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Ask William Shatner Whatever You'd Like
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.
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?
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?
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
How bad do the fans actually get? What's your most bizarre anecdote about annoying Trek fans?
Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.
For good or bad, your professional image is forever stamped by your brief portrayal of Kirk. If you could go back and remake your career into that of an actor who has a successful career in smaller, more varied roles, would you?
If Slashdot were chemistry it would look like this:Cadaverine
What single moment do you look back upon with the greatest pride/satisfaction? And which one do you wish never happened?
Have you ever been in bed with a woman and accidentally yelled Khaan?
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. ]
Mr. Shatner: I recently watched my way through The Original Series and you were constantly pulling your uniform shirt down. I've also heard that the red uniforms from the movies were quite cumbersome to design and wear. Which was more uncomfortable to you, the uniforms from the original television episodes or the red command uniforms from the movies?
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?
Wearing pants should always be optional.
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?
In the late 80s/early 90s you penned the TekWar series of novels that spun off a few different franchises. Did you consider this a success and do you intend to do any more sci-fi writing in the future?
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.
The world's burning. Moped Jesus spotted on I50. Details at 11.
Given your rather unique history in show business, and the myriad of projects that you've worked on (who can forget Incubus?), is there any project in your past where, even now, you look back even now and say, "What was I thinking?"
Thanks, Captain.
"Enough of this wretched, whining monkey life." -- Marcus Aurelius, _Meditations_, Book 9, 37
So what are the fans like at the T.J. Hooker conventions?
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?
The Christian Right is Neither (Christian nor right). See: Matthew 23, Matthew 25, Ezekiel 16:48-50
It was a stuffed Tribble.
Q: How much of James T. Kirk's mentality do you share in the real world? Did playing the character change you as a person?
Is it difficult to be as consistently awesome as you are? Is it ever a burden?
Have you met him?
Mr Shatner, you have had some amazing successes. Few actors are able to have so many successful runs on tv series in North America. Your recent attempt, Shit my Dad Says, did not work out. How did you react to that cancellation? Were you able to put it in perspective given your other experiences and is that likely your final shot at TV?
Has Been was a very good album. For real. Check it out.
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?
Bryan R.
The price of freedom is eternal vigilance, or $12.50 as seen on eBay.....
Do you enjoy doing voice over work for animated series more than live acting or vise versa? If so then why is one better than the other?
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.
Mr. Shatner, In your biography you mentioned that after Star Trek ended, you struggled to find work as an actor, even living out of your vehicle to travel to find work. Do you feel that this experience was a setback or an asset to your career?
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?
(back in 1995 or so you were still noted as an archer: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/olympics/longterm/archery/archfact.htm and had been for quite a while -- photo here: http://www.archeryhistory.com/archers/pics/shatner.jpg )
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
Sphinx of black quartz, judge my vow.
You seemed to have a great relationship with Mr. Spader - was that all fantastic acting, or did you become friends - as in you still see/speak with him even after the show ended?
excitingthingstodo.blogspot.com
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?
What are the biggest differences between William Shatner (the man) and William Shatner (the character)? Do you always do interviews as William Shatner (the character), or do we see some of the real man behind him?
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?
"That's the way to do it" - Punch
You were in "$%&! my dad says" (I probably misspelled that) and now it seems to have gone away. What do you feel caused it to fail, and why did you chose to do that?
Damn_registrars has no butt-hole. Damn_registrars has no use for a butt-hole.
Mr. Shatner,
What was your reaction when you saw Galaxy Quest for the first time?
"I like to lick butts!" by MobileTatsu-NJG (#32700246) (Score:5, Informative)
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?
Do you have any insights from your interviews with the other Captions from the documentary "The Captains" that didn't make the cut? Please share, if so. I found that documentary fascinating and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
what was the creative process (ie. dialog, filming, set design, etc.) like at TOS? Did it follow specializations (regimented), or was it more of an open format, collaborative effort? Best TV show of all time. Thanks.
Bukowski said it. I believe it. That settles it.
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
What's the biggest flub or improv moment during the making of Star Trek that made it onto TV?
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?
If telephones are outlawed, then only outlaws will have telephones.
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.
"Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
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?
You worked on one of the few films performed entirely in Esperanto: "Incubus" in 1966. Are you still interested in constructed human languages?
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?
Of course he has.
http://interviews.slashdot.org/story/02/12/05/1444246/William-Shatner-Replies
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.
I am a 23 year old electrical engineer from Pittsburgh, PA. Your career is inspiring to many, including to me. While i am not an actor, i hope to be like you, successful. While i doubt it will garner fame such as yours, i hope to start an electric car company. The issue is funding, as with all things. Would you consider investing in an electric car company, with the intent to build $35,000(USD), 100 mile range electric cars, with nearly 10 years in battery life? Maybe with your help in the advertising department, we can be quite successful!
