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From: WilliamShatner
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  • I found the entire skit, simply titled "Get a Life" :) (by "wickedcurve) So far, it hasn't been taken down..but now the powers that be might see this and remove it! So go find it before it's too late lol! It's not hilarious, but it's pretty funny!

  • MR. SHATNER I AM A HUGE FAN OF YOUR WORK STAR TREK, T.J. HOOKER AND ETC. MY BEST WISHES TO U SIR!

  • The skit is on Dailymotion.

  • SNL has been up and down for its entire run. The 70s were not the be all, end all of SNL; there were times when it was very good in the 80s and 90s, and it has been very good in the last 5 years. People need to differentiate nostalgia from actual measures of quality.

  • Shatner just explained why SNL HAS SUCKED for the past twenty years. No work ethic, no artistry, no discipline. No real goal, except "2getlaffs". They're coasting on the reps of the great ones of the past. Gilda Radner is rolling over in her grave For too long SNL has been a highly paid, poorly executed, dying dinosaur, which will blame it's long-in-coming demise on "changing times", "changing tastes", and other causes outside of its own mediocrity. A sad, unnecessary end for such a great show.

  • @galesayers Drugs.

  • @galesayers Hey! Go Bears!!

  • 17 people never got a life

  • I'm a Star Trek fan since the first series aired and I thought the Shatner get a life speech was the FUNNIEST thing I ever saw!

  • Great photo of an American Saddlebred horse on the wall.

  • I am not a star trek fan but I remember that sketch. 1986. Funny as hell! All the comedy shows have done parodies of ST. On HULU you can watch John Belushi play CK, On MadTV, Will Sasso plays CK in a spanish version. It goes to show how much of an impact the show has had on us. And it should be celebrated!

  • Star Trek stood for equality and the fact that all of us, humanoid of course, are created equal - that's the deal - The Vulcan pendant read "IDIC" - Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations - that reads as it states people - in 1966, Gene Roddenberry believed that we, as a human race, no matter what nationality, are as one....

  • u uploaded this video on my birthday

    (:

  • I thought William Shatner's "Get A Life" speech was the funniest thing I ever saw!

  • SHATNER was so right back then and he's STILL right!

  • THATS GREAT INSIGHT INTO SNL, ACTUALLY

  • Very interesting video. Thanks.

  • I just finished watching another Wm Shatner interview where he discusses his early work in the theater. At one point he was an understudy in a Shakespeare group, and once had to do a play without having practiced the part or having worked with the other actors. It went pretty well. So, doing this SNL show without preparation was not a new thing for him.

  • I remember seeing the skit back in 1986 when Shatner told the Trekkies to "get a life" and it was very funny........but I was hoping they got Leonard Nimoy to join the skit as well and say something like "Getting a life is simply not logical, Captain" -- would've been a HOOT !!

  • Too funny!

  • We love you so much Bill!!!

  • why did anyone take it as an insult is beyond me he was making a joke that's it

  • I watched his appearance on SNL in late 1986 when it was first on with some friends at their house. I had set my vcr earlier that day. We all git a kick out of it.

    I went to one Star Trek convention a month or two after. It was a Geek Fest ! I stood near Leonard Nimoy and it was amazing to see him in person from maybe ten feet away. Jane Wyatt came out right before him. It was something seeing your child hood heros in person. I bumped into mark Lenard in the middle of the room.He smiled .

  • Why isnt the actual skit on youtube?????

  • Yeah, why not? :-/

  • @imissda80s Copyright.

  • @imissda80s Yeah, that's a good question! I guess it would have to be put here by NBC and not Mr. Shatner. But still! I don't care who puts it up--I wanna see it again! I've not seen it since it was aired!

    C'mon! Someone put that skit on! hehehe

  • @imissda80s

    Because of Corporate Pricks like General Electric who until recently owned NBC. Maybe now things will change

  • @imissda80s If you haven't already found it, it's on Daily Motion.

  • @imissda80s SNL has a sissy fit if anyone posts even a clip of their precious programming.

