As the host of his own talk-show series, "Shatner's Raw Nerve," the 77-year-old "Star Trek" actor is aiming to get on people's nerves. Like Captain Kirk could ever do that.

Actually, even if you find Shatner hilarious — as I do — you probably can recall a time when you found the Priceline spokesman at least a little annoying. And that's exactly what Shatner is banking on with "Shatner's Raw Nerve," which debuts with two episodes beginning at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2, on Bio (that's what the Biography Channel prefers to be called). Except here, he's going out of his way to irritate his interview subjects.

You might assume that Shatner likes nothing better than talking about himself — and that is not an incorrect assumption. But here, he allows his guests to speak at length about themselves, although he does frequently interject with asides about his favorite subject.

First up is Valerie Bertinelli. The former "One Day at a Time" child actor was in the news quite a bit this year, between her Jenny Craig weight-loss promotion and the release of her autobiography, "Losing It — And Gaining My Life Back One Pound At A Time." Her life essentially is an open book, and she has very candidly discussed the dissolution of her marriage — to guitarist Eddie Van Halen — and her lifelong battle with food on "Oprah" and other shows.

But will someone as honest as Bertinelli be annoyed by Shatner's probing questions?

"She was a rock 'n' roll wife; now she isn't," Shatner says by way of introduction. "She was fat; now she isn't. She was an addict; now she isn't. How did she do that? Let's try and find out."

In addition to grilling Bertinelli about whether she knew Van Halen was a drug addict when she met/married him, Shatner asks her about her religious upbringing and how she reconciles that with the life she has lead and the mistakes she has made.

"The more you speak, the more Catholic you sound," Shatner points out a few minutes into the conversation.

What I find interesting is that Shatner extracts more from Bertinelli in this relatively brief — the show is only 30 minutes — exchange than your typical Oprah Winfrey interview. While Bertinelli does a great job of answering his questions and maintaining her cool, there are a few times when it does seem as if Shatner is aggravating her. Watching it all unfold is like watching a therapy session — except you're not certain who is the patient. It is by turns fascinating and a little uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the second episode I saw, which airs at 10:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9, and features late-night talk-show host Jimmy Kimmel.

Besides being the former co-host of the testosterone-driven program "The Man Show," Kimmel — I would argue — is best known for his on-again, off-again relationship with fellow comedian Sarah Silverman. Yet for some odd reason Shatner completely shies away from the subject, never once uttering Silverman's name. That's unbelievable for a show that proudly promotes its host's ability to get under people's skin.

Sure, it's likely that Kimmel wouldn't agree to appear unless his relationship with Silverman was off the table. I can understand that. What I can't understand is why Shatner — or whoever's in charge of booking the show — didn't then say, "Sorry, Charlie," and find another guest. No offense, but Kimmel isn't exactly the most fascinating of interview subjects. Consider these remarks:

"Divorce was the best thing that ever happened to me," Kimmel admits.

Who was he married to? Not Sarah Silverman, I can promise you that.

"My grandfather wore my grandmother's dentures" after she died, Kimmel reveals.

"That's extraordinary!" declares the host. Yes, I agree, Bill. It's simply riveting.

What's truly extraordinary is that Shatner doesn't even bring up Silverman's "I (expletive deleted) Matt Damon" song/video. It won an Emmy, for heaven's sake, and prompted Kimmel to respond with his own song/video, "I (expletive deleted) Ben Affleck." Both videos were huge Internet sensations.

Why am I making a big deal about this glaring omission? Because "Shatner's Raw Nerve" makes such a to-do about being edgy and distinguishing itself from every other talk show out there. In its press materials, Bio describes the show like this:

"Shatner will attempt to probe his guest's most fascinating and sensitive subjects and touch upon a "Raw Nerve.' Part of the fun will be waiting for the "Raw Nerve' moments that you know will be coming."

I'm still waiting for that moment — at least in Kimmel's case. I find it odd that only Bertinelli's interview lives up to the hype.

Shatner's "Star Trek" co-star, Leonard Nimoy, graces the couch in an upcoming episode, and that's cool. But since Shatner went to great lengths to avoid asking Kimmel sensitive questions, I figure there's little to no chance that George "Mr. Sulu" Takei will ever come on the show so that he and Shatner can discuss exactly why their relationship is so acrimonious.

Too bad. I would love to see that.