From: Thinkum (thinkumNOSPAM@snurcher.com)
Subject: Transcript: 07/12/01 Farscape Chat
Newsgroups: alt.tv.farscape
Date: 2001-07-12 20:28:42 PST

Moderator has set the channel mode to "moderated"
Moderator: Station identification:::::
Moderator: For those of you who missed our earlier announcement, Tammy
McIntosh will not be joining us for the chat tonight.
Moderator: She had an emergency and apologizes for not being here. She is ok
though, so there is no need to worry.
Moderator: But we will have some special guest straight from the set of
Farscape joining us tonight. So get those questions ready.
Black-Tee: So you get the second string
Moderator: And guess what...we have Ben Browder right here with us now.
Moderator: Can you say hi Ben.?
Black-Tee: make it quick... I'm due on set for another beating
Black-Tee: Hi
Moderator has voiced Black-Tee
Moderator: First q....
Moderator: <SunAeryn> to <Moderator>: Hey there Black-Tee! Great going on
GEM! How much did you pay/beg Claudia to come push it for you? ;b
Black-Tee: push what?
Black-Tee: oh!
Black-Tee: the ep!
Black-Tee: She's too kind
Black-Tee: but the flowers and chocolates I send her once a week don't hurt.
Bouncer2 has changed the topic to "Chat with Ben Browder -- now!"
Black-Tee: Claude was great in GEM!
Black-Tee: ga
Moderator: <Xenajules2> to <Moderator>: Ben, how hard has it been for you,
playing two different John Crichtons? Any mishaps?
Black-Tee: It confuses the hell out of everyone around here
Black-Tee: We spent months just trying to figure out which one was which
Black-Tee: "No!... I need the GREEN SHIRT!"
Black-Tee: ga
Moderator: <Teena> to <Moderator>: Hey Ben! Thanks for coming! I'm wondering,
how much does it help to be an actor first when approaching a script/story as
a writer?
Black-Tee: Don't know if it helps.
Black-Tee: Just means my approach starts from the characters and the words
Black-Tee: then I try not to screw up the plot too much
Black-Tee: ga
Moderator: <PhantomComputer> to <Moderator>: Hey, B... do you get paid twice
for playing 2 roles?
Black-Tee: I wish!
Black-Tee: I could buy drinks all the way round
Black-Tee: two bowls of the punch of doom
Black-Tee: guys... The need to hang me from a wire right now....
Black-Tee: I'll try to drop back by
Moderator: Thanks for coming by Ben.
Moderator: Hope to see you later.
Moderator: So who will drop by next....I think its guy who has his hands up
Rygel's butt.
Moderator: Get your questions ready.
Bouncer2 has voiced RandR
Black-Tee: I'll hand you guys over to Matt... Rygels Rear!
Black-Tee: Later guys
Moderator: Please send any questions you have to the Moderator with /msg
Moderator or simply double-click on the Moderator's name in the list of names
on the right side of their screen.
RandR: Hi
RandR: Hi I'm Matt - I'm Rygel
RandR: Actually his rear end!
RandR: Good to say Hello - hope you're enjoying all the creatures on the
show.
RandR: ga
Moderator: I think we have one of the puppeteers on-line right now.
RandR: Yep.
Moderator: Would you like to introduce yourself before we get to the
questions?
RandR: Hi I'm Matt McCoy. I'm in the body of Rygel as well as other
creatures.
Bouncer2 has changed the topic to "Chat with Farscape's Matt McCoy -- now!!!"
Moderator: Nice to have you here. here comes the first question....
Moderator: <i> to <Moderator>: matt, thanks for stopping by, wwhat kinda
training do have as a puppeteer?
RandR: I have degree in acting.
RandR: I wrote my thesis on visual theatre
RandR: And I've been working as a professional puppeteer in theatre and film
for 10 years
RandR: and of course learning on the job
RandR: More of us have just arrived.
RandR: Tim and Fiona
RandR: Tim - does Rygel's lipsync and on set acting
RandR: Fiona is famous for the Diagnosan Tocot from Ep 222
Moderator: Hi Tim and Fiona. Welcome to tonights crazy, frellin' chat. We
will have questions for you all shortly.
Moderator: For Matt....
Moderator: <Metamyth> to <Moderator>: what's the most interesting thing about
being Rygel's butt?
RandR: the view
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Luggage7a> to <Moderator>: Tim, how do you practice the
lipsynching, and do you have to have it spot on, or can Jonathan play around
some to make it synch better?
RandR: Practice....
Bouncer2 has changed the topic to "Chat with a barrel full of
puppeteers...now!!!"
RandR: lots of mirror work.
RandR: Of course it's always spot on!!! Jonathan plays with the intonations.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Revolos55> to <Moderator>: Hi Fiona - What exactly did you do as
Diagnosan Tocot?
Bouncer has opped Bouncer
RandR: The lip sync and the totally bizarre gibberish.
RandR: (Matt did the expressions and the nose.)
