LIVE CHAT - Walter Koenig
(Actor)

Chat transcript from 06-08-2002 (Content edited for readability)

WALTER KOENIG: Hello to everybody. I hope you're a terrific weekend. 


Enti : Mr. Koenig... do you like Starwars? 

WALTER KOENIG: Enti, I like Star Wars... After reviewing the old one...the one made first... I rather liked the new ones a bit better. I'm probably in the minority. 


Jerilou2002: Sir, what's your next TV project? I loved you as Bester almost as much as I loved Mr. Chekov. 

WALTER KOENIG: Jerilou2002, Thank you for that. I don't know what my next TV project is. I'm currently trying to put together a science fiction feature film that I have written and would be doing one of the leading roles in. I have both Robert Picardo and John DeLancie in verbal agreement to participate in the film. 


Kira122: What do you remember most about working with Gene Roddenberry? 

WALTER KOENIG: Kira122, I remember that he was always a very affable presence on the set... When he came by it always a very comfortable feeling that he brought with him. 


Tkuht: Hello, you wrote at least one story for Star Trek The Animated Series and Chekov's Enterprise was delightful. Would you consider writing pro-Trek fiction like William Shatner? And, what was it like to work with Mark Lenard? Thank you kindly. 

WALTER KOENIG: Tkuht, I have no burning interest in writing trek fiction. My feeling is that I would rather create my own universe with my own characters.... Working with Mark Leonard was a humbling experience. Very Dynamic, powerful actor.... And it took all my talent just to keep up with him. 


Andromeda: Mr. Koenig, we all know the positive aspects of Star Trek, how have the negative aspects affected you or your life? By the way, you are a fantastic actor. Thank you for portraying Chekov. 

WALTER KOENIG: Andromeda, The negative aspect of ST is really mostly in my own mind. There will always be a sense of frustration b/c the role offered me such a limited opportunity. The frustration comes not only b/c I didn't have a more substantial part... in terms of my artistic desires but b/c the fans who supported my characters and my performance where congratulating me and praising me for work that did not really demonstrate the range of my ability. 


Lexa: Mr. Koenig, thank for doing the chat...do you have a favourite "blooper" memory when working on the set of TOS? 

WALTER KOENIG: Lexa, I remember once... the original series was really a very light-hearted experience... there were a lot of laughs and many of them were supplied by the temperament of our leader Bill Shatner... The one that I remember most clearly... had to do with him saying a line that included the words "Flyby"..... As it turns out, he must have had some kind of block on these particular words, I'm not exaggeration when I say he must have said "Fry By" on 12 successive takes. By the end we were all on the floor laughing hysterically. 


Beatles: Hi, I was just wondering which was your favourite Star Trek episode/movie to make? Which has been your favourite overall? 

WALTER KOENIG: Beatles, My favourite episode to make was SPECTRE OF THE GUN. My favourite feature was Star Trek 4. The Voyage Home. Overall.... My favourite episode was CITY ON THE EDEG OF FOREVER. 


Captain Pike: 2 questions. Did you save any souvenirs from Star Trek? (The original captain's chair from TOS is currently on auction at Profilesinhistory.com with an estimated value at up to $150,000! Also on auction is your brown leather costume from Trek IV, $5-7,000). And, second, how is James Doohan doing? Thanks for doing the chat, and thanks, too, to Rod JR. for hosting the site! 

WALTER KOENIG: Captain Pike, I didn't save any props, the costume is mine. There will also be some paper materials that will part of that auction online that belong to me. To the best of my knowledge Jimmy is recovering from his recent illness and is now at home. 


Sambo: What do your friends call you...Walter, Walt, ...? And which of the original series actors are you closest to? 

WALTER KOENIG: Sambo, most of my friends call me Walter. There are few who call me Walt... and some family members actually call me Wally. I'm closet to George Takei. I recently attended his Birthday Party in April.... and we chat on the phone on a reasonably consistent basis. 


Ppatters: I must first thank you for being a wonderful actor, and for bringing me one of the funniest Trek moments ever in "Star Trek IV" ("Where are the Nuclear Wessels?") Anyways. I was just wondering if you've had a chance to see "Enterprise"? And, if so, what is your opinion of it and the other "Star Trek" spin-offs? 

