#157: Shatner!

He has become an institution unto himself.

He stormed (or should I say “beamed”?)  into our living rooms at the helm of the ultimate sci-fi program of all time, and he probably thought he’d be there forever. But Fate had other plans for my favorite Canadian, and so the premature cancellation of Star Trek forced him down another path.

Determined to break free of Captain Kirk, William Shatner took any job that came along it seemed. Until his massive ego really kicked in and he not only embraced his sci-fi legend status, he exploited it to an unprecedented degree. Shatner now “transports” more revenue into his bank account from Star Trek fans than any one individual. Only Paramount and the Roddenberry family make more cash than ‘Ol Bill – just barely.

Image via Wikipedia

He has become so big – metaphorically and arguably, physically – that he has achieved “one name” celebrity status. Quite an accomplishment for a man who was forced to live in a truck bed camper after the original Star Trek series was canceled.

He has earned a place in my little blog’s history because quite frankly, he is so terrible, he rocks!

His latest travesty? Or should I say accomplishment?

Either way, Bill will be taking Broadway - yes Broadway - by storm.  Shatner has conceived a one-man show  (hasn’t everything he’s ever ”acted”  in been a one- man show?) called Shatner’s World: We Just Live in It.

Previews began Feb. 14 and it runs at the Music Box Theatre until March 4. Producers said Tuesday that “the two-hour show will take audiences on a voyage through Shatner’s life and career, from Shakespearean stage actor to internationally known icon and raconteur.”

Raconteur? Seriously?

Call him what you will but his stamp on pop culture is unmistakable. To me William Shatner will always be…

• KHAAAAN!!!!
• T. J. Hooker.
• That guy from the Priceline commercials.
• The most polarizing figure in showbiz.
• A great Canadian.
• A sad clown obsessed with death. Just look at recent interviews and his  Star Trek documentary, The Captains; his mortality is at the forefront of his mind these days.

Please don’t hate me for loving how terrible Shatner is – if that makes any sense - but I can’t help myself. In a world of Kardashians and Biebers, he is a singular point of terrible greatness.

Image via Wikipedia

HOOK’S NOTE: This change of pace was inspired by the upcoming comic convention season, of which Shatner is always a big part of. Love him or hate him, he’s a permanent fixture at these events and therefore always on my mind. My apologies.

Related articles

• William Shatner to boldly go on Broadway (cbsnews.com)
• William Shatner boldly tackles death on Broadway (seattletimes.nwsource.com)