Top 10 Ultimate Star Trek Parodies That Will Blow Your Mind

Summary

Star Trek: Lower Decks is the greatest and most affectionate parody of the franchise, but its official canon status sets it apart from other spoofs.

Several TV shows and sketches, including Chewin' The Fat, The Muppet Show, and The Adam & Joe Show, have effectively spoofed Star Trek through humor and clever references.

Ömer the Tourist in Star Trek and Black Mirror's USS Callister are among other parodies that offer distinct and occasionally grim interpretations of Star Trek, pushing the limits of the franchise.

Star Trek has been a cultural phenomenon for almost six decades, giving rise to countless spoofs and parodies. Arguably, Star Trek: Lower Decks stands as the ultimate parody, cleverly and lovingly satirizing the entire franchise. However, since it is officially recognized within the Star Trek universe, it wouldn't be fair to group it with the numerous comedy sketches, movies, and sitcoms that have poked fun at the show over the past 57 years.

Throughout the years, there have been various impersonations of William Shatner, with Jim Carrey's portrayal on In Living Color being particularly notable. While some of the jokes in those sketches, like "The Wrath of Farrakhan," may not have aged well, Carrey's impersonation is definitely worth checking out. Certain Star Trek parodies have even spawned their own successful series, merchandise, and dedicated fanbase. On the other hand, there are parodies that succinctly capture the essence of Star Trek in just a few minutes of laughter before moving on to their next target.

9 Chewin' The Fat - Taysiders In Space

8 The Muppet Show - Pigs In Space

Martin Quinn's casting as Scotty in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds marks a significant shift, as the character is now portrayed as Scottish. This is a notable departure from the previous portrayals by a Canadian and an Englishman. In a memorable sketch titled "Taysiders in Space" from the BBC Scotland comedy show Chewin' The Fat, a crew consisting entirely of Scottish Starfleet officers is featured. The sketch imagines a scenario where Starfleet Academy establishes a new campus in Carnoustie, Scotland, and follows the first group of recruits as they embark on interstellar missions with their phasers set to "malky" (Scottish slang for "kill"). This comedic take on Gene Roddenberry's original Star Trek concept adds an entertainingly down-to-earth perspective while generating plenty of laughter.

Since season 2, Pigs in Space has been a prominent segment on The Muppet Show. It cleverly parodies various sci-fi movies and TV shows, most notably Star Trek as evidenced by Miss Piggy's starship named the Swinetrek. Additionally, Captain Link Hogthrob's character is clearly inspired by William Shatner's Captain Kirk, much like how Star Trek itself has inspired numerous spinoffs. During the 1990s, ABC brought back The Muppet Show with a revamped version called Muppets Tonight, which aired from 1996 to 1998. As part of this revival, Pigs in Space received an update with the subtitle Deep Dish Nine and the introduction of Captain Pighead, perfectly capturing the essence of 90s Star Trek.

7 The Adam & Joe Show - Stuffed Trek: The Toy Generation

The Adam & Joe Show, a renowned TV comedy magazine, gained a cult following for its ingenious mockery of popular movies and TV shows using toys, pre-dating the likes of Robot Chicken. In their brilliantly crafted sketch titled "Stuffed Trek: The Toy Generation," Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish humorously parodied Star Trek: The Next Generation, with clever nods to obscure references. Through their mention of "more terrible movies" and their disdain for Lt. Commander Da-Toy's newfound sense of humor, Adam and Joe's true sentiments regarding Star Trek Generations are made abundantly clear. Intriguingly, despite having wielded success in directing feature films over the years, Joe Cornish declined the opportunity to helm Star Trek Beyond when approached decades later.

6 Ömer the Tourist in Star Trek

The Turkish film industry is infamous for its unauthorized parodies of popular Western franchises, and even Star Trek was not spared from this treatment. "Ömer the Tourist in Star Trek" is a movie that brings the iconic Turkish comedy character into an episode of the original Star Trek series titled "The Man Trap," featuring the Salt Vampire and seductive apparitions. Watching this film feels like a feverish blend of season 1 of Star Trek, but it is far from dull. Moreover, the Turkish Star Trek parody also presents a delightful buddy comedy dynamic between Ömer and Mr. Spack, making it a truly unique and unparalleled experience.

