# William Shatner heads off to the final frontier (space, not death) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** star-trek-paramount\ **Created:** [October 4, 2021, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868 "2021-10-04T15:40:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/162 "2021-10-18T01:26:21Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > I’ve seen Shatner interviewed about the ‘feud’, and he claims he doesn’t even know what it’s about, and has nothing against Takei. He wouldn’t say anything at all disparaging about him even when provoked… Has he gotten along with the cast of other shows? He’s been on TJ Hooker, Boston Legal, and many others. He must be at least somewhat OK to work with as Hollywood tends to banish people who are impossible to deal with. I mean, jerks like Marlon Brando kept working, but that is pretty rare. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/163 "2021-10-18T02:19:52Z")
I thought y’all would find this interesting and worthwhile: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/qCFJktZnjjE/maxresdefault.jpg "Hear why William Shatner is ‘overwhelmed by sadness’ after space flight") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCFJktZnjjE) ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/164 "2021-10-18T04:31:28Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > Shatner has a big ego, and he has probably dominated screen time on his shows or gave supporting actors less attention than others would have. Shatner thinks that’s why Takei keeps lashing out. He tweeted: > [@](#): > > Don’t hate George. The only time he gets press is when he talks bad about me. He claims 50+ years ago I took away a camera angle that denied him 30 more seconds of prime time TV. > **[William Shatner hits back after George Takei called him a 'guinea pig' and...](https://www.businessinsider.com/blue-origin-william-shatner-hits-back-at-george-takei-2021-10)** > > William Shatner took to Twitter on Friday to respond to George Takei's comments about him and the Blue Origin spaceflight. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/165 "2021-10-18T04:44:50Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Hadn’t heard of the overview effect until Shatner’s comments. Shatner gets a taste of the Total Perspective Vortex. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/166 "2021-10-18T06:19:11Z")
Captain Sulu. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/167 "2021-10-18T07:03:53Z")
If you’re going to nitpick, then I should have said Admiral Kirk, too. ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/168 "2021-10-18T08:37:44Z")
He was demoted. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/169 "2021-10-18T14:40:08Z")
Shatner’s quick series stats. He guested on dozens of shows and did movies. I’m not really a fan. I do respect the work he’s done. He overcame a lot to play a leading man. He’s not tall, he needed a toupe before Star Trek and he often struggled with weight. None of that stopped him from having a remarkable career. I think his best acting is in Boston Legal. Boston Legal 101 episodes TJ Hooker 90 Star Trek 79 ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/170 "2021-10-18T16:01:06Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > None of that stopped him from having a remarkable career. He’s the One and Only. Nobody can do it like he can. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/171 "2021-10-18T16:42:04Z")
Takei attended Shatner’s Comedy Central Roast 15 years ago, and Shatner felt comfortable enough with Takei to rag on him about, um, certain traits. [See here](http://dailyedition.blogspot.com/2006/08/roast-of-william-shatner.html), and note Shatner’s comments to Takei third up from the bottom. I watched that show and was ROTF the whole time. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/172 "2021-10-18T17:25:52Z")
Takei finally got his chance for the perfect insult after Shatner rode onstage on one of his horses. (Warning, F-bomb. Age-restricted, requires sign-in.) [George Takei to William Shatner: Fuck You & the Horse (Extended) - YouTube](https://youtu.be/IO-GlOBh6rU) ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/173 "2021-10-18T17:36:40Z")
George seems so classy and intellectual. Has he clearly laid out why he hates Bill so much? Like, enough to go on about it when they have not made a movie together since Star Trek VI? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/174 "2021-10-18T17:37:49Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > …he needed a toupe before Star Trek and he often struggled with weight… That’s not his hair in the original Star Trek show? He’s had excellent fake hair for a really long time then. Has a photo ever been taken showing him bald at all? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2021, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/175 "2021-10-18T18:35:47Z")
