LIVE CHAT - John Billingsley

Chat transcript from 05-27-06 at 3 PM PST
(Content edited for readability)

John_Billingsley (May 27, 2006 6:04:42 PM) (This user has entered Guest Chat)

M: heelo there

Natira: What can you tell us about your new show “The Nine”?

John_Billingsley: Hi Natira - The Nine, ABC, 10PM in the fall, keep your fingers crossed that I don't suck - about a group of folks taken hostage in a bank robbery gone wrong and the pernicious aftereffects . . . I'm a dorky guy redeemed . . .I could go on but I'll try and keep my answers brief . . . my wife, however, Bonnie, plays my wife on the show (although in her fictional guise she's a real ballbuster and in real life she's a doll and a peach).
M: What was it like being on “Star Trek”?

John_Billingsley: That's a tough one to answer tersely - it was lovely, surprising, irritating at times (rubber head), lucrative (hallelujah) . . .

Mod_Kestra: We know that you are involved in AIDS awareness; can you tell us more about your participation on that issue?

Vladimir: How many episodes of “The Nine” have you shot so far?

John_Billingsley: Hi Vladimir - You first, then Mod - We've only shot the pilot so far . . . I've been involved in AIDS related orgs. for many years, going back to Seattle days, early 80's - loss of dear pals galvanized me, as it has for many of us - I am on the Board of an org. called the Aids Service Center which does all sorts of things for affected folks and their families (helps find housing, jobs, helps with meds and psych. counseling, etc etc etc)

Loius: What did it feel like to have all that make up on? To look like an alien?

John_Billingsley: The makeup was a pain, no doubt - about two and a half hours in the chair every morning I worked, plus an hour to take off at night - LONG DAYS! - plus it's hot, itchy, etc - contact lenses were the real drag though - they couldn't really grapple with my stigmatism so I had very weak vision when I had them on and I bumped into a lot of set pieces (and actors).
M: How did it feel to be a part of the whole “Star Trek” experience? And how has it changed your life?

John_Billingsley: It certainly changed my life for the better - I've gotten to travel the world, meet some lovely folks, not to mention (on a mundane level) I have a house and a level of financial security that most actors can only dream of - and, of course, there's the intangible benefit of being part of something so culturally significant

John: What is your favorite character that you've played?

John_Billingsley: Probably would have to be Treplev in Chekhov's The Seagull - I was a theatre actor for fifteen years prior to moving to LA in 96, and many of my most cherished memories as an actor would hearken back to those days . . . on tv, hard to say but Phlox was certainly the character that I felt I was most attuned to emotionally and intellectually . . .

Loius: What has been your greatest achievement?

John_Billingsley: Marrying well.

M: What has been the biggest influence in your life, and how has that affected your work?

John_Billingsley: Not sure I have a simple answer for that - I was blessed to have lovely, supportive parents who encouraged me to do whatever the hell I wanted as long as it made me happy; I've had wonderful teachers my whole life; I refer back to me previous answer (aforementioned wife) - in terms of how all of this has affected my work . . . well, not to be glib but this is a tough profession and frankly just staying the course is hard - all of the influences I mention above have a huge role in helping me get up and go to work every day -
Vladimir: John, your character on “Nip Tuck” was so passionate and wonderful...Can you tell us about you experience on the show?

John_Billingsley: Thank you! It was a lovely (albeit uncomfortable) experience - I was trussed up like a guinea fowl in this silly contraption for several days (for those of you unfamiliar with that ep., I played a guy who wanted to have his leg taken off and who wears it behind his back, pinned up in a sling) - a very interesting condition, body identity integrity disorder, that really exists, affects some thousand plus people worldwide - odd . . . lots of fun to shoot though . . .

M: What made you decide to start acting?

John_Billingsley: In the fifth grade it was mandatory that everybody in our class of l00 (approx) aud. for the school play - A Christmas Carol - and because I was the only kid who could read off the page with any amount of emotion and competence I got the part of scrooge. . . . from that day forward, a ham was born . .

Natira: Is there any show that you have worked on that you wish your time on the show lasted longer?

