"Where Movie Critics Get A Taste Of Their Own Medicine"
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William Shatner and Critic Doctor surprise
the Riggans! March 18th, 2005 |
When the filming of Spike-TV's "Invasion Iowa" ended, I became good friends with Scotty, Carol and Travis Riggan (Scotty was William Shatner's Personal Assistant on the show). They later invited me to go to California with them to visit with actors and producers from the show. However, expenses and timing convinced me I had better stay home. Regardless, they have been tremendously supportive of me during some difficult moments in my life and it has been a real treasure getting to know them. I wanted to do something special for them before they left for their trip to California (and later to Hawaii).
What I could I possibly do for the Riggans? I had to go to the man for help - William Shatner.
Through his personal assistant, Chris, I asked William Shatner if he could call my house and surprise my dinner guests, the Riggans, with a phone call. He gladly accepted! We arranged to have Bill call my house at around 7pm on a Thursday night - the night before Shatner would appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
The Riggans arrived at about 6:30 pm. I decided to take them out to eat, so we kind of sat around and I told them I had reservations at a restaurant at 7:20 pm. Well, it wasn't long and 7:05 pm rolled along. Then 7:10 pm and 7:15 pm. I'm just waiting for Scotty to say, "Shouldn't we get going? Our reservation is at 7:20 pm?" Luckily, Scotty and Travis were glued to some show on Spike-TV as we watched for "Invasion Iowa" commercials to appear.
Finally, at 7:20pm the phone rings. It's Chris and he said Mr. Shatner is on the line. Bill came on the phone and I thanked him for calling and he was eager to speak with his friends, The Riggans. I said one moment and handed the phone directly to Scotty, who looked puzzled he was getting a phone call at my house. In few a seconds, he realized he was talking to William Shatner.
They discussed their upcoming trip and had hoped Mr. Shatner would be in California to visit them. Shatner's humor was just as evident over the phone as it was when I saw him in person. He asked me (through Scotty) if I knew of a Herb Caen who wrote for a paper in San Francisco. I told Bill, yes - I was aware of him. Caen was a famous columnist at the San Francisco Chronicle, whom is now deceased. I informed Bill I had corresponded with Herb a few times.
Bill asked, "Before or after he was dead?" We all busted out laughing!
Then Mr. Shatner spoke with Carol and finally their son Travis. The smile on Travis' face made this whole evening special. When Bill hung up, they were shocked. They couldn't believe I arranged for William Shatner to call. Well, never underestimate the power of the Critic Doctor. Actually, it was Bill Shatner's generosity and love for the Riggans that made this all possible through his manager, Chris. The following evening Shatner was on Jimmy Kimmel Live and mentioned he had spoken to Scotty the previous night.
Oh, and Chris (Bill's manager) told Mr. Shatner about my Chicken Schwing I made for the Riggans one evening at my house. Scotty, Carol and Travis loved it! So now Bill wants to try it. Initially, they wanted me to cook it up and ship a batch out to LA. However, Scotty Riggan offered to take the recipe to California and cook it up for Mr. Shatner himself. I can't wait to hear how he likes it!
I'd like to thank William Shatner for taking the time to call my house and speak with the Riggan's. It made our evening and we'll remember that moment for the rest of lives.
-- Critic Doctor
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