Host: Welcome to today's Special Event chat with Robert Picardo.

Robert Picardo: Hello everyone, it's your Doctor speaking, Robert Picardo. Get on all fours, arch your back and cough.

Kieran: In Australia we will tonight see episode 2 of Season 7 for the first time (our network's syndication schedule here is awfully behind), so for someone with most of the final season still to watch for the first time, can you let us know what your favourite moments are in the 7th season?

RP: I suppose my favorite was the moment the Doctor believes his program is about to be irrevocably lost, and he blurts out his love for Seven. And then, of course, he doesn't disappear. He stands there with egg on his face. It was great fun to play.

AutisticVulcan: What would you say you and the Doctor have in common?

RP: A large forehead. A dry wit. And affection for women in catsuits.

SusanM: I'm sending a hello from Northern Virginia. (I worked your table for you the last time you were in DC). My question is what projects do you have in the works?

RP: I am about to play Mr. Babcock, the bank trustee, in "Mame" at the Hollywood Bowl starring Michele Lee. Fred Willard, John Schneider, Alan Thicke and Christine Ebersole are also in the cast. Then in early fall, I am going to create a role in a new musical based upon a Broadway show I was in in my early 20s called "Gemini".

This time I will play my father (laughs) — the role played by Danny Aiello in the Broadway production when I was a kid. I'm really looking forward to revisiting the material. The show will be at the (Hal) Prince Music Theater in Philadelphia in October.

Georgia: Did you enjoy your time in Germany in May and FedCon? I really loved you on stage.

RP: Yes, very much so. The German fans are the most enthusiastic, and by far the best clappers in the universe. (laughs)

I was also flirted with by two beautiful 18-year-old German fans who explained that together they added up to 36 years old. And I explained that that was still too young. But it was very flattering. (Laughs) Perhaps they'll get older and I'll get younger.

Tim: Hi Mr. Picardo, Did you realize how big of an impact the Doctor was going to make on Star Trek history? Your character created one of the most famous lines in "Trek" history ("Please state the nature of the medical emergency"), created a whole new racial argument in his fight for freedom, and made everyone that watched Voyager appreciate their humanity every single day. Thanks for your awesome character and your huge contribution to Star Trek.

RP: Yes, I planned all that from day one (laughs) — just kidding.

I was completely caught off guard by the character's popularity, but delighted by the great storylines the writers came up with for the Doctor. Had I known more about Star Trek going in, perhaps I would've anticipated some of the character's potential, but being a relative newcomer to the saga helped me in a funny way.

I think the process of my own discovery paralleled my character's desire to extend himself beyond his original capabilities. So I suppose it all worked out better than had I entered the experience with a lot of expectations and other baggage.

Funny: Have you been in contact with any of the Voyager cast?

RP: Yes, frequently. I see Ethan Phillips the most, but I am in contact with all of them on a fairly regular basis. During the course of the year I see them all at least once.

HoloDoctorFan: There's probably this bit of trivia somewhere, but did you and Ethan Phillips ("Neelix") tell each other about the Voyager auditions while you were working on "Wagons East"? Or were you just delighted to see each other the first time you got the official cast list?

RP: When I was cast as the Doctor, I was tentatively slated to work on a Joe Dante movie. I needed an actor who looked enough like me to play my brother... and I recommended Ethan Phillips. When I called his agent to pass on the tip, I discovered that Ethan and I had been cast in the same pilot and didn't know it yet.

I also found out that he got the role of Neelix, the part that I initially preferred. I was pissed off until I saw the makeup. (laughs)

captainpittykitty: Hi, if they made a Star Trek: Voyager movie, what would the title of the movie be?

RP: "Star Trek XI: The Cheap Actors"

Lardutes: Were you upset that the Doctor never got a name?

RP: I'd like to see him get his name in 70mm.

In fact, there's your title for Star Trek XI: "Star Trek: Doctor Who No More"

JP: What do you think of Enterprise, and would you consider being a guest?

RP: I think the cast is very strong and I've enjoyed the opportunities I've had recently to spend time around John Billingsley, Anthony Montgomery, and Connor Trinneer.

I was offered an episode last season that Roxann directed, but couldn't do it because I was shooting the short-lived "Lyon's Den."

Late last August, I stopped in to see Brannon and told him I'd enjoy doing the show but I wanted to try to avoid heavy rubber:  Suppose I played a great-great-great-ancestor of the Doctor's programmer, Lewis Zimmerman, who was vigorously opposed to the development of artificial intelligence.

When I spoke to my pal Brent Spiner yesterday, I found out they're doing exactly the same story with Data in a three-part episode, which he and I both thought was a remarkable coincidence. I would love to get a phone call from Brannon about this "remarkable coincidence" as it really is remarkable. Perhaps he'll call. That too would be remarkable. (Laughs)

Romel: How did it feel working with Jeri Ryan?

