CelebWatch: Takei, Shatner, Cho, Stewart, Sirtis, and Mulgrew April 10, 2008
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Celebrity , trackback
Chuck is taking the week off so Tony has a truncated Celeb Watch with George Takei singing country and killing a TV show, Patrick Stewart getting rave reviews and talking the end of TNG, Harold and Kumar 2 clips with John Cho, William Shatner giving Boston Legal spoilers, and new acting gigs for Kate Mulgrew and Marina Sirtis.
Takei Shows Hidden Talent – Show Gets Canceled
On Tuesday the latest CBS reality show, Secret Talents of the Stars, premiered on CBS to low ratings and even worse reviews. Things went so badly that CBS cancelled the show after just one episode. The ‘highlight’ of the show was George Takei singing a country song. Judge for yourself:
Stewart: Done with Trek, getting Broadway Raves
As reported earlier, Patrick Stewart opened on Broadway this week in Macbeth. In an interview promoting the show, Stewart told Time Out New York “I think everything to do with The Next Generation is now in the past.” But the actor readily admitted to the USA Today that his time with genre acting has helped bring people to the theater, saying “I like to think that Star Trek and X-Men have been partly responsible for helping to create a new audience.” The new play had previously got rave reviews and this latest run continues the trend. The New York Times calls his performance “thrilling,” the USA Today: “witty” and “nuanced,” Reuters: “fascinatingly complex,” and the LA Times: “mesmerizing.”
There is blood, but does he drink your milkshake?
Cho’s Harold & Kumar 2 is coming
John Cho’s Harold and Kumar Go To Guantanamo Bay comes out in two weeks. New Line held their press junket this week so expect Cho interviews (probably with requisite Trek questions) to pop up between now and then. E! filed a quick report from the junket saying that when Cho was asked if he got his (previously reported) wrist injury on Star Trek set, he joked “I was strangling Zachary Quinto.” Meanwhile New Line has set up a YouTube channel for clips and other promotional videos for the movie. Here is just one example:
Shatner’s Boston Legal is Back
Episodes for Boston Legal returned this week. There will be five more ‘post WGA strike’ episodes to finish out the 4th season. No word yet on if the show will be picked up for a 5th. Shatner will be promoting the return on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno this Friday. And in a new ShatnerVision from his BL dressing room The Shat talks a bit about upcoming episodes:
Phillips Talks Turkey
Stewart isn’t the only Trek vet on Broadway these days. Voyager’s Ethan Phillips is co-starring in the David Mamet political comedy November. The play focuses on a political scandal at the White House related to the annual pardoning of the Thanksgiving Turkey and Phillips plays ‘the Turkey Guy. The actor tells Playbill that there are usually Trekkies at the stage door and “it’s fun to chat with them for a second.” More on the play at the official site.
What do you mean you prefer Tuvix?
Mulgrew Goes Off Broadway
Kate Mulgrew is also headed to the New York stage in the off-Broadway production of Edward Albee’s The American Dream and The Sandbox. The show had been extended to May 17th and Mulgrew is stepping into the role of “Mommy” for the original actress who had another play to do. Kate’s first show is April 22nd, more info cherrylanetheatre.org. The day before opening night, on April 21st, Kate will be participating in ‘Project Shaw’, reading obscure plays from George Bernard Shaw. More info and tickets at projectshaw.com.
Just call me Mommy?
Sirtis admitted to Holby City
Marina Sirtis (TNG: Troi) has landed a gig on the BBC medical soap, Holby City. According to a release, Sirtis will appear as a shallow TV presenter. The plot has her refusing surgery because “it might ruin her good looks.”
Think she can she play vain?
TrekBits
- Duncan Regehr (DS9’s Shakaar Edon) has a new exhibition of his oil paintings in Vancouver .More info at the Petley Jones Gallery
- Academy Award-winning cinematographer Robert Elswit (Visual effects photographer on TMP) is profiled in a new article at CNN
- Inspirational Professor Randy Pausch (who landed a Star Trek cameo) was profiled on ABC’s Dateline on Wednesday. More info and vid clips at ABC
- Michael Giacchino’s (composer on JJ Abrams Star Trek) recent talk at LACMA will be broadcast on Sunday, April 13, at 9 p.m. on 89.3 KPCC-FM (and available as a podcast afterwards). Video will broadcast on L.A. cable channel 36 at 10 p.m. Tuesday April 15th.
