Set phasers to stun
by chuckofish
Yesterday William Shatner turned 86, but according to the NYTimes, James Tiberius Kirk won’t be born for another 216 years. Fun fact: there is an actual plaque in the town in Iowa where, according to Star Trek trivia experts, he will be born.
Well, well.
The OM and I were recently watching some old Star Trek episodes from the first season of the original show. I was struck by several things.
1.William Shatner was really quelle handsome and very appealing. He was, indeed, dreamy…and smart! Basically he is the whole show.
2. Everything else is terrible–from the cardboard sets to the sexist costumes to the ridiculous hairdos. Everyone else’s acting is terrible and the writing is (mostly) preposterous.
3. However, the show is engaging and fun to watch.
This is not logical. I have to conclude that the success of the show is entirely due to William Shatner.
So here’s to giving credit where credit is due. Hats off and happy (belated) birthday to William Shatner! May you live long and prosper.
dual personalities 
Oh my, yes, WS was always one of your favorites — remember TJ Hooker?
Well, my point was, we always kind of laughed at him and in TJ Hooker he was a mere parody of himself. But in re-watching Star Trek I could really see what the appeal was back in the 60s. I was a child at the time and didn’t really get it.
Yes, I understand — I remember seeing him in The Brothers Karamazov and being impressed by how cute he was. And I’ve always appreciated how he doesn’t take himself too seriously the way so many other actors do.