  • @lsl70 I honestly don't know why; nobody really watches it anymore.

  • I wish I could see the whole "Get a Life" skit.

  • @JustPhilNY Someone put it up but made an editing job of it, which totally wrecked it.

  • shat now looks like john goodman

  • 90 minutes of pure awesome!

  • ^u^ I've been to NBC Studios in NYC where they've got the ENTIRE SNL set. IT IS FLIPPIN' JAWDROPPING HUGE.

  • how come this aint on sketch on youtube already? weird

  • Shatner on SNL was one of the best overall episodes of the entire series. You had the Ollie North intro, the Convention sketch and then Star Trek 5 when they own the revolving restuarant....Even the TJ Hooker sketch wasn't bad..

  • I saw this when it first aired - I was totally floored! As much as I loved this show and the commitment of the people involved. Shocked was the only word for it. I'm over it. But at the time, is was like a personal asault. Still love your work Bill! Thanks for all the fun you guys gave me!

  • Allow me to echo his sketch, get a life!

  • That was during SNL's true, second golden age. I also remember watching that and being shocked at first, then getting it and laughing so hard I nearly had a circulatory disorder in the head!

  • This was the single best episode ever on SNL......The monolog, the first skit, the second skit...great show..

  • @clebo99 Hi:) you are so right :)

    jd

  • lol that sounds frustrating

  • :p I never thought SNL was very funny anyway. Way too many dirty jokes and not enough genuinely funny stuff. I go check out the Almost Live from Seattle recordings for a good laugh.

  • He didn't really say that is was a terrible production process, just weird...LOL.... And coming from his background, that would be a really weird experience... well from any background it would be weird.... LOL...

  • Thanks for posting this and showing just how incompetent SNL has become. It isn't the actors; it's the producers that are incompetent.

  • I agree with martinjvp, I'm a huge Trekkie, and I found the skit funny.

  • Even as a Trekkie watching that skit, I thought it was funny. If you can't laugh at yourself then that's too restrictive to find laughter. Shatner's comments in this video - in my opinion - were strictly regarding the production process of SNL.

  • the new movie puts ST in the Batman and Superman Category...but it is only because of the Original. it was that good.

  • Probably the reason Saturday Night Live is so hit and miss, and get more miss every year. There are just a couple of funny things every year these days.

  • the sketch keeps getting flagged for copyrights. but when someone uploads it, watch it when you can.

  • That SNL skit was one of the best ever on that show! William has a great sense of humor.

  • Where can you see the actual SNL episode?

  • Yeah that was pretty raw of SNL. They procrastinated then threw that skit together, and a ton of trekkies took offence. they blamed bill for the "Get a life" to trek fans, when SNL did the writing.

    This is why i remain objective to snap judgements. Do you really know the whole side of every story?

  • It is kind of strange that Shatner never said this in his 1999 book titled Get A Life.

    To quote him, what he claimed was, "that now- infamous Saturday Night Live sketch was for me, at that time, equal parts comedy and catharsis." he continued with, I bought into the "Trekkie" stereotypes."

    So obviously this is Shatner trying to rewrite history once again.

    I would suggest you read the book, before falling for this version of revisionist history.

    Yes Shatner you were a dope as you said.

    doc

  • Just stick with the truth of what you did Shatner and let it be. Changing your story does nothing for your shaky credibility. After this video you owe the fans yet another apology. This time for lying.

    Don't worry Shatner, we will again forgive you. Just please tell the truth. It really isn't that hard to do.

    doc

    BTW the Comedy Central Roast of Shatner was pretty damn funny, although I don't think Takei's disdain was faked.

  • I did not know that. I'm a fan, sure, but i havent read all his books. couldnt get into the whole TEKWAR series. Especially cosidering that they cast B.J. MacKay (Truck driver with the monkey) as the hero character in the show. Greg Evigan would not have been my first pic as a hero character. I have read a few of Bill's Star Trek books, and they were really decent.

    but at anyway, thanks for the insight.

