Nimoy/Shatner..friends??

[AxelFoley]

I don't blame Bill Shatner for playing Kirk in Generations. It is not his fault that Kirk died. Blame producer Rick Berman. According to Bill Shatner, Berman told him they were going to kill Kirk with or without Bill Shatner's participation. So even if Shatner refused to play Kirk in Generations, Berman would have hired another actor to play Kirk and have Kirk die anyway.


Navigator NCC 2120 USS Entente
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I highly doubt they'd hire someone else to play Kirk, no way. They'd most likely just refer to him as dead or something in the film.

And, again, it's not the fact about Kirk dying (even though it was incredibly unnecessary), it's the WAY he died that was awfully executed.

 

[Navigator_NCC2120]

I don't blame Bill Shatner for playing Kirk in Generations. It is not his fault that Kirk died. Blame producer Rick Berman. According to Bill Shatner, Berman told him they were going to kill Kirk with or without Bill Shatner's participation. So even if Shatner refused to play Kirk in Generations, Berman would have hired another actor to play Kirk and have Kirk die anyway.


Navigator NCC 2120 USS Entente
/\

I highly doubt they'd hire someone else to play Kirk, no way. They'd most likely just refer to him as dead or something in the film.

And, again, it's not the fact about Kirk dying (even though it was incredibly unnecessary), it's the WAY he died that was awfully executed.

So then Kirstie Alley and Robin Curtis both did not play the character Lt. Saavik? Chirs Pine did not play James Kirk in Star Trek 11? Jeffrey Hunter and Bruce Greenwood did not both play the character Captain Pike? Do you really think the general movie going audience and TNG fans cared whether or not Kirk was played by Bill Shatner in Generations or not? I doubt that.

I was responding to member "Too Much Fun" comments, it sounds like that member was blaming Bill Shatner for the death of Kirk in Generations or that the death of Kirk would have been avoided if Bill Shatner had not played Kirk in that film.


Navigator NCC-2120 USS Entente
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[Gen_Chang]

They (Nimoy & Shatner) got along, but were not "best friends".
They tolerated each other then went their seperate ways, until "next time".

 

[Too Much Fun]

But then how do you explain that documentary where Nimoy and Shatner are hosting together, and Nimoy legitimately surprises Shatner onscreen by declaring to him, "you're my best friend"? He could have just been putting on a show for the camera, but by all accounts it sounds like he genuinely meant that.

And Navigator, I get your point. I always figured Shatner took the part out of vanity because he was so concerned about how his character was handled and got off on the idea of him being given a heroic role (even if it was through the character being killed off), but I can see a lot of plausibility in these arguments that maybe it was more of a career move. It doesn't seem like his career was in the best shape in 1994, so there may be more to his willingness to participate in that movie than ego blinding him to the lousiness of the script.

 

[AxelFoley]

So then Kirstie Alley and Robin Curtis both did not play the character Lt. Saavik? Chirs Pine did not play James Kirk in Star Trek 11? Jeffrey Hunter and Bruce Greenwood did not both play the character Captain Pike?

Oh my God, you're actually comparing those characters to William Shatner's James T. fucking Kirk? And to add Chris Pine playing Kirk in this reboot into the argument, wow.

Do you really think the general movie going audience and TNG fans cared whether or not Kirk was played by Bill Shatner in Generations or not?

Yes.

 

[ClayinCA]

I was going to respond to what Navigator_NCC2120 said, but AxelFoley did a way better job, so I'll content myself with: "What he said."

Oh, and:

They (Nimoy & Shatner) got along, but were not "best friends".
They tolerated each other then went their seperate ways, until "next time".

You don't know what you're talking about.

 

[AxelFoley]

But then how do you explain that documentary where Nimoy and Shatner are hosting together, and Nimoy legitimately surprises Shatner onscreen by declaring to him, "you're my best friend"? He could have just been putting on a show for the camera, but by all accounts it sounds like he genuinely meant that.

There's no show for the camera, it is well known that these two guys are the best of friends.

 

[ria 75]

Cool avatar, Too Much Fun. I didn't remember she was in bright red. I liked that scene. The whole Tribbles and Tribulations episode, really.

There's a gorgeous moment towards the end of the Mind Meld DVD where Nimoy and Shatner are looking over some of Nimoy's memorabilia, and completely out of the blue, Nimoy turns to Shatner and says, very simply, "You're my best friend." Shatner is so clearly overcome by it that he doesn't know what to say, but it's absolutely wonderful, and absolutely evident that he's touched by and reciprocates the sentiment.

Not to deny this beautiful friendship but... ever heard of observer effect?
They were being filmed. Not to mention they're both actors.
And didn't they get royalties for displaying friendship in that particular instance?
It may be a mix of true friendship and convenience.
And maybe they needed to be walking down memory lane to be sentimental like that.
On an everyday basis, they're probably more friends in esteem than in actual comradeship.

 

[AxelFoley]

Wow.

 

[ria 75]

Yeah, yeah. I may not have read the whole thread before posting (I thought the discussion would have taken slightly different directions since the post I quoted) but now that I looked more closely at page 3 I'm glad I hadn't read all of those posts.