- Brent Spiner spoke to the Reality Check podcast about his new album “Dreamland”. Listen to it at Sci-Fi London
In Memoriam: Stanley Kamel
Actor Stanley Kamel (Kosinski, TNG “Where No One Has Gone Before”) passed away Tuesday, at the age of 65. Variety reports that Kamel was found dead in his Hollywood home and the cause of death has not been released. Kamel had a prolific career, most recently appearing as a regular on the show Monk.
Kamel as Kosinski
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Comments»
First! Marina Sirtis Is lookin good.
The paintings have kind of a Goreylike quality.
agreed… Also may i say.. Takie can officially no longer call Shatner a ham. Are you kidding me with that? I seriously almost fell out of my chair.
Bleeh, That CBS show was not very good.
I think they should have started with stronger stars.
And George was… well, best he not quit his day job.
First of all, I love George Takei; I think he’s awesome. Second, I’d love for George Takei never to sing again if there’s any chance a recording device (or innocent bystander) is nearby … Harold & Kumar 2 looks like a hoot … and Patrick Stewart getting raves for fine acting is just the kind of thing that happens in a rational universe. By a happy coincidence, it also happens in this one.
“you should try to de-suckify your voice.” classic! Also did I read that right, is Chuck back on the Air??
I am so very sorry to hear about Stanley Kamel. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends… He was an absolute delight as part of the Monk cast and will be greatly missed!
I saw “November” on Broadway last month. It was hilarious. If you can go see it, do so! I even got my Playbill autographed by 4 of the 5 cast members.
#3 – exactly. That was ridiculous. Don’t say a word about Shatner’s acting, you embarrassed yourself. What a joke,,,
Oh oh… Takei… really bad… both voice and rhythm
Well, George Takei managed to do the impossible: he made Shatner sound like a GOOD singer by comparison! Even Nimoy’s “Bilbo Baggins” was better! (BTW, if you haven’t heard Shatner’s cover of “Common People,” check it out. It’s actually–gulp!–better than the original song, IMHO.)
Very sad about Stanley Kamel. He was awesome on “Monk” and memorable in every other role. My sympathies to his family and friends; these days, even 65 is “too young” to die.
George’s singing really, really sucked.
Marina my dear, you are looking just fine!!!!
If george tries some classical stuff, kind of like shatner did. there might be something there..yes no more country for george..although i think his version of “On the road a again” will end up as a classic like ed wood.
I think Mr. Takei did exactly what the show’s title suggested. He kept any shred of talent completely hidden. Bravo.
It is very evident now where his vociferous hatred of Shatner stems from. The green eyed monster. …and I’m not speaking of the Gorn.
Enough, Takei, enough. Take a vacation. A long one.
The more I hear about Trek celebrities, the less I want to.
This would be true about celebrities in general.
And don’t get me started on the so-called “spoilers.”
Since I already know that I don’t have to read these parts…save it!
Oh God!!! Make him shut up!! George got nuthin on Bill.
Patrick Stewart could do a dramatic reading from the Yellow Pages and make an audience weep.
Would you believe that Sirtis is pushing 50? She still looks damn fine
I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Stanley Kamel. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.
Lolocaust, Sirtis is OVER 50 already.
BTW, after reading some recent comments, am I one of only about 3 or 4 trekkies in the world who despises William Shatner as a person? (In response to all these “George Takei can’t dog on WIlliam Shater now” posts)
That tie definitely indicates a 5th season. :)
Anyone else have to look twice at that picture of Ethan Phillips?
He looks more like Picardo’s EMH with a tache.
Takei was nothing as a singer. The guy is making himself into a joke. And that smoking hot chick who did the tap dance didn’t even make the cut. Bad show, good riddance to it.
George Takei has made so much of a fool of himself on Howard Stern that I can’t watch him anymore no matter what he does. I listened to him on Sirius last week and he was singing a song about someones male genitalia and what he wanted to do to Robin Quivers boyfriend. He has really turned the clock back for homosexuals with this garbage.
