Red Alert! Star Trek: Enterprise
Threatened with Cancellation

HOLLYWOOD, CA -- Apparently not realizing that they have no other decent shows, the United Paramount Network (UPN) is considering cancelling Star Trek: Enterprise—the fifth incarnation of Star Trek on television—due to low ratings. The latest Trek series, set 100 years before the original voyages of Kirk and Spock, is now in its third season. Despite improving storylines, the show continues to falter in the ratings. Like its immediate predecessor—Star Trek: Voyager—Enterprise garners only a fraction of the viewers that Star Trek: The Next Generation did.

Analysts point to a number of possible reasons for this decline, including oversaturation of the market with Star Trek offerings, stories that are too "talky" and not action-packed enough for current American audiences, and the simple fact that it is on UPN.

"It's hard to take a network seriously when it shows the same episode of Top Model several times a week and considers cancelling Star Trek at the same time it launches I'm Still Alive... another show destined for the express lane to the chopping block," said Walter Reynolds, a longtime Trek fan. "UPN needs to realize that Star Trek is all they've got. And Paramount should realize that the franchise, which is their biggest money maker, is larger than the ratings of one show."

The idea that a Star Trek series might not complete its full seven-year run has been unthinkable to Trek fans due to the franchise's enormous international following. Nevertheless, Execuitive Producer Rick Berman has told the magazine Star Trek: Communicator that he has not been given a green light for a fourth season. The decision to keep or drop Enterprise will be made on May 20.

Some fans have taken matters into their own hands and are organizing efforts to save the show. When the original series was threatened with cancellation in the late '60s, a letter writing campaign convinced the network to continue production for one more season.

There are several things that fans can do to help save the show, including writing letters and calling UPN. For full details and instructions, visit www.saveenterprise.com and help keep the Star Trek franchise alive and well.






Zodiac Zone:
Your Personal Horoscope

Aquarius
With spring arriving in full force you are ready to hit the water. Of course, what you call water is what others call vodka, so it's great luck when you learn that you've won a free three-month trip to Russia. Just remember that something is going to happen on that trip, but we're keeping mum.

Pisces
Rising levels of mercury continue to be a problem for you and will put a damper on that spring break trip to the beach that you've been looking forward to. Though you decide to go anyway, you'd better keep your eyes open for dangers that lurk in the sand.

Aries
So it was you who wrote that Mydoom virus, wasn't it! Law enforcement is hot on your trail now, and it won't be long before you get to put the legal system to the test. Just don't try to flee to Romania—they're looking for you too, and if you think our laws are tough...

Taurus
The dating game just became more interesting now that you've opened up your options to robots. The announcement that Robot Wars has been added to the Olympics will no doubt give a great boost to your mood this week, which could in turn lead to a promotion at work.

Gemini
They say that two heads are better than one... and that makes it a little bit easier to deal with the giant growth that has been sprouting from your shoulder. You really should have that checked out, and the llama thinks that next Thursday would be the best time.

Cancer
If one more person mistakes you for a camel spider you may just snap. Take solace in the lottery tickets that you bought last week and remember that one of those numbers might just turn you into the richest little snapper on your block.

by Madame Gertrude and
her Psychic Llama

Leo
Spring is your favorite season and so far it's off to a roaring start. The landscaping that you are planning to undertake will go well, but remember that gardening tools are not toys. An avoidable mishap could turn your summer into a season of discontent.

Virgo
The idea of methane on Mars has you fascinated, but not as much as the big question of who will be the next American Idol. Your persistence pays off in the weeks to come when that sitcom script you've been pitching gets picked up by UPN. Friends are not impressed.

Libra
A chance supermarket meeting with your favorite Conan O'Brien character, Jewish Frankenstein, lands you a new gig as a professional time waster. When companies begin paying you to do nothing at all, years of pent-up dreams come true.

Scorpio
You find yourself in the same boat as Cancer this month as Jupiter enters your second house. Camel spiders may be a hot topic, but that doesn't mean you need to keep one as a pet. Then again, it could be a great way to meet women.

Sagittarius
Your investment strategy of buying up deserted land in areas where Wal-Mart might build may just pay off this month as the retail giant looks for new locations for stores following setbacks at City Hall. Tell the family that you might soon be movin' on up.

Capricorn
We'd love to give you some advice for the weeks to come, but unfortunately the psychic llama just fell asleep after a big meal and a few too many glasses of wine. Just pick your favorite prediction from the others and create your own horoscope. Chances are it will be just as accurate.

 

Other Entertainment Stories

Be sure to uncover all the clues...

Issue 1

New Reality TV Show to Feature iSeries Operators and Programmers
Programming executives at Aoba Entertainment announced today that they are developing a new reality TV show that will feature iSeries operators and programmers, pitting IT professionals against each other to see who can respond the quickest and most effectively to crisis situations. :: View full story.

Madame Gertrude and Her Psychic Llama (Horoscopes Group 1)
The moon in Pluto, money found in an old jacket, a starring role in Lord of the Dance? Find out what's in store for you in the weeks to come with Madame Gertrude and the predictions of her psychic llama. :: View full story.

Issue 2

Is Your Security a Joke? Webcast Plans Mix of Hints and Humor
Evans Business Solutions, the local software vendor hit by a recent data theft scandal, is marching forward with business as it plans an upcoming webcast entitled "Is Your Security a Joke?" :: View full story.

Madame Gertrude and Her Psychic Llama (Horoscopes Group 2)
Billing errors with the phone company, a receding hairline, great furniture deals? Find out what's in store for you in the weeks to come with Madame Gertrude and the predictions of her psychic llama. :: View full story.

Issue 3

Red Alert! Star Trek: Enterprise Threatened with Cancellation
Apparently not realizing that they have no other decent shows, the United Paramount Network (UPN) is considering cancelling Star Trek: Enterprise—the fifth incarnation of Star Trek on television—due to low ratings. :: View full story.

Madame Gertrude and Her Psychic Llama (Horoscopes Group 3)
Rising levels of mercury, camel spiders, a chance meeting with Jewish Frankenstein? Find out what's in store for you in the weeks to come with Madame Gertrude and the predictions of her psychic llama. :: View full story.

Issue 4

Lollapalooza Out, Carbapalooza In
The waning music festival Lollapalooza, founded in 1991 by Jane's Addiction leadman Perry Farrell, finally ran out of steam this week as organizers cancelled the entire upcoming summer concert season. :: View full story.

Madame Gertrude and Her Psychic Llama (Horoscopes Group 3)
A sensitivity to pollen, shellfish allergies, humans and bears dating on a reality show? Find out what's in store for you in the weeks to come with Madame Gertrude and the predictions of her psychic llama. :: View full story.