Host: Welcome to our chat with Scott Bakula! He is calling in from his car -- he's at the Paramount security gate!

Scott Bakula: Hopefully they'll let me through! The arm of the gate has gone up!  I am now driving ON to the lot! I'm getting saluted as I drive onto the lot. I'm getting out of my car ... I'm walking towards you ...

eMailbag: There has been a huge amount of support from SaveEnterprise.com and EnterpriseProject.org. Would you like to say anything to those who've been so supportive in these past few months.

SB: The response has been incredible. The help that we've gotten from SaveEnterprise, the faxing the e-mailing, the letter-writing, all of that stuff that people have contributed, the positive response we've felt all year on the Internet, the USA Today poll, the positive response we've felt all season from the fans and the press, for the most part, helped sway the network and largely contributed to our fourth season. So I can't say thank you enough to everyone for supporting us this year.
 
Host: The most asked question for this chat is: How do you feel about the new timeslot for Enterprise?

SB: I think overall everyone's excited about it. I think Wednesday night has gotten busier in terms of competition, for instance, what do we have tonight, the finale of American Idol, that's a big one. I don't think we lose  a huge block of audience, but Friday nights will separate us. I think overall the studio's excited about it.  I think back to the days when Miami Vice was on Friday nights and was kind of the only show on Friday nights  and blossomed in the slot. Before then it was a death slot. From what I know about our fans they'll follow us anywhere. They're extremely loyal and, as evidenced by UPN's erratic scheduling, they've gotten very good  at finding us after five or six weeks sometimes, go by. So the big demand in the fall will be [to] come find us  on Fridays! We're counting on it! And because it's a new night for UPN, we have an opportunity to break that night out for UPN and for ourselves.

Host: When and how did you find out that Enterprise had been picked up for a fourth season?

SB: I got a call from Garry Hart [President, Paramount Television Production] in New York, on the sly, and he said I couldn't tell anybody. And I didn't. But it looked like we were coming back. But knowing this business as I do, I still didn't count on it until Thursday [May 20].

Host: The other most asked question is: How many endings did you film for "Zero Hour"?

SB: I hate to break the news to everyone and all of the conspiracy theorists out there, but we only shot one ending.

Host: There was much speculation that you might take on more of an executive producing-role next season. Is there any substance to those rumors?

SB: No.

Host: Any idea when the DVDs for Enterprise will hit the streets?

SB: I do not know. I don't have a clue. I think they have to max out on Voyager. So definitely long after the rest. You have to give people time to save up money.

Host: Lots of people want to know if there is anything to the rumor that William Shatner may make a guest appearance next year. Your thoughts?

SB: Would love to see it, but I know nothing about it.

Ian, Toronto: Hey Scott, it's been widely publicized that instead of a season-long arc, season 4 will have a 3-4 episode 'mini-arc' format.  What are your feelings on this, and what topics would you like to see covered in these arcs?

SB: I guess I missed the wide publicity, but everyone else seems to be more tied in than I am. The reality is that Rick [Berman] is in the midst of hiring a  writing staff as we speak. So there's been little or no work per se done, for next season. I think all  of that sounds like some of the things that I've heard but I'm not planning to sit down and talk with Rick for probably a few more weeks.

sportsfan: Congratulations on Enterprise being renewed for a fourth season.  I was just wondering when does filming for the new season start and can you give us any clues to your fourth year mission?Thanks and keep up the great work!

SB: We're guessing mid-July, we're easily three weeks behind last year's schedule because of the late pickup. We'll be shooting 22 episodes, instead of 26. I've been trying since I got on the lot to get us to 22.

RJ, Oregon: Knowing that it takes about the first 3 seasons for Star Trek of any kind on TV to really take off, how excited are you for the next season?
 
SB: Well, we're all very excited about the new season. I think we all feel that the show made huge strides this year in all areas. And we all feel that there's a lot left to do. It's exciting. I'm not sure where the writers are going to take  us, obviously we've been left in quite a predicatment, in the finale. And much like the finale to Season 2, I'm very anxious to figure out what they're going to do. And I think that they probably are also.