WALTER KOENIG: Ppatters, I watched the first episode of ENTERPRISE... and found it entertaining. You must understand that I have territorial feelings about the original series and I find it difficult to view any of the others with anything approaching objectivity. 


Sci_Fi_Ian: Mr Koenig as you are probably aware DeForest Kelley Passed away three years ago this Tuesday. Are there any memories of De that you could share with us please. 

WALTER KOENIG: Sci_Fi_Ian, I always found him to be a warm supportive friend who everyone liked and respected. He was the proverbial good guy who was uniformly appreciated by all. 


Clymeney: Mr. Koenig thank you for taking the time to chat w/ us. You played a mostly wholesome character on ST. On B5 you played the heavy, which type of role was more satisfying to you as an actor 

WALTER KOENIG: Clymeney, playing Bester was probably the most satisfying actor experience I've had on Television. The Character was more dimensional than most opportunities I've had on TV. And his appearance was generally pivotal to the story,. Making my contribution substantial. 


Merrie: Are you aware of fan fiction, or have you read any? Do you approve, disapprove, or feel neutral about it? 

WALTER KOENIG: Merrie, I am aware of Fan Fiction. I am not familiar with the range of such work. I know that there's some.... some portion of it devoted to homosexual issues and material that puts Chekov in severe jeopardy. As far as I'm concerned that's the prerogative of the author and although it might no be material that I would find captivating... I certainly accept the right of the author to explore his or her creative instincts.


Pete solo: Mr. Koenig, as your name is German, are your parents German or Austrian? 

WALTER KOENIG: Pete solo, No, my parents were from Lithuania. That isn't to say that somewhere in our heritage they emigrated from what was then known as Prussia. That would probably have been several generation back. 


M: What direction would you like to have taken Checkov? And If you had a chance would you appear on the new trek series enterprise? 

WALTER KOENIG: M, I would just like to have had him be more of an introspective character, someone who has to wrestle with conflict and resolve personal issues. I don't see how I could appear on Enterprise as Chekov. However, I'm an actor and if another role were offered to me I would certainly consider it. On the other hand, I'm not anxious to appear in 3 pounds of make-up so I'm not crazy about the notion of playing an exotic alien. 


Emm: Mr. Koenig, do you approve the counsellor's place, that was introduced in The Next Generation? And there is any possibility that you will appear at any convention in Europe, in a near future? Thank you very much =) 

WALTER KOENIG: Emm, I really don't know what you are alluding to. Regarding European conventions, I just came back from appearances in Bonn Germany and London England. I'm off to Brazil Next week. 


Bareone: what roll on which show best portrayed you true life personality? 

WALTER KOENIG: Bareone, I'm not sure I know how to answer that. I would hope that whatever character I played would have been drawn in some part from my own personality. Therefore there is a part of me in every character I have portrayed. 


Voidprime: Walter, what happened to the Moon trap sequel? Also would you ver be interested in writing a Star Trek novel on Chekov? 

WALTER KOENIG: Voidprime, The fact that we never went forward with a moon trap sequel is disappointing to me. I read the screenplay for the second film and it was really quite good. It all boils down to money and or the lack of it. Ultimately the financing fell out. As I said before, I have no burring desire to write star Trek Fiction. I might be talk into writing a Chekov Novel under the proper circumstances. 


Parsec: Walter, why do you think that Pavel (Chekov) seemed to find a girl in every port? ;) & What is your favourite planet? 

WALTER KOENIG: Parsec, I don't know what Star Trek stories your looking at but I don't remember anything remotely like that.... not wishing to appear prejudice I'll decline from taking sides and choosing favourites. 


J-Bone: What was your most memorable con experience? 

WALTER KOENIG: J-Bone, I'm not sure I can choose just one... but certainly if I were to reduce it to a hand fun... I'd have to include the early 70's New York conventions, the Babylon 5 convention in Blackpool England, and the most recent convention I did in Germany. What they all had in common was an extraordinary enthusiasm and support and affection for the guest actors who appeared there. 


WALTER KOENIG: Thank You to all of you who are manning your computers and checking in on this conversation.... My Strong feelings for the fans that have supported my work over these 4 decades will never waiver.