William Shatner reviews impressions of his work courtesy of Vanity Fair.
William Shatner is known for his unique style of acting. While it may have been done to the point of it being completely overblown, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t developed a unique style all his own. Cue Vanity Fair asking Shatner to review famous impressions of his work.
To Shatner’s credit, he took most of it on the chin, using his trademark dry wit. Though, there were some times in the video that he was truly perplexed by what he was seeing.
The video Shatner reviewed included Seth MacFarlane, Kevin Pollack, Jason Alexander, Jim Carrey, John Belushi, Chris Pine, Bill Nye, Bruce Campbell, and Samm Levine.
MacFarlane, Pollack, and Carrey all did impressions that were of the stereotypical, over-the-top flare. They were funny but not as accurate as others. Shatner himself enjoyed Alexander, Campbell, and Belushi’s the most while completely waived off Nye’s and Levine’s.
Ranking the William Shatner impressions
9. Bill Nye
Bill Nye’s was very bad. Nye is a fantastic personality but as an impressionist, he misses the mark.
8. Samm Levine.
For those who don’t know, Samm Levine was on Freaks and Geeks and used his Shatner impression to help land the role. It was hammy and over the top.
7. Kevin Pollack
If it wasn’t for his quirky head twitches, Kevin Pollack’s would’ve been higher. It was a very funny rendition.
6. Jon Belushi
Neither great nor bad, Jon Belushi’s was just there. Wholly inoffensive.
5. Jim Carrey
The peak of over-the-top delivery was Jim Carrey’s. His look was better than the impression, but it still counts.
4. Jason Alexander
While Jason Alexander didn’t get the pitch anywhere close to right, his cadence and delivery were spot-on.
3. Set MacFarlane
If we’re talking the whole ham, Seth MacFarlane takes it. He went super-hammy in his delivery and he was beautiful. He got the lines wrong, however. So that hurt.
2. Chris Pine
He is Kirk.
1. Bruce Campbell
He should’ve been Kirk. Bruce Campbell’s version of William Shatner was brilliant and even Shatner couldn’t stop laughing at the accuracy.