As Star Trek Fans Turn on Starfleet Academy, Shatner Jokes He Could Do Better Than the Current Showrunners

William Shatner shared a sarcastic take on the backlash against Paramount+’s Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, highlighting fan dissatisfaction while offering to step in and lead the franchise amid its declining popularity under producers like Secret Hideout.

Here’s the TL;DR…

• Many Star Trek fans expressed strong dislike for Starfleet Academy, leading to low audience scores and review bombing, though some viewers praised its fresh approach.

• William Shatner responded humorously to criticism from Stephen Miller, mocking the show’s futuristic oversights and volunteering to assume command.

• Viewership numbers collapsed quickly on Paramount+ and YouTube, with a critic’s livestream of a Spock toy outperforming the series premiere in concurrent views.

• The franchise saw a steady decline under Bad Robot‘s films and Secret Hideout‘s TV series, marked by box office drops, fan divisions, and production issues.

• Despite positive critical reviews, the show’s low engagement underscores broader challenges in appealing to core fans while attracting new audiences.

What Triggered William Shatner’s Comments on Starfleet Academy?

Shatner weighed in after Stephen Miller, a former Trump advisor, labeled Starfleet Academy “tragic” and called for the 94-year-old actor to take creative control. Miller posted a clip featuring female officers, including Holly Hunter as Captain Nahla Ake, which sparked complaints from conservative critics.

On X, Shatner replied with sarcasm, aligning with Miller on the show’s failure to depict a future without hyperopia. He criticized the budget for not covering multiple pairs of glasses and declared, “I am ready to assume command of the series!” This response reflected Shatner’s ongoing concerns about modern Star Trek deviating from Gene Roddenberry‘s vision of disciplined exploration.

Shatner has critiqued recent entries before. He suggested Roddenberry would disapprove of certain elements, like crew dynamics, even as original episodes included similar themes. His latest remark blended humor with recognition of fan unrest, without fully embracing the political framing.

Why Are So Many Star Trek Fans Disliking Starfleet Academy?

Starfleet Academy launched on January 15, 2026, and drew immediate fan backlash, with many citing a shift away from traditional Trek elements toward what they called excessive “wokeness.” Elon Musk and others ridiculed a scene showing Captain Ake in reading glasses with officers Lura Thok (Gina Yashere) and Lt. Rork (Tricia Black), claiming it prioritized diversity over sci-fi logic.

This fueled review bombing, dropping the Rotten Tomatoes audience score to 35% initially before settling at 43%. On IMDb, it scored 4.7 out of 10, with thousands of one-star reviews decrying “cringe” dialogue and a lack of classic optimism.

Some fans appreciated the show’s inclusivity and innovation, aligning with Star Trek‘s history of social commentary, like the original series’ interracial kiss. Actress Gina Yashere defended her half-Klingon, half-Jem’Hadar character—the first female Jem’Hadar portrayed—highlighting enthusiastic responses alongside the hate. Critics awarded it an 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, commending strong acting and visuals, but the divide suggests not all backlash stems from ideology; some point to storytelling flaws.

How Did Viewership Numbers Highlight Fan Disengagement?

Viewership for Starfleet Academy started modestly but plummeted on Paramount+ charts within days, falling out of top spots quickly. The free YouTube premiere struggled, peaking at low concurrent viewers despite wide availability.

In a stark comparison, critic Nerdrotic ran a livestream of a motionless Spock action figure in an empty chair, which surpassed the premiere’s peak in under three minutes and reached over 3,000 concurrent viewers—more than triple the official stream at times.

This low engagement reflects broader fan fatigue. While Paramount renewed the series for a second season pre-premiere, the numbers indicate challenges in retaining audiences, even as some viewers tuned in and enjoyed the cadet-focused narratives.

Has Star Trek Been Declining Under Bad Robot and Secret Hideout?

Bad Robot, headed by J.J. Abrams, rebooted Star Trek with the 2009 film, grossing $385 million worldwide on a $150 million budget. The Kelvin Timeline offered new stories with nods to the past. Star Trek Into Darkness in 2013 earned $467 million but faced backlash for recycling plots and stylistic quirks.

The slide worsened with 2016’s Star Trek Beyond, making $343 million against $185 million, hampered by delays and internal disputes over rights between Paramount and CBS. These issues limited Abrams’ expansion plans, prompting a shift to Star Wars. No Kelvin films followed, leaving the era stalled.

