William Shatner Says He's 'Appalled' At IRS 'Star Trek' Parody Video

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**Lordhat**

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/26/175390349/william-shatner-says-hes-appalled-at-irs-star-trek-parody-video?utm_source=npr&utm_medium=facebook&utm_campaign=20130327

William Shatner has made up his mind about the Star Trek parody video produced by the Internal Revenue Service. He tweeted:

"So I watched that IRS video. I am appalled at the utter waste of US tax dollars."
If you haven't been paying attention, the IRS released the video last week after CBS News filed a Freedom of Information Act Request. The video, which shows IRS employees boldly going "where no government employee has gone before," was supposed to be used for training purposes.

It's pretty elaborate, showing the inside of the spaceship made famous by the TV series. The crew is approaching planet Notax, which the characters, including Mr. Spock, say has many problems including "alien identity theft."

But since CBS revealed that video and another parodying Gilligan's Island cost tax payers $60,000, the agency has said its making was a mistake.

CBS reported:

"IRS Acting Commissioner Steven Miller said in a statement that one of the two videos was played in 400 locations and saved taxpayers $1.5 million over what it would have cost to train employees in person.
"Nonetheless, the IRS issued a statement that reads: 'The space parody video from 2010 is not reflective of overall IRS video efforts, which provide critical information to taxpayers and cost-effective employee training critical to running the nation's tax system. In addition, the IRS has instituted tough new standards for videos to prevent situations similar to the 2010 video.'
"In response to the release of the Gilligan's Island parody, the IRS said in a statement, 'This approach reflects a newer IRS model of using video to dramatically save on training and travel costs. Using video provides a more cost-efficient way of doing business than face-to-face meetings.'"
We'll leave you with the video itself, so you can make up your mind: (Video on linked page - Lordhat )

**Breotan**

I was appalled that someone paid real money for a video production that poor in quality.

**Frazzled**

Maybe he's appalled that their acting is still better than his?

**Dreadclaw69**

I had to suffer through it at the Social Security office last summer and again in the winter. Painful does't do it justice.

**Relapse**

What the hell were they trying to train employees on that this video saved over a million and a half dollars in training costs?
How to act like someone in a grade school play?

**azazel the cat**

Relapse wrote:What the hell were they trying to train employees on that this video saved over a million and a half dollars in training costs?
How to act like someone in a grade school play?

Way cheaper to have someone press "play" on a VCR/DVD player than it is to pay someone to actually spend several hours delivering in-person training at each location.

**kronk**

azazel the cat wrote:
Relapse wrote:What the hell were they trying to train employees on that this video saved over a million and a half dollars in training costs?
How to act like someone in a grade school play?

Way cheaper to have someone press "play" on a VCR/DVD player than it is to pay someone to actually spend several hours delivering in-person training at each location.

Travel is also very expensive. As is renting space for the training and hotels for the teacher and/or students.

In the long run, if it's possible to make an effective training video and distribute it to those that need it, you'll save a lot of money and time.

**hotsauceman1**

Still better then to original series

**spiralingcadaver**

Breotan wrote:
I was appalled that someone paid real money for a video production that poor in quality.

It's amazing how much stuff costs in film production, so I'm not at all surprised that it cost them that much to make it. Though, it was pretty terribly done, regardless of budget.

**daedalus**

hotsauceman1 wrote:
Still better then to original series

TROLL!!!

**Ouze**

"IRS Acting Commissioner Steven Miller said in a statement that one of the two videos was played in 400 locations and saved taxpayers $1.5 million over what it would have cost to train employees in person."

If that's accurate, and he can prove it, he should double down on it and say it was a wise use of taxpayer dollars instead of caving.

**KalashnikovMarine**

Dreadclaw69 wrote:
I had to suffer through it at the Social Security office last summer and again in the winter. Painful does't do it justice.

Seppukku seems preferable....

**Dreadclaw69**

KalashnikovMarine wrote:
Seppukku seems preferable....

Yeah but sadly there's no SSN after

I did find out that for some reason the Social Security Office states in writing that it accepts Federal documents to prove identity, but for reasons the supervisor couldn't explain documents from Homeland Security don't count - you know, that Federal agency that did a massive background check on me before I entered the country, that made me go through a medical, provide a gak ton of personal documents and then had State Dept interview me. Pretty sure they know who I am

**Kilkrazy**

This is best training video ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oB6DN5dYWo

**Relapse**

azazel the cat wrote:
Relapse wrote:What the hell were they trying to train employees on that this video saved over a million and a half dollars in training costs?
How to act like someone in a grade school play?

Way cheaper to have someone press "play" on a VCR/DVD player than it is to pay someone to actually spend several hours delivering in-person training at each location.

As a trainer that creates and uses videos all the time, I agree, but this video had no real training value.

**Easy E**

Everyone say it with me....

WWWWWAAAAASSSSSTTTTEEEEE!
of tax payer money.

**Cheesecat**

Kilkrazy wrote:
This is best training video ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oB6DN5dYWo

This one's way better imo, although the picture quality is pretty bad.

**hotsauceman1**

Easy E wrote:

WWWWWAAAAASSSSSTTTTEEEEE!
of tax payer money.

I would think that, but i dont think they actually put any money into this.

**Ma55ter_fett**

Kilkrazy wrote:
This is best training video ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oB6DN5dYWo

I've seen far worse during various safty and osha training sessions.

I swear it's where most snuff horror directors get their start.

**hotsauceman1**

Apprently that cost...60,000$ to make.
Im sorely disappointed. I could do better for free.

**Super Ready**

Ouze wrote:
If that's accurate, and he can prove it, he should double down on it and say it was a wise use of taxpayer dollars instead of caving.

Noone can deny that the video would be cheaper than sending trainers in person. But that's no real argument...this is a 2010 video. Companies have been using training videos since AT LEAST the 80s, it's like saying taking a first class plane ticket was cheaper than taking a horse and cart.

The issue here is that the poor quality of the video does not match the price tag, so it is a waste. You could have got a much better video for the same cash, or that pile of crud for much cheaper.

Also, the point raised about it not really training anyone anything decent is valid too. In that respect its a total drainspill.