Thoughts on Shatner - Page 4

TREK_GOD_1 · December 5 2012, 06:43 AM

He can be low key when he desires; in the 1970's, he hosted a PBS show called American Enterprise (get it?

), which I believe was illustrating American industrial/technical innovation in the present (and he would announce he was portraying a character relevant to the subject), with references/dramas about the same in the nation's early years. He was to the point, but could be dramatic when required whether on camera, or narrating scenes talking about the early America's struggles.

Several months ago, someone on YouTube uploaded a couple of abridged episodes, but I wish the entire series was available somewhere. In my opinion, it was one of his best efforts in the lean years between TOS and TMP.

BoredShipCapt'n · December 5 2012, 03:35 PM

JimZipCode wrote:

Melakon wrote:

A pre-Trek Bill takes off his shirt in the failed "Alexander the Great" pilot.

Wow. That is a remarkable clip.

Terrible, terrible staging of the action. The pouring water masks some of the dialogue, and the steam completely obscures the great Joseph Cotten as he spearks. It's unprofessional. Shatner's forced laughter and "impetuousness" are grating.

And yet, and yet. There is something there. The interaction between Shatner & Cotten is compelling (even if you can't see it). Despite its drawbacks, the water & steam give the actors some interesting stuff to do. Shatner's gusto when the girl pours the water is eye-opening.

Warts and all, they had some raw material that they could have built a series on. Seems like it needed just a bit more work. Maybe they should have done a second pilot. ;-)

As I suggested earlier in this thread, pairing him up with Adam West was probably a misstep...

AtoZ · December 5 2012, 04:51 PM

It has been my experience time and again that the vast majority of people lip only what they hear and judge not for themselves, or know not for themselves. What is "bad" acting on Shatner's part? What is good acting on Shatner's part? Do they understand the context of a given era or period and have they seen Shatner play an array of roles?

Is Shatner the same character role after role, like Will Smith so often seems to be?

Is he wooden and stiff, devoid of energy, or can he breath life into a role; add color and dimension?

I grant that Shatner can be very animated, not just in his actions, but with his facial gestures and voice inflection, but I believe the vast majority doesn't know or has taken the time to do any research beyond their programming. Shatner is great at projecting character and energy; life into a character. He's an entertainer.

There are parrots all around us, and they grasp not why Shats was paid the big bucks, why he has endured over decades and to a great extent, why TOS was the enduring success that it has been.

Good and bad acting is much like human sexuality and attraction, very subjective.

Mr. Laser Beam · December 5 2012, 06:34 PM

"We'd better get to the tower, Lieutenant."

"We have no tower, sir."

"...No tower?"

"Just a bridge, sir."

"WHY THE HELL AREN'T I NOTIFIED ABOUT THESE THINGS?!?!?"

Mr_Homn · December 6 2012, 02:11 AM

Mr. Laser Beam wrote:

"We'd better get to the tower, Lieutenant."

"We have no tower, sir."

"...No tower?"

"Just a bridge, sir."

"WHY THE HELL AREN'T I NOTIFIED ABOUT THESE THINGS?!?!?"

He was so great in Airplane II.

December 5 2012, 06:43 AM	#46
TREK_GOD_1 Captain Location: Delta Vega	Re: Thoughts on Shatner He can be low key when he desires; in the 1970's, he hosted a PBS show called American Enterprise (get it? ), which I believe was illustrating American industrial/technical innovation in the present (and he would announce he was portraying a character relevant to the subject), with references/dramas about the same in the nation's early years. He was to the point, but could be dramatic when required whether on camera, or narrating scenes talking about the early America's struggles. Several months ago, someone on YouTube uploaded a couple of abridged episodes, but I wish the entire series was available somewhere. In my opinion, it was one of his best efforts in the lean years between TOS and TMP. __________________ "...to be like God, you have the power to make the world anything you want it to be."

December 5 2012, 04:51 PM	#48
AtoZ Lieutenant Commander	Re: Thoughts on Shatner It has been my experience time and again that the vast majority of people lip only what they hear and judge not for themselves, or know not for themselves. What is "bad" acting on Shatner's part? What is good acting on Shatner's part? Do they understand the context of a given era or period and have they seen Shatner play an array of roles? Is Shatner the same character role after role, like Will Smith so often seems to be? Is he wooden and stiff, devoid of energy, or can he breath life into a role; add color and dimension? I grant that Shatner can be very animated, not just in his actions, but with his facial gestures and voice inflection, but I believe the vast majority doesn't know or has taken the time to do any research beyond their programming. Shatner is great at projecting character and energy; life into a character. He's an entertainer. There are parrots all around us, and they grasp not why Shats was paid the big bucks, why he has endured over decades and to a great extent, why TOS was the enduring success that it has been. Good and bad acting is much like human sexuality and attraction, very subjective.

December 5 2012, 06:34 PM	#49
Mr. Laser Beam Fleet Admiral Location: The visitor's bullpen	Re: Thoughts on Shatner "We'd better get to the tower, Lieutenant." "We have no tower, sir." "...No tower?" "Just a bridge, sir." "WHY THE HELL AREN'T I NOTIFIED ABOUT THESE THINGS?!?!?" __________________ It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion. It is by the beans of Java that thoughts acquire speed, the hands acquire shakes, the shakes become a warning. It is by caffeine alone I set my mind in motion.

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