The joke's on Shatner, not Iowa
By Bruce R. Miller Journal staff writer | Posted: Friday, March 25, 2005
William Shatner drives Kirk Ward around Iowa in "Invasion Iowa."
Take the biggest ham in Hollywood, plunk him in the middle of corn country and what you do get? A show that's more surreal than real.
Called "Invasion Iowa," it's William Shatner version of "Punk'd."
In order to see how a small town might react when a film crew settles in, he pretends to shoot a sci-fi flick in Riverside, Iowa. Moving into the community, the Hollywood crew is supposed to get a glimpse of how fame corrupts, how show business gets in the veins of everyone. It's designed as a spin on "Joe Schmo" but it has the potential to be even crueler.
The result? The Iowans look pretty smart. It's the Hollywood folk who look a little dim. Sure, the reality show's producers wallow in stereotypes and make sure they get in enough agricultural products to justify the trek. But the bad acting by locals doesn't come close to the bad acting by Shatner and crew. They're over the top as aliens who land in Iowa. Off screen, Shatner is just as extra large. He hauls his Emmy (for "The Practice") everywhere and tries to laugh whenever anyone makes light of his "Star Trek" past.
Because Riverside declared itself the birthplace of his "Trek" character, Captain James T. Kirk, it has a connection -- one Shatner obviously hoped to exploit. But those savvy Iowans know just how to burst the bubble. They tease him at bars, needle him at convenience stores and don't miss an opportunity to spout one of his catchphrases. How he managed to survive without blowing is one of "Invasion's" best-kept secrets.
Surrounding him? A bunch of actors portraying various outsiders -- the assistant, the dippy actress, the spiritual adviser, the body double, the studio exec.
Again, they're not that good at acting -- which should have tipped Riversiders to the joke. When Tiny, played by Kirk Ward, does a semi-nude scene (as Shatner's double) the folks should have blown the whistle. When the actress (Desi Lydic) starts shoplifting at a convenience store, they could have called in the authorities.
Instead, they were good sports throughout, giving Shatner and company an odd production.
"Invasion Iowa" isn't as laughable as "Joe Schmo" or as involving as "Survivor." It's an interesting experiment that gives the state exposure and Shatner a chance to show he's more than a pompous actor.
The latter isn't necessarily accomplished, but Iowa looks great. Crane shots are used throughout; farms are lush and attractive. Even the little coffee shops and bars that dot the scenes seem inviting.
Oh, sure, the acting by folks like Brooke Lemke and Leane Sexton may not be worthy of Shatner's Emmy, but it shows they're game for anything. Best of all? Scott Riggan, hired to be Shatner's assistant, is about as cool as they come. He accepts these Hollywood oddballs better than most and he's more than willing to give them an Iowan's benefit of the doubt.
"Invasion Iowa" will run as a miniseries on Spike TV. It begins at 8 p.m. Tuesday and runs nightly through April 1.
Called "Invasion Iowa," it's William Shatner version of "Punk'd."
In order to see how a small town might react when a film crew settles in, he pretends to shoot a sci-fi flick in Riverside, Iowa. Moving into the community, the Hollywood crew is supposed to get a glimpse of how fame corrupts, how show business gets in the veins of everyone. It's designed as a spin on "Joe Schmo" but it has the potential to be even crueler.
The result? The Iowans look pretty smart. It's the Hollywood folk who look a little dim. Sure, the reality show's producers wallow in stereotypes and make sure they get in enough agricultural products to justify the trek. But the bad acting by locals doesn't come close to the bad acting by Shatner and crew. They're over the top as aliens who land in Iowa. Off screen, Shatner is just as extra large. He hauls his Emmy (for "The Practice") everywhere and tries to laugh whenever anyone makes light of his "Star Trek" past.
Because Riverside declared itself the birthplace of his "Trek" character, Captain James T. Kirk, it has a connection -- one Shatner obviously hoped to exploit. But those savvy Iowans know just how to burst the bubble. They tease him at bars, needle him at convenience stores and don't miss an opportunity to spout one of his catchphrases. How he managed to survive without blowing is one of "Invasion's" best-kept secrets.
Surrounding him? A bunch of actors portraying various outsiders -- the assistant, the dippy actress, the spiritual adviser, the body double, the studio exec.
Again, they're not that good at acting -- which should have tipped Riversiders to the joke. When Tiny, played by Kirk Ward, does a semi-nude scene (as Shatner's double) the folks should have blown the whistle. When the actress (Desi Lydic) starts shoplifting at a convenience store, they could have called in the authorities.
Instead, they were good sports throughout, giving Shatner and company an odd production.
"Invasion Iowa" isn't as laughable as "Joe Schmo" or as involving as "Survivor." It's an interesting experiment that gives the state exposure and Shatner a chance to show he's more than a pompous actor.
The latter isn't necessarily accomplished, but Iowa looks great. Crane shots are used throughout; farms are lush and attractive. Even the little coffee shops and bars that dot the scenes seem inviting.
Oh, sure, the acting by folks like Brooke Lemke and Leane Sexton may not be worthy of Shatner's Emmy, but it shows they're game for anything. Best of all? Scott Riggan, hired to be Shatner's assistant, is about as cool as they come. He accepts these Hollywood oddballs better than most and he's more than willing to give them an Iowan's benefit of the doubt.
"Invasion Iowa" will run as a miniseries on Spike TV. It begins at 8 p.m. Tuesday and runs nightly through April 1.
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