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After finally being able to watch William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill multiple times, all I can tell is that this documentary presents a different side of this actor that few rarely see. It had a very limited theatrical run, but back then, I didn’t have my notepad in hand. Within the fandom community, some may say he has quite the ego and outside, others wonder why is he a big deal? Here, the best segments concern his youth, what his upbringing was like and what made him decide to be an entertainer.
Anyone who knows his resume will say Twilight Zone or Star Trek is what made him a star. Prior to those appearances, he was in a few Westerns. Although his most famous episode concerns a gremlin, to recognise “Nick of Time” is just as important. While parts of his television career are quickly referred to, namely T.C. Hooker and Boston Legal, I’m curious why TekWar wasn’t mentioned? Although it was ghost-written by Ron Goulart, the ideas were his.
As for why he’s hosting television shows like The UnXplained, I was fortunate to see him at Fan Expo Vancouver and he said it’s all about being open to strange new worlds, and other possibilities. He’s no different than Henry Winkler when I chatted with The Fonz about Sightings. Although both programs take different approaches, the fact both are invested than just being a producer says enough.
Although to see him talk about his twilight in this latest work is humbling, he’s still not slowing down. He knows that one day he will truly go where no man has gone before, and what he asks his family to do isn’t all that surprising. I won’t spoil the details, but to hear about what he wants to have happen shows that there truly is a humanitarian spirit within him.
Although he doesn’t talk about Leonard Nimoy or DeForest Kelley much, I have to wonder about how he feels towards those who have passed on. Although this documentary is really about him coming to terms about his mortality, the fact he doesn’t put his peers on the same soapbox will have Star Trek fans asking questions.
As for the man himself, it’s good that he recognizes his limits. Even though he pushes himself or is invited to be part of some activities when he shouldn’t–including being in space–I have to wonder if he knows when to best stop.
I would’ve liked to learn a bit more about him as a grandfather. He doesn’t talk much about his private life and it is missing a beat. Instead, he’s allowed to talk about what he wants. It’s good to see that he hasn’t totally let the role of Captain Kirk get into his head. And when compared to what he talks about here to that when at a pop culture convention, there’s a difference. What you walk away from this work is a lot more thoughtful than that famous SNL sketch which could’ve blackballed him from a generation. Thankfully, all of that is well examined decades later. Here, it’s about everyone and thankfully, it’s not just about Bill, but encourages every man too.
4 Stars out of 5
You Can Call Me Bill Documentary Trailer
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