March
5 Now Captain Kirk Speaks

William Shatner, "Star Trek's" Captain Kirk, spoke with director J.J. Abrams about "Star Trek XI," the prequel.  "They (Paramount) brought me in and we talked for several hours with him. But I have no idea what use, if any, they want of us (Shatner and Leonard Nimoy). But I would think they'd want us in there somewhere."  Shatner doesn't believe Web rumors that Matt Damon would play the young Captain Kirk or that Adrian Brody would be the young Mr. Spock.  Shatner asks if "Star Trek XI" prequel's story could bare any resemblance to the secrecy involved in the filming of his "Invasion Iowa" in 2005.
Shatner's plate is full enough without any "Treks." His weekly "Boston Legal" (my favorite show) is his major effort. The series continues its no- punches-pulled points of view at this week's taping when the war in Iraq is attacked. "I say it's time to blow it up," Shatner says, adding, "David (E. Kelley) is so brave." Shatner is also readying to direct a feature, "The Shiva Club"--what happens when a group of comics get together to "sit Shiva" in mourning.   He's also prepping a 40-minute recording with the 350-voice Arkansas symphony-choir's version of the story of "The Exodus" and a DVD of the Milwaukee ballet performing the song he recorded, "Has Been."  Shatner's now also busy raising funds with the Jewish National Fund for his therapeutic riding program for children of all the children in the Israeli-Arabic world." It (peace) starts with kids--and the use of a horse," says Shatner. And oh yes, he's again doing Priceline.com commercials, four this year and he's signed for 2008. Captain Kirk's obviously still in command.