Priceline killing off William Shatner as spokesperson - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 01-19-2012, 11:09 PM

Ke-yah! After 14 years, Priceline is chopping William Shatner as its spokesperson.

The travel agency is reportedly jettisoning Captain Kirk in an explosive final ad that will air starting Monday. In the 30-second spot, Shatner’s deal-dishing character the Negotiator rescues panicked vacationers from a bus teetering on a bridge’s railing.

“Save yourselves — some money,” he says, handing his cell phone to a passenger as he and the bus tumble into a dry creek bed. A violent explosion follows.

“I’m in grief mode,” Shatner told the AP. “It’s not the first time I’ve had an iconic character die off … It was a great run. [But] if the management says this is the end, this is the end.”

priceline-william-shatner

Image Credit: Priceline

Shatner has long promoted Priceline as a site where consumers bid for deals. But the service is also a set-price discount-booking site, a side of the business the company wants to promote more effectively.

“It’s a tough decision, but the bottom line is Priceline had to do it,” said Peter Sealey, adjunct professor at the Claremont Graduate University’s school of management. “They’re changing their business model from a name-your-price model to a fixed-price approach. Had he been less effective, he could have been allowed to fade away.”

Sealey added: “I don’t know if I would have gone as far as the bus exploding.”

The Shat is still under contract with Priceline for the time being, so there’s always a chance that he’ll eventually be resurrected (in a Super Bowl ad, perhaps?). But Shatner claimed that if the company decided to use him again, “I’m going to make them pay through the nose.”

http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/01/19/pr...er/#more-72116

Janice · 01-20-2012, 01:27 AM

He had a good run. I haven't seen one of his Priceline ads in a while anyway.

catlover79 · 01-20-2012, 01:34 AM

I had no idea that the Priceline ads were even still around!!

MrCleveland · 01-20-2012, 11:27 AM

That sucks...

Shatner was great in those commercials...better than "Bleep my dad says".

robyrob · 01-20-2012, 01:47 PM

that's sad - I can understand that Priceline must move on (i didn't actually know that they were still in business since they stopped showing the Shatner commercials), but I don't see why they have to murder him to do it

01-19-2012, 11:09 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	Priceline killing off William Shatner as spokesperson Ke-yah! After 14 years, Priceline is chopping William Shatner as its spokesperson. The travel agency is reportedly jettisoning Captain Kirk in an explosive final ad that will air starting Monday. In the 30-second spot, Shatner’s deal-dishing character the Negotiator rescues panicked vacationers from a bus teetering on a bridge’s railing. “Save yourselves — some money,” he says, handing his cell phone to a passenger as he and the bus tumble into a dry creek bed. A violent explosion follows. “I’m in grief mode,” Shatner told the AP. “It’s not the first time I’ve had an iconic character die off … It was a great run. [But] if the management says this is the end, this is the end.” priceline-william-shatner Image Credit: Priceline Shatner has long promoted Priceline as a site where consumers bid for deals. But the service is also a set-price discount-booking site, a side of the business the company wants to promote more effectively. “It’s a tough decision, but the bottom line is Priceline had to do it,” said Peter Sealey, adjunct professor at the Claremont Graduate University’s school of management. “They’re changing their business model from a name-your-price model to a fixed-price approach. Had he been less effective, he could have been allowed to fade away.” Sealey added: “I don’t know if I would have gone as far as the bus exploding.” The Shat is still under contract with Priceline for the time being, so there’s always a chance that he’ll eventually be resurrected (in a Super Bowl ad, perhaps?). But Shatner claimed that if the company decided to use him again, “I’m going to make them pay through the nose.” http://insidetv.ew.com/2012/01/19/pr...er/#more-72116
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01-20-2012, 01:34 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I had no idea that the Priceline ads were even still around!!
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01-20-2012, 11:27 AM	#4
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,236	That sucks... Shatner was great in those commercials...better than "Bleep my dad says".
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01-20-2012, 01:47 PM	#5
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,219	that's sad - I can understand that Priceline must move on (i didn't actually know that they were still in business since they stopped showing the Shatner commercials), but I don't see why they have to murder him to do it
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01-20-2012, 01:27 AM	#2
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	He had a good run. I haven't seen one of his Priceline ads in a while anyway.