Moderator (Speaker)
Welcome to our chat with Brent Spiner! If you don't know Brent's name, you
should. He's best
known as Lt. Commander Data on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," but he is
also currently
starring in two huge hit films: "Independence Day" and "Phenomenon"! Please
join us in
welcoming Brent Spiner!!!
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Greetings. I'm glad we could spend this time together, as Carol Burnett
once said.
Moderator (Speaker)
Thanks for being here, Brent!
Moderator (Speaker)
Let's get to some member questions...First up is the appropriately named
Brenterprise...(very
clever...)
Brenterprise (PRODIGY Member)
When a ship of strategic importance is destroyed with out warning I makes me
mad--Is the USS
Defiant, NX 74205 destroyed in First Contact?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I make it a habit to not read the parts of the script that I'm not in so I
can enjoy the movie like
everyone else. The part of the movie the defiant is in I am not in. By the
way, what's the
Defiant?
Moderator (Speaker)
I think Brent's kidding... ; )
Moderator (Speaker)
Here's a common, but still excellent, question from I M DUCKMAN...
I M DUCKMAN (PRODIGY Member)
HELLO I JUST WANTED TO ASK YOU WHAT YOUR FAVORITE EPISODE OF ST:TNG
WAS??
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
since we did 178 episodes, it is hard to choose my favorite, but I do have a
particular fondness
for all the episodes that feature the character Data. I have no idea why.
PolarVortex (PRODIGY Member)
Hi! Its nice to ummm... "meet" you! I was just wondering what brings you to
this neck of the
woods, just to see the Prodigy public? BTW... like your work :)
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Thanks, glad to be here, just passing through.
danatbird (PRODIGY Member)
Will you be appearing at Fantasticon or the Huntsville, AL con?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I might be at Fantasticon, but I'm not sure yet. I have talked to Bill
Campbell about it, but it is
my mother's birthday, so I'm not sure whether I can be there.
Kas13 (PRODIGY Member)
If you could choose a leading actress to work with, who would it be?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Can I choose? I would love to work with Emma Thompson. But wouldn't
everybody. She can
pretty much do anything, and do it well.
Moderator (Speaker)
If you're just joining us, welcome to our chat with Brent Spiner! Brent may
be having one of the
best summers of any actor in the world. Not only is he beloved by millions
as Lieutenent
Commander Data on the now-defunct series "Star Trek: The Next Generation,"
but he co-stars in
two of the summer's most successful movies: "Independence Day" and
"Phenomenon." He will
also star in the next Star Trek: TNG movie, entitled "First Contact."
Goelem (PRODIGY Member)
I love your character Data on STTNG. Can you tell me anything about what
your character will
be doing in the new Star Trek movie?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I don't want to tell you what he's doing in the next movie because I don't
want to ruin the movie
for you. I'm sure if you are writing in right now you probably already have
a script and could tell
me what I'm doing!
Moderator (Speaker)
DID YOU KNOW? -- "First Contact" will feature the return of the malevolent
Borg, an alien entity
who played a prominent recurring role in the TV show. But did you know that
H.G. Giger, a
popular artist and designer of the aliens in "Aliens," has been tapped to
redesign the Borg for the
big screen?
BTBG (PRODIGY Member)
After "First Contact", do you ever plan to do the Data role again?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
That depends on whether there is ever another film. If there's not another
film, it's unlikely I'll do
Data again. Although, I may find myself at the age of eighty going to the
supermarket in gold
makeup...
Mars 3 (PRODIGY Member)
What other plans do you have other than Star Trek?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Well, I plan to audition for other parts and hope to get as lucky as I was
in Independance Day.
But I have nothing on my plate at the moment.
Moderator (Speaker)
Plug Alert!
Moderator (Speaker)
(me, not Brent...)
Moderator (Speaker)
If you like celebrities, check out our new Celebrity Photo Gallery! Just
JUMP: file libraries and go
the Celebrity Photo Gallery library. There are photos of everyone from
Pamela Anderson Lee to
Brad Pitt to Daphne Zuniga (including tonight's guest, the lovely Brent
Spiner!) -- and even
photos taken backstage at last year's CableACE Awards!
Moderator (Speaker)
Anyway, back to the questions... Here's one from c ICARUS...
c ICARUS (PRODIGY Member)
When is the opening date of the new Startrek movie?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
As far as I know, it's the Thanksgiving weekend, as it generally is with ST
movies. That was part
of the hurry we were in while we were filming. To get it done so they could
get it into the theaters
by Thanksgiving.
