We can’t really mock the self-mocking William Shatner for his miraculous ability to keep earning money as a celebrity, sometimes even by acting, so instead we’ll roll our eyes at the dorks who are paying $150 and up for videotaped footage of Shatner reciting a personalized greeting into a video camera as he autographs a photo. And we’ll be secretly jealous of the entrepreneur who came up with the idea.
…with the incidence of fraudulent autographs on the rise, Live Autographs bills itself as a service that helps authenticate the celebrity signature.
Shatner, 77, launched the business on Wednesday, signing pictures, mugs and even a toy “communicator” from “Star Trek,” the 1960s TV space adventure that made Shatner a star.
Liveautographs.com’s website lists Danica Patrick, Hulk Hogan, Carmen Electra, Steve Austin, Ted Nugent, Cindy Margolis, and Raven-Symone as other celebs you can purchase, as well as about half the cast of “Lost.”
Oddly, Shatner isn’t listed on the website, which makes us wonder if Trekkies bought up all his face time or he was just faking it for a press release. (Shatner is an investor in the company.)
“William Shatner signs off on new video autographs” [Reuters]
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Sadly, I actually know why Shatner is no longer listed on the site. The offer for Shatner memorabilia was only available until August 12. I know, because I wanted to have a live autograph made for my mom’s upcoming birthday and tried to buy it on August 14. Oops.
I think the business model for the company calls for “limited time offers” on the celebs. They’ll cycle new celebs in as they cycle old offers out.
“[...] from “Star Trek,” the 1960s TV space adventure that made Shatner a star.”
Really? Why did they feel the need to explain what Star Trek was? Is it possible that we are forgetting it?
Hmm, you can indicate what you want the celeb to talk about. Maybe I can get Evangaline Lilly to talk dirty fora few minutes…
Bleah….
@BrianDaBrain: Who, the T.J. Hooker guy?
You, with the videotaped autograph, have you ever kissed a girl?
Hahaha William Shatner. Horrendous actor, but sure knows how to make a dollar.
Well, someone has to pay for Hulk Hogan’s legal bills.
Thank the lord that the LOST sales are for charity — that would be REALLY sad for them otherwise.
Just more stupid stuff I will never spend money on.
@testsicles: ROFL. That’s great!
@testsicles: No, he was that guy in Airplane II. That’s where I remember him from. And of course, from karaoke:
@Cupajo: I just discovered my new hero.
They have Tricia Helfer.
@Cupajo: Well, you know that if a medium is new, porn will pick it up if it is any good. So maybe not your dream girl, but a reasonable facimile.
@testsicles: No, the….spoken-word….artist and singer.
(And, according to my wife, my biological father, based on the cadence…of…my speech.
I would like to point out that TechCrunch’s own Michael Arrington has employed this service:
[www.techcrunch.com]
(It’s pretty sad, IMO)
So it’s a slightly fancier way of having Lou Ferigno (sp?) leave a message on your mom’s answering machine for her birthday?
$150 for what, 5 minutes of work? Minus agent fees, minus a cut for the hosting company–that’s still got to be a decent chunk of cash.
Not quite the carman electra tape I was looking for.