[fieldmarshaldj]

Er, Star Trek: TOS was one of the most expensive shows on television at the time with state of the art special effects. It was an ode to Westerns and pretty fiercly pro-American (albeit JFK’s New Frontier, which was pretty Conservative by today’s standards). If the show was as subpar as you described, it certainly would not have had such popularity, spun off movies, new series, et al, and still be going strong almost 50 years later.

The problem with why many of us fans didn’t like the remake is because Abrams pretty much went out of his way to trash the history/canon, etc. of the franchise. I thought it was offensive and sophomoric, with poorly-chosen actors well out of their depth for the characters they’re portraying. Rather than remake it, they should’ve continued on past beyond Picard’s Enterprise and set it in the 25th century with a new ship and new characters.

[TheOldLady]

It was a prequel.

[Durus]

It's incredible popularity must be why it only lasted 3 seasons and had poor ratings. Unless it Rodenberry's social commentary that was rife in almost every episode. The only reason why it continued on in any form after cancellation is that Paramount put it out there for syndication at very good prices. (To recoup production losses on the series)This increased the original series popularity beyond what it was when it was airing.

It's funny, almost everyone I know who is a "serious" Trekkie and loves the first series hated Star Trek:TNG even though it was much more popular, got better ratings and lasted 7 seasons

In order for something to be good it doesn't have to be wildly popular and popularity isn't a good measure of quality. That being said the original series was poor in everything except originality. Almost everything, including the animated series and excluding the Scott Bacula monstrosity, has been an improvement.

The reason I liked the last Star Trek movie is because Abrams created a new time line so he wouldn't be stuck constantly having to bow to Trekkie fanatic cannon. We have the luxury of the characters which we liked, their interplay, without the dogma. I wish someone could have done something similar to Star Wars before Lucus put a stake through the franchise's heart with episodes 1-3.

I wouldn't mind a new Trek set further into the future, but the alternate time line is about as far as you could have pushed Hollywood who currently has an aversion to anything new and original.

[ApplegateRanch]

Rather than remake it, they should’ve continued on past beyond Picard’s Enterprise and set it in the 25th century with a new ship and new characters.

Captain McKenzie Calhoun comes to mind, as a good continuation starting point.