RandR: GA
Moderator: <stayler> to <Moderator>: Hi Fiona and Tim, Fiona, tell us about
the facial portion of Tocot and what itr was like to operate/act in?
RandR: Thomas Holesgrove was actually in the body suit and therefor did the
head movements.
RandR: Matt and I did the facial expressions (mouth, eyes, nose etc.)
RandR: He was really good fun to do.
RandR: GA
Moderator: For those of you who are worried about Tammy, and most of you have
written to me privately with your concerns, she is fine. No need to worry.
Moderator: <Creator900> to <Moderator>: Thanks for coming matt, if you had to
choose to be the "rear" of any other muppet or puppet character, who would it
be?
RandR: Kermit.
RandR: (Fiona says Miss Piggy)
RandR: Tim says Yoda.
RandR: GA
Moderator: I can tell you all, that all the pupeeters are having fun with
that last question.
Moderator: This q is for all....
Moderator: <TeddGCM> to <Moderator>: How long does it take to learn the
complicated procedures for animating complex pupets such as those on FS?
RandR: Something about Yoda and Tim's fantasy but we won't go into that.
RandR: ga
RandR: Three seasons.
RandR: GA
Moderator: <The-Keeper-of-Tears> to <Moderator>: Hi. I know it's not "your
end" but could you tell us how hard it was to make Rygel wink (instead of
blink) in "Relativity"?
RandR: Push of a button by Mario.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <PhantomComputer> to <Moderator>: To all our guests... what is the
longest you have worked with the puppets? Any problems with carpal tunnel
syndrome or the like?
RandR: Do you mean in one day?
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Thinkum> to <Moderator>: what do puppeteers do between seasons?
just relax? do some short acting gigs? play with sock puppets?
RandR: Play with sock puppets.
RandR: ACtually we're all devishly handsome. Hollywood is knocking down our
doors.
RandR: (Lil here - one of the puppeteers is actually doing a guest appearance
in front of the camera. I won't say who but keep you're eyes open.)
RandR: ga
Moderator: I have to say, these 'scapers tonight have so many good
questions...let me continue...
RandR: Ps: Lil can't spell.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Scificat> to <Moderator>: Rygel ROCKS!!! How heavy is the old
fart anyway?
RandR: heavy.... about the size of a two year old.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <TeddGCM> to <Moderator>: How many pupeteers are on staff to
animate the complex puppets on FS?
RandR: 5 full time with 2 part time for Pilot and up to 12 on occassions.
RandR: ga
Moderator: What practical joke have you all play on the real life cast
members with the puppets?
Moderator: <Fyndra> to <Moderator>: Great to have you guys here! Does anyone
on set ever make cracks about Rygel looking like Yoda? (oh, say, 'Use the
Force, Crichton!')
RandR: Can't tell. R rated if you get the drift.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Riddley> to <Moderator>: how many people in the world can
actually feed and clothes themselves solely from a career in puppetry?
RandR: 5 full time up to 12 on occassions.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Revolos55> to <Moderator>: This is for everyone - What other
shows or movies have you worked on?
RandR: BAbe 2, The Hobbit, The Wiggles, Babe 1, lots of Aussie shows.
RandR: ga
RandR: And the Matrix.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <SunAeryn> to <Moderator>: Fiona, what's Pilot's shellhead feel
like...on top. It's so shiny. I just want to give it a rub! :)
RandR: Not nearly as good as the soft tissue underneath his claws.
RandR: Matt says there's good eating in a pilot.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <ceallaig> to <Moderator>: to all the pupps -- John Eccleston got
an 'on screen' shot in Jeremiah Crichton -- any chance of seeing the rest of
you 'out of costume' as it were?
RandR: WE're in negotiations.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Srynerson> to <Moderator>: Do the pupeteers have input into the
scripting process in regards to the demands placed on the puppets or are you
just forced to try to work around the dictates of the writers/director?
Moderator: <Kieriahn> to <Moderator>: (for all) since you understand how a
puppet needs to respond and the mechanical aspects of it, have you ever been
tempted to contribute a design of your own for Farscape?
RandR: Fi says as long as it's not in a midriff!
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Fyndra> to <Moderator>: Hi there, Cadet Fyndra of the Hynerian
Royal Guard, Detatched Division here. Do you prefer Rygel-the-comic-relief,
or Rygel-as-David-Kemper-views-him?
RandR: No. But Rygel has been known to add his own flavour to lines.
RandR: ga
RandR: A mix of both.
RandR: ga
Moderator: A compliment for you guys...
Moderator: <Revolos55> to <Moderator>: I have to get going, but I'd just like
to say it was a pleasure chatting with you all, and please continue the
incredibly amazing work!
RandR: Thank you !!!! Please come again.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <The-Keeper-of-Tears> to <Moderator>: Aside from Rygel and Pilot,
what were your favorite Farscape puppets to work on?
