Catching up with the real Captain Kirk

William Shatner, best known for his portrayal of Capt. James T. Kirk on the original “Star Trek” series and in numerous movies thereafter, will be in Austin at Bass Concert Hall on Jan. 12. After a screening of “Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan,” Shatner will share stories from his career, which spans more than 50 years and includes acting, producaing, directing and writing. Fans will also have a chance to ask Shatner questions during an audience-led question-and-answer session.

To promote the event, Shatner did a series of short interviews with Austin-area media, including the Daily Record. He spoke about many aspects of his career, including his years as Captain Kirk and specifically “Wrath of Khan,” which is widely regarded as one of the best -- if not the best -- of the “Star Trek” movies.

“It’s one of my favorites,” Shatner said. “I think it’s got a great plot, great villain, some touching moments between the cast. … It has a wonderful mixture of the things that have made ‘Star Trek’ as successful as it has been. It’s a really good script.”

Shatner explained that after what he called “the less-than-huge success” of the first “Star Trek” movie, Paramount was going to stop making the movies, but they let the television arm of Paramount Pictures give movie making a try with “Wrath of Khan.”

“We did it for a lot less money, and went back to the storytelling that was the strength of ‘Star Trek,’” Shatner said. 

Shatner couldn’t pin down one high point of his career as Captain Kirk, noting that he enjoyed the challenges of playing his most iconic role.

“The part was extremely well written over the years while it was a series and while it was a movie,” he said. “There were some wonderful moments as an actor that challenged me. … It was just a wonderful character to act and I think just generally, I had a good time doing it.”

Along with Nichelle Nichols as the Enterprise’s Lieutenant Uhura, Shatner was part of the first on-screen interracial kiss.

“I kissed a girl,” he said, “and then they made a big fuss about it.”

As for low points in his career as Kirk, Shatner said, “I guess the worst moment was the cancellation.”

Of course, Shatner has done other things in his storied career. He has recorded several albums -- most recently a Christmas album called “Shatner Claus” that includes guest appearances by other artists including Iggy Pop, Judy Collins, former Yes keyboardist Rick Wakeman and fellow renaissance man Henry Rollins.

“Henry and I over the years have become friends,” Shatner said, “and we did an album that got a great deal of notice called ‘Has Been,’ and we did a number that I wrote on ‘Has Been’ that got a lot of notice.”

“Shatner Claus” is getting a positive reception as well, Shatner said.

“It’s getting extraordinary notices – not just ‘this is good,’ but ‘work of art’ kind of thing,” he said.

Shatner also has a book out called “Live Long And …” and recorded a country music album called “Why Not Me.”

But of all his non-”Star Trek” adventures, Shatner said, his favorite is probably a one-man show that he did on Broadway and then toured with it.

“I actually came back last week from touring Australia and New Zealand with it,” he said.

He enjoys the show so much, he said, because, “Entertaining thousands of people in a theater by yourself is, I guess, the ultimate challenge.”

The Jan. 12 event in Austin is part of a tour that Shatner has been doing this year, Shatner said.

“It’s really working very well,” he said. “We’ve been having a good time at the end of the film. … This is quite different and really worthwhile, I think.”

Tickets for the show at Bass Concert Hall start at $39.50 plus service fees and can be purchased at texasperformingarts.org, the Bass Concert Hall ticket office and all Texas Box Office outlets, or by calling (512) 477-6060. The event is produced by Mills Entertainment and The Backlot Project.

“I encourage your audience to come and have a good time,” Shatner said.