Should I go meet my hero - William Shatner?

3rdDegree

They say you should never meet your hero's, and whoever "they" (those wise old sages) are, it could be very good advice!

First off, I'm not a nerd!

I'm in Nashville at the moment on holidays with my family and have just discovered that the great (maybe soon-to-be-late) living legend William Shatner or "Admiral Kirk" (I will never accept that demotion at the end of Star Trek IV) will be at Comic Con tomorrow afternoon.

Now, I did a lot of research here and found that although some say he has mellowed in the last few years, most say that the Shat can be a bit of a shat! The appaling way he treated Will Wheaton during their first meeting is now legendary among both Wheaton's fans. During autographs, book signings and photos, it's a conveyer system where he neither interacts with or even looks at the autographee. I did find only one exception of a story where he chatted to a fan as he signed the autograph. Apparently he also chats to kids a bit, but none of my kids are young enough anymore. Besides, they were never particularly cute children even in their heyday, let alone now. So they're going to be fairly useless to me (yet again).

To be honest, I have little or no interest in an autograph or photo. I'd just like to meet him and have a few words. Perhaps tell him that whenever my sister-in-law (who is a VERY nasty person, by the way) makes snide comments about how Bill's actions around the death of his last wife were extremely suspicious, that I always stand up for him. Always! But if it's going to be a cold and impersonal experience, I might regret it forever.

Then, there is also the matter of my family. If we're going to do this, we have to do it together. I'm not sure they will stick all the queuing and hanging around that will be involved. They still haven't forgiven me for that three hour tour of the tank museum in France I made them ensure two years ago. This will be an entire day out of our holidays; and apart from expressing my support with regards to the death of his late wife, I'm not sure what else I can say to him that hasn't been said by hundreds of fans before me. Any ideas?

By the way, these Nerd Conventions are very expensive: Apart from the high admission fees, they charge $70 for an autograph and $90 for a photo. Also, I won't be able to shake his hand. Bill doesn't like to be touched, apparently.

What would you do?

Tombi!

Well if he as a reputation for being a bit of a dick and you already know that and don't go meeting him under the impression he's the nicest person ever, I say go for it.

wazky

3rdDegree wrote: »

What would you do?

I'd stop creaming my jocks at the thought of meeting an old man for a start.

The Moldy Gowl

Drop trou and helicopter dick

never meet your heroes trust me I met my idol she was a complete bitch

Mrs Garth Brooks

Go for it. I met my hero. It was worth the 5 hour wait. Don't bring family or friends.

It'll be the best holiday of your life. You'll never get to meet him again. Go for it.

yeppydeppy

tl:dr

Sunnyisland

Thats spockingly expensive ?

4zn76tysfajdxp

3rdDegree wrote: »

First off, I'm not a nerd!

(I will never accept that demotion at the end of Star Trek IV)

Yeah right.

Wait, wasn't it Star Trek III?

Waitsian

I wouldn't do it. Remember him as he was on screen. He might not even look you in the eye much less converse - what's the point? Save yourself the time and effort; use it to watch an old Star Trek episode instead.

Potatoeman

He's probably sick of fans. There is nothing you can say to him he hasn't heard a thousand times. If you like him so much leave him alone.

crockholm

You should meet him if you CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNN

YFlyer

He had to remind a bunch of trekkie fans at a Star Trek Convention that its only a show and not real.

FloatingVoter

Tell him you thought he was fantastic in an unsympathetic role in "Judgement at Nurmemberg". Fail to mention Kirk or TJ Hooker, you will have made a friend for life.

Why would anyone queue for hours to say hello to a grumpy old man who won't even shake your hand?

BUT if you're a mega fan and look like this, go for it.

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/UpyrD9uFDe4/hqdefault.jpg

ScumLord

I doubt you'll enjoy meeting him at a convention like that, they're soul sapping for the celebrities that have to sit through them.

I'd go to see all the hot chicks dressed as comic book characters.

Davarus Walrus

Shatner is a lucky man. Nerds, dweebs and neckbeards pay him €90 to get their photo taken with him. And then he gets to insult and belittle them.

Mrs Garth Brooks

Mrs Garth Brooks wrote: »

Go for it. I met my hero

Now, who on earth could that have been?

NIMAN

I say meet him, and if he isn't nice then call him a CNUT and then knock him out, guarantee he will never forget you.

Sunnyisland

Candie wrote: »

Now, who on earth could that have been?

Dublin city council :-)

blueser

Deleted User wrote: »

never meet your heroes trust me I met my idol she was a complete bitch

Go on then; don't leave us hanging on here.

FloatingVoter

Davarus Walrus wrote: »

Shatner is a lucky man. Nerds, dweebs and neckbeards pay him €90 to get their photo taken with him. And then he gets to insult and belittle them.

Not very original on Kirk's part. Cary Grant used to charge 5c for autographs. Alec Guinness would sign if you promised to never watch Star Wars again.
The difference being those two had talent.

3rdDegree

Davarus Walrus wrote: »

Shatner is a lucky man. Nerds, dweebs and neckbeards pay him €90 to get their photo taken with him. And then he gets to insult and belittle them.

At least when he does that, he acknowledges them!

Mrs Garth Brooks

Candie wrote: »

Now, who on earth could that have been?

