William Shatner Reflects on Rocketman

[sTeVie4TV]

Superb. Life would be so much duller without the Shat.

[Azure701]

Shatner hasn't got ANYTHING to be ashamed of.

Not even the 50 years of wearing wigs, he's just that damn good.

[BreakerOfBoxes]

Does anyone else think he looks exactly like Phil Hartman in his Rocketman bit?

[woody7141]

Don't feel one bit bad Mr. Shatner, I love your work! Of all the things not proven, Lock Ness Monster, Bigfoot ect. The one thing I hope is/will be true is warp travel. It is too late for me, but I hope my grandsons can go get some blue space tail.

[TheTre369]

Stewie vs Shatner!!

[MarissaT1000]

Why would you ever feel badly about it? It's freaking hilarious and amazing! :P

[shoesncheese]

This from the same guy who non-ironically recorded Transformed Man... no, no. I am sure he meant every single unnecessarily dramatic moment of it (at the time).

[genericmember1]

Three William Shatners? What great thing has mankind done that means we have been blessed with three William Shatners?

[bodieofci5]

I assume what was being smoked was something not quite legal :) 

[MrSpunkyspunky]

This is so cool.



[16fcali]

Truly marvelous memorial to a heroic god among men.

[cinerama62]

3 layers Chroma key compositing. Far -out Captain Kirk.

[nuwavevidspud]

Great posthumous tribute to the late William Shatner

[DrCruel]

Epic.

[nuwavevidspud]

R.I.P William  Shatner

[kcasperpdx]

This is funny, I remember when you were on the ABC show Fridays... the Sketch where you were hypersensitive to pain... It was funny!

[Hexachloraphine]

I love bill shatner because he is genuinely as mad as a march hare.

[Djarra]

Liz is sexy

[brewmarrybore]

On the surface it just looks like Shatner is sending the song and himself up but after hearing that explanation it all makes sense. He took it seriously. And thats what makes it all the more FUN..

He should be proud of Rocket Man - the 3 ways of interpreting the song is pretty ingenious - and the performance has great novelty value.

Not the best version of the song ever. Has no one heard Elton John?! But thoroughly entertaining.

[JPM4662]

First things first: I love Shatner, but he is rewriting history. He started poking fun at himself at the MTV Movie Awards in 1991. How can he say with a straight face that he didn't intend for these to be seen when he recorded The Transformed Man in the 60s and performed Rocket Man on a television show in 1978? He was taking himself seriously, yet he inadvertently stumbled into genius. Rocket Man has given me great joy over the years, and I am not laughing at it.

I am simply awestruck.

[jzerony]

@JPM4662 , "inadvertently stumbled into genius" - - yes... that's the most accurate description I've ever read about this.... seems that he's now trying to claim he was just fooling around back then, but I believe he was taking it very seriously. In any event, it IS genius, either way.

[1acroyear1]

The past tense of shit is Shat.

Aw, who am I kidding? I'm a trekkie for life.

[foxyfaefife]

Nothing to be ashamed about. Yeah, he made an arse of himself, and to be frank the song is just terrible; but at the same time it's absolute comedy genius, and if anything just makes me think more highly of him.

[chuggachuggawoowoo]

@foxyfaefife Shatner is full of crap. He was serious when he did it. Now he's so embarrassed that he's downplaying the whole thing.

[hacelepues]

i thinks it's adorable. Strange, but adorable.

and the Stewie tribute to his cover made me cry from laughter I saw it the first time.

[slippo99]

Shat kills.

Shat rocks.

Shat's my hero.

[StalinsKnights]

William Shatner your a Legend!

[Zebonka]

Best version of that song, BAR NONE.

Now Bill - please, do Chestnut Mare.

[Zando24]

BAR NONE

[DangerWoman35]

Hi, William Shatner! Just wanted to say, that I would be honored to duet with you at Dragon Con in Atlanta, Georgia USA!

DANGER WOMAN

[SheriffBufordJustice]

One of his better performances...Too bad he is ashamed of it.

[gsizzles]

No way he went in trying to be funny with this. Only after people banged him up over the years for it is he backpeddling and trying to play if off.

