Roddenberry have had on your life?

BOB JUSTMAN: M, merely that they changed my life.

M: In what way?

BOB JUSTMAN: M, it proved to me that all intelligent beings.... are motivated by the simple phrase "Do the right thing" or as I like to put it, How one leads a moral life.

Series: In your opinion, what made star trek the success that it is today?

BOB JUSTMAN: Series, people like you.

HeatherEir: Hello Bob and Rod.....Bob How/What do you feel about the direction the SF shows are currently moving in....becoming more Action Pact as a opposed to thought provoking and mirroring/ criticizing the current society?

BOB JUSTMAN: HeatherEir, It's hard to escape that old demon "The Common Denominator".

DaansConsort: Bob /Rod how do you feel the new Enterprise follows gene's Philosophy? and who chose the music cuz I don't like the opening music .....sorry

BOB JUSTMAN: DaansConsort, it hasn't been on long enough for me to tell. DaansConsort, I don't know the answer to that but when I did Star Trek, I selected the composers.

DaansConsort: ok no offence!!

BOB JUSTMAN: None Taken.

Sci_Fi_Ian: Hi bob are there any memories of the late De Kelley you would care to share with us.

BOB JUSTMAN: Sci_Fi_Ian, he always played "Heavies" but wasn't successful until he played a good Guy. Just Like he really was.

Parsec: Can you tell us your favourite funny story about Star Trek? (briefly so as not to overtax Rod's nimble fingers ;)

BOB JUSTMAN: Parsec, You had to be there. Parsec, Actually, it was when the guy on the door didn't open it in time for Bill Shatner to go through.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Come to the MARRIOT HOTEL at the Los Angeles Airport on JUNE 27th, 2002 for The BOB JUSTMAN STAR TREK AUCTION. Original Series, Next Generation production memos, scripts, props, rare photographs, wardrobe, you name it… will all be there for your bidding. For a catalogue please contact Profiles in History at (310) 859-7701. Or visit their website at: http://www.profilesinhistory.com.

M: What advice would you give to someone thinking of working in tv or film and if you had the chance not to work in tv or film with hindsight would you chose to do something else?

BOB JUSTMAN: M, Start at the top, not the bottom. LOL. Knowing how to write is a big help.

M: lol, I have been told that's the wrong way to go into it

BOB JUSTMAN: Even if you don't know. M, Writing is everything!

NoonienSoong: What was your favourite episode, or scene in either an episode or movie.

BOB JUSTMAN: NoonienSoong, Favourite episode would be "City on the Edge of Forever".

BOB JUSTMAN: Favourite Scene: When Spock's voice told Dr. McCoy exactly how to put his missing brain back in his skull.

HeatherEir: What elements do you feel are important to make a good/ solid SF show? And what SF shows, if any, do you feel meet these criteria that are on the air at the moment?

BOB JUSTMAN: HeatherEir, A mind-blowing premise, fascinating characters and don't insult your viewers.

drillthral: Mr Justman, if another magnificent GENE RODDENBERRY script emerges from the legendary trunk that EFC came out of ... and another Sci-Fi series with the potential for greatness gets to ' magnus opus' send a band-wave signal consisting of a jungian human collective I.Q points enladden " SETI signal " to the stars thusly... would you join that show in a new york minute if you could?

BOB JUSTMAN: drillthral, If I could, I would-without a moments hesitation.

BOB JUSTMAN: Thanks for your support throughout all these years.

ANNOUNCEMENT: Check out Bob Justman's article in the September issue of STAR TREK: The Magazine. 

ANNOUNCEMENT: Come to the MARRIOT HOTEL at the Los Angeles Airport on JUNE 27th, 2002 for The BOB JUSTMAN STAR TREK AUCTION. Original Series, Next Generation production memos, scripts, props, rare photographs, wardrobe, you name it… will all be there for your bidding. For a catalogue please contact Profiles in History at (310) 859-7701. Or visit their website at: http://www.profilesinhistory.com.