To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Long)

[EnriqueH]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

Yeah, I have to say that I read and enjoyed "To the Stars" and found his pre-Trek life interesting as well.

I read it back as a high school senior (so we're talking just over 20 years ago) and there are still parts of the book that haunt me from his U.S. concentration camp (is that the right word?) days.

I like Takei. He was very nice to me both times I met him. I was happy when he decided to come out if it made him a happier person.

I do think he takes the Shatner bashing too far (as did Jimmy Doohan) these days, but I also kinda get that it's schtick, or at least I hope so because I'd hate to think someone who can be so kind to his fans can harbor such bitterness in his life. If he really still has those demons, I hope he can overcome them. But clearly, he seems happier now than ever, or at least that's what he would have us believe.

 

[martok2112]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

Didn't read all the posts, but I'll chime in. If I echo anyone's prior posts, it is completely accidental and unintentional.

Yes, Shatner, Nimoy (and later Kelley) were the stars of the show. Of the two, Shatner and Nimoy had the most prosperous careers...I don't recall seeing Kelley having done much after TOS/TAS beyond being in the six OC Trek films and the pilot of Next Generation. Shatner did many documentary voice overs, hosted Rescue 911, has been in some other films and shows, and has written novels, even creating his own world with TekWar. Nimoy has gone on to direct a few films outside of Star Trek, and has done voice overs in a few animated movies that allow him to go beyond Spock.

That was the advantage of being a "star" back then. The "stars" got the big chances and big breaks.

The supporting cast were treated as such, both on and off the set, and in real life. For all intents and purposes, they were just character actors, and sadly, some of them were typecast.

Beyond acting in high profile fan films:

James Doohan and Nichelle Nichols probably got the shortest shrifts of all the prime supporting cast. He had a supporting role as Commander Carnavin in Jason of Star Command for the first season, before returning to the role of Scotty in the Trek films....beyond the Trek films, it seemed that all he ever got were roles that parodied Scotty. (National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 comes to mind). I think Nichols may have been in one or two B movies. in any case, it's understandable that Doohan likely resented his "second class" status as a result of playing under Shatner, Nimoy, and Kelley. Clearly, Shatner was the focus of his ire and frustration. Likely so the same with Nichols. (and by second class, I simply mean in the terms of acting hierarchy, so don't nobody start in with any "whatchoo mean: second class?!!". Lol)

Takei has done some voice roles....even in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Koenig went on to play Bester in Babylon 5, and I think has written a few novels.

Doohan and Nichols may well have felt that they had the careers they were dealt, so to speak...and yet Takei, Koenig seemed to have made what they could of their careers with a tad more drive and success.

 

[EnriqueH]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

so don't nobody start in with any "whatchoo mean: second class?!!". Lol)

Classy.

 

[plynch]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

I think Takei would be less known today if it not for his infamous ongoing "feud" with Shatner.

understatement

I like Bill Shatner because he's full of shit, and he has the good grace and self-deprecating humor to acknowledge it.

Me too.

Cucumbers: Is NN a gardener?

 

[The Master of Tarquin Hill]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

Cucumbers: Is NN a gardener?

yes

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

Here's David Gerrold's take on the Takei feud with Shatner:

... Who cares about your damn feud anyway? I don't. I don't think many Trekfans care either. For the record, I think all this tell-all bullshit by co-stars (on any show) is frankly embarrassing. Star Trek made all of you into stars. You should be grateful for the opportunities it created for all of you. I am. It gave me a jump start to my career, and as far as I'm concerned, all you guys are heroes. You were part of something very special -- something that changed the world and continues to change the world.

Read more here: https://www.facebook.com/david.gerrold/posts/10203417528931268

The irony is one could turn that same argument back at Gerrold and his need to bash Roddenberry and Mazlish.

A need that Gerrold takes to very childish levels, and mostly in his own fiction, the "Star Wolf" novels the most notable.

 

[martok2112]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

so don't nobody start in with any "whatchoo mean: second class?!!". Lol)

Classy.

 

[Amaris]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

Yeah, I have to say that I read and enjoyed "To the Stars" and found his pre-Trek life interesting as well.

I read it back as a high school senior (so we're talking just over 20 years ago) and there are still parts of the book that haunt me from his U.S. concentration camp (is that the right word?) days.

I like Takei. He was very nice to me both times I met him. I was happy when he decided to come out if it made him a happier person.

I do think he takes the Shatner bashing too far (as did Jimmy Doohan) these days, but I also kinda get that it's schtick, or at least I hope so because I'd hate to think someone who can be so kind to his fans can harbor such bitterness in his life. If he really still has those demons, I hope he can overcome them. But clearly, he seems happier now than ever, or at least that's what he would have us believe.

I enjoyed the doc To Be Takei, and I recommend you watch it if you get the chance. I know it's on Netflix right now. Anyway, he does mention Bill, but overall, he's more on the topic of his career, which seems to be going swimmingly. Plus, it's adorable to watch him get in a tiff with Brad. They really are an old married couple in every sense of the word.

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

Takei: Anything he did if Star Trek had been a failure probably would have centered the project need a Japanese guy. So a lot of WWII bit parts were all he had in his future if anything.

What?

--Sran

 

[tafkats]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

Hell hath no fury like a fan who feels an actor hasn't been sufficiently grateful for the privilege of appearing in his favorite franchise. (cf. the bitterness some people still have toward Denise Crosby and Terry Farrell...)

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

^And I don't understand the bitterness toward Farrell, in particular. Her contract ran for six seasons and was up in 1998. Although the rest of the cast renewed, she wasn't able to reach an agreement on a new deal and decided to pursue other opportunities.