[CaptPoco]

Why is he so ashamed?

Rocketman is probably the coolest thing he's ever done.

[ObtrusiveDave]

because im sure it was one of thos cheap things you do to get a laugh only to soon(very soon) after you relize it was stupid. but then people liked it. im sure anyone would be like " uh sure.. yeah.. ofcourse.. duh"

[MacoutesGabber]

Bill looks better than his daughter. Yech!

[ninjahook]

Brilliant!! I love it!

[Charmolution]

This is amusing in the same kind of way a parent is amused by their child acting silly in front of a camera.

[Keepseeker]

I always got the feeling that he was treating it a lot like performing a monologue...rather than any comedy. I love experimentation in acting though, you don't know how something is gonna work till you do it, and honestly people who poke fun at those for doing so are tools and don't understand the craft. >.>

[ronpaul2008rocks]

Who would Will Shatner be without "Rocket Man"? That's like asking who would Spock be without his pointy ears?

[gammadriver]

Props, Mr. Shatner, for always trying. It's those who don't keep trying that never really make it, and never earn the respect.

[margsyn]

I totally agree. He did this thoughtfully and put feeling into it, like he was thinking it through. Except for the last part where he dances around the corner (which was amusing) this was a neat piece.

[revolutionday1]

"Cocaine's....a helluvah drug."

[jimthebilbrey]

hahahaha!!! hell yeah! doesnt he look high out of his gord?!?! i love it!!!

[thadswanek]

Dude, he should feel awesome about it, not bad about it. Go, Bill.

[elvis316]

I love how Bill plays off that he was just joking around--you know he was dead serious about this....regardless, thanks Bill!

[JonB83]

Yeah, wasn't there a whole album put out of him during this spoken word cover songs?

[musicispower84]

I think this was freakin awesome! His rocketman thing was legendary. Shatner is freakin boss, nuff said.

[Pallindrom27]

I couldn't disagree MORE with those who deride Shatner's "Rocketman".

As a lover of music in general and that song in particular I think that his spoken word performance art piece was BY FAR superior to the Elton John original not as a melodic tune of course but as a deeper more meaningful interpretation of the lyrics.Shatner has NOTHING to feel bad for regarding these songs. Without fail each one that I've seen of his is superior to the original and I simply MUST get "The Transformed Man".

[ahuimanu69]

Shatner is pure Gold. Long after Bill has left us (not soon I hope), we'll realize just what a treasure he really is.

[RodneyHampton]

Like Bill says in Has Been....what are you afraid of, failure? Yeah Bill missed the mark on Rocketman by any standard. It was like watching an Atlas rocket explode. But like a car wreck it's hard to turn off isn't it?

[WanagiAkicita]

Not your best work, lol.

[FramerateMadness]

Shatner, don't regret doing this!

I honestly thought it was pure brilliance. Why does everything always have to be so high strung, can't a man just have fun while he is entertaining a group of people? You took a song you love and tried to draw out a deeper meaning from it, while making it fun for you and anyone watching. Don't allow other people's lack of appreciation to ruin something you loved doing. I say do it again some time.

I hope you enjoy my terribly worded paragraph...

[Poshswagger]

I'm a.... Rock - It - Man !!!!!!

Brilliant. Brilliant. Brilliant!!!!! (In fact, probably the best thing ever. Human kind should just give up now. We won't ever top this.)

[at90percent]

What he is also imitating was the tendency for those older singers to talk, rather than actually sing the song.

Once they got older they didn't have much of a singing voice left, so it really was more talking than singing.

In the beginning he said, this is how I would picture Sinatra doing it.

Think about the song New York, New York.

[asonofleemarvin]

takes alot of balls to do it.

[TheZaius]

That's what I figured. It was some kind of experiment.

[aigy85]

this performance inspired me :)

[GeminiAzules]

ROFL. rocketman shatner

[chirik0]

Mr. Shatner, You were real brilliant on Rocketman... I can't stop watching, It just amazes me

[kristell9]

Don't be embarrassed about the rocketman video, it's great!

I like it cuz it reminds me of the old variety show song segments.

And it was well done. Everyone knows it was camp.