John_Billingsley: Good question! Glibly: all of them - a paycheck is a joy forever . . . I was sorry when The Others was cancelled (show I was in '99-00), it only lasted 13 eps. but I thought we'd have really found our legs with a little more running room . . .

Boby: What is FOR YOU the most important difference between theater and television?

John_Billingsley: Theatre is all about rehearsal - you have an opportunity to dig into a script and into the background and psychology of a character with much more vigor - on the other hand, tv and film is about a certain kind of honesty that communicates when you don't have to raise your voice to serve the needs of the back row in a 450 seat house . . . I love working in both mediums, but at the end of the day theatre pays a buck and change and tv and film bought me a house and an easy chair and a Prius.

Trekfan1959: Your character on “SG-1” (comedy) and your character on “Cold Case” (drama) were very different. Do enjoy doing comedy or drama, or both?

John_Billingsley: I love it all - one doesn't really differentiate all that much in the exercise of the craft, candidly - you try and figure out who it is you're playing, what they want and why they want it, what their obstacles are, etc etc - the work is the same and the behavior will emerge in a comedic or dramatic way but it's not helpful, as an actor, to think about it in those terms.

Loius: Has there been a scene that you have acted in, that reflected a part of your life? That you would like to share with us.

John_Billingsley: hmmmm - I'm mulling that over . . . anytime you play a grieving scene, I think, you inevitable connect to incidents in your life where you felt that kind of overwhelming pain - my mom died of pancreatic cancer many years ago and grieving scenes inevitably bring a lot of those memories back . .

Loius: I'm sorry to hear about your mother.

John_Billingsley: Oh thanks - it was many years ago, but she was a gem . . .

Vladimir: Is there any way to buy the episodes of “The Others”? I would love to see that again.

John_Billingsley: Hey Vladimir - not to my knowledge (re: purchasing Others episodes) - I suppose you could contact NBC or Dreamworks for info, but to my knowledge they've never been released (or for that matter re-aired in the US).

Rich: What is your most memorable moment on “Star Trek”?

John_Billingsley: winning the halloween contest in my 'freshman year' - I went as the submissive in a dominant/submissive pair (in full Phlox headgear, leather chaps, red ball in mouth, at the end of a dog collar - paired up with a gal who was the focus puller, see her at different shoots every now and then and she always blushes . . . )

M: I missed you in “Star Gate”, what was it like to be on that set?

John_Billingsley: terrific set, great guy to work with (Patrick McKennon, I may be spelling that incorrectly). Sadly, they brought him back (we were a pair of dingbats who kept getting in the way of everything) but they didn't bring me back . . . a letter writing campaign, perhaps . . . if each of you wrote 35,000 letters . . . !

Natira: Besides from acting, what are your other passions/ hobbies/ interests?

John_Billingsley: Hi Natira - I'm a huge reader, I'm far too huge an eater, I do a fair amount of work with charities, I'm very political . . . I don't climb moutains, ski, surf, etc etc cuz I have a bonedeep fear of physical injury . . .

Trekfan1959: If you as an actor could pick any part or role that would be your dream role, what role would you pick?

John_Billingsley: Most actors would say Hamlet, but not me, I've done enough Shakespeare to suit me for a time - I'd love to do some more Chekhov, on stage, but in the end it's as much who you are working with that makes a project desirable as what you are working on . . .

Natira: IMDB says that you have two cats, what type are they, and their names? And do they rule the roost? :D

John_Billingsley: We have an ENORMOUS girl cat, about 12 now, Maine Coon, named Leo. Smelly butt chow hound is my affectionate name for her. The boy cat is named Solomon, a tuxedo cat with Siamese like tendencies (yowl, yowl, yowl) and a real cuddler. They rule my wife, by the way, which is tantamount to ruling the roost.

Boby: What is your favorite genre? As a reader what kind of books you like the most, and what type of writing?

Loius: What is the last book you have read?

