Photo: Bill and Sam at Bill’s horse charity event in 2016
I love Bill Shatner.
Why? You ask. Am I a Star Trek fan? No. Though when I was a kid, my brother was a huge Star Trek fan, and Captain Kirk was a constant on our living room TV screen. I do remember having a crush on Scotty (foreshadowing? ?). And for what it’s worth, the actor who played Scotty was actually Canadian with Irish parents.
No, my love of Bill Shatner was born, like so many other things for me lately, through Outlander. As an active and avid fan, I have “gotten to know” Bill by following him and communicating with him on Twitter. My own father will be 85 at the end of this month, and Bill is 86. They remind me A LOT of each other, and I love my Dad, so I have a natural fondness for Bill. I also respect him. He is a very hard worker and tireless supporter of what he believes in.
Each year for the last 27, Bill has organized and run a Hollywood Charity Horse Show. An accomplished equestrian himself, and a master networker, Bill asks his Hollywood friends and acquaintances to donate signed memorabilia to be auctioned off for this event. Now the auction is available online, and since Bill is both fan and friend of Outlander, there are some cool items to be had; chief among them is this Outlander Real Men Wear Kilts shirt, signed on both sides by Sam…
Don't forget the $5 raffle for @SamHeughan's signed Outlander shirt! https://t.co/XOL8V1WrMx (make sure when you register; put your address) pic.twitter.com/mTwvNU3c0E
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) April 27, 2017
Last year Sam donated a workout shirt that was featured in the silent auction. As you can imagine, the price skyrocketed out of most people’s range very quickly. This year, Bill opted to raffle the shirt instead so everyone can participate. The cost is just $5.00. You have the option to buy 1 ticket for $5.00, 6 for $25.00 or 25 tickets for $100.00. The money goes to a variety of organizations, many of which provide equine therapy for disables kids. Made possible by benefactor support,100% of the monies raised goes to the recipients. To read the story of how Bill started this annual charity, CLICK HERE.
We focus mainly on children's and equine therapy charities. https://t.co/bZ5fLrtbkb
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) May 17, 2017
It’s really easy (I just bought mine, so I know). You click on the link: OUTLANDER SHIRT SIGNED BY SAM and pick the number of tickets you want to buy: 1, 6, or 25, and then you will need to create an account (very simple) and input your cc info. That’s it. If you do buy some tickets, will you please do me a favor and put OutlanderBTS.com in the notes? I would really appreciate that!
To see the additional Outlander items being auctioned, CLICK HERE. Bidding ends June 4th.
This is the second year that OutlanderBTS.com has participated in Bill’s charity drive, but I’ll get to that in a minute. First, how in the world did William Shatner become involved with Outlander in the first place?? ?
We all know what it is to be an Outlander fan, right? ? Although celeb lives are more public than most of ours, at the end of the day celebs are just regular people who face the same challenges we all face as humans. And, they become as passionate as the rest of us about Outlander (apparently).
For William Shatner, it all started with a twitter exchange on Sam’s birthday in 2015 (there’s that Outlander effect again…) about voting for Colin O’Donoghue who was up against Sam for Alpha Male Madness…
@ally_baert Who else is in the running? The only guy I didn't know was the Outlander guy
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) May 1, 2015
and it resumed in September that year, prompted by a Girl On Top Battle between Arrow actress Emily Bett Rickards and Caitriona, where he professes to not even know what Outlander is (can you imagine??).
#Olicity Army this game is *tied*. We need all hands on deck NOW to get this vote surging – http://t.co/NKtIU4SVIe pic.twitter.com/rQ00CyZWrb
— Smoak & Arrow (@SmoaknArrow) September 6, 2015
@WilliamShatner @SamHeughan @caitrionambalfe outlander fans might have something to say about that. Come on Hueligans
— Julie Walker (@thistledo4) September 6, 2015
I don't even know what Outlander is! How's that! ???? https://t.co/4aGSCUc0ma
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) September 6, 2015
And Bill Shatner, being Bill Shatner: the hippest, most with it, energetic, productive (then, 84, and now) 86-year-old I know of, checked it out and gave his review the next day.
