KirkWatch: William Shatner Talks Career & Trek Co-stars + Chris Pine On Unstoppable September 4, 2010
by TrekMovie.com Staff , Filed under: Celebrity, ST09 Cast, Shatner , trackback
Star Trek’s original Kirk William Shatner is the subject of an extensive feature interview in this weekend’s New York Times Magazine. The actor speaks frankly about his career and a bit about his Star Trek co-stars. Excerpts below, plus some bonus Bill videos as well. And Chris Pine, Star Trek’s new Kirk, is also the subject of a new interview, talking about his new film. Excerpts of that below too.
Shatner on acting and Star Trek co-stars
This weekend’s New York Time Magazine has an extensive feature interview with William Shatner, where he talks about his career in Trek and beyond. The full interview is worth the read of any fan of Shatner. Here is just an excerpt of Bill reflecting on his acting:
Shatner became an actor at 6, he said, when he realized he could “make people laugh and cry.” He grinned. “Sometimes they laughed when I played drama and cried when I played comedy.” Then, stentorian again, he intoned: “I. Have. Striven. For. Genius. All. My. Life. But I have known failure.” Shatner was interviewed once by a snarky British talk-show host, who showed scenes from Shatner’s TV cop show, “T. J. Hooker,” and asked, “What do you think about your acting?” Shatner replied: “Oh, I was terrible. How could I have played it that way?” Outside Starbucks, Shatner said to me: “If someone criticizes my acting, they may be right. Sometimes you shouldn’t work so hard” to entertain. Then, softly, he said: “I never thought of myself as a great actor, like Olivier. I was a working actor. I entertained people and always tried to be terrific at whatever it was.” His problem and his salvation. He played so many different roles that “people couldn’t define me like they could De Niro. I took whatever work came my way to pay the bills, even if it wasn’t a decent role.” His motto was “Work equals work,” which destroyed any hope he had of being taken seriously as an actor but also brought him longevity, wealth and fame. “I was always grubbing,” he said. “But I was saying the words somewhere.”
Shatner also discussed the strained relationship with some of his Star Trek co-stars:
I asked him about “Star Trek.” Serious now, he said: “I never thought it’d become a big deal, just 13 episodes and out. I didn’t think I was hard to get along with. There were a few disaffected actors who came in once a week. I had nothing to do with them. Friendly! I was working seven days a week, learning 10 pages of dialogue a day. They had one line! Then after the show was canceled and the ‘Star Trek’ phenomenon began, those actors would go to the conventions. They’d get applause, praise, and begin to think, ‘Hey, I was wonderful, and Shatner stole the spotlight.’ ”
NYT also has some video with Bill as well:
Bonus Bill Video: Jason Alexander’s Shatner impression + clips of Raw Nerve
Seinfeld star (and Voyager guest star) Jason Alexander is a huge Trekkie and big fan of William Shatner. He is one of Bill’s guests for the second season of his Bio Channel talk show Raw Nerve. In the Shatner Project video below you can see clips of Jason’s Raw Nerve episode, plus a post-show interview with Alexander where he talks about Bill and does a great version of the "Risk is our business" speech. Check it out.
Pine on Unstoppable
Star Trek’s new Kirk Chris Pine will next be seen in the Tony Scott movie Unstoppable, where he and Denzel Washington will try and stop a runaway train. Pine spoke to MTV about the new project. Here is an excerpt of Pine talking about working with Washington and Scott and how the new film is like "Star Trek."
MTV: What was your experience like with Mr. Washington and Mr. Scott?
Pine: Well, I grew up watching their movies. One of the first movies I ever fell in love with was "Top Gun," and I’ve been watching Denzel since "Glory," and on and on and on down the line. So, to work with two of my idols was just a dream come true, and I remember a point early on in the process when we all met in Tony’s office in L.A. It was me and Denzel and Tony and we’re kind of shooting the sh– and talking about life, and seeing if our schedules were going to work out to be able to do this movie. And then afterwards, I kind of had this out-of-body experience thing — "I just had a conversation with two of my idols, one of the best actors of all time, one of the best directors of all time. We were talking about maybe doing a film together if our schedules worked out!" [That was] one of those times when you really remember just how lucky you are and how grateful you are to be able to be in the position.
MTV: And for audiences who know you from "Star Trek," what are they going to get out of this film?
Pine: It’s a lot of fun. Like "Star Trek," it has the genetic code of the summer tentpole movie. It’s fun. It’s action-packed, and it’s got some really interesting, complex characters to kind of anchor the whole thing. And Tony always talked about how the movie was like a train. You know, once it gets going, it just does not stop, and Tony doesn’t give you much time to rest or settle in your seat before something happens.
Unstoppable comes out November 12th.
Chris Pine in "Unstoppable"
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Comments»
Well Mr. Shatner always GREAT!!!….. and CP AWESOME always….can’t wait for Unstoppable ….. but I want Star Trek Sequel more!!!….. at least here in TrekMovie, of course! hahahahah!