Even if you consider it a low point, its got more going for it than most of the A-list crowds best moments.

[djhousefire]

i think it's remarkable how Bill Shatner has remained an integral part of American pop culture in the original Star Trek series and beyond. he should have his own wing of the Smithsonian.

[MrPoopybum]

Dear Mr. Shatner,

Your "interpetation" of Rocketman was and remains brilliant.

I've yet to see or hear any of your work that hasn't been engaging, entertaining, and captivating.

Thank you sir for your work, you are magnificent!

P.S. "MrPoopybum" is my nickname for our cat whose true given name is Mr. Seven, named after a character in the original Star Trek series.

[tuebey]

srsly its a great interpretation dont feel bad about it, it doesnt "kill" the song or anything it even adds coolness to it =) since theres that captn kirk feeling.

its cool 5/5

[th86stone]

its great to see your opinions and reflection on these american pop culture tid bits. thanks mr. shatner

[Zebonka]

It's the best rendition of that song, period.

You can tell Bernie Taupin hated the idea though when he's announcing it. Hahaha.

[maxmercury]

@Zebonka

I assumed Bernie Taupin was just stoned behind those shades.

Wasn't everybody stoned in 1978?

[woody7141]

@maxmercury I was stoned. Back then we smoked what we called "joints".

[maxmercury]

@woody7141

I had a nasty Flintstones chewable vitamin habit at the time. Back before they went Gummie.

[dorothyandtoto39]

I love you Bill!

[GESSO217]

Has any one seen the clip of Deforest Kelly's reaction to seeing Rocket Man?

He jokingly said: "Damn it Bill. You're an actor. Not a singer!"

I think it was for a convention.

[billyf2770]

I know Bernie Taupin introduced Shatner's performance, but does anyone know, has Elton John ever said what he thought of it?

[gtssage]

How much drugs did you used to do Bill? Classic oddity.

[Keeper1st]

I've often wondered what Mr Shatner's reaction has been to impersonators like Maurice LaMarche, who does popular impersonations of Shatner, Nimoy and Kelley for cartoons such as Animaniacs' "Karaoke-Dokie" and "Star Truck" -- the former of which is entirely inspired by these Golden Throats recordings.

[juljani]

I really enjoyed This, I am glad to see parts of it on video Thanks :)

[LucasSpade]

That's classic now, funny...

[Nopatienceanymore]

It's one of the most memorable "bad" bits of music - it's so bad it's good. Revolutionary. Who else has had the kahunas to do this?

[michaelrobert1974]

I took that rendition seriously! I had no idea it was being played for laughs.

[CapnYoAsse]

I like him and all, but c'mon. He's so full of shat sometimes.

[macandrewes]

i'd like to see him do, like, 'happy birthday' the same way. 'hap-py BIRTH-day- to *you*' yeah baby.

[Hellblade8]

Why do you feel bad? That was sheer awesome. And hey, at least it wasn't the Bilbo Baggins Song =p

[H4rryF]

what a strange man he is.Entertaining but strange

[feurzug]

H4rryF - you

hit the nail on the head when you said:

"what a strange man he is.Entertaining but strange".

[EldritchMask]

Actually this is one of my all time faves.

But it does show you how things can take off and have a life of their own.

Rock IT man!

[AmosNomore]

THIS is the BEST of what the 21st Century has to offer! Seething, raw Americana! You rock, Bill!!

[tomanyasses]

any body know william shatner first movie was it twilight zone or

[moonblossom15]

I just looked that up because i got curious- apparently his first film was something called "The Butler's Night Off" in 1951, he was a thief...LOL

[tomanyasses]

ok thanks 1951 wow i think he must of been a teen ager then.

[legphotog]

But it was good. Still is.

[dawes57]

I think its funny!

[powerlounger]

When people watch that, believe me, it's with the greatest affection.

[Poshswagger]

Don't feel badly about it, Bill. It's brilliant!!!!!

[StanDeviation]

EXACTLY! That version is pure brilliance. One of my favorite "improv" moments of all time. There is a certain genius to Shatner's rock-it-man that was captured on film, thank god, for all time. Its part clowning, part interpretation, and his performance comes with a wink and a nod that lets the audience have a peek at what he's doing.....it would only be a surprise if this were ignored rather than embraced and celebrated.

