Question: Hi, Mr. Frakes. You and most other actors from the ST: TNG, ST: DS9, and ST: VOY have taken part in Disney's Gargoyles. Is there a reason that Disney has asked most Star Trek actors to be on the show and are you still working with Disney on making anymore episodes?
WallyDMNW

Jonathan Frakes: I think Gargoyles has been cancelled, but Disney and Paramount obviously have the same good taste in actors.

Q: Which do you prefer, work on Stage, Film or Television (acting) or Directing?
TheTick

JF: I like to bounce around among all these formats. You are treated better as an actor than you are as a director.

Q: What was your "big break" or favorite role?
SuedeMeister

JF: In New York, I was picked from a cattle call to be in the cast of a Broadway musical called Shenandoah.

Q: What was your career like prior to working on Star Trek?
Sternman

JF: Years as the guest villain of the week on various TV shows... some good, some not so good.

Q: Would you like to do stage work with Patrick (Stewart)?
SMN

JF: I have had the privilege in Every Good Boy Deserves Favour, and I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with Mr. Stewart again.

Q: I have heard that Patrick Stewart and Brent Spiner Scuba Dive, Do you?
Scubanut

JF: I have. But I would never go underwater with an android.

Q: Would you direct another Star Trek movie? If so, have you been asked to do the next one? I loved First Contact and hope that you direct another movie. You have an excellent future as a director.
PKFARBER

JF: Of course. I'd love to. I have not been asked to direct the next one.

Q: There has been a lot of controversy lately about Sports Stars and Actors charging fans for autographs and snubbing fans when approached for a signature what do you thing about this?
OdoWoman46

JF: I try not to snub fans. I learned from my wife if that it weren't for them, we wouldn't be here.

Q: Do you have a computer? Do you surf the internet?
Mookie

JF: Yes to one, and no to two.

Q: Do you enjoy voice-over work? I loved the LA Times ad I heard you in, it was in a movie theater.
Locutus

JF: Yes, I'd love to do more voice-over work, but Patrick Stewart seems to have the market cornered :-)

Q: As a fellow trombone player I'd like to know how long you've been playing and do you ever perform, if so, where do you play?
JRotunda

JF: I've been playing trombone since I was in 4th grade. And I've played at Under the Hill in Natchez, Mississippi. That was my last gig.

Q: Is your wife ever going to show up in any Star Trek episodes or the next movie?
JPL

JF: I hope so. We're still working on that.

Q: What did you name your 2nd baby?
johnnynicktroy

JF: Elizabeth Francis Frakes.

Q: Did you really eat those worms in Conspiracy?
Howard

JF: Unfortunately, grub worms did cross my lips.

Q: Where you ever jealous of "Luke" Tony Geary?
Howard

JF: Only his perm.

Q: Where did you meet your wife?
Howard

JF: On a short-lived mini-series called Bare Essence, but we fell in love on another mini-series called North and South.

Q: I know he was only on the episode briefly, but what was it like meeting Stephen Hawking?
Hawking

JF: I was most impressed with his sense of humor.

Q: Do you own a bike? I saw you on a Harley in Harper Valley PTA, Do you really ride?
Harley69

JF: Yes I was (really riding). My character's name was "Clutch Breath," and my biker chick's name was "Twin Carbs" played by Star Trek guest star Jill Jacobson.

Q: Out of all the characters in The Next Generation (apart from yourself) who did you like best?
H_Salehy

JF: I'm a huge Data fan.

Q: Congratulations on the new baby!!! How tall are you anyway? You tower over Stewart and Spiner.
EnterprizD

JF: Thank you! I am 6'4".

Q: Did you ever want to destroy an episode that you did? Something you thought just should not have been made.
ByronD

JF: We tried to get the racist "Code of Honor" episode out of the loop.

Q: Are you going to be doing any conventions?
ByronD

JF: Absolutely! Farpoint convention in Maryland (October 11 & 12), and several others pending.