Damn, Marina Sirtis is getting prettier as the years go by :-)
I didn’t even find the guts to check Takei’s singing ability…
#23
It’s true, I had to look twice at that pic of Ethan Phillips.. he looks more like Picardo…
RIP Stanley Kamel
I’ve never been so afraid of touching a triangle in a circle in my whole life. George, stick to what you’re good at. Acting. Lay off the self-parody or reinvention or whatever. You’re undercutting your earlier career.
Of course, if someone handed me buckets o cash to talk about my sex-life, publicly diss my former co-worker, and sing in the gayest cowboy suit on either side of the Pecos, I’d do it.
Marina appears to be headin’ off to cougar country. rrrrrrrrrrrrooowww
Oh… I soooo want to see “November.” David Mamet makes me laugh, and so does Ethan Phillips. Together they will rule Broadway, as father and son.
hey george. As a actor you are great.As a announcer you are great.As a singer. well. what is the oppisite of great.we love you george. but just don’t sing.unless you are all alone in the shower and no one can hear you.
Yeah,
What’s the deal with Marina Sirtis getting prettier with age? Wow!
She is now officially voluptuous.
GEORGE TAKEI…
…managed to embarrass himself, STAR TREK fans, country & western fans, Japanese-Americans AND the gay community all in one god-awful performance. Quite a feat!
At least he was able to laugh about it. I, however, will never be able to listen to “On the Road Again” the same way after that.
Takei keeps on humiliating himself. His ancestors would be committing hari-kari from the shame he is bringing on his honorable family, if they weren’t already dead.
George, stop making yourself look bad! The remaining fans you have are being made to look bad too!
“What’s the deal with Marina Sirtis getting prettier with age? Wow!
She is now officially voluptuous.”
Sadly, the most recent film I saw her in was “Crash” where she wore a burka.
I’m sorted till the release of the film now, I can keep watching the clip of George singing for ever – its so bad its great!!!!!
Marina Sirtis is indeed looking rather yummy despite her advancing years, unlike the aged Gates McFogie.
It’s really pathetic when someone is so desperate for attention that they’re willing to make an absolute fool of themselves (over and over and over… ad finitum, ad nausem).
George, please stop. Can’t you hear the laughter? They’re not laughing with you, they’re laugh at you. Please don’t do this to yourself.
kg
“Sadly, the most recent film I saw her in was “Crash” where she wore a burka.”
Are you saying a woman can look “hot” in a burka?
Careful, Captain Pike, there are a few imams in Tehran who say YOU can’t say a woman looks hot in a burka.
Come to think of it, George would ’sound’ better in a burka.
There are those who should just keep singing in the shower. OMG! At least Brent Spiner has been trained to sing, but George? Thank God that the show was cancelled. And why do these “celebrity” shows put people on doing things that they really can’t do?
At least Takei took the shot, too bad he missed.
I would have liked to hear Takei sing “Folsom Prison Blues” or some other Johnny Cash number. I think with his voice he probably could have pulled it off.
For the record, Kamel died of a heart attack, according to The Associated Press (http://www.cnn.com/2008/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/10/obit.kamel.ap/index.html). RIP, Mr. Kamel.
Great job with Celeb, Tony! I should take a “break” more often. :)
I don’t think Takei was the “make or break” for the show. Hope not, anyway.
At least Bill Shatner and Leonard Nimoy could stay in tune when “singing!” That was painful to watch, although the show itself looked interesting. I would have liked to have seen more of it…and I never watch reality shows!
Is it just me, or has The Shat lost weight? He’s lookin’ pretty good!! Not much different than he looked back in “Generations.”
This play Patrick Stewart is in raised a question in my mind – why is it that when The Shat delivered an impassioned Kirk speech or expressed powerful emotions, it’s “overacting,” but when Stewart does the same thing (in TNG) it’s suddenly “Shakespherian” and “masterful?” How come he doesn’t have a reputation for “overacting,” a reputation that Bill Shatner has but does NOT deserve?
#36:
Katie, at least when The Shat used to sing on the Priceline commercials he KNEW it was for laughs, ol’ George is actually serious when croaking out these mistuned offenses!!!
God NO!!! DON’T make me watch Holby City!!!!!!!!!
