He did end up doing it though.

Not at all surprised by this.

My thoughts as well.

That's a good possibility. The show is doing fine and doesn't need to have Shatner appear, so perhaps they are not feeling as generous as ol' Bill would like.
"Two gin and Frescas"
"Shaken, not ridiculed"

Probably because Chucky et al. have not
come correct
money-wise!
Enduring commercials is the price you pay for free television.

Shatner does not want to play himself.
because he doesn't have the acting chops.

Shater, rap, and Julius Caesar. Three things that have never been combined before. And now we know why.
"Image of 'lovable losers' gets us more tail than Sinatra."Chicago Cubs,
Late Night Top 10

He was hilarious playing himself in Free Enterprise

He did play himself in an episode of Fresh Prince of Bel Air, no?
Cute and cuddly boyz!!

Sounded like they wanted him like they way they have Wil Wheaton playing Wil Wheaton

Actually, you have misstated that article. He has not ruled it out. He just was not enamored with what they offered.
They wanted me to play myself a little obliquely, and they said it would work out, but I needed more assurance on that.
"I care about the law. It's justice I don't give a toss about."
Cleaver Greene

Maybe he could play old retired Captain Kirk in Sheldon's dream or something.

It's a sitcom, and in its universe it's been established that the Star Trek actors, are that, actors. So he can't play a character other than a sitcom version of himself, if he doesn't want to do it, time to move on.
Sent from my computer, using my keyboard.

Just another way of telling them/us to "Get a life."