RandR: The best is yet to come.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <ceallaig> to <Moderator>: hey gang -- you spend your days with
your arms over your heads, pretty much. What sort of exercises do you do to
keep from going numb?
RandR: The strannet was fun. (TFS)
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Fyndra> to <Moderator>: Waaay back in DNA Mad Scientist, how did
they make Pilot's arm detachable? Do they all come off for easy storage or
something?
RandR: Lifting babies or beer.
RandR: ga
RandR: trade secret.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Chi> to <Moderator>: to all of you. Which ep was hardest to do?
and Why?
RandR: In season three it was an ep we just shot so we can't talk about it.
You'll know when you see it. Last season it was definitely the Ravorc in
BEware of Dog.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Boldman> to <Moderator>: How do you see the future of
puppeteering in sci-fi with so much being done by CGI these days?
RandR: It will always be a marriage.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Jayce66> to <Moderator>: I remember hearing that puppets wear out
from use. How many Rygel puppets have you gone through so far?
RandR: There are only two Rygel bodies but they're reskinned quite often.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Scaper1984> to <Moderator>: Is it easier to operate Rygel in his
throne sled or on some other surface, bed, table, etc.?
RandR: Thronesled.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <TeddGCM> to <Moderator>: What are the occupational hazards as a
puppeteer, other a high pitched voice from Rygel's...umm..well, you know
RandR: Intimate scenes with Crichton... concussion, tendon strain, aches and
pains!
RandR: ga
Moderator: <Riddley> to <Moderator>: was the autopsied Rygel from A Human
Reaction recycled as the cut-open one in Relativity?
RandR: No.
RandR: ga
Moderator: <janra> to <Moderator>: any other australian shows ever show and
interest in using puppets, given how great you guys are?
RandR: Yeah we recently had Horris and Tina.
RandR: ga
RandR: Sean Masterson has just walked in to find his wayward crew and drag
them back to set.
Moderator: I believe the pupeeters have to go now. Thank you all for
dropping by.
RandR: Sooo.. bye bye from us. Thanks for watching. Love the Puppeteers.
Moderator: Just give us second to ge on track with the next chatter....
Moderator: Please send any questions you have to the Moderator with /msg
Moderator or simply double-click on the Moderator's name in the list of names
on the right side of their screen.
RandR: Special goodbye from glider. He'll be back on line soon.
RandR: ga
Moderator has opped Moderator
RandR: Sean Masterson says a quick hello.
RandR: ga

Moderator: Next up is writer Lily Taylor...get your questions ready.
Moderator: This is what's great about Farscape -- one person can't make it
and 5 more jump in to help!
Moderator has changed the topic to "Chat with Farscape's Lily Taylor...now!"
Moderator has voiced Lily
Moderator: Welcome Lily! What have you been up to lately?
Bouncer2 has opped Bouncer2
Lily: The end of the season. No more to be said.
Lily: ga
Moderator: So, just between us...what's going to happen in episodes 311
through 322? It's OK, DK said you could tell.
Lily: DK who? Cos Kemper would kill me if I gave away any secrets.
Lily: ga
Moderator: Can't blame a poor Moderator for trying...
Moderator: <PyeCat> to <Moderator>: Hey Lily! Thanks for joining us. I'm
curious... when digging into the beats of a story, what is by far the main
focus -- action or character? I've noted that Farscape is heavily character
driven, but balances out nicely with action... just curious how you get from
point A to B.
Lily: You're right. We try to balance character and action.
Lily: ga
Moderator: <shokoti> to <Moderator>: A Clockwork Nebari was a fantastic
episode. Any more plans yet to give us more on the Nebari and their whole
story?
snoopy is Snoopy@localhost (enjoying the chat)
on channels: #auditorium
on irc via server events.scifi.com (events.scifi.com)
snoopy has been idle 26 seconds
Lily: You never know with Farscape. I love the Nebaris so I'd love to see
more of them.
Lily: ga
Moderator: <Dabee> to <Moderator>: Hey Lily!! So glad to see you! Is there
anything really special you want us to be watching for soon?
Lily: The rest of the season. It's all special.
Lily: ga
Moderator: <primatebrain> to <Moderator>: To: Lily; Did you or will you be
writing any episodes for Season 3 or 4?
Lily: Ep 313 "Scratch "n" Sniff. Should be on air soon.
Lily: ga
Moderator: a week from Friday, if I'm not mistaken.
Moderator: <birthsister> to <Moderator>: btw, what's a drannit?
Lily: A strannet. It's the creature they put on Crichton's face in TFS. (Ep
307)
Lily: ga
Lily: Is that what you meant?
Lily: ga
Lily: drannit? Ep 308 - I don't know. Ask Ben. He wrote it.
Lily: ga
Moderator: <SunAeryn> to <Moderator>: <Satalieo at work> Lily, can you
comment on eps #313-Scratch and Sniff, Anth said it's the funniest eps to
date, what this intended to balance out the dark tone of the season so far?

Lily: Absolutely.
