# Shatner Has Been. A new CD. Uh-Oh. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 25, 2004, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373 "2004-08-25T01:38:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Trigonal\_Planar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/0ea827/32.png) [@Trigonal\_Planar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trigonal_Planar)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/21 "2004-08-25T20:07:32Z")
His rendition of Pulp’s “Common People” (with support from Ben Folds Five) is actually quite well done. Different, but quite good nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/22 "2004-08-25T22:21:58Z")
> [@BMalion](#): > > Ah, but are you willing to [Stalk William Shatner](http://www.apeculture.com/shatner.htm) to prove your love? Or [join his cult?](http://www.shatnerology.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/aeb1de/32.png) [@Kel\_Varnsen\_Latex\_Division](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kel_Varnsen_Latex_Division)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/23 "2004-08-25T23:31:38Z")
This CD is must have. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/24 "2004-08-25T23:33:56Z")
**JR Delirious and Marley23** You seem to think that Shatner is parodying himself _purposely_ and laughing all the way to the bank. Well it might be making money for him, but personally, I think Bill’s ego is so huge that he doesn’t realize that people are laughing _at_ him and not _with_ him. ---
**Author:** ![tracer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tracer/32/20578_2.png) [@tracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tracer)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/25 "2004-08-25T23:51:47Z")
> [@Aesiron](#): > > I really need to see that movie.` Everyone should. It’s got a shot of naked titties in it. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2004, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/26 "2004-08-25T23:57:03Z")
Do I hear “[Chewed up and shat out](http://www.cluke.demon.co.uk/shatner.html),” anyone? ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/27 "2004-08-26T01:16:32Z")
> [@wolf\_meister](#): > > Well it might be making money for him, but personally, I think Bill’s ego is so huge that he doesn’t realize that people are laughing _at_ him and not _with_ him. No, I say it’s more like it’s so huge (and likewise his paycheck) that he doesn’t _care_. I do agree he should budget himself more prudently, otherwise he’ll devalue the very thing that makes him bankable… ---
**Author:** ![vivalostwages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d07c76/32.png) [@vivalostwages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vivalostwages)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/28 "2004-08-26T01:28:30Z")
Well, hell. Now I’m so intrigued I’ll have to go and download some of these tracks. Does anyone know if the Shatneroids (variation on Asteroids) game is still working? I couldn’t find a site where it was still operational, the last time I checked. You shoot at these little Shatner heads; it’s rather amusing. ---
**Author:** ![capacitor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e47774/32.png) [@capacitor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/capacitor)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/29 "2004-08-26T04:29:35Z")
Oh man! “Has Been” is great sh–! I bet Paul McCartney nd others will do covers of it. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/30 "2004-08-26T06:07:12Z")
**JRDelirious** Okay, I can accept that explanation too. We agree that it is due to an incredibly huge ego that has no comprehension of just how much Shatner the pubic is willing to accept and/or tolerate. For example, in the Fall, he’ll be appearing in the TV series “Boston Legal”. Go to the IMDB and read the Shatner page > **[William Shatner - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000638/)** > > William Shatner, Actor: Star Trek V: The Final Frontier. William Shatner has notched up an impressive 70-plus years in front of the camera, displaying heady comedic talent and being instantly recognizable to several generations of cult television... and you’ll see that this latest role is just a small portion of the Shatner oeuvre. Look at those writing, directing and acting credits for such entertainment epics as Star Trek I, Star Trek V, Tek War, etc. Yes, I could go on but I’ll let others have their chance to elucidate on the modern Renaissance Man that is Shatner™. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/31 "2004-08-26T07:05:51Z")
Oh dear lord… Amusing, especially “Has Been” and the track with Henry Rollins. But here’s how I see it. Either his an egomaniac and can’t see his ineptitude, or he’s got no dignity left. 😛 His better TV guest appearances aside, Shatner the Joke was funnier when he wasn’t trying to be in on it. ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/32 "2004-08-26T16:27:04Z")
My favorite quote from “Shat Out”: “Truly, a masterpiece. If you only ever hear one Shatner piece, and you may be wise to do so, make it this one. This thrills on so many levels - Shatner seems to have interpreted said ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ as a psychopathic entity, who is bent on degrading and debasing him. In the song, he rails wildly at the Tambourine Man, in turns pleading and decrying. I suspect this is not what Bob Dylan meant this song to be about, but it should have been.” I agree with a few posters above: Shatner the self-anointed renaissance man was much more entertaining, in an almost psychopathologically bizarre way, than the current iteration, which I find altogether inexplicable. I think, though I could easily be wrong, that he believes he is hoodwinking us. Only the most unreachable solopsist could be unawayre that Shatner Mark I was the spectacularly absurd specimine of pomposity we’ve come to love, despite its unmitigated horror. Yes, on some level, Shat must be aware. I posit that, deep down, this dissastisfies him; he feels misunderstood. He knows he’s a genius, but he wants to be liked; he can’t bring himself to sneer at our phillistine dismissals of his art. No, he’s taking a kinder, gentler approach. By coopting the joke, Shatner Mark II wishes disarm our sensibilites, insinuate his charm into our psyche, and lead us along to a deeper level of understanding of his Craft. If we must laugh at him to cross the Jordan, so be it. But this “Has Been”, you see, is all part of the Master Plan. We joke, yes, but Shat will have the last laugh. ---
