We're an eBay affiliate and may be compensated on purchases made through clicks. 

William Shatner Says No to Autographs and -- GET A LIFE!

Most of us remember the Saturday Night Live bit that had William Shatner at a Star Trek convention. He’s answering bizarre, detailed questions about the show that he’d have no way of possibly knowing the answer to. They were such detailed things about a specific aspect of a certain episode, he finally, in exasperation, shouts “Get a life!”

The camera immediately shows a guy in the audience frowning. With a blue Star Trek shirt and Spock ears. It was a hysterical bit (back when SNL was actually funny).

I thought about introing this blog talking about that bit for two reasons. First, Comic Con is happening in my hometown of San Diego right now. The largest collection of geeks in the world will come into America’s Finest City and descend into downtown in costumes. Nothing probably smells worse than someone in a Chewbacca outfit in 85 degree sun.

The second reason I thought I’d intro with that bit is that William Shatner recently had a twitter fight with a bunch of his followers. And it all stemmed from him not wanting to sign autographs. Now, we’ve all known for years he wasn’t a good signer, but the rest of the public is finding this out the hard way.

It started with a fan tweeting that you shouldn’t ask Shatner for an autograph when he’s out in public or you’ll just get yelled at. Shatner responded, “Anybody that follows me knows I don’t sign autographs in public, so how about you just don’t ask me?”

He sent out a tweet that said if he’s out in public that you shouldn’t ask him for an autograph or a photo. Shatner said that he needed to defend his policy of not signing after he was called “rude” by fans. What was entertaining was all the follow up tweets and Shatner’s answers to them.

It started off reasonable enough. Shatner wrote “"If I’m out & about with family or waiting for a plane & I do it for one; an instant line 50 forms. So if I say no to #1 or #21 it’s the same - I’m a jerk. So to save time the answer is no. There’s a time and place for everything & conventions are that place."

A few fans tweeted that they pay his salary by purchasing tickets to his movies, and he responded, "I can make the same argument for whoever pays your salary. So if I purchase a product/service etc that your company makes my money is paying your salary too.”
The fans tried various ways to make Shatner feel bad about his “no autograph” policy, but he always seemed to have an answer. One person tweeted “Yeah God forbid a fan somehow cares about you enough to want an autograph. How dare they!” Someone else wrote that Shatner offering his signature “is a simple thank-you that costs nothing but means the world to a true fan.”

At one point he said, “I’m supposed to care about people who sneak up behind me to have someone grab a photo, who interrupt my private times enjoying my grandchildren, who bother me in restrooms& who even interrupt my calling my wife at the airport in order to request a photo or autograph?" he wrote.
When people asked if there was ever a time that would be appropriate for them to ask for an autograph, he responded, “No.”

When a fan asked, “What if you’re not busy?” He responded that the guy was living in a fantasyland, and he’s always busy. He added, "Anytime I’m out in public I’m doing something- going to a meeting, taking my grandchildren to the park, having a meal, traveling to a meeting or an event, etc... I value my personal time above all else. That’s why I go to conventions & come here- to make myself accessible."
He added, "I sign autographs constantly for charities and other organizations. I’m just not going to take autograph or photo requests in public because one leads to fifty which leads to hundreds which I don’t have time for."

When one person asked if he could get a private autograph, Shatner responded, “Not for you, Mr. Hairlick.”

I swear, I haven’t laughed this hard at a series of tweets since Kathy Griffin and Trump went at it.

There was another person that asked about the possibility of business cards, that say something like “I met WS and all I got was this lousy card” but quickly added, “then again, there’d be  a line of 50 wanting a card.”

That reminded me of the time my friend was at a movie theatre in line at the snack bar, and Orville Redenbacher was standing behind him. He said, “Are you Orville?” The white-haired man smiled and said, “Yes, but I don’t sign autographs. Here, have this.”

He handed my friend a card that said, “I met Orville Redenbacher, the popcorn king.”

