Richard Dean Anderson chat on Scifi.com

June 18, 2003

Featuring Special Guest Michael Greenburg

 

 

<Moderator> Hi everyone, thanks for joining us tonight.  I'm Patrizia DiLucchio for

SCIFI.com, and tonight's guest is RICHARD DEAN ANDERSON who performs double

duty on SCIFI's popular Friday night series STARGATE SG-1 as both executive

producer and the actor behind Col JONATHAN "JACK" O'NEILL.

Now Richard is actually talking to us live from the Stargate set where they are filming an

episode.  So from time to time, he may be called away from the computer to film -- in

which case he has promised to provide us with substitute guests.  Can't name any names,

but I can promise:  you won't be disappointed!

[He's] given up hockey altogether though -- he's the cofounder of the Celebrity All-Star

Hockey Team which raises money for worthy causes in conjunction with the NHL.

The drill is kind of different tonight, so listen up.  Three channels are available for this

chat -- auditorium, auditorium and Stargate-SG1.  You'll be able to submit questions from

all three channels.   They're all equal!  This will be a moderated chat -- please send your

questions for Richard Dean Anderson to Pygar as private messages. (To send a private

message, either double-click on Pygar or type "/msg Pygar" on the command line - only

without the quotes.)

 

<Moderator> First question:

*Sammy1986* hi and good morning from germany it's 3am but i am very happy to be

here because this is my first online chat with you. You are my favorite actor and i love

you very much but now my question: I heard something about a Season 8. Do you have

some information for us?   

 

<RDAnderson> First off, I'd like to thank everyone for staying up so late.

Ask away, ask all the questions you want.

 

<RDAnderson> I have no information as we speak.

Today was a day where the topic was tabled formally. We're talking about the feasibility

and what it might take to make it all work.

At this moment there is nothing new I can say either way.,

It feels like everybody wants another year.

 

<Moderator> *k4m4caZ1-2* Hey Jack!!! I just wanted to say that you are doing an

AWESOME job with SG-1!!!! You a really awesome actor, and I'm just wondering, how

much of your lines do you make up? Do you have to improvise a lot or do you help

writing your lines? Thanks! Josh.    

 

<RDAnderson> and Guttenacht!

I try to be as respectful as I can be to the written word. We do have extremely talented

writers.

However, I seem to have a problem sticking to the script and I seem to know the voice of

the character better than most.

Everyone seems to exercise a great deal of patience when dealing with my on set

"process"

The bottom line is it all has to be fun.

 

<Moderator> *joannaspring* Hi from DC! What was it like working with Michael Welch

as a young O'Neill?

 

<RDAnderson> It was odd. When I arrived on set he'd already been working so I was

able to see the dailies of his work and I could see his audition tape.

WE had to calm him down a bit. Some of his "O'Neill-isms" were too mature.

It was fun working with "the young me." I thought I would be much taller :)

 

<Moderator> *LaurieAnderson* hi rick i'm a huge fan of you since i was young.i'm

french and i wanted to know if you have planned to come back in france . you have many

fans here who will be very happy to see you! all my love to you and to wylie too kisses

from france     

 

<RDAnderson> Bless your heart for the sentiment, especially about my daughter.

it's all about the time availability to me.

My hiatus time was spent in Chile, Tibet and Ecuador doing a lot of river rafting.

I just took up surfing.

I spent a fair amt. of time in France and I truly love the countryside.

N'est pas

 

<Moderator> *Col-Oneill-Wannabe* How did you get involved with Stargate SG1 and

what are the differences similarities between your version of Col O'Neill and Kurt

Russell's movie version?   

 

<RDAnderson> The biggest difference between Kurt Russell's O'Neill and mine is the

hair.

There is no way I could make my hair do that.

My involvement started with John Symes at MGM. HE approached me with this.

He asked me to do my research and what I thought about the potential of this franchise's

success.

I liked what I saw.

Seven years later. .  .

