Walter Koenig played "Chekov" on the original Star Trek television series and in seven films. He is the author of the new book "Warped Factors: A Neurotic's Guide to the Universe". Welcome you to our chat tonight.

Walter Koenig:
Thank you, I'm glad to be here.

Q: I am a big fan of Babylon 5, are you going to be in any of the upcoming episodes?
Ian P.

WK: No. I've already done the last of the four episodes I was scheduled to do this season. That was "The Corps is Mother, The Corps is Father"

Q: How do you like being a part of the Star Trek family?
Karri

WK: I've been a member of this family for so long, in at least one sense, it's like being part of my own family. You don't question it... It just is.

Q: Why is it in ST II Kahn said he knew you, but that's impossible you didn't join till the second season after "Space Seed"?
Telusman

WK: A little known fact was that Chekov was on the Enterprise during the episode "Space Seed." He was working on the 3rd deck behind the boiler room.

Q: Why do you think STAR TREK is so popular? Also, why is it so popular with so many different people?
John

WK: There are a host of reasons for Star Trek's popularity. Character, story and a positive view of the future are among them.

Q: Which do you enjoy more and why - your work as the naive, loyal Chekov (the accent was so great) or the cynical, malevolent Bester?
Peter

WK: Chekov will always be part of my life. I have bonded with the cast and all the people with whom I've worked on Star Trek. It has brought me a modest renown and considerable financial security. Artistically, however, the role of Bester is the greater challenge and consequently the greater artistic reward.

Q: Your bio says that you created a comic book!? What was it about and called?
Jason

WK: The comic book was called "Raver." It was published by Malibu Comics and there were three issues, per my contract. It was about an everyman who, when engaged a contentious situation, loses control of his mind and creates new worlds. He must then enter those worlds as a superhero named Raver and right the injustices that are happening there.

Q: How and when did being on Star Trek affect your career?
Kevin

WK: Star Trek affected my career from the first moment I said "Varp Fector Two, Sair." It has not ceased to affect my career and my life since.

Q: OK....Ira Behr and other DS9 writers were at Star Trek: The Experience today....So You are gonna be there soon too right?
Wesin

WK: No.

Q: Do you think that your performance as Chekov influenced your performance of Bester on Babylon 5?
Hogan

WK: Not really. One of the most appealing things about playing the character of Bester is that he is so diametrically different to Chekov.

Q: What do you think of the way Star Trek has evolved? Do you think the producers should just stop?
John

WK: I am somewhat conversant with Star Trek: The Next Generation. I thought there were some brilliant episodes coming from that show. I am not familiar enough with the two succeeding series to speak authortatively about them.

Q: What are the guest stars on the TOS that you particularly enjoyed working with ?
Rino

WK: Stanley Adams from "The Trouble with Tribbles," Roger C. Carmel from "I, Mudd," and the beautiful Leslie Parrish from "Who Mourns for Adonais?"

Q: Have you ever inadvertantly "Chekov'd" during a B5 shoot?
Ed

WK: No, but on several occasions I Bestered when playing the part of Chekov.

Q: What have you been up to recently?
Jack

WK: I have been doing a book tour for my autobiography "Warped Factors: A Neurotic's Guide to the Universe." In fact, for those of you in Los Angeles and Orange County, this Saturday I'll be making two book store appearances... I'll be at the Cargo Bay bookstore in the Mission Viejo Mall, in Mission Viejo in the morning. And at two o'clock in the afternoon, I'll be at the Dangerous Visions bookstore in Sherman Oaks. Those of you just hanging out, fall by and say hello.

Q: Do you have a computer and an internet connection?
Rino

WK: I have a Web site, it's called www.warpedfactors.com. Please visit (and buy a book).

Q: Are you going to appear on Voyager?
Jeff

WK: My most immediate response is "no" but curiously enough, I did have a meeting with a freelance writer who has written for "Star Trek: Voyager" about an idea we kicked around for an appearance by Chekov. Please understand that, at this point, it was strictly a meeting between the writer and me, and in no way sanctioned by the "Star Trek: Voyager" producers.

