# Starfleet Academy **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, star-trek-paramount\ **Created:** [July 29, 2025, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470 "2025-07-29T15:51:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/121 "2026-02-04T16:00:20Z")
But is it a publicity stunt for Colbert, or a way for SFA to put more familiar names on the credits so Colbert fans will watch SFA. Who’s doing a favor for who? ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/122 "2026-02-04T16:02:55Z")
It is a publicity stunt and something Colbert wants to do. It is probably mutually beneficial. If Majel Barrett was still alive, she would probably be the voice. She played the computer voice on most of the series. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/123 "2026-02-04T16:09:31Z")
> [@Dorjan](#): > > the writers didn’t really think about it too deeply. I don’t have high hopes of a coherent explanation being revealed in future episodes. And thus is the problem with far too many current shows. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/124 "2026-02-04T16:16:26Z")
> [@Cardigan](#): > > What does everyone think of the inclusion of Stephen Colbert as the digital dean’s voice? It really doesn’t matter. I watched the first couple of episodes without realizing that was who was playing the role. ---
**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/125 "2026-02-04T16:17:42Z")
Right. Which argues strongly for it being little more than a publicity stunt, getting his name in the credits. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/126 "2026-02-04T20:41:18Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > She played the computer voice on most of the series. The “computer voice” on the ship (not the school campus) in STA is Brit Marling, just as a fun factoid. > **[Brit Marling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brit_Marling)** > > Brit Marling (born August 7, 1982) is an American actress and screenwriter. She rose to prominence after starring in several films that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, including Sound of My Voice (2011), Another Earth (2011), and The East (2013), each of which she co-wrote in addition to playing the lead role. She co-created, wrote, and starred in the mystery series The OA (2016–2019), and the thriller miniseries A Murder at the End of the World (2023). > Marling was born on August 7, 1... I mostly remember her as the title character on the Netflix series _The OA_. I think she’s there to be sort of a Barrett stand-in. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/127 "2026-02-04T20:53:50Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I mostly remember her as the title character on the Netflix series _The OA_. She was also that show’s co-creator and writer, as well as the co-creator and writer of the terrific miniseries _A Murder at the End of the World_. I’ll watch anything she makes. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/128 "2026-02-05T15:14:15Z")
Episode 5 was really, really, really awful. _Section 31_ awful. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/129 "2026-02-05T20:57:48Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > _Section 31_ awful. I haven’t seen the episode yet but it can’t possibly be. _Section 31_ was unwatchable. And I really tried because the cast was decent. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/130 "2026-02-05T21:08:54Z")
This episode decided that the CW was too advanced and made it Nickelodeon-level. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/131 "2026-02-05T21:14:26Z")
Granted, there is a thin line between idealistic and corny but this show is so far in the latter that it is butting up against the other thin line between corny and camp. It might be fun to stick around and wait for it to jump the shark but my eyes hurt from all the rolling. ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/132 "2026-02-05T21:17:00Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > This episode decided that the CW was too advanced and made it Nickelodeon-level. After School Special level was my assessment. Stay tuned for the episode about the bed-wetting Andorian. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2026, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/133 "2026-02-05T21:21:11Z")
Gotta say, I didn’t expect them to Mork and Mindy it. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 4:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/134 "2026-02-06T04:52:42Z")
I actually thought it was goofy fun. ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/135 "2026-02-06T15:32:56Z")
Regarding the B plot; was anyone a little confused about whether the whole visit thing was a prank on Kelrec or just the rehearsal dinner? It sure felt the former. ---
**Author:** ![FinsToTheLeft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/finstotheleft/32/2930_2.png) [@FinsToTheLeft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FinsToTheLeft)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/136 "2026-02-06T17:14:47Z")
I extremely put off at the physical and manner similarities between Kalrec and Canadian Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre. [![](https://www.ipolitics.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CP174515403-1536x1024.jpg) ](https://www.ipolitics.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/CP174515403-1536x1024.jpg) [https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Kelrec](https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Kelrec) ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/137 "2026-02-07T06:14:33Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > This episode decided that the CW was too advanced and made it Nickelodeon-level. I did not expect _Photonic Clarissa Explains It All_. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/138 "2026-02-07T06:50:35Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > This episode decided that the CW was too advanced and made it Nickelodeon-level. Hey! Prodigy was awesome. Very treky. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/139 "2026-02-07T13:31:56Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > I did not expect _Photonic Clarissa Explains It All_. That’s exactly what it felt like, a show written to target tween girls. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [February 7, 2026, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470/140 "2026-02-07T20:05:42Z")
Well this particular show is _not_ primarily aimed at the 60s plus male demographic. 😀 Tween and teen girls likely are a group they are hoping to pull into a Trek universe orbit. And tween and teen boys. Maybe some younger adults too. Secondarily maybe their parents watching with them who grew up on DS9 in the ‘90s. And FWIW I have little doubt the feel of _Clarissa Explains It All_ is very intentional to poke the nostalgia string of those parents of tweens and teens. It was also one of their childhood shows. Now I was the dad watching Clarissa with my kids. (Maybe reruns at that point?) I thought it was a good show! Very watchable. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/starfleet-academy/1021470.md?page=8)