 

<Moderator> *Gemma-fae-Scotland* How does it make you feel that so many people

have stayed up into the wee small hours to show their support for you? (despite having

major meetings tomorrow....today)   

 

<RDAnderson> Guilty

Honored and humbled. I'm in essence fascinated by this whole process anyway, so I'm

always somewhat awed by the turnout.

I'm very grateful.

By the way, I have big meetings tomorrow too.

 

<Moderator> Hi from Michigan, Rick! Thanks so much for being here tonight! I've been

a fan *cringe* sine the days of G.H. My question: With your extensive background in

acting and producing, is there any chance of your directing (Stargate or anything else)

any time soon?  

 

<RDAnderson> Nothing real soon. Certainly on Stargate I have no burning desire to

direct.

My partner Michael Greenburg and I are the executive producers and we are able to edit

the show--

Also we are not Canadian and that's one of the stipulations. Also, I am in California every

3 days.

I don't want to sound lazy, but I have enough.

 

<Moderator> *riverkeeper* You've done so much to bring to the public's attention the

importance of cleaning up our rivers. What can ordinary citizens do when our state and

local governments spray herbicides along creekbanks and cut vegetation that could be

filtering ground water, all sources of river problems? Also, I work with a NASCAR team.

Do you have any interest in driving a stock car? 

 

<RDAnderson> That's quit a question.

I'll take the easy one first.

I'm a huge racing fan for formula one or Cart or IRL, but as far as Nascar goes, I think it

would be a kick to take a few hot laps.

The whole question of environmental awareness is too broad a question for me to get into

right now.

Ive worked with the Riverkeeper alliance which was set up with Robert Kennedy Jr.

If you really want to know what to do, as a citizen, I'd say contact them.

They are in New York.

If you get a chance to hear a speech by Robert Kennedy on it it will expand your mind.

You as a citizen can be a whistleblower-

That's what the RiverKeeper Alliance does.

Blow the whistle.

 

<Moderator> *DRA* How long does it take to shoot an episode? 

 

<RDAnderson> Depends on when you ask that question.

You are asking right now and because the schedule is so heavy with production right now

we are shooting 3 different eps.

But normally we give it 7 days to shoot, and then have to add visual effects, special

effects and that can take 2 to ;3 months to finish up an ep.

WE tend to use those.

 

<Moderator> *ShanksSJ* Do you and Amanda plan to continue the UST (Unresolved

Sexual Tension) is season seven? Please do! 

 

<RDAnderson> Do we plan too?

Sure, why not.

It's too bad that it remains unresolved. But I'm afraid it's got to stay that way at least for

now.

It's frustrating for me too.

 

<Moderator> *OraMac* Hello Richard Dean Anderson, who is smarter : Samantha

Carter vs MacGyver? On Monday's SciFi chat Amanda Tapping said Samantha Carter

was smarter, MacGyver was just lucky...  

 

<RDAnderson> Oh, well that's just so cruel.

But I have to say that I don't know if MacGyver was that lucky.

but Sam Carter is smarter. MacGyver is wiser.

 

<Moderator> *hoodatwhatzit* Thanks for taking the time to chat! I've noticed that Jack

loses the sarcasm (or it takes on a more cutting edge) and quickly becomes very focused

and intense when the situation demands. It's those moments that remind us of Jack's

background and his capabilities as a Air Force colonel. Do you consciously make an

effort to portray him in a different light for certain scenes or is it simply a result of the

demands of the script and/or the director?      

 

<RDAnderson> That's an excellent question.

Some of Jacks dialog will come about by accident, by rehearsal to find what the scene

might be about.

But O'Neill's pension for turning on a dime may have to deal with his issues and

temperament.

He is Irish after all.

He can in one breath be irreverent and respectful.

That's an excellent question.