Under Alex Kurtzman‘s Secret Hideout, TV revivals like Discovery and Picard expanded the universe but polarized fans with darker tones and canon alterations. Merchandise sales dipped, and community splits grew, contributing to perceptions of decline despite occasional hits like Strange New Worlds.

Where Does Starfleet Academy Stand in Star Trek‘s Ongoing Struggles?

Starfleet Academy, set in the 32nd century, follows diverse cadets facing academy challenges and threats, including Yashere’s innovative hybrid instructor. She tied the character to established lore, where Jem’Hadar were male-only creations, but the show explores new frontiers.

Critics gave it 87% approval for Hunter’s performance and bold plots, yet audience metrics lag, signaling disconnects. This pattern echoes Trek’s past, where progressive ideas faced resistance but endured, like Uhura‘s role. Still, low ratings suggest Secret Hideout must address fan concerns to sustain interest.

Could William Shatner Really Improve Star Trek‘s Direction?

Shatner avoided direct jabs at Secret Hideout, but his critiques of modern Trek echo fan calls for a return to Roddenberry‘s ideals. He praised the original’s depth while viewing newer shows as diluted. Bad Robot revived cinematic appeal but faltered on follow-through, and Secret Hideout‘s TV push yielded mixed results.

Kurtzman‘s efforts include fan-favorite Strange New Worlds for its episodic style, but series like Discovery drew fire for serialization. Shatner’s offer seems playful, given his directing of Star Trek V: The Final Frontier, which met criticism. Fan dissatisfaction with Starfleet Academy highlights a desire for leadership that honors roots.

Star Trek in 2026 grapples with fan backlash against Starfleet Academy, where low ratings and views reveal widespread discontent despite critical acclaim and some supporter enthusiasm. Shatner’s witty intervention spotlights calls for change from Secret Hideout‘s approach, following Bad Robot‘s earlier stumbles. The franchise thrives on evolution, but reconnecting with disaffected fans could restore its unity—or widen existing rifts.

Hat Tips

• Yahoo Entertainment, “William Shatner on Plea for Him To Take Control of Star Trek,” January 20, 2026

• The Hollywood Reporter, “William Shatner Pokes Fun at Stephen Miller for Calling on Him to Control ‘Star Trek’ Franchise,” January 19, 2026

• GeekTyrant, “William Shatner Responds to Viral Plea for Him to Take Over STAR TREK After STARFLEET ACADEMY Criticism,” January 20, 2026

• Pajiba, “William Shatner Actually Responded to Stephen Miller’s Star Trek Rant,” January 21, 2026

• ComicBookMovie, “STAR TREK: William Shatner Trolls Stephen Miller After STARFLEET ACADEMY Backlash,” January 21, 2026

• The Independent, “William Shatner mocks Stephen Miller’s call for him to save ‘woke’ new Star Trek series,” January 21, 2026

• Collider, “New Star Trek Series Hit With Immediate Backlash and Review Bombing on Rotten Tomatoes,” January 21, 2026

• New York Post, “’Star Trek’ actress argues that series has always been ‘woke’ as new show faces backlash,” January 20, 2026

• Geeks + Gamers, “Nerdrotic Humiliates Star Trek: Starfleet Academy After Spock Action Figure Livestream Destroys Premiere Numbers,” January 21, 2026

• Geeks + Gamers, “Starfleet Academy Viewership Collapses as Kurtzman Trek Implodes Across Streaming and YouTube,” January 21, 2026

• CBR, “Star Trek’s Most Controversial Show of the Decade Fizzles Out on Streaming After Just 4 Days,” January 21, 2026

• That Park Place, “Nerdrotic and The Critical Drinker Both Obliterate Starfleet Academy Viewership Numbers,” January 21, 2026

• The Wrap, “How the Battle Over ‘Star Trek’ Rights Killed J.J. Abrams’ Grand Ambitions,” May 15, 2013

• Forbes, “How Paramount Failed To Turn ‘Star Trek’ Into A Blockbuster Franchise,” August 8, 2020

• Memory Alpha, “Bad Robot Productions,” accessed January 21, 2026

Article Compiled and Edited by Derek Gibbs on January 21, 2026 for Clownfish TV D/REZZED.