[N0NEoftheAB0VE]

I'm gonna tell ya - your version is better than the original, lets face it the lyrics to this song are bizarre and whereas Elton John sings it seriously, your version feels like it's taking the piss out of the song - which I love!

[pigspiss]

What did Elton John think of it?

[orangewhitegreen]

why does that lady look bored

[daveparry]

I like the timing, the pregnant pauses. You were great in Free Enterprise!

[dandiacal]

You didn't rehearse it?!? That is amazing.

[blackesteyes13]

There is no greater installation in American culture than William Shatner. Best wishes to you, sir.

[dandiacal]

This is fascinating: if it was intended to be comic and experimental then I consider you, Mr. William Shatner, to be a gifted comic (in addition to a dramatic actor) along the lines of an Andy Kaufman, even ahed ofthe times. Please don't be embarrassed or regret it!

[jamboni]

ah!! Now i get the reference on Family Guy, when Stewie does it. nice one Mr Shatner!

[contessaoreilly]

Good perspective on life, Goodonyah Bill, Greetings from Australia.

[michaelbrose1981]

look at it this way, at least simon cowell wasn't in the audience. and you did have fun and that is always the main thing!

[spazchop]

I've seen worse.

[FatWithAnF]

Oh, don't feel bad Bill - it entertained a lot of people! I mean, my husband (nutjob that he is) will randomly start into it from the other room when he's in an odd mood, and I crack up every time.

[KirksMerkin]

Oh Bill . . . what made this funny to me was that I thought you were being serious - just groovin to the 60s/70s . . . maybe had a substance or two before the show. Now you're saying it was all a pre-arranged comedic effort? Hmmm . . . sorry Bill - as much as I worship your work - I cant swallow that, sir.

[ststafford]

check out Beck's music video for "Where It's At" around 2:25 he totally steals Shatner's moves.

[sindelassita]

com on

[cinderskenney]

I'm glad it saw the light of day. It just proves you're one of the greatest improv artists and actors that ever lived!! :)

[EltonSUN123]

I stand on my youtubename as a true blue Elton (plus TOS) fan. Sure it can be taken as amusing but its really more.

Three Shats - introspective ("Frank"), the dramatic ("rock") and the campy ("Kirk"). It suceeds in being interesting and entertaining.

[frivolitom]

Whenever I do something I am embarrassed by, "It was in the nature of experimentation" shall be my standard rejoinder. This should see me quote Mr Shatner* twelve-odd times a day.

* Am I addressing Mr Shatner? His Project staff? Should I say "you"? "Mr Shatner"? (Dare I) "Bill"? Best to err on the side of colloquially respectful, I should hope, for my elders and betters.

[FlamingDrake]

So did I get this right, he didn't know they taped it? And he did this purely for the entertainment of the 100 some people in the audience? If so what's up with the montage. There's three different scenes, he obviously doesn't have 2 identical twins. Was this a live performance? The audience had to watch him sit there and do nothing but say a couple things to his non existent self? Which he supposedly didn't rehearse but he said those things at pretty precise moments. This sounds like a cover up

[quixote22]

you know...i admire that William never denied doing something stupid or paint a pretty picture...he admitted his embarrassment. He has embraced this cult following of William Shatner (not Star Trek...2 different things). Other people like Chuck Norris have done the same. They have learned to laugh at themselves.

Some people take themselves too seriously.

[pikhienko]

i remember seeing this on family guy XDDDD

[thespacemonkeyist]

Rocketman is one of my favourite youtube videos. I have it in my favourites and one or two playlists.

[dabogirl]

Mr Shatner's daughter is very beautiful indeed

[OpsMaster]

Bill, I enjoyed it.

Did Sir Elton John ever contact you about it?

[AlannTH]

Dont regret it Bill, your interpretation of the classic song is Legendary, a lot of people love it myself included.

[reedunculous]

Hey, we all have things we're embarrassed by. At least Shat has the guts to actually play it again.

