Epix Presents “Shatnerpalooza”

CBS may have cancelled “$#*! My Dad Says” but William Shatner is already moving on to greener pastures. EPIX beams “Shatnerpalooza,”the ultimate multi-platform experience, to viewers this summer. Kicking off Thursday, July 21 with a 48 hour on air marathon of William Shatner’s movie and television work, “Shatnerpalooza” will launch simultaneously on all EPIX platforms: the EPIX channel, SVOD service,EpixHD.com and will also be available across Internet connected devices. The centerpiece of the event is the world premiere of The Captains, an EPIX Original Documentary produced and directed by William Shatner.

Fan favorite and cultural icon, William Shatner resumes the captain’s seat in his most recent journey as documentary producer, director and star. The Captains gives EPIX viewers an in-depth look at theStar Trek franchise through the experiences of each actor who has played a Starfleet captain, including Patrick Stewart, Kate Mulgrew, Scott Bakula, Avery Brooks, Chris Pine and Shatner himself.

As the celebration of all things Shatner continues through July on EPIX, subscribers will also be treated to another of the Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor’s documentaries, festival crowd favorite and award-winner, William Shatner’s Gonzo Ballet. In what Variety calls “surprisingly revealing,” the film gives viewers a look at the staging of award-winning choreographer Margo Sappington’s ballet set to the soundtrack of William Shatner’s spoken word album, with music by Ben Folds, Has Been. Henry Rollins also contributes to the album and is featured in the documentary.

“From film and TV icon to hipster hero, William Shatner is a man of many talents,” said EPIX President and CEO Mark Greenberg. “We are proud to celebrate him as actor, producer, director and cultural phenomenon and to bring his contributions to fans on EPIX andEpixHD.com.”

While Shatner may have begun his long-running career performing Shakespeare at the renowned Stratford Shakespeare Festival in the 1950’s, it is the famous phrase from a certain science fiction series that would foretell his ultimate career path: To boldly go where no man has gone before. Indeed, the actor has always pursued his career like an explorer. As a best-selling author, director, producer, spokesperson and actor, he shows no fear and very often a sense of humor fans have come to love.

“Shatnerpalooza” will feature the complete collection of the six original Star Trek films starring William Shatner in his seminal role as Captain Kirk, plus other rarely seen and sometimes controversial films, including The Intruder, Big Bad Mama, Disaster on a Coastliner andBroken Angel, along with some highly entertaining TV fare like a classic 1964 episode of Outer Limits, a dazzling turn as the first host ofIron Chef and a no holds barred TV roast.