# Harlan Ellison wants some of Trek's Money **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 19, 2009, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052 "2009-03-19T18:40:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/21 "2009-03-20T21:56:59Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > So how come he’s waited all this time to sue? Pocket released a new series of novels partially based on events and characters from _City on the Edge of Forever_, so now he’s agitating for a piece of the book royalties. ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/22 "2009-03-20T21:58:57Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Urban legend. It’s a story that’s much older than he is and he’s repeatedly said that it never happened to him. The trouble is that it should have. ---
**Author:** ![JimOfAllTrades](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@JimOfAllTrades](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JimOfAllTrades)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/23 "2009-03-21T00:43:33Z")
> [@Amp](#): > > I’ve heard Harlan Ellison is a bit of an asshole. I reminded of the **Cheers** episode with the bachelor auction and the scary looking older women bidding for a date. Woody: It is just me, Mr. Peterson, or is she a little scary? Norm: No Woody, the electric chair is a _little_ scary. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/24 "2009-03-21T01:21:00Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > The authors last line: “There were flecks of blood on Mr. Ellison’s otherwise charming face.” I think that was hyperbole. But maybe not. It was. I met him 30 years ago and his face then was uncharming at best. It has since become considerably less so. Somewhere there is a portrait of him that has never changed to reflect what an asshole he is. And his titles are universes better than the actual stories. In “Repent, Harlequin, Said the Tick-Tock Man,” who’da guessed it would actually have barely-interesting characters names Harlequin and the Tick-Tock Man or that the plot would be so humdrum? ETA: If somebody is expanding on his characters in new novels, yeah, the little jerk deserves a piece. ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/25 "2009-03-21T02:04:22Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > Urban legend. It’s a story that’s much older than he is and he’s repeatedly said that it never happened to him. Not that I’m disputing the urban legend-ness, but if it _had_ happened to him, do you think he’d admit it? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/26 "2009-03-21T02:21:04Z")
These were in situations where we were just talking in real life rather than seeing him on stage at an event, so yes, I would. I’ve known him since 1972. He’s admitted lots worse. ---
**Author:** ![Irishman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b487fb/32.png) [@Irishman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Irishman)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/27 "2009-03-21T05:54:21Z")
Just because he’s an asshole doesn’t mean he isn’t entitled to some of the money. Now I don’t know, I don’t have the contracts and am not a lawyer, so this is all my speculation based upon what was in the press release cited previously. According to that, the contract in place at the time via the WPA was supposed to provide him a percentage of all proceeds. Given that that episode is cited as one of the top Star Trek creations, given that new merchandise and stories have been created using his characters and story elements, those seem to fall under the terms of the contract. And part of Ellison’s suit is against the WPA for failing to stand up for his rights, which explains some of the time delay. I don’t know how solid his case is, but from what has been shown I wouldn’t dismiss it as Ellison just being greedy. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/28 "2009-03-21T06:30:28Z")
> [@](#): > > And his titles are universes better than the actual stories. In “Repent, Harlequin, Said the Tick-Tock Man,” who’da guessed it would actually have barely-interesting characters names Harlequin and the Tick-Tock Man or that the plot would be so humdrum? Bah, if you want a good title, go with “Adrift Just Off the Islets of Langerhans: Latitude 38° 54’ N, Longitude 77° 00’ 13”. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/29 "2009-03-21T15:26:46Z")
Incidentally, that latitude and longitude is about 50 feet south of the corner of 2nd and H Street NE in Washington D.C. There’s nothing particularly interesting there. It’s not too far from Union Station. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/30 "2009-03-21T15:33:12Z")
Hookers. There are hookers there, by my memory. Aren’t they interesting? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/31 "2009-03-21T15:38:18Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Bah, if you want a good title, go with “Adrift Just Off the Islets of Langerhans: Latitude 38° 54’ N, Longitude 77° 00’ 13”. I’ve always liked the title _I See A Man Sitting In A Chair, And The Chair Is Biting His Leg_. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/32 "2009-03-21T15:38:30Z")
Are you being serious? I don’t think that’s a hang-out for hookers. ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2009, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/33 "2009-03-21T15:59:56Z")
I like Harlan Ellison. He’s extraordinarily entertaining from a distance. No doubt there are other writers who are just as aggressive concerning reimbursement for their creative efforts; but hardly any bother to put on such a show for bystanders. He’s like the Don Quixote of science fiction. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/34 "2009-03-22T01:57:25Z")
A: Ellison does have being an annoying dip down to an art; his fiction (\*) makes it easy to forgive that. B: However if Trek, Inc., keeps using and expanding upon the Guardian of Forever and Edith Keeler above and beyond the episode itself, he should get his cut (unless the contract relinquishes all the applicable rights). (\* When he writes nonfic about _himself_, though, you often end up reaffirmed in the annoying dip thing) ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/35 "2009-03-22T02:12:50Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > Are you being serious? I don’t think that’s a hang-out for hookers. I do indeed, my friend. There certainly were during the pre-dawn hours when I was working that early shift on the Hill ten years ago. Getting to my parking garage was like broken field running to avoid them all along H Street from about seventh all the way down. Things may have certainly changed, I acknowledge. But I made the post using my own experience as a base. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/36 "2009-03-22T03:19:29Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > (\* When he writes nonfic about _himself_, though, you often end up reaffirmed in the annoying dip thing) It confirms the annoying dip issue in some particulars, but [The Three Most Important Things in Life](http://harlanellison.com/iwrite/mostimp.htm) is mighty entertaining ;). ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/37 "2009-03-22T03:32:51Z")
I don’t claim to have any particular knowledge about Ellison as a person… I just know that I tend to enjoy his work as a fan. (City on the Edge of Forever was a really good episode of TOS and I’m sure he had an influential hand in B5.) But every time I read or hear in him in person I feel an overwhelming urge to punch him in the face. The man comes off as an intolerable asshole. I’m constantly relieved to know I’m not alone. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2009, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/38 "2009-03-22T21:40:45Z")
> [@Jihi](#): > > I don’t claim to have any particular knowledge about Ellison as a person… I just know that I tend to enjoy his work as a fan. (City on the Edge of Forever was a really good episode of TOS and I’m sure he had an influential hand in B5.) > > But every time I read or hear in him in person I feel an overwhelming urge to punch him in the face. The man comes off as an intolerable asshole. > > I’m constantly relieved to know I’m not alone. Our loathing nourishes him. It makes him feel validated and vindicated. It gives him proof that he matters. He can sense our discomfort in the dissonance between delight in the man’s work and despair at the man’s personality and it makes him stronger. If the rabble’s throwing rotten fruit and calling you names, and the suits are trying to rip you off, but meanwhile the same rabble is eagerly reading you and your respected peers are giving you award after award, well… ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2009, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/39 "2009-03-23T00:47:56Z")
> [@JRDelirious](#): > > Our loathing nourishes him. It makes him feel validated and vindicated. It gives him proof that he matters. He can sense our discomfort in the dissonance between delight in the man’s work and despair at the man’s personality and it makes him stronger. If the rabble’s throwing rotten fruit and calling you names, and the suits are trying to rip you off, but meanwhile the same rabble is eagerly reading you and your respected peers are giving you award after award, well… Where I come from feeding off of other people’s consternation and anger is called “acting like a Drama Queen”. Ellison’s made an entire life out of it. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2009, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052/40 "2009-03-23T00:54:53Z")
> [@Jihi](#): > > Where I come from feeding off of other people’s consternation and anger is called… [_Day of the Dove_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dove). 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/harlan-ellison-wants-some-of-treks-money/490052.md?page=3)