Image: Cleopatra Records / YouTube
It just doesn't feel like Christmas without a visit from Shatner Claus. Granted, William Shatner only recently released his first-ever holiday record, Shatner Claus – The Christmas Album, but it feels like something we've been waiting for our entire lives. Dare we call it an instant Yuletide tradition?
After all, what other Christmas album can boast guest stars such as Brad Paisley, Henry Rollins, Todd Rundgren, Iggy Pop and Judy Collins? This menagerie of musicians help the Star Trek icon sprechstimme his way through noels like "Winter Wonderland" and "Silent Night."
Shatner's hand may look like a naked ape on the album cover… Wait, what? Look, that image never really crossed our mind, but Shatner himself called attention to the illusion on Twitter.
BTW, a creepy optical illusion on my Christmas Album cover. My fingers look like a naked hunched over gorilla ? or alien ?. I’m talking to the record company to get it cleaned up as some people are making a big deal out of it. ? pic.twitter.com/ogP2RFHcY3
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) October 8, 2018
Anyway, Shatner has now stuffed our stocking with a new treat, a music video for "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer," featuring Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. The clip has a little bit of everything — swaying children, breakdancing, a cheetah-print sequin blazer, and singing elves with eyebrow piercings.
Also, Shatner calls Donner the Reindeer "Donder." But he's Captain Kirk, so he can do what he pleases.
Watch his take on "Rudolph."