William Shatner knows how hard it is to become a bona-fide science fiction star. That’s why he’s making it a little bit easier for the next generation of would-be Captain Kirks. William Shatner has announced that he is holding an on-line contest to find the most talented sci-fi personality in the United States. To enter, contestants just have to create a short video clip that shows why they are the heir apparent to William Shatner, and upload it at http://Shatner.blip.tv by September 30th, 2006.
Like many reality TV shows, this contest will rely on the voting public to help choose the winner. Anyone who wants to can view the contestants’ video clips and vote for their favorites online at http://Shatner.blip.tv. The top ten highest ranked entrants will be named finalists, and given a chance to win William Shatner’s Sci-Fi Challenge.
In addition to those finalists voted in by the audience, Shatner has selected seven celebrity judges who will each be allowed to select an additional finalist (for 17 finalists in total). The celebrity judges are a diverse group of science fiction luminaries, and include representatives from StarTrek.com, the Sci-Fi Channel, and Chase Masterson from the cast of Star Trek: Deep Space 9. Also represented on the celebrity judge panel are Ain’t It Cool News, Planet Magazine, the Slice of Sci-Fi Podcast, and VideoDetective.com. William Shatner will select the winner from the 17 finalists.
The grand prize winner will receive a large cash award and will be named the Official Spokesperson for the William Shatner Science Fiction DVD Club. William Shatner started his Science Fiction DVD-of-the-Month Club earlier this year, and the club now boasts nearly 5,000 subscribers. The club identifies great but unheralded science fiction films, and offers them to customers for just $4 each (www.ShatnerDvdClub.com).
It is not known whether there will be a talent portion of the contest consisting of various “Rocketman” performances, or whether winning entitles you to being best friends with Ben Folds…