Lily: ga
Moderator: <Gmmas> to <Moderator>: Lily: has it been hard as a writer this
season working with two Crichton's, making them the same person, yet
different?
Lily: Ye and No. Because they went on such different journeys they did start
to take on lives of their own.
Lily: ga
Moderator: <shokoti> to <Moderator>: Can you tell us the title for 317?
Because SciFi have mysteriously left it off their schedule announcement... or
does it contain spoilers?
Lily: The Choice.
Lily: ga
Lily: Written by Justin Monjo. Directed by Rowan Woods.
Lily: ga
Moderator: <xengland> to <Moderator>: lily why didn't you stay for autographs
at last years con
Lily: apologies. My husband was fairly ill back at the hotel. Had to play
nurse maid.
Lily: ga
Moderator: But he's fine now, right?
Lily: Totally. Back to his usual Scottish self.
Lily: ga
Moderator: <Jayce66> to <Moderator>: What do you like best about writing a
Farscape episode? What do you like least?
Lily: It's totally unpredictable. It's totally unpredicatable.
Lily: ga
Moderator: <LadyCrais> to <Moderator>: Hi Lily. One reason we all love
Farscape is because of how the strong character growth and continuity. How is
that maintained with different writers working on different scripts?
Lily: We're all very conscious of this and try to pick up on little details
in each others scripts that help shape the characters.
Lily: ga
Moderator: <Armed-Chick> to <Moderator>: Lily, who is your favorite character
to write for?
Moderator: For those joining us, we're attempting to chat with everyone who
isn't Tammy MacIntosh, because Tammy was unexpectedly called away for
personal reasons.
Lily: I love writing for Chiana. I'd love to write for Aeryn.
Lily: ga
Moderator: If you've got a questions for Farscape writer Lily Taylor (or
whoever follows her), send it to me as a private message.
Moderator: <Busco> to <Moderator>: How do you write Jool's scream in the
script? Is it EEEEEE or AAAAA??
Lily: EEEEAAAAAEEEEEAAAAA
Lily: ga
Moderator: <primatebrain> to <Moderator>: Will you ever explore the notion of
alien-type fast food restaurants in Farscape?
Lily: You mean fast food restaurants aren't alien????
Lily: ga
Moderator: <Thinkum> to <Moderator>: Is Jool an Interon or an Interion?
Lily: An Interion.
Lily: But it does occassional sound like Interon on screen.
Lily: ga
Moderator: is that a silient "i" in the middle?
Lily: yeis.
Lily: ga
Moderator: <ShebaApolloSun> to <Moderator>: To Lily!! Do new writers have a
chance to get a script through?
Moderator: We've just lost Lily.
Moderator: Her connection went down.
Moderator: I think the shock of how little chance new writers have just
killed their connection.
Moderator: However, we have a quick replacement: Richard Manning,
writer/producer extraordinaire.
Moderator: Any words of welcome for the group?
Moderator has changed the topic to "Chat with Farscape's Ricky
Manning...now!!!"
Moderator has voiced FrooniumRicky
Moderator: (sorry, my bad)
FrooniumRicky: O My God, You Killed Lily
FrooniumRicky: You... Scapers
Moderator: <Busco> to <Moderator>: Was there any particular reason that the
"Three Stooges" (SIW Part 1) was used? As opposed to other, familiar tv/film
works?
FrooniumRicky: DK is a Stooges fan, Ben likewise
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Jayce66> to <Moderator>: Ricky, are things very hectic in
Australia, being so close to the end of filming season 3?
FrooniumRicky: Quite hectic
FrooniumRicky: There are so MANY characters still to kill off
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <mt6571> to <Moderator>: I observed that the costume/make-up
characters are grouped in esp away from the non-costume characters. Is the
reason - to reduce the affect of the appliances on the actors???? How long
will the split eps will continue?
FrooniumRicky: grouped in esp?
FrooniumRicky: oh, eps
FrooniumRicky: (suggests FrooniumCheryl, reading over my shoulder)
FrooniumRicky: We don't consciously do that
FrooniumRicky: Some eps call for more prosthetic or animatronic creations
than others
FrooniumRicky: Some weeks we do try to give the Creature Shop a break
FrooniumRicky: But it depends more on the particular story than on production
considerations
FrooniumRicky: Re the split eps: They will continue until they cease
FrooniumRicky: ;)
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <xengland> to <Moderator>: my friend adam in the uk would like to
know if there will be any more appearances of the mambo shirts in future eps

FrooniumRicky: Boy, I hope so
FrooniumRicky: hm, but so far, nary a Mambo in sight
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <bgvoodoodoll> to <Moderator>: Froony> Because of Tammy's absence,
I must ask this question of you instead: doesn't wearing all that leather
chaff when you're on set?
