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Star Trek Rivals Competed for Hosting Gig
23 Aug
Summary
- William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy vied for 'Rescue 911' hosting role.
- Shatner's 'T.J. Hooker' role favored him for the rescue show.
- Nimoy was initially considered a natural choice for the series.
William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, beloved for their roles in "Star Trek: The Original Series," found themselves in an unexpected competition years after the show concluded. Both actors were considered for the prestigious hosting position on the 1989 CBS reality docudrama, "Rescue 911." This series focused on dramatizing real emergency calls and real-life rescue situations.
Initially, network executive Kim LeMasters suggested Leonard Nimoy as a recognizable face to anchor the show. However, producer Arnold Shapiro felt William Shatner was a more fitting choice. Shapiro reasoned that Shatner's previous role as "T.J. Hooker," a police officer, directly aligned with the show's rescue theme, making him the ultimately selected host.
