Ira Steven Behr
Encyclopedia
Ira Steven Behr born 23 October 1953, in New York City, New York, USA is an American
television producer
and screenwriter
, most known for his work on Star Trek
, especially Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
, on which he served as showrunner and executive producer. He was the executive producer and showrunner on Crash
and executive producer on Syfy's Alphas
.
s and Theater in Lehman College
in New York City
. After graduating, Behr turned down a playwriting
scholarship
at Brandeis University
, and instead moved to Los Angeles
to pursue a screenwriting career. Although his passion was initially comedy, Behr's first writing job was on the dramatic series Maverick
. Behr continued to work on television dramas, throughout the 1980s, among them:
, Behr was hired as a producer
during Star Trek: The Next Generation
s third season.
Behr left The Next Generation
after a year; but two years later, he rejoined Star Trek as a supervising producer on the new series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
. At the start of the second season, Behr was promoted to co-executive producer. The following year, co-creator Michael Piller
left to produce the next Star Trek series, Star Trek: Voyager
and Behr replaced him as showrunner and executive producer.
Behr went on to write a total of 53 episodes of Deep Space Nine
, more than any other writer.
As executive producer, Behr was largely responsible for the story arc
of the show, from Bajoran
politics to the Dominion War
. This prolonged and complex story was a departure from the traditional Star Trek episodic format, and the war narrative was a break from the typically hopeful Star Trek vision of the future.
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".
Behr also had a significant role in the development of the Ferengi
alien race during his work on Deep Space Nine. Although the Ferengi were first introduced in the first season of The Next Generation as a potential major antagonist, they proved unsuccessful, and in subsequent seasons became an occasional source of comic relief
. But it was not until Deep Space Nine, which included a Ferengi character
in its regular cast, that the Ferengi were truly explored in any depth. Behr was involved with most of the early Ferengi-related episodes, and introduced the concept of the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition
and wrote most of the rules which appeared on the show. These rules were later published as The Ferengi Rules of Acquisition, by Quark as told to Ira Steven Behr (ISBN 0-671-52936-6). Along with fellow Deep Space Nine producer Robert Hewitt Wolfe
, Behr also co-wrote Legends of the Ferengi, a collection of short stories involving the Rules of Acquisition.
After The 4400 was cancelled in mid-December 2007, 4400 writer Amy Berg posted this final message on the subject from Mr. Behr on December 20, 2007:
(based on the Paul Haggis film) as it heads into Season 2, which aired in the fall of 2009. Lead actor Dennis Hopper
died in May 2010 and the series did not continue.
for which a pilot, written by Zak Penn
and Michael Karnow and directed by Jack Bender
(The Sopranos
, Lost
), had been produced. The program's lead actor is David Strathairn
of Good Night and Good Luck fame. Mr. Behr oversaw the remaining 10 episodes of the 11 episode first season order.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
television producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
and screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
, most known for his work on Star Trek
Star Trek
Star Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
, especially Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
, on which he served as showrunner and executive producer. He was the executive producer and showrunner on Crash
Crash (2008 TV series)
Crash is an American television drama series set in Los Angeles, California. It is the first original series produced by the Starz network. The network ordered a 13 episode season which premiered on October 17, 2008. The series is based on the 2004 film of the same name. It was developed for...
and executive producer on Syfy's Alphas
Alphas
Alphas is an American science fiction dramatic television series created by Zak Penn and Michael Karnow. The series follows a group of people with superhuman abilities, known as "Alphas", as they work to prevent crimes committed by other Alphas....
.
Early career
Behr studied Mass CommunicationMass communication
Mass communication is the term used to describe the academic study of the various means by which individuals and entities relay information through mass media to large segments of the population at the same time...
s and Theater in Lehman College
Lehman College
Lehman College is one of the constituent colleges of the City University of New York, USA. Founded in 1931 as the Bronx campus of Hunter College, the school became an independent college within the City University in 1968. The college is named after Herbert Lehman, a former New York governor,...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. After graduating, Behr turned down a playwriting
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
at Brandeis University
Brandeis University
Brandeis University is an American private research university with a liberal arts focus. It is located in the southwestern corner of Waltham, Massachusetts, nine miles west of Boston. The University has an enrollment of approximately 3,200 undergraduate and 2,100 graduate students. In 2011, it...