FrooniumRicky: oh, btw, for those who don't know
FrooniumRicky: the very FIRST frame of John Crichton
FrooniumRicky: in the Premiere --
FrooniumRicky: That was a Mambo shirt as well
FrooniumRicky: No, the leather usually doesn't start chafing until I get home
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Aeria> to <Moderator>: Rickky, are you disapointed that channel
nine has decided to air Farscape at 5pm on a Saturday afternoon, dirested at
an audience of children? I'm an aussie and I sure am.
FrooniumRicky: where are you?
FrooniumRicky: it isn't even airing at ALL yet on Nine in Sydney
FrooniumRicky: sigh
Moderator has changed the topic to "Chat with writer/producer Richard
Manning...now!!!"
Moderator: <janra> to <Moderator>: FYI starts screening sat on ch 9 in
adelaide, mlebourne and perth
FrooniumRicky: All I can suggest is to make your feelings known to Nine
Network
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <CrystalMoon> to <Moderator>: We asked Lily what is was like
writing for two Crichtons. How has it been for you? Is it harder with two?
FrooniumRicky: Well, only when we forget which one is real and which is the
clone
FrooniumRicky: oops
FrooniumRicky: wait
FrooniumRicky: That is NOT true
FrooniumRicky: Equal and original
FrooniumRicky: So we pretty much write 'em both just like we always have
FrooniumRicky: except, of course, that their circumstances are now different
FrooniumRicky: in some of the small details
FrooniumRicky: i.e., Aeryn
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <TheDancingGypsy> to <Moderator>: Heya Froon and Cheryl! Long time
listener, first time caller! My question is to Froon: is there anything that
you, as a writer, have ever been wary of putting in a script? Such as too
much violence or sex?
FrooniumRicky: Hi, DG!
FrooniumRicky: I'm not sure I know what you mean by "too much violence or
sex"
FrooniumRicky: I'm asking Cheryl
FrooniumRicky: She shrugs
FrooniumRicky: and says it's fine by her because *I*'m on the Receiving End
of it
FrooniumRicky: One of the best things about writing for Farscape is that
there are so few restrictions
FrooniumRicky: We can't do full frontal nudity, alas
FrooniumRicky: like the pay cable shows do
FrooniumRicky: But short of that, we're pretty free to do as we like
FrooniumRicky: SciFi has been very accommodating and supportive
FrooniumRicky: and DK is always exhorting us
FrooniumRicky: (fine word there, exhorting)
FrooniumRicky: to push the boundaries
FrooniumRicky: test the limits
FrooniumRicky: not so much with violence or sex per se
FrooniumRicky: but thematically.... emotionally...
FrooniumRicky: Don't be afraid to explore hard hitting themes
FrooniumRicky: don't be afraid to give the characters flaws
FrooniumRicky: etc.
FrooniumRicky: which, for a Writer, is nirvana.
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Xenajules2> to <Moderator>: Ricky, is there a particular reason
that the episodes were chosen to be rerun in the Aug 31 Chain Reaction, or is
that strictly a SciFi decision?
FrooniumRicky: Completely up to SciFi
FrooniumRicky: Don't know what their reasoning was on this latest batch
FrooniumRicky: but I don't think there's Hidden Meaning in the choices
FrooniumRicky: I'm delighted to see Won't Get Fooled Again in there,
naturally
FrooniumRicky: ($)
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: It's worth pointing out that August's chain reaction includes
back-to-back airings of A Human Reaction and Won't Get Fooled Again. Should
be interesting watching them together.
FrooniumRicky: are you and I watching them together?
FrooniumRicky: That'll be nice
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: yes, but we have to face back to back.
Moderator: <QuietI> to <Moderator>: "Hi Froon! Not asking for spoilers here,
but are we ever going to see that ship that they brought aboard Moya in Suns
& Lovers again?"
FrooniumRicky: that's okay, I've invited another couple
FrooniumRicky: Hi, Q!
FrooniumRicky: Of course you're asking for spoilers! Don't get all coy on
me!
FrooniumRicky: I think the beast just might pop in again sooner or later
FrooniumRicky: Probably just got misplaced
FrooniumRicky: These things happen
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <OboeCrazy> to <Moderator>: Hi Mr. Manning! With the cast split
into two crews, are you enjoying the opportunity to write for a smaller group
of people each week, or do you miss having the full crazy gang to play with?

FrooniumRicky: Hi, Oboe!
FrooniumRicky: Me, I like the smaller groups
FrooniumRicky: It can get difficult trying to service 84 characters in 42
minutes
FrooniumRicky: Fewer characters let us slow things down a bit, get better
interactions going
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: If you're having trouble, I'll be happy to service Aeryn, Chiana
and Jool for you. And a number of the ladies here have volunteered to
service Crichton.
FrooniumRicky: Somehow I knew I was asking for trouble when I typed that
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <talyn> to <Moderator>: hiya ricky, please don't tell moya i'm
staying up so late :) my question is how are the writers going to handle
talyn's development into an adult i mean his childhood isn't exactly what i
would call a healthy one
FrooniumRicky: Me neither
FrooniumRicky: Talyn has been a brat lately, hasn't he?