And then, he met Diana… ?
@WilliamShatner I'd forgotten you were old enough to know a lot of WWII nurses, Bill. Nice to know you still notice nudity, though..
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) September 8, 2015
@WilliamShatner I don't slam anybody, Bill, let alone a guy I admire. That was just a thanks for watching the show. #myway
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) September 8, 2015
Well, that was the start, and a few days later Sam was in on the tweets…
@WilliamShatner @caitrionambalfe
I've got your back Mr Shatner.
You're the greatest. And Balfe will kick anyone's ass for you.x— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) September 13, 2015
Connections were made…
I wonder if Barrowman knows Sam. They are both Scottish.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) September 14, 2015
questions were asked…
@WilliamShatner four legged variety? Aye. And in a kilt… Surprisingly comfortable.
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) September 26, 2015
Charities were supported…
@WilliamShatner cheeky RT?
I #vote @CahonasScotland #UpgradeYourWorldUK pic.twitter.com/XKHEwbObMN
last day of vote.(And check yer baws Bill!)
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) September 23, 2015
@SamHeughan @CahonasScotland Excuse me! Check my what?? ????
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) September 23, 2015
@WilliamShatner @SamHeughan Thank you so so much William. We really appreciate the support. #ThankYou #Legend
— Cahonas Scotland (@CahonasScotland) September 23, 2015
Who knew that watching Outlander would lead to an open discussion on cojones?
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) September 23, 2015
Jokes were made…
Factoid: Sam claims that Princess for Christmas was the working title of his autobiography! ???????? https://t.co/hBzmyK8HSe
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) November 30, 2015
Sam said he likes to get spanked or maybe he said he wears spanx. #crazyaccent #BellLetsTalk https://t.co/FvRZ8Fmx7r
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 28, 2016
and full banter ensued…
So looking at some photos of Sam in his kilt, it looks like his wrap to the right so it must fasten to the right. ???? So Sam wears skirts?????????
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 27, 2016
You have no idea….. ???????????????? https://t.co/K8n2fo60UD
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) February 27, 2016
@WilliamShatner @SamHeughan Actually, Claire's rather famous for _not_ wearing pants… #onsuitableoccasions
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) February 27, 2016
Meet ups were discussed…
@Dumspirospero67 @WilliamShatner bill needed more time to Practise on his pony first, next time for sure
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) January 13, 2016
The real reason was Sam was busy jumping on and off boxes and lost track of the time! https://t.co/gTr25EfPoA
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 13, 2016
I just realized that if Sam was here in LA, that Caitriona must have been too! I wasted my time waiting on Sam when I could have met her! ????????
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) April 3, 2016
Seeds were planted…
I told @SamHeughan that he could only make amends by bringing me something signed from the set of Outlander for my charity auction!
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 13, 2016
Bill started tweeting with more of the cast…
@RikRankin So you are another crazy who is on that show?
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 6, 2016
@RikRankin @WilliamShatner A simple "yes" would have sufficed… ????
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) March 6, 2016
And by the premier of Season 2 in April 2016, Bill was not only an Outlander convert, he was something of a zealot. He even made the effort to meet Sam…
“I had dinner with William Shatner last week and I couldn’t believe it. He’s a fan of the show,” revealed star Sam Heughan at the show’s Season 2 premiere on Monday night. “He’s really funny, and I owe him dinner now. I still can’t believe I met him!” Source: Vanity Fair
Budding bromance: @SamHeughan says he had dinner with @WilliamShatnerhttps://t.co/0FCD2sIXQU pic.twitter.com/YWH153OIoV
— The Scottish Sun (@ScottishSun) April 6, 2016
Sam "says" he had dinner? ???? Do they think he's lying? ????#anotherslownewsday https://t.co/MP9nMPtjfK
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) April 6, 2016
Bill started following the cast and crew of the show, and being quite an advocate…
Humble thy name is Sam! ???????????? @Outlander_STARZ @SamHeughan pic.twitter.com/K8TgDV8lUY
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) April 9, 2016
OK Twitter should go quiet it's 9pm on the East Coast @Outlander_STARZ is on!