John_Billingsley: I'm currently in the middle of a book called ILLYWHACKER, by Peter Carey, about an Australian con-man (of sorts) bopping about during the Depression with his kids, his parrot, and his paramour(s); I love good fiction, and I read a lot of history and journalism.

M: If you could go back and change a role that you were in, what would you change and why?

John_Billingsley: On Cold Case (only cuz this is the most recent example) I felt that the producers kinda chickened out and didn't allow the horrible serial killer I was portraying to remain true to his intellectual bona fides cuz they needed the heroine to 'triumph' over him by breaking his spirit . . . thought that was unfortunate, although such is the nature of tv . . .

John: Are you currently planning on coming over here to the UK for any shows?

John_Billingsley: Was in London two years ago for the big Expo, and don't know if I'll be invited back any time soon - possibly, if THE NINE is successful that might increase my marketability in the eyes of those folks (all very nice, mind you) who throw cons over there - unfortunately, the other issue for me is that I am (knock wood) a working actor and the only time I really can get away is May/June (ish) . .

M: If you could chose any role in any production what would it be and what do you think you could bring to the role?

John_Billingsley: Dear M - think I'd refer you back to the earlier response . . . probably a Chekhov play, maybe Vershinin in the 3 Sisters, but it would be more dependent on who's doing it, where, when, etc - and would, in that role, be able (I suspect) to catch the feelings of claustropobia that he incurs, trapped in a loveless marriage and in a career field he doesn't fully respect . . . (not to suggest I'd be drawing upon things from my personal life here)
John: What is you favorite animal? Apart from the cats, of course.

Loius: Would you like to have one of my many gerbils? They are quite affectionate?

John_Billingsley: I'm not that much of a favorite picker - think we live in a world where everybody wants to rank things too much - that said, if and when I go to the zoo I do like to find the chimpanzee house cuz I think they're full of spit and vinegar . . .

John_Billingsley: Dear Loius - Re: gerbils - Only if you'd take one of my pet tarantulas in return . .

Loius: Would you own a chimp?

John_Billingsley: re chimp - hell no, I don't even want kids . . . !

M: Would you like a rabbit as well?

John_Billingsley: nope, no rabbits . . . obviously there are a lot of people out there with a surfeit of animals . . .

M: Not that there is anything wrong with either of them (boy and girl rabbits)

John_Billingsley: I'm sure they are adored.

Natira: Do you feel you were able to develop Phlox’s character to the best of his potential? If not, what would you like to have done towards his character development?

John_Billingsley: No, I'd have loved to seem them three-dimensionalize everybody a lot more - liked the producers a lot, they were very kind and sweet to me, and recognize that they were under a lot of pressure to emphasize 'action' at the expense of character driven story lines but always thought we could have stood to learn more about Denobulan culture, Denobulan society (which would have perforce given us more insight into Phlox's character)
shadowcat_2: Would you be in an “Enterprise” Film??

John_Billingsley: They'll never make an Enterprise film, of course - we were taken off the air because we were perceived as 'the show that was killing the franchise', but should anybody ever approach me about anything re: Star Trek I'd always be game to listen . . .

Boby: You mentioned on... “Cold Case”....producers kinda of chickened out...and that...such is the nature of TV... Is that what happened to “Enterprise”, too?

John_Billingsley: I think there were a lot of reasons Enterprise didn't do too well, more than I could take the time to introduce here - but bottom line I just think new blood is needed at the helm, folks who are prepared to throw out all the old rules governing what is and isn't 'appropriate' for Star Trek to do or not do - I thought, for a show about the first guys in space, we were too competent, too sure of ourselves, too smug, and everything went too smoothly - would've had a lot more mess, would've also changed a lot of things tonally/visually - it looked like every other Star Trek show and sounded like every other Star Trek show and without showing any disrespect to the fans who have been with ST from the beginning, Paramount's got to find a way to attract a new audience if the franchise is to survive . . . .has to get a little bit hipper . . .

Loius: This is the 40th year of Trek, what are your thoughts on the show and where do you think it will be on its 50th?

John_Billingsley: So many variables . . . a lot rides on JJABRAMS now . . .