FrooniumRicky: Well, in true Farscape fashion...
FrooniumRicky: I'm sure it'll all work out nicely and things will be fine
soon
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <SunAeryn> to <Moderator>: Froon...I heard that you like to bang
your head on the wall...have you broken through to Jusin's office yet?
FrooniumRicky: ah, the DK column, no doubt
FrooniumRicky: i.e., "Tissue of Lies"
FrooniumRicky: He got it wrong
FrooniumRicky: I like to bang JUSTIN's head against the wall
FrooniumRicky: o, speaking of the mighty Monj...
FrooniumRicky: his play (adaptation) "Cloudstreet" is currently playing in
Sydney
FrooniumRicky: moves to Brisbane next, I think
FrooniumRicky: and a company is about to start up in NYC (or already has --
Mod?)
FrooniumRicky: It's a dynamite play, see it if you possibly can
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: dunno...will check.
Moderator: <CaptainHornblower> to <Moderator>: ricky, any chance jena the
Peacekeeper spy from Look at the Princess might return?
FrooniumRicky: There's always a chance
FrooniumRicky: Right now, however, I think Jena's off with Gilina
* FrooniumRicky shudders to think of the fanfic he might just have inspired
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <stayler> to <Moderator>: Hey Froon! Good to see your words on my
screen again, any good eps coming our way from your keyboard?
FrooniumRicky: well, "good" is a subjective term, of course
FrooniumRicky: But you might want to tune in tomorrow night
FrooniumRicky: for a sweet little family story
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Fef> to <Moderator>: Hello. I don't mean to be beating a dead
horse but I've missed about a year of Farscape. What was the reason for
killing off Zhaan?
Moderator: (no listings for Monjo or Cloudstreet in the Village Voice, so I
guess not yet)
FrooniumRicky: She nobly sacrificed herself to save the rest of the crew
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Busco> to <Moderator>: If you could change any scene or line from
a past Farscape episode, what would it be?
FrooniumRicky: ooooooo, good q
FrooniumRicky: Have to give that one a moment's thought
FrooniumRicky: (Talk quietly among yourselves)
FrooniumRicky: ga
FrooniumRicky: (while I'm thinking)
Moderator: <scifigrrl> to <Moderator>: Froony- Are any of the characters
really suprising you in the way they are developing/changing this seasonin
the s
FrooniumRicky: Well, we surprise each other
FrooniumRicky: That's the fun of it
FrooniumRicky: sometimes we try to push 'em one way, and they push back
FrooniumRicky: and go another
FrooniumRicky: sometimes they veer off someplace else entirely
FrooniumRicky: That's the fun of the process
FrooniumRicky: Of course, there's nothing more satisfying than
FrooniumRicky: character assassination.
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <faruk> to <Moderator>: Hello, Mister Manning. Is there a third
Maldis episode in the future for us?
FrooniumRicky: faruk, have you met SirBino?
FrooniumRicky: You should
FrooniumRicky: We seem to have made it through Season 3 without seeing Maldis
again
FrooniumRicky: Well, hope for a season 4
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Jayce66> to <Moderator>: Froon, care to comment on Ben's episode
(Green Eyed Monster)? How'd he do?
FrooniumRicky: ooo, I found a line I want to change
FrooniumRicky: per the earlier q
FrooniumRicky: it's in Season o'Death
FrooniumRicky: when Aeryn's come back and Crichton can't believe it
FrooniumRicky: and she's explaining
FrooniumRicky: and she says that Zhaan saved her
FrooniumRicky: "She did a Unity thing"
FrooniumRicky: I don't think that's what was written
FrooniumRicky: A "Unity thing" sounds like some kinda dance
FrooniumRicky: Shake your Unity Thang
FrooniumRicky: o, well
FrooniumRicky: anyway...
FrooniumRicky: Ben did Terrific
FrooniumRicky: I've stated before and will now state again for the record...
FrooniumRicky: Nobody touched Ben's script but Ben
FrooniumRicky: We gave him notes, we beat the dren out of him
FrooniumRicky: and he did four hundred drafts
FrooniumRicky: LIke all writers
FrooniumRicky: But every word in there is his
FrooniumRicky: And I think it's a fine piece of work
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <LadyCrais> to <Moderator>: There is definitely going to be a
Season 4, is there not?
FrooniumRicky: There is?
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <aughra> to <Moderator>: Froon, tell us a little about Thomas
Holesgrove...the man behind every mask. (And do you need a short, American
woman for some of the female roles? ;-)
FrooniumRicky: (how short?)
FrooniumRicky: I can't tell you much about Thomas, oddly enough, because I
still haven't met him
FrooniumRicky: Just the luck of the draw -- never run into him out of makeup
FrooniumRicky: (or maybe I have and I just didn't know it)
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Olympiafishhead> to <Moderator>: Hi Ricky, some of us have been
chating back and forth here and wonder if Farscape will ever have a Gay/Bi
character on Farscape
FrooniumRicky: Hi Fishy!