Datalora (PRODIGY Member)
Out of all the enemies of the Federation, which is your personal favorite?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I have always had a soft spot in my heart for Q. John Delancy is a fabulous
actor.
Kas13 (PRODIGY Member)
Were you voted for anything in high school, like "most likely to succeed,"
"class clown," etc.?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I was voted the Nerd King in my high school, edging slightly ahead of Randy
Quaid, who was the
Nerd Prince.
Moderator (Speaker)
Quaid -- former Prodigy guest! Next week, the cast of The Revenge of the Nerds!
berkox (PRODIGY Member)
what do you do when you are not working?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
When I'm not on TV, I'm watching TV.
Goelem (PRODIGY Member)
My mother wants to know if you got a TV for your Bar-Mitzvah.
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
No I didn't. They weren't making TVs then.
SpinrLady (PRODIGY Member)
I heard that you went to Japan a few months ago to do a commercial. Can you
tell us more
about it and about your experiences in Japan?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I didn't actually go there to do a commercial. I went to promote
Generations which just opened
there this November. Tokyo is amazing. I found it to be just about the
safest city in the world.
There are as many people walking around at midnight as in the middle of the
afternoon.
NEFERCAT (PRODIGY Member)
I have "Ole Yellow Eyes Is Back". Are you going to do any more recording
of albums?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I'd really love to. I've been saying that I've just been waiting until I
can lose a whole lot of
money...but I just broke even on the first onel, so I guess I'm out of excuses.
Moderator (Speaker)
"Ol' Yellow Eyes is Back," released during TNG's fourth season, featured
background vocals by
The Sunspots, better known as "Next Generation" stars Patrick Stewart,
Jonathan Frakes, LeVar
Burton, and Michael Dorn!
Quara (PRODIGY Member)
Ahoy, Brent-matey. Say, pal, you're involved in Star Trek and a kooky movie
about space
aliens. Now, is that because you're really diggin' the outer space scene?
Or is it just
coincidence?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
It's more a matter that I'm very attracted to military roles. In ID 4, I
play an airforce doctor, in
Phenomenon I play an army psychiatrist and, as I'm sure you know, Data is in
the navy.
VCRBroken (PRODIGY Member)
Did you ever have time to breathe this summer?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Actually, I'm doing quite a bit of it right now, it's refreshing!
jimmy kz (PRODIGY Member)
Brent, have you played the computer game, "A Final Unity", that you lent
your voice to? If so,
what did you think of the finished product?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I have not played it yet because my computer is a Mac and they sent me
IBM...I hear it's pretty
complex and I'm sure I'd be stumped by it.
wijibar (PRODIGY Member)
Is it easier for you to play a human or an android?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Playing an android is pretty easy because you have the advantage of not
being comparable to
somebody elses work. It's pretty unlikely that anyone says, hey I don't
believe an android would
do that. so I can pretty much do whatever I want. However, there aren't
that many good android
parts around, so I'm working on my human portrayals now.
Moderator (Speaker)
In addition to Brent and the rest of TNG cast, "First Contact," the next
Star Trek feature film, will
co-star Alfre Woodard of "Grand Canyon" and James Cromwell, who was
nominated for an
Oscar last year for his supporting role as the farmer in "Babe." "First
Contact" will be released
this Thanksgiving...
dolfingyrl (PRODIGY Member)
How did you get the role of the scientest??I thought you were great at it to!
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
It was just a lucky break. I had an audition and the producer and writer of
the film, Dean Devlin,
auditioned me. He had been a fan of ST and he was reluctant to hire me
because he thought
people might balk at me on screen. He showed the tape to Roland Nemarich,
the director, and
he watched about 30 seconds and said hire him!
JAMartin (PRODIGY Member)
My wife absolutly loves your character on TNG. Does Data explore his
"feelings" more in First
Contact?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Yes. But they are very different this time than they were in the last film.
He has matured a bit,
having had the emotions for two years, he has a bit more control over them.
Moderator (Speaker)
If you're just joining us, welcome to our chat with Brent Spiner! may be
having one of the best
summers of any actor in the world. Not only is he beloved by millions as
Lieutenent Commander
Data on the now-defunct series "Star Trek: The Next Generation," but he
co-stars in two of the
summer's most successful movies: "Independence Day" and "Phenomenon." He
will also star in
the next Star Trek: TNG movie, entitled "First Contact."
statmix (PRODIGY Member)
What, if any, was your opinion of TNG before you became one of the permanant
cast members--
had you at all been a trekkie, or was it just one of 'those' sci-fi things?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
There was no TNG before...if you mean ST in general, I was certainly a fan,
having seen them
all in college, and enjoyed all that I saw.
