Except for Counselor Troi...very easy on the eyes.
Posted on 09/16/2018 9:58:26 AM PDT by ETL
NEW YORK — The original "Star Trek" series is one of the most popular sci-fi series of all time. But for years, it was a flop that left William Shatner performing out of the back of his truck.
"Star Trek" broke countless boundaries, solidified science fiction in popular culture, and sparked a relationship with fans for 50 years and counting, and it remains one of the most beloved television shows in history. But it wasn't always this way.
On Sept. 5, Shatner, who played Capt. James T. Kirk in the series, joined the podcast "The James Altucher Show" on stage here at the comedy club StandUp NY to discuss his new book, "Live Long And …: What I Learned Along the Way" (Thomas Dunne Books, 2018). Space.com attended the event, where Shatner also discussed the show's difficult early years. Indeed, "Star Trek" wasn't an instant success.
"We were being canceled every year … They were canceling, and they weren't canceling," Shatner recalled during the podcast. "The third year, we limped along Friday nights." And, after the third season, the show was canceled.
In the months and years following the cancellation of "Star Trek," Shatner and the rest of the cast weren't given many offers, jobs or accolades. In fact, as Shatner explained during the taping, after the show was canceled, he toured around the East Coast in his truck, producing, directing and acting in his own performances, often with other known actors.
"I had a truck; I put a cab on the back of the truck, took my dog, and I drove across the country," Shatner said. "I toured these 13 weeks, lived in the back of the thing.
"I did star in 'Star Trek,' and I was living in the back of a truck," Shatner added, laughing. He performed funny, theatrical comedies and other acts that were popular at the time. Shatner recalled that he started to notice people paying attention to "Star Trek" while at a ski lodge where a blooper reel from the show — originally made as a personal gift to cast members — was playing.
As network executives continued to see interest from the public, Shatner said, "Star Trek" reruns began to play more often on television, and at more popular times. Obviously, the series eventually took off and became astronomically popular and internationally beloved.
Still, the actors whose faces and names will forever live in the sci-fi hall of fame struggled financially because they were not getting residuals from the series, Shatner said. Without delving too far into actor compensation and how unionization gave later actors more financial security, Shatner noted that "saying yes" helped him to survive and continues to help him thrive and lead an incredible life. As he put it, "Saying yes to the various things in your life is critically important."
Indeed, Shatner is no stranger to saying "yes." The face behind Capt. James T. Kirk has said "yes" to everything from writing, to music, to sending a message to NASA Voyager probes.
Deep Space Nine had a good moment.
Q challenges Ben Sisko to a boxing match. Sisko immediately knocks Q on his ass.
Q: You hit me! Picard never hit me!
Sisko: I’m not Picard.
The early seasons of Next Generation were kind of mushy, but I liked the later ones.
Except for Counselor Troi...very easy on the eyes.
Great story. That’s real now!
I regret to say I don't remember this routine. Could you please provide?
The second photo is totally fake. The first gorn is a female and the second is male. As though the dentition, cranial ridges, and fashion statement doesn’t give it away. Sheesh.
I didn't mention it because I figured everyone knew.
For those who live in SoCal, this is up off the 14 after the 5/14 split. The Flintstones movie was filmed here as have been many other TV Shows and movies. It is really awesome to see. When they were filming the Flintstones here, you could go to Vasquez Rocks and drive among the set houses, on the weekends.
Miss Pettyjohn,
For Later.
Star Trek TOS: “The Way to Eden.”
A bunch of space-hippies used the term “reach” to mean “understands us/our ways/our philosophy.”
“Grok” was used in the USA similarly back then.
He never understood why I always said Sisko was my favorite Captain. I was watching "In the Pale Moonlight" and Sisko was giving his closing monolog.
"So... I lied. I cheated. I bribed men to cover the crimes of other men. I am an accessory to murder. But the most damning thing of all... I think I can live with it. And if I had to do it all over again, I would. Garak was right about one thing, a guilty conscience is a small price to pay for the safety of the Alpha Quadrant. So I will learn to live with it. Because I can live with it. I can live with it... Computer, erase that entire personal log."
He said that he now understood why I liked Sisko. In a world that was full of lofty and sometimes rather silly ideals that got people killed he was able to be purely practical when necessary.
I forget which retrospective I heard this on but when Ted Cassidy (Lurch) [1932-79] was being cast for the original Star Trek, Gene Roddenberry had him help with a small salesman problem. A men's clothing salesman had been plaguing his office for an appointment for a really good deal. To end the irritation, Roddenberry had Cassidy sit on a low chair behind his desk and then 'invited' the pest in. Apparently when Cassidy stood to his full 6'9" height, the problem ended.
I just found a short lived but not bad series called Barbary Coast with Shatner and Doug McClure.
Campy yes but better than most of what’s on now despite Doug McClure. I’m making fun of Doug because Red Dwarf did a little.
Here is one episode for however long it lasts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfmbdgFgm0E
I liked Tasha Yar better.
>>For those who live in SoCal, this is up off the 14 after the 5/14 split.<<
They did a “Big Bang Theory” episode there where their car gets stolen.
It is also near the LA to Canada Freeway.
It took me a while to warm up to DS9. I finally did.
Garak by the way, was played by Andy Robinson, the detestable serial killer ‘Scorpio’ in Clint Eastwood’s ‘Dirty Harry’.
brought to you by desilu production. for those who don’t get the connection, that was desi arnaz and his wife, who got her start with the three stooges - Lucille ball.
The women were hot
That’s all that matters
And I like Shatner....
It was always chilly on the bridge obviously
Agreed
Those were the days, back when Haberdashers would commonly visit your office or home with a tailor and salesman.
It probably still happens in the states if you have enough money, but not for the middle to lower middle class.
I would even guess that there are more events of men being 6ft 9in and beyond today than back in the 50’s or 60’s.
Many of them want to be dressed as nice as anyone else.
The box set of Star Trek is Great!
Lots of behind the scenes stuff,
Specials and interviews.
It’s been Remastered and
it looks Great.
Live Long and...
the book may be in My future.
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