Star Trek is one of my favorite shows. Have you ever watched it?
Yes I have. It was created by Gene Roddenberry.
It's a really old show, too, isn't it? People always compare it to Star Wars, but I'm pretty sure it's been around way longer.
Well the first TV series aired in 1966 for 3 seasons on NBC. Star wars came out in 1979.
Wow, so Star Trek's been around WAY longer. I guess that explains why it's such a culturally influential show.
Thats right. The creator was inspired by the the Horatio Hornblower novels when creating Star Trek.
I've never heard of Horatio Hornblower before. Funny name. Has there even been a Star Trek movie, or is it all just the TV show?
There have been and still are movies made. The movies are very popular. Horatio Hornblower is a fictional Napoleonic Wars era Royal Navy officer 
I'll have to look into Mr. Hornblower, then, especially if he inspired Star Trek. Has the Star Trek franchise been financially successful over the years?
Definitely thats why it keeps on going. But I would say that Star Wars may be eclipsing by now.