John: Yep, they seam to be stuck in a bit of a rut with the franchise.

John_Billingsley: As for thoughts on the franchise (as opposed to my show) - I think the original vision, a world in which we have learned how to get along, for the most part, and have used our scientific knowledge for the good of mankind needs to be reevaluated in light of present day realities - I think STrek needs to be a bit more honest about how difficult it is to listen to the better angels of our nature . . . I would like to see the show still point towards a positve future but with a bit more grit, and roughness, and intellectual and moral rigor . . .

Rich: Are you going to be attending any conventions soon?

John_Billingsley: I'll be in Seattle to celebrate the 40th (what is that, Sept?) - and I'll be doing a weekend con in Salt Lake City in Oct, can't recall specific dates -

John: Any idea when "The Nine" is coming to the UK?

John_Billingsley: I do believe that in the recent 'overseas buyer's market' that is held after shows are picked up the Nine was purchased for UK distrib., so assuming we last long enough to make more than 13 you should be seeing it within the year (although my understanding is that so much gets downloaded now prior to formal release . . . )

M: What is your favorite time in history? I just love the ancient world myself.

John_Billingsley: That's a diff. question - I have eras that fascinate me but that I wouldn't want to have lived through myself - and then there's oh man I kinda wish I'd been alive in . . . the gay 90's, fin de seicle Austria - a teenager during the Sexual Revolution (LOL) . . .

M: What shows do you like to watch ?

John_Billingsley: I like to watch a lot of HBO shows - very upset they've essentially bailed on Deadwood, which I loved - I am enjoying Big Love, loved Six Feet Under, still dig The Sopranos . . . I watch a lot of BBC, Masterpiece Theatre, "Mystery", The Office was terrific - liked a lot of the great sitcoms of the past which I watch, sequentially, on DVD - watched season 1 of Lost but gave up on it when they found a secret cache of malomars and anther section of the plane . . .

M: I have a friend called Carol that thinks you're very cute.

John_Billingsley: Well Carol is clearly a very discerning and sophisticated person, also probably a drug-taker.

Dot: Hey, was it you that did the “12 Dogs of Christmas”?

John_Billingsley: Ah, 12 Dogs . . it was indeed . . . and my Bonita played the gal the dogcatcher is pursuing . . . arf arf . . . haircut and a shave or a haircut and a shave (this will be meaningless to any who haven't seen the film) . . . which, by the way, they still owe us money for . .

Dot: Loved that movie…so many puppies!

John_Billingsley: Those puppies were the death of us!!! no puppies, kids or period cars, ever again! I'm only kidding (partially)

Dot: lol

Vladimir: Are you going to continue to be on “Prison Break” this fall?

Dot: Or more “CSI”.

John_Billingsley: P. Break is now contingent on ABC giving me permission to 'double-dip' - contractually, they own me, in effect (I can do a few things but for the most part everything gets run by them). I've been asked to shoot the first ep. of next season but am waiting for ABC to give the nod, can't really say what they're going to do . . . tricky for PB cuz they've got several other actors on that show, including Madame VP, who are not under contract with them, who have now booked new shows . . . could be a lot of PB killing going on soon . . .

Rich: When where you on “CSI”?

John_Billingsley: I was on CSI NY about three months ago, a very small part - I certainly wouldn't be reappearing anytime soon in that role (I'd been up for the part of CSI NY's coroner but didn't get it) - I've been told that CSI wants to have me on their show at some point but, again, given THE NINE'S my priority now I suspect everything else takes a back seat for a while . . .

Vladimir: John, is your wife Bonnie in the pilot episode of “The Nine”?

John_Billingsley: Yes, Bonnie has a small scene towards the end (with me, giving me a hard time) - she's set to recur, but we don't know how prominent she'll be . . .

Loius: What is the one thing in a person you find attractive?

John_Billingsley: Sense of humor; compassion; empathy. Liquor cabinet.

Dot: haahahahaaaa

John_Billingsley: Ah, that's four things.

M: What is your favorite liquor?

