Yup, I remember that well. One wonders how well the series would’ve done had Hunter stayed with the show (his wife’s interference, insisting he only be filmed from certain angles, helped to speed up his departure before they filmed the second pilot). Captain Pike was a thoroughly different character from Kirk: introspective, reticent and angst-ridden. Although it would’ve been interesting to watch, I don’t think it would’ve remotely had the impact or been as popular (another serious problem with the pilot: other than for Spock, the rest of the characters were very bland and forgettable, even Majel Barrett’s Number One, who was ostensibly the older sister of Nurse Chapel. I did like John Hoyt’s wise Dr. Boyce, but he also was far different from Dr. McCoy). They were more militaristic and by-the-book in style, and I can’t imagine how they could’ve played in Trek episodes with Kirk & crew.
The William Shatner Captain Kirk show was action, adventure, suspense.
Kirk's fight scenes with the judo flips and karate chops and Spock's knockout pinch (with the action background music ) with the close to death scenes were what we remember about the show.
“Majel Barrett’s Number One, who was ostensibly the older sister of Nurse Chapel”
That would make sense, lol. They really missed an opportunity for the reboots there. I liked “Dr. Boyce” as well, they could have included him too. Though I have to say the new McCoy is easily the best imitation. I think a straight up “prequel” rather than a reboot would have been better. A young Kirk and Spock serving under Pike. Not a young Kirk becoming Captain of the ship under absurd circumstances.
I am familiar with “Lost in Space” of course but I haven’t seen it much of it. I liked Guy William on “Zorro” (which they re-ran on the Disney Channel when I was a kid) but LIS kinda sounds like garbage.
I was surprised when I read “Dr Smith” actor Jonathan Harris wasn’t a flaming homo as he seemed.