  • Thank you Mr. Shatner for posting this! This is truly fascinating.

  • The last-minute preparation for these sketches would explain why SNL has gone down the tubes over the years. Mad TV is much funnier these days. SNL skits are now very forgettable and lame.

  • And that explains why HUGH LAURIE'S guest shot was so very very very lame. I can't believe they didn't write something decent for him. He's a better comic actor than any of the current staff.

  • I think most of it has to do with the quality of comedians these days too. This generation of comics can't hold a candle to the Belushi's, Dana Carvey, Chevi Chase, Eddie Murphy, ect...  There's just no comparison.

  • Chevy Chase, medium talent

  • Even if that's the case these cats in the field today pale by comparison, so I guess that makes them no talent.

  • I was just repeating something Bill Murray had said during that huge fight he and Chevy had when Chase returned to host SNL in '78. I thought it was funny ... who calls somebody 'medium talent'?

    But I do agree with you about early day comedians, especially when it comes to SNL. There are a few good performers on right now, but many are just awkward and embarassing to watch. Too bad Poehler and Rudolph are gone. They were champions.

  • before you click on this video they show you the little mini pic of it. who does that guy look like?

  • That was really interesting.

  • TY Mr. Shatner for explaining your experience with SNL so well and so entertainingly. I hope you know your fans, and media historians in general, consider these kinds of personal accounts as 'little treasures' and it's a real treat to hear you describe your SNL appearance. TY again!

  • The only good skit from SNL. I laughed my ASS off at this.

  • I tell you what makes me laugh.....people telling Trekkies to "get a life". The image is of a nerd with no social life or friends, yet they congregate in clubs and conventions and enjoy themselves with like-minded people. They also do an enormous amount of charity work - in keeping with the ideals of the shows....i.e. bettering society/mankind.

    Anyone who has seen the two 'Trekkies' documentary DVD's will know they have social lives, friends and enjoy themselves enormously. Is that not living?

  • migely, are you a Shatnerology Shapostle ?

  • "Trekkies do a lot of living and socializing. When they aren't masterbating like banshees. "

    And what group of males does this not apply to?

  • I saw that documentary and Shatner was STILL right. Get a Real LIfe man....don't enclose your entire body in mobile box, don't go to a Star Trek themed Dentist, or wear your uniform to work...again, get a life.

  • @3dartistguy

    Bullshit...fan communities have wider social circles than most people. They have many like-minded friends, frequently gather sociably and often find life partners who enjoy the same things as passionately as one and other. To be frank, if you're foolish enough to be sold a media generated image of a certain stereotype, that's your issue. The people you elude to from the Trekkies documentary are NOT the norm, they are extreme examples. Still, I bet they have more friends than you.

  • BULLSHIT, YOURSELF.I HAVE PLENTY OF FRIENDS, AND MY LIFE DOESN'T REVOLVE AROUND A MERE TV SHOW, AND THATS ALL STAR TREK IS, A TV SHOW, A TV SHOW, SHATNER WAS RIGHT. I have served in the REAL MILITARY.Trekkies deserve their reputation of being extreme weridos who revolve their lives around a tv series, like Shatner said, get a life, its a tv show, he was right, in more ways than one.

  • @3dartistguy

    There's a difference between hanging with your fellow psycho jock drinking buddies and having *real* friends you know. I know tons of Trekkies and their lives don't "revolve" around a TV show. Many, like myself, are married, have families, careers and other interests. They're also not the type of people to verbally assault others for their interests. One day, my dumbass friend, you'll see that it is YOU who needs to get a life. Also, Shatner only said it in a comedy sketch, fool.

  • YES, IT WAS A SKIT AND IT WA S JOKE, BUT IT HAD A GRAIN OF TRUTH TO IT;. JUST THE FACT THAT YOUR FRIENDS STIL CALLS THEMSELVES TREKKIES IS PROOF ENOUGH THAT THEIR LIVES REVOLVE AROUND A TV SERIES. They probably STILL go to conventions, etc...Ive seen these people, and they are pathetic. WHen I waa a child, i played with childish things, and now tht im an adult, I hae put away my childish things. im glad there sn't any more Star Trek on tv anymore. iT WAS JUST OLD, TRRED AND BORING TO SEE.

