William Shatner's Top 5 Parodies Of Himself

3. Mork And Mindy

When beaming back from a shopping trip with a bottle of champagne, it soon becomes obvious to Mork and his son Mearth that they have cross beamed again. Cue William Shatner who beams in, accuses them of not being Roxanne, swaps bags, and beams out again... And that's about it. William Shatner's appearance in Robin Williams' cult classic series may not be that well known, but then it is all over less than two minutes (including opening titles) into this particular episode. Admittedly it's not much of a parody, but rather than what it is, it is what it represents that is important, for two particular reasons. Firstly, most are of the opinion that any Mork And Mindy episode with Mearth has already jumped the shark. Secondly, considering the episode was first broadcast in February 1982, and Mork wonders "if they kill off Spock or not", we can safely assume his appearance is shameless promotion related. The Wrath of Khan was released that summer, answering the rumour which had spread that Spock may indeed be killed off.

Although neither confirming nor denying the rumour, Shatner's appearance would obviously have helped spread it to a more general audience, piquing their interest as well as the hardcore Trekkies. Something which even the film itself addresses, when Kirk asks Spock "aren't you dead?" at the end of the Kobyashi Maru simulation. Whether it is in the name of good old fashioned fun, or perhaps because his appearance has any promotional value, his briefest of cameos proves that William Shatner is always game for a laugh. And why not? He can do "anything he wants son, he's a captain!"