RP: How did it feel working with Jeri Ryan? What can I say? Once I broke the habit of staring at her between shots, it became extremely comfortable and a great deal of fun. Jeri has a very goofy streak, and loves to laugh. We really enjoyed our scenes together.

Q: In the fourth season episode "Message in a Bottle", the Doctor is tranferred to a ship in the Alpha Quadrant called the U.S.S. Prometheus. Did you enjoy acting in a different environment besides the Sickbay and Voyager?

RP: "Message in a Bottle" is perhaps the broadest comedy we attempted on Voyager. I have at least two line readings that sound like Walter Matthau. Working with Andy Dick was a great deal of fun, and once I got over my fears that we would get a close-up box in TV Guide with some frightening blurbs ("Picardo Handles Dick Adroitly" ... "Picardo and Dick, What A Pair" ... "Picardo Seems Complete with Dick") ... I looked forward to the show airing and the fans' response.

USA Today called us the "Frasier and Niles of Space."

John Doe: My favorite episode is "Tinker ,Tenor, Doctor, Spy" did you participate in the creation of the script?

RP: Only marginally. Joe Menosky asked me for a list of what the Doctor's fantasies might be. Needless to say, a life drawing of Seven of Nine was the first suggestion I made.  And the first one to be put in the script (laughs).  Sometimes having a 14-year-old male trapped in my adult male body makes me come up with ideal suggestions for our ideal demographic.

Ethan Phillips just called on my cellphone, so he's going to answer the next question with you.

ElectricBolt: What was the funniest thing you did as "The Doctor" on Voyager?

RP: According to Ethan Philips, we didn't do anything funny together on the set.  He said we did some funny stuff in the trailer, but we don't want that to get out.  See, I told you we were good pals. (Hangs up phone)

rho_ophiuchi: What kind of music do you like? (How about opera?)

RP: I listen, not to whole operas, but to great arias. I am not really knowledgeable about great opera, but I appreciate the artistry of the great singers.

I listen to a very eclectic blend of music. Someone recently got me started on the Italian singer Adriano Celentano, whom I like very much.

Borg_Hunter: Whose idea was it to make the Doctor more mobile?

RP: That was Brannon Braga's idea, so that we could have more stories that included the Doctor set outside Sickbay or the holodeck.  I was initially not in favor — I thought the Doctor's limitations were part of what made him interesting — but Brannon was certainly right about the "mobile emitter."

Ensign Pryce: Was that really you singing in the later episodes of Voyager, if so have you ever considered recording an album?

RP: I did all of my singing except for the second half of "Virtuoso." The Don Carlo duet and Rondino al Nido are voiced by an opera singer... Augostino Castellnano (I hope I spelled that correctly). He's a terrific guy.  I simply couldn't sing high enough or well enough to pull them off, but I did my own singing in "The Swarm," "Tinker, Tenor...," "Renaissance Man," "Someone to Watch Over Me" and all the others.

I also have two CDs of my singing — mostly comedy — available on my Web site, RobertPicardo.com, and at personal appearances.  So much for my cheap plug!

gregsmith100: Mr. Picardo, do you ever feel that your character got too much attention?

RP: Well ... I don't know how to answer that. I think that the Doctor, because of his beginning as an untried technology, had the most distance to cover as a character development arc. I think the character's ability and my ability to handle comic and dramatic moments with equal success made him fun for the writers to create for.

So I don't think he necessarily got too much attention. But if you do, I certainly apologize (laughs).

libinspace: If you could ask the fans a question, what would it be?

RP: What would YOU like to see happen in the future of the Star Trek franchise? Then I would take that information and sell it to Paramount ... and retire. (laughs)

DataLore: You seem to enjoy playing doctors! Which was your favorite role though? Your China Beach role, or your Voyager role?

RP: I liked both of them very much, for different reasons.  China Beach was gritty, character-driven, and about a very painful time in our country's history. I think the show meant a lot to Vietnam War veterans and their families. I think it helped stimulate discussion about that war. And I think the lessons of China Beach and other good Vietnam dramas are especially pertinent at this moment in time.

Doing great science fiction like Voyager has its own unique challenges. I think the biggest thing the two roles had in common was that both characters are committed to saving lives.  The essential drama of a medical emergency is the same, whether it's the 20th or 24th century. And whenever we did such a scene in Voyager, I would flash back to our China Beach shoots.

Guest: Mr. Picardo you've been on many TV shows and movies as a guest star or as one of the primary actors, to date what has been your best acting experience?

RP: Usually it's the role I'm most afraid to play. Two years ago, I carried a musical called "A Class Act" on my shoulders, playing the central character. That was a very rewarding experience. Many years ago I played the lead in a play called "The Normal Heart." It was about New York City's response to the AIDS epidemic in the early 80s. It was emotionally exhausting to perform, and also a very rewarding experience.

I suppose this means that live theater, because of the immediacy of the communication with your audience, seems to furnish the most memorable moments.

