[yahna]

> It leaves the impression that McFarlane is a genuine Star Trek fan and The Orville is more an homage than a ripoff

If you didn't realize that you must have done exactly zero research. Notice how he's had the entire cast of TNG on family and has been working with Patrick Stewart for years? Notice the huge numbers of star trek and other sci-fi references spread through family guy?

[vanderZwan]

He also was behind the new Cosmos series. Regardless of whether you liked the remake, you have to admit he's is a genuine fan of all things sci-fi and space related.