Q: All successful television shows, especially science fiction, create opportunites for the actors but also the risk of typecasting. Do you have mixed feelings about being strongly identified with the role of Riker and Star Trek? Will you be acting and/or directing in any non-Star Trek productions in the near future?
brian_blackmore

JF: I've always said: better to be typecast than not to be cast at all!

Q: What current non-Trek projects are you working on now (other than daddyhood)?
68199719300

JF: I have become the official spokesperson for the paranormal, in case you haven't noticed. (More laughter)

Q: What is your opinion on UFO's or life on other worlds be it intelligent or not? Do you feel that the discovery of Extraterrestrial life will destroy the fabric of society by throwing our religious and moral beliefs out the door or do you feel that it will strengthen our ties with each other and our various gods.
ZedAlpha

JF: That's a question that Gene Roddenberry would never have answered.

Q: Hey Mister Big Actor, Mister Director, Mister Big MILLIONAIRE don't you think it's about time you ordered your OWN fruit dish instead of always stealing ours?? SHEESH!
Kristina

JF: It's not the fruit...

Q: I am an (amateur) actor/director myself. What is it like to direct a Star Trek episode? Even a film? do you always or generally get on with the cast? Esp. Patrick Stewart.
Paul

JF: I do generally get on with the cast -- probably because I am one of them. And Patrick Stewart is, in fact, a delight.

Q: What are your current projects? Do you intend to continue acting or are you going to concentrate on directing?
Joan

JF: I'd be very happy to bounce back and forth, if I would be so lucky.

Q: I've heard rumors that Riker may end up with a ship at the end of ST:9, and that this would lead into a 5th series which would feature Riker, Worf, Dax & Nog. Is this at all true?
Spruce

JF: Every word... but we're still considering Nog.

Q: Do you think you are a lot like your character? if so, how?
USSDestiny

JF: I think, ironically, the character has become more like me.

Q: How old are you?
Tim

JF: 44.

Q: Hello, are you in this chat right now (so I know if you are there to ask you more questions)
Matthew

JF: Yes! Here I am! Jameson is also taking questions.

Q: What are the pros and cons of directing a movie as opposed to directing an episode?
Trish

JF: The pros are the time, the budget, the scope. The cons are the risk and scrutiny.

Q: Jon, do you think Star Trek will survive and be as popular 20 years from now?
John

JF: I certainly think Star Trek will survive. We've made it 30 years. 20 more should be a piece of gagh.

Q: Does directing and acting in the same film raise your stress levels?
Trish

JF: Absolutely. Without a doubt. How could it not?

Q: Do you think Will or Tom Riker will guest star in any more episodes?
Denora

JF: I keep hoping Thomas Riker will resurface on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.

Q: Do you read science-fiction, and if so who is your favorite writer?
JRG3

JF: I don't read science fiction... except for Star Trek scripts. Q: What was the worst hair you ever had in ST:TNG? (In Unification, perhaps?)
Tigger

JF: I like that question. And there have been so many bad hair days for Riker, it's really been hard to choose.

(we're going to take a short break while Jonathan takes Jameson down the hall...) Q: After directing Star Treks #3 & 4, Leonard Nimoy Directed a non Trek film "Three Men And A Baby". Do you have any plans to do a non Trek film?
Rowdy Randy

JF: Absolutely. I am looking for a departure from Star Trek as we speak.

Q: Has anyone ever told you that you look a lot like Orson Welles
Ryan Bennett

JF: More than once. I would love to do the Orson Welles story.

Q: Have you seen Patrick's new movie "Conspiracy Theory", I heard he's not a very nice man in it. Your thoughts.
Chris

JF: I haven't seen it yet, but I am looking forward to it. I like the glasses.

Q: Patrick Stewart has a background in the classics, where did you get your schooling? Would you prefer the stage to the screen?
Scott

JF: I went to Penn State, I went to Harvard, I went to New York. And the stage is great.

Q: If you could spend one hour on a real holodeck, who and where would you like to see?
RANDY

JF: I would have gone to the Halfnote in the 30's and seen Billie Holiday.