TRAP: I thoroughly enjoyed the super-charged Season 3 and how Archer's fierce determination won over most of the Xindi Council.  Will TPTB let Captain Archer deal with some of his regrettable choices he had to make?  It would be interesting to see how Archer tries to go back to his good-natured ways. See you on UPN next season!
Ciao

SB: I agree, it's been a great season for Archer. And as an actor I had to make a lot of interesting, careful choices about a lot of the events that happened and I think it's only natural that, when a human is forced to go against their nature, that they're going to be repercussions. I kind of liken it to war veterans and how they come out of it and how they integrate back into society, into their roles that they were assuming before they went into war. So for me the stage is laid for another season of character exploration and discovery that I hope will be interesting to everyone.

Host: It looks like the first season DVD set of Quantum Leap is due out soon?

SB: The Quantum Leap DVD set for the first season, which is  the first nine episodes, because it was only a half season, is due to be released on the 8th of June. And we all did some background interviews that I've seen cut together and they're quite wonderful.

Ralph D.: Scott you are great on Enterprise as Archer.  Is Wayne Brady really going to be on the show next fall?

SB: According to Rick and Brannon [Braga], when I asked them last year, they said "If we're back for another season, we'll get him on." I think they could write a really wonderful, creative character for him, a la Frank Gorshin or someone like that.

Clint B.: Now that Season 3 is over I'd like to know how you felt about doing a season long story arc. What was good and bad about it? Do you also enjoy doing episode-to-episode arcs where a continuing story may be brought back occasionally a la The Next Generation? I loved watching you and Dean [Stockwell] in Quantum Leap when I was growing up and I'm excited that you're now the captain of the first Starfleet ship to bear the name Enterprise. You and the crew keep up the good work!

SB: I enjoyed the season-long arc. We had probably five to six episodes that were stand-alones, I would say. But overall, I think there was an immediacy and an urgency that carried the season that I enjoyed. And again, arcs are only as good as the writers make them. And I felt that our writers succeeded above and beyond. I don't watch the show 24, but I feel that from what I know about that show, that we in a way did our own 24 this year, and very successfully.

Alljolson: Do you have any idea when Enterprise will be put into syndication?

SB: No I don't.

Stormie: Would you want to live in a Star Trek universe, whether on a ship or not?

SB: Yeah, I absolutely would love to live in the Star Trek universe.

Banedir: I have been a fan of Enterprise since episode one, but I have loved every minute of this year especially. Thank you so much. Can you tell us what it was like to do the interrogation scene in "Azati Prime"? I was really worried that there was no way it could have been comfortable for you! Thanks.

SB: Well, that was a long couple of days, there's no question of that. And it was very uncomfortable. But if you're working with good actors and the material is good, you can kind of work through the pain. And Scott MacDonald [Reptilian Commander Dolim] is a great actor and obviously Randy Oglesby [Degra], all of those guys that I spent the last couple of episodes with, Rick Worthy [Xindi-Arboreal] also and Tucker Smallwood [Xindi-Humanoid], were phenomenal. And we knew that we were making some really good cinema, so that's what I get paid for sometimes.

Lisa: Thanks for a great 3rd Season!!!!! Have you worked on any new projects over this hiatus?  Thanks again for taking the time to "chat" with us tonight!

SB: I have not worked on any to this point.

Mishti: Hi Scott! Congratulations on getting a fourth season! I think the audience should be able to catch Archer singing to Porthos — and it should remain a secret from the crew.  What do you think? Thanks.

SB: I think that Archer singing to Porthos and Porthos singing to Archer is not a bad idea. He could howl and I could howl back.

Sheila: Hi, hope you are well. I am from England and so by the time your chat room is going on, it will be too late for me. Have you any plans to visit England? Or have you ever visited England and if so, which part and did you like it?

SB: I don't have any current plans to visit England, but I have visited in the past, a couple of times and and I loved every place I visited. I visited London and Bath, family in West Bromwich, I think I visited Oxford and all the sights in London. I'm anxious to go back. Hopefully the next time I'm back, I'll be doing theatre there. As I have been asked several times.

