William Shatner on “Star Trek” Reruns and Personal Viewing Habits

William Shatner has revealed that he hasn’t earned anything from reruns of the original “Star Trek.” In a recent interview, he shared that, at the time, “no one knew about the rerun.” The concept of syndication, he explained, really only emerged after the show was canceled.

There was a significant strike that impacted pay, and ultimately, the union managed to secure certain fees, but Shatner notes that he didn’t see any profit from the show.

His Experience with the Series

Interestingly, Shatner, who portrayed Captain James T. Kirk from 1966 to 1969, has been quite candid about not being a fan of watching the show. He mentioned he’s seen as little of “Star Trek” as possible, stating, “I’ve never seen another ‘Star Trek’ and I’ve barely seen the episodes I’m in.” He also expressed a general disinterest in viewing himself on screen.

Instead, he tends to watch documentaries, news, and sports. His family occasionally tries to prompt him to check out certain shows, but his preference remains consistent.

Thoughts on Future Appearances

Shatner did suggest he might consider a return to the character if he found a compelling reason, beyond just a cameo. However, he acknowledges that it would be challenging to revisit such an iconic role.

Despite “Star Trek’s” vast popularity over the decades, it seems Shatner’s connection to it is more complicated than it appears. He enjoys the legacy of the series but rarely engages with it personally, preferring to focus on other pursuits.