John_Billingsley: Bring it all on - I'd drink a sidecar any time, or a good sweet manhattan . . . now this all makes me sound like one hell of a lush . . I never drink before breakfast, as Wiliam Powell once said in his Nick Charles personna . . .

M: And what would you have with it?

John_Billingsley: oooh . . . shrimp cocktail, maybe . . . . clams casino . . . oysters rockefeller . . . lobster newburg . . . stop stop

M: Are you a fish person then?

John_Billingsley: Never met a fish I wouldn't eat. can't really think of anything I wouldn't at least try.

Natira: Yes, but what about drinking during breakfast?

John_Billingsley: that's what a bloody mary is all about . . .

M: I'll have to hide my tropical fish form you in that case!!!

John_Billingsley: come to think of it, about that rabbit . . .

Rich: Oooo tia mara and apple juice is good for breakfast

M: lol

John_Billingsley: hmmm . . . that doesn't sound too appealing . . . but I'll try it some time, not for breakfast however . . .

Kim: Medical professionals seem to be your forte, any reason why?

John_Billingsley: actually, I can't think of another doc. I've played - serial killers and pedophiles, sadly, were my forte for a while . . . . now I think it's just shlubby joes with good hearts but no social graces . . .

Dot: Ooh your'e doing “Man From Earth”???? Are you doing “Man From Earth”?

John_Billingsley: yes, we shot it in January (a budget of l9$ so I'm not necessarily expecting a masterpiece) - great group of fellas involved, think it might be a smidge talky for a movie, but what do I know . . .

Vladimir: What will your role be on “Man From Earth”?

John_Billingsley: Well, you know we're all college profs who don't believe the protagonist's yarn . . . I'm the brassy loudmouth with a good heart, if that helps (sounds like you're familiar with the story)

Kim: What studio & release date (approx.) for “Man From Earth”?

John_Billingsley: Studio? LOL! Release Date? LOL again. . . . keep watching the video aisles . . .

M: You said you would never have children, any reasons?

John_Billingsley: I'm a selfish prick??

Kim: Call yourself 'childfree'.

Natira: Children taste like chicken.

John_Billingsley: How mean I am about myself. No, I like other people's kids just fine - but it's a tough biz and when I was younger I couldn't conceive of a way to manage career and family . . . and as I got older of course it seemed even less feasible . . .I don't like chicken

Vladimir: I just checked out the “Man From Earth” website and what they had to say about it. It sounds like a great plot

M: But does chicken taste like children?

John: Or just iky.

Kim: That too

M: Well I wouldn't have any children either, but I think it can be sometimes more selfish to have children that are not wanted.

Dot: Hey but you've been busy; with plenty of BBQ sauce they do

Kim: Most every kind of meat can taste like chicken.

M: lol Dot

John: Mmmm BBQ and rice

John_Billingsley: Dot - yes, busy busy , which has been terrific - but also very much enjoying a vacation now . . . went to New Zealand, Australia and NYC and now lying around the house reading and getting fatter . . .

M: Ummm this is kind of disturbing.

Dot: Mmmm dirty rice and red beans

Natira: Baby back ribs.

M: Children are not for dinner.

Rich: Can I have chips(fries) with that?

Mod_Kestra: Would you like that super sized?

John_Billingsley: see, it doesn't take much to find the buried cannibal in everyone . . . and we wonder at the Donner party's indulgences . . . I'm surprised we're not chowing down on one another more frequently

shadowcat_2: Where in NYC??

Mod_Kestra: lol

M: rotflol

John_Billingsley: Was in NYC for the upfronts, the network(s) dog and pony show . . . they try and interest advertisers in upcoming tv programs . . . they put us up at the Trump Towers at Columbus Circle (West Side, 57th St.) and everything, even the toilet paper, had TRUMP emblazoned on it . . . They actually stamped my ass with TRUMP when I left . . . I think Trump be my daddy now . . .

Kim: Isn't New Zealand beautiful?

John_Billingsley: NZ is HEAVEN!!! oh my god . . . we drove and drove for about two weeks, didn't get all the way south but saw quite a lot . . . wow o wow o wow. . . and aust. ain't too shabby either, although I'd been there before . .

