Year Four , Issue 4 Summary . A family sits around a dinner table , and the mother calls for her son , Cam , before cracking a joke , setting off a round of canned laughter . Upstairs , a young man steps off a set , and out the door of " Stage 243 . " In the control room , Captain Kirk , Dr . McCoy , and Spock watch as the staff discover that the young man has left the set , calling him a " runner . " Outside , a security guard calls out " " You – stop ! " " and shoots the young man , killing him . The guard states that he was trying to break his contract , and Kirk points out that he was only 18 years old . The control room director with them , President Tinker , tells Kirk that the " " young man beat out 20 , 000 applicants for this job . A job that fed his family , and gave him full voting rights . " " On the news that evening , i - NEWS discusses Kirk ' s comments about Viden social policies , noting that the " Enterprise " had entered orbit about the planet a week before as part of a cultural exchange with the Federation . The newcaster also comments that the Trilateral Broadcasting Company ' s public approval rating fell 5 points . At the company , Tinker tells Kirk that the other network is using the incident to alter the political landscape . Kirk points out that it isn ' t his problem that that he ' s seen everything he needs to in order . Three security guards pull guns on the trio as Tinker tells them that his audience wants to see more of them , and that he intends to deliver what they want . On board the " Enterprise " , Uhura reports to Scott that she is unable to raise the away team on the communicator s due to interference from the broadcasting satellites , but it appears that Kirk has been taken prisoner . Scotty tells her to keep trying , as Kirk ' s orders were that they stay put . In their cell , McCoy flips through channels on the television as Kirk and Spock discuss their next move . They try to fool the guard by pretending that Kirk is sick , but he ' s seen the trick on television already . The guard then asks for Kirk ' s autograph , asking him to make it out for " Kren . " As Kirk begins to write , Spock reaches from behind and uses the Vulcan nerve pinch to knock the guard out . Kirk changes into the guard ' s outfit , and they proceed to look for communicators . On their way , they realize that their escape is far too easy . They step through a door labeled " President of Programming " and are blinded by the light as they step onto the set of a talk show , the Dr . Marv Show . Later , in Tinker ' s office , he tells them that their " escape " gave the highest ratings in two years . He also tells them that their rival network , Viden Broadcasting is developing a new series called " Eden 3 " , " " a derivative drama about alien races trying to co - exist on a space station . . . " " He then suggests that they do a television show with the " Enterprise " and her crew . Kirk tells them that he must contact his ship first . Tinker points out that the ship is out of touch due to the interference from the satellites , and Kirk signs the deal as a one - time event , telling them that he can ' t have the " " crew tied up on a TV show for five years . " " Kirk contacts his ship and says " " let the crew know , lieutenant . . . we ' re going to be famous . " " On Stage 112 , the crew of the " Enterprise " is showing their talents . While Spock is showing his talent playing water glasses , Uhura complains to Chekov about there being two musical acts in a row , as she is ready to show her ability with the Vulcan lute . At the same time , Sulu is practicing his fencing . Tinker approaches Kirk and inquires as to the status of things , but before Kirk is able to answer , Brandon , Tinker ' s assistant comes in and shows him the budget requested for the show . Tinker tells Kirk that it is absurd , but Kirk counters with the fact that he requires creative control , and the fee is no less than what the Federation receives on other planets . Brandon insists that they " " can ' t sell enough ad time to make a profit . " " Kirk suggests an alternate plan . That night on the news , it is announced that the " Enterprise " crew has signed a contract for a hidden camera show , and that explosives have been put into the cameras to destroy the ship if contact is broken . Two weeks later , Kirk receives a communication from Tinker , asking why things have been so boring , and telling him that the ratings are plummeting . Kirk responds that they haven ' t encountered anything , and that " " you can ' t expect us to manufacture drama . . . on this budget . " " Tinker threatens to blow up the ship , and at his end , his screen begins to go fuzzy with interference . As Uhura reports that they ' ve lost the Viden ' s signal , Scotty informs the captain that he has managed to disable all of the explosives , and that things can get back to normal . Back on Viden , President Brandon is presented with a new script for a show that can go five years affordably , and all be shot on the lot . " Starfleet Academy . " Memorable quotes . " " You ' ve got to see this , Jim . They have about a million channels on this thing . " " " " Eight thousand , seven hundred and forty - three , to be exact , Doctor & ndash " " " " It is not logical , Ensign . . . why would I want to ' break a leg ' ? " " " " It is an old Russian saying , Mr . Spock . It means ' good luck ' . " " " " I ' m a doctor , damn it – not a magician . " " " " By my calculations , the changing tastes of the audience would have resulted in cancellation in less than one Viden year – " " " " That soon ? " " " " Eighty - eight weeks . Approximately . " " " " It ' s a good thing we kept our day jobs , Mr . Spock . " "