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) April 10, 2016
Of course she got a nom, she's pushy! ???? Congratulations to Caitriona and Diana https://t.co/3bJQ3v0Gd3
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) December 11, 2015
Bill even put in his 2 cents for casting!
I vote that Helen Mirren joins @Outlander_Starz to bring that British tude of sassy women to an epitome.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 8, 2016
@TallShipProds @Outlander_Starz When you call her; tell her I cast her and waived my usual fee! ????
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 8, 2016
3rd Book: Sam is old; nobody wants to see a nekkid old guy so they throw Roger in to get their nekkid thrills. ???????? https://t.co/fwXAocnIRs
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) April 4, 2016
I know Diana, Claire, Frank, Jamie, and Frank's twin ancestor. And I know of Roger and Brianna. That's it. https://t.co/pdYTI7FlYP
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) May 21, 2016
By May, Bill was smitten with Diana too (who isn’t?)…
.@timglanfield @Writer_DG @SamHeughan Look at how adorbs Diana is! ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZWBK5mvwzF
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) May 25, 2016
and by June, Bill and Sam were friends.
Sam is promising a signed item from the show. He is retuning to Scotland and will let me know.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) April 6, 2016
Sam made good on his promise and donated a t-shirt to Bill’s annual horseshow.org charity, and even attended the event and watched Bill and his wife ride in LA last year. Bill talked about his bromance with Sam in an interview on Larry King Now. (PS, I used to live in Washington DC and went to the same stylist as Larry King- Larry say hi to Bernard for me if he’s still your guy!)
26!?? 27???? Too kind. And you are welcome to be in Outlander… (Need a new YOUNG bad guy) https://t.co/mPYaYb0QCW
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) June 4, 2016
????Ok so I was a little off!???????????? Thought you'd enjoy my response to the Outlander question. I'll think about it. ???? https://t.co/xTj5FWi1um
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 4, 2016
T shirt for auction and a great cause… "Might" be washed. Might not. https://t.co/ryYHbT8UoA
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) May 15, 2016
Bid on Sam's Sweaty unwashed Shirt! https://t.co/ngE4FIYLPR https://t.co/h3ijwfjFCG
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) May 17, 2016
Here is Sam wearing the shirt he donated to the charity auction last year…
and Bill got familiar enough with the show to make Laoghaire jokes ?
So apparently the good folks at Outlander provided a possible use for #SamsSweatyShirt https://t.co/fPqNeUCeBz https://t.co/qvvmsGECZV
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) May 29, 2016
???? #Outlander #LongLiveScotland pic.twitter.com/cp8kXZqhQC
— Outlander (@Outlander_STARZ) May 29, 2016
Then Bill upped the ante…
So how about this deal for every $500 the shirt goes up I will watch an episode of @Outlander_STARZ!
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 1, 2016
Did you see your shirt? @SamHeughan https://t.co/fPqNeUCeBz I now have to watch episode 2 of Outlander because of the price!
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 4, 2016
Btw I'm going to watch ep 2 of Outlander. Just tell me the vase survived. I can handle the truth. ????????
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 8, 2016
I want to thank everyone who bid on the items in my silent auction. Who won Sam's shirt?
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 6, 2016
My friend Andrea was the lucky winner of said t-shirt…
Dear @WilliamShatner last night the 'unwrapping' during our cocktail party????Had g8 fun????TY & @SamHeughan &4 your note???? pic.twitter.com/ZsnUqEB4yg
— Andrea (@AndreaNeumannC1) August 7, 2016
Thank you Andrea!! (Hope it fits….) really appreciate your support to Bills charity. Cheers! ????x https://t.co/Z5tKdRKQLP
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) August 8, 2016
Sam just after the event…
Here is Sam sporting that Stetson…
Photo by Paul Camuso
I actually participated in the 2016 charity event too. I rented Bill’s Twitter avatar (image representing someone on a social media forum) for one hour, which was great fun.