Sheila: Will you write a biography ? (Here's hoping!) I do not have a computer at home and am sending this from work, so I'll probably get into trouble, but it will be worth it if my questions actually get to you. Keep doing what you are doing. We love you in England too!

SB: [RE: Biography] I hope not.

Alcott1126: When I hear you speak of your kids, I get the impression you are a gentle and compassionate dad. What is the best piece of advice you can give on child rearing, based on your own experiences? Thanks.

SB: Get help. Get advice from everyone you can. It's the hardest job and none of us are prepared for it.

Z. Cochrane: Hello. Scott! I'm from Russia and I think it will be interesting for you to know that there are a lot of fans of Scott Bakula and Enterprise in my country. We have been watching the Enterprise's adventures up to this moment. And it's intresting for me to know how has Star Trek and Enterprise influenced your life? Would you like to visit Russia? Thank you. P.S. Sorry that it's so long...:-)

SB: First, yes I would love to visit Russia. And certainly, doing Enterprise has brought a greater awareness into my life about the future and our country's future in space and how we're going to proceed off this planet. And then it refocuses your attention on all of the troubling issues that exist on our own planet.

Stephanie from Paris: Thanks to Scott for this new chat. I'm from Paris and here we are only at the end of Season 1. I'd like to know if Scott ever considered coming to France, for instance in Cannes for the festival? There are many French fans who would love to welcome him here! Thanks a lot to Scott for his kindness towards the fans, he is the greatest!

SB: I actually was in Paris around the spring of '93 to promote Quantum, or over there "Code." I had a wonderful time. And I later visited Paris again to celebrate my wife's 40th birthday and hopefully we'll get back there again as we've been told that Star Trek doesn't do  well in France. And I've told everyone I know that I don't believe that and that Enterprise should change all of that.

Question: Hello My name is Jerell and I have Cerebral Palsy I wanted to say Thank You -- When you were on Quantum Leap you Portrayed Jimmy, a person with Down Syndrome as well as the Physically Challenged Vet. You really made the viewer feel, in my opinion, they could relate and understand the situations we/I go through being physically challenged. You were part of a voice that advocated for those with disabilities by your portrayal of these characters and for that I want to say Thank You for your Work, and for being part of the Voice. I also want to say I love Enterprise and I am a member of http://saveenterprise.com

SB: Thank you for watching and being a part of this chat. I was very proud of many of the issues that we took on with Quantum Leap and I'm proud to be part of a show again that deals with similar kinds of issues.

jr: Do you think, now that time has passed, that you could talk Mr. Bellisario into sending Dr. Sam Beckett home? I think I am probably the only Quantum Leap fan, who did not get the ending! Oh, and I am so loving Enterprise! I hope you get to do more time-travel episodes. Hopefully, we'll get to see the future Mrs. Archer.

SB: Many people didn't get the ending to Quantum Leap, and just so you don't feel bad, remember that when Don wrote the last show, he didn't know it would be the last show, so he tried to come up with an idea that would satisfy a cliffhanger, the end of the show, allow for a movie or a  movie of the  week. And when you look at the last episode that way, I have always felt he did an incredible job. But my 8 year-old son is deeply disturbed that Sam didn't get home.

SB: I have no idea about the future Mrs. Archer. If you're referring to the storyline in "E2," you must remember that at the end of that episode, depending on how you choose to interpret it, the future Mrs. Archer may not exist. I have been told that we're going to deal with the time-travel issues that were unresolved before we entered the Expanse. But no promises.

Host: We are going to ask a few more questions now... LIVE!

Question: What do you think of water polo? As I am playing it in high school, I thought that is was really cool your charcter was into it. Will we ever get to see Captain Archer in a game of water polo? Or at least get to see you bounce that ball off the wall a little more?

SB: I love the sport of water polo, and I appreciate how difficult it is to play. I played it when I was very young.  And I think the fourth season would be a perfect time to get all of us into bathing suits.  We'll put Porthos into one of those little safety rings.

simon c: Is Scott Bakula your real name or is that one of those really cool made up stage names?

