A Matter of Shatner's Perspective

[Khan 2.0]

Shatners been tweeting a whole bunch of Trek past day and its quite interesting, not anything we didnt already know but its still interesting coming from the main guy who was there 50 odd years ago and how he views Trek then and now
(put shatners responses first with the question under as his twitter)

You have to realize from an actor’s perspective they were jobs. Things aren’t filmed in order at times so you are just focused on the pages you are doing that day and then you move on.
@TGSpectrum_YT
· 17h
@WilliamShatner if you had to pick one Star Trek series that is your favorite, other than the ones that you starred in, what would it be?

I don’t watch Star Trek. I don’t think I’ve even seen all the episodes from my series. I don’t know the answer to that question.
@EireneVapor
· 17h
Replying to @WilliamShatner
I think they're asking which "generation" of the show you liked best... Like "The Next Generation" or "Deep Space 9" or whatever...

For my documentaries I watched a couple episodes of the other franchises. They were pleasant to watch and I saw how slick and polished they could be with a budget.
@Elbrones
· 16h
Replying to @EnterpriseSover and @WilliamShatner
Why would he. He's made it clear he's not a fan. It was a job

Every once in a while I’ll stop on a Star Trek episode of mine and watch for a bit.
@boomerTrekGal
· 16h
Replying to @WilliamShatner
If you happen to be flipping through the channels and come across an episode of any of the shows, you wouldn't be tempted to watch? Your paths cross quite often with the many Star Trek alumni I would imagine at the Cons you have attended over the years.

No but it’s not something I obsess over in my life either. I don’t watch myself in TV most of the time because I’m too critical of myself. This need to get me to say I like this doesn’t work. That’s why my Get a Life book was more of a journey in trying to understand the fandom
@RoamLife74
· 17h
Replying to @WilliamShatner
So Star Trek was just a paycheck for you?

Oh my goodness, crazy Star Trek fan person: do your research. I don’t get residuals for Star Trek- haven’t since the early 70’s. After Star Trek I had to go out on the road looking for work to support my 3 daughters. Sorry if you think Star Trek made me rich it didn’t.
@SciFiMadness
· 1h
Replying to @WilliamShatner
Seriously? I find that disappointing. You don't even pay attention to the franchise that brought you fame and fortune? Not seen all of the original series? WOW

And you don’t the luxury to reflect upon your job because you have to learn the new lines fir tomorrow.
@BrittanyFlogaus
· 16h
Replying to @WilliamShatner
I wonder if people forget that acting is actually a profession like a lot of jobs, entailing a lot of jobs lol

Because the prop guy screwed up? Wasn’t there an episode when I switched uniforms in the turbo elevator? Or my insignia wasn’t there? Something really silly. It’s called continuity and people are in charge of keeping everything right. Sometimes they goof
@OneMoreBrian
· 16h
Replying to @WilliamShatner
So, you don't know why you had a green phaser in episode 9 but a blue phaser in episode 10?

Yes dear. Here’s something to ruin your day; it was a manual sliding door operated by 2 guys and it went nowhere.
@deezAndizzle
· 16h
Replying to @WilliamShatner
Um actually Captain, it's a "turbo lift"

The perspective I have is different you don’t see the finished product when filming it. The conclusion I made from Get A Life was that the show is important because it connects with others & you have something in common like a big family.
@Ken_Simmons_NL
· 16h
Replying to @WilliamShatner
You have a unique perspective. Does it help you understand why the show is so important to people, or does it make it harder?

It had its moments. It was a great cast that continues to love & respect each other even after the fact (unlike another show )
@amuse
· 17h
Replying to @WilliamShatner
I miss Boston Legal. Did you enjoy doing that show?

You have to remember that shows like the TZ, Outer Limits, etc... were not taken seriously. SciFi was on the decline until the Space Race rekindled it. Those early 60’s anthologies weren’t something a “serious” actor did. 20/20 hindsight they had amazing writers but who knew?
@TomlinsonCJ
· 16h
Replying to @WilliamShatner
Your Twilight Zone episode was pretty iconic. Do you ever wish you did more horror/suspense stories? Also what were your favourite roles at the stratford Shakespeare festival?

The world is full of “IFs”... I don’t do cameos. The part has to be meaningful (even for ST) before I’d consider it. So while it’s a possibility; I doubt they’d want me.
@OrsonJr
· 57m
@WilliamShatner Mr. Shatner, if the opportunity is available, would you be open to guest starring in any of the present Star Trek shows currently on TV, including the Lower Decks show..??

 

[NCC-73515]

"It’s called continuity and people are in charge of keeping everything right. Sometimes they goof" - Bill Shatner
That has some relevance here...

 

[Odo]

I've heard that Bill Shatner doesn't actually run that Twitter account from a couple of reliable people.

 

[Commishsleer]

How much is Shatner worth?
Did that all come from Boston Legal and TJ Hooker?
None from Star Trek. Not a cent after 1970? Not a cent last year?

Shatner likes to say Star Trek is just a job but when they have those 50th anniversary or other docos he sounds different. He says Star Trek was important. That his role was important.