  • @3dartistguy

    First things first...despite what they tell you, CAPSLOCK is not cruise control for cool. "Now that I'm an adult"? Are you sure? Because I read better grammar, spelling and punctuation on the Christmas card my 9 year old cousin sent me. Oh, and Star Trek is being played like crazy on TV. Also, in 2012 there will be yet another multi-million dollar movie released, so talk sense. You also list Star Trek among your favourite movies on your profile page, so you're a liar.

  • Whatever, Dude. I don't go to conventions, I do not wear a Star Trek uniform to work or to Jury duty, and I don't make people call me commander, and I don't wear plastic pointed ears everydays. I lked the original series which isn't on anymore, and neither is next gen, or Voyager or Enterprise....i have millions of other interests in my life, and I served in the Navy, you know the REAL US Navy, and Im proud not to have voted for Obama and his Star Trek minded liberalism..and pC correctness, ugh

  • @3dartistguy Do you want us to give you a pat on the back for being so awesome and cool? A sticker, perhaps? Great, you don't like Star Trek anymore. I guess that makes you a better person than I, who still very much enjoys TOS, and is also married, and works full-time. Obviously, my life doesn't revolve around it either, but I'm not afraid to admit that I enjoy it very much and probably wouldn't be opposed to going to a convention someday. So there. =P

  • Better go soon since what is left of the original cast is dropping off like fleas...but I have to tell you that i Do very much blame Star Trek for the radical left wing ideals that it fronted, like Diversity and Affirmative Action which has done nothing but given unqualified minorities and women jobs that they not qualified to do but got them because of the need for "diversity" whcih makes race and gender more important instead of their qualifications,I blame Star Trek this crap.

  • @3dartistguy - Blame whomever you wish for whatever you wish, but others who saw the original Star Trek understood that in Gene Roddenberry's universe, race, color, or creed is a non-issue. Every individual was valued as that - but competence was the criteria in work. Not enough of a Trekie to list episodes for example, but if you re-watch, you will see. Remember the Prime Directive was non-interference. Live long and prosper. (Grin!)

  • If i wasn't for the Affirmative Action type attidute that Sta Trek presented, i wouldn't be discriminated against for being a white male becuase of the government's insane racial and gender quotas. I wish a person's race and gender or creed were a non-issue, but DID make race, gender and creed an issue because the whole attitude at the first pilot was that it was a milky white crew, meaning that Roddenberry DID see people in terms of race, gender and creed and made it an issue.

  • @Jefferdaughter

    Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Trek. I was raised on TNG.

    But if you boil it down, the Prime Directive basically states "Don't interact with inferior people."

    :D

  • @3dartistguy - You're a nutbar.

  • @maswellasm

    really, you should go to a convention, as a comic book reader in germany you have not many oppourtunities to talk to others with the interest, but where i live twice a year there's little comicon, and it's really cool to just have the possibility of talknig to people aboujt your hobby without having to explain 90% of the stuff.

  • @slitheen

    The way I see it, these people wouldn't have a life outside of their Sci-fi fandom, so let them have that much at least. It's not like watching Star Trek makes you incapable of having a girlfriend; these are just people who have no girlfriend, and well, they gotta have something.

    Also, to all of you people who obsess over sports and memorize every score and pay huge sums of money to attend every game... GET A LIFE!!!

  • nONE OF THOSE PEOPLE have construtive lives dude. Someone who wears a Starfleet costume to her work and to Jury duty and makes everyone call her "commander" when she isn't really one is PATHETIC!

  • @3dartistguy eh, Each to his own. Nobody's getting hurt or killed over it so why should anyone care?

