I met Bjo Trimble in person in 1990. She is the woman who organized
one of the first efforts to save a television program via public support
back in 1968. The series was, of course, Star Trek, which NBC had
decided not to renew after its second season. Bjo got over one million
letters sent to the network demanding Star Trek be saved.

The plan worked and ST got one more season on the air, though if you
look through that season, there were a few gems but a lot of real
clunkers. "Spock's Brain" was among that bunch, though ironically it
had been meant as a spoof of the series, but the new producer wanted
it done seriously instead. You can still tell how it had been meant as a
kind of satire on Star Trek through the bad story and acting.

Anyway... Bjo relayed to me and a friend how after Star Trek, Shatner
was trying hard to disassociate himself from the series (as did Nimoy,
with his classic book I Am Not Spock - though the loads of money they
got via residuals and conventions they didn't seem to mind at all). With
Bjo being considered the biggest fan of all back in the day, it was only
natural for Shatner to ignore her whenever they met.

One day on the set of the first Star Trek film in 1979 (yup, 30 years ago
this year), Bjo met Shatner with a group of friends. When she was
introduced, Shatner tried to pretend he really didn't know her by saying
she was woman with the funny sounding name. Not missing a beat,
Bjo shot back "And oh yes, you're the man with the funny looking hair!"
Shatner wore a toupe by that time, so you can just imagine his feelings
on that.

Shatner tried to have her banned from the set, but since Bjo knew so
many people personally, including some guy named Roddenberry, the
order never stuck or worked.

I know, it was probably mean, but it was funny as heck when she told
it, and Shatner someone seems to have survived the ordeal. Look at
what he's accomplished now! :^)