Ask William Shatner Whatever You'd Like 368
He's Canadian, he's proven himself a successful comedic actor and writer, filmmaker, and musician, but (no matter what else he does) in many people's minds he will always be James Tiberius Kirk, captain of the USS Enterprise. Now, William Shatner has agreed to answer your questions. We'll pass on to him a selection of the best reader questions; you might want to read up on Shatner's official home page (and the Wikipedia link above) to knock out some of the most obvious ones. We'll pass on to him a selection of the best questions. Note: it's tempting to pile them on, but please try to follow the interview question guidelines by posting one question per post — ask as many questions as you'd like, though. Shatner is on vacation right now, but will work on answering your questions when he gets back.
I've got a question (Score:2, Funny)
Hello Mr. Shatner. I was wondering, having lived under a rock for the past 10 years, I'm new to this whole internets thing. I'd like to go a vacation, but I'm not sure I can afford one. Is there any website out there that can let me name my price instead of them giving it to me?
Pls be candid... (Score:5, Interesting)
Mr. Shatner,
What was your reaction when you saw Galaxy Quest for the first time?
Re:Pls be candid... (Score:4, Funny)
He's already been asked that. Here's his response
I thought it was very funny, and I thought the audience that they portrayed was totally real, but the actors that they were pretending to be were totally unrecognizable. Certainly I don't know what Tim Allen was doing. He seemed to be the head of a group of actors, and for the life of me I was trying to understand who he was imitating. The only one I recognized was the girl playing Nichelle Nichols.
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Certainly I don't know what Tim Allen was doing. He seemed to be the head of a group of actors, and for the life of me I was trying to understand who he was imitating.
You could say the same thing about any role Tim Allen has played.
Do you think young actors today have it easier? (Score:5, Interesting)
In your early days, there were only a few major television networks, and it was much more difficult to move back and forth between television and movies. Today, with so many cable shows, the internet, and with actors moving much more freely between movies and television, do you think young actors have it easier? Or do you think that the proliferation of reality television and the "noise" of so many channels/series has actually made things harder for scripted actors?
Re: (Score:3)
But what we really want to know is:
In a fight between Admiral James T. Kirk (as played by you in 'Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan') and Capt. James T. Kirk (as played by that guy from 'The Princess Diaries 2' in 'Star Trek 2009'), who would win..?
That whole "get a life" thing... (Score:5, Interesting)
How bad do the fans actually get? What's your most bizarre anecdote about annoying Trek fans?
Re: (Score:2)
In Star Trek 5, when rocketing up the Turbo Shaft, why did the Enterprise suddenly have 72 decks numbered from bottom to top? I hope somebody got fired for that!
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Typecasting: boon or bane? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re: (Score:2)
Somehow I don't think WFS is the kind of guy who spends much time regretting the past.
Re: (Score:3)
Have you listened to his album "Has Been"?
He does talk quite a bit about his personal life in it, and oddly enough it is actually a very good album. Not like the Rocket Man bullshit, but a good honest album.
I prefer his rendition of "Common People" rather than the original.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Has_Been [wikipedia.org]
Re: (Score:2)
He has, plenty of times.
Just because you only remember him for Trek, doesn't mean he hasn't have a wide and varied career outside of Trek.
Re: (Score:3)
"Trek"? You mean T.J. Hooker had a previous acting gig?
You learn the weirdest things on Slashdot.
Shakespeare (Score:5, Interesting)
In all of Shakespeare's works, which character would you most enjoy playing, and why?
Career Question (Score:5, Interesting)
In the bedroom (Score:2, Funny)
Have you ever been in bed with a woman and accidentally yelled Khaan?
Car Racing (Score:2, Interesting)
How did you become interested in it, and what is your favorite track? [ I saw you do the "celebrity race" in Washington D.C. during the ALMS weekend a while ago. ]
Uniforms (Score:5, Interesting)
Quick equestrian question (Score:5, Funny)
If you had a pony, what single trick would you teach it? Do you think said pony could make a living out of it for forty long years and how would you recommend they go about it?
Re: (Score:3, Insightful)
Favourite non-Star Trek roles? (Score:5, Interesting)
Outside of the Star Trek series, you've had a large number of regular, one-off and recurring roles. What would be your favourite role prior to the beginnings of Star Trek and after the original ST series run? If different, what was your favourite one-off?