@WilliamShatner Bill you forgot to wish me a happy birthday yesterday. I was actually hoping for a song 😉
— Courtney Williams OutlanderBTS (@Courtilini14) June 7, 2016
do I??? I'm terrible about email, don't get it on my phone I'll check thx u. Is there a song in there? 🙂
— Courtney Williams OutlanderBTS (@Courtilini14) June 7, 2016
got it. You guys are fast! Thinking of something fun
— Courtney Williams OutlanderBTS (@Courtilini14) June 7, 2016
Bill had just had a brief falling out with Stephen Walters, and he was constantly making fun of Sam for wearing a “skirt,” swearing he would never be caught dead in one. And, Sam had just had his day as a cowboy, so…
is it time? 🙂 🙂
— Courtney Williams OutlanderBTS (@Courtilini14) June 8, 2016
I got Bill in a kilt ya'llllllll hee hee hee – you're a good sport Bill 🙂
— Courtney Williams OutlanderBTS (@Courtilini14) June 8, 2016
So for one hour, Bill’s avi looked like this: ?
So for the next hour, this bizarre avatar is compliments of @Courtilini14
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 8, 2016
That’s the other reason I love Bill, he’s FUN and a good sport.
Years ago I worked as a wrangler for a few weeks with a bunch of hunky guys at a guest ranch, and we did a silly photo shoot; this was the original photo for the photo shopped avatar… (hands down the best job I’ve ever had, by the way).
But I digress…
After the charity event, Bill changed his Twitter avatar (also called an avi, for short) to a pic of Sam and him, and even began promoting Sam as the next James Bond. Here’s a clip about that (right on Caitriona!!)…
and Bill continued to make new Outlander cast friends…
https://twitter.com/LacroixDuncan/status/737329764516691969
Don't worry Sam wasn't in the conversation nor do I believe half the things he says about you. ???? https://t.co/1rYtKDavFy
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) May 30, 2016
and reconnect with old ones…
@Outlander_STARZ Please tell Ira Behr kisses were received. Why isn't he on social media? ????
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 5, 2016
and
???? That guy from Deep Space Nine (Outlander, 4400, etc…) has finally broke down and joined Twitter! Welcome @IraStevenBehr
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 20, 2017
(by the way I have another Outlander synchronous event- years ago my oldest brother won a walk on role for Deep Space Nine, which Ira Steven Behr wrote it turns out, here’s an old still of that…
Unfortunately, around the time of the charity event in 2016, there was an increase of cyber bulling, which Bill dealt with head on as a full fledged leader in the fandom…
For those brave cyberwarriors who are still sleeping; if I find that you harass or try to shame Sam or Cait you will be dealt with.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 9, 2016
They don't need me but as a friend of Sam I'm going to look out for him plus I am a member of this fandom. https://t.co/n9hQgOxQO0
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 9, 2016
He continued his support…
I heard that the ridiculously talented @Writer_DG wrote tonight's ep of @Outlander_STARZ so it must be super colossal good! ???????? 9pm tonight!
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) June 18, 2016
and met new Outlander friends…
Outlander's @Stephen3827675 made the news! @SamHeughan @caitrionambalfe @Writer_DG @grahammctavish @LacroixDuncan ???????? https://t.co/g827VvGBMw
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) July 10, 2016
Ahhhh finally, welcome @MrStevenCree
(Don't have pic, thankfully, so here's Mac n me)#IanMurray @Outlander_STARZ pic.twitter.com/wgpeNesXt2— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) July 20, 2016
That is some fancy coat! ???? And was Sam is wearing is ok too! ???? https://t.co/jOx9QFMV4N
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) July 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/donnellylaura1/status/755677809134239744
https://twitter.com/donnellylaura1/status/755781082327478272
I've managed to fashion a new leg out of frozen quinoa so I should get home by Xmas. If it's a boy call him @WilliamShatner
— Steven Cree (@MrStevenCree) July 20, 2016
Don't have a clue what he's rambling on about. Why is it that Outlander peeps get on Twitter and go crazy? ???????? https://t.co/2ubl3BXzik
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) July 21, 2016
He kept watching…
I didn't like Claire in Ep 1. She's grown on me a little through the eps. BTW I've always ❤️'d Caitriona. https://t.co/ywHrLXELB8
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) August 16, 2016
So I have now graduated to Episode 8 of @Outlander_STARZ ! @Writer_DG
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) August 21, 2016
and was very interested in the goings on at the Starfury Highlanders Fan Convention which took place in London in August 2016. I covered that convention HERE and put together a little piece on his funny tweets about the convention here: Bill’s London Extra.