 

<Moderator> *anise5180* hi Rick! my name is Liz and I'm 13. I think you're the coolest

actor ever; you're so talented. I have 2 questions for you: (1) what do exactly do you do

as one of the executive producers of Stargate Sg-1? (2)  I heard somewhere that you

might retire soon. is there any truth to this rumor?   

 

<RDAnderson> My job as exec producer is not the classic definition

My duties have become more limited as time goes on.

IN the early going, as we were finding our rhythms to the whole franchise,

 

<RDAnderson> I'd be involved with my partner in editing, script editing and

development and such

mostly fine tuning what comes out of the writers cage.

In some regards I became a liaison connecting the writers with the actors

Connect some of the problems the writers were having in relationship to the script and

the storylines.

To be perfectly honest, I don't' know what retirement means to a work-a-holic like

myself.

I may afford myself some time off when all of this goes away.

By then I'll have pay attention to what my priorities are-- at this time it's my daughter.

At this time I will not fall into the trap of saying that I will not work again.

But I'd like to enjoy some of the fruits of my labor,.

 

<Moderator> *sunkissedone9* mr. anderson, thank you for doing this tonight for us fans.

my questions for you is if you ever visit websites created in your honor? also what is your

favorite hockey team...( go canes) lots of love, lauren 19 - north carolina  

 

<RDAnderson> I have the RDAnderson.com, which is extremely impressive to me.

I honestly don't' know how to react when I see all the work that goes into creating the

websites

Kate Ritter ahs taken upon herself to create a very impressive website.

IT's a little odd to be honest. I sort of live a bit moment to moment, so to be able to go to

a website to relive some of those times is fun

They are sweet little reminders.

 

<Moderator> *PeskyMum* What is the title of the episode you are recording at the

moment, while you are taking part in this chat with us?   

 

<RDAnderson> It's called "Fallout"

 

<Moderator> *Ewokmonster* Will we *ever* see Legend out on DVD? How much

control do you have over that happening? Who do we ask to get it done?

Anderson> Legend was full of all the emotions I was really ready to explore at that point

in my career!

 

<RDAnderson> I have no control over that.

I think Paramount pictures

Joel Berman, Pres. of worldwide dist. of Paramount.

If I were going to do something new right now I'd love to do that.

 

<RDAnderson> RDA had to go back to the set

Mike Greenburg, the exec. Producer is on hand until he gets back --

 

<Moderator> Welcome Mike!

Can you tell us anything about what we have in store in this season?

Lots of people have been asking!

 

<RDAnderson> (Mike)

The season already started so they've already seen "Fallen and Homecoming"==

One called Fragile balance that I co-wrote with Peter DeLouise

and it continues the Asgard storyline and it deals with a cloned O'Neal

at this point he's a 16 year old who has the special abilities of Jack O'Neill as an adult.

It's a fun dynamic to be played out between Rick and the young O'Neill.

I get so engrossed in the eps. that we're shooting.

We have a two parter called "Evolution" which I don't' want to give too much away-

but it continues the Anubis storyline

"Birthright" is a planet of warrior women. That sort of continues the storyline of the

Jaffa's symbiotic dependency.

Basically what we are doing is continuing all of our storylines which have been set up

over the past 6 years.

Continuing them and resolving them.

We did a fun ep. called "Space Race" which I think would make a fun computer game.

 

<Moderator> Mike, a bunch of people are asking what scene RDA is filming right now --

so when they watch that episode they'll know he just talked to them.

 

<RDAnderson> (Mike)

I'ts a scene from "Fall-Out"

There are two warring nations who are bickering

while their planet is about to explode

 

<Moderator> *jess* *jess* Hi RDA, we luv u here in KY, the redneck state!! How do

you feel about the contest going on now for one the fans to win a walk on role in the

show? Thanx :)    

 

<RDAnderson> (Mike) I think it's great!

I'm all for anything that promotes the show and gives something back to the fans.

 

<Moderator> *OldGhost* Mike, so how did you and RDA decide to form your own

company? And why "GEKKO"? 

