William Shatner interprets Rocket Man (Elton John)

[michellesupport89]

This is so bad it is funny. I bet Bernie was watching it backstage going "Oh dear god" haha.

[kc7fys]

@michellesupport89 Thanks for stopping in. Just wondering, what part is bad, specifically? I mean, is this a poorly-written song? Is Bill's interpretation lacking in anything? I would like to respectfully suggest that this is actually so damn good you can't believe it. Who would even attempt to touch this today? Which network would show it unironically? I'm actually asking. I hope you actually answer.

[michellesupport89]

@kc7fys The song is a classic. William Shatner's interpretation of it is really weird though. If he had done it without the special effects and had just sat there by himself it probably would have been better.

[kc7fys]

@michellesupport89 Well, fair enough. Luckily you weren't there when this was put together. Those characters, who all split, then re-merge. It's certainly dated, but the resounding opinion here is that it's sheer brilliance. Still, there's no counting for taste, and we are all entitled to our own take. I hope you watch it again and again--and his interpretation of TAXI on Dinah. Let THAT one get under your skin!

[Roonie41]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!

[BattlestarPacifica]

He's the Shat in Shatner.

[Million551]

Why do I love this so much?

[SuperGregals]

i like the part of "Rock it, man"

[CAPCBMERRITT]

I've never heard someone say a song so well.

[TheDepsey]

William Shatner. I just love and adore him. <3

And OMG, when he came in dancing at 4:00 i was ROFL'ing big time.

I would so love to se him dance more.

I love his acting. He's amazing at it. It is so well done.

[tsukune007]

yea stewie should do a full a version of this song on family guy.

[VampireNewl]

how can he do a spoken work vesion of a rap song

he found a way

Futurama-

[robdieselpower]

@VampireNewl You name it! Definitly inspired "Where No Fan Has Gone Before" Check out Cptn. Brannigan in "Amazon Women In The Mood" where he does this also.

[lauri787]

i never understood the words until i heard this.

[heatherssj1]

remake plz

[AvirtualSwitzerland]

All of his coke buddies should have never said "Dude, Lucy In The Sky" was theater of the mind......they created a monster.

[kc7fys]

@crisscollins ??

[kc7fys]

@Hiberniensis This was modern. Before irony deconstructed it. I think it's really good. I'm completely with you there.

[flagwaver1969]

Mr. Mirror needs to get slapped around a bit.

[SusStormRage]

oh shatner

[jwatson626]

Whoever said smoking isn't cool obviously never saw this Shatner vid.

[Ozzmaster75]

Did you really just compare this to Hendrix's interpreting of All Along The Watchtower? You are delusional if you honestly think that. Hendrix added stuff to AATWT, he didn't just read the lyrics in an exxagerated manner. If Shatner would have busted out in the middle with a kickass psychedelic guitar solo, then yes, your comparison would have been better, but sorry, this doesn't come close to Hendrix's interpretation of AATWT.

[kc7fys]

@Ozzmaster75 I'm not sure your depiction of Shatner's dramatic acumen as that of of "exaggerated manner" is adequate to show you as one who understands acting. Like somebody who doesn't understand good guitar from bad--Jeff Beck is just "playing fast and noisy." On that level, no argument is possible. Hendrix is good. Shatner is good. Some comparison is possible, but it cannot be taken too far.

[Ozzmaster75]

@kc7fys Are you implying I don't know good guitar from bad? Please reply.

[kc7fys]

@Ozzmaster75 No. Who can define 'bad' or 'good' anyway. There's no accounting for taste, as they say. I do think you did a disservice to Shatner's well-known acting skill by broad brushing it. Considering the context, this (and Taxi) is a brilliant piece. I don't expect many to agree with me, but just try doing this much with the material he was presented.

[walterroy]

how come the audience isn't giggling?

[kc7fys]

@walterroy Because it's not funny. It's good. Remember, this was Modern. Not Postmodern.

[0976j4]

narutoexec1 You are so right

[narutoexe1]

Whatever your smoking, it did its job.

[rudedogishardcore]

ha ha wank! stewies take on this is better.

[kc7fys]

Stewie's imitation of Shatner is excellent, yes.

[justentime77]

William's always had a good sense of humor!

[hacaha]

oh captain kirk, no!

[jasminjade]

hahahaaha..thats funny....he must of had some serious shit in that ciggerette he was smoking

[Anna200938]

omg that was painful

[Anna200938]

i can't breathe properly im luaghin so much i can't type..omg this is hilarious

[HarpoonTorpedo]

its gonna be a long, long time before i recover from that..

[HarpoonTorpedo]

this is the funniest thing ive ever seen.

[silverface125]

far better than the original... i love it

[Candi5150]

3:30.....a rocket...man

[seaofflowers]

ugh they show this at my work al the time for the preshow during Star Trek. great stuff. lol

[trueplayer367]

what the f~~k !!!

ol Shatner sure is on some serious gear...

i think its gonna be a long, long time.....

no... i cant take any more. END

[kc7fys]

Looks like you were duly Shatnered. Amen.

[10191927]

Wow, that was awesome!

[cubfan531]

This is incredibly weird. And funny at first.

But then I listened to it a few times. And, in his own, strange, William Shatner way, he did nail it.

[kc7fys]

@cubfan531 Yes. I am 45, so I approached it in order to deconstruct it as ironic and Shatner 'slumming.' I was so wrong. This piece is excellent theater. Shatner hits it with great force--show me anybody else who could elevate material of this weight to this height. That man, my friend, is a big man indeed.

[StrangerthanStone]

William Shatner is just epic.

[hansjalv]

What IS he smoking??

[meloearth]

Whatever it is, I want some.

[ashlee5665]

lmao oh Shatner you bring so many lolz to me <3

[andwii]

i will cry the day he dies. He is a very good actor and has been with me from good and bad. same with nemoy...

[alsdouble]

Just reading this goons autobiography. He raves about this performance. The Shatnarian school of acting at its most bizarre.

He's a one off for sure.

[Scrubbolator]

lol this is terrible

and he is clearly fake smoking

[arnoldwarrior15]

Shatner forever Stewie Never

[vamplad79]

does Shatner smoke ???

[kc7fys]

I'm not sure what one would call what he's doing in this clip. Appears to be smoking.

[comeonher]

kracks me up the way he puffs on that cig ...TOKE UP WILLY !!!

[ve7ha]

...and I think it's gonna be a long, long time...before I recover from this. Is Shatner perhaps the biggest name of all time with no actual talent?

[kc7fys]

Well, he's cheesy--but Shakesperian trained and adept. I'd like to see anybody else handle this piece as he has. Funny, yes--but I respect his talent. He's got something. Have you seen Taxi?

[ve7ha]

I was a big fan of the original Star Trek TV show. He was a good Captain Kirk. But I'm not sure that took a lot of talent. I know his credentials as a trained Shakespearian actor; I don't know if that translates into performing Rocket Man like this. Ever heard his interpretation of Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds? It's worse than this. I can only imagine Bernie Taupin was cringing backstage as this took place. I know Elton John wouldn't have tolerated it if he were there! Hi!

[ve7ha]

Oh goodness...just listened to Taxi. That is a favourite Harry Chapin song of mine...this is a criminal act against popular music. Worse even than Lucy....