Imagine having crucial Bill Shatner-related toupological information in your head and not even knowing it: matters of texture, thickness, firmness and other invaluable tactile data. At the William Shatner School of Toupological Studies we have computer models, robots, toupee mockups and all manner of tools at our disposal to help us in understanding William Shatner's toupee-wearing.
A toupological experiment carried out on a "Turbo Shatner" robot at the WSSTS.But nothing beats first-hand information.
"I agree!"And that is what we find in footage (recently uploaded to YouTube by "zainin666") from a 1983 episode of Battle of the Network Stars - a series, which ran from 1976 to 1988 - in which celebrities compete in all manner of sporting events. Bill Shatner was something of a regular.
However, in this instance, and after a rather arduous inflatable kayak race, a (mock or semi-mock) argument breaks out among some of the competing celebrities - specifically Bill Shatner and none other than Mr. T - about the rules.
As this argument is unfolding, one of the competing celebrities sneaks up behind Bill Shatner and gives him a rather thorough hair ruffling.
A brief struggle ensues...
...with Bill Shatner swiftly pulling away his smiling co-star's hands from his toupee.
The moment in slow-motion:
...with Bill Shatner swiftly pulling away his smiling co-star's hands from his toupee.
The moment in slow-motion:
Edward Albert and Goldie Hawn in Butterflies Are Free (1972).Why did he do it? What did the toupee feel like? How did Bill Shatner react afterwards? Sadly, whatever crucial tactile and other toupological data Albert could have revealed has likely been lost forever. The actor passed away in 2006.
Mr. T (left), Edward Albert (center) and William Shatner (right).
Back to the scuffle! Moments later, having had his hair ruffled...
...Bill Shatner performs a subtle "Real hair reflex" action just to make sure everything is still alright up there:
Mr. T (left), Edward Albert (center) and William Shatner (right). Back to the scuffle! Moments later, having had his hair ruffled...
...Bill Shatner performs a subtle "Real hair reflex" action just to make sure everything is still alright up there:
What's rather extraordinary in general about the appearances by Bill Shatner in this series is that the actor found himself outside of the toupologically safe confines of the film set for an extended period of time - and in front of the public. What if something went wrong with the toup!?!
The likely reason for this, asides from Bill Shatner's risk-taking nature, is the added security provided the the "TJ Curly - phase II". With the toupee now anchored to real hair at the sides, it was far more secure and durable. Kayaking, wet hair, arguments with Mr. T - no problem!
Interestingly, the wetter the toup, the more realistic and less toup-like it appears.
And who is the interviewer/host?
Toup meets toup - a year before in 1982 (the toup down the sides is more noticeable).
The likely reason for this, asides from Bill Shatner's risk-taking nature, is the added security provided the the "TJ Curly - phase II". With the toupee now anchored to real hair at the sides, it was far more secure and durable. Kayaking, wet hair, arguments with Mr. T - no problem!
Interestingly, the wetter the toup, the more realistic and less toup-like it appears.
And who is the interviewer/host?
Toup meets toup - a year before in 1982 (the toup down the sides is more noticeable).Why, it's Howard Cosell - this legendary picture says it all:
You can watch a collection of Bill Shatner's appearances in Battle of the Network Stars courtesy of "zainin666" below:
You can watch a collection of Bill Shatner's appearances in Battle of the Network Stars courtesy of "zainin666" below:
