Canceling Captain Kirk

The "Star Trek" series made its television debut back in 1966.

The show would prove to be a game changer that would ultimately become a worldwide pop-culture phenomenon.

If only NBC had known.

The network unfortunately canceled the series after a short three-season run. But the saga lives on to this day.

"Star Trek" became a franchise of its own, giving birth to TV reboots, spin-offs, movies, video games, novels, comic books, and so much more.

For those who weren't around at the start, the show takes place in the 23rd century, and tells the tale of the starship USS Enterprise and its team of onboard futuristic characters.

In the original series, the mission of the Enterprise is enunciated in dramatic fashion at the beginning of each episode: "To explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before."

The lead star of the original series and the figure that truly personifies the "Star Trek" brand is William Shatner.

For three seasons Shatner played the role of Captain James Tiberius Kirk, the charismatic leader of the starship.

He also provided the voice of the animated version of Kirk in "Star Trek: The Animated Series," and portrayed Kirk in seven "Star Trek" films. He was essential to the establishment of the franchise.

In a strange turn of events, it now appears that Paramount is deliberately trying to redact Shatner's iconic Kirk character.

The subject recently came up on Shatner's account on X, formerly Twitter, when a follower wanted to find out the actor's reaction to Sir Patrick Stewart's announcement that a new Captain Picard movie is in the works.

"I think that a new movie with Sir Patrick is wonderful news," Shatner graciously wrote.

Another user asked, "But will we ever see Captain Kirk again?"

Shatner replied, "All you have to do is look at the Paramount+ graphics to answer that question."

Along with his tweet, he posted a picture of "Star Trek Originals," which included images of characters from across the history of the franchise. Noticeably absent is a picture of Shatner as Captain Kirk.

A third follower asked, "Has anyone at Paramount come out with an official explanation for this MASSIVE FLUB?"

In response, Shatner posted another example of the promotional imagery from Paramount+. Once again Shatner in the Captain Kirk role was nowhere to be seen.

"It's not the first time it's been going on for years," the actor wrote. "It makes no difference to me that a group who think they are 'enlightened' (or whatever they think they are) obviously feels threatened by the Kirk character.

"It's a character from a 1960's TV show-get over it," he added, tweeting, "It it doesn't bother me in the least.

"A bunch of self righteous strangers thinking they are sending a message by erasing the past? Who is going to forget? It's everywhere. It's so indoctrinated that it will take many generations to be forgotten no matter what they do, Let it be," Shatner stated.

It's no mystery that Shatner's "Star Trek" captain character was given the Paramount snub.

His version of Kirk is the kind that drives the Hollywood woke crowd crazy — a distinctly male leader who is competent, confident and courageous. And what makes matters worse for them is that fans simply adore him.

The truth is that without Shatner's Captain Kirk the "Star Trek" phenom would never have been. And after seven decades in film, television and audio, the 92-year-old actor just keeps on keepin' on.

In addition to his acting gigs, he is an award-winning horseman and owns a farm in Kentucky where he breeds American Saddlebreds.

In 2021 he found time to venture out into the real-life cosmos, hopping aboard a sub-orbital capsule. At age 90 he was the oldest person to fly into space.

His work ethic is a big part of the values that were instilled in him by his parents. A few years ago he shared with the Sydney Morning Herald his perspective regarding his personal belief system.

"My father and mother had an observant religious life. They went to temple every Sabbath, prayed to God, and I was dragged along. I'm not religious, but I'm spiritual. I read avidly on philosophy and animals, plants and trees; how connected all of life is," he stated.

His background imbued him with valuable guideposts that are manifest in his life.

"There's a value system. Giving to people. Being generous and charitable," he said.

Captain Kirk once uttered the following words: "What is a man but that lofty spirit, that sense of enterprise, that devotion for something that cannot be sensed, cannot be realized, but only dreamed, the highest reality?"

Words from a visionary "Star Trek" script that sound as if they describe Shatner himself.

James Hirsen, J.D., M.A., in media psychology, is a New York Times best-selling author, media analyst, and law professor. Visit Newsmax TV Hollywood. Read James Hirsen's Reports — More Here.