Maybe I can record it, and skip to the Marina Sirtis parts… she’ll be back in full cockney twang then I’d presume, rather than the weird (though endearing) pseudogreek she used to use.
As for George….. oh my!
@44 – Stewart is a ham when he wants to be, but it’s probably the amount of hammery that swings the vote. They both do restrained and measured when they want to, but I prefer watching a good Shatner ham than Stewart’s ham. Not saying one is better than the other overall, as I forgot to put on my flameproof underwear.
Wow! I’m a big Willie fan. I don’t classify Willie as country or any certain category of music. He’s a musician- song writer. I appreciate a song writer. And I love Takei…..but, uh….that was painful. And Brian…no he didn’t stay in “key the whole time”…. or tempo.
As for Marina I don’t care what she’s in……I probably won’t watch it….but I like the picture.
#44–”How come he doesn’t have a reputation for “overacting,” a reputation that Bill Shatner has but does NOT deserve?”
You would have to be more specific with regard to Stewart. However, Bill has that reputation because, at times, he HAS overacted. Remember his performance in TOS, “The Enterprise Incident” (I’LL….KILL YOU!!!”, LOL)? Or his infamous unnecessary pauses during his monologues? We have also heard from Trek film directors and co-stars who stated that the director would often have to “wear Bill out” with numerous takes before getting a scene out of him in which he was not “over the top”.
There are many instances where my love, for TOS in particular, exists “despite” Bill’s acting….not because of it. In all fairness though, some of the fondness which the public has for him (and mine)is DUE to that sometimes comical overacting. It has made for some great satire over the years. He is a one-of-a-kind.
I’m no particular TNG fan (I’m definitely a TOS guy), but I cannot recall ever feeling as though Stewart was overacting. I just thought his character (Picard) was boring.
Wow.
Takei should never sing again, that was awful.
Damn! What will Monk do without his shrink? Very sad news, great actor!
Are we all sure that picture of Marina Sirtis isn’t just an old pic?
Decloaking . . .
Who ever it was that told me I needed to see Counsler Troi for my “Post-traumatic Trek Disorder”– sign me up for 50 billion hours — WOW!
Recloaking.
Decloaking . . .
#51. richpit
“Are we all sure that picture of Marina Sirtis isn’t just an old pic?”
WHO CARES !!???!!
I’m just saying that everyone is all “wow, she’s hot for being 50…” It’s not as impressive if the picture is from when she was 30.
I agree she looks hot in that picture.
#44, 48
Passion, concealed mourning, obsession, manipulation, being on the edge of losing control, being good and evil at the same time, being his own worst enemy…Kirk has intriguingly many layers and strong emotions, many of them negative, and they all have been impressively and conclusively portrayed by Shatner. Some of them, accounting for a small percentage, were delivered with a slight over-the-top portrayal which has become famous as Shatner’s ham acting. I think those who do like Shatner’s entire body of work understand that this is one of Kirk’s many facets, the other people tend to evaluate this characteristic negatively. And that’s probably also the reason for Stewart’s preferential treatment in this regard.
As for the pauses, they were not unnecessary. Listen to some of the famous Kirk speeches, e. g. the Armageddon speech, and imagine it would be without the pause before…“today”. The meaning would be the same, but it would be far less impressive. Or the way he accentuates “I need you” when Bones comes aboard (TMP). The pauses and characteristic accentuations are not inflationary, they are applied purposefully. I grew up with ST in the German synchronization. When I bought my first English video, and heard TOS in the original for the first time, it was not least Kirk’s way of speaking that made a crucial difference to the character.
Picard never appealed to me either, and I think one reason for that was that I always felt Picard was lacking expressiveness and emotion. Surely not Stewart’s fault, as he’s definitely an excellent actor, but the character was just “built” differently from Kirk.
Back on Takei’s singing…:)
#48 “In all fairness though, some of the fondness which the public has for him (and mine) is DUE to that sometimes comical overacting.”
-Shatner Fan 2009
Agreed. I wish I still had the interview, I read it back in the 90’s, where Bill said that he wanted Star Trek fans and viewers to get the max amount of entertainment value possible. He said that the budget sometimes didn’t allow for that, so he added what can only be described as extra flair to his performances to compensate! That’s pretty awesome. And it totally worked. :-)
The Japanese invented karaoke, right? George should have no problem then finding a venue for future exhibitions of his, uh … talent.