, and instead moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to pursue a screenwriting career. Although his passion was initially comedy, Behr's first writing job was on the dramatic series Maverick
Maverick (TV series)
Maverick is a western television series with comedic overtones created by Roy Huggins. The show ran from September 22, 1957 to July 8, 1962 on ABC and stars James Garner as Bret Maverick, a cagey, articulate cardsharp. Eight episodes into the first season, he was joined by Jack Kelly as his brother...
. Behr continued to work on television dramas, throughout the 1980s, among them:
- Jessica NovakJessica NovakJessica Novak is a 1981 drama television series that aired on CBS from November 5, 1981 till December 3, 1981 and was written by Ira Steven Behr...
(1981, story editor) - FameFame (1982 TV series)Fame is an American television series originally produced between 1982 and 1987. The show was based on the 1980 motion picture of the same name. Using a mixture of drama and music, it followed the lives of the students and faculty at the New York City High School for the Performing Arts. Although...
(1982, writer and producer) - Seven Brides for Seven BrothersSeven Brides for Seven Brothers (TV series)Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is an American musical television series loosely based on the film, which ran on CBS from September 19, 1982 to March 23, 1983.-Synopsis:...
(1982, writer) - Bring 'Em Back AliveBring 'Em Back AliveBring 'Em Back Alive is an adventure television series starring Bruce Boxleitner, Cindy Morgan and Ron O'Neal. The series was shown in the United States from September 1982 to May 1983. Set in Singapore, it was one of several shows like Tales of the Gold Monkey to try and capture the success of...
(1982, writer) - Once a HeroOnce a HeroOnce a Hero was an ABC 1987 science fiction comedy television series. The series starred Milo O'Shea as Abner Bevis, a down on his luck comic strip artist whose life is turned upside down when his creation, Captain Justice , comes to life...
(1987, writer and producer) - The Bronx ZooThe Bronx ZooThe Bronx Zoo may refer to:* The Bronx Zoo, an urban zoo in New York City* The Bronx Zoo , a short lived television series* The Bronx Zoo , book about the New York Yankees by Sparky Lyle...
(1987, writer)
Star Trek
After several years writing and producing television, and while still a staff writer at Beyond RealityBeyond Reality (TV series)
Beyond Reality is a Canadian/American science fiction television series which originally aired between October 4, 1991 and March 20, 1993. The series is about two university parapsychologists investigate reports of paranormal phenomena that occur in ordinary people's lives....
, Behr was hired as a producer
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
during Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
s third season.
Behr left The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Star Trek: The Next Generation is an American science fiction television series created by Gene Roddenberry as part of the Star Trek franchise. Roddenberry, Rick Berman, and Michael Piller served as executive producers at different times throughout the production...
after a year; but two years later, he rejoined Star Trek as a supervising producer on the new series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
. At the start of the second season, Behr was promoted to co-executive producer. The following year, co-creator Michael Piller
Michael Piller
Michael Piller was an American television scriptwriter and producer, who was most famous for his contributions to the Star Trek franchise.-Early life and career:Piller was born in Port Chester, New York...
left to produce the next Star Trek series, Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager
Star Trek: Voyager is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe. Set in the 24th century from the year 2371 through 2378, the series follows the adventures of the Starfleet vessel USS Voyager, which becomes stranded in the Delta Quadrant 70,000 light-years from Earth while...
and Behr replaced him as showrunner and executive producer.
Behr went on to write a total of 53 episodes of Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine is a science fiction television series set in the Star Trek universe...
, more than any other writer.
As executive producer, Behr was largely responsible for the story arc
Story arc
A story arc is an extended or continuing storyline in episodic storytelling media such as television, comic books, comic strips, boardgames, video games, and in some cases, films. On a television program, for example, the story would unfold over many episodes. In television, the use of the story...
of the show, from Bajoran
Bajoran
In the Star Trek science-fiction franchise, the Bajorans are a humanoid extraterrestrial species native to the planet Bajor. They were first introduced in the 1991 episode "Ensign Ro" of Star Trek: The Next Generation and subsequently also featured in episodes of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and...
politics to the Dominion War
Dominion War
The Dominion War is an extended plot concept developed in a number of story arcs of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, an American science-fiction television series produced by Paramount Pictures...
. This prolonged and complex story was a departure from the traditional Star Trek episodic format, and the war narrative was a break from the typically hopeful Star Trek vision of the future.