He thought it was hysterical, as he didn’t even want an autograph, or the card (although he kept it in his wallet, just so he could share that story).

What kept surprising me about all this is, just when I thought a person was getting really rude, Shatner would still answer. One person claimed he was “openly rude” with fans, adding “I understand having your space. You have been doing this a long time [he’s 87-years-old]. But I saw an interview you did once and you basically s--- all over your fans. That’s not cool either. We may not pay you, but we gave you that pedestal.”

Shatner shot back, “What’s wrong with being direct and truthful?” Would you rather I lie and say I injured my hand playing tennis so I’m not up to signing autographs today, dear?”

When someone tried to make a veiled threat, saying “Sir, when we buy a car, a freezer, clothes, etc....part of the cost is advertising dollars, which flow from us to the manufacturing company to the tv producers to the actors. Yes, we are paying. The money does not come from out of the blue.”

Shatner simply responded, “I still got paid.”

When someone suggest autograph seekers send Shatner a self-addressed stamped envelope, and the star can choose to send an autograph that way...he took the Ringo Starr approach. He responded, “I get over 100k requests each year for autographs. I give priority to 501c3 and registered charities and I still leave many charity requests unanswered so chances are slim.”

When Shatner was talking about how he makes himself available at various conventions (like Comic Con here in San Diego), someone talked about how the ticket prices can be expensive at those. His response was, “I do book signings every so often, I do make other appearances plus conventions offer volunteer positions too.”

Now, had I been responding to this thread, or been interviewing Shatner when he said that, I’d tell him, “Book stores don’t let you bring any other items. I can understand if somebody has 20 different 8x10s, or Star Trek memorabilia, you don’t want to sign it all. Especially when some of them just sell it on eBay. But if each person buying your book has two other items you sign, even personalize, it would make everyone happy.”

Now, beam me up, Scotty! And have my Sharpie set to stun.

Views: 2903

Tags: Comic Con, Orville Redenbacher, Star Trek, William Shatner, William Shatner signing autographs

Comment by Josh Board on July 22, 2018 at 6:54am

I guess part of my problem is...you don't get any bigger than Paul McCartney, and he's always been a great signer. You just say "One per person," and on times you're busy, you just say "I can't right now, because I have things going on." Or, you make it work in a way that works for you. Shatner could say "I charge $20 an autograph when out in public, with 100% of that going to [insert charity here]." There are ways to do it without coming off as a jerk, and Shatner doesn't know (or employ) those ways.

Comment by James on July 22, 2018 at 3:09pm

The autograph world, and the world in general, needs more Bonos, in my opinion.  Talent and kindness go a long way.

Comment by Robert Babb on July 22, 2018 at 5:07pm

I have gotten his autograph through his fanclub a few years back and it is reasonable dennis!

Comment by Brian on July 29, 2018 at 7:17pm

If it wasn’t for the fans he wouldn’t be fortunate to live like he is so sign the graphs for us the fans. Otherwise be a nobody and you can walk the streets and not get bothered to scribble your name. It should be an honor when someone wants your autograph. People forget this is the life they chose and if not then don’t get into show business and work paycheck to paycheck line the rest of the working world or find a profession where people don’t want your autograph 

Comment by Larry Shockley on August 1, 2018 at 11:07am

First I paid $50 extra for a post show “meet and greet” that consisted of his handlers rushing us past him as he sat expressionless in a chair, handlers taking our photos with our cell phones and his handlers telling us NOT to speak to him and “no autographs”

A few months later I paid $85 for his indecipherable scribble beneath a nice autograph of James Doohan on my Star Trek communicator.

The BEST part was having one of his handlers attempt to block my cell photo of him singing it.

DONE with this guy.

Don’t recommend the experience 

Comment by James Stone on August 2, 2018 at 6:52pm

I had a good experience with Shatner at a convention. Signed my photo and I said "make it out to James" and he did. Then when I said "thank you" he said "thank you James". Just him remembering and saying my name back to me was cool. Then when I went for the photo op, I shook his hand during the photo, and again he said "thank you".

