In a new interview, William Shatner reminisced about the cancelation of Star Trek: The Original Series in 1969. Created by Gene Roddenberry, the beloved series was canceled three years after its debut on September 8, 1966, exactly 55 years ago at the time of writing. But despite its short run, Star Trek has left an indelible mark on sci-fi television and film, sparking a small army of Trekkie spinoffs, both on the large and small screens.
The Original Series follows the adventures of the crew of the USS Starship Enterprise, who hurtle through space "to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before." William Shatner starred as the fearless yet fallible Captain Kirk, providing the blueprint for an assortment of actors who would go on to reprise the role within the franchise and in non-canon fan fiction. The Original Series was also notable for featuring one of the first multiracial casts on U.S. television. In addition to Shatner, the original cast featured Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols, and George Takei.
Speaking to USA Today, the erstwhile Enterprise captain reflected on the show’s immediate aftermath, calling the cancelation “a low point in [his] life.” Shatner recalled specifically the experience of watching the 1969 moon landing on TV one month after Star Trek was canceled. Check out his quote below:
“I had been to Cape Canaveral as Captain Kirk, with the red carpet treatment. I had signed something saying, "See you on the moon." When our Star Trek ratings went up, they appropriated more money for the space program. So I felt a part of this. And there was Neil Armstrong, walking on the moon. This incredible moment for humanity.
And I'm lying on a bed in an RV, looking through a window at the moon, watching this on a little four-inch black-and-white television set on my belly. I'm in a pasture on Long Island doing summer stock theater. I'm at a very low point watching this high point.”
For the now-90-year-old actor, the summer of ’69 felt like the nadir of his career. “It was the last chapter as far as I was concerned at that time,” Shatner said. He added, “But as life does, sometimes, what is down comes up." Shatner goes on to discuss the sense of hope he felt while filming Star Trek: The Motion Picture in 1979, with his and his cast mates’ spirits buoyed by the big movie budget. Having already returned as Kirk for Star Trek: The Animated Series in 1973, Shatner would go on to star as the iconic captain in six more Star Trek films.
Shatner’s remembrances fall on the second annual Star Trek Day. While last year’s affair was momentous for being the first of its kind, the second Star Trek Day falls on the 55th anniversary of The Original Series’ premiere. In celebration of the anniversary, Paramount+, the home for all things Star Trek, will host a streamed event airing live from the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles featuring in-person conversations, announcements, and surprises. There’s no word yet as to whether Shatner will be making one of the surprise appearances for Star Trek Day, but his recollections indicate that everyone in Star Trek’s orbit, whether it’s the mammoth fan base or the original captain, is feeling nostalgic for the impressive anniversary.
Source: USA Today