William Shatner continues to rock at 79! Good for him. And he is a smart man for taking whatever he could get when he was a struggling actor. His hard work paid off. He landed the role of James T.Kirk and the rest is history. And he looks great!
I can’t wait for “Shit My Shat Dad Says”. I hope Jason Alexander does a guest spot. Somehow I get the impression that scenes between Shatner and Alexander would be a riot!
I don’t know if I’ll see “Unstoppable” in theatres, but I’ll definetly see it, even though it appears to be a run-of-the-mill thriller. I do like both Denzel Washington and Chris Pine.
I like chris Pine. He is set to be a class actor and what a great choice for Capt.Kirk!
2
that would be “definitely”.
DAMN TYPOS!
Why, that wuz’ a fun article ta’ read. Chasin’ Shatner in tha’ rainsoaked streets o’ Kentucky…
As a man exiled in Kentucky nows, I ought ta’ go pay him a visit… get trampled by National Velvet…
another Pat Jordan excerpt:
Our main course arrived. Shatner reached across the table and began eating my fries. “Mmm, good!” he said. When I remarked that he was eating them all, he said, “Eat my potato.”
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…
5
Well, at least you still got all that fried chicken to enjoy!:-)
6. aaaah, yes… tha’ chicken… it be red, it be dead, it be fryin’…
one last excerpt… am I breakin’ copy-right laws? Awwwwwwwks! They’ll turn me inta’ one o’ them secret herbs and spices…
“I said this one line for Priceline 20 times. I struggled to get the nuance. My silence reverberated in the ether.” His face was close to mine, as if imparting a great secret. “If you add a car and a hotel room, you will get an even better price from Priceline.com.”
Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:
Shatner has been nothing but classy when discussing his co-stars, even the “begrudged” ones. The same “begrudged” co-stars always resort to taunts and name-calling, when discussing Shatner.
Shatner FTW!!!
Stay classy, shat.
The Shat is Simply the best. He is a class act and a good man. He always worked had in Trek. All of the dialogs he had to lean being the main star is never easy and he made it look like there was othing to it. He did take on roles that maybe he shouldn’t have. But he always made the best of things. I actualy liked him in the Movie Airplane 2 the Sequal. Campy fun that is. Chris Pine is on the fast trak to being an A lister. He is in the B+ now and allmost there. Looking forward to Runaway with Washington.
I’ve never understood why some of the costars (well, mainly Takei) were so upset that Shatner—the STAR of the show—got the majority of the spotlight. Yeah, guys, there was a reason his name came first in the credits! And I guess they (well, mainly Takei) just didn’t get that it wasn’t an ensemble cast; it was Kirk, Spock and McCoy… then the rest of the crew.
Okay, end of rant.
Love Shatner.
In all seriousness (pretty sure I spelled that wrong, but whatever) I could listen to Shatner talk all day. He’s just an interesting man to listen to. Plus his voice relaxes me, for some odd reason.
He needs to interview himself on Raw Nerve.
Shatner is simply amazing, I hope that he will be in the next Star Trek movie.
I always thought it was stupid how people accused William Shatner of “stealing the spotlight” or “acting like the center of attention.” Because frankly…he WAS the center of attention. It’s not like he was playing the main character, the captain of the starship, or anything…
And it’s not like HE was writing the pages and pages of dialogue for him to memorize and perform. He was cast as the star of the show, and the other two-bits…well, they WEREN’T cast as the star. So they shouldn’t have complained that they didn’t get the center of attention, especially since they weren’t cast to be the center of attention.
What about Quantum Quest with CP and Mr. Shatner, guys???…..was the premiere at DragonCon????
@16: Trek is supposed to be an ensemble piece, though. There’s a difference between not being the centre of attention and being relegated to the distant background, especially when you were supposed to be a part of a team effort.
This is how Shatner was able to transition rather easily into Comedy: because he takes himself less seriously then a lot of the people watching him in any given performance. It’s also why a lot of people tend to like him so much.
And let’s be honest –there were a lot of bad moments in “T.J. Hooker”. In fact, the episode that featured both him and Nimoy was horrendous in terms of the acting, and that includes Nimoy’s performance in it!
Shatner is a great example of what it means to mature and to grow throughout your whole life. Go, Shat, go!
14
“Our” Shatner interviewing “Mirror” Shatner, perhaps? :-)
#18
“Trek is supposed to be an ensemble piece, though.”
You’re thinking of TNG era Trek.
TOS was a product of ’60s entertainment—an industry that, despite the social changes going on outside the studio lot, was still largely in a post-war mindset. As much as Roddenberry wanted to make it a touchy-feely environment where everyone was equal, it was still a show with that mid-20th century, “Look at me! I’m the barrel-chested leading man at center stage” kind of attitude. Thus, Shatner’s swaggering, punching, miniskirt-chasing Captain Kirk was the embodiment of that attitude.