* Moderator wonders if "Furlow" counts.
FrooniumRicky: how do you know we don't already?
FrooniumRicky: There are one or two of our crew that I sometimes wonder about
FrooniumRicky: actually, now that you mention it,
FrooniumRicky: we do have a story coming up
FrooniumRicky: with a character of, well, different sexuality
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <birthsister> to <Moderator>: froon, did you guys ever figure out
who screwed the pooch on the whole wynona thing....how could john have taken
wynona if they were both duplicated?
FrooniumRicky: I'd have to look at the ep again...
FrooniumRicky: But I remember that this WAS discussed in the story stage
FrooniumRicky: and if I remember correctly
FrooniumRicky: (which I may not,
FrooniumRicky: or the editing may have obscured or removed the point...)
FrooniumRicky: He didn't have Wynona ON him when he got duped
FrooniumRicky: he'd lost it earlier
FrooniumRicky: and then one of 'em (or was it D or Chi?) found it
FrooniumRicky: but I think if he'd had it during his big confront with
Kaarvok, he'd probably have used it
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <PhantomComputer> to <Moderator>: Hi there, Ricky, Why did it take
Crais so many shots to kill Aeryn's mom?
FrooniumRicky: He's a PK
FrooniumRicky: They are notoriously bad shots, like most bad guys
FrooniumRicky: Either that, or he just likes splatter
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Cush> to <Moderator>: Will ever get the full details into Jools
past? Or why Interions are closely related to humans?
FrooniumRicky: You know I cannot speak of the future (much)
FrooniumRicky: But I imagine we'll get round to it sooner or later
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Gmmas> to <Moderator>: Ricky: after Relativity, some people
doubted that Xhalax was really dead. Any comments to the conspiracy
theorists?
FrooniumRicky: Well, define "dead"
FrooniumRicky: Is that Aeryn Dead, Zhaan Dead, Stark Dead, Gilina Dead...
FrooniumRicky: I s'pose it depends on how much you trust Crais
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <shokoti> to <Moderator>: Hey Froon! Where do you continuously
find such amazing guest stars (Linda Cropper, Thomas Holesgrove, etc.)? Do
you have some endless pool of talent to delve in to?
FrooniumRicky: Yes, it's called Australia
FrooniumRicky: Huge amount of talent here
FrooniumRicky: (FrCh: "You want to stay, don't you?")
FrooniumRicky: (Yup)
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <CaptainHornblower> to <Moderator>: ricky, who played little Aeryn
(from flashback with her mother)? she's not listed on the credits at
scifi.com?
* FrooniumRicky tips his hat to Maura Fay Casting who brings us these
wonderful people
FrooniumRicky: hm, dunno offhand
FrooniumRicky: typing from home so I can't look it up, alas
FrooniumRicky: sorry
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <EndersShadow> to <Moderator>: Froon: the Season of Death seems to
be letting up in regard to the main characters, will we be returning to
killing them off soon?
Moderator: (FYI, SCIFI.COM only puts up the official credits we get sent from
Henson)
FrooniumRicky: Never fear
FrooniumRicky: Or, if you prefer
FrooniumRicky: Always fear
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <GutPageant> to <Moderator>: Do you think you've weakened the
impact of death for a Farscape character by having too many resurrections?

FrooniumRicky: Excellent point
FrooniumRicky: As they said in Spinal Tap, "it's such a fine line
FrooniumRicky: between stupid
FrooniumRicky: and clever"
FrooniumRicky: I agree that it's good to leave some of 'em dead
FrooniumRicky: elsewise it doesn't mean much
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Armed-Chick> to <Moderator>: Ricky, will Aeryn get another
Prowler, or will she get the much rumored Growler?
FrooniumRicky: Well, she's got Talyn now
FrooniumRicky: sort
FrooniumRicky: of
FrooniumRicky: I expect that if she needs a fighter, we'll figure out a way
to get her one
FrooniumRicky: Or if she needs a coffin, we'll arrange that as well
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <PK-Clint> to <Moderator>: Why have we never seen exploration of
Moya and her labs/room/crew quarters? Seem like something interesting could
always be "found"
FrooniumRicky: Well, on a big ship, and particularly on a big ship on
TELEVISION,
FrooniumRicky: a lot of the rooms tend to look similar
FrooniumRicky: ;)
FrooniumRicky: We do try to throw in a new locale now and then
FrooniumRicky: but there's only so much we can build
FrooniumRicky: and that's the tradeoff
FrooniumRicky: Do we build an interesting and NEW alien planet set or alien
ship set
FrooniumRicky: or do we build a new room on Moya that
FrooniumRicky: might not look ALL that different from what we've already seen
on Moya
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Busco> to <Moderator>: Were you happy/cheerful/non-plussed that
"Re:Union" has finally been aired intact on Sci-Fi?