 

[Khan 2.0]

None from Star Trek. Not a cent after 1970? Not a cent last year?

well he means he dosnt get any repeat/residual fees for TOS..(apparently thats just how it was with tv before the 70s)

however everything Trek related that came after will have been based on repeat fees, % points on the movies (as well as the millions paid up front) and some kind of deal regarding all the merchandise etc (i think that was one of Nimoys stipulations for returning as Spock for TMP - which will have obviously favoured Shatner as well)

 

[Harvey]

Shatner also had profit participation in the television series, which paid out handsomely in the 1980s, but the residuals stopped after the fifth rerun.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Shatner also had profit participation in the television series, which paid out handsomely in the 1980s, but the residuals stopped after the fifth rerun.

I think he and the Roddenberrys had to sue for their payments, owing to creative accounting and delays by Paramount.

And I would still say it was T.J. Hooker and the Star Trek movies that finally made Shatner rich, never TOS.

 

[Harvey]

I think he and the Roddenberrys had to sue for their payments, owing to creative accounting and delays by Paramount.

And I would still say it was T.J. Hooker and the Star Trek movies that finally made Shatner rich, never TOS.

My recollection is that the threat of a lawsuit was enough to settle the matter in the 80s, but I could be wrong. There was definitely a case of Hollywood accounting going on there.

 

[Push The Button]

I think he and the Roddenberrys had to sue for their payments, owing to creative accounting and delays by Paramount.

And I would still say it was T.J. Hooker and the Star Trek movies that finally made Shatner rich, never TOS.

True, but his work on TOS is obviously what led to T.J. Hooker and the Trek movies. Take away the fame and exposure that he gained there, and he may have just been another struggling actor playing bit parts for the next thirty years.

I still think Shatner is an underrated actor, even now, but I don’t judge him for T.J. Hooker or any of the garbage that he did in the 70s, the man had to earn a living.

 

[Mister Spock]

I've heard that Bill Shatner doesn't actually run that Twitter account from a couple of reliable people.

I assume its someone tweeting on his behalf, a family member or whatever, who knows Bill well enough to know what he'd say. Or at least someone who tells him what folk are saying.

I didn't really think a 90 year old man who prefers to spend his time riding horses would be really interested typing things out on a phone to anonymous strangers.

 

[NCC-73515]

Person hired for tweets: Hey Bill! Someone posted another obscure canon question!
Bill, riding a horse: Just post that I don't watch the shows!

 

[ZapBrannigan]

Person hired for tweets: Hey Bill! Someone posted another obscure canon question!
Bill, riding a horse: Just post that I don't watch the shows!

It's an old question: if someone posts online about Star Trek canon, would it be noticed by a man riding by on a horse?

 

[1001001]

And I would still say it was T.J. Hooker and the Star Trek movies that finally made Shatner rich, never TOS.

I'm sure his singing career brought in mad stacks as well.

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[XCV330]

I've heard that Bill Shatner doesn't actually run that Twitter account from a couple of reliable people.

I think he does when he wants to. The myth that he doesn't know how to use his computer is pretty silly though. He's even trolled reddit a couple of times.

 

[ZapBrannigan]

The myth that he doesn't know how to use his computer is pretty silly though.

Hasn't Shatner crashed several computers through the clever use of illogic? They're no match for him!

 

[Maurice]

Hasn't Shatner crashed several computers through the clever use of illogic? They're no match for him!

Kirk, not Shatner. The writers crashed the computers, Shatner said the lines, and Jimm Rugg blowed them up on set.

 

[johnnybear]

Shatner lost all his accumulated wealth from the series to his wife in the late sixties/early seventies and had to live in a caravan for a while! There's a message there somewhere.
JB

 

[Commishsleer]

Shatner's Twitter says "Star Trek" did not make him a rich man.
Maybe he made $600 million from Priceline.
And I agree a 3 season series + some early conventions appearances would not have made you enough to live on for the rest of your life.
But I'm saying Star Trek includes the movies, books, merchandising, TAS and his appearances at conventions. If he sees 1000 people at a convention and gets $100 that $100 000. Maybe thats not how it works???.
Maybe he thinks there there because of Boston Legal or TJ Hooker but I've seen him at some and not one TJ Hooker question or Boston Legal was ever asked.
Saying that I think that Shatner has the courage of his convictions and doesn't show up to Star Trek events unless they make him (lots of) money. And you know hes nearly 90 so he can damn well go where he wants.
But Shatner is contemptuous of Star Trek fans of his former cast members. And even though I would see him at a convention I take that into account.

Shatner lost all his accumulated wealth from the series to his wife in the late sixties/early seventies and had to live in a caravan for a while! There's a message there somewhere.
JB

I'm sure he spent all his money on supporting his ex wife and none on fast cars and loose women.

 

[Qonundrum]

I'm sure his singing career brought in mad stacks as well.

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That just reminded me, I need to get "Kingdom of the Spiders" when the 4K release comes out. Until then, Blu-Ray will do. Even then, those comparison video channels have revealed some 4K transfers manage to look worse next to Blu-Ray despite the crispier visuals because they mucked up the color timing (aka "color grading") or other things. It all goes back to "the megapixel myth".

 

[ZapBrannigan]

I'm sure he spent all his money on supporting his ex wife and none on fast cars and loose women.

The real reason Bill was broke and living in the back of his truck circa 1970 is this: his divorce was finalized shortly before Star Trek was canceled. The court-ordered alimony was based on his Star Trek salary, which promptly stopped coming in. But by law, he had to keep paying his ex-wife that high alimony in full, no matter what. That's what wiped him out.