5 Black Mirror - USS Callister

"USS Callister", Charlie Brooker's brilliant spoof of Star Trek: The Original Series, cleverly incorporates dark undertones. Operating as a parody, it effectively utilizes various levels, encompassing recognizable themes as well as profound critiques of its sexual politics. Moreover, it presents an astute and thought-provoking exploration of Star Trek's holodeck technology and the moral implications for those whose virtual personas are stored within it. The individuals whom Robert Daly (portrayed by Jesse Plemmons) interacts with inside his simulated reality represent his colleagues, retaining the traumatic memories of the mistreatment they endure. This unique and captivating episode delves into the ethical complexities of holodeck technology in a manner that Star Trek has yet to fully explore, making it an essential watch for enthusiasts.

4 Animaniacs - Star Truck

The Animaniacs' spoof of Star Trek is absolutely hilarious as the Warner Brothers (and sister) wreak havoc on the starship from their beloved TV series. It cleverly incorporates names like Mr. Squat and Captain Kork, expertly tiptoeing around copyright issues. The parody also includes clever meta-references, such as a playful nod to "Ricardo Montalban and his infamous plastic chest." Additionally, there's a side-splittingly blunt joke referencing the classic Star Trek: The Original Series episode "City on the Edge of Forever". Maurice LaMarche's incredible impressions of William Shatner, DeForest Kelley, and Leonard Nimoy bring the iconic Star Trek characters to life with astonishing accuracy.

3 Seth McFarlane's The Orville

The Orville's reception as a Star Trek parody initially hindered its credibility as a distinct sci-fi show. Notable Star Trek actors made guest appearances on The Orville and influential figures from 90s Trek, including Brannon Braga, Jonathan Frakes, and Robert Duncan McNeill, were involved behind the scenes. Seth McFarlane's deep admiration for Star Trek is evident in his affectionate criticisms of well-worn Trek conventions. However, The Orville goes beyond being a mere parody as it successfully recaptures the essence of the episodic, planet-of-the-week style of Star Trek long before Star Trek: Strange New Worlds premiered in 2022.

2 Futurama - Where No Fan Has Gone Before

"The Simpsons" and "Futurama," both animated series created by Matt Groening, have paid homage to Star Trek throughout their run. However, the pinnacle of this tribute comes in the form of the episode "Where No Fan Has Gone Before." In this installment, the Planet Express crew stumbles upon the revived original Star Trek actors on Omega 3, a planet where they have been brought back to life by an extraterrestrial superfan named Mellvar. This episode brings together most of the surviving cast members from the iconic "Star Trek: The Original Series," with the exception of James Doohan. Packed with clever references and uproarious moments, it showcases Philip J Fry, voiced by Billy West, seated in Captain Pike's unmistakable chair that emits bleeping sounds. To top it off, the episode ends with a memorable and comical line delivered by none other than William Shatner himself. This episode is an absolute riot.

1 Galaxy Quest

Galaxy Quest, released in 1999, is widely regarded as the best Star Trek parody. Unlike Futurama, which benefited from its original cast, Galaxy Quest has garnered a dedicated fanbase of its own. Drawing inspiration from the Steve Martin movie The Three Amigos, this beloved sci-fi film takes the characters from a popular sci-fi show and thrusts them into space to defend a planet against an alien warlord. Packed with clever jokes about conventions and fans, it cleverly incorporates well-established Star Trek themes. Tim Allen delivers a standout performance as a character reminiscent of William Shatner, while Alan Rickman brings a snobbish actor to life with impeccable comedic timing. Not only the funniest Star Trek parody ever made, Galaxy Quest also serves as a gleeful tribute to the show and its profound positive impact on its fans.