A-Z Challenge 2015: W is for William Shatner!

I first had some awareness of the force of nature known as William Shatner half watching some Star Trek reruns after school as a youngster. But it was seeing Star Trek-The Motion Picture on the Big Screen that really gave me my first good experience watching him onscreen. 

Captain James T. Kirk - TV - 1960's

I was never a big TJ Hooker or Rescue 911 fan at the time – but I saw every Star Trek movie as they came out and I eventually rented about 2/3 of the original 79 episodes of Classic Star Trek on VHS over the years.  I also more recently watched his entire run on TV's Boston Legal - which netted Bill more than one Emmy award. 

Captain James T. Kirk - Movies - 1980's

I enjoyed his performances, but I knew he was kinda big and over the top even as a young man – and I was as puzzled as the rest of the world at oddities like his performance of Elton John’s “Rocket Man” on a science fiction awards presentation.

I wasn’t thrilled when he agreed to be a part of killing Captain Kirk off in the seventh Star Trek movie – the one introducing the Next Generation cast to the Big Screen – especially after seeing what a lackluster death scene it was. (And weirdly – that death scene was a reshoot – the original death had been even worse.)

T.J. Hooker

William Shatner is also listed as the author of several books – I say it that way because it is widely believed he has written none of them – letting others ghost write them, sometimes credited as co-writer, sometimes not. I have no idea what he contributed to the authorship of the books in question – but I have enjoyed several of them.

William Shatner - Horseman

The thing that I really like about William Shatner – here’s a guy who seemed to take himself deathly seriously back in the day – then – one day – in the last few years – much like Leslie Neilsen – Shatner discovered the joys of taking the piss out of himself – and was ready willing and able to poke fun at his image and his style anywhere and anytime. Movies like Free Enterprise and Showtime showcase this new side of Shatner well – but there are other examples as well. 

William Shatner - Priceline Negotiator from their long running series of commercials

These days I watch for anything new he’s up to – and that’s a busy watch because William Shatner is endlessly fascinated with our world and technology and is constantly trying new things and ventures. I was also thrilled to briefly meet the man and get a picture with him at a convention appearance – on his 83^rd birthday.

Check out some William Shatner when you can – because he’s the Shat!

Until next post, you Can Poke Me With A Fork, Cause I Am Outta Here!