Re: (Score:2)
Re:Favourite non-Star Trek roles? (Score:5, Interesting)
Related question:
Outside of the Star Trek series, you've had a large number of regular, one-off and recurring roles. Are there any shows currently in production where you'd really like to do a cameo? How about a canceled show, where you really wish you'd had the chance to appear?
More Sci-Fi writing? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re: (Score:2)
I'm also interested on an answer to that one.
Question (Score:4, Insightful)
Mr. Shatner, how did you get to be The Man? I mean, let's face it, I can't speaker for the younger generations, but as a kid who grew up on Star Trek reruns in the 1970s, your portrayal of Kirk made you The Man. Heck, I watch you on Raw Nerve, and you're still The Man.
Mr. Shatner (Score:2)
Re:Mr. Shatner (Score:5, Funny)
I got this one.
Pretty sure Mr. Shatner would reply like this:
"Well Mr. Arcite, firstly thanks for being a fan. Secondly, up the dosage on whatever meds you are on. Please. You referred to me by my real name, but then actually asked me about my experiences in a movie as if it existed. This is why Trek conventions need security, or why I am glad they have one.
Normally, I would say get a life, but in your case I would say pick a life."
Re: (Score:3)
You should not ask.
Is there any role you regret? (Score:5, Interesting)
Thanks, Captain.
Fanbase (Score:5, Funny)
So what are the fans like at the T.J. Hooker conventions?
Typecasting (Score:5, Interesting)
Mr. Shatner, as we all know, you've been typecast due to the campy acting on Star Trek, TOS. I've read that you trained a classical shakespearean actor, and having seen some of your earlier work (including the somewhat campy Twilight Zone episodes you starred in) it is obvious you are a competent actor. As a casual Trek fan I enjoy your work - even, as, campy as, you had to play, your role as, Kirk. ;)
My question is this: Was it a struggle for you to be typcast in that manner and being the brunt of jokes, and as result did you struggle then begrudgingly take on roles which parody the acting style on ST:TOS, or did you immediately see it as an opportunity to capitalize on - and expanding upon your answer, do you ever regret having done so, and if so in hindsight, what would you have done differently?
William Shatner James Kirk (Score:2)
Being Awesome (Score:2)
WIL F***ING WHEATON (Score:3)
Have you met him?
Yes, he has met CleverNickName (Score:5, Informative)
Of course he has.
http://interviews.slashdot.org/story/02/12/05/1444246/William-Shatner-Replies [slashdot.org]
See that article and the questions that led to it for a previous round of "Ask William Shatner".
In fact, check all of the previous Slashdot stories for some good questions. Perhaps it'd be of interest to know what happened to the 'Starfleet Academy' show he pitched. And maybe it'll prevent the "Star Trek vs Star Wars?" question which he already addressed a while back.
He must have forgotten about his last /. interview (Score:2)
..Which doesn't surprise me, given how crappy it was. Lame questions, terse answers.
Hopefully the editors have the sense to filter out the trite but highly rated questions, so big Bill doesn't get insta-bored.
Please people, ask something interesting.
Amazing Success (Score:2, Interesting)
What started the feud between yourself and Takei? (Score:4, Interesting)
It seems like you two have been fighting for quite a while now and I was curious how it started, how long it has been going on, and, as a follow up, what did you think of his bit at your Comedy Central roast?
Animated VS Live Action (Score:2, Interesting)
Hypothetical... (Score:2)
If a deep, engaging, well written script were to fall in your lap, would you take a role in a Star Wars movie or TV show? Why or why not?
Personally, I think you would make a great Jedi.
I DOUBLE DOG DARE YOU! (Score:2)
Transitioning from Trek to.... (Score:2)
"Dramatic Pause" (Score:5, Interesting)
When you told Jon Stewart the pauses in your delivery were due to "...forgetting [your] lines", was this an actually true answer or was it a way to avoid the question; if avoidance, could you give the real answer now?
Do you still practice archery? (Score:5, Interesting)
(back in 1995 or so you were still noted as an archer: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/olympics/longterm/archery/archfact.htm [washingtonpost.com] and had been for quite a while -- photo here: http://www.archeryhistory.com/archers/pics/shatner.jpg [archeryhistory.com] )
If so, how often, using what equipment? Still using a compound or have you gone back to using a recurve or longbow?