Bill has continued to go out of his way to promote and advocate for Sam, Diana, Cait, and the show….
Congratulations to @Outlander_STARZ on the nomination! https://t.co/zXC7YPcq7U
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) October 5, 2016
Vote Sam Heughan for People's Choice!✅ https://t.co/0n78zWkHXq Vote as many times as you can. Vote while waiting for Trick Or Treaters! ????????
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) November 1, 2016
Did you all get Season 2 of Outlander today? My assistant got her copy today.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) November 2, 2016
Whew! My fingers hurt but fingers crossed for the #PCAs for Sam and Caitriona!!!
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) November 4, 2016
We still have Caitriona to cheer on. ????????
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) November 6, 2016
Getting close to the 300k! Thank you all for the follow! Looking forward to the QnA pic.twitter.com/uqPVNcqTTj
— Sam Heughan (@SamHeughan) November 10, 2016
Sam and Diana need 6,000 followers? #FollowMonday @SamHeughan @Writer_DG https://t.co/ZWwE8x2BS6
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) November 8, 2016
Are you following Sam? He wants to get to 300k and only needs a few thousand more. Let's get this done✅ ! https://t.co/BpjISog8B6
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) November 10, 2016
My friend Sam has this amazing program he does each year. Registration opens today! Check it out: https://t.co/EryTI9aLW4 https://t.co/Xj3lI28huO
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) December 19, 2016
???? Siri, send an email to @Writer_DG to suggest she buy underwear for both her Sam's birthdays this year. ????
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 17, 2017
Luckily they're born nine days apart; I can get a deal on 2-paks at Target… https://t.co/sECS9iaBXq
— Diana Gabaldon (@Writer_DG) January 17, 2017
What a stroke of luck! ???? Underwear for Sam & pants for Sheugs! https://t.co/tVRZDAxB48
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 17, 2017
He even knows when Outlander DVD’s go on sale!
Outlander Season 2 is 32.99 down from $75.99 https://t.co/FD78ApS5rJ
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) February 22, 2017
And finally Bill is gearing up for this year’s charity…
I have an Outlander t-shirt signed twice by a certain red head, Original DVDs signed by a vampire, something magnificent from Timeless https://t.co/ckhG2fnFWb
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) January 30, 2017
In other Outlander item news we have a Season 1 poster signed by @caitrionambalfe & @SamHeughan to add to our bounty.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) March 27, 2017
We received the letter today on the raffle. We can raffle off the Outlander shirt. So what's a good price point for the raffle?
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) April 4, 2017
And we’re full circle. Please consider supporting Bill’s charity (and possibly winning an OUTLANDER SHIRT SIGNED BY SAM! Bidding ends June 4th.
As always, thanks for visiting 🙂
Such an enjoyable roundup! Thanks for the dizzying timeline view about Bill becoming as smitten with the show as we are. He’s a powerhouse and tremendously loyal.
You’re welcome Lyzz! He is really the male Mrs Fitz- a true wonder.
Thanks for the magnificent timeline! So grateful to Mr Shatner for his Outlander support! I made sure to buy some raffle tickets .
Susan I’m glad you enjoyed it! Good luck in the rsffle too ?
Love it, Courtney! I had forgotten about the beginning- before the trolls.
Charity makes everything worthwhile. Many celebs do sweet #$#$ all. xxoo
Yes, the good ole days. Glad you liked it, good luck if you bought a ticket! ?