Loius: Is serving a child for lunch constitutes a cooking crime ... I mean what herbs would you serve with them?

Dot: If you batter them then fry they do just fine.......*watches M..* you gotta keep an eye on her John

Rich: They are for lunch.

Natira: The other white meat.

John_Billingsley: alright, now you all need to stop with the 'cooking children' jokes - I have a pernicious reputation to begin with, in case you didn't know . . .

M: You’re all evil!

Dot: What's “Dead and Deader” about?

John_Billingsley: D and D is a zombie comedy . . . although I

Dot: Like “Shaun of the Dead”?

John_Billingsley: whoops my finger slipped although I am not sure whether or not it's going to function terribly well as a comedy . . . I tried my best . . . I'm a slacker morgue attendant who gets zombified . . . Would that it were as witty as Shaun . . . nice folks involved, but the comedy is of a slightly less cerebral sort . . .

Boby: John, what happened with your book club? Sounded like an interesting idea, to read same book and discuss it, give/hear different view.

John_Billingsley: I had to abort the book club, frankly, cuz I was just too busy - good news is that in the post-Enterprise world I am actually much much busier than I was while doing the show, bad news is it meant certain things I was digging had to go away . . .

Vince: Did you enjoy "Doctor's Orders"? It was pretty much your show.

John_Billingsley: I always enjoyed working on Ent - didn't have a lot to do much of the time, but understandable since I wasn't/never will be the go-to guy for shootouts, making out with alien babes, rock em sock em fistfights, etc etc etc . . .

M: Don’t you think that the majority of people are zommibes? Have you ever observed early morning commuters, it’s not a pretty sight

John_Billingsley: what's a zommibe . . .

Vladimir: Just bought The Long Emergency on your recommendation - can't wait to start it tonight

John_Billingsley: ooh . . .that's a book that'll have you shaking in your boots . . . or buying property in upstate NY . . .

M: Like a zombie only not spell checked lol

Kim: I work the zombie shift so yeah.... number me amongst the walking dead.

John_Billingsley: ah, yes . . . I'm far too caffeinated far too much of the time to resemble a zombie . . .

Mod_Kestra: Zombie on steroids.

John_Billingsley: the long emergency is a terrifying book about the confluence of crises the world (potentially) faces - including, in this guy's scenario, the GULP we've run out of oil moment . . .

Vladimir: You packed a pretty good punch in your “X-files” role.

Kim: Just saw that “X-Files” show... found the vid to buy.

John_Billingsley: I didn't hit anyone. I just waved a gun around. Anybody can be scary with a gun in there hand.

Dot: I've delegated myself to reading as many bodice rippers as possible to keep the romance writers employed.

John_Billingsley: Have you read Dorthy Dunnet? She's a historical novelist with a smidge more credib., but bodices get ripped, nonetheless . . .

Dot: Doing my part for the USA.

Vladimir: Don't you remember, you had the girl with a gun to her head, and the good guy ran up to save her and you socked him one

Vince: Did you get to hang with Ducovny and G. Anderson?

shadowcat_2: What alien were you on “X-Files”? Did you "Meet" Scully??

John_Billingsley: Duch. not on that epis., G. Anderson is VERY VERY shy, hence a 'no hanging' policy, plus she got peeved at me when I was supposed to pull her up from behind for being overly rough on her busomy area . . . pshaw, said I (to myself) . . . totally dug hanging with the lone gunmen, however, all great guys . . .character actors are usually salt of the earth types . . .wasn't an alien on x files, was a govt black ops killer masquerading as a nerd at a spy convention . . .

Kim: Historically based romance novels rock... I enjoy Anya Seton's

John_Billingsley: yes, Anya Seton, good . . .do you know Thomas Costain (not so romance-y but great neglected historical novelist) and of course the great Daphne DuMaurier?

Dot: Dunnetts are in Scotland.. *loves a man ina kilt*..