Susan: Hi Bob! What is the strangest thing a fan has ever asked you to do, and have you ever been to conventions in Scotland? Love and hugs from the Bonnie banks of Loch Lomond!

RP: I have appeared twice in Glasgow. What a beautiful country Scotland is (I made a brief day trip to Edinburgh).

I was given a gift by a fan in Alabama who carved tombstones for a living. He gave me a small marble memorial with the character's image on it, and my name. It's very hard to explain to airport security why you have a tombstone in your carry-on bag. You have to mumble something lame about how you had a premonition about this particular trip. The tombstone sits in my garden, and is a great conversation piece. And I suppose, someday, it'll save me some money! (laughs)

Song_Of_Hologram: All of us in Montreal are waving at you with big Canadian smiles. Are your daughters interested in theatre as well?

RP: My older daughter (15 and a half) is interested in theater, and will be part of the Acting Conservatory program at her high school next year — presuming she auditions successfully.

My younger daughter wants to be a director or a producer. But I think that's just because she's tired of asking me for money and wants to turn the tables on me as soon as possible. I'd actually like that very much. (Laughs)

Guest: What is your favorite sport?

RP: Hmm. I don't play any team sports, although I exercise daily. I suppose baseball is still my favorite sport, though I don't watch any sport religiously.

Asclepius: In "Darkling," your character had a final speech concerning the Hippocratic oath. As a medical student, I am surprised that many fellow students are unfamiliar with the oath. Do you think "do no harm" is just an ideal or that the oath should be taken literally?

RP: I thought all doctors still took the Hippocratic Oath upon the completion of their training. I'm surprised to hear your colleagues are not familiar with it. I think that it is an ideal that should be lived up to, although I'm not certain what that does to The Swan.

Syllogist: Hey Doc, I was wondering if playing the EMH on Voyager really piqued your interest in the neurosciences and the nature of the mind, and if so, have you endeavored in the fields of neurochemistry, neurobiology, or the philosophy of the mind?

RP: (Laughs) I am flattered by your high opinion of my abilities. I was a biology major in college, and I do have an interest in these subjects, but am not conversant with the intricacies of these disciplines. Oh, for the days of the glib question! And the equally glib answer!

Wesley2104: Was there ever a time on the show that you wished your character was not a hologram?

RP: Whenever we had a scene with real food in it, and the food smelled good.

One of my fondest memories of Voyager is from the early episode "Heroes and Demons" when I'm gnawing on a large leg of holographic lamb as I am telling a story. The best way to keep me from chewing the scenery was to give me a leg of lamb.

Angel Dion: What is your favourite restaurant and what is your favourite dish?

RP: I am happiest at Italian and Indian restaurants, and I love to cook myself. Of all the many dishes I make, my favorite is fresh spinach pizza, because it was my grandmother's specialty, and I feel I'm carrying on a tradition.

GarrickM: Dear Sir, It is an amazing coincidence that my favourite character from Trek is doing an interview on my birthday, so I have to ask a question. I always wondered in the final season of Voyager in "Life Line" where you treat your characte'rs creator, Did you enjoy acting against yourself, playing two character opposites?

RP: I found it a great pleasure to work with myself. I found myself to be demanding, enthusiastic, generous of spirit, and of unfailing good humor.  Although, I did have a tendency to talk about myself too much to myself.  There was also the gnawing fear that I would not be able to measure up to myself.  But, when all was said and done, I had to give myself very high marks, and I would recommend working with me to anyone. (Laughs)

Happy birthday, and I hope that someday you have an equally rewarding time with yourself. And I don't mean "that" way.

draderman: Hi Robert I was just wondering if you could remember your favorite Christmas present as a kid.

RP: I would have to say my first two-wheeler.

I'd like to say this as a sign-off, I'd like to encourage all Star Trek fans to check out the Planetary Society Web site at planetary.org. I am on the advisory board of the society and a great supporter of their mission, which is to encourage the manned exploration of space and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (other than me).

Host: Thank you very much for another entertaining chat!

RP: My best to you all. Go boldly... and, if necessary, baldly.

Host: And thanks to all of you for attending and sending in those great questions.

Chris444: Thanks Robert!!

PicardData: Thanks Mr. Picardo!

Host: Don't forget to buy "The Hologram's Handbook" - available at Amazon.

You should also look for the CD version - available at RobertPicardo.com and at "Star Trek: The Experience" in Las Vegas.

If you miss the Doctor's voice, buy the CD-audiobook version!

vulcan3324: Thank you so much for coming today!!!

Angel Dion: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for chatting with us!

everythingsroses: Bob, Thanks for stopping by to chat , let's do it again sometime! Keep the great performances coming. : D

Ripley: Best of luck to you!

Koenig Warrior: Thanks you for chatting Mr. Picardo!

Corianne: Thank you! And keep up the good work!

InuYasha: YOU'RE GREAT! Have a wonderful day Mr. Picardo