SB: My real name is Denny Crane.  [That is the name of William Shatner's character on the new The Practice spinoff.  He was kidding of course.]

designationlocutus: Star Trek is often a metaphor for current events and issues within its storylines. In your opinion, what message do you think this season of Star Trek: Enterprise conveys to the world we live in today?

SB: Well, the show has historically paralleled many issues on our planet.  I think the big message this year had to do with retaliation, revenge, miscommunications, greed and the need for a race to dominate and create a safe place for themselves.  If that sounds familiar to anyone, or rings a bell with any current events, I won't argue, but I will say that many people at the beginning of the season felt that we were going to be compelled to strike back and be destructive and I found that definitely a sign of the times.  As that certainly is not in keeping with Roddenberry's vision or any other Star Trek philosophies.

Question: What did you think of Archer's actions in "Damage"? Do you think the ends justify the means? What would you have done in his situation?

SB: I think that it was a challenging, complicated episode and I think any episode of television that can stir a response that's emotional and controversial is good television.  I can't answer really what I would have done if it were me, because I don't think you can answer those questions hypothetically. You have to be in the moment and living with that reality and only then are you able to look into your own heart and make those kinds of choices.  But I don't think Archer had any choice.

Shaka1000109: Did you like working with Casey Biggs?

SB: Yes, I liked working with Casey. It was again an uncomfortable episode for me and for Archer and it was an adversarial and distancing relationship in the scenework and sometimes that affects your off-camera relationship.  But obviously Casey is a pro and he's been around here before and he did a great job.

set-in-Japan: Scott: Archer often gets important calls in the middle of the night ... is this just an excuse to get your shirt off?

SB: Well, as I was told early on, day and night don't really have much meaning in space. You're basically either on-duty or off duty and certainly this year, I was hardly ever off-duty. But the writers don't go out of their way to get my shirt off, with the exception of Phyllis [Strong].

Question: Scott, since Jolene laughs so funny, do you ever get "influenced" by her laugh so that it starts making you laugh?

SB: Jolene makes us all laugh at odd things and her laugh certainly is one of them.  But we tend to have probably too much fun on the set and sometimes drive our producers a little batty because of it.

ToolPackinMama: Scott, do you have any actual relationship with "Porthos"?

SB: No, Porthos is a professional, well-trained canine who, while he is -- and I use the term "he" loosely -- friendly on the set, he tends to hang out with the other dogs in his van between scenes.

PhotonDorito: Do you ever get tired of of the show, and filming, or is it always just new and fun?

SB: I think there are times, certainly when you've been on the set 18 hours, that everybody gets a little blurry-eyed and wondering what they're doing there, but for the most part, we have a great time and when you work as many hours as we do, it helps pass the time.

Host: The show is about to start here on the West Coast!

cochran: As the 1st captain of a starship named Enterprise, don't you think it's time for Archer to set an example and finally find a love interest?

SB: I don't think it would ever be possible for me to.  I don't think there's enough time or episodes to find enough love interests to ever lay the groundwork for James T. Kirk.  Plus, you have to leave some of those babes out there for him to find.

BWMKappaSig: Scott: What was your reaction to the death of Major Hayes?

SB: Well, I was somewhat surprised by it when I read the script. But I felt that he had done a great job this season for us, and the MACOs served a good purpose and it seemed fitting, it seemed noble, heroic, and it really brought a lot to Reed's character.  We'll miss him, obviously, but I think it was impactful for the show.  And, realistic.

SB: So, everybody on the west coast, shut it down, go watch the show and we'll talk in the fall on Friday, sometime in September.  Thank you all so much for all your support! We'll be back!  Signed, the Governor.

Host: Scott -- Once again, thanks very much for a great chat!

Host: And thanks to all of you for the great questions!

lmn: thanks scott, see you in Sept!

RandyCasino: THANKS FOR A GREAT SEASON

Admiral Myer: Thanks, Bye!

DavidN: thank you very much scott

Host: Goodnight everyone!

Q: Will see you Scott in 10 weeks

kook: bye scott

alfa119: cheers

SueJBakula: Thanks for you "short" time with us Scott

alfa119: have a great summer.. scott