And I really don't care how Nimoy and Shatner actually really truly feel about each other. It isn't for us to determine.
I was making a display of logic that stands on its own. I don't have any reference because I don't waste my time reading articles about actors or watching behind-the-scenes DVDs.

 

[Therin of Andor]

completely out of the blue, Nimoy turns to Shatner and says, very simply, "You're my best friend." Shatner is so clearly overcome by it that he doesn't know what to say, but it's absolutely wonderful, and absolutely evident that he's touched by and reciprocates the sentiment.

Because Shatner thought he'd used up all his friends at that point.

 

[Too Much Fun]

Cool avatar, Too Much Fun. I didn't remember she was in bright red. I liked that scene. The whole Tribbles and Tribulations episode, really.

Thanks so much for the compliment. I'm glad somebody finally took such notice of the avatar...it took me forever to figure out how to make an animated one! I thought it was so brilliant how the people behind that episode convincingly made it look like she had eye contact with Kirk. Apparently it took many, many takes to get the timing just right.

 

[Iowagirl]

Shatner and Nimoy both have stated several times that they consider each other best friends, if not brothers. There wouldn't be any reason for them to do that, unless it was...the truth.

That being said, I think it's not really that important whether and to what extent they have a bromance in life - they did have a unique chemistry on screen, which provided for their characters and the friendship between Kirk and Spock being unparalleled and becoming timeless and iconic!

 

[ria 75]

And I am ready to believe anyone who knows best. AxelFoley, I was just messing with the posters who feel like you and need very strongly to claim this friendship... and take the bait. Oops. I didn't realize I was baiting.
I think this topic isn't to be taken too seriously. I have a slight problem with fans discussing private lives of celebs. Not that this friendship is a secret. All I'm saying is that as real as it is, it is also sometimes convenient for them to advertise it.
And I am not interested in going deeper into the subject.

 

[Kirk1980]

Ria... well, whatever you choose to believe if it makes you feel better. Same to those who've heard the many things these guys have said and done for each other over the years.

I doubt I'd have a 'friend of convenience' be my best man, publicity or not.

 

[AxelFoley]

And I am ready to believe anyone who knows best. AxelFoley, I was just messing with the posters who feel like you and need very strongly to claim this friendship... and take the bait. Oops. I didn't realize I was baiting.
I think this topic isn't to be taken too seriously. I have a slight problem with fans discussing private lives of celebs. Not that this friendship is a secret. All I'm saying is that as real as it is, it is also sometimes convenient for them to advertise it.
And I am not interested in going deeper into the subject.

Sure you were

 

[CoveTom]

You know what I find somewhat interesting about all of this?

All the other Trek actors gush about Nimoy. Have nothing but nice things to say about him. One of the greatest guys in the universe. They all like him.

Nimoy is best friends with Shatner. Obviously finds him to be a good, decent guy.

But yet none of the people who live Nimoy can get along with Shatner.

Just seems interesting.

 

[Kirk1980]

Well, De Kelley and Shatner got along by all accounts.

I often wonder how much of Shatner's alienation from the rest of the cast can be attributed to the approach I noticed he took to the role (through reading all his various accounts of his Trek years). He really did seem to take his role as the Captain seriously.

So much so that he seemed to isolate himself from everyone except for his 'first officer' and 'chief medical officer'.

Part ego, part...huge dedication to the part?

 

[ria 75]

And I am ready to believe anyone who knows best. AxelFoley, I was just messing with the posters who feel like you and need very strongly to claim this friendship... and take the bait. Oops. I didn't realize I was baiting.
I think this topic isn't to be taken too seriously. I have a slight problem with fans discussing private lives of celebs. Not that this friendship is a secret. All I'm saying is that as real as it is, it is also sometimes convenient for them to advertise it.
And I am not interested in going deeper into the subject.

Sure you were

For a minute.
This is typical of board finger-pointing: "Yes you are my foe, whatever you protest!" Because "we" can't live without having arguments.

Ria... well, whatever you choose to believe if it makes you feel better. Same to those who've heard the many things these guys have said and done for each other over the years.

I doubt I'd have a 'friend of convenience' be my best man, publicity or not.

Did I say I had an acual "belief" about this?
I'm learning more about Shatner and Nimoy in this thread than I ever knew before.
And I didn't say "friend of convenience", but "convenient to be friends". If you can't see the difference, I'm out of here.

Why doesn't anybody believe me when I say "not to deny" or "I am ready to believe"? I mean it. The rest is rethorics. This is not a catchup. It's true.
But I regognize what's happening: when we feel strongly about something, we see opponents in every hint of disagreement.

Anyway, where would this thread go without someone to oppose?
I'm glad to oblige since I don't really feel strongly about it.

 

[VulKhan]

Here's the aforementioned clip from Mind Meld: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk7UD18zB1M

I think I have something in my eye...

No matter how many times I watch that clip I always tear up. Beautiful.

OHMIGOSH.
*just watched it for the first time*

Oh me too!!
That was so beautiful to watch, thank you so much for posting that vid! I need to see the whole DVD by chance.
What a touching moment!

I believe they really are very good friends.