Today's Pop Five: Michael H.'s fave Shatner performances
The Pop Five is a series of Pop Candy readers' top five lists. Today's contribution comes from Michael H.:
In honor of William Shatner's birthday this week -- he turned 80 on March 22 -- I'd like to submit my top five William Shatner performances. Let's face it. Shatner may not be the best actor in the world, but he's one of the most recognizable. Any time he's in a show, movie, etc., his acting style is always apparent.
1. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Without a doubt, the best performance the man has given. Ironically, it's because director Nicholas Meyer did so many takes of certain scenes that Shatner stopped being Shatner and just acted the scenes.
2. Free Enterprise. Shatner plays a guy named Bill, a colorful caricature of the Shatner image. Worth seeing to hear Shatner rap at the end and for the scene where fantasy Bill gives one of our young heroes advice.
3. Star Trek, "The Enemy Within." It's easy to cite "City on the Edge of Forever" as a great performance by Shatner in classic Trek. But this early, first season episode is a true showcase for Shatner with two Kirks thanks to a transporter accident. It shows why producers and NBC thought getting Shatner as a leading man for Trek was such a coup.
4. The Twilight Zone, Terror at 20,000 Feet. Outside of Captain Kirk, this may be Shatner's best-known bit of television acting.
5. Third Rock From the Sun. Shatner won his first Emmy for his portrayal of the Big Giant Head. Best moment is when Shatner and John Lithgow talk about a plane being delayed due to seeing something on the wing.
Note: The Pop Five is retiring April 15! If you have a list, send it soon to popcandy@usatoday.com.
See photos of: Star Trek, William ShatnerTags:Star TrekWilliam Shatner
In honor of William Shatner's birthday this week -- he turned 80 on March 22 -- I'd like to submit my top five William Shatner performances. Let's face it. Shatner may not be the best actor in the world, but he's one of the most recognizable. Any time he's in a show, movie, etc., his acting style is always apparent.
1. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. Without a doubt, the best performance the man has given. Ironically, it's because director Nicholas Meyer did so many takes of certain scenes that Shatner stopped being Shatner and just acted the scenes.
Click to view2. Free Enterprise. Shatner plays a guy named Bill, a colorful caricature of the Shatner image. Worth seeing to hear Shatner rap at the end and for the scene where fantasy Bill gives one of our young heroes advice.
3. Star Trek, "The Enemy Within." It's easy to cite "City on the Edge of Forever" as a great performance by Shatner in classic Trek. But this early, first season episode is a true showcase for Shatner with two Kirks thanks to a transporter accident. It shows why producers and NBC thought getting Shatner as a leading man for Trek was such a coup.
4. The Twilight Zone, Terror at 20,000 Feet. Outside of Captain Kirk, this may be Shatner's best-known bit of television acting.
5. Third Rock From the Sun. Shatner won his first Emmy for his portrayal of the Big Giant Head. Best moment is when Shatner and John Lithgow talk about a plane being delayed due to seeing something on the wing.
Note: The Pop Five is retiring April 15! If you have a list, send it soon to popcandy@usatoday.com.
See photos of: Star Trek, William ShatnerTags:Star TrekWilliam Shatner