Journalist Shatner enters next phase of TV stardom

William Shatner will always be known for his role as the resolute Captain Kirk on the classic television series, Star Trek. Yet he has recently carved out his own brand of TV journalism and in September he steps into the world of sitcoms.
Having starred in cop drama TJ Hooker and legal show Boston Legal, Shatner takes on the role of an elderly father in the upcoming Shit My Dad Says. At the same time, he starts a third season of his talk show, Shatner's Raw Nerve, screening in the United States.
Shatner is also executive producer of Aftermath With William Shatner, in which he interviews people who were once the subject of media headlines. He talked to Reuters about his projects and why "shit" should be said on TV.
Q: In Aftermath you interview those who became household names overnight due to unforeseen circumstances - the DC Snipers and the Unabomber, for instance. What makes them sit down with Captain Kirk?
A: They're anxious to tell their story. They've had their 15 minutes [of fame] and here's an opportunity to present that story once again from their side. It may also be they know me in some manner and want to talk to me.

Q: When they first meet you, do they get excited to meet someone they've watched on TV?
A: They do indeed, but then they get past that and see that it's not an actor but a human being who is interested in them.
Q: How do you like being in the journalist's chair?
A: I have no journalistic experience, I have no technique. What I have is curiosity. I'm not out to hurt them. I don't have an agenda. I'm sort of fumbling my way into a person's psyche because of an innate interest in them and what they're thinking and feeling as a result of the experience they went through.

Q: Your new comedy is based on a Twitter feed, Shit My Dad Says, and the network has changed its title to S*** My Dad Says because you can't say shit on TV. The network uses the word "bleep" instead. The Parents Television Council wants advertisers to boycott the show because of the language. When you reference the show, do you say "shit" or "bleep"?
A: We call it "shit". I urge you to look at the word "shit". It's the vernacular, not the act of defecation. All you're arguing is should the word "shit" be allowed in the English language in nice company. If you're talking to a jazz musician and he says, "I've got to get my shit together", are you appalled or do you say, "Yeah, I understand?"
Q: Do you tweet?
A: Oh yes, I'm quite active in it. I don't know how to technically do it but I have some young people who do it for me.

Q: The actor who was cast as your son on the show was replaced after the pilot episode. Why?
A: The network felt the young man lacked dramatic weight is the only way I can think of it. But it's pretty common for a network to recast.
Q: Has that ever happened to you?
A: Has the axe ever fallen on my head? No. (Laughs). But maybe that's because I'm always expecting it to.
Q: Your speech pattern is so distinct that it's become very easy to imitate you. Why do you think that is?

A: (Laughs) I don't really recognise that pattern of speech but I go along with it.
Q: At 79 years old, you've got three US shows plus a reality show called Weird or What in your native Canada. You're still a pitchman for discount travel service Priceline and are also a partner in My Outer Space, a social networking website for sci-fi fans. Where do you find the time?
A: I've discovered the answer, which is to get up a couple of hours earlier. You can get anything done if you're up early. That and Omega-3s.