AJ Mo Betta (PRODIGY Member)
Do you have any plans to perform on Broadway any time soon?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Well, it's hard to have plans as an actor at this level. As far as I'm
concerned, I'd love to be back
in New York doing a play, whether it is on or off Broadway.
Defense 1015 (PRODIGY Member)
Did you ever call James Cromwell on the set of First Contact, "That guy from
Babe?"
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I don't think I ever called him that guy from Babe... I called him James.
When we got to know
each other better I think I threw in a Jamie once or twice...
Moderator (Speaker)
You may have seen Brent in an early supporting role in Woody Allen's
"Stardust Memories." Or,
you may have caught him on the small screen in guest spots on shows like
"Cheers," "Night
Court," "Hill Street Blues," or most recently, in NBC's "Mad About You."
Honey Starr (PRODIGY Member)
Do you feel that Star Trek limited your career, or expanded it?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Well, that sort of remains to be seen. It certainly expanded it from where
it was. It remains to be
seen how limiting it will be since we are still doing it.
Moderator (Speaker)
If you like celebrities, check out our new Celebrity Photo Gallery! Just
JUMP: file libraries and go
the Celebrity Photo Gallery library. There are photos of everyone from
Pamela Anderson Lee to
Brad Pitt to Daphne Zuniga (including tonight's guest, the lovely Brent
Spiner!) -- and even
photos taken backstage at last year's CableACE Awards!
melon colli (PRODIGY Member)
i heard you like i love lucy, do you know you're missing a marathon on nick
at nite tonight?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
It's only afternoon here, I plan to be there for the marathon!
Moderator (Speaker)
Remember, if you miss any part of tonight's chat, JUMP: chat transcript in a
couple of days for a
complete account. Also, JUMP: spotlight to check out all our upcoming
guests, who include
author Nancy Friday, legendary actor Tony Curtis, and -- tonight at 11pm ET
in the
WiseAcres.Jokes Auditorium! -- comedian Dom Irrera!
dnoonan (PRODIGY Member)
Mr. Spiner, first let me congratulate you on your role in "Independence
Day." You were perfect
as the quirky doctor! My question is: there were rumors that you (and Mr.
Stewart) were not
interested in doing another Star Trek TNG movie after "Generations." If
these rumors were true,
I was wondering, what made you change your mind, and did filming this movie
fulfill your
expectations?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
It was just a rumor, there are many, many rumors going around about whether
I live or die in this
movie, or whether Picard lives or dies in this movie, or whether we want to
do another one...but
that's what they remain, rumors.
Moderator (Speaker)
DID YOU KNOW? -- "First Contact" will feature the return of the malevolent
Borg, an alien entity
who played a prominent recurring role in the TV show. But did you know that
H.G. Giger, a
popular artist and designer of the aliens in "Aliens," has been tapped to
redesign the Borg for the
big screen?
icyhb (PRODIGY Member)
Who does the laundry on the Star Trek Enterprise, or has dirt been elimated
by then?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
No, dirt is prevalent. And Data does the laundry. But he doesn't iron. Or
do windows.
PJ42 (PRODIGY Member)
Do you want to direct as some of your former castmates have done?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I might like to direct someday, but I'm not that interested in directing ST.
I don't think action
adventure would be my milieu. I
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
There was a time when I was interested in directing an episode, but the
charm wore off when
they started giving episodes to caterers and teamsters...
Lady Mina X (PRODIGY Member)
How much technical information did you have to learn to portray the role of
Data?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
None. I only memorized it, I didn't learn it.
Moderator (Speaker)
You may have seen Brent in an early supporting role in Woody Allen's
"Stardust Memories." Or,
you may have caught him on the small screen in guest spots on shows like
"Cheers," "Night
Court," "Hill Street Blues," or most recently, in NBC's "Mad About You."
ACIDBURN 10 (PRODIGY Member)
is jeff goldblum a funny person?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Yes. He's funny and smart and really fun to be around. An absolutely great
guy.
