MovieChat Forums > William Shatner Discussion > Amazing rehabilitation of his reputation

Amazing rehabilitation of his reputation


So many people don't seem to know or remember that in the 1970s and 80s he was perceived to be a complete asshole - and I say that as a fan. He was embarrassed by Star Trek, and frustrated that his self-image as a great Shakespearean actor was going by the wayside for some three year tv show he did to make ends meet. He was generally rude to fans (who were, admittedly, annoying as hell) and oh-so-very-serious about his image as an Actor.

In general, I was sympathetic, because Star Trek, while excellent tv, was just a tv show. He didn't want it to define his career, let alone his life, but so many of his fans did, and didn't understand his resentment.

But at some point around 1990 he learned to fake being reconciled to being Captain Kirk. He pretended to learn to laugh at himself - and at some point maybe he really made that leap.

People today don't even realize what a 180 he did.

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I remember his SNL "get a life" skit in 86. He seemed to have a good sense of humor about it.

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That was the evil Captain Kirk from “The Enemy Within”.

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lol.

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I guess when its you that actually in it , it all seems abit ridiculous* , a guy with pointed ears he's supposed to be an alien? (and he's more popular?) All the fake looking alien make ups and the aliens are all speaking english?? Wonky fake sets/props, silly looking cartoon uniforms. Ok some of the stories were well done by established sci fi writers/authors (not Trek fanboys like now or using it as a woke agenda thing) but all very bizarre compared to other shows he felt like he couldve been the lead in (but thank god I got this after Jeff Hunter bailed!), the guest women were insanely beautiful but just passing through, probably couldn't get to know them as well as he'd have liked. the busy constant schedule/learning lines strange dialogue. And then its all over after just 3years? yet other shows go on for 5,6,7 years? . Then the the money issue, its getting all popular now after its cancelled?? , but no repeat residuals after a while, his image everywhere, tshirts,posters,books,coffeecups. TV stations wanting interviews, NASA wanting endorsements, but not beneficial to his career, typecast as Captain Kirk 'Mr Star Trek' (Leonard too), just guest star roles in other peoples 70s series, and the odd TV movie of the week. Why am I not Paul Newman.. Probably felt they better bring it back so can get a regular income again, boy are they gonna pay up to get me back in it! Then its a movie, now wait a minute I'm gonna be the lead in a big budget Robert Wise picture?! Wow., maybe its not so bad now.. Then regular movies every two-three years (finally a millionaire!), and a tv cop show essentially bc of Treks popularity .. Lets get to work!

*also see Harrison Ford (with Mark Hamill getting it/understanding its appeal/taking it serious - like Leonard Nimoy)

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I don't remember him being so serious about his image as an actor in Airplane 2 (1982). He was hilarious.

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William Shatner is awesome and also one of the few famous people on X that will actually reply to you.

Loved his renditions of Shakespeare -

https://youtu.be/mXdGnkyPYAc?list=PLuP87yMb17kECq7cg0WnSuJsl-g3X3yxv

https://youtu.be/nSkL9a_t0vU

But they are nothing compared to his rendition of Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - https://youtu.be/Ls42F23V6rQ?list=PLuP87yMb17kECq7cg0WnSuJsl-g3X3yxv&t=172

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Shatner won two Primetime Emmy awards for Best Supporting Actor, in his 70s, for Boston Legal. He starred in the TV series, T.J. Hooker, which still airs weekday afternoons on retro TV. He's been the narrator for many TV series, including a cartoon for toddlers that a two-year-old I know loved to watch.

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William Shatner is a national treasure.

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After TOS he was doing commercials in Canada (Loblaws), then games shows like Hollywood Squares. Bet that caused lots of resentment. Wonder why he didn't do Canadian TV, they hire anyone!

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