#35.. the only difference is, Sirtis started out looking yummy.
#56—”…-Shatner Fan 2009″
LMAO.
#57: “the only difference is, Sirtis started out looking yummy”
I originally didn’t think Sirtis looked all that hot in earlier TNG seasons. After she slimmed down, lightened her hair & eased up on the eye makeup she jumped to the top of my menu of yummy Trek babes (Terry Farrell is now #2 & Jeri Ryan is #3).
#59
What about Nana Visitor?? She tops my list!
and #21, damn, all I can say is that, for over 50….woah.
#44 Stewart gets away with it because of the almost British accent. Which is strange since Picard is supposed to come from France.
#60: “What about Nana Visitor?? She tops my list!”
YUCK! With all respect to your list, I cannot find any yummy virtues in Nana. I used to like Jennifer Lien before she lost the battle of the bulge.
I thought Takei was funny. Dredfully bad and not a talent at all, but funny.
Bottom line is he got payed quite a bit of money to look like a dork. I wouldn’t really worry about him embarassing himself.
What got me though was that awful “judge,” at the end. Sure, it’s the American Idol formula I get it, black guy, woman, meany, but I thought that the coming out, Brokeback jokes were out of line and distatesful. It was a comment on his character that had nothing to do with the show and I was kind of offended by that.
I almost wanted to remind this guy what a nobody he is and how equally uncool it is that he’s a judge on this dredful show … then I realized it’s already cancelled. Who needs reminding.
I’m absolutely tired of George “The Gay” Takei. The man has gone down hill in my opinion. I don’t care that he’s gay and I don’t care what he thinks about Shatner. Why do we have to hear about how he wants to suck off so in so, every time he’s interviewed now. Geez, have some class! Its just as tacky as a hetero person shouting out that he/she would love to screw so in so. You don’t see Ian McCellan running around shouting Gay pride every chance he gets. Come on George, why not talk about something else like how you wish you were even 1/10th the actor that Shatner is (and as a Shat fan, thats not saying much compared to other actors). Now the guy is singing country songs. He should take some advice from Shatner and “get a life.”
#45. I Love My Moogie
“Katie, at least when The Shat used to sing on the Priceline commercials he KNEW it was for laughs; ol’ George is actually serious when croaking out these mistuned offenses!!!”
Maybe true, but even when Shatner sang and “talked” songs, I cringed as well. Just because he was the infamous Captain Kirk he felt he could do anything. Anyway, let’s not go there. It’s been debated to death as well.
It’s almost like George is trying to mimic him. It seems to me that he is competing or something. Since neither one can sing, they’re even on that plane. Maybe he’s finally doing something as “good” as Shatner does it but that’s a hollow victory because that means it’s really bad. However, when it comes to acting, he will lose HANDS DOWN because he just isn’t that good. Like I said elsewhere, he did a fine job as Sulu with his few lines but when given a meatier part he faltered. Maybe he panicked and couldn’t do it. Whatever, he just can’t cut it.
At his age, he should try to regain some shreds of dignity and JUST STOP IT.
Like I am now.
#63. Josh
I totally agree.
#64. asc1138
I totally agree with how you feel about George. You certainly have the right to express your opinion but it would (in my opinion) be easier on some of the readers (okay, maybe even just me) if you would refrain from using the graphic sexual terms. It really isn’t necessary is it? We’d get it even if you alluded to it a little more subtly.
kg
I deserves mentioning at this point that Shatner’s album “Has Been” was just terrific. It got good reviews from even the snootiest critics, and with good reason: Bill had something honest to say.
Whereas most actors who release albums are only cashing in on their fame by doing lame covers of other people’s work (I wouldn’t even accept a free copy of Scarlett Johansson’s upcoming album!), Bill’s album was full of personal, in some cases very personal, reflections on what has been important in his life. Public reactions when you’re famous, mortality, anxieties that never leave you, being estranged from your children, being criticized in the press, and even the death of his wife made for some of the song topics.