Nice guy. Sure, I had to pay. But thats how it goes. I could make the case, why should I have to pay $100 for what other get for free? Pony up, go to his many convention appearances, and stop complaining.

Comment by James Stone on August 2, 2018 at 6:55pm

As for the handlers rushing you; Shatner doesn't want to converse with you. He doesn't care. There is nothing you can say to him that he hasn't heard before. Whats the point? As far as no photos, it goes back to my original point, why should I pay for something you are trying to get for free? Its not fair to people paying like $80 for a photo with him that you are trying to sneak for free.

Comment by Josh Board on August 2, 2018 at 7:00pm
Well, Mr. Stone...I would say in that case, what they should say is, HALF of everything they charge for an autograph, goes to charity. Def Leppard did that for years. They'd charge ANYONE $5 for an autograph, with 100% of that money going to a charity of theirs. Great deal, for everyone.

And you're right, Shatner doesn't want to converse with you, IF you have nothing of interest to say. But, famous people realize...YOU want to converse with them. And that's why they do it (usually). Look, there's nothing I could say to Eric Clapton that makes him thinking I'm a bigger fan than anyone else. But ya know what? I'd think of something to say that would make him laugh, like I did with Ken Jeong, and it made for a hysterical photo somebody took of us together.

I'll give you a few examples of what they need to realize. Tommy Lasorda (Dodgers long time manager), once asked a Hall of Fame player for an autograph when he was 10 years old. The player told Tommy to "fu** off!" Tommy cried. Well, when he was 19 and pitching in the majors, that guy was up to bat. He tagged him on the head with a pitch. Next time up to bat, he did it again. The HoFer asked why he was doing that, and he said "you wouldn't sign an autograph for me once!" They then became fast friends and he won't tell who it was that refused the autograph.
Also, I've interviewed famous people, and almost all of them have a person THEY wanted an autograph from before they were famous. So they get it. They understand. Yet...why when they become rich and famous, do they not realize...they're now in that position to make the fans happy?
Comment by Larry Shockley on August 2, 2018 at 7:49pm

Sorry... Charging $80 for an autograph and blocking folks from taking a photo OF THEM SIGNING IT for authentication purposes is a jerk move. Pure and simple 

Comment by James Stone on August 3, 2018 at 3:46am

First off, Shatner probably needs the money. It hard for us to imagine making millions and needing more, but welcome to the life of celebrity.

Second, I get what you are saying, but I think you are looking at it wrong, Shatner is a legend. To me, paying $150 or whatever for a photo and autograph of him is a steal. I don't go into expecting him to be my friend or for us to talk like we know each other. That is a UNREALISTIC EXPECTATION. Again, the guy is a legend. I just consider myself lucky to have met him. Anything extra is greedy. Besides he won't remember you the second you leave his presence. Believe me.

Why do you need to take a photo for authentication purposes? You gonna sell it? Well then Shatner's handlers are making the right call. Why should he sign something that you are going to "exact proof" flip on ebay? If I was him I wouldn't want you doing that!

Look, I get it, Shatner is probably a jerk, Shatner probably doesn't appreciate his fans. But it is what it is. No point in getting all worked up. Just be happy with what you got, which again, considering who he is and how old he is, its amazing people are given opportunities to meet him.

Many celebrities are just IMPOSSIBLE to meet. There is nothing I can do, no matter how much money I can throw at someone, to meet Paul Mccartney. I'll die before I have the opportunity. At least I HAD the opportunity to meet Shatner. Consider yourselfs lucky!

BTW, That was an interesting story about working with the baseball player who once refused an autograph!

Comment

You need to be a member of Autograph Live to add comments!

Join Autograph Live

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Videos

  • Add Videos
  • View All

© 2024   Created by Steve Cyrkin, Admin.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Service