The New William Shatner

AndyC · June 25, 2006, 10:18:54 PM

This thought occurred to me the other night. My wife and I were watching America's Got Talent, which was actually a lot of fun. David Hasselhoff is one of the judges on this show. We then see an ad for the movie "Click," featuring Hasselhoff as Adam Sandler's boss. I thought about the other places he's turned up in cameos, such as the Spongebob movie and Dodgeball. It occurred to me, and my wife agreed, that Hasselhoff is the new William Shatner.

OK, he's not quite the cultural icon that Shatner is, but he's developed the same ability to get a laugh just by being in something. Like Shatner, he's not considered much of an actor (or a singer), but he's famous for a couple of cheesy but extremely popular TV shows. Most importantly, he has begun to recognize this and have some fun with it. He's become another Shatner, popping up here and there in movies and TV to make you go "Ha ha! It's David Hasselhoff!"

Fearless Freep · June 26, 2006, 08:04:50 AM

I don't think the original Shatner has relinquished command, yet

AndyC · June 26, 2006, 10:26:27 AM

Well, I didn't mean so much that he's replaced the Shatman (who has been enjoying another surge of popularity), but that he's become another Shatner, able to amuse by his very appearance in something and more than happy to take advantage of it.

Ash · June 26, 2006, 10:34:10 AM

Roger Ebert has stated that Christopher Walken appearing in a film can evoke this same type of "thing" that you're referring to Andy.

I would argue that Hasselhoff & Walken are both "Shatneresque".

Did I just say "Shatneresque"?

trekgeezer · June 26, 2006, 10:56:08 AM

Tread lightly gentlemen when speaking of The Most Holy Toupeed and Bloated One. He is the One True Shatner, and although these other folks may appear Shatneresque they do not constittute a pimple on the OTS's oversized ass.

Do they have their own religion?

I think not, the only one who comes close is Walken and his run for president.

LH-C · June 26, 2006, 11:55:13 AM

Is it just me or is 'America's Got Talent' the new 'Gong Show'?

As for Hasselhoff, I'll agree with you on that.

Ed, Ego and Superego · June 26, 2006, 04:47:38 PM

Oh no, you have raised a false Shatner where Trek can hear you . Abase yourselves and repent!
Tighten your corsets! Brush your toupee! Tear the sleeve of your shirt in shame!
Repent before the OTS.

Neville · June 26, 2006, 04:59:04 PM

Shatner is Shatner, but only Hasselhoff could do something like this and leave unscathed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwcLdCT3IsI&search=hooked%20on%20a%20feeling

dean · June 27, 2006, 03:03:30 AM

Hasselhoff has definitely acheived cult status. Another is, of course, the irrepressible Chuck Norris, whose exploits as Walker Texas Ranger and an incredible following of 'facts of Chuck Norris' has built his cult status way way up. Interestingly, both Hasselhoff and Norris had brief, but fantastic cameos in Dodgeball, which, in my mind at least, solidifies them as cult figures [I almost said cult heroes, but that's too strong a word for Hasselhoff...]

I'm not too sure about Christopher Walken though. He may be running for President [against the almighty Zod mind you] and his appearance in the Fatboy Slim videoclip 'Weapon of Choice,' both of which could give him such status, I still think he's a bit far behind Hasselhoff and Norris in cult status. It might have something to do with actually having alot of respect for quite a bit of Walken's work, and that he can actually act if he wants to, whereas the other two... well, you know...

AndyC · June 27, 2006, 07:30:52 AM

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing about Walken. The guy can be creepy and menacing when he wants to be, but lately has turned to playing funny eccentrics. I wondered if this is a result of his SNL appearances. I certainly didn't see his comic potential until I watched him in a few of those sketches.

Neville · June 27, 2006, 07:59:17 AM

My guess is that Walken has turned to playing small parts in A movies (like "Catch me if you can", "The wedding crashers" or "Domino") because he spent the whole 90s playing villains in B-movies. That must get tiresome, although I'm sure it pays the bills pretty well (ask Dennis Hopper or Rutger Hauer).

I'm happy with his last choices, they're small parts but as he is aging it's probably the best way to regain the popularity and critical acclaim he deserves.

LH-C · June 27, 2006, 10:14:55 AM

If you can get your hands on Cannon Movie Tales 'Puss In Boots', you get to see Chris Walken playing a dancing and singing cat in hunting clothes. Fun for kids; greater fun for us.