Behr personally wrote or co-wrote some of the most important episodes in the Dominion
Dominion (Star Trek)
In the Star Trek universe, the Dominion is a ruthless and militaristic Gamma Quadrant state consisting of many different races. The Dominion wages war on the United Federation of Planets and its allies in the late 24th century, acting as an antagonist in the TV show Star Trek: Deep Space...
arc, including "The Jem'Hadar", "The Search
The Search (DS9 episode)
"The Search" is the title of a two-part episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the first episode of the third season. It marks the first appearance of the starship USS Defiant, which plays a large role throughout the rest of the series...
", "The Way of the Warrior", "Broken Link
Broken link
Broken link may refer to:* "Broken Link" , the final fourth-season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* Broken or dead link, a link that, having suffered link rot, points to a webpage or server that is no longer available on the World Wide Web* Broken link , a symbolic link that points to a file...
", "Apocalypse Rising
Apocalypse Rising
"Apocalypse Rising" is an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, the first episode of the fifth season. It has an average fan rating of 4.1/5 on the official Star Trek website.-Plot:...
", "In Purgatory's Shadow", "By Inferno's Light", "Call to Arms
Call to Arms (DS9 episode)
"Call to Arms" is the title of the twenty-sixth and final episode of the fifth season of the television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. It has an average fan rating of 4.8/5 on the official Star Trek website as of September, 2009.-Plot:...
", "Sacrifice of Angels", "Tears of the Prophets" and the final episode, "What You Leave Behind".
Behr also had a significant role in the development of the Ferengi
Ferengi
The Ferengi are a fictitious extraterrestrial race from the Star Trek universe. They first appeared in "The Last Outpost", the fifth episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation in 1987, during which they made first contact with the United Federation of Planets in 2364 on the planet Delphi Ardu,...
alien race during his work on Deep Space Nine. Although the Ferengi were first introduced in the first season of The Next Generation as a potential major antagonist, they proved unsuccessful, and in subsequent seasons became an occasional source of comic relief
Comic relief
Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension.-Definition:...
. But it was not until Deep Space Nine, which included a Ferengi character
Quark (Star Trek)
Quark is a fictional character in the American television series Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. The character, which was played by Armin Shimerman, was depicted as a member of an extraterrestrial race known as the Ferengi, who are stereotypically ultra-capitalist and only motivated by...
in its regular cast, that the Ferengi were truly explored in any depth. Behr was involved with most of the early Ferengi-related episodes, and introduced the concept of the Ferengi Rules of Acquisition
Rules of Acquisition
The Rules of Acquisition, in the fictional Star Trek universe, are a set of guidelines intended to ensure the profitability of businesses owned by the ultra-capitalist alien race known as Ferengi.-Background:...
and wrote most of the rules which appeared on the show. These rules were later published as The Ferengi Rules of Acquisition, by Quark as told to Ira Steven Behr (ISBN 0-671-52936-6). Along with fellow Deep Space Nine producer Robert Hewitt Wolfe
Robert Hewitt Wolfe
Robert Hewitt Wolfe is an American television producer and screenwriter. He is mostly known for his work as a writer on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and for developing and producing the series Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda...
, Behr also co-wrote Legends of the Ferengi, a collection of short stories involving the Rules of Acquisition.
Post Star Trek period
Behr left Star Trek following the completion of Deep Space Nines seven season run in 1999, and has since worked on several television shows, including:- Dark AngelDark Angel (TV series)Dark Angel is an American biopunk/cyberpunk science fiction television series created by James Cameron and Charles H. Eglee. The show premiered in the United States on the Fox network on October 3, 2000, and was canceled after two seasons...
(2000, consulting producer) - Bob Patterson (2001, writer and executive producer)
- The Twilight ZoneThe Twilight ZoneThe Twilight Zone is an American television anthology series created by Rod Serling. Each episode is a mixture of self-contained drama, psychological thriller, fantasy, science fiction, suspense, or horror, often concluding with a macabre or unexpected twist...
(2002, writer and executive producer) - The 4400The 4400The 4400 is a science fiction TV series produced by CBS Paramount Network Television in association with Sky Television, Renegade 83, and American Zoetrope for USA Network. The show was created and written by Scott Peters and René Echevarria, and it stars Joel Gretsch and Jacqueline McKenzie...
(2004, writer and executive producer) - Dr. VegasDr. VegasDr. Vegas is a television drama starring Rob Lowe and Joe Pantoliano that ran on CBS in 2004. It aired in Ireland on TG4, and on Challenge in the UK as part of its "Player" gambling strand. In Slovakia, Markíza began airing the show on February 20, 2008....