If you do still shoot, do you travel w/ your archery gear? Any issues in doing so? Or amusing anecdotes?
William
Was this not done before? (Score:2)
I thought that SNL covered it pretty well some years ago.
Boston Legal (Score:5, Interesting)
star trek vs boston legal (Score:2)
I was thinking, you might have been on Boston Legal, your less famous character, for more hours than Star Trek.
Did you like that role more?
Did Denny Crane have some weird fetish for saying his name every time he could?
Back on stage (Score:2, Interesting)
I frequently see classically trained TV and film actors continue to perform on stage, even when they've "made it big" and no longer need to financially. For example, Patrick Stewart and David Tennant recently co-starred in a production of Hamlet. Have you considered going back to perform at Broadway, Stratford or the like?
George Lucas (Score:2)
If you were like George Lucas, what would you "improve" in the original series?
No question (Score:2)
Favorites (Score:2)
Which is your favorite Star Wars movie?
What is your favorite music band?
Thanks for all the years and places we have never gone before...
Which William Shatner (Score:3, Interesting)
New Star Trek (Score:3, Interesting)
If [insert whoever owns the rights to Star Trek] called you on the phone and said;
"We're starting a new Star Trek series, centred on the later years of Captain Kirk and we want you to resume the role"
Would you? I realise that this would contradict the story line of the movies... but nonetheless, would you jump at the role of playing the character again? If he offered plenty of passionate scenes with 7 of 9 would it change your mind?
Sexual adventures? (Score:2)
Mr. Shatner, you (not the characters you play) give the impression of a Byronic figure, a man of insatiable appetites and open-minded sense of fun. I mean, very few people have both James Kirk and King Bacchus in their ouvre.
So I'm just curious. Have you been as sexually adventurous as your outgoing persona implies? Any bisexual curiousity or strange fetishes in your past? A 'yes' or a 'no' answer is fine, I won't press for details if you're uncomfortable telling them.
Your last sitcom... (Score:5, Interesting)
Inspiring the next generation? (Score:5, Interesting)
Growing up, Star Trek was one of the things that got me interested in engineering and the sciences. It made me want to see the future, or create it myself. What do you think should be done to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers?
The Captains (Score:3, Interesting)
Outside of the superb writing, (Score:2)
Two questions (Score:2)
Two questions:
1.: When you now look at the stars, sitting in your chair at home in a warm summer evenening, what do you dream about?
2.: If all of a sudden technology would advance and real spaceships with the ability of interstellar travel would be constructed and they offered you a real captains seat on a real spaceship, would you take it?
Yt,
Gunnar
Siggraph 2010 (Score:2)
I went to Siggraph last year and Mr. Shatner and Dick van Dyke were at the Newtek Booth introducing the new version of Lightwave. A few days later I called my mom, told her about seeing those two guys up close, yadda yadda yadda. I made a comment about how it'd be cool to have lunch with either one of those dudes, but I figured it'd be easier to strike up a converstaion with Dick van Dyke becuase we both use Lightwave.
And my mom goes: "Well, if you had lunch with Dick van Dyke, you could talk about Ligh
Biggest flub or improv? (Score:2, Interesting)
What's the biggest flub or improv moment during the making of Star Trek that made it onto TV?
If Kirk wasn't from Iowa, where would he be from? (Score:2)
Let's say you were asked from input when the writers were delineating the character way back then. What would you suggest as his origin?
Re: (Score:2)
Eugh. "asked FOR input". Sorry.
Xbox Live Handle (Score:2)
I once saw a XBL gamertag that was Shatnermouth [xbox.com]. Is that you? If so, wanna play some Star Trek Legacy sometime?
More collaboration with Henry Rollins? (Score:2)
Are you planning any more collaborations with Henry Rollins?
Galaxy Quest (Score:3)
The similarities between the Original Star Trek, and the fictional TV show that was the basis for the spoof "Galaxy Quest" are well-known.
Star Trek has become more than a TV show, it's now a bona-fide cultural icon -- something that just doesn't make films of its own, but influences other films, as well as real-life science and technology.
What's your opinion of a role you created, being, not just picked up to continue by actors like Chris Pine, but lampooned by actors such as Tim Allen?
And on a larger scale, how that role has actually changed the course of history, as it clearly has influenced a large number of scientists and engineers to make Roddenberry's vision a reality?
