--- title: "The true story of how Lucille Ball saved ‘Star Trek’" description: "Lucille Ball was one of the most powerful women in television. She even paid for part of the production costs – and she was right." date: "2020-05-22" modified: "2020-10-30" authors: - name: "Shannon Corbeil" job_title: "Contributor, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/scorbeil/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-movies/star-trek/" categories: - "Entertainment" - "Movies and TV" --- # The true story of how Lucille Ball saved ‘Star Trek’ ![star trek lucille ball]() *(Lucille Ball/Paramount Television)* On March 11, 1964, Gene Roddenberry completed the first treatment of what would become one of the most beloved fandoms of all time: "Star Trek*.*" The sci-fi drama was pitched as a so-called space western, and while that original concept would evolve before the first episode, starring William Shatner as the legendary Captain James T. Kirk, the foundation for Roddenberry's "anthology-like range of exciting human experiences" was in place. The only problem was that the show was expensive and zany. It needed a home and a champion. Enter Lucille Ball. --- ### Star Trek: A Fight to the Death https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTaGeAtX9\_0 By 1964, Lucille Ball had already made a name for herself as the titular character of her hit show "I Love Lucy," which aired from 1951 to 1957*.* Along with her then-husband Desi Arnaz, Ball formed Desilu Productions to produce the pilot for "I Love Lucy" *—* and in doing so, they created the very [first independent television production company](). This move enabled them to own the product they would provide to CBS, paving the way for reruns, syndication, and one of the most lucrative deals in television history. Their financial success allowed them to produce or film series such as "The Andy Griffith Show" and "The Dick Van Dyke Show*".* In 1960, Ball and Arnaz divorced, and in 1962, she bought his share of the company, becoming one of the most powerful women in television. In 1964, Desilu was seeking new original programming. Her Vice President of Production, Herbert Franklin Solow, pitched Roddenberry's "Star Trek," and Ball grabbed it. Even with her backing, however, Ball's longtime network, CBS, turned down the idea. Roddenberry and Solow then took the idea to NBC, which ordered a pilot episode titled "The Cage." "The Cage," however, was rejected by NBC. [It was expensive]() (costing NBC $630,000 to produce — roughly the equivalent of $6,576,486 in 2025) — but it impressed NBC executives enough to order a second pilot, thanks to Ball's support. The second pilot, which would now star William Shatner, was financed in part by Ball herself, even at the [objections of her board of directors](). "Star Trek" debuted in the fall of 1966 and even won its time slot. The rest, of course, is history. "If it were not for Lucy," [former studio executive Ed Holly told Desilu historian]() Coyne Steven Sanders, "there would be no Star Trek today." Just another reason for us all to love Lucy. ## Don’t Miss the Best of Mighty Entertainment We Are The Mighty is a celebration of military service, with a mission to entertain, inform, and inspire those who serve and those who support them. We are made by and for current service members, veterans, spouses, family members, and civilians who want to be part of this community. Keep up with the best in military culture and entertainment: [subscribe to the We Are The Mighty newsletter](). - [5 science fiction roles made legendary by military veterans]() - [11 things I learned about Star Trek after enlisting in the military]() - [Star Trek’s ‘Kobayashi Maru’ test is a must for military leaders]() ## Author Shannon Corbeil has worked for We Are The Mighty as a digital video producer, writer, and host, as well as a staff writer covering military history, trivia, and valor. Shannon is a fierce veteran advocate, covering the achievements of members of the military community and volunteering in multiple veteran non-profit organizations, including Pin-Ups for Vets and Warriors for Peace Theatre. Her undergraduate degree is in Humanities and Philosophy and her Masters is in Strategic Intelligence. A screenwriter and actor recently seen on SEAL TEAM and THE ROOKIE, Shannon writes about exciting projects in the entertainment industry. She is an alum of the Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project, a Finalist in the Disney TV Writing Fellowship, an inaugural fellow for the STARZ/VME #TakeTheLead Program, and has performed at the Geffen Playhouse and Kennedy Center as a writer, dancer, singer, and actor. As a U.S. Air Force Intelligence Officer, Shannon supported the 25th Fighter Squadron at Osan Air Base, South Korea, and conducted Cyber Threat Analysis at the National Security Agency. Her work has been seen in Business Insider, Task & Purpose, Military.com, and various other publications. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()