It was a TV series, with perhaps 40ish minutes to tell a story. It made good sense to keep the series focused on a few individuals. Kelly, I think, understood that - or maybe he just figured it was a good paycheck.
The others - the complainers - are the ones who have nothing on their resume except Star Trek. And they complain they didn’t have bigger parts? Maybe that was because they weren’t up to CARRYING those roles.
Shatner has a big ego. He also has a pretty good work history. They used to say that if you could back it up, you weren’t boasting.
Shatner actually has a solid resume. He did a terrific twilight zone episode before Star Trek, I think it was the one with gremlins on the plane. After Star Trek, he did T.J Hooker for a few years. And how can you not like a show that had Heather Locklear on it, and the Beach Boys and Jerry Lee Lewis. Rescue 911, Priceline and now Denny Crane, have made the guy a ton of money. And if you’re and entertainer that’s the bottom line, making money.
I just checked, I thought ‘The Andersonville Trial’ came before Star Trek, but it was made in ‘70. Check that out. Shatner killed in that role. I’ve seen it once, but I’ve thought about it often. Back in the mid-80’s, I thought Ed Harris tookover as America’s greatest young intense actor. I don’t know, who fills that role today. Shatner did. Harris did. Doesn’t happen often. And Shatner’s developed into a hell of a funny man.