So, this William Shatner fellow. A canadian actor, you say? What's he been in? posted by lifeless at 12:02 AM on October 7, 2009 [2 favorites]
I enjoyed "How Shatner Changed the World" -- the cinematography was pretty great, and most of the segments were entertaining (except for the last one, which just devolved into that winky-winky Shatner thing that can get tiring). From what I've heard, it was originally called "How Star Trek Saved the World," but there was a copyright issue, so they brought Shatner in, shot some wraparounds, and re-titled it. I saw it way back in 2006 -- on the Discovery Channel. Not sure that counts as "recent." posted by turducken at 12:03 AM on October 7, 2009
This is actually a tribute to Gene Roddenberry, who envisioned, so strongly, a future that we could all be a part of. When someone pays tribute to Bill, or Leonard, or DeForest, or George, however tongue in cheek, they know, with absolute certainty, they are standing on the shoulders of giants. Captain Kirk is the elephant in the room, and after a while, it's like being a guest-star on Sesame Street... they aren't dancing to Bill Shatner's song, they're dancing to Captain Kirk's song, and congratulating themselves on tricking Shatner into being a silly version of Captain Kirk, not realizing they're one of a dozen =this year= to try that trick...
As Bill the actor is kind of awesome, and deserves money tossed his way, I'm OK with this. posted by Slap*Happy at 12:16 AM on October 7, 2009
Not to be missed is Shatner's recent role as Kathleen Turner playing the part of Runkle's new boss in Californication. posted by srboisvert at 4:31 AM on October 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
I also loved How William Shatner Changed the World and all of its awesome geeks. It's not really recent, but I couldn't find it posted anywhere on MeFi, so it's about time.
(also I'd like to add that as someone who has stood within tugging distance of it = Shatner's latest hairpiece is AWESOME.) posted by jettloe at 7:09 AM on October 7, 2009
I read some time ago that he injured his back before filming this and was whacked out on painkillers when he showed up to the studio. posted by Pirate-Bartender-Zombie-Monkey at 7:36 AM on October 7, 2009
So, Shatner's Gonzo Ballet is about the ballet based on William Shatner's Has Been album, and that album is actually... really good. Think of it as a Ben Folds record--he produced and co-wrote it--with William Shatner's voice replacing Ben Folds: how you feel about that will probably determine how you feel about Has Been.
You'll Have Time is one of my favorites off it... and, yes, this doesn't matter, but I once ended a high concept mix-tape opera about a zombie-overrun planet with that track.
Also, and probably most importantly:
Shatner should be hosting The Price is Right. posted by pokermonk at 7:57 AM on October 7, 2009
Shatner is not the only actor who realized people were enjoying his bad work ironically and become cool by having good humor about it.
The genius of Shatner is that he hammed up the so-bad-it's-good shtick so hard it was again the kind of bad work you could enjoy ironically, which he recognized and had good humor about, making it cool again.
And he just repeats this cycle over and over, becoming more awesome with each turn of the wheel. posted by straight at 7:58 AM on October 7, 2009 [5 favorites]
Sorry, but the best Shatner doc is the paintball film Spplat Attack (not a typo). The best parts are when he sends his wife out as bait to draw fire, and when he spontaneously "remembers seeing" an important safe combination.
Damn I need to get another copy of that. Mine has vanished into a fog of irresponsible hipster friends. posted by yellowbinder at 9:28 AM on October 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
I haven't been able to enjoy anything that Shatner's done lately, simply because he looks like he's going to have a stroke about two seconds from now. I realize that that's just how he looks and he can't help it, but it's still strongly disconcerting, in the same way that some people react to me as a genuine walking frown.
But that Rollins clip where Shatner sends him into a reverie about some great scallop monster being taken down by "undersea ninjas" is completely worth it. posted by Halloween Jack at 10:42 AM on October 7, 2009
Speaking of Shatner, my friend just stumbled upon this video masterwork, which I believe may be why the internet was invented. Couldn't find it reference anywhere else on here. posted by bitter_tincture at 1:35 PM on October 7, 2009
The Palin interpretation was sheer genius. For an interactive appreciation of his talents try the William Shatner Acting Simulator. Also, if you can imagine the combination of two such towering colossi of the small screen, David Caruso actually appeared in an episode of T.J. Hooker. Yeaaah Khaaan! posted by Tashtego at 10:18 PM on October 7, 2009
One of the funnier things I saw on television within the past few years was on some fluff entertainment show, where they had Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner on to take turns interviewing each other. And -- one of them asked the other what he thought about the Kirk/Spock slash people had written over the years. In fact, I think that Shatner asked Nimoy that, and Nimoy's response was just a cocked eyebrow and a leer, and then they both absolutely collapsed in laughter. posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:40 AM on October 9, 2009
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