For William Shatner, Early 'Star Trek' Was Far From Glamorous

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he started to notice people paying attention to "Star Trek" while at a ski lodge where a blooper reel from the show — originally made as a personal gift to cast members — was playing.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."

Last week I watched a Shatner movie called “White Comanche” in which he ends up playing twin half-breed brothers. The good brother ends up killing the bad brother.

Image result for star trek evil kirk

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The Enemy Within (Star Trek: The Original Series)

On stardate 1672.1, the Federation starship USS Enterprise is on a geological exploration of the planet Alpha 177. Geological Technician Fisher is injured after a fall and transported aboard the Enterprise, though Chief Engineer Scott has some trouble with the transporter. The transporter equipment appears to be fine, but he notices some magnetic dust from ore samples covering Fisher’s uniform that may have interfered with the transport, and the uniform is decontaminated.

Later, Captain Kirk transports back to the ship. The transporter apparently works correctly, but Kirk experiences some disorientation, and Scott escorts Kirk out of the transporter room.

They are unaware when the transporter activates a second time, materializing a second version of Kirk which behaves more maliciously than his counterpart. This “evil” Kirk begins to wander the ship, and those he encounters are confused by his behavior but assume he is the real captain.

Scott assists in beaming a dog-like animal specimen from the planet, but he and the others are surprised when two identical creatures materialize - one completely docile and the other vicious.

Scott surmises that the ore dust has caused the transporter to split the personalities of those they beamed up, creating a good and evil counterpair. Scott reports this to Mr Spock and then orders the transporters taken out of service to investigate, stranding the landing party on the planet as the bitterly cold night sets in.

Elsewhere on the ship, the “good” Kirk begins to feel uncertain, and is unable to make decisions that could affect the safety of the ship and crew. Meanwhile, the “evil” Kirk, in a drunken state, attempts to assault Yeoman Janice Rand in her quarters, but she manages to scratch his face with her fingernails. When she tries to escape and gain help from Fisher, the “evil” Kirk attacks and knocks him out. Rand is able to report the incident to the bridge, and the “good” Kirk, with Spock’s help, orders security to try to capture the “evil” Kirk, recognizable due to the scratches on his cheek, but not to harm him.

The “evil” Kirk hears this announcement and finds makeup to mask his injury, while securing a phaser from another security officer, before going into hiding in Engineering. The “good” Kirk considers what his evil self would do, and correctly locates the other Kirk. Though there is a brief scuffle, Spock is able to disable the “evil” Kirk with a Vulcan nerve pinch. Spock recognizes both Kirks are suffering fatigue, and they must find a way to reverse the transporter accident, not only to save Kirk but also the landing party stranded on the planet.

Spock and Scott attempt to use power from the ship’s impulse drive to reverse the transporter on the dog-like specimen, and while the two beings are rejoined as one, the creature dies from the stress. The two continue to work on making sure Kirk will not suffer the same fate.

In Sickbay, where both Kirks wait, the “evil” Kirk appeals to the “good” Kirk’s compassion, to release his bonds, allowing him to overpower his other self and escape to the bridge. There, he orders the crew to leave orbit, telling the navigator that the landing party cannot be saved. The “good” Kirk and McCoy race to the bridge (before the “evil” Kirk’s order is carried out), where the two Kirks face off. The “evil” Kirk falters from weakness and the “good” Kirk uses the opportunity to rush him to the transporter room and orders Scott to attempt the reversal process again despite not having tested their improvements fully. Distressed, the “evil” Kirk begs for mercy, claiming he only wants to live, to which the “good” Kirk reassuringly replies they will both live on as parts of each other.

The process is completed successfully, with Kirk rejoined as one being. With his sense of command and good will restored, Kirk quickly orders the landing party beamed up, where they are found to be safe despite the cold. Kirk gives Spock his thanks - “from both of us”.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Enemy_Within_(Star_Trek:_The_Original_Series)

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