Advertising for the Internet (Score:2)
You were on the first radio commercial I heard that was about a company who operated a web page on the internet. At the time, I don't think most people even knew what the internet was. Back then, did you think that this kind of advertising would ever amount to anything?
Edutainment (Score:3)
You have had some stints into more "educational" shows, such as Rescue 911. Do you have any specific yet so far unrealized ambitions and topics for an educational TV series or a (documentary?) movie? Perhaps something in the vein of e.g. Mythbusters?
mortality (Score:5, Interesting)
Mr Shatner -
Recently I saw you in the Raymond Kurzweil documentary (Transcendant Man) where you emphatically said that you do not want to die.
This year, you have exceeded the average life expectancy of a male for ANY country in the world. Iceland is highest at 80.2 years; you are now 80.5 years.
So my question(s): Are you still fighting the battle for physical/mental immortality? If so, how? If not, can you describe the process you have gone through to accept your mortality and ultimately death?
Thanks very much for your insights.
BTW I loved your work in Star Trek as a youngster, and your cover of Pulp's "Common People" just a few years back.
Commodore VIC-20 (Score:5, Interesting)
In all of your acting career (Score:3)
You've tackled strange problems, encountered weird technologies and battled otherworldly creatures. And that was just as T. J. Hooker. Are there times you wish you'd had a quieter, more sedate career like, say, Roger Moore or Bruce Lee, or is there a part of you that craves the geekier, more cerebral hero roles you've played?
Other career choices? (Score:3)
The original cast from Star Trek went on to have fairly successful careers after the show ended. Is there any role or carrier choice that one of your former cast members had that you would have also liked to have done? If so, which one of your post Trek jobs would you trade.
Green (Score:4, Insightful)
Once you go Green, do you ever go back?
Will you ever tour? (Score:3, Interesting)
Perspective (Score:3)
DENNY CRANE!
Zapp Brannigan? (Score:3)
David X Cohen has made it very clear that Zapp Brannigan was based on a combination of Kirk's apparent disregard of danger and a popular impression of you being a jerk. Do you think of him as effective parody, a completely different character, or just silly?
(Especially since you ended up putting in some voice-over time on Futurama)
myouterspace.com (Score:3)
Your 80 and you look 40! How do you look so young? (Score:4, Interesting)
So what's your secret to looking so young? You made an appearance in the documentary, "Transcendent Man". For those of you who haven't seen it, it is a documentary about Ray Kurzweil's continuing quest to take enough supplements and pursue enough radical life-extension techniques to survive long enough to see the technological singularity and thus live forever. Are you pursuing similar supplement regimes and/or life extension techniques to keep you looking young? If so, what works and what doesn't?
How has technology changed acting for you? (Score:4, Interesting)
Cxu vi ankoraux estas Esperantisto? (Score:3, Interesting)
Bill, you're well known in the Esperanto world as the star of the pre-Star Trek thriller "Incubus", written and performed in Esperanto.
Cxu vi ankoraux regas vian Esperanto-kapablon de tiu filmo?
(Have you still retained your Esperanto ability from that movie?)
Cxu vi uzis gxin iel ajn poste?
(Have you used it an any way afterwards?)
[Sorry, folks -- I'm using the X-system [wikipedia.org] here instead of actual Esperanto characters, because Slashdot doesn't seem to like Esperanto.]
Thanks!
Amike kaj dankeme,
Scott S.
Canadian politics (Score:4, Interesting)
You've jested about this in the past, but do you have any thoughts on running for a political seat in the Canadian government? We'd love to have you (but hey, anyone can do better than the current guy in the top seat).
Re: (Score:3)
Was starting to wonder if anyone would get around to the political questions. I have 2. 1st one:
As a star of a SF show, what do you think about and what are you doing about the current anti-intellectual and anti-science stances of some (*cough* Republican *cough*) major political parties?
Rod Serling, twilight zone (Score:3)
Mr Shatner:
Early in your career you appeared in several classic episodes of the twilight zone. Can you describe your experience with this show and your professional relationship with Mr. Rod Serling?
M/F relationships and movie about former wife (Score:3)
Having been in both successful and not so successful relationships, what leads to one or the other?
In addition (sorry, I've got two questions) are you still working on The Shiva Club (which wikipedia says was to have been inspired by Nerine's disease)?
