I nearly threw my remote at the screen last week. The latest episode of Starfleet Academy had me hooked, right up until that voice piped up again. It’s like waiting all day for a gourmet meal, only to have someone sneak a handful of stale popcorn onto your plate right before you dig in.
You might know that one TikTok sound from Dance Moms’ Abby Lee Miller, about wanting to sit back and relax and enjoy your evening, only for it to be interrupted by an irritating voice?
That’s my reaction anytime Stephen Colbert shows up on Starfleet Academy.
The late-night personality is a recurring guest voice on the new Star Trek show, playing the role of the academy’s Digital Dean of Students. In several scenes each episode, you’ll hear Colbert providing updates on extracurriculars, student requests, or reminders about event sign-ups and facility openings. We learned in a recent episode that he was also the voice of Starfleet’s interstellar recruiting program when the academy reopened. It’s honestly remarkable the cadet class is as large as it is.
That means that, multiple times per episode, often during scene changes, Colbert’s voice makes lighthearted comments about the on-site cafes serving raktajino or shares increasingly panicked updates on someone’s Talaxian Furfly hatching project. We never see him. All we know is his faculty job. We have no idea if he’s human, alien, or a holographic recreation of Stephen Colbert himself because 32nd-century culture is obsessed with a talk show host who has been dead for over a millennium instead of Sherlock Holmes or Shakespeare. One thing I know for sure: I roll my eyes every time he comes over the intercom.
Of course, this is a small complaint, especially when others have far bigger issues with the show. But if I must defend my annoyance, I want to believe it’s not something trivial, like his glib attitude being un-Starfleet or his comedic presence being out of place in a Star Trek show. Starfleet Academy has other ways of challenging what Starfleet should be, and it has a sense of humor I mostly enjoy.
Stephen Colbert’s Role: A Mismatch?
I was at a conference last month when someone made a joke that fell completely flat; you could feel the energy drain from the room. What bothers me about Colbert’s regular appearances in Starfleet Academy is that his character’s writing feels so out of sync with the show’s overall approach to Star Trek and its legacy. Most of his announcements are essentially “Ha! Star Trek reference!” The show audibly nudges you, reminding you that Stephen Colbert is a beloved, famous nerd excited to talk about Klingon coffee. But it feels like a cheap shot in a show already packed with those references in the background and which engages with them more skillfully.
Starfleet Academy is understandably interested in Star Trek‘s 60-year legacy, not only as the newest Star Trek show during the anniversary but also because it’s about nurturing Starfleet’s future after a galaxy-altering event. At times it’s playful, framing Starfleet’s scientific and military duality as a schoolyard prank war, but mostly, it approaches things from its young protagonists’ perspective. It wants to advance Star Trek and grapple with questions the franchise has had for generations. That is referential, but it goes deeper than simple acknowledgment.
Why Is Starfleet Academy Rated So Low?
The show’s ratings don’t reflect what it is really bringing to modern audiences. Starfleet Academy sometimes tries to walk on the shoulders of giants by balancing respect for the source material with contemporary storytelling. The writing is sharp, and the characters are compelling. When a show’s perceived flaws overshadow its ambition, some viewers may simply tune out.
Part of the appeal of Starfleet Academy and Star Trek is that these forms of reverence can coexist. But that won’t stop me from gritting my teeth the next time Colbert’s voice crackles over the intercom. The show’s constant reliance on Stephen Colbert’s voice is akin to using a foghorn to announce the arrival of a gentle spring breeze: unnecessary and jarring.
A Missed Opportunity for Satire?
I saw a local politician give a speech last year, and it was all platitudes and no substance. What is frustrating in Starfleet Academy is that they clearly brought in Stephen Colbert of all people, who built his career on satire and wit, but then they don’t really use him for that. Instead of using Colbert’s comedic talent to really engage with the absurdity of some of the Star Trek tropes or explore the challenges of leading in Starfleet, they rely on him simply dropping easter eggs. It’s as if they hired a master chef and then asked him to only microwave leftovers.
Perhaps the writers could have used Colbert’s character to provide social commentary, poking fun at Starfleet’s bureaucracy or the challenges of interspecies relations. This kind of satire would feel more aligned with Colbert’s established persona and could add depth to the show’s narrative. A missed opportunity, indeed.
Who Created Star Trek?
Gene Roddenberry created Star Trek, who imagined a future where humanity had overcome its petty differences to explore the universe with curiosity and optimism. The vision laid the foundation for everything else the franchise became.
The essence of Star Trek is in its exploration of new frontiers and its engagement with complex social issues. When Starfleet Academy nods to past episodes without adding fresh insights, it feels like a superficial appreciation rather than a genuine continuation of Roddenberry’s vision.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
The question remains: Is Colbert’s role a harmless bit of fun, or does it undermine the show’s potential?