Getty
Rod Roddenberry
the legendary Gen Roddenberry, Creator of “Star Trek“, And his wife, Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, They had an only child: Rod Roddenberry. Roddenberry stayed away from the family business for many years, even after his father died in 1991. However, he assumed the role of “guardian” of his father’s legacy in 2001, when he left. become CEO of Roddenberry Entertainment, The company that oversees all “Star Trek” properties.
2021 is a momentous year for the Star Trek universe. It’s the 55th anniversary of “Star Trek: The Original Series“, And the year Gene Roddenberry turned 100. To commemorate these milestones, Rod Roddenberry has been giving a large number of interviews, reflecting on the franchise and its impact on the world, and sharing memories of his father. .
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Roddenberry referred to an infamous moment in the history of “Star Trek” – the sketch “Do something useful with your life” by William Shatner a Saturday night live.
The sketch “Do something useful with your life”
The sketch in question belongs to a 1986 SNL episode presented by Shatner. The episode included a parody in which Shatner pretended to be attending one “Star Trek” convention. During an alleged round of questions and answers, Shatner was intensely bombarded with very specific questions about the Star Trek Universe. Those who posed the questions were caricatures of the fervent “Trekkies” who normally attended these events.
After struggling to answer questions from fans, Shatner was visibly angry. Then he shouted, “Do something useful with your life!” And he launched an attack by saying how stupid it was for fans to be so wrapped up in a fictional world; he scolded them and begged them to seek interests in the real world.
The sketch was well received at the time and was even included in SNL’s list of the 100 best moments of E! Entertainment.
A Roddenberry he did not like it
However, not everyone found fun in the sketch. Roddenberry definitely didn’t like it, and he didn’t hide it in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.
“I never really appreciated that sketch because I think it was degrading to the fans. I think it was disrespectful, especially for a character who was an intelligent, open-minded leader.”
However, Roddenberry added that he did not, “in no way do I condemn [el sketch]. It’s SNL, where everything is fun. “
He went on to say that he did not know his father’s opinion regarding the sketch. Roddenberry explained that he was an “immature boy” when his father died. So they didn’t have too many conversations about what their father thought about certain things, like the SNL sketch.
What they did talk about was their father’s love for the Star Trek universe and his fans. Roddenberry told The Hollywood Reporter that his father “really appreciated the fans,” and that he loved seeing them at conventions.
Shatner’s answer
Of course, Shatner responded immediately to Twitter. At first, he simply retweeted the article with a comment on “presentism.” at the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Presentism is defined as “an attitude towards the past dominated by attitudes and experiences of the present.”
Shatner is often critical the application of presentism in the contemporary analysis of ancient publications and historical events. Similarly he states that presentism should not be used to reinterpret the Star Trek universe of the past.
The point he apparently wanted to make with his tweet is that Roddenberry was using presentism in qualifying a sketch as offensive when it hadn’t been at the time. When fans questioned his perspective, Shatner clarified his stance with an additional tweet.
Some Star Trek fans counterattacked, claiming more respect for Shatner. The actor answered them forcefully.
Shatner frequently states that does not owe his career to “Star Trek” nor to his fans. It is also very clear regarding the fact that fans who expect him to act in a certain way or to support certain opinions “are not entitled”.
So far, Roddenberry has not responded to Shatner’s tweets. It should be clarified that, unlike Shatner, he is not an avid user of social media.
Follow Right Now on Instagram
This is the original version of Heavy.com by Austin Boyd
READ MORE: 1967 interview reveals Leonard Nimoy’s “ear arrangement.”