Bill wrote the lyrics, and with the likes of Ben Folds, Henry Rollins, Joe Jackson, and Aimee Mann handling the music side of things, all the bases were really covered. In the realm of actors making albums, Bill took things up a notch. Likewise, I remember that when Shatner was a celebrity guest photographer for Playboy a few years back, the editors commented that they had never seen anyone come in as prepared and with as many artistic ideas as Bill.
Say what you like about the man, but he works very hard and really makes every project a part of himself. One reason so many people connect with his work is because of how deeply HE is connected to it.
#66
A very fine and spot-on post.
I think Playlouder phrased it quite to the point in their review: “Has Been is just about as far as you could possibly get from your regular solo offering and as such arrives as one of the year’s most strangely captivating albums.”
Thing is, it‘s demanding…:)
Anyway, your last sentence sums it up perfectly. And I think that’s the reason why Bill’s always been able to portray his characters (notably Kirk and Crane) that successfully – by fully connecting and committing himself to the character and thus making him his own.
#65. Katie G.
Oh man……….so very sorry. Guess I got carried away there. I’ll hold my tongue in the future.
It’s sad, because I used to love George so much before, but I still thought he didn’t really have enough presence to be in a leading man role. I was excited about the Excelsior series movement, but still had my doubts i could find him interesting to watch on screen. Still, I would have watched Excelesior in a heart beat before. Now, there is a lot to get around.
One of the endearing qualities of the original cast was that they were classy people. I hope he catches on soon that many people don’t think Howard Stern is all that cool, and change this behavior before he completely destroys his fan base.
#66 – Absolutely 100% agreed. One of my favorite Shat stints is “I can’t get behind that” with Henry Rollins. Hilarious song. Was that from Has Been?
I’ll take Shat’s “I’ll………………KILL-youuuh” (even though I cringe every time I hear it), any day over many accomplished actors modern What he brings to acting and the creative medium in general is a passion, charisma, and intensity that few of the greats possess. This man doesn’t get enough prasie and recognition fo the work that he does.
My humblest apologies to anyone else that may have been offended by my graphic comments from post #64.
BTW – I never introduced my self to the board. My name is asc-1138 (yes I’m a Lucas fan too) and HELLO Everybody!
Ooops….from post #68, this should read-
“any day over many accomplished modern actors. What he brings…..”
sorry
63. josh – He he…I can see your point. That broke back comment wasn’t really necessary.
It saddens me to say this cause I used to think that Marina was a total piece of ass, but that is NOT a recent picture of her. I saw some pictures of her from that TV show and she is definitely looking like she’s pushing 50. Now, I have no problem with older women- AFAIC, age is inconsequential. If a woman is 60 and she still looks good, I’ll still hit it. Has anybody seen Michelle Pfeiffer lately? She’s over 50 and she still makes my mouth water.
3. focuspuller
“I seriously almost fell out of my chair.”
LMAO….
By the way, I was able to find the Holby City set pictures I saw on Marina’s own site. That picture above is one of the best I’ve seen of her and, pity, she doesn’t look that anymore…
http://www.marinasirtis.tv/gallery/gallery/pages/52.htm
Marina still looks pretty yummy, aged much better than most ‘Trek Chics’, just look at Denise Crosby—–she’s frightening these days!!!
#74 –
You’re right about Crosby….
Poor Mr. Takei… haha…. as for the detractors, I’ll bet you wish you could get paid that much to go out there and sing badly. *LOL*
I know I do.
Honestly, Mr. Takei is a regular guest on the Howard Stern show, anything ANYTHING else is an improvement.
Felt rather bad for George Takei up there on that stage. It seems in this age, that ‘rude and confrontational’ are the new substitutes for ‘grace and manners’. There ARE other words to describe things one does not like with words other than “SUCK.” And that ‘Brokeback’ comment clearly showed where that loser of a judge was coming from (why does EVERY low-foreheaded, half-wit trog use that movie to berate gay people? It’s old, move on). Yes, that was some poor singing. Right up there with Leonard Nimoy’s ‘Proud Mary’ and Shatner’s, ‘Tambourine Man.’ You don’t have to berate the man or his sexuality to make your point. No, I won’t be buying a George Takei country album ANY time soon, but to me that Michael Bolton-haired judge’s “critique” was even MORE repulsive. Takei was a classy guy, being judged by a classless creep. Live long and prosper, George.
