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Revision as of 22:28, 30 June 2006
Ira Steven Behr is an American television producer and scriptwriter. He is mostly known for his involvement in the writing and production of science fiction series Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG) and especially as executive producer on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (DS9), as well as his trademark blue goatee. He currently serves as writer and executive producer on The 4400.
Early career
Behr graduated his studies of Mass Communications and Theater in Lehman College in New York City. He was then offered a playwriting scholarship at Brandeis University. Behr decided not to accept it, and instead moved to Los Angeles in pursuit of a career in writing comedies for television and film. Behr succeeded in starting a career, but made his mark on television drama instead. His credits during that period include:
- Maverick (1981, first job as a television writer)
- Jessica Novak (1981, story editor)
- Fame (1982, writer and producer)
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1982, writer)
- Bring 'Em Back Alive (1982, writer)
- Once a Hero (1987, writer and producer)
- The Bronx Zoo (1987, writer)
Star Trek period
Behr's first involvement with Star Trek began as a producer for TNG during its third season. Behr left the series to seek a screenwriting career at the end of the season. During this time, he also served as a writer for the television series Beyond Reality (1991).
Behr's major involvement in Star Trek began in 1993 when he was appointed supervising producer for the pilot of DS9, "Emissary". in the third season of the show he became a co-executive producer, and later during the show he took the full responsibility of an executive producer. He appeared in the second part of the final episode of the series as an uncredited extra, along with most of the show's production staff.
Contributions to the Star Trek Universe
Development of the Ferengi race
Behr had a significant role in the development of the Ferengi alien race during his work on DS9. He wrote or was involved in the creation of many important Ferengi-related episodes. Behr introduced the concept of the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition, wrote most of them and published them in a humorous book carrying this name. He also co-wrote with Robert Hewitt Wolfe a collection of short stories and fables based on the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition entitled "Legends of the Ferengi," which was published by Pocket Books.
The Ferengi race was first introduced in the first season of TNG, and was supposed to act as a major antagonist of the series. The Ferengi instead became a source of comic relief and continued to play this role on Deep Space Nine where Ferengi-related stories provided comic takes on such issues as greed, capitalism, social conservatism and feminism.
Deep Space Nine's story arc
As executive producer, Behr held great responsibility for the story arc of the show, revolving around the Bajoran people and the Dominion War. This prolonged and complex story was a departure from the traditional Star Trek episodic format. It was also a departure for Star Trek in dealing with a long-term war (much as had been done on another contemporary science fiction television series, Babylon 5).
Behr personally wrote or co-wrote some of the most important episodes in the Dominion arc, including "The Jem'Hadar", "The Search", "The Way of the Warrior","Broken Link", "Apocalypse Rising", "In Purgatory's Shadow", "By Inferno's Light", "Call to Arms", "Sacrifice of Angels", "Tears of the Prophets" and the final episode, "What You Leave Behind".
Post Star Trek period
Behr didn't return to Star Trek production after the completion of DS9's seven season run in 1999. Instead, he has been involved in the writing and production of other television shows. His credits include:
- "Dark Angel" (2000, consulting producer)
- "Bob Patterson" (2001, writer and executive producer)
- "The Twilight Zone" (2002, writer and executive producer)
- "The 4400" (2004, writer and executive producer)
- "Dr. Vegas" (2004 writer and consulting producer)
External links
- Ira Steven Behr at Startrek.com, the official Star Trek site
- Ira Steven Behr at the Internet Movie Database
- Ira Steven Behr at Memory Alpha