A cup of tea with Counselor Troi was decades away….
22- And I for one love that version of Trek!
BTW, even an ensemble cast needs a core of stars. BSG, TNG, others… when the biggies came on screen, the eyes were on them. (Unless Michelle Forbes was on the screen. rrrrrrrrooooOOOOOOOrrrrwwww for Ro.)
#23
Or Terry Ferrell and Nana Visitor!
Mee-Yowww!!!
And, yes, as much as I love the TNG era, I do prefer the Captain Kirk/Flash Gordon sort of swagger in sci-fi.
@22
agreed…even Roddenberry said in interviews he thought of the big three as one character or the three main characteristics/sides of the human condition or the individual. the other characters didn’t really evolve until the novels written in later years usually by writers who probably believed takei’s rants…case in point “The Entropy Effect” by V McIntyre that basically put Sulu in the lead of the plot.
anyone…of course we have, this is gonna be a stupid question…ever wanted to just sit down with Bill Shatner over dinner and just talk to the man straight out…not about Trek or his work, but just whatever was on his mind…just get to know the man behind the legend if only for a minute or two…?
Tony Scott makes some fun popcorn flicks once in a blue moon, but “one of the best directors of all time?” Hardly…
25 – I’d love to talk to Bill about horses, chasing skirt, acting, anything!
It’s a fact that those who don’t think the Shat’s a class act can go sh*t in a hat!
(say THAT five times!) :>)
It is a dream of mine to meet him one day, just have a normal conservation about horses, being a horseman and a longtime Trekkie myself. That would be special.
I think you can talk with Shatner about almost anything and eventually he comes up with something that is worth quoting. And that might scare some people…;-)
Shat puts it bluntly when he speaks of the jealousy of the supporting cast. As much as we’ve fleshed out those characters in our imaginations and in novels over the years, that is what they were to TOS and the films — supporting characters. Nuf said.
I’m having to work with someone just like Shatner right now – has no time for anyone else’s opinions, thinks he’s right all the time, also thinks he’s really popular (because no-one dares tell him otherwise), and would undoubtedly act all hurt and distressed if anyone thought there was any point in complaining to the Powers That Be . So I can’t spare Shatner any sympathy, he’s his own worst enemy.
What Bill (and his defenders) don’t (and will never) get is that the problem was never just the thing with the lines (and I notice he’s belittling what the supporting cast did even now – “They had one line!”). If it had just been that, then guest stars wouldn’t have had a problem with him (they did); and the staff behind the scenes wouldn’t have had a problem with him (they did).
BUT it’s time to quit going on about it. And that includes Shatner.
The extras were upset that the star of the show was hogging the lime light. That really sums it up.
32 -”I’m having to work with someone just like Shatner right now”
Hmm … and how long have you known Mr. Shatner personally?
At least you have one leg left to stand on for now.
In other words, you don’t know the man to pass judgment, so how about taking a chill pill?
32 – “BUT it’s time to quit going on about it.”
Great! How soon can you start?
I remember Jason Alexandre from the ep. Think Tank in Voyager. Good episode.
I’ve been a fan and admirer of William Shatner since I was 8 years old and first discovered the original “Star Trek” on TV. I followed him through “T.J. Hooker” and I was dismayed at the quick cancellation of “The Barbary Coast.” I winced with most everyone through “Rocket Man” and I laughed at “Saturday Night Live.” Today it’s “Priceline” but years ago it was “Promise” margarine. I adored the quirkiness of “Boston Legal” and I’m entralled with “Raw Nerve.” I choked up during the closing of the Olympics and I’m looking forward to “Dad.” I admire his charity work through his love of horses. And who else could have been “The Big Giant Head?”
As far as I’m concerned, that’s a hell of a career (I’m sure I missed some other big stuff) and he’s still going strong. Shatner doesn’t take a back seat to anyone!
Wasn’t that snarky British TV hostJonathon Ross? Who is a huge Shatner & Trek fan?
#38
I think you are correct. In fact I watched that instalment, and to be honest I think that Ross was making a fair comment, the acting in T J Hooker across the board, was generally bland and sometimes dire.
I enjoyed watching it as a kid, but I cringe at the quality of it now. But then wasn’t a lot of TV like that in America in the early 80’s?
And yes you’re absolutely correct, Ross is an absolute huge Star Trek and William Shatner fan.
Well, I for one have always been a fan of William Shatner. He had his own style, and yes, he was the star of the show, and had the most lines. His name was first on the credits. ‘Starring William Shatner’. The show was about exploring and also a relationship between him, Spock and McCoy. Funny, though you never hear Nimoy trash talk his good friend, Bill. They have been friends for over 40 years. Quality friends, that respect each other. Kate Mulgrew is another ST star who calls him, “my good friend, Bill.” So it is ironic how these other actors never accomplished anything other than Star Trek, and then were put in the Trek movies,but after that they accomoplished nothing notable except taking potshots at him out of sheer jealousy. But Bill pushed himself to be an accomplishmed actor without whining on the fairness of the game. Even at one time lived in a camper with his dog, taking jobs like birthday parties and kiddie shows to make sure he kept his child (4 childlren)support payments on time. I have great respect for his work ethic. So Takei, Nichols, Koenig and even when Doohan was alive (allow he did mend things with Bill before he passed) all could have accomplished what Shatner did if they just would have had his work ethic.