Q: Would you be interested in appearing with the entire TNG cast on DS9 if Worf and Dax get married?
Damon

JF: Only if I could be the ring bearer.

Q: Have you ever met the legendary Buddy Hacket? If so, do you have any good quotes?
Udo

JF: Dear Udo: Buddy was kind enough to give me a pair of his used sweat socks, which you will find in your desk drawer in the morning.

Q: Who are your favorite sports teams in football and basketball?
jef

JF: The Raiders and the Lakers.

Q: Boxers or briefs?
todale

JF: Briefs.

Q: I heard that Patrick has already signed on for the next movie. Have you or anyone else signed on as well?
J. J.

JF: I'm hoping I'll be sitting next to Patrick on the bridge, as usual.

Q: Is Patrick Stewart the one who plays all of the practical jokes on the cast members or is it Worf?
CAB

JF: They are equally responsible.

Q: How old is Jameson and has he ever done any acting?
RSparks

JF: Jameson is almost 3 (but he claims he's 4). Acting... not professionally.

Q: Jameson--Do you like to watch your daddy on the t.v. Do you ever get to go and watch at the studio?
Patty E.

Jameson Frakes: Yeah. I've seen the Borg.

JF: ( -- before the rest of you!)

Q: Are you a Beavis & Butthead fan ?
Matt

JF: No, but I still respect Patrick, who I know worships them.

Q: Congrats on the new baby! How is his big brother taking all of this? As a fellow '40-something' - my hat is off to you both! How is it so far juggling career and 'daddy-hood'...and how does your wife get thru it all?
KayTee

JF: As you know, every day is a challenge.

Q: Are you enjoying this interface or would you rather talk to your fans at a convention?
USSIntrepid

JF: I am enjoying this format, and I don't have to wear a suit!

Q: Jonathan, we have a group of regular people that are in the Starfleet lounge every night. Could you say hello so those that were not able to join the chat tonight will see it when they read the transcript?
Troi

JF: I raise a Romulan Ale to all of you in the Starfleet Lounge!

Q: If your children want to become actors later on as they grow, will you support them or direct them away from it?
SharronLukens

JF: I will support them in whatever they decide to do. I hope they choose a more stable profession.

Q: Did you find it difficult critiquing your work as an actor in First Contact from a director's point of view?
Beri

JF: Frankly, I was pleased with Riker's performance in Star Trek: First Contact! He was either relaxed, or tired.

Q: Do you plan to go to Las Vegas to visit the Star Trek ride when (and if) it opens?
PCMOS

JF: Absolutely! I am part of the Star Trek ride. LeVar (Burton) and I are the hosts.

Q: Hello Jamison. Is it cool to have Frakes for a dad?
Morbits

Jameson Frakes: (nods and smiles)

Q: How do you feel being involved with Star Trek has affected you personally?
Super-J

JF: It has provided me with a security that I never thought I'd have, and it's an association that I am constantly proud of.

Q: You're getting questions from all over the world through cyber-space. Where are you responding from [please be more specific than the blue planet, Earth]. Thank you.
Beta 6

JF: First floor, Marathon Building, Paramount Studios. Room 1201. :-)

Q: When can we expect to see you in a comedy ? Your expressions make you a natural
ke6tfb

JF: I am available! Call my agent.

Q: I suspect you read to your children. What's your favorite Dr. Seuss book?
JRice

JF: Fox in Socks is our favorite.

Q: As a director (First Contact), what are the advantages of the WESCAM camera system?
Roger

JF: Mobility.

Q: Do you ever return to the Lehigh Valley?
gil3321

JF: Regularly. We'll be going back again to show off our new granddaughter.

Q: Were there any guest stars on the show that you particularly enjoyed working with?
Mike

JF: Jean Simmons, John de Lancie, Hallie Todd, Dwight Shultz.

Q: Mr. Frakes, were you extremely happy when Star Trek: First Contact was the highest gross earning film from all the previous Star Trek films? Furthermore, do you feel this was due to your director skills or a good script and good actors
drspin

JF: Yes, and all of the above.