Guess

Roddy23

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qx0fGFateuU

Mrs Garth Brooks

Mrs Garth Brooks wrote: »

Guess

Billy Ray Cyrus?

The Backwards Man

Never got the whole queue all day for a autograph or a photo craic. I've net a few celebrities in my time, one or two heroes, but I met them on equal terms, if they want to say hello or have a chat or whatever that's grand, but I'm damn sure I won't be running after them.

The Backwards Man

Candie wrote: »

Billy Ray Cyrus?

I think it's Don Williams or Merle Haggard or Kris Kristofferson or someone like that, they are the only country heroes.

3rdDegree

3rdDegree wrote: »

Also, I won't be able to shake his hand. Bill doesn't like to be touched, apparently (something he and my wife have in common at least).

What would you do?

Touch your wife?

Everlong1

I'd say go for it but I wouldn't mention his late wife's death: I should imagine that's the last thing he'd want someone at a convention to bring up, even if it is in a sympathetic fashion.

You could always compliment him on his cover of Common People.

kumate_champ07

dont ask for a photo or autograph, just be sincere.

3rdDegree

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I in its Don Williams or Merle Haggard or Kris Kristofferson or someone like that, they are the only country heroes.

Isn't it ironic. I'm in Nashville and don't want to meet ANY of those guys!

The Backwards Man

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I think it's Don Williams or Merle Haggard or Kris Kristofferson or someone like that, they are the only country heroes.

Excuse you. Mr Johnny Cash was most definitely a country hero, if not THE country hero.

I'm not a real country fan but I do like Kristofferson.

Jimminy Mc Fukhead

May the force be with you.

The Backwards Man

3rdDegree wrote: »

Isn't it ironic. I'm in Nashville and don't want to meet ANY of those guys!

Ironic isn't the word I would use.:pac:

weisses

Denny Crane ..... Epic

This guy is probably worth queuing for:

http://scifijaz.com/p/spockparsons.jpg

At least he looks happy to play the part.

3rdDegree

Candie wrote: »

This guy is probably worth queuing for:

http://scifijaz.com/p/spockparsons.jpg

At least he looks happy to play the part.

In all seriousness, I agree. He is supposed to be true gent!

Mrs Garth Brooks

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I think it's Don Williams or Merle Haggard or Kris Kristofferson or someone like that, they are the only country heroes.

George Strait is also another country hero. He's another musical genius. I didn't meet him though.

SimonTemplar

I'd rather meet Patrick Stewart than William Shatner.

krudler

SimonTemplar wrote: »

I'd rather meet Patrick Stewart than William Shatner.

They were both at a comic con thing I was at recently, I didnt meet them but you could see where they were sitting. Stewart arrived out smiling and waving and was sat near other celebrities, Shatner was sat on his own platform away from everyone else.

Summer wind

Deleted User wrote: »

never meet your heroes trust me I met my idol she was a complete bitch

blueser wrote: »

Go on then; don't leave us hanging on here.

Please please tell us it's driving me crazy:)

mrcheez

SimonTemplar wrote: »

I'd rather meet Patrick Stewart than William Shatner.

Just make sure your belly isn't sticking out.

duffman13

Candie wrote: »

I'm not a real country fan but I do like Kristofferson.

The Rhode Scholar?

SeaFields

Anyone remember the name of the film length documentary about star trek fans done years ago? "Tasha" (I think her name was, blonde girl from star trek next generation) was the host of it and to be fair some of those fans were nuts so no wonder the actors are pissed off!

duffman13

duffman13 wrote: »

The Rhode Scholar?

He got a Blue for boxing

blastman

3rdDegree wrote: »

The appaling way he treated Will Wheaton during their first meeting is now legendary among both Wheaton's fans.

Wow, I knew no-one really liked Wesley that much, but that's rough, only having two fans.

krudler

SeaFields wrote: »

Anyone remember the name of the film length documentary about star trek fans done years ago? "Tasha" (I think her name was, blonde girl from star trek next generation) was the host of it and to be fair some of those fans were nuts so no wonder the actors are pissed off!

They make an absolute fortune doing conventions though so I've no real sympathy for them, they can always turn down the 100k or so they'll make signing autographs for a weekend. It's not like fans are lining up on the streets to take pics with them it's a public appearance they agreed to. For actors who didn't do much after whatever series made them famous ends it keeps them in decent money for years.

SeaFields

krudler wrote: »

They make an absolute fortune doing conventions though so I've no real sympathy for them, they can always turn down the 100k or so they'll make signing autographs for a weekend. It's not like fans are lining up on the streets to take pics with them it's a public appearance they agreed to. For actors who didn't do much after whatever series made them famous ends it keeps them in decent money for years.

Oh i don't doubt they make money from it and the legacy of the various shows but certainly for some fans there seems to be a blurred line between reality and the fantasy of the show. :eek:

elfy4eva

Go for it. Im sure hes well up for having a chat with a stranger about the circumstances of his wife's death. Invite yourself over to his place for a glass of scotch and a cigar on the balcony while you're at it...

Seriously you go to a convention and you're as good as a sheep in a herd of sheep. Unless your family has the slightest interest in hanging around in queues with trekkies and cosplayers all day I wouldn't be dragging them along.

FloatingVoter

Given that I make a point of avoiding Star Trek fanatics myself, it must be bloody awful to be someone that they gravitate towards. I suppose the money makes up for it.