I remember some Trek screenshots of Shatner thinning. There’s a website devoted to the subject, shatnerstoupee.blogspot Toupee or not, it doesn’t matter too me. I guess it mattered to Bill. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2021, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/176 "2021-10-19T12:45:30Z")
Watch the _ **TOS** _ episode “The Deadly Years.” While at times Kirk is heavily made up, it’s clear his balding was not a special effect In the book by Solow and Justman, Bob recounts an episode where Shatner complains about his velour tunics shrinking and revealing his tummy bulge. At the same time, it was apparent his toupe was receding where it met his forehead. Shatner, BTW, was reported to have protested mightily being made to look old in “The Deadly Years.” ---
**Author:** ![AK84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/85e7bf/32.png) [@AK84](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AK84)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2021, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/177 "2021-10-25T11:46:59Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I’m not really a fan. I do respect the work he’s done. He overcame a lot to play a leading man. He’s not tall, he needed a toupe before Star Trek and he often struggled with weight. That fact makes the decision to not have Sir Patrick wear his very very expensive wig on [ST TNG even funnier.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIjk0xLm8jc&ab_channel=FoundationINTERVIEWS) Or the fact they didn’t let Avery Brooks [stay bald during the first part of DS9](https://www.neatorama.com/2012/09/06/Facts-You-Might-Not-Know-about-iStar-Trek-Deep-Space-Ninei/) Or the regular restyling via wigs of Janeways’ hair, to frump up Kate Mulgrew. ([Early shoot with her real hair)](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/4ff44f9bc4aa4a0dd8ca3ab3/1367472909479-MATP6XV2CSZ2D5KXMM33/janeway-hair-au-naturel.jpg?content-type=image%2Fjpeg) ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2021, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/178 "2021-10-25T13:11:48Z")
I wonder if Stewart’s wig looked like the one he wore as Sejanus in _ **I, Claudius** _? [![](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekm9_sTW0AAuy9H.jpg) ](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ekm9_sTW0AAuy9H.jpg) Let’s not forget Walter Koenig’s Beatles/Monkees wig when Chekov was introduced: [![](https://i0.wp.com/factrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/22.Pavel-Chekov.jpg) ](https://i0.wp.com/factrepublic.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/22.Pavel-Chekov.jpg) Hell, _I_ wanted hair like that when I was in high school, but noooooooooo! 😠 ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2021, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/179 "2021-10-25T20:37:29Z")
> [@AK84](#): > > Or the fact they didn’t let Avery Brooks [stay bald during the first part of DS9](https://www.neatorama.com/2012/09/06/Facts-You-Might-Not-Know-about-iStar-Trek-Deep-Space-Ninei/) I forgot what he looked like in season 1. Honesty, he looks great and quite a bit younger with his regular hair and no goatee. He probably should have kept the look. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2021, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/180 "2021-10-25T20:55:23Z")
He was appearing in a _Spenser For Hire_ TV movie playing his character from the series, Hawk, so he needed to go back to that look. ---
**Author:** ![TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thegunismightierthanthepen/32/2981_2.png) [@TheGunIsMightierThanThePen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheGunIsMightierThanThePen)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2021, 2:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868/181 "2021-10-26T02:58:22Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > I wonder if Stewart’s wig looked like the one he wore as Sejanus in _ **I, Claudius** _ ? Nope, way more uncouth and unsightly. [![](https://i.imgur.com/YyGxSd7.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/YyGxSd7.jpg) > [@Mahaloth](#): > > I forgot what he looked like in season 1. Honesty, he looks great and quite a bit younger with his regular hair and no goatee. He probably should have kept the look. [![](https://i.imgur.com/nOblj5h.jpg) ](https://i.imgur.com/nOblj5h.jpg) I dunno, I’m personally particular to his more grizzled look from Season 4 onward, which just screams “I’m sick of all your shit and I’ve had enough!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/william-shatner-heads-off-to-the-final-frontier-space-not-death/951868.md?page=10)