And yes, Marina Sirtis does look lovely. Not just in that picture, but in person as well. Blows the myth the industry perpetrates (that women over 40 are just not viable to younger men) straight to hell! I, personally, as a man in my 40s, would love to see that myth destroyed once and for all (and without plastic surgery)!
#78: “I, personally, as a man in my 40s, would love to see that myth destroyed once and for all (and without plastic surgery)”
Age needn’t be a factor for women loosing their looks, Jennifer Lien lost hers before 30 while Terry Farrell is post-40 (assuming surgery-free) & still very yummy .
Anyone see Shat on Jay Leno last night?
Fun-nee! I hope I have that much energy and zest for life when I’m his age!
Peace. Live long and prosper.
The Vulcanista }:-|
#80–Wished I saw it. I do admire the man for keeping himself relevant to new generations and new audiences each decade. Not easy in the entertainment business unless you’re the constant subject of scandal sheets. Shatner keeps above the fray, more or less. In the 80s, he was Admiral Kirk in the movies and TJ Hooker on TV(yech; but some folks liked it). In the 90s, he was Shatner the ‘elder statesman’ and author (of his auto-bios, the fairly good Shatnerverse Trek books and the forgettable Tek War crud). Now, with Boston Legal and Priceline, he’s a comic actor (although 1998’s Free Enterprise really started that; in it, he played a ‘Denny Crane prototype’ version of himself). He’s truly ‘Living Long and Prospering’.
Maybe if Takei had picked a less cliched country song he might have been better. He has a low voice he should have picked a Johnny Cash song.
#68. ASC-1138
“Oh man……….so very sorry. Guess I got carried away there. I’ll hold my tongue in the future.”
Wow – - thanks very much for your apology but I don’t have the right to tell you to hold your tongue. It was just a request to disguise it a bit more if you didn’t mind. And sorry for the delay in replying. Didn’t realize you had responded. I just posted and logged off.
We think along the same lines when it comes to Mr. Takei. I was quite fond of George and frankly don’t care whether he’s gay or straight. As a matter of fact, I don’t care whether anyone is gay or straight. It’s when they get crude that I get uncomfortable. Rather long and unpleasant story behind that so I won’t get into it.
His acting then was better than it is now IMO. But I agree that it’s debateable as to whether he had the stuff to carry a leading role. He may have, but guess we’ll never know. It’s hard to say whether he would have been successful. I’m with you about changing his behaviour before he loses the rest of his fans. Looks like he’s just trying so desperately hard to be cool that he’s making a fool of himself.
Regarding the “I’ll……….kill you” line (and overacting by Shatner in TOS), wasn’t that deliberate? If I am recalling correctly, (in Season 3, Episode 2, The Enterprise Incident) he and Spock hatched a plot to get aboard a Romulan ship because they heard that they had developed a cloaking device and they planned to steal it so he HAD to act like he’d snapped to keep his crew and the Federation off the hook as if he had done it all on his own. It was ‘Captain Kirk’ who was over-acting, pretending that he’d gone mad; then, when he attacked Spock, and Spock faked the Vulcan Death Grip (no such thing, it just put Kirk in a near-death state) so it would look like Spock killed him and would get Kirk’s “body” returned to the Enterprise where he disguised himself as a Romulan and returned to steal the cloaking device while Spock distracted the Romulan leader. I think it was meant to make us cringe. So the overacting was deliberate. It was part of the story. Way over what Shatner usually does.
Breathe.
Anyway, that was my understanding. I love Shatner’s Kirk. It was in the later years near his end as the Captain that it seemed more like Captain Shatner than Captain Kirk. But I still watch all of my Trek over and over.
Yes, they’re hams and I love each one of them. My friend will be coming over on Sunday and we’ll be watching our TOS DVDs and laughing at the lines we’ve heard hundreds of times before.
It’s late again. Better go. Goodnight.
kg
I am a huge fan of John Cho and Star Trek! He recently did a very interesting interview on Fancast:
http://bigpicture.fancast.com/2008/04/interview_john_cho_speaks_on_t.html