Work ethic helps, but it also comes down to charisma and talent. Either you have it or you don’t.
@18 – Trek TOS was never an ensemble piece. The later series were, but not the TOS.
Mr. Shatner has always been smart enough to know what he’s good at (making previously uncreated characters his own, i.e Captain Kirk, T.J Hooker, Denny Crane) and staying away from stuff he knows he wouldn’t be good at (like starring in art house dramas).
He takes his work seriously, but never himself. Even the tragic death of his wife hasn’t stopped him from living his life to his fullest. Indeed, that horrific moment in his life may given him more energy.
His passion for life and his ability to deal with adversity is something to be admired. His classiness and desire to continue to learn and improve are lessons for a lot of today’s actors and actresses.
43 – All excellently put, sir! Bravo!
44
Thanks!
45 – You’re welcome, and again thank YOU!
@22: True, but on the other hand I keep thinking about what David Gerrold said about his script for The Trouble With Tribbles, that every character had to have something to do.
I think that story is an excellent example of the star being unquestionably the star of the show, but the supporting cast making substantial contributions to propel the story along. Just my $.02, anyways. :)
@24: What do you mean by “Takei’s rants”?
I hear “Takei’s rants” is the hottest drink in Honolulu right now!
“yeah, gimmee a “Takei’s rants”…..you know, the one with the little umbrella in it!
So much praise for Shatner, but he does not impress me. I remember reading how he would read the scripts, and actually count the lines making sure that Nimoy never had more lines than him. Jeez.
And if the lead of the show has a right to act the way Shatner did, and all the other actors are being so crazy, how come you never hear them say the same about Nimoy….ever? It isn’t that Nimoy is such a lesser figure to Star Trek. I think it is because Shatner is such a lesser man.
Gary, you may have a valid point and here’s why: over the years I’ve had several discussions with actors in Canada who worked with Shatner a long time ago and, without exception, every one of them hated his guts. They called him arrogant, condescending, selfish and conceited. That’s from three different sources who all worked independent of each other with the Shat. It’s hard to believe that they ALL said this out of jealousy/envy.
My guess is that he was like this when he was younger, say 1960’s through 1980’s. Now that he is rich, fat and successful, he has mellowed.
Better phrased version of @47: “Tribbles” is a good example of a story where the supporting characters aren’t marginalized, nor are they inflated into the spotlight stealing squad.
I wish there was an edit option…
@48: Whoops, meant @25. Anyways, I was always a Gargle Blaster man, myself… ;)
Shatner: The opposite of gracious, wise and mature. He’s great as an entertainer but is an utter failure as a human being.
52 – How long you known him personally? At least he doesn’t go around bad mouthing you.
Oh wait. That’s because he’s never heard of you.
It’s easy to judge and condemn others when you are jealous of their success.
Please go spread your vitriol and vent your spleen elsewhere.
If you don’t like the man, why rankle yourself reading articles about him?
Highly illogical.
I dunno, did anyone else think the article was sort of flip? Yes, it’s a fun read, and yes, Shatner was jerking the guy’s chain quite a bit, but I didn’t wind up with any sense that the interviewer got too deep with him. It was just a bunch of driving and eating and more driving and more eating.
I came away with the impression that Shatner never lets people make any choices on their own. Odd. And marriage is “castration”? Huh? Did he mean that, knowing his wife was gonna read the interview? The remark reminded me of an ungenerous comment he made at a public Q&A in the late ’80s regarding his wife at the time, Marcy Lafferty. A couple folks actually started hissing him.
I do love the man. I’ve been a fan for ages. But I didn’t get the most flattering impression of him from this New York Times piece. He came across as hugely entertaining — and just as hugely self-absorbed. Is that an accurate portrayal of him?
#54-
I don’t know him. With that qualifier, from everything I can gather, the answer to your question is yes.
When I watch Leonard Nimoy talk about the meaning of Trek, I am inspired. Shatner doesn’t talk about Trek in much depth, and when he does it seems he is not particularly interested or doesn’t really understand why people love it so much. That is a separate point than his arrogance, although it might be related to his self-absorption.
But man, he was fantastic as Captain Kirk. Especially in the beginning of the series, when his Kirk was less William Shatner and he took the role more seriously- he was more subdued (check him out in “Balance of Terror” or “Tomorrow is Yesterday” for example). Wow. When he started hamming it up I liked it less.
And Harry- that is very interesting about the three actors’ take on Shatner–but not fascinating. As Spock pointed out, fascinating is a word for the unexpected. I would expect it from Shatner.