Divine Ms DW (PRODIGY Member)
Welcome, Brent...from a fan from Canada
Moderator (Speaker)
Welcome Canada!
enlssnmlss (PRODIGY Member)
what was the main reason TNG ended?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
The main reason was financial. It was Paramount's idea to run the show for
seven years and
then spin us off into features. But as with everything in Hollywood now, it
was motivated by cost.
Moderator (Speaker)
Welcome to our chat with Brent Spiner! If you don't know Brent's name, you
should. He's best
known as Lt. Commander Data on "Star Trek: The Next Generation," but he is
also currently
starring in two huge hit films: "Independence Day" and "Phenomenon"!
ViZioNZ 01 (PRODIGY Member)
LOL!!!
Moderator (Speaker)
Me too, ViZionNZ!
dvildoc (PRODIGY Member)
not to be rude or anything, but i hear that you do not give out autographs
easily, is that true, and
if so why?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
No, I do give autographs easily..I don't give autographs at conventions
mostly because I don't
want to sit there for two hours at a time. But if someone comes up to me
I'll give them one and if
someone writes me a note I'll give them one.
Diane29 (PRODIGY Member)
What roles did you play before STTNG?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I did about 25 plays in New York, and then I did alot of episodes of TV, and
TV movies.
Moderator (Speaker)
You may have seen Brent in an early supporting role in Woody Allen's
"Stardust Memories." Or,
you may have caught him on the small screen in guest spots on shows like
"Cheers," "Night
Court," "Hill Street Blues," or most recently, in NBC's "Mad About You."
enlssnmlss (PRODIGY Member)
Will Q be in the new movie?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Well, if you are referring to First Contact, I'm afraid to say he's not in
that one. But I'm sure he'll
be in some new movie, somewhere.
SUPREMERULER (PRODIGY Member)
What is your favorite TV show?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Of all time was Candid Camera.
Moderator (Speaker)
Along with Star Trek: TNG, Brent has numerous web sites devoted to him and
his many film and
TV roles...
Moderator (Speaker)
To check them out, go to any web search engine (hit WEB and go into the
browser) and put in
Brent's name...
bridegirl (PRODIGY Member)
In some recent movie releases you have had small parts like phonamon abd
independence day
do you hope to have a biggger role in the movies other than the star trek films?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
No, I'm hoping the parts get smaller and smaller until I'm an extra.
Moderator (Speaker)
Sorry for the delay folks...Stay with us...
QVC NUT (PRODIGY Member)
what is your favorite TV show to watch and do you have a place for fans to
write to you?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I don't specifically have a place, but they can write to me at Paramount
Pictures.
PAX4 (PRODIGY Member)
Why do you need transporter pads? It seems that you can transport people to
and from
anywhere, without a pad.
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
It's just a matter of tradition.
jERjON (PRODIGY Member)
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Moderator (Speaker)
Mm..yes..of course, jERjOn...
raygunn (PRODIGY Member)
who would you bet on you or the original star trek crew in a
battle?????????????????????????????????
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I think we have more sophisticated weapons, but if it was mud wrestling, I
think I'd bank on them.
Paileus (PRODIGY Member)
On that part when the alien uses your vocal chords to speak, did you do that
or was it computer
generated?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
That was my voice, but I think they treated it in some way, because I know I
don't sound like that.
Richny (PRODIGY Member)
Do you have plans for any novels or book?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
You know, maybe one day, but probably not anything along the lines of a tell
all. This is about
as far as I go in terms of a tell all.
Moderator (Speaker)
Ooh...check out this one from mchgolf...
mchgolf (PRODIGY Member)
Did Rick Berman get rid of Wesley because there cant be two brainiacs on the
screen at once?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I think that was actually Wil Wheaton's idea. He wanted to pursue other
things and they were
generous enough to let him out of his contract.
Maurice1 (PRODIGY Member)
Have you ever played any Shakespeare professionally, and what would your
favorite roles be?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Not professionally. I did quite a lot of Shakespeare in college and my
favorite role was Shylock
in the Merchant of Venice.
Jean Luc15 (PRODIGY Member)
What was it like to work with Gene Rodenberry? And do you miss his guidance?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Well, I miss Gene altogether. He was a wonderful guy to be around. I never
had an unpleasant
experience of any kind with him so I have nothing but fond memories of him.
Lord K'nor (PRODIGY Member)
Do you plan to play on any of the new Star Trek shows like Deep Space 9?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Well, I haven't been asked, but I would be slightly reluctant to do so. I
feel really good being part
of the crew of the Next Generation and that feels sort of special to me.
