Summary

• Shatner's insistence ensured Kirk and Uhura's iconic kiss stayed in Star Trek, a groundbreaking moment for diversity on TV.
• Despite NBC's concerns, no backlash was received for the interracial kiss, a memorable scene in a mediocre episode.
• Shatner's determination during filming made TV history by ensuring Kirk and Uhura's kiss was included on-screen.

Star Trek: The Original Series' iconic interracial kiss between Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner) and Lt. Uhura (Nichelle Nichols) would likely not have happened if not for William Shatner. Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry wanted his series to push boundaries and depict a future where everyone was accepted for who they were. While Star Trek: The Original Series remains a product of its time, it undoubtedly helped pave the way for more diversity on television. Kirk and Uhura's iconic kiss, while not technically the first interracial kiss to air on television, was a monumental moment and received very little backlash from viewers despite the worries of NBC.

Kirk and Uhura's kiss happens in Star Trek: The Original Series season 3, episode 10, "Plato's Stepchildren," an otherwise mediocre episode about halfway through TOS' final season. "Plato's Stepchildren" begins when the USS Enterprise answers a distress call from a people known as the Platonians. The Platonians possess telekinetic powers and the leader, Parmen (Liam Sullivan), wishes Dr. Leonard McCoy (DeForest Kelley) to remain on the planet as their doctor. When he refuses, Parmen humiliates Kirk and his crew by forcing them to perform for them. In one instance, Parmen forces Kirk and Uhura to kiss in what would become one of Star Trek's most famous scenes.

William Shatner Says Star Trek’s First Interracial Kirk & Uhura Kiss Would Not Have Happened Without Him

Shatner made sure Kirk's kiss with Uhura stayed in the final episode.

William Shatner appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher to promote his autobiographical documentary, William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill. Maher took the opportunity to ask Shatner about Star Trek's most famous kiss, and Shatner admitted it likely would not have happened if not for him. Read their conversation below:

Bill Maher: That moment, you were brave because from what I understand, NBC, of course, was nervous about it. I mean, we had seen before when Southern stations would cancel shows or not show them over something like that. And you kind of stuck to your guns and did the kiss.

William Shatner: Yes, I puckered up my lips and [makes kissing motion]... Like that. I mean, [Nichelle Nichols is] no longer with us, but in her lifetime, she was a remarkably attractive lady.

Bill Maher: Yes, but that’s not really the issue. I want to know, if you hadn’t insisted on doing it, would it have not got done?

William Shatner: It would not have got done. That’s bad English.

According to some of his fellow Star Trek cast members, Shatner was not always the easiest to work with, but he made Captain Kirk one of the most iconic television characters of all time. The legendary actor, who celebrated his 93rd birthday on March 22, 2024, ensured Captain Kirk and Uhura's kiss made it into the final cut of "Plato's Stepchildren." The late Nichelle Nichols has also spoken about the kiss scene in various interviews, and she, too, credits Shatner with making sure the scene made it to air.

William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill will be available for video-on-demand rental or purchase everywhere on April 26th.

How Star Trek’s First Interracial Kiss Happened

Despite NBC's worries, there are no records of any complaints about the kiss.

When it came time to film the kiss scene in "Plato's Stepchildren," both the Star Trek episode's director, David Alexander, and studio executives at NBC were hesitant to show the full kiss, fearing it would anger certain viewers. The kiss was filmed as the last shot on the final day of shooting, and Gene Roddenberry was brought in to discuss how the scene should be shot. ​​​​​​Nichelle Nichols, who famously remained in Star Trek because of Martin Luther King, Jr., was not always respected on set. Roddenberry generally sided with Nichols when it came to Uhura, and he decided to shoot a take with the kiss and one without. William Shatner, however, had other ideas.

Shatner insisted on multiple takes, causing the shoot to run even further over schedule. Finally out of time, the director insisted on a no-kiss version of the shot, but Shatner wasn't done. This time, Captain Kirk leaned Uhura back to imply a kiss without it being on-screen, but Shatner deliberately looked into the camera and crossed his eyes. The director was unable to see this from his point of view and, believing the take to be a good one, he called cut. Of course, as the footage was reviewed later, the shot without the kiss was unusable, ensuring Kirk and Uhura's Star Trek: The Original Series kiss made television history.

Source: Real Time With Bill Maher

Star Trek: The Original Series is available to stream on Paramount+.