30th Aniversary

[Lasser83]

Tonight is the 30th anniversary of William Shatner's legendary "Rocket Man" performance.

Simply amazing. This will cheer up anyone after X's defeat.

Here is the youtube link: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvQwXOCKNLY)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvQwXOCKNLY

And here is an interesting interpretation via The Family Guy: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oujwmiy-dWk)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oujwmiy-dWk

[chico]

Chris Elliott's performance of Rocket Man on Letterman is seminal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56g2gNdWxxw&feature=PlayList&p=320D9C060F640453&index=30

[ATL Muskie]

Chris Elliott was the man. I miss his Marlon Brando cameos on Letterman.

[Kahns Krazy]

I don't like the word seminal.

[blobfan]

How is it I missed this! As one of the Youtube posters said, that was Shatastic!!

[Snipe]

I don't like the word seminal.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
sem·i·nal /ˈsɛmənl/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[sem-uh-nl] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adjective

1. pertaining to, containing, or consisting of semen.

[Smooth]

Going for the hundie.

[GuyFawkes38]

Wow, brings back memories from when I started this thread. The "Out on the Mall" board was nearly empty back then.

[Stonebreaker]

http://www.billionswithzeroknowledge.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/11/WindowsLiveWriter/CorporateandCommunityLeadership_A1D/insp_captkirk%5B5%5D.jpg

[Emp]

I'm in a cultural vacuum in the 70s..teaching, grad school, no TV... this is priceless. Truly, Ive never seen it. Dean Martin meets Richard Harris meets George Carlin, or something close. Why wasn't the Emmy crowd laughing on its ass???

[The Artist]

I prefer Stewie's impression of Shatner singing Rocket Man.

[Emp]

I prefer Stewie's impression of Shatner singing Rocket Man.

Anyone got a link that works for this? I keep getting "removed dispute with UA" when I use the original post link ....

[Juice]

Anyone got a link that works for this? I keep getting "removed dispute with UA" when I use the original post link ....

http://homepage.mac.com/heatherhamlin/monkeysvacation/iMovieTheater35.html

[GuyFawkes38]

Why wasn't the Emmy crowd laughing on its ass???

Actually, I think this was performed at the Science Fiction award show (I've never heard of it). So yeah, it's probably a nerdy crowd who took it seriously (although I guess it does have a serious side to it).

[Emp]

upon rewatching the Shatner orginal, of course, SciFi crowd, 70s, still taking things VERY seriously. And RocketMan has a serious theme. It's just the whole tux and cigarette setting, and he cracks himself up at the end...I'm sure that for a significant element this was an anthemic song, and not to be parodied. Sort of like Shatner doing Sounds of Silence in the same schtick at a Simon and Garfunkel tribute show. I wonder what Taupin thought of it?

Thanks for the link for Stewie, Guy. Being a Mac-Person splains at least some of YOUR schtick.

[chico]

More of the genius that is Shatner.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBWOmHUvKBw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U0GAjK64VZg&feature=related

Let's not forget that Spock got in on the act as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC73PHdQX04&feature=related

[blobfan]

Actually, I think this was performed at the Science Fiction award show (I've never heard of it). So yeah, it's probably a nerdy crowd who took it seriously (although I guess it does have a serious side to it).

You're right about that one, Guy. [why am I shuddering inside at saying that?] It was performed at a Science Fiction award show. I'm a little young to have been aware of it back then but my mother, who is a big fan of his role on Boston Legal, remembers it. She said the joke was that the crowd watching was so enamored of the Shat that they took it seriously, like it was a real piece of performance art with deep meaning. Shat, however, meant it to be a parody of the so-called serious performance art and as a smirk to the god-like status his fans granted him.

I think that might be the beauty of Shatner. He really doesn't take himself as seriously as one might think on first glance. He's really having a great time.

[GuyFawkes38]

You're right about that one, Guy. [why am I shuddering inside at saying that?] It was performed at a Science Fiction award show. I'm a little young to have been aware of it back then but my mother, who is a big fan of his role on Boston Legal, remembers it. She said the joke was that the crowd watching was so enamored of the Shat that they took it seriously, like it was a real piece of performance art with deep meaning. Shat, however, meant it to be a parody of the so-called serious performance art and as a smirk to the god-like status his fans granted him.

I think that might be the beauty of Shatner. He really doesn't take himself as seriously as one might think on first glance. He's really having a great time.

That's funny. it's true though, as the emperor noted, science fiction fans take themselves very seriously. Emperor, I didn't provide the link (although I am the brilliant thread starter), but your welcome anyways.