Q: Have you ever thought about writing a Star Trek Novel?
Ken

WK: No. Star Trek has been so much a part of my life that when I do write, I try to investigate storylines that are a departure from the constant experience that I've had with Star Trek.

Q: Mr. Koenig, how do you account for the long survival of the Star Trek Movies and The Next Generation when the original series last for such a short time?
Wolf

WK: The original series was only on for three years, but it played constantly all through the 70s in rerun... so one might well say that it was ultimately as successful as the films and the new shows.

Q: Mr. Koenig what how much of a part do you think you played in making Star Trek so multi-national?
Wolf

WK: Well, Chekov was the Russian representative at a time when the Cold War was still very much an influence in world politics. To that extent, the introduction of a nationality considered hostile to our way of life was certainly a step toward developing a sense of multi-nationality, multi-ethnicity, multi-racial make-up that Star Trek has always been known for.

Q: What was it like to be on the Howard Stern show?
Jason

WK: Oh, boy! I was anticipating it to actually be more uncomfortable than it was. I had been warned about Howard and wasn't sure how I would deal with the provocative questions that he is known to ask.

As it turned out -- because, I assume, he is such a big Babylon 5 fan and an enthusiast for the character I played on the show -- he actually let me off pretty lightly.

Q: In the beginning of the series, were you ever worried that they would make you wear a red shirt?
Ben and Syl

WK: I know what you're referring to, but I don't think we ever understood while we were shooting the show (that the guys in the red shirts inevitably suffered an early demise.)

Q: Anyway we can get an autographed copy of your book?
MadHatter

WK: George Takei, Nichelle Nichols, Jimmy Doohan and I will be appearing at conventions in the following venues: Tucson, Arizona, Charleston, West Virginia, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, Boise, Idaho, and DeMoines, Iowa... before the end of the year. The books will be available at each of these conventions. I will be signing my book "Warped Factors: A Neurotic's Guide to the Universe".

Q: What was your initial reaction when the producers first handed you your bouffant Chekov wig?
Odanna

WK: As opposed to the one I wear now??

Q: You said you have bonded with the others... Do you stay in touch with any one in particular or is it just occasional meetings?
Rom

WK: I spoke to DeForest Kelley as recently as yesterday. He seems to be doing well. And he asked me to send everybody online tonight his best wishes.

Q: I have already purchased your GREAT book, but we would like to see you in a bookstore here in Italy (please).
Rino

WK: I only need an invitation to make another appearance in your beautiful country.

Q: I just visited your webpage good job, did you create it yourself?
Ponyboy

WK: No. But yes, it is a good job. And I recommend the company who designed it to anyone who's looking for comparable quality work. The company is InteleSell.

Q: How many books have you written?
BB

WK: I've written three books that have been published. "Chekov's Enterprise," "Buck Alice and the Actor Robot," and my current autobiography.

Q: Are you a part of the new video game, Secret of Vulcan Fury?
Jammer

WK: No, I'm not in Vulcan Fury, but I'm occasionally in Koenig Tantrum.

Q: How do you actually, meaning phonetically, pronounce your last name?
Odonna

WK: Kay-nig.

Q: Was it by chance that yourself and William Shatner were both in the same episode of Columbo in the 70's?
Glen

WK: It was purely by chance and it's questionable whether I was actually in the show. It was another one of a short list of appearances I've made that were very slight in nature.

Q: How many month/years did it take you to write "Warped Factors"?
BB

WK: I wrote the first 20,000 words in about three months, and then once it was sold, I did the finally 90,000 over a period of five months.

Q: I thought your book was interesting. How did you decide on the title?
MadHatter

WK: The title was a second choice. My first choice was "Beaming Up and Getting Off." The publishers were concerned that I might be sending the wrong message with that title. We came up with "Warped Factors" through several conversations we had over the phone.

