By: Russ Burlingame on February 7, 2013
A while back, we reported on that brief, shining moment in pop culture history when Megan Fox joined Twitter, dropped a bunch of Star Wars references, and then disappeared from the social media network.
Well, last night saw something arguably more momentous, and definitely more interesting: William Shatner joined Reddit and promptly held an ad hoc AMA in the /r/startrek area of the site.
First, he introduced himself:
So I’ve been reading the AMAs. First off whomever told me on Twitter that they were easier to follow LIED!
They ramble and ramble off on a plethora of bizarre trails.
It seems like it always comes down to this question: “Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or 1 horse-sized duck?”
My answer: I’m a lover, not a fighter.
So that means I’ve done my AMA and I’ve done it without any questions so that has to be a world record, right?
I see the value of an AMA for someone who is never coming back here again but really, is an AMA for someone who is going to stick around necessary? I would much rather just do it more of a grass roots style. Answering things as I go along.
Then he proceeded to engage the fans in conversation and, along the way, answered a number of questions, some quite funny and some more work-related. He also managed to completely misunderstand what it means to sleep with a fan.
And, lest anyone be concerned that this isn’t the real T.J. Hooker, the actor took to his (verified) Twitter account to say that he’d been spending some time on Reddit was was beginning to get the hang of it.
Some highlights from Shatner’s first night on Reddit:
How did you cure your tinnitus and is it a method people who aren’t rich can use? And speak up please as I can’t hear well over the ringing.
I haven’t cured it. I live with it and have been able to deal with it by habituation. When you learn how to habituate the environment it all but goes away.
[It's at this point that a Redditor suggested, "Sleeping with a fan helps, too, I find." Shatner responded, "And blocking someone who suggests that helps me," prompting a series of responses, the best of which was the original commenter clarifying that "Whoops! I meant an actual fan! I've had tinnitus for years and years and sleeping drove me nuts. A fan, with spinning blades that is, helps." Other fans made jokes about "sexually oblivious Trekkies" and said, "It's not every day you accidentally hit on" Shatner.]
When you guest star on shows like Psych, is there any “Holy crap, we’re on set with William Shatner!” mood/air from the other actors or crew? You’re pretty iconic, and though I’m sure they’re professionals, I can’t help but wonder if a bit of fandom sneaks through.
It happens but most younger actors need to personify that stoic attitude. Then I get an email or message that’s a total fanboy gush.
How often are you back in Montreal? I believe my dad’s lawyer is your brother.
Well, lawyers lie. I don’t have a brother.
Out of curiosity, what’s the weirdest thing someone asked you? Besides the 100 ducks question.
There’s so many bizarre questions. Time travelers who need a part for their damaged time machines and for some reason NEED to contact me…Some have sent me the cure for cancer (I checked with experts – it wasn’t.)… the list goes on and on.
Now doesn’t that make you feel better about the questions you ask?
Well who else are [the time-travelers] going to contact when Leonard Nimoy isn’t available?
They should continue to try to contact Leonard. He needs their brand of love too!
What is you favorite Star Trek book?
Any one that I’ve written.