Good point, Gary!
Shatner has come to appreciate the fans of Star Trek and the phenomenon of Star Trek as the years went by. Read his books. He says so.
Yeah, in the beginning he didn’t get it. So what. He didn’t sign on to the series as a fan but as an actor to do a job. And he did it better than Jeffrey Hunter and was one of the ostensible reasons that TOS is still so watchable today.
Star Trek without the Captain Kirk he created is like flat soda.
Jeffrey Hunter wanted no part of Star Trek after The Cage pilot. Gene Roddenberry abandoned the series in the third season while still collecting a check.
At least Shatner stuck with it to the end. So I’ve got nothing but love for Shatner.
57 – All the points I wanted to make, but what was too tired to do so.
Well said indeed. And accurate from all that I have read by Shatner in his two Trek memoirs from the 90s.
The fact that he is not quite the Trekker many of the fans here are shows that he has gotten a life and a better perspective on Trek’s place in culture than many fans who would genuinely seek to establish “Futurama’s” Church of Trek.
Cut him some slack, folks. If he didn’t get it at first, he does now. And he seems genuinely appreciative of his connection to Trek and to its fans.
He’s grown up. Many of us could stand to do likewise.
53.
Hitler was a ’success’ too – for over a decade. Does that mean I am envious of his ’success’ when I despise what he was and what he stood for? An extreme example, but you get the point (maybe). And I care not a whit whether Shatner (or any celebrity) has heard of me or not. Should I? Do YOU care? If you care about such things, I’m afraid that your self-esteem may need a recharge.
My comments on Shatner stand. He’s a good actor (though not great). He has tremendous charisma and presence. And he has amazing energy. But, unfortunately, he’s not a thoughtful, empathetic or gracious man.
#57- some good points. One I already agreed with and wrote, that Shatner’s Kirk is amazing.
I know Shatner now says he gets Star Trek, but he may also be milking it. There’s no way to tell.
I do know that at conventions he demonstrates relatively little knowledge of Star Trek and doesn’t talk much about it. He talks mostly about his current projects. Nimoy, on the other hand, talks about both with knowledge and passion. That says something to me, more than Shatner saying he “gets it.”
But this is all a separate point than Shatner being arrogant in general.
I would point out that just because one criticizes a celebrity does not necessarily mean that one is jealous/envious of said celebrity. I’m sure we all like/dislike celebrities for different reasons. We are certainly within our rights to voice said opinion. That’s what makes the world interesting.
59
“But, unfortunately, he’s not a thoughtful, empathetic or gracious man.”
Based on what? You don’t know him. Until you do I suggest you keep ignorant statements like that to yourself. And from what I have heard and read from other fans, he apparently is very empathetic, thoughtful and gracious. There is a reason why William Shatner draws a huge crowd at conventions. There is a reason why he goes. There is a reason why Patrick Stewart, Leonard Nimoy and most other Star Trek alumni have the upmost respect for him.
It may be that Mr.Shatner was involved in conflicts with some of his cast mates during the TOS years, but apart from George Takei’s bitterness towards him, I don’t get the sense that anyone thinks he is a bully or a jerk. In fact, he does a lot of charity work and helps save abused animals.
I would say that yes, Mr. Shatner is a very gracious and empathetic man.
I have never met the man, but from what I have heard and read, he’s a great guy with a lot of class. I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt.
I suggest you do the same.
#59
I agree with (most) of your points, but why must Hitler be brought into every argument nowadays? Please, there were other villains in history… With all the mentions, Ghost Hitler’s ego must be the size of Poland by now. ;)
61
Harry, I think that you’d agree that there is a difference between criticizing someone based on legitimate claims and jumping to conclusions based on rumors or innuendo.
William Shatner is a flawed human being just like the rest of us. Him being a rich celebrity doesn’t change that. But his celebrity as an actor has brought a lot of joy not just through his work onscreen, but his work off of it as well.
I, personally, have met Bill Shatner a few times over many years. On one occasion, in 1974, I had the pleasure of chatting one-on-one with him for a good ten minutes. He was both gracious and friendly to me.
Harry
What did Bill and you chat about? And did you get his autograph?
Must’ve been a real thrill for you!
Ryan,
I don’t know how to “cut and paste”, but a few years ago I posted my experience of my meeting with Shatner on this site. Simply google the three words “Appleton, Uptown and Shatner”. An old thread from here will pop up and scroll down to post #38 where I recount my entire experience.
(Appleton is, obviously, my actual surname)
I love Mr. Shatner, what a consumate professional entertainer. Just look at how he handled his cell phone ringing in the video. He turns it into a laugh and a plug for his new show, without loosing a beat. I have seen very highly regarded actors totally blow it during late night interviews or award show acceptance speeches because they can’t ad lib worth beans. Mr. Shatner is Mr. Smooth, just like the sound of his voice.
So, now we know Shatner’s post name here is “Janice”!
63.