SouthernLace (PRODIGY Member)
Are you the first actor in your family?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I'm the first and only. Although I do have some family in sales.
On2Wheels (PRODIGY Member)
Do you have any pets in real life?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
My girlfriend has two dogs and they spend a great deal of time with me.
Moderator (Speaker)
Remember, if you miss any part of tonight's chat, JUMP: chat transcript in a
couple of days for a
complete account. Also, JUMP: spotlight to check out all our upcoming
guests, who include
author Nancy Friday, legendary actor Tony Curtis, and -- tonight at 11pm ET
in the
WiseAcres.Jokes Auditorium! -- comedian Dom Irrera!
Moderator (Speaker)
Here's a nice question from a big fan, JenniferJoan...
JenniferJoan (PRODIGY Member)
At a convention in NYC you said, "I don't know why anyone would build an
android to look like a
middle-aged Jewish man." You should know that you have thousands of young
fans who are
very happy you play the role of Data, including myself.
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Thank you, I'm glad I got to play Data as well.
newtoncat (PRODIGY Member)
Tell us about the most fun job you ever had.
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Certainly being an actor and being employed as an actor is about as fun as
it gets. I'm in that
slightly enviable position of being able to do work that I enjoy.
ChiMex (PRODIGY Member)
When you walk on the streets by yourself and somebody (public) recognizes
you, do they call
you by your real name or just Mr. Data??
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
It depends. Some people just shout out Data at me, and other people just
say, "I'm very happy
to meet you Mr. Spinner (with two n's.)
Moderator (Speaker)
Brent's name is correctly pronounced Spine-er...
techgrrl (PRODIGY Member)
when you were recording your album "ol' yellow eyes is back", did you listen
to the william
shatner or leonard nimoy records for inspiration (or possibly for things not
to do)?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
I listen to those records all the time for inspiration. And when I'm really
low, I skip right to
"Rocketman".
Moderator (Speaker)
Mr. Tambourine Man!!!!!!
BUGEYED2001 (PRODIGY Member)
Doesn't the enterprise eventually run out of fuel? Where do they go?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
They go to that great Shell station in the sky...where they load up on
dilithium crystals.
Moderator (Speaker)
We've got time for a few more questions for Brent...Stay tuned!
Riekes1 (PRODIGY Member)
Are you still planning on running for office somewhere??
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Yes. I'm still hoping to run for congress for the state of Texas, if I can
get a break. People tend
to vote for who they know, so I think I've got a good shot.
Juzam Dragon (PRODIGY Member)
Hi Brent. I'm a very big fan of yours. I loved your roles in "Independence
Day" and
"Phenomenon". I was wondering if you could send me a Autographed picture of
yourself. If not, I
understand.
Moderator (Speaker)
You might want to try to write to Paramount in L.A., Juzam...
Moderator (Speaker)
If you like celebrities, check out our new Celebrity Photo Gallery! Just
JUMP: file libraries and go
the Celebrity Photo Gallery library. There are photos of everyone from
Pamela Anderson Lee to
Brad Pitt to Daphne Zuniga (including tonight's guest, the lovely Brent
Spiner!) -- and even
photos taken backstage at last year's CableACE Awards!
LibbiPeachez (PRODIGY Member)
Who is your favorite actor or actress to work with?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
That is really difficult because I've so rarely worked with an actor I
didn't like. I have loved
working with everyone on the ST series, and the same was true of ID 4 and of
Phenomenon.
goldwingnut (PRODIGY Member)
{s accesing}, Do you cringe when you hear the words "make it so"?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
No, I don't, generally I grin when I hear those words because usually they
are coming out of the
throat of Patrick Stewart who is nothing but a pleasure to be around.
Moderator (Speaker)
We've got time for one more question for Brent tonight...He's been very
generous...The question
is from shoey1...
Moderator (Speaker)
(then stay tuned for a final message from Brent...)
shoey1 (PRODIGY Member)
Which do you like to act in better... movies or tv?
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
It really doesn't matter to me. It's all a matter of size of frame. It's
all acting, and that's what I
like to do because as long as I'm doing it I'm happy.
Brent Spiner (Speaker)
Goodbye for now, hope to be back this way soon...wish you were here.
Moderator (Speaker)
Thanks for a great chat, Brent! We're all looking forward to "First
Contact." If you want to actually
see Brent, check out his picture in our Celebrity Photo Gallery file
library, or go out and see
"Independence Day" or "Phenomenon"!