 

<RDAnderson> Maybe they'll get discovered.

We formed it during MacGyver.

It was apparent that we shared the same sensibilities about filmmaking.

By sensibilities I mean the quality in dialog and storytelling technique.

We were never interested in telling the story the same way they'd been told on TV in the

past.

We wanted to push the envelope so that each MacGyver got better and better during the 7 

years

We saw early on in our partnership that we both wanted to keep the process of

filmmaking fresh and innovative.

To do that you have to surround yourself with the best of the bunch.

Over the years we've worked with just that crew who could continuously raise the bar in

delivering a high quality production.

I think if you look at the visual effects, the stunts, the special effects and the attack on

scenes--

buy that I mean the dialog and the type of dialog the characters have with each other,

there is a heightened sensibility

I believe you have to have that to keep the people coming back every week.

The name Gekko is the Latin word for the Gekko Lizard. The myth and legend of that is

that their eyes move independently.

 

<Moderator> Mike, thanks for stepping up to the plate so gracefully (and thank RDA for

us too!)

 

<RDAnderson> The natives of Tahiti think they keep one on the road and one eye on the

future.

That's our philosophy of filmmaking.

It all ties in, with the name.

 

<Moderator> Mike, we'd like to keep you for several more hours but it sounds like you're

busy there...

Thank you so much for coming online with us!

 

<RDAnderson> (Mike) Rick is back, so I'll pass the phone to him

 

<Moderator> Terrific.

 

<RDAnderson> If you want, I'll take a few more questions

 

<Moderator> Great!  We have about 10,000...

Two related questions...

*everythingsroses* i from Iowa, So does Rick like to fish as much as Jack?

*liberty* : Hello from Pa. Are you an outdoorsman or is that only part of the character? If

so do you have much time to fish or hunt. The walleye are jumping in the boat on lake

Erie        

 

<RDAnderson> I'm neither a fisherman nor a hunter.

Part of the joke of O'Neill fishing is that he loves the process of fishing.

He loves the environment, but he's never in his entire life, caught a fish.

It's a bit of trivia I'm giving away.

But yes, I personally spend 80% of my life outdoors.

I like to trek, I ski, I like to cycle. I spend times in the mountains, in the woods, on rivers,

scuba diving etc.

 

<Moderator> *ShelBel* Hi Rick! Greetings from Brainerd! And GO MN WILD! Is there

a particular scene or episode of the show that you're proud of for some reason? Thanks so

much for taking time out for us in your busy schedule!    

 

<RDAnderson> For varying reasons I have a couple of favorites.

The one I had the most fun as an actor but was most disappointed as a producer was

"Brief Candle"

it was an ep in which I aged from about 40 to 100

I ended up in the complete prosthetic make-up

it was interesting to say the very least.

We shot so much footage on the entire ep that it got cut to shreds.

There is also an ep that dealt with the death of O'Neill's son. It was a fairly poignant ep.

"Abyss" was one we had fun with because MS had come back and we had a few fiery

sconces.

The list just goes on. "Old Lazarus" was the name of the one where O'Neill ages.

 

<Moderator> Two related questions...

*KareBearLowrey* My question is: Who is your favorite hockey team, hockey player,

and do you ever wish you had been able to play pro hockey instead of becoming an

actor?

*hokypuk* Greetings from Portland Maine. YOU ARE THE GREATEST ! I love

MacGyver and Stargate. I also love hockey, so, do you have a favorite hockey team and

player and do you get to any games? Have you or the writers ever thought of an ice planet

where you would have to lace up your skates? and play hockey?

 

<RDAnderson> My favorite team is the MN Wild, of course.

Even though they've only been around for a few years, it's nice to have a pro franchise in

the state.

Favorite player-- Joey Sacket. He's a buddy.

I've been to a few games up here. I know Brian Burke, the GM of the Cannucks.

