When you’re 93, your perspective in life is at another stage. Everything you’ve done comes running back to you. For William Shatner, it must be a mixed bag, having seen both the highs and lows the Industry has to offer.
Having made his mark with his role of Captain Kirk in the OG Star Trek series and movies, Shatner was acting royalty back in the end. And he still is, with a legacy like no other. But there are moments which he must have undoubtedly regretted, including lashing out at a sound engineer once.
William Shatner was the man in the 70s-80s
To the 70s-80s kids, William Shatner was the man. Even if Star Trek might have lost some of its shine in today’s age. But at that time, it was one of the most epic sci-fi franchises. And the T.J. Hooker star was the man who steered the ship.
With Captain Kirk at the helm, the starship rose to new heights, cementing its place in fans’ hearts. Not to forget, the acclaim the first season got, receiving an average rating of 92% on Rotten Tomatoes. The movies, barring Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek: The Final Frontier, roped in great ratings, apart from bringing commercial success as well.
Shatner was at the center of it all, along with Leonard Nimoy (who played the role of Spock), DeForest Kelley (Dr. McCoy), James Doohan (Montgomery Scott), and Nichelle Nichols (Nyota Uhura). He would also turn director for Star Trek: The Final Frontier.
While Star Trek might have been the peak of the Boston Legal star’s career, he wouldn’t bid adieu with the project. Over the next years, he would be heavily involved in comedies and reality shows. Not to forget some commercials. And it was while recording one such commercial that he had one of his worst moments.
William Shatner lost his cool with a sound engineer
Following his Star Trek days, William Shatner would forever be associated with science fiction. That was what got him the opportunity to record narration for a radio commercial. The Twilight Zone star was supposed to invite the listener to the next generation.
Sadly, it didn’t go as smoothly as he would want it to. Or rather, as smoothly as the sound engineer would want it to. After their initial run at it, the sound engineer was quick to chime in and add the importance of infusing some ‘excitement’ into his rendition. Little did he know what was going to follow.
Shatner obliged the engineer, going ahead with another take, one infused with more ‘excitement’ than the latter would have hoped for. The tone was equal parts sarcastic and overly saccharine. That was only the start of an unbelievably uncomfortable encounter.
The sound engineer urged him to give it another try, a request which proved to be the last straw. Shatner would ask him to read the line, to clarify what he really expected of Shatner. Having realized that he had messed up big time, he tried to avoid the episode. Yet the inevitable followed.
The engineer obliged Shatner’s request, earning the latter’s criticism. And then there was no turning back. The Rescue 911 star was having fun toying with his prey. Requests were made. But none of it would have any effect on the veteran.
Needless to say that it was an experience that the sound engineer would never forget.
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