A lot of folks online seem to be upset about a new commercial that I guess ran during that Super Bowl thing I didn't watch. It was William Shatner selling Kellogg's Raisin Bran. Let's take a look at it, shall we?
Some of them seem to be angry that Mr. Shatner was involved in an ad spot that made so much reference to the regularity of bowel movements even to the extent of turning his name into such a reference. Others seems to be irate that Mr. Shatner — at the age of 94 but certainly not looking it — doesn't retire when they feel he should. More than a few of these irate folks are asking some version of "Doesn't this man have enough money?"
And of course, some people are incensed both ways. Me, I don't see who he's harming and I doubt it's all about the money. I think some people when they hit a certain age feel that they just need something to do that resembles what they've done for their entire lives. It's bad for your well-being to not have a reason to get up in the morning and do something constructive.
Sitting home and watching daytime TV all day can be hazardous to your health. It's like telling The Grim Reaper, "I'm just sitting here, waiting for you. Drop by and take me when you're in the neighborhood!"
Also, I'm reminded of a story that I've posted here before and will probably post again…
Some years ago, I was at a party full of Hollywood-type people and I was introduced to Betty White. Told that I was the producer of The Garfield Show, she instantly said to me, "Why haven't I been on The Garfield Show?" I smiled and said, "Because you're on everything else!" I don't think any TV actor at whatever age she was then has ever been in more demand than Betty White was at the time.
We wound up talking about other things and parting. Then a little later, she came up to me and said, "I hope you know I was only half-serious when I asked you, 'Why haven't I been on The Garfield Show.'" I said, "I assumed as much but just out of curiosity…what about the other half? You're on like twenty-seven TV shows these days. We pay scale to all our guest stars. If I did want to hire you, are you even available? And are you available for that money?"
She thought for a second and said, "No, I guess I'm not. The money wouldn't matter all that much but I just don't really have the time." Then she asked me, "Do you have any experience with feral cats?"
I told her about the small herd of them I feed in my backyard. She said, "Well, then maybe you're aware of this. Looking for food is hardwired into most feral cats. Their lives revolve around finding the next meal so even if you feed one and she stuffs herself, a minute later, she's thinking, 'Where is food? Where do I find food?' They can't help themselves. I'm afraid most actors are like that. Even when they have a job, they're thinking, 'Where is my next one?'"
"When we were doing The Golden Girls, there was a point where we were picked-up for two more seasons and I had all these other things I was doing. I was turning down offer after offer because I just didn't have the time open. And still, there were moments when a little voice in me was wondering, 'What are you going to do when this ends?' Actors…at times, we're all like feral cats!"
Betty White was probably around 94 when we had that conversation.
Yeah, William Shatner sometimes seems like an actor who'll do anything. I'm also reminded of a televised roast once of Sammy Davis, Jr. Someone on the dais — I'm not sure who — got a tremendous, knowing laugh by saying, "Sammy…you know you're allowed to turn things down!" But I do kinda admire someone who's determined to stay active even if it sometimes can lead to bad choices.
Me, I intend to keep working until I can't work no more. Next month, I turn 74 and the only parts of me that believe that are my knees. I've been writing since I was 17 and I don't think I know how to not write. You won't catch me appearing in a commercial about staying regular but if I have no other offers, I might write one.