IIRC, she asked that Jadzia not be killed off, so that she would have the opportunity to return if something else could be worked out, but Behr decided to do it anyway.

I can understand that people would be disappointed to see a well-liked character taken off the show, but it's not as though Farrell had any say in how it was done. People forget that Terry was herself a Star Trek fan when she was younger, and was probably just as devastated about leaving as they were about losing her.

--Sran

 

[Maurice]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

I just watched To Be Takei and it was pretty mediocre. It only scratches the surface of who he is. Even through there are glimpses at his better and lesser halves, they're just that. He does come across as petty about the whole Shatner thing, especially since the film fails to explore what the big deal is other than "he's not my friend".

 

[Timewalker]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

I watched it last night and found the material about WWII and his family to be quite interesting. As I said, he's allowed to talk about whatever he wants in his book and/or visual media - it's his life, after all, and Star Trek is only a part of it. I doubt this was meant to be any kind of in-depth autobiographical documentary. Isaac Asimov took three large books to tell his own autobiography, and I daresay there's probably a lot that didn't get told there, either. People write about what seems important to them. Obviously Takei's focus is on his interpersonal relationships with certain people, at least in this case.

 

[Sector 7]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

Yes, I had the misfortune to work with Shatner. Yes, he was rude, self-absorbed with his own importance and a very difficult person with which to work. Yes, I was happy to NOT work with him again.

And BTW we get it George....you're gay, move on and stop acting like such an idiot about it that it only reinforces people's stereotypes of gay people as flaming morons.

This is far more offensive than anything the minor character actors did in regards to Shatner. I'm not sure that your issues are with anyone but Takei.

enterprisecvn65, be careful... your bigotry is showing. As a gay man, I understand what George felt when Shatner treated him as he did. If you think all gay people are alike, then you do not know any gay people. We come in all colors, shapes, sizes and backgrounds. Those "flaming morons" are a small minority... a very vocal, yet very small minority of gay people.

I have been a US Navy Seal (at a time when it just wasn't safe to be gay), a police officer, a celebrity bodyguard and other things in my career. Unless I tell someone, they usually never know I am gay. For example: my best friend came out to me and was afraid for his safety when he did... because, he didn't know I was also gay. Our relationship lasted many wonderful years (in secret so we wouldn't lose our jobs and families). THIS is just one example of what it is like to be gay, especially when your livelihood, family relationships and more are at stake should you be found out.

It is only since my mother's death in July 2014 that I have decided it doesn't matter what others think... I am proud to be who I am. It should never have taken this long... yet it has, because of attitudes like yours, sir.

I watched it last night and found the material about WWII and his family to be quite interesting. As I said, he's allowed to talk about whatever he wants in his book and/or visual media - it's his life, after all, and Star Trek is only a part of it. I doubt this was meant to be any kind of in-depth autobiographical documentary. Isaac Asimov took three large books to tell his own autobiography, and I daresay there's probably a lot that didn't get told there, either. People write about what seems important to them. Obviously Takei's focus is on his interpersonal relationships with certain people, at least in this case.

Agreed. At this stage in George's life, he should finally be allowed to be himself. He and Brad are what any couple (gay or straight) should aspire to be.

 

[BeatleJWOL]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

BTW the book is complete crap. When you have Takei dressed in the movie uniform on the cover and it says "By Star Trek's Mr. Sulu" on it, the reader is probably expecting a book filled with a lot of Star Trek info. Nope the first 2/3rds is about all about his pre Trek life.....boring.

So two-thirds of an actor's autobiography is about... his own life, instead of a TV show that most fans already know most of what he'd have to say about it?

What unmitigated gall of George Takei to describe his own pre-Star Trek life! What effrontery, to not have 100% of his autobiography to be All About Star Trek!

I read To the Stars! and found the pre-Star Trek and non-Star Trek parts to be quite interesting. Takei had (and has) a life that doesn't include Star Trek, and I appreciate that he opted to share it with his fans.

Agreed. I've not read Takei's book, but I have read Nichelle Nichols' book and even if I never revisit it, Trek parts or not, it was worth reading and a book I'm happy to have in my collection. I'm sure I'll pick up Takei's book at some point too.

 

[eyeresist]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

After reading all the vitriol over the years, I've begun to think that the only decent human beings on this planet are me and DeForest Kelley.

 

[Lance]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

After reading all the vitriol over the years, I've begun to think that the only decent human beings on this planet are me and DeForest Kelley.

DeForest isn't "on" this planet anymore.

He is "in" the planet, however.

 

[Iamnotspock]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

After reading all the vitriol over the years, I've begun to think that the only decent human beings on this planet are me and DeForest Kelley.

I have a lot of time for Walter Koenig when it comes to this subject. In recent years he's had the good grace to say; "Enough now. Whatever problems we had with Bill Shatner in the '60s are irrelevant now because we didn't stand up to him then."

 

[Captain Clark Terrell]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

I have a lot of time for Walter Koenig when it comes to this subject. In recent years he's had the good grace to say; "Enough now. Whatever problems we had with Bill Shatner in the '60s are irrelevant now because we didn't stand up to him then."

Completely agree with Mr. Koenig on this. Shatner may be an ass, but he's also one of the biggest reasons why Star Trek was as successful as it was--and guaranteed his co-stars fame and fortune for the rest of their lives because of said success. If the non-Big 3 were unhappy with Shatner's treatment of them, they should have confronted him during TOS run. Whining about it after the fact makes them look petty and leaves me wondering who was really the problem on that set.

--Sran

 

[EnriqueH]

Re: To TOS cast and some ST fans: Shatner was a jerk. Get over it. (Lo

I'm glad they got their frustrations off their chest, but yeah, enough already.