  • no, just the soul of the person who is embarrassing themelves by wearing a Starfleet uniform to jury duty and making her co workers call them "commander" when they haven't really earned that rank. The people who really earn that rank are the only ones worthy of being referred to themselves that way, not some civilian who puts on a fake uniform of a service that doesn't exist. In fact that is very disrespectful to the real people who wear the uniform of our country and who have earned that rank.

  • @3dartistguy Have you ever worn the uniform? Military I mean. What is your rank?

  • yes, i have, and i greately respect those who really have earned the rank of commander and other officer rank.

  • @3dartistguy Just checking. I figured you were just some one who never put on a uniform, never served any duty, and felt it was their God given right to speak for every man and woman in the military.

  • @3dartistguy So what you're saying is that a Starfleet Commander wearing the uniform is actually comparable to a US Navy Commander?

    Seriously?

    One is the US Military, the other a futuristic "naval-like" service. I was hoping you knew the difference.

    But to say one is disrespectful to the other leads me to believe you don't. It's Star Trek man, not the US Government.

  • No, its insulting to the real people in the real Navy who have actually earned the rank of commander rather than somoone who just puts on a fake uniform and makes their co-workers call them commander when they haven't really earned that rank. Everyone knows the difference. Its one thing to wear a uniform in a film or a play, but to wear one every day at your job is just absurd.

  • @3dartistguy I assumed you knew why Barbara Anderson wore that. She did it to get out of jury duty. Play the role convincingly enough & no judge or attourney will trust you. And remember, how "absurd" it is, is simply a matter of opinion. Yours was made.

  • @Trekker1801 Starfleet is probably closer to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) - what you might call "mildly military." Same rank structure and uniforms but a much different mission.

  • I concur...nowadays, at least....pretty sad when the only mentionable thing in the past 9 years is Dick in a box.

  • I thought "The Rock Obama" was pretty cool

  • Your opinion

  • I've never been to a Star Trek convention, or anything like that, but I love William Shatner! Bill's my friend!

  • I'm going this year! Finally! I can't wait to finally meet him and take a picture with him and get his autograph. Shatner is boss!

  • Right funny, classic.

  • Bill is The King!

    Long Live Captain Kirk!

    XD

  • It's not just a weird show, it's a bad show. It went from 'cutting edge' to 'mediocre' when the original cast left, and it went from 'mediocre' to 'banal' when Eddie Murphy left, then it went from 'banal' to 'unwatchable' when Adam Sandler left.

    I have not the slightest clue why it's still on the air. It's pure garbage, even by TV standards.

  • I think it had some really poor seasons in past years, but I find the current cast quite talented (even more when Tina Fey + Amy Pohler were on).

  • Don't let your gay lover hear you say that.

  • I'd always read that it wasn't a skit, that this was how Shatner was at a convention, but when I finally saw it on YouTube it was so obvious it was a skit and Shatner reading lines. I think it's crap that he's been given flak about it for years. Shat=God.

  • In High School I worked a couple StarCon conventions and that skit was pretty much dead on; the Trekkers ranged from pretty normal guys just hanging out to real socially retarded ubergeeks who thought Star trek was a documentary..

    Met Jimmy Doohan (RIP)...Nice guy and very friendly.

    Met Takei a couple years later: not so nice, but I think he was frazzled by the people and just wanted out of there..

  • If treker had get life, you, Bill, would get out of kob. What a paradox...

  • Great raconteur! Love ya, Bill.

  • classic

  • yea iv noticed that too i would have never noticed except for the jeans.

  • Hmm... William is feeling bitter

  • Yes totally agree Jixma. Great inside story. Thanks BIll.

    SNL has sucked for 35 years; they cut new edges of comedy from 1976-1978, and then it's been 30 years of regurgitation. Lorne Michaels should be strung up for what he's hoisted on the American public, instead of being regaled. A lazy show.

    With the exception of 2 or 3 skits in the last 30 years -- Shatner telling fans to get a life, and hanging off a car for an entire episode in a TJ Hooker skit !

  • Wow! What a great story. This explains a lot as to why Saturday Night Live sketches are so OFTEN as lame as they are. Thanks, Bill.

