Mental Floss

Watch 8 of William Shatner's Early TV Ads

YouTube // robatsea2009
YouTube // robatsea2009 | YouTube // robatsea2009

Long before William Shatner become a "The Negotiator" for Priceline, he sold lots of great stuff on TV. Now join me as we boldly go where no pitchman has gone before!

1. PROMISE MARGARINE

In 1974, Shatner donned a gorgeous hairpiece and sold margarine on a street in New Jersey.

2. & 3. COMMODORE VIC-20

"The wonder computer of the 1980s...plays great games, too!"

4. WILLIAM SHATNER'S STAR TREK MEMORIES

In 1993, William Shatner published an autobiography-slash-oral history called Star Trek Memories. In 1996, the book was adapted and expanded into a video production (which is now on YouTube in its entirety).

5. WESTERN AIRLINES

Shatner teamed up with Leonard Nimoy for this 1985 Western Airlines commercial just before filming Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Western merged with Delta in 1987.

6. WESTERN AIRLINES (BEHIND THE SCENES/STAR TREK IV STUFF)

Paramount shot some bonus material around that Western Airlines ad above. (Note that Star Trek IV almost starred Eddie Murphy and has a terrific blooper reel.)

Nimoy: "Twenty years, we've been doing this!" Shatner: "You little cute Vulcan!" Delightful.

7. KERO-SUN KEROSENE HEATERS (OUTTAKES)

The final run-through around the three-minute mark is truly fun. On YouTube, Matthew Litwin explains:

This is a reel of outtakes from a spot Bill did circa 1982 for a distributor training film for the Kero-Sun company. Back in those days, the kerosene heater was a seriously hot item. My father was the president and founder of Kero-Sun. Since Star Trek was pretty much my favorite thing at the age of 10 (which led to a tough childhood) he had marketing get Bill do some commercial spots as well as a few bumps for distributor conference. This was one of them. My mom told me that Bill actually called her up to say thanks for having [him] do the spot. He was of course, high on Bill Shatner when called, but thought he was a classy guy to show gratitude like that. I was pretty bummed that I wasn't home at the time and didn't get a chance to talk to him.

8. LOBLAWS

Working with penguins is never easy.