John_Billingsley: Yes, and thanks for restoring my dropped T at the end of Dunnett - she did a series about a Scottish rogue named Thomas Lyme (?), also another series set in Italy, all very roguish as well . . .

Kim: DuMaurier is Rebecca, correct?

John_Billingsley: Yep, and House on The Strand, Don't Look Now, The Scapegoat, etc etc god she wrote 30 or so novels, great yarn spinner, not the greatest stylist in the world but wonderful old fashioned reads

Boby: If you like historical novels and have any love for fantasy, try G,G Kay.

Kim: I really enjoy Seton's 'Winthrop Woman' - Elizabeth was a hellraiser...almost burn at the stake as a witch.. barely escaped... all true

John_Billingsley: You know I'm not that drawn to fantasies, to be honest, although I've certainly read a few in my time, and am, along with the rest of the world, enjoying Harry P.
Kim: Is your background Scottish?

John_Billingsley: I have no idea, to be honest - part of not having kids and not really giving a good goddamn about my genetic load is a general shrug when it comes to my heritage - I figure if the b's ain't gonna go forward, what do I care care about lookin' back . . . I think I had a great great grandfather, however, who was hanged for horse thievery in/around the Oklahoma Territory . . . that should tell you something . . I'm going to give a little five minute warning, have to leave in a bit . . .meeting pals at mex. rest. prior to a night of PLEASE GOD DON'T LET IT BE BAD theatre . .

M: What do you think of the books that have been made into huge films, like LOTR and

Davinchi code (spellings usless)?

Vince: Mexican before a show? Brave man.

Mod_Kestra: Five more minutes.

Mod_Nebula: Five minutes, just to repeat what’s been said.

John_Billingsley: Just saw Da Vinci (YAWN) - liked LOTR, for the most part, although it was so attenuated with those year long breaks that by the end I didn't really give a damn - more impressed by it than moved by it, unlike the books . . . generally speaking, the book rules . . . with exceptions (THE GODFATHER)

M: What about the Narnia chronicles and the lord of the rings?

John_Billingsley: Well, re: Narnia - Not much into religious symbology - again, more impressed with the technical achievement than with the movie itself - liked his book about grieving for his late wife (can't recall name) and liked The Screwtape Letters although, to be frank, I'm a non-believer so a little piety goes a long way with me - like G. Greene, a great storyteller but wish he wasn't such a thumper for the you know who's . .

Vince: You did have a fight scene on "In a Mirror, Darkly" that was pretty good.

John_Billingsley: Vince - yeah, don't like to fight - don't like bruises, muscle pulls, etc. I like to talk. As you can tell.

Vince: Do you keep in touch with any of the other “Enterprise” actors?

John_Billingsley: V - we don't see a ton of each other, although there was plenty of affection there - like any other job, you know, you can like the people you work with but after you move onto another job it's a little out of sight out of mind . . . probably see more of Con. and Dom. than anybody else, cuz they're in my neighborhood(ish) . .

Dot: Did you ever want to do a animation like "Over the Hedge"?

John_Billingsley: Dot - Sure. Are you offering me a job? Call my agent! Make an offer!

Dot: heeeheee...*pencils it in* THANKS JOHN!

Heather: Thank you everyone, We are glad that everyone was able to make it this holiday weekend

Loius: It’s been fun chatting, thank you for coming, you have been great

M: thank you so much for the very enjoyable chat! It’s been a fantactic time

Kim: Thanks for chatting everybody

Vince: Thanks, John B.

Natira: Thanks for the chat

Mod_Kestra: Thank you for taking time out to chat with us today.

Boby: Thanks, John.

John_Billingsley: Thanks for having me! Pleasure all mine. Don't think I said anything actionable today.

Mod_Nebula: Thank you so much for your time it has been very entertaining

John_Billingsley (May 27, 2006 7:38:51 PM) (This user has left DigiChat)

Heather: Everyone feel free to move to the main room and continue chatting there; the chat room is available at all times; please watch for our next guest chat.

Mod_Kestra: Good night, and thanks for coming.
Heather Thank you again, and be sure to watch out Myspace page and our main Roddenberry page for future events.