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Parody films and television series have long been a staple in entertainment, frequently drawing laughter and admiration from audiences. Among the most spoofed is the iconic “Star Trek” franchise, which has inspired numerous comedic takes over the years. Some of these, like the beloved film “Galaxy Quest,” have managed to stand on their own as fan favorites. Yet, one lesser-known gem that deserves recognition is the 1977 sitcom “Quark,” created by Buck Henry.
NBC
While “Star Trek” had been humorously referenced before, notably on “Saturday Night Live” where Buck Henry was a writer, “Quark” offers a more affectionate parody. Much like “The Orville,” it doesn’t merely poke fun at the adventures of the Enterprise; instead, it presents a whimsical and witty homage. The show is set aboard a 23rd-century space garbage vessel and features a cast of quirky characters led by Adam Quark, portrayed by Richard Benjamin. His team includes the dual-gendered Gene/Jean (Tim Thomerson), the cloned sisters Betty I and Betty II (Cyb and Patricia Barnstable), and Ficus Pandorata (Richard Kelton), an overly rational humanoid plant.
Despite its brief, single-season run, “Quark” remains one of the most entertaining sci-fi parodies. Its limited success at the time is puzzling, but today, it offers a delightful dive into comedy for those who discover it. Fortunately, episodes are accessible on YouTube for new viewers to enjoy.
While “Quark” primarily riffs on “Star Trek,” its satire spans a broader sci-fi spectrum. Premiering shortly after “Star Wars” captivated audiences, the series also tips its hat to the galaxy far, far away in subsequent episodes. Throughout its eight-episode lifespan, “Quark” playfully nods to other sci-fi classics like “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Buck Rogers.”
The show features characters like Ergo, a blob-like alien that echoes the creature from Dan O’Bannon’s “Dark Star,” and the robot Andy, reminiscent of C3PO but visually akin to Robby the Robot from “Forbidden Planet” or B9 from “Lost in Space.” An episode titled “All the Emperor’s Quasi-Norms” includes villains that pay homage to “Flash Gordon,” yet it’s the “Star Trek” parallels that stand out most prominently.
Quark parodied more than Star Trek
NBC
Perhaps the most intriguing “Star Trek” connection is the appearance of actress Kirstie Alley in her first screen role in the episode “The Old and the Beautiful.” She would later become widely recognized as the Vulcan Saavik in the 1982 film “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”
A blob-like alien character named Ergo, for example, is clearly inspired by “Alien” scribe Dan O’Bannon’s earlier film “Dark Star,” which featured a similar blob-like creature. Uptight robot character Andy seems like he could be influenced by C3PO, but his physical appearance draws instant comparisons to Robby the Robot from “Forbidden Planet” or B9 from “Lost in Space.” The episode “All the Emperor’s Quasi-Norms,” meanwhile, features characters that pay tribute to the villains of “Flash Gordon,” too, but the “Star Trek” influences are simply the most obvious.
But the best “Trek” connection? The series marks the screen debut of actress Kirstie Alley, who has an uncredited role in the episode “The Old and the Beautiful.” A few years later, Alley would play the Vulcan Saavik in the 1982 classic, “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan.”
