Looks like we got ourselves a full Orignal Series star war going on here. Yesterday we posted the new video from William Shatner taking some shots at George Takei, and today Entertainment Tonight caught up with Takei and gave him a chance to shoot back. See the video below.
Takei: ‘we did invite Bill’
Takei tells Entertainment Tonight that he did try and bury the hatchet with William Shatner by inviting him to his wedding, but that Bill didn’t show up (Takei also says that Shatner has not shown up at many events related to other TOS figures). See the ET video below.
Shat Takei feud big news
Entertainment Tonight isn’t alone in picking up on the latest video from The Shatner Project. Shatner’s Takei tirade was picked up by dozens of news organizations from gossip rags to TV networks to major newspapers. Here are just a few:
-
Perez Hilton: Captain Kirk attacks Sulu!!!
-
Wired: Star Trek Spat: Shatner Calls Takei’s Wedding Snub ‘Sad’
-
FOX News: William Shanter Calls Former Star Trek Co-star ‘psychotic’ and ‘sick‘
-
The Times (UK): William Shatner hits out at George Takei after wedding snub
-
Washington Post: How Webby is William Shatner?
Nimoy and Shatner talk Prop 8
Takei talks a lot about Proposition 8, which is on the ballot in California this November. As it turns out William Shatner has been asked about this exact issue. A recent gala for the LA Philharmonic (dedicated to to Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen) was attended by both William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, and the LA Times ‘Dish Rag’ blog asked them both about it. From that article
The Dish Rag asked Nimoy if he’d attended the wedding of his "Trek" costar George Takei (a.k.a. Lieutenant Sulu) to his longtime life partner, Brad Altman, and how he felt about Prop 8.
“We got an invite and sent George and Brad an e-mail and told them unfortunately we had to be in New York that day –- but we sent them our best wishes,” said Nimoy.
He added: “Absolutely NO on Prop 8 because I believe that gay people have every right to get married and share their lives. George and Brad have been together for many years. They have every right to be together in any way they choose. Prop 8 is completely unjust.”
Shatner was all too happy to talk about the night’s honoree: “I have followed Esa’s career to when he first came here, then to the Hollywood Bowl then to this amazing musical venue here.”
Since it was reported Takei did not invite him to his wedding due to their acrimonious history, we just asked about Prop 8.
“That’s not about music,” said Shatner, before concluding our chat. “That has a dissident sound to it."
Oh god please don’t let me be the First!
Grow up boys.
I really don’t want to hear this kind of stuff. I just wish they would kiss (not really) and make up.
Oh just stop… please.
And vote no on Prop 8.
yay…this again
The fight never ends…..
Okay. I’ve switched sides. Sulu needs to get over it. I hold grudges to, but I dearly hope after forty years I’d be able to get over it.
Much to my surprise Shatner seemed quite mature as he should at 77 and logical in his remarks about George, and Georgy with that “don’t fo there girlfriend” tone and that obnoxious bobble head thing he’s doing, really needs to get over it and get a life.
I still like him as a character actor though.
And it might have been nice if Shatner went to D. Kelleys star ceremony. Other than that … pathetic.
Shatner didn’t do to Kelly’s funeral? That makes me feel sad.
7 remember, thats according to Takei.
More TOS soap opera stuff.
#8, nobody’s “right” in this, so don’t even try.
I can’t decide if this is entertaining or painful to watch. And I mean both sides. Guys, it’s time to really let this go!
Yeah, more “soap opera stuff.” grow up guys, stop calling each other crazy.
And to keep things even, vote yes on Prop. 8
Frankly –
I think both of these guys need to shut the %#@! up. They are taking their feud into the public eye at a time in history where Star Trek is already a joke to some people. It is hurting the fan base, the history, and legacy of Star Trek. I don’t mind that they have humanity and a life outside of Star Trek. So be it that they hate each other. But why drag all of this out? Why bathe us in this silliness of 4th grade whining? I like Kirk and Sulu, heroes of my youth. Not so impressed with Shatner and Takei. Maybe it is best that some new blood are taking over their roles.
If I had to pick a side, I’d be on Takei’s side. What George said was true, Shatner didn’t go to those “happy occasions” that he was invited to, then Shatner complained about not being invited. I think Shatner is an ego-maniac and a drama queen.
ANYWAY, I almost wish I lived in California still just so I could vote NO on Proposition 8. George deserves to be happy, and NO ONE should be able to tell him or anyone else who they can and cannot marry.