Point well taken RE: Hitler.
62.
I don’t have to know him personally to have an opinion on him. He’s been in the public eye for over 50 years. And, as an interested Trek fan since TOS days, I’ve followed his career for most of those years. I even bought his ‘Mind – Meld’ DVD. As a man he can be very charming, humorous and interesting. But…
#70.
No to pile it on, as you already acknowledged but it would be wise in the future to consider that William Shatner is Jewish. Nimoy too for that matter.
#57
Word.
Red Dead — right on!!
Of all the television and films that Shatner has made over the last 40+ years, why is it that the only actors who seem to have anything negative to say about him are from TOS?
48. lol :)
Shatner was hired to be the star of Star Trek. He’s right in that he had to learn 10 pages of dialog per day 7 days a week when they only had to learn a couple lines per week. I really don’t understand the co-stars beef with Shatner. They, as they say, just need to let it go.
76
Thanks!
Harry-
I found your story. I actually remember reading it the first time. Great story.
Gary
thanks for taking the time to check out my story! Hard to believe it took place 36 years ago! It’s both fun and gratifying to share experiences like that one with fellow Trek fans!
Would we ever hear a bad word about Shatner come from, say, Leonard Nimoy? Do you suppose Nimoy would befriend an arrogant, self-absorbed individual because he’s simply not a good judge of character? Hmmm…
Those supporting actors who bad-mouthed Shatner after TOS apparently didn’t realize that he was billed as the star of Star Trek. Top billing. The Captain. The head honcho. The most lines. The best lines. He was the STAR of the show. I think that says it all, and rather bluntly.
#81.
I think I woke up on the contrarian side of the bed this morning.
Is it your contention that Nimoy’s and Shatner’s shared cultural and religious backgrounds would have no mitigating effect or be a source of comradery?
The last time I checked the name of the show wasn’t KIRK TREK or SHATNER and with respect to that there are many who consider the ship the star of the show.
#81-
Are you implying that Shatner and Nimoy would get along together because they were both Jewish, while Shatner wouldn’t get along as well with the others because they were not? If so, I find that a bit simplistic, and yes, even prejudiced.
Besides, Walter Koening is Jewish as well, and they don’t seem especially close.
I offer a different explanation. Even though I heard Shatner would count to make sure Nimoy didn’t have more lines than him in each script, perhaps overall he and Nimoy had a different dynamic in their relationship where his arrogant and egocentric qualities did not predominate as much as with the other cast.
32. Chasco – September 5, 2010
” What Bill (and his defenders) don’t (and will never) get is that the problem was never just the thing with the lines (and I notice he’s belittling what the supporting cast did even now – “They had one line!”). If it had just been that, then guest stars wouldn’t have had a problem with him (they did); and the staff behind the scenes wouldn’t have had a problem with him (they did).”
While there may have been one or two individuals who had issues with Shatner from those camps. Primarily Roddenberry himself (who had MUCH bigger issues with Nimoy really) and Ellison. The rest of the crew usually speak very highly of their time working with Shatner including Producers Justman and Solow. And guest stars always rave about working with him. And let’s not forget that De Kelly was also friendly with him.
The yeas FAR out weigh the nays.
In fact, when De Kelley decided to go public with his cancer the first person he wanted to tell was Bill. And Bill dropped everything to go be with him. To me, that said a lot about what Bill is really like since I’ve always had great respect for De.
I will always be a Shatner fan.
#85- Interesting. Do you have any source for that?
67
Great little tale, Michael App—-err—-Harry Ballz!
Lucky bastard! :-)
87
Yes. Yes, I was! How many fans of the Shat get 10 minutes of chat time with him?
@85: I never heard that story before — certainly kicks my respect up for Shatner quite a few notches.
#83.
I don’t see how you drew that from anythign P Technobabble said.
And how you can mention Shatner and Nimoy’s being Jewish and only draw the conclusion that it isn’t a reason that NImoy got along with everyone but IS a reason that Shatner didn’t is beyond me.
Well, I fell “in love’” with the captain of the Enterprise a long time ago, and that captain Kirk was played by William Shatner. I did not know a thing about him, just loved the character. I never had a problem with Shatner’s acting as Kirk in either TOS or the movies. I thought he was great.
I never saw T J Hooker or some of the other shows he has done, except Boston Legal. Although it was meant to be a legal drama, with the inclusion of Denny Crane, it turned into the best comedy/drama ever. Shatner as Denny Crane was just brilliant! The entire show was very good but Shatner gave it that little extra. Sometimes I was in tears I was laughing so much.
I have no idea what he is like as a person. I guess he can a very kind and generous person at times and a complete a-hole other times – pretty much like anyone of us. It is good that he is still active and clearly on the ball mentally and physically. I wish him well and he’ll always have a special place in my heart as the person who played my very favourite Captain Kirk. I’m liking the Chris Pine Kirk as well.
82. 83.