Q: Is Walter Koenig your real name or was it developed for stage?
PonyBoy

WK: No. My real name is Davy Jones.

Q: Why did you choose that particular photo for the book's cover... it's interesting...
Ed

WK: Actually my publishers made that choice from a proof page of photos I sent them. They felt, and I agreed, that the picture best conveyed the sense of fun that I hope the reader will experience in reading the book.

Q: Do you feel that the original series was limited by the film technology of the times?
Dave

WK: There's no question that we were not able to compete with current technology in terms of our visual effects. However, our best stories I truly believe are as good as any show has to offer now.

Q: Do you have any advice for people who are working on becoming an actor or a musican? How did you stay with it?
Sara

WK: First thing, check out "Warped Factors." I detail all of the potholes and disappointments that actors have to endure. If you still have a passion to be a performer, then nothing I'll have said in my book will dissuade you. That is how it should be to stay with such a difficult career choice.

Q: Got your book today for my birthday, can't wait to start it. Love your sense of humor. Have you written any or directed any of the Star Trek episodes or any of the spin-offs?
Brett

WK: The only Star Trek I wrote for was the animated series back in the 70s. The episode title was "The Infinite Vulcan."

Q: Do you have received messages from russian people when you have played Chekov in TOS ?
Rino

WK: Not during the series. The Russian people were not seeing our show during that period. The Iron Curtain was still very much in force. Occasionally, I do now hear from folks in what was formerly the Soviet Union.

Q: Mr. Koenig, You have appeared/voiced in such Interplay computer games as Star Trek: The Secret of Vulcan Fury and Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, do you think there will be any future Interplay productions starring you?
Desi

WK: Quien Sabe?

Q: Can you give a short explanation of how you got the part in Star Trek?
Joe

WK: The story is unusual and to do justice to it, you should really read "Warped Factors." I guarantee you will be surprised at how it all happened.

Q: Mr Koenig will you be invited to appear on Earth: Final Conflict - another Roddenberry series?
StarChaser

WK: I hear that the show is doing extremely well and that stories are well told. I've had no contact with anyone involved in it.

Q: Have you sat down lately and watched an old episode? and as you watch do you think how it could have been done better? regrets/joys?
Rom

WK: Generally speaking, I find it depressing to watch old episodes. Seeing oneself in the flush of youth -- not in the mirror -- but on celluloid (God, I'm so poetic) is disheartening. Additionally, I occasionally feel that the work could have been better and that leaves me feeling a trifle frustrated.

Q: Will you be getting over to the UK soon?
Heather

WK: I'll be in U.K. at a convention in August.

Q: Can you speak russian? George Takei mentioned that he could speak japanese but wasn't sure if you spoke fluent russian.
MadHatter

WK: I too speak fluent Japanese... But seriously doubt George knows a single word in Russian!

Q: Dare I ask about your relationship with William Shatner now, given all that has been said and written about him?
Glen

WK: My suggestion is that you pick up a copy of "Warped Factors." I think you'll find that I deal with the Bill Shatner controversy in reasonably even-handed manner.

Q: Where did you get Chekov's russian accent. what was your inspiration?
PonyBoy

WK: I have done several dialects on television and stage. My father spoke with a Russian accent, and although he was no longer with us when I started Star Trek, his speech probably influenced the accent that I used.

Q: How old were you when you first started acting?
BB

WK: I started when I was eight, but I didn't work professionally until I was close to 25.

Q: As an aspiring author, what advice do you have for me and others like me who are attempting thier first novel?
Aimee

WK: My advice to anyone who wants to express themselves in the arts is maintain your vision and your voice and try as hard as you can not to compromise your inspiration.

To all you folks who hung in during this hour, my appreciation as always for your continued support. If it weren't for the fans, there wouldn't be any Star Trek, or any other genre show of its kind.