On-set stories (Score:3)
Mr. Shatner,
Are there any lesser-known off-camera stories that still stand out in your mind, during the filming of your various TV series?
I am particularly curious about the mood and chatter on the set during the rehearsal and filming of "Plato's Stepchildren", where Kirk kissed Uhura. Hollywood being what it is, I doubt anyone would have quit in protest, but it must have been an interesting time.
Stay well.
Shuttle Enterprise (Score:5, Interesting)
Mr Shatner,
Can you share what your thoughts were when you found out that NASA decided to name the 1st shuttle as The Enterprise? Can you offer any insights into the general thoughts of the rest of the cast or Gene himself? How was it for you, knowing that part of the show had such an influence on that segment of the world, meaning the fans and the space community, that they actually honored the show by naming a real spacecraft after it?
BTW, thank you for Kirk. You rock Bill.
Also, how the hell did you get mixed up with the Charlie Sheen roast? You're the last guy I expected to see... but your "who's the warlock now? Bitch" was indeed the highlight of the night. Along with "Steve-o. WTF? " :-)
Tek and a vision of the future. (Score:3, Insightful)
It's been 22 years since TekWar was first published; seventeen since the television series gave us a "common" visualization of Tek itself. Since those two milestones, I've found it intriguing how our technological advancement seems to be aiming towards the development of Tek. And not just advancement with computers and the Internet, but within the neuroscience and brain-computer interface fields also. It is within the realm of possibility that Tek--or similar digital drug--will exist within a couple of decades.
Could you talk about how the concept of Tek came about? Was it just a "crazy idea" that hit you while riding one of your horses, or did you sit down by yourself or others to develop a vision of the future and build a story around that? Also, looking around at people addicted to using smartphones everywhere, what are your thoughts regarding a form of Tek coming into existence in the next decade or two?
Thanks for your answer, and thanks also for a great career.
Techies and trekkies (Score:3)
Would you go in space if offered to? (Score:3)
All your life is associated (at least for the public) to space. I'm guessing that you never actually went into space. Do you find this frustrating? Would you like to go in space if you had the opportunity to do it "in real life"?
There is a growing "anti-smart" person culture (Score:4, Interesting)
out there now. When you were playing Kirk, kids could get a real chemistry set, for example. Now it's a lot different, and that desire to "boldly go where no man has gone before" seems blunted, constrained and discouraged. Much better to play in the sand box with the other kids.
When you were playing Kirk, I was a free range kid doing all manner of things, and yes that includes blowing stuff up. Now free range kids are increasingly rare as we consider that bad parenting, or they are "at risk", or some other fear based thing.
Have you noticed these changes? What do you think about them?
***And you kick a lot of ass Mr Shatner. I enjoy watching your antics. When I see or hear about you, I generally associate that with good times.
Henry Rollins (Score:3, Interesting)
Henry Rollins tells a great and funny story about working with you on a musical project (here [youtube.com] and here [youtube.com])
What is your perspective on the story?
Your thoughts on Canada - your past, its future... (Score:3)
James T. Kirk was part of the reason I went into a technical discipline. Of course, Scotty was a big inspiration, but Kirk was 'the Captain' and brought a fair bit of humour, humanity, courage and compassion to the show. And of course, both you and James have been great Canadians by virtue of how you have carried your celebrity (and in James' case, his wartime service to Canada during WWII). And you broke a few barriers kissing Ms. Nichols (but then, who wouldn't have?).
So my question:
What was your greatest memory of Canada and what sort of future do you hope to see for Canada?
I might never get a chance to say this again, but thanks for putting the magic in my formative years. It's still with me.
Everyone knows... (Score:3)
Re: (Score:3)
Has Been was a very good album. For real. Check it out.
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:2)
Did you really just link SG on Slashdot ?
Not on SG Army, are you ?
Re: (Score:2)
Re: (Score:3)
How would you answer some terrible interview questions that we programmers are subjected on every interview:
So, Mr Shatner, I see you only have 45 years of experience as a Star Trek Actor/Federation Starship Captain, since 1966, but our ideal candidate would have more than 50 years experience in that role. I was wondering if you were expecting to grow into the position, or perhaps open to the thought of a lower salary? We've already looked into outsourcing to India, where we've received numerous resumes promising 50, 60, even 75 years of experience in that specific field.