Our friends at the OC Register had a chance for a sit-down with the great William Shatner on Friday. They contacted us because they thought our fans would like to read what Bill had to say and we totally agree. Here is just a sampling of the interview. For the full conversation go to the OC Register website.
Q: So you’re the ‘celebrity ambassador’ for the tour [Star Trek: The Tour] – what’ll you do?
A: My face will pop up all over the place in the tour. My being will pop up on the opening day and at other times, too. And I’ll be talking to people like yourself about what a great piece of entertainment it is for all the family.
Q: You’ve won Emmys for ‘Boston Legal’ and “The Practice,’ had a big hit with “TJ Hooker” too, and yet ‘Star Trek’ is the role everyone mentions first – what’s it like to have that legacy? Are you comfortable with that? Ever resist it?
A: I don’t find it uncomfortable, I’m not fighting it. As you point out, in the 40 odd years since I was in the series, I’ve done other things. Mostly I get Shatner (from people who approach him), but if people want to say Captain Kirk that’s all right too – all part of the working day.
Q:What do you think it is about Star Trek that continues to draw people to it after all these years?
A: I think that world that we do live in, the reality, it’s fairly unsure as to how long the world will continue. There’s some evidence that we’re not all that permanent. And here’s a show that says not only are we permanent 300 years from now, but we’re excelling – so there’s a sense of hope for the future.
Then there’s the good action-adventure stuff. And there are the good characters, who have good character things to do, and who are vulnerable. That’s a key thing I think – you’re leading characters being vulnerable.
Q: What do you think people will most respond to in the tour?
A: The interactive stuff, of getting on the bridge and interacting with the characters, and going on a flight in the theater – all of that joined by seeing the actual elements that went into making the show. A lot of people enjoy that they can see and touch the costumes and the props and the sets that were actually there.
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