I thought it was time to explain just why certain of us find the subject of William Shatner so endlessly appealing and amusing, if not inspiring.

It's simple. We're either Canadians...or we're American Mudcatters who have met some of the Canadian Mudcatters and joined in the fun once we caught on.

You see, William Shatner is Canadian. Not only that, he was probably the highest profile Canadian actor in the history of TV and movies from the mid-60's on. He starred in a very unique and in the end HUGELY popular sci-fi show, as I'm sure you all know, and in the big budget movies that followed it. He founded a franchise that lives on today. He was a big name, and he was CANADIAN.

Add this to the fact that he has a very idiosyncratic, decidely unusual approach to acting...one that has inspired imitation by countless comedians...and you're onto something major here.

No other Canadian actor has made such an indelible mark on American show business. Jim Carrey imitates Shatner. Do you think Shatner would waste his time imitating Jim Carrey? Ha! Does the Pope imitate the local bishop?

That's why we love him. He's the Man.

Believe me, if he had been born an American or a Brit we Canadians would probably hardly even know he existed at this point.

And that's really all there is to it.

Shatner is one of Canada's biggest exports, and we love him for it!