I've been able to get to a few games here. and a couple in LA. I've lost touch with the

franchise of late,

but I used to be a season ticket holder.

No lacing lacing up on an ice planet. It's too much of a stretch. Not in the near future

anyway.

 

<Moderator> *doddlebot* Hi from Liverpool! If Jack had superpowers, but could only

use them for evil.... what would he do? ;) 

 

<RDAnderson> I'm confused. I have a hard time thinking in terms of evil :)

Although, being a military man, the mind reels.

 

<Moderator> *Ellory1* Are you still doing some of your own stunt work? Or does Dan

Shea do it all?    

 

<RDAnderson> Dan does the falls and the really big stuff.

But I refuse to give up the firearm-- it's too much fun.

That and Dan does not know how to handle a rifle.

 

<Moderator> *flygirl2007* hey from texas!! Ok, I know that you and Amanda would

never get together, but what are your thoughts on her? Is she attractive..repulsive...rude

and snotty....? Thanks for your time! ~*~Jamie~*~

 

<RDAnderson> She's neither rude nor snotty.

She's a beautiful and talented actress and an even more beautiful and talented woman.

I respect Amanda more than I can say.

She carries the load of technical dialog. She's the only one of us that can endure it.

She's a babe.

 

<Moderator> ackoluvr1339* Hey Rick, Do you like watching other SciFi shows? How

about when you were young, did you like scifi? Do you read SciFi books also? Who is

your favorite SciFi author (if you have one)?  

 

<RDAnderson> My only exposure to the SF world was the early Star Wars trilogy

I'm a fan of George Lucas because of what he was able to do technologically.

He expanded things.

Also I like Tim Burton and Jonathan Frakes.

 

<Moderator> *GinaS* Do you have any input into the visual FX or do you just see it

when it's all done and say "cool!" and have you ever thought something wasn't quite

right?  

 

<RDAnderson> He's a buddy.

Virtually my only input aside from the odd suggestion of what could happen

or might be nice

James Tichenor is the man behind this.

He's such a genius that he needs very little direction.

 

<Moderator> *JaxhWay* Rick, jackie from Manchester England here. Do you believe

that there may be forms of life out there in the universe 

 

<RDAnderson> I'd like to think there are.

I tend to like watching the science shows, Nova, the PBS types of things on space and

astronomy.

I have a bit of a pragmatic view on it.

I do like the fact that we continue the search

 

<Moderator> *Andromeda* I've heard of several of your more famous injuries--running

into the camera and breaking your arm on MacGyver for instance. All in all, how many

serious injuries have you sustained through the years? Lucky for you you haven't ruined

your good looks... yet :)    

 

<RDAnderson> Yeah, well, I keep trying. Lets see.

I've had 2 concussions, a broken nose, 4 broken fingers, 2 broken arms, 3 knee surgeries

and back surgery.

I've dislocated my thumbs and my shoulders.

It's not because I'm a klutz, it's because I over extend

I keep thinking the tenacity of my bones is the same as when I was 20.

I'm being pestered by an AD to come back to set.

We have to dive back into this endless scene.

I really do appreciate everyone staying up and exercising such patience

 

<Moderator> Well, the last question was the one all girls are dying to know...

Jack:  boxers or briefs?

 

<RDAnderson> I actually might be one of those people who enjoys doing these.

 

<Moderator> But we'll have to leave them in suspense!

 

<RDAnderson> Hahaha-- Commando!

?

 

<Moderator> Thank you SO MUCH for coming online with us!

 

<RDAnderson> is that an option?

 

<Moderator> Of course!

Commando is always an option.

Please come back and chat with us soon.

This has been a great chat!  Thank you, Richard, for joining us.  And thanks to everyone

in the audience as well.  Great questions.  There will be a transcript of tonight's chat in

case you missed any of it.  And don't forget to join us tomorrow night when we will be

chatting with the actor behind another popular Stargate SG-1 character, Christopher

Judge who plays Teal'c