It's called a spoof.

I think I would rather watch The Orville, in all honesty. It may be closer to actual Star Trek than Discovery.

Saw the first episode of "The Orville" tonight. It was less "spoof" than I expected. Less serious than any Trek show, in terms of interactions of the crew etc. But that may be more realistic in some ways. I liked it more than I expected to. At 45 minutes not counting commercials, it was actually longer than a lot of "hour" shows these days. But it still felt rushed. I think I would have liked it better if they had started with a 2-part episode covering all the ground of the pilot, rather than cramming everything into one. But they probably figured they had to grab attention more forcefully. I can't really blame them for that. Maybe later there will be an "extended" version of the pilot/first episode that feels more natural.

I won't be surprised if I also end up liking it more than Discovery.

@Knixon said:

Saw the first episode of "The Orville" tonight. It was less "spoof" than I expected. Less serious than any Trek show, in terms of interactions of the crew etc. But that may be more realistic in some ways. I liked it more than I expected to. At 45 minutes not counting commercials, it was actually longer than a lot of "hour" shows these days. But it still felt rushed. I think I would have liked it better if they had started with a 2-part episode covering all the ground of the pilot, rather than cramming everything into one. But they probably figured they had to grab attention more forcefully. I can't really blame them for that. Maybe later there will be an "extended" version of the pilot/first episode that feels more natural.

I won't be surprised if I also end up liking it more than Discovery.

According to Fox they are billing it as a 'Special Two-Night Premiere Event'

https://www.fox.com/the-orville/article/special-two-night-premiere-event-597d5093ef528f0026dc0342#article-597d50e468db7e0021a1570b

Maybe that just means they're showing the first two episodes on Sunday nights before moving it to some other night for its normal time slot. That's not the same thing.

@fan_of_films said:

https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/07/22/seth-macfarlane-trailer-orville/

Surely this is plagiarism?

Why would the producers of Star Trek Discovery want a spoof version to be broadcast at the same time as the 'official' version? CBS should have taken legal action against Fox. Very surprised CBS have allowed this show to go ahead.

I saw a small bit of Orville and thought it was some sort of Star Trek project intended to be a spoof. It's listed as a dramedy...comedy drama.

@Knixon said:

Maybe that just means they're showing the first two episodes on Sunday nights before moving it to some other night for its normal time slot. That's not the same thing.

What would be the point of that...two Sunday nights?

Aren't two-night premiers usually two consecutive nights? That way the audience doesn't have to wait an entire week.

Anything less than that would be stupid...in my opinion.

More like a Homage than a Ripoff. You can tell that people who are making that show. Actually love Star Trek. I don't think that Seth Macfarlane doing this solely for the money. Like how Paramount is been using Star Trek as a soulless cash cow for the last 10 year.

Who cares? Galaxy Quest was a spoof of Star Trek too, but it was hilarious as hell and remains one of my favorite movies. The Orville is mostly funny too, and I'm enjoying it. Probably more than I'll be enjoying this show. I haven't seen ANY of the so-called "new" Trek movies because of what they've done to it. It's NOT Trek anymore. And I'm not sure this is either.

Who cares if it's a spoof/homage or whatever. It's irrelevant. CBS are idiots to have let this show go on the air. Shows zero understanding of copyright law, makes a mockery out of it. Also, if The Orville takes away viewers from Discovery, it's another idiotic reason to let the show get on the air. What's the point of copyright if it isn't enforced? No point. Laws are meant to be enforced. Gene Roddenberry would have hated this situation. Ya know, the guy that CREATED Star Trek. Can you imagine him wanting a new Star Trek show on air at the same time as a spoof version? I sure as heck can't!

@fan_of_films said:

Who cares if it's a spoof/homage or whatever. It's irrelevant. CBS are idiots to have let this show go on the air. Shows zero understanding of copyright law, makes a mockery out of it. Also, if The Orville takes away viewers from Discovery, it's another idiotic reason to let the show get on the air. What's the point of copyright if it isn't enforced? No point. Laws are meant to be enforced. Gene Roddenberry would have hated this situation. Ya know, the guy that CREATED Star Trek. Can you imagine him wanting a new Star Trek show on air at the same time as a spoof version? I sure as heck can't!

Here's a question...

Is it possible that somehow there isn't a copyright issue and/or CBS is somehow getting a piece of the action?

I'm not a copyright attorney, or an attorney for that fact. But there has to be a reason why the fans are the only ones with their panties twisted. Just a thought. 🤔

What network is Orville on anyways?

Fox. Started on two sundays, then moved to Thursdays.

@fan_of_films said:

Who cares if it's a spoof/homage or whatever. It's irrelevant. CBS are idiots to have let this show go on the air. Shows zero understanding of copyright law, makes a mockery out of it. Also, if The Orville takes away viewers from Discovery, it's another idiotic reason to let the show get on the air. What's the point of copyright if it isn't enforced? No point. Laws are meant to be enforced. Gene Roddenberry would have hated this situation. Ya know, the guy that CREATED Star Trek. Can you imagine him wanting a new Star Trek show on air at the same time as a spoof version? I sure as heck can't!

LMAO! If Roddenberry was still around, it wouldn't even be an issue because these crappy FAKE Star Trek shows and movies wouldn't exist (and I'm NOT referring to The Orville). Btw, it is perfectly legal to make a SPOOF. Now if someone came along and made this show and CALLED it Star Trek, THEN yes, they could be sued for making it.

So there is nothing Paramount can do about The Orville.

Orville is good its like Star Trek but Seth is not orginal he is stealing ideas from old Radio shows and Star Trek episodes, hoping that Orville's audience who are not Star Trek fans would not notice it ! Otherwise Orville is much better than STD buy for me real new Star Trek is Star Trek Continues !

Orville is a spiritually authentic successor to Star Trek. Official Trek lost its way after Voyager. STD is straight up rotten writing. Orville has flaws but is more like real Trek than anything in a decade.