Cue fight music- da da da daaa daaa ..
Is anyone else annoyed by the fact that he is called Sulu, as if that was his name, instead of Takei?
I think they’re both acting like children in this whole thing, although Takei has been more honest. He is extremely bitter, and in this interview attempts to hide that bitterness. Shatner knows damned well why he is hated by Takei, he knows damn well nothing its not a “psychosis” and he is attempting to play the innocent victim. Rather then playing this game of “we’re both the peace makers!” just take it out back and beat the crap out of each other.
PS
NO ON PROP EIGHT! Our nation has had enough bigotry, its time truly embrace the notion that we are all equal.
With all do respect to Mr. Takei, while Prop 8 does take away the legal recognition of a union between himself and his partner, the larger issue is that the Court grossly overstepped their legal bounds by throwing their opinions out as legislative law in ‘legalizing’ homosexual ‘marriage’ to begin with.
The judiciary has no right to say: ‘We don’t care what the people of California think… we overturn this legal legislative action on their part… because of such and such a twisted basis in previous judicial decisions. ‘
The Judiciary can’t throw out laws and thus make a new one in this manner. They can interpret, they can cast down laws bellow them, and they can cast down laws that directly conflict with the Constitution.
They can not however make sweeping judgments based ever so tenuously on previous judiciary rulings.
Regardless of your view on the topic, this is legally an issue for the citizens to decide. The judiciary should never have stepped in and Mr. Takei is wrong in implying that he has been legally entitled to his ‘marriage’ for a long while and suddenly the mean bigots are after the homosexuals. This simply isn’t the case.
Now, as for Shatner. I have no idea what to think. =P
I like to give him the benefit of the doubt, but George’s point about the other no-shows makes a strong case. Can anyone confirm this? I have no reason to doubt Mr. Takei, but I want some basis to work from when Shatner inevitably responds.
Thank you.
Oh f**k would they both just grow the hell up…seriously
I think these two gentlemen should bury the hatchet on this issue. Bill Shatner wisely pointed out that they have fewer days ahead. Eventually it will be too late.
And please Vote No on Prop 8. George Takei deserves to be married as much as anyone else.
Equality is good for everyone! The more freedom they have, the more freedom we all have.
Well, I was very impressed with Takei’s benevolent diplomacy in the interview — again extending the hand of friendship after Shatner’s sniping (although he spoiled it a bit at the end). Takei has a great dignity and persuasiveness about him. I don’t know. Either Takei is a genuinely cool fellow and he has Shatner pegged as a petty narcissist, or, Takei is a smooth-talking psychopath and Shatner is not so bad, after all. I wish somebody could do a mind meld and figure out the truth here.
By the way, I’m voting YES on Proposition 8. Takei and his pal Brad can play house all they want to, but marriage is sacred.
That’s B.S., the Shat showed up for plenty of TOS Cast gatherings. He’s shown up at a lot of conventions and he was there for the unveiling of the Enterprise Space Shuttle, too.
I wish George would just let it go.
I think they are actually buddies and they’ve teamed up for an act to grab the media’s attention for proposition 8. I’ve always been a supporter of gay-rights/marriage. Gay’s should be allowed to marry. YOUR church doesn’t have to bless them. YOUR church can frown upon it. But YOU HAVE NO RIGHT to deny them their marriage if a CHURCH OTHER THAN YOURS and the state/country is willing to recognize it. Our country was founded by pilgrims who escaped religious persecution. Why do we still struggle with this. It’s ridiculous.
NOTE: I know that the video and articles mentioned politics, but I still do not want this to denegrate into politics because that always ends up in a bad place. So lets just skip it
RE: 20
I do not believe Shatner was at the launching of the space shuttle, he is the only one not in the publicity photo (roddenberry was also there).
http://img.trekmovie.com/images/toscastentshuttle.jpg
Of course conventions do not count as Shatner is paid to attend them.
I am sure our resident Shatnologist John Tenuto can clarify what events Shatner did and did not show up to
Notice that little jiggle of his head when he says that ‘Bill was the star of the show’- that hurt him to admit that!
No 9- You are wrong- either Shatner went to dear old De’s funeral- or he didn’t. So somebody is going to be correct.
Personally, the only way this is going to end is if one of them stops going back and forth. One should play nice with the other, let it end.