  • Capt Kirk/William Shatner, one word= BALLS!

  • Whoa, that looks like real hair!

  • I watched this episode when you did it on SNL. The only reason I watched it that night was to see you.--Love, Pam

  • I hate the SNL cue cards.  Start a little earlier in the week and remember you F#$%ing lines people. Look like you talking to somebody instead of looking like you talking to a random spot on the wall no where near the other person in the scene.

  • Bill, you ROCK!

  • wow

  • bonjor from new brunswick, mr shatner.

    i must say you are a hero of canada.

    hopfully well see at a sci-fi show in fredricton-saphireroze.

  • cpt jean kirk janeway of vulcan :P:P::P

  • WHAT IS IT WITH THIS INCREDIBLE ACTOR!!!!!!! How the hell can he be almost 80 when he looks like 50 :S ????? I don't understand. I hope you live forever man, Love you!!! You were awesome in Star Trek :D

  • Yet hes like 80 but looks 50.... Live long and prosp....er?

  • He's happy and it shows. It's not the years in your life, it's the life in your years.

  • But what about the part where everyone sits around smoking from a Hookah?? Maybe that's why SNL was 1000 times more funny in the 1970's than now. LOL!!!!

    Where's Shirley Schmidt Ho??? ~:^P

  • Bill's face is shiny from this angle. One would assume that it looked fine from the angle that The Academy of Television Arts and Sciences was shooting.

    I suspect it might be makeup that was applied by them that...as I said...looked good for them but from our youtube angle...gave Bill a shine that make him appear to be sweating.

    Love the interviews, however.

    I've viewed them all...and I subscribe.

    Lots of fun.

  • that skit you did was so funny! SNL has def dropped since that though

  • Has it always been that way? Still? How many snl's did he do? How many different groups of people? I bet they were doing a lot of drugs when he did that sketch pwning trekkies. lol

  • Very interesting :)

  • I just loved that skit - an SNL classic. Thanks for the behind the scenes look at the weirdness!

  • what is a mikma?

  • a you tube staple! and a heck of a nice guy!

  • He was here, duh

  • I always enjoy listening to what you have to say. Your life sounds very interesting and I am glad that you share it with all of us on u-tube. I wish more famous people would take the time to do this for their fans. Thanks for not forgetting about us. Barb

  • mikma was here

  • helloooooooooo!

  • that sounds like an utterly terrifying experience! hahah

  • i just had a night terror..(its 4.22 am) and i decided to watch mr shatner to put me at ease :)

  • What an interesting life you have lead Mr. Shatner.

  • I bet that would be so fun being on there!

  • Does anyone remember what show it was where Bill stuck his head in a fish tank and pulled out a fish between his teeth? It came up the other day but I can't remember where it came from.

  • Loaded Weapon???? just a guess

  • It was a film, it was called National Lampoons loaded weapon one. He was the villian called General Mortars. It also starred Sam Jackson and emillio Estaves

  • JohnLenardWalson MOON TRANSMISSIONS is announcing an exclusive release  the FULL Archive of the Secret MOON SPACE FILM IN HD.

  • One of the funniest skits in SNL history was the "get a life" skit. I remember watching it years ago when it was on for the first time. I was visiting my brother at college and 10 or 12 guys were watching it. I still remember the laughs. Thank you for the memory.

  • Interesting insight into the show.

  • "It's a weird show," you say but as a veteran actor you can do anything, Bill. If it was me I'd have a stroke. :D

  • I think most of the comedians on SNL have a background in improvisation.

  • Sounds like a more laxed production that sorta works.

  • wow. they really wait til the last minute dont they?

  • cool

  • You did though, Bill. It's still funny to see!

  • William Shatner, you are a legend (but I suppose you hear that quite a bit). Anyway, thanks for sharing these videos with us - its always interesting hearing about the "behind the scenes" and what goes into making what we see as the finished product, be it a movie or a tv show. Cheers!

  • 5 stars you dah man

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