Andy Weir Shaded the Star Trek Shows and Then Apologized to Fellow Writer Alex Kurtzman
Project Hail Mary writer Andy Weir is walking back his Star Trek criticism after he put his foot in his mouth multiple times this weekend. He took aim at Alex Kurtzman and most of modern Star Trek in some comments on The Critical Drinker’s show.
Now, it’s worth noting that we’re starting from “-1” here. Folks might want to know that The Critical Drinker has been on a years-long crusade to harass and demean anything in “nerd” spaces that isn’t aligned with his views. Anything remotely diverse gets picked at and criticized in short order. (Not to mention the various hate campaigns either…)
But, still Weir picked that platform to have a “playful” jab at modern Star Trek. He called executive producer Alex Kurtzman a “nice guy.” But, only after insulting most of the dude’s work. The author also shared that he had a pitch turned down by Kurtzman as well. But, the Internet saw the comments for what they were. And, now Weir posted an open letter apology.
His letter begins, “Open letter to Alex Kurtzman: Hey, Alex. Andy Weir here. I’m posting to apologize about stuff I said on the Critical Drinker’s podcast. I feel like my quotes were taken out of context as salacious sound bytes. I hope you saw the other parts where I said how much I like you as a person and what a nice guy you are. Also how I like SNW [Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and LD [Star Trek: Lower Decks]. ”
Andy Weir apologizes for Star Trek criticisms
“I was trying to be funny, but in retrospect it comes off as disrespectful and mean. So I’m sorry for that,” Weir added. “I was also trying to be self-deprecating when I said ‘But they didn’t like my pitch so fuck ’em!’ but out of context it can read like I actually meant it.”
“I’m a blunt person – always have been,” he continued. “And it’s been 10 years since the media cared what I had to say about anything so I kind of forgot to watch my words when I have a film in theaters. In a couple months I’ll be back in my cave writing novels and no one will care again.”
Now, to start we don’t know the interiority of Andy Weir’s mind. He really could have meant this as some playful banter and his tone was rather light during the comments. But, we also can’t ignore the venue in question. If you’ve spent any amount of time online as a woman that’s a fan of Star Trek, Star Wars, Marvel, or anything, you’ve seen how people like The Critical Drinker go after targets like Star Trek: Discovery.
It’s not remotely subtle. So, good on Weir for at least being aware enough to apologize for a pretty sizable insult all things considered. If you don’t believe me, the writer said, “ I like Strange New Worlds… It’s pretty good. I didn’t hate Enterprise – I thought it was kind of weird. Lower Decks I thought was entertaining and fun. All the others, they can go.”
Andy Weir and his complaints with the franchise
Elsewhere, in that same podcast, The Critical Drinker and Weir were both celebrating the demise of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. The show itself becomes a lightning rod for goofy conservative grievance when it’s an attempt to bridge the show to new viewership. A demographic that Weir and the host are not really a part of. Being so visceral about that makes you question the sincerity of everything else. Honestly, do you really feel bad about insulting another writer or are you mad that you got caught?
In this current era where so many voices celebrate the idea of saying anything you want. They keep bumping up into the idea of consequences for saying whatever you want, which is another thing entirely. Weir is riding high off of Project Hail Mary right now. The film was a legitimate triumph. It’s sad that its release has been marred in any way by the writer putting his foot in his mouth.
(featured image: Brooke Palmer/Paramount+)
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