FrooniumRicky: I was slighly plussed
FrooniumRicky: slightly
FrooniumRicky: actually, I was neither plussed nor non
FrooniumRicky: I just wanted to type that
FrooniumRicky: It really wasn't That different from "Dream..."
FrooniumRicky: Of interest to Serious Fans Only, I'd imagine
FrooniumRicky: But hey
FrooniumRicky: Why not
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <birthsister> to <Moderator>: what's with all the new words, and
when do we get a dictionary...what is a pellish venker...and while you're at
it, what the frell is a drannit?
FrooniumRicky: We don't talk much about a drannit
FrooniumRicky: It's not a pretty story
FrooniumRicky: where's a pellish venker from? doesn't sound familiar
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Thinkum> to <Moderator>: last week's ep
Moderator: 310
Moderator: Did Rygel say it?
FrooniumRicky: Beats me
FrooniumRicky: Guess that'd be a Rockne question
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: (Moderator thinks a "drannit" is...the thing Ben Browder was
refering to when he said in all those interviews that Farscape fans are smart
enough to "get" stuff)
Moderator: <bgvoodoodoll> to <Moderator>: Froony> Of the reject characters
and/or plots, could you describe your favorite?
FrooniumRicky: rejects?
FrooniumRicky: (FrCheryl: "You use every bit of crap you come up with!"_
FrooniumRicky: )
FrooniumRicky: (Okay, that's not strictly true)
FrooniumRicky: Trying to think of something that's been entirely left on the
shelf...
FrooniumRicky: nothing springs to mind
FrooniumRicky: We do tend to try lots of stuff out
FrooniumRicky: and keep what we like
FrooniumRicky: the stuff we like less tends to just not reappear
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: We've got to wrap things up in about 10 minutes, so send your
final questions now...
Moderator: <aughra> to <Moderator>: Froon, what do you do as "executive
producer" what does tha mean? Nicer desk? Leather chair? Less or more abuse??
;-)
FrooniumRicky: All of the above
FrooniumRicky: Someday I will write a book about How to Decode Producer
Credits
FrooniumRicky: It's an arcane art
FrooniumRicky: But basically I do the same things I did as co-exec producer
FrooniumRicky: write, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite, break stories,
FrooniumRicky: give feedback on editing
FrooniumRicky: work with directors
FrooniumRicky: annoy the cast
FrooniumRicky: bang Monjo's head against the wall
FrooniumRicky: go to lunch
FrooniumRicky: abuse Lily
FrooniumRicky: The usual
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <PKGirl> to <Moderator>: Do you plan on keeping JOOL for next
season?
FrooniumRicky: what next season?
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Tcarl1225> to <Moderator>: Is any of the other cast members
thinking about writing an ep?
FrooniumRicky: Mayhaps, but they haven't mentioned it to Me
FrooniumRicky: Rygel keeps trying to pitch stories, but I'm ducking him
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Ky> to <Moderator>: why did they decide to give Jool a brain, she
was so much fun as a punching bag.
FrooniumRicky: can't one be Both?
FrooniumRicky: (haven't you ever been married, for example?)
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <dw-mckim> to <Moderator>: As a Rygel fan, i've been disappointed
with his lack of screen time/story contribution since just about all of S2
til now - any good Rygel stories coming up?
FrooniumRicky: Ooo, yeah, some good Rygel stuff indeed
FrooniumRicky: Not tonight (tomorrow night), alas
FrooniumRicky: not too much in Saturday's ep, either
FrooniumRicky: But stick around
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: <Cush> to <Moderator>: Hey Froon: CAn you tell Tammy that we said
"Hi"?
FrooniumRicky: Oh, I suppose so
FrooniumRicky: ;)
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: Well, I think that just about does it for us.
Moderator: Any parting thoughts you feel driven to leave us with?
FrooniumRicky: I cannot say this too often...
FrooniumRicky: "When the string is long, the pig is late."
FrooniumRicky: ga
Moderator: Moderator's parting words are:
Moderator: there's a new Farscape on Saturday too!
Moderator: really, one on Friday and another one on Saturday!
Moderator: if you miss you miss it, don't go blaming me.
FrooniumRicky: nor me.
Moderator: Thanks to you, Lil, Matt, Fi, Ben...I know I'm forgetting
someone...
FrooniumRicky: Tammy
Moderator: Next Thursday: Dave Elsey of the Creature shop AND (schedule
permitting) Wayne Pygram, his evil masterpiece.
FrooniumRicky: We
Moderator: (oh, and thanks Tim!)
FrooniumRicky: We'll drag Tammy in here yet, never fear
FrooniumRicky: Even though I've told her about many of you
Moderator: From what I hear, Tammy was actually eager to come, so I guess you
didn't tell her everything...
FrooniumRicky: Well, I didn't bring up _________ or __________ or (God help
us) ________________
Moderator: Anyway, grab on to something solid -- we're going unmoderated.
Moderator has removed the "moderated" channel mode