Hey guys, I think you’re reading too much into what I said. I was not implying anything other than the fact that Shatner and Nimoy are best friends, according to both of them, and why would Nimoy become friends with him if he was a jerk? I meant only what I said, and I didn’t say anything about their religious backgrounds, so I won’t let you hang that one on me.
As for the Enterprise being the star of the show, I don’t believe it was being given a salary. I simply meant that, relative to the supporting actors, Shatner was the star of the show, given top billing. Don’t most top-billed actors get the most in a tv show or film? I don’t understand why the supporting cast was so upset with him, especially when their roles made them famous anyway.
#92.
Not so much as you’d think. It really depends on how sharp the top billed actor’s agent is.
There are also quite a few instances where a “name” actor is “associated” with a project, i.e. gets paid more than anyone else, but hardly contributes on screen.
I suppose the worst example of that would be PLAN NINE FROM OUTER SPACE?
And if you would think back and recall the “competition” was LOST IN SPACE, you would probably be more forgiving of those not-top-billed’s thinking not following your line of thought but watching daily as a “special guest star” achieved all that you claimed was to the contrary.
93. Disinvited
What you say may be true in some cases, but this was obviously not the case with Star Trek. Shatner was always the star. I realize there are certain cases where someone from the supporting cast hits the right chord with an audience so as to become greater than the originally cast star (Henry Winkler in “Happy Days,” for instance).
Even with Star Trek, Spock (the second-billed star), earned several Emmy nominations. This did not prevent Shatner from retaining his star status. Nimoy and DeForest Kelley became tightly connected with Shatner, but they never displaced him as the star of the show. None of the supporting cast ever rose to “starring status” by out-shining any of the three principal stars, which is why I do not believe they really have much to gripe about. Certainly, they all had an unwritten future, just as Shatner. Yet, despite being type-cast and enduring a dismal dry period, Shatner bounced back. He persisted. His persistence has paid off.
Everything I say is just my opinion, of course…
Hey Harry, cool story, but why the name change?
mw
when I first started visiting this site a few years ago, I foolishly posted under my real name. Mistake. I chose my current post name as it seemed irreverent/memorable. My runner-up name was going to be Holden McGroin! :>)
96
You could have also went with ‘Harry Apples’!
#94.P Technobabble “…but this was obviously not the case with Star Trek.”
You are changing the question that you continually asked about the second-billed and to which I was addressing.
You also mentioned Kelley but conveniently glossed-over the fact that he did start off in those lower ranks and did rise to what some regard as A top billing if not THE top billing – so even your after the fact analysis of the STAR TREK cast situation isn’t exactly the picture that you’d like.
Look, my understanding of your question was that you simply couldn’t comprehend the basis that the ST 2nd-billed had for challenging “the star”, Shatner. I believe that I provided an adequate explanation as to why this contention started during the founding series.
Your after-the-fact observation that Shatner successfully maintained his position does nothing to shore up your contention that their challenges were unprecedented in the industry and unique to all the non-starring Trek actors.
I don’t blame Shatner for looking at Jonathan Harris and being threatened by what he was doing over on SPACE. But his response was less than endearing to his fellow Trek co-stars – it is as simple as that.
Harry Ballz is the best name ever, although Holden McGroin is wonderful too. What a mind that conjures up such names…
Yes, Gary, depraved is my middle name! Must have been that strict Catholic upbringing!
98. Disinvited
I don’t think I was changing the question, as my original comments were about the Star Trek cast, specifically, and not about other shows or actors. But I am stickin to my story, mostly because I think I have a point. I can accept that you may disagree with me, and that’s cool. I really don’t think Shatner was afraid, or felt threatened by any of his cast-mates. I can’t say I know that for a fact, but I don’t think that was the case. He seems to have gotten along fine with pretty much everyone in every other tv show he’s done, with the exception of the Trek cast. I don’t know that for a fact, either, but my comment is based on what I’ve read and heard… and I know we’ve already talked about the problem with second- or third-hand knowledge, but that’s all I have to work with. Otherwise, you make good points and I respect your position.
#96
Great story about Shatner, Harry. It was also a nice little snapshot of ’70s cinema. Oh, and thanks for defending American Graffiti—one of my favorite films! Too bad its director never amounted to much. ;)
#101.
Hey, I never meant to imply that he never learned and grew from the experience. I was just saying your previous posts regarding this topic always seemed to take the position that it was inconceivable that the 2nd-tier cast would have thought they deserved better given standard industry practices – all I was doing was providing more information as to why it most definitely WAS conceivable in context.
Actors back then were always reading the trades (No twitter or internet) and I can feel confident all the Trek cast were very much aware what a recurring “special guest star” could achieve. The idea that a struggling actor, Shatner, subsisting on fruit salad wouldn’t feel threatened or react to it in some way is inconceivable to me. That he apparently did so by counting lines is a pity.