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.
What would your past managers say about you?
I was court martialed and broke the prime directive a few times. Yeah, I think they would give me a good recommendation.
When I was a kid, your commercial for the Commodore VIC-20 convinced me that I had to have one (because Captain Kirk was advertising it!). I used it to learn some programming (both BASIC and assembler) and it was the early foundation for what I do today. The question: Did you actually use one of them day to day or was it just something they hired you to advertise and they gave you one and it sat in the corner?
It is my own thesis that any great character has elements of the actor's own personality in them. That said, how much of Denny Crane was the real Shatner?
Working...
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?
It's a small world and it smells funny; I'd buy another if it wasn't for the money; Take back what I paid (SoM)
Mr. Shatner, Do you think Gene Roddenberry's utopian vision of a world where people's skills and abilities are nurtured, science and exploration are prized, and money and hunger are things of the past will ever come to fruition?
If you could choose;
would you rather be eaten alive by a lion, a shark, a grizzly bear or a crocodile?
"That's the way to do it" - Punch
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.
Well.. maybe. Or Maybe not. But Definitely not sort of.
Once you go Green, do you ever go back?
Mr Shatner, It's an honor to at least have the chance of asking you something. Thank you for your time. And for everything. Have you considered touring, as a stand-up comedian or whatever, specially outside US and Canada? You know, you have a gigantic fanbase in, ehem, Argentina.
Buanzo Consulting - 15 Years of GNU/Linux experience, for you.
You seem to be able to keep yourself firmly grounded while those around you continually put you on a pedestal. I have read that you were in some rough straights prior to getting the Star Trek role. Does that play a part in keeping you from elevating yourself and what other factors help you?
DENNY CRANE!
"A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
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)
I am officially gone from
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."
You should not ask.
"The likes of Facebook and WhatsApp are free to those whose privacy is of zero value."
So, any plans to do more with myouterspace.com? It seemed like a cool idea when it first started but it just seems to have gone nowhere. What more can be done to get it more active and useful for creative types?
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?
I realize your role as Marc in the movie "Incubus" is pretty obscure, but I've been particularly intrigued by the movie ever since I managed to see it. I'd be able to ask several questions about it, but the most obviously unusual thing about it is that it was done in Esperanto. (I actually thought it was a pretty good little low budget movie and that you did a fine job in it.) I read somewhere that originally you and the other cast members were supposed to speak Volupuk but objected. But, to make this a question, I'll just ask what stays in your mind the most about making that movie?
In theory, theory and practice are the same; in practice they're different. (Yogi Berra & A. Einstein)
TV and movie productions have become more technically elaborate over the years, evolving from what were essentially filmed theatrical productions, to elaborate and technically demanding productions that require a large industry of people to support it. In your view, how has technology changed the role and experience of acting since you started?
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 here instead of actual Esperanto characters, because Slashdot doesn't seem to like Esperanto.]
Thanks!
Amike kaj dankeme,
Scott S.
Ceci n'est pas une pipe.
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).
Slartibartfast:"Is that your robot?"
Marvin:"No, I'm mine."
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?
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)?
Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. -John Lennon
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.
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? " :-)
Huh?
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.
In all of Shakespeare's works, which character would you most enjoy playing, and why?
-- IANAL, this isn't legal advice, and definitely isn't legal advice for you. Also, Squee!
There seems to be a big overlap between techies and trekkies. Do you have much of an interest in technical matters yourself, and do you see Star Trek (and sci-fi more generally) as a valuable guide for imagination/innovation, or perhaps a box people should think outside of?
Hi Bill,
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"?
Denny, (I mean, Mr. Shatner),
Pray tell, what Scotch and which cigars were yours and Alan's preference?
And thank you, for the inspiration, the Emerson quotes, and being a big part of my life.
Warm regards,
Adam
Mr. Shatner:
At one point in your career, work was scarce and you lived out of a truck camper. In your opinion and based on your experience, what is the best way to psychologically deal with particularly trying times (as many people face today)?
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.
Blogging because I can...
Henry Rollins tells a great and funny story about working with you on a musical project (here and here)
What is your perspective on the story?
-- MrMud
Mr. Shatner,
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.
-- Mal: "Well they tell you: never hit a man with a closed fist. But it is, on occasion, hilarious."
How much latitude did you get in your original interpretation of Kirk in the series and how close was it to the treatment you gleaned from the script? In other words how much corrective direction did you take - and if there's room to answer, did this increase or decrease with the series?
((I ask because of what I've heard about Shatner's presence on stage, and wondering about how that changed as the series became popular))
"No good deed goes unpunished"