[sirstrongbad]

Why yes, he IS made of awesome..

sorry, had to do it...

cool to see his thoughts on that particular bit of history.

[BarefootRadio]

man those clips are interesting...

time makes me want to scream my head off.

[masterbile]

bill is pretty awesome. if i ever saw the man in a bar or something id buy him a beer.

i seriously hope bill doesnt actually read these comments. he might get the wrong idea.

[sliderALT]

I've had long discussions on IMDb message boards about the "Rock-it Man" performance. People love it!

[startrekstngs]

Thank you for posting this on You Tube. As for me I personally loved your Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds. On a personal note hope to see you and your wife at the harness races next year at the Indiana State Fair.

[corsair95]

Hearing his intent in performing Rocketman made me realize that he lampooned his own process in Free Enterprise, in which he performs a one man version of Julius Caesar...as a rap musical. Worth the price of rental/purchase alone.

[picard94]

LoL. I didn't get that Stewie parody either on Family Guy. I heard Seth MacFarlane is a huge Sci Fi fan. So it makes sense now.

[bigjay417]

Don't feel badly... you are a god among men.

[nocheesejaxon]

Funny how many "Pop Culture" jokes I miss on Family Guy. Now I know why Stewie did this routine on one of the Family Guy Episodes... I gueess Stewie is a big fan, Bill !!

[superbnerb]

do you know which episode? i think i remember that too.

[nocheesejaxon]

sorry, I dont recall the episode number or name...or if it had to do with Sci-fi. I've seen the scene many times though, as its one of my 12yr old sons favorite Stewie moments.

We both didnt know of the Shatner link to this film footage. An this U-tube post provided me the first time seeing the original Rocketman performance.

[nocheesejaxon]

Upon watching the clip to educate my kid of the orgin of the Stewie parody, he said "Isnt that your Capatain Kirk guy?"

He said "your" because he knows I am a big S.T.O.S. fan

....and so, the Shatner- persona / actor- continues to pass into the younger generations pcyche...

Thanks for sharing Mr. Shatner and posting on U-tube.

A Toronto Fan

[Sportsguy33]

could anyone find the Chris Elliott clip from letterman?

[copacabana1971]

How many other performances from that show do people talk about? None, I think. Can anyone quickly remember who else was even on TV that night? So people say it's campy. You still won the day.

[repelghosts]

Lizzy, oh the nites on Broadway, singin that love song,singin straight to the...anyhoo,told yo Daddy to email me...

Luv on Ya!

Bowie

[repelghosts]

billy, get a real hair transplant, or are ya too old...come on ya fag...i can hook your arse up with the very best Dr.Seager,Scab.Centenary..emai­l me ya fat fuck....J-Man

[jerryjacksonismean]

love the performance, but i it seems like you wanted it to be really good...and it was campy good.

[marktime40]

Only three letters to describe Bill Shatner GOD!!!

[peziak]

No need to feel bad. You're an actor and as actor, one of your goals is to entertain an audience. That performance will continue to entertain viewers for years.

I also think most people who are familiar with Shatner, the actor and public persona, understand that you don't mind poking fun at yourself.

[fuzmeister]

Rock-it MAN!

Brilliantly quirky! Love it!

[sloucho84]

Dont' worry, Bill, everything you touch is gold. Whether seriously or tongue-in-cheek you do it all well.

[clubsoda69]

why am i watching this?

[ChaosmanOne]

You are a complete icon Mr. Shatner. A man of the ages. There is absolutely nothing wrong with your take on this and its part of history. Totally entertaining and wonderfully campy. Thank you for your many years of entertainment.

[Sugartalker]

I don't think you should feel badly about it Mr. Shatner. It is part of entertainment history. I for one see it as just one part of so much that you have entertained me with over the years.

[Congest]

Don't apologize for your version of Rocket Man, Bill. It's a total classic and very entertaining.

[andiorl]

You are truely, a Rocket Man!

[phantassm]

I truly love you Bill...but that was...terrible.

[tonygrrl]

OK thanks for clearing that up Bill. It's still painful to watch but kinds funny at the same time.

[rfrchompchomp]

... and amusing it was :)