Key Takeaways:
– William Shatner, globally famous for his role as Captain James T Kirk in Star Trek, was part of the debatable first interracial kiss on television.
– The actor insisted on keeping the kiss in the episode, despite concerns of backlash from American audiences.
– The audience, surprisingly, accepted the kiss well, paving the way for future portrayals of interracial relationships on television.
William Shatner’s Groundbreaking Role in Star Trek
William Shatner gained his fame globally through the beloved science fiction series Star Trek. He played the charismatic and bold Captain James T Kirk. Star Trek initially ran for just three seasons. Despite this, it garnered immense popularity, promoting the original cast’s return in seven consequential films.
A Historic First: Interracial Kiss on Television
Not only is Shatner known for his powerful acting skills, but he also gained recognition for being part of a landmark moment in television history. In 1968, during the episode titled ‘Plato’s Stepchildren’, Shatner’s Captain Kirk shared an on-screen smooch with Lieutenant Uhura, played by Nichelle Nichols. This scene their characters represented what many consider to be the first interracial kiss on television.
Behind the Scenes Challenges with the Kiss
Despite Star Trek’s reputation for pushing boundaries and its focus on peace and inclusivity, presenting an interracial kiss stirred quite a buzz behind the scenes. There were concerns about igniting anger among audiences due to the racial tension prevalent during the late 1960s. Out of these concerns, several alternatives to the kiss were filmed.
However, Shatner, in his dedication to the scene, ensured this historic exchange could not be edited out. In a later interview with THR, he expressed his fear about the possible removal of the scene. He decided to keep the kiss in all the takes to prevent this from happening. Due to Shatner’s firm stand, the passionate scene between Kirk and Uhura made it to the final cut.
Audience’s Reaction to the Historic Kiss
Contrary to concerns from the show’s producers, the groundbreaking scene was met with a positive response from the audience. The episode featuring the historic kiss reportedly fetched the highest count of fan mail for Nichelle Nichols, who portrayed Lieutenant Uhura. The rest of the show’s team, expecting backlash, found themselves pleasantly surprised by the acceptance and praise from viewers.
Star Trek’s Influence on Future Television Portrayals
During the late 1960s, racial tensions were a delicate topic to address in mainstream television. The majority of shows steered away from highlighting racial issues. But Star Trek, with its futuristic setting, found a way to breech such topics indirectly and subtly. This revolutionary approach opened the windows of conversation about social issues on the television landscape.
The Impact of Star Trek’s Interracial Kiss
The impact of Kirk and Uhura’s kiss may not have been immediately apparent, but many consider that it started a shift in how television portrayed interracial relationships. The way was paved for other shows to challenge outdated norms and showcase diversity authentically. You can revisit this historic moment and more as Star Trek is available for streaming on Paramount+.