**Author:** ![Sean\_Factotum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/50afbb/32.png) [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/33 "2004-08-26T16:51:49Z")
> [@Trigonal Planar](#): > > His rendition of Pulp’s “Common People” (with support from Ben Folds Five) is actually quite well done. Different, but quite good nonetheless. Actually, **TP** , Joe Jackson does the vocals with Shatner, not Ben Folds (post #9, above). But I didn’t know it was a Pulp song originally, so thanks for that info. ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2004, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/34 "2004-08-26T20:07:56Z")
Sheesh. Household icon after an obscure sci-fi series that lasted three seasons…eventually got to star in seven movies based on it…had another TV series in the meantime…released an album and actually managed to avoid getting killed…made a killing selling his [Priceline.com](http://Priceline.com) stock… _What the freak more does he want??_🙂 As for this new album, it seems…interesting, but definitely not enough for me to shell out actual money for it. ---
**Author:** ![International\_Playboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/48db29/32.png) [@International\_Playboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/International_Playboy)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/35 "2004-10-06T01:27:23Z")
Well I’m guilty. I called the local music store to see if they had “Has Been” (release date was today). They only had two copies so I had one reserved and picked it up after work. I must say, it’s no “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.” That’s a good thing. 🙂 I bought it for camp value but it’s actually pretty good. Much better than what I’ve heard of “Transformed Man.” It made me a bit melancholy though, it reminded me of a 45 RPM record I used to listen to as a kid that would kind of creep me out, “Space Dream.” It was spoken word with backround music in sort of the same delivery that Shatner gives on his CD. The narrator described a surreal world, “with one big purple eye that stared.” Now I’m going to have to dig the kiddie records out at my parents to see who did that record. ---
**Author:** ![unclviny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e274bd/32.png) [@unclviny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/unclviny)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 1:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/36 "2004-10-06T01:57:45Z")
I have been waiting for this disc to hit the shelves, it’s got some actual musicianins (FZ reference) on it including Adrian Belew (my favorite guitarist). Unclviny ---
**Author:** ![High\_Cheese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8797f3/32.png) [@High\_Cheese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/High_Cheese)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/37 "2004-10-06T02:28:31Z")
> [@vivalostwages](#): > > I confess that I have not downloaded any of these tracks yet, but I’m sure they’re all equally horrific: > > [www.shatnerhasbeen.com](http://www.shatnerhasbeen.com) > > TV, movies, “music,” conventions, books…This guy is unstoppable. Whew. At first I thought you were NOT kidding; and I was going to pit you so fast your head would spin. But then I calmed down, reasoned things out and logically concluded that you couldn’t possibly be not kidding. [Live long and prosper.](http://www.farpointstation.org/files/sounds/shatner/transformed_man/William_Shatner_-_Rocketman_(64kbps,mono).mp3) ---
**Author:** ![Loopydude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e56c9b/32.png) [@Loopydude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopydude)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/38 "2004-10-06T02:35:49Z")
Oh, good freakin’…oh my…GAAAH! That _Rocket Man_ “interpretation” is beyond kitsch; it crosses over into the rarified field of true, unmitigated artistic horror. Brain bleach, brain bleach, pixie dust. Ahhhhh… ---
**Author:** ![Nonsuch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nonsuch/32/2922_2.png) [@Nonsuch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nonsuch)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/39 "2004-10-06T02:40:21Z")
I’m digging the new record. “Common People” is good fun and “I Can’t Get Behind That” is, well … I haven’t laughed like that in months. ---
**Author:** ![Tuckerfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/eada6e/32.png) [@Tuckerfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tuckerfan)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2004, 2:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373/40 "2004-10-06T02:42:37Z")
> [@Loopydude](#): > > Oh, good freakin’…oh my…GAAAH! That _Rocket Man_ “interpretation” is beyond kitsch; it crosses over into the rarified field of true, unmitigated artistic horror. Brain bleach, brain bleach, pixie dust. > Ahhhhh… You should see the video for it. It has Bernie Taupin _praising_ Shatner’s rendition. Then there’s the _Family Guy_ spoofe of it that’s downright hysterical. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/shatner-has-been-a-new-cd-uh-oh/261373.md?page=3)