(2004 writer and consulting producer)
After The 4400 was cancelled in mid-December 2007, 4400 writer Amy Berg posted this final message on the subject from Mr. Behr on December 20, 2007:
"'it's a drag, isn't it.'
paul mccartney's response to john lennon's murder.
'what an a$$hole'
i remember thinking
when i first saw
the newsclip
of mccartney's
casual reaction
to such an overwhelming
tragedy.
but i was
wrong.
lennon's death --
it's stunning
gut wrenching
impact --
was so immediate,
so fraught,
so
painful,
that no adequate response
was possible,
no response
was even
necessary;
the event
spoke
for itself.
so
what does the death
of a musical/cultural icon
have to do
with the
cancellation
of a tv series?
fair question.
i'll try to explain.
what i'll
miss most
about the 4400
aren't the actors,
though
i have only
warm feelings
toward them all,
or even
my co-writers,
including
my partner
in crime
craig sweeny,
because
the way
the business works
we can always
find ourselves
toiling away
together
on some other
show.
no,
what i'm going
to miss most
about the 4400
are the characters
because
the characters
have ceased to exist.
their stories
are over.
they're
done,
finished,
gone.
which is why
to me
it feels like
tom baldwin
is dead,
diana skouris
is dead,
jordan collier
is dead,
shawn farrell
is dead,
kyle baldwin
is dead.
marco
dead.
burkhoff
dead.
tess
dead.
even garrity
dead.
and on
and on
and on.
it's a drag
isn't it?"
ira steven behr,
showrunner.
Crash;; Season 2
In February 2009, Mr. Behr was named head writer for the Starz TV series CrashCrash (2008 TV series)
Crash is an American television drama series set in Los Angeles, California. It is the first original series produced by the Starz network. The network ordered a 13 episode season which premiered on October 17, 2008. The series is based on the 2004 film of the same name. It was developed for...
(based on the Paul Haggis film) as it heads into Season 2, which aired in the fall of 2009. Lead actor Dennis Hopper
Dennis Hopper
Dennis Lee Hopper was an American actor, filmmaker and artist. As a young man, Hopper became interested in acting and eventually became a student of the Actors' Studio. He made his first television appearance in 1954 and appeared in two films featuring James Dean, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant...
died in May 2010 and the series did not continue.
Alphas
In late December 2010, Mr. Behr was appointed head writer, show runner, and executive producer for Syfy Channel's AlphasAlphas
Alphas is an American science fiction dramatic television series created by Zak Penn and Michael Karnow. The series follows a group of people with superhuman abilities, known as "Alphas", as they work to prevent crimes committed by other Alphas....
for which a pilot, written by Zak Penn
Zak Penn
Zak Penn is an American screenwriter and director. Penn wrote and directed Incident at Loch Ness, The Grand, and co-wrote the script for X-Men: The Last Stand. With Michael Karnow, Penn is the co-creator of Alphas.-Early life:...
and Michael Karnow and directed by Jack Bender
Jack Bender
Jack Bender is an American television and film director, actor, television producer and also a screenwriter. Bender was an executive producer and lead director on the ABC television series, Lost. He directed the series finale of Lost. Bender has also directed on other popular shows such as The...
(The Sopranos
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
, Lost
Lost
-In cinema or television:*Lost , an ABC drama about people who become stranded on a mysterious island*Lost , a short-lived reality television program*Lost , an American thriller starring Dean Cain...
), had been produced. The program's lead actor is David Strathairn
David Strathairn
David Russell Strathairn is an American actor. He was nominated for an Academy Award for portraying journalist Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck...
of Good Night and Good Luck fame. Mr. Behr oversaw the remaining 10 episodes of the 11 episode first season order.
External links
- Ira Steven Behr at Startrek.com, the official Star TrekStar TrekStar Trek is an American science fiction entertainment franchise created by Gene Roddenberry. The core of Star Trek is its six television series: The Original Series, The Animated Series, The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise...
site - Ira Steven Behr at the Internet Movie Database
- http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i5fce38b22f140ce5d08a1ccec4361a64
- Ira Steven Behr interviewed by Futon Critic, 2009-09-18
- Ira Steven Behr interviewed by IF Magazine, 2009-10-10
- Ira Steven Behr interviewed by Tomorrow Will Be Televised, 2009-09-09 (includes audio podcast)
- http://www.startrek.com/article/ira-steven-behr-remembers-ds9-previews-alphas-part-1 interviewed by http://www.startrek.com, July, 5, 2011