SETI Updates
Appearing briefly at the start of the show,
Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer for
SETI spoke about the new Low Frequency Array, a network of antennae in Europe that will search for intelligent life in the universe. More
here.
In the third hour,
Dr. Laurance Doyle, a principal investigator with
SETI, talked about radio telescopes and information theory. The
Allen Array is now operational, but will have more satellite dishes added to it, he noted. Doyle said he's involved in the "message received" side of analysis, incorporating studies of communications of dolphins and whales to help determine the kind of complexity an ET signal might present.
Recap
The William Shatner Interview
During the first two hours, actor
William Shatner shared stories from his remarkable career including his roles in
Twilight Zone,
Star Trek, and
Boston Legal. He got his start doing radio plays in his native Canada, before moving on to acting for the stage in New York.
Later, as he was in a failing TV series opposite
Bonanza, he got a call from Gene Roddenberry to take a look at a pilot for
Star Trek. The series in which he played Capt. James Kirk, ran for three years on NBC, but it was not a huge ratings success-- it was only in subsequent years during syndication that the show took off, he recounted. Leonard Nimoy, who played Mr. Spock, has remained a close friend throughout his life, helping him get through the loss of his wife Nerine, said Shatner.
He recalled the classic
Trouble with Tribbles episode: "I certainly remember being buried in these little furry balls," as the stage crew through the balls at him, while silently laughing.
His serio-comic style as the Priceline pitchman may have inspired David Kelley to create the character of Denny Crane for him in
The Practice/Boston Legal, said Shatner. He also discussed his singing endeavors-- using his classical training, he acts out the song.
The last hour featured Open Lines, and a replay of a 2005 Dr. Morgus appearance.
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Vintage Shatner Video
Check out some vintage video clips with
William Shatner:
a
1966 interview on the set of
Star Trek, a
1980's commercial for Commodore Computers, and a
spoken word rendition of
Rocket Man from 1978.
William Shatner
Win
Real