Is this all a subtle attempt to make us comfortable with the new black shirted and brooding Kirk?
Takei’s
I agree #12, Kirk and Sulu were both really cool, heroic guys. Will and George, not so much. At least Nimoy,Nichols and Koenig haven’t gone weird on us.
It’s like two parents fighting, I feel like I have to choose a side! Well if I have to, I choose Takei.
At any rate, this has gotta be good buzz for the new movie!
# 8 – Unless it’s mentioned elsewhere, in the video George says William didn’t show up to Gene’s funeral, not Deforest’s.
#20 – I don’t believe George was saying he wasn’t at events with the other cast members, but that he wouldn’t attend gatherings that would honor individual cast members such as weddings, birthdays, funerals, etc.
No KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN 8. (te he he….)
It’s well known that Shatner didn’t show up for alot of things involving the cast. He’s lived on Planet Bill for a long time. You would think that at his advanced age he’d get over himself a bit. I typically side with him when it comes to whining from the supporting cast but in this case George is right.
If George did indeed invite him and he didn’t bother to respond and then went online to talk about not being invited then that’s just childish.
I’m pretty sure that George wouldn’t accuse Shatner of not showing up to De’s funeral without it being accurate. Its a shame all round.
He didn’t say it was De Kelley’s funeral; he said it was Gene’s. Either way it’s pretty lame.
George is a very classy guy. And he is exactly right that Shatner has NEVER shown up for other cast members. That is a fact. Shatner has no class. And considering how he seems to have a hard time remembering how to pronounce Takei’s name (and forgets receiving wedding invites) perhaps he really does suffer from “mad cow disease”.
Ah well. I won’t get into the details. I love them both.
Ah, the media.
Please God, is this the National Enquirer or a Trek website.
40 years from now the next generation of Trekkies will be debating the Christ Pine/John Cho fued. I’m calling it now.
Oh well, I love both these petty bastards.
Look at all the media hype. Even the Washington Post and The Times are covering it. Those guys are still Top of The Pops. No matter who’s “right” – it’s great they’re still alive and kickin’. :)
Personally I’m on the fence with this…
I hope they keep slinging the mud, that will be one way to get more exposure for trek and the new movie.
If you are wondering what happened to your poltical posts…i deleted them
i am serious about the no more politics stuff. I dont care what side you are on…or how reasonable it starts…it always ends up with mudslinging, namecallling and thread closing.
SO NO MORE POLITICS.
I’m definitely on George’s side on this one. As above poster wrote, Takei is just responding on Shatner’s accusations.
Of course I don’t really know, but my guess it that his description of Shatner is spot on. He has the typical bully character, it shines through from a mile’s distance.
Since my original post was deleted for political reasons, I’ll say this again:
I think Shatner is in the wrong here. He is a bully and has been tormenting his Trek costars for years. Not just Takei either. We’ve heard it from Koenig, Doohan, and Nichols. Nimoy and Kelley have acknowledged it to some degree as well.
Clearly, Shatner is trying to steal some of the limelight from Takei’s recent marriage for his own publicity purposes. Because that’s all he cares about … his own ego. It is shameful that Shatner attempts to muddy what should be one of the happiest memories of Takei’s life. The fact that Shatner called Takei “psychotic” is totally ludicrous!
Takei is rightfully outraged and reacting to Shatner’s own transgressions. I would too. More power to you Takei!!! And congratulations on your wedding.
George, Bill… you two just need to go ahead and f***.
Really, end this.
And maybe it was Shatner’s ego that prevented him getting a part in this movie…
I hope they mention the new movie after each person takes their turn.
Du de de deee deee deee deee deeeeeee
Or however that Vulcan fight music goes LOL
I am not going to bash either of these guy’s cos as an English man I am taught to respect queens! LOL
You have your TV show where you do your detective stuff, a bit Bill Cosby for me, and you have your YouTube channel. So please explain why you don’t seem to think you are seeking attention? Could it be that you are a attention seeking fantasist?
And George, give yourself more respect and don’t rise to the bait.
Maybe it stems from Takei not wearing a top in the 3rd series whilst Shatner had to cling film his gut into shape?
Shatner’s ego seems to be the main problem here. I love both actors and would love to see them work out the differences.
Takei appears to be really trying to reach out to Shatner but I think Shatner believes he is right as well.
Calling Takei ‘psychotic’ is really harsh.
ROFL, they’re both weirdo’s xD