You have to remember that over at SPACE Allen was giving Harris so much leeway that he was even writing his own lines – mostly just the alliteratives he used on the Robot. And complementary to the grumblings on the Trek set, over on SPACE the leads were revolting.
Holden McGroin is great. ‘What a mind that conjures up such names.” …Indeed.
102+104
Thanks, guys!
103.
The only thing I might add is that Shatner was an established actor prior to Trek, doing Westerns, Twilight Zone, and such. And Nimoy and Kelley were in a similar position. I don’t know what the rest of the cast were doing prior to Trek.
After reading Shatner’s memories, it seems he was pretty oblivious that the supporting cast were pissed at him. It seems he was just doing what he thought he should do as the star of the show. If they were really unhappy with him, why would they not have “revolted” as well? I can understand an actor being bored and frustrated just saying “Hailing freqencies open,” but those actors stayed for 2 and 1/2 seasons and returned to do the films. It’s pretty much all they ever had…
#106.
Being “established” and earning enough not to be struggling are two completely disconnected things in the industry. You have to remember they went with Shatner because he asked for less than Lord.
I can’t say I’ve heard as much Shatner’s attitude in the era as Harris. Harris was point blank about the fact that he saw the Smith character would last a handful of episodes and then he would be out of a job. So he actively set about changing the character to make him indispensable and thus maintain active employment – plus the original character bored him to tears. Whenever he was asked about fellow cast members’ resentments, his attitude seemed to be that he was just one actor and his “job” was to look out for his career and its best interests. Pretty much saying that it was Irwin Allen’s job to balance the others out and to keep them happy – not his.
Now you might say that was Shatner’s style too but I recall Harris said he wrote his lines in private. The Trek stories I heard have been than, indeed, as you suggest Shatner was oblivious to his fellow castmates – so oblivious that he made requests for script changes right in front of them. That may be subtle and yet the distinction between behaving with class and being crass.
I have no access to it but I am led to believe that Ellison’s documentation of the CotEoF script changes includes Shatner’s requests with Harlan’s epithets describing what he thought of them. Ellison does maintain a web presence we may be able to Google something up on this.
107. Disinvited
I understand “established” and not struggling are two different things, but I don’t think Shatner lacked confidence enough to worry about being upstaged. My recollection about the Jack Lord thing was that he wanted to be co-producer and have a piece of the show and was, therefore, rejected by Roddenberry and the studio. I don’t know if that specifically means they went with Shatner because he asked for less, or they simply weren’t going to give in to Lord…
I pretty much know zero about the LIS cast, except that I dug the Robot when I was a kid. I was older when the show came around again in reruns, and I liked it for the beginning of the first season, then came close to vomiting after that. I actually despised the Smith character, even though I understand the producer was making him the star and catering to the campy “Batman”-loving kid crowd. So, what do I know?
I did read Ellison’s book about “City” and it does seem he didn’t think highly of Shatner… but, then again, Ellison doesn’t seem to think highly of very many people. I know he and Shatner met about the script, but I think it’s important to remember Ellison was far more resentful of Roddenberry, who wouldn’t go with Ellison’s original brilliant (IMO) script, and those who rewrote it.
I suppose, in the end, for Shatner it’s all’s well that ends well…
It is interesting to note that in the Star Trek ‘09 movie, the credits come at the end of the movie and the actors’ names are listed in alphabetical order, starting with John Cho. Perhaps this is a way of “leveling the playing field” a bit, so that no one actor starts going off on any ego trip or whatever. There is no doubt that Kirk and Spock are still the main characters, but the actors, by billing them the way they did, are seen as part of an ensemble and are perhaps encouraged to see themselves in that light. Of course, it will still mean that some (ie Pine and Quinto) will get more to do than others. That is just how it is. With opportunity also comes greater responsibility.
I don’t think Jack Lord would have been right for the part – just a little too wooden, not interesting enough. Shatner had/has that certain something – a kind of emotionality, energy (can’t exactly define it). I just saw/see it, feel it, hear it. Apparently, from the little I have read, they had to do a fair bit of hunting this time as well to find the right actor to play nuKirk (lots of possibles but not quite right somehow).
In April 09, I first read about this new Star Trek movie in our local TV Guide. In it was a photograph of the new cast in their Trek uniforms. The only person I recognised was Karl Urban and Zachary Quinto looked sort of familiar (of course, I had seen him on Heroes). Along with the photo were two short transcriptions of interviews, one with Leonard Nimoy (definitely knew him!) and the other with Chris Pine (never heard of him). That same week the Princess Diaries 2 was shown on television, which my kids insisted I record for them as they loved Princess Diaries 1 and wanted to see the sequel. Well, guess whose name appears in the credits? I had to pause the video to check that this was the same guy as in the photo. I watched the movie and realised that this guy might well be able to play Kirk. He certainly has the good looks and some!!! But more than looks, there was that something again. Rarely seen and hard to define or describe, but you know when you *see it*.
Chris Pine has not disappointed me at all with his portrayal of Kirk and I think he can only get better.