Actor John Billingsley (Dr. Phlox on Star Trek: Enterprise) was a special guest this evening [07-31-2005] on the Trek Fans United chat room Website.
He took questions from many of its members who attended the chat. Slice of SciFi was represented by our News Manager and several of our News Consultants. The following are some highlights from that interview which lasted over 1 1/2 hours.
SoSF:
Do you foresee a Star Trek: Enterprise movie in the future, with the original cast members?
JB:
No. The contract expired when the show was cancelled. If anything were to ever happen again, re. our cast returning, it would have to be a brand new negotiation.
TU:
John, if Enterprise get’s a Season 5, will you continue to star as Phlox…?
JB:
God knows I’m not busy, and I hate to be a wet blanket, there is truly, absolutely no way it is ever going to return.
SoSF:
Will we see you on Stargate SG-1 again any time soon?
JB:
Unfortunately there is no chance in hell of coming back.
TU:
You had a shirtless beefcake shot in ‘Bounty.’ How did that feel?
JB:
Beefcake! What are you drinkin’? Cupcake, maybe.
SoSF:
John, say a new Star Trek show launches and you get offered, as a guest role in one of the episodes… would you accept the offer and star in the episode (as Phlox or another character)?
JB:
Absolutely. Either one.
TU:
Do you stay in contact with any of the other cast members?
JB:
The cast is not in close contact right now, but no doubt we will be bumping into one another down the road. Dominick and I will be appearing at a Con in New Zealand in Oct., and I’m sure I’ll be seeing Connor fairly soon since we have a lot of friends in common.
SoSF:
What did you like most about Dr. Phlox; and least.
JB:
Least is easy. Putting on the rubber head. What I like most about him was his positivism and Zen outlook.
TU:
What was it like wearing the Goa’uld Armour in Stargate? It looked heavy and quite uncomfortable.
JB:
I would use more salty language than that, but you’ve captured its essence.
TU:
What are your feelings about “These Are The Voyages”…..?
JB:
I didn’t care much for that episode myself.
SoSF:
What, if any, kind of future do you think the Star Trek franchise has with Paramount?
JB:
I don’t think the franchise is dead. I think it is going to sleep for a few years. But I am sure another incarnation of Star Trek will appear down the road, but under ‘new management.’
TU:
John, do you watch any Sci-Fi on TV…..”
JB:
I don’t watch a lot of television. I’m a big reader. I did read a wonderful Sci-fi novel recently, ‘Gun With Occasional Music’ by Jonathan Lethem….
TU:
Do you ever read any Star Trek novels?
JB:
No, I don’t.
TU:
Phlox was a great character and I loved his positive outlook on life. Are you a ‘glass half full’ or ‘glass half empty’ kind of guy?
JB:
Depends upon what’s in the glass.
TU:
John, do you plan on doing a lot of conventions in the future?
JB:
I’m happy to do conventions as my career allows. Personally, I much prefer small and more intimate gatherings, than the large and more inpersonal conventions. The fun for me is getting to know the people…
TU:
Do you think Sci-Fi still has as big an impact on TV as it used to?
JB:
Absolutely. Witness the success of Battlestar Galactica, The 4400, Lost, Stargate, etc., etc. In fact, I think it is possible this will be seen as a renaissance period of scifi on television when the book is written.
TU:
Do you feel that the studio execs in Hollywood are out of touch with what the public wants when it comes to sci-fi shows and programming in general?
JB:
No, not really. I think for the most part we have a tendancy to think Hollywood product as being conceived by people who don’t know anything about what folks like. I don’t think that’s true. In fact, some of the most popular shows on television are somewhat gruesome and violent. This can be seen as a sad but accurate reflection of what most people enjoy.
SoSF:
For a future Trek show some fans feel that it should take on a more darker side like Battlestar Galactica, while others feel it should stay within the positive feel of the original Roddenberry concept. What direction would you recommend?
JB:
That’s a complicated question. I understand the desire for the show to remain what it is for now, which is anomaylous in our culture, insofar as it is essentially positive in its outlook. However, personally, I think we live in a time when almost all entertainment reflects the ironies and dark confusion of the modern age. And if Star Trek ever wants to attract a large enough audience to be commercially viable again, I think it will have to take on some of that darkness.
TU:
What is your favorite episode of Enterprise?
JB:
Probably the first season episode ‘Dear Doctor.’ I so enjoyed working with Kelly Waymire, and was so sad when she passed away. This was also the first episode that began to three-dimensionalize the doctor.
TU:
The cast seemed to enjoy working with each other. Was anyone a practical joker?
JB:
Me! Got an hour? The fart machine under Connor Trinneer’s corpse was my idea.
TU:
Do us Enterprise fans ever get annoying? Is it time to move on?
JB:
Boy, that’s a loaded question. No, never annoying. I’m always grateful for the wonderful changes this opportunity gave me. As to ‘moving on,’ it always interests me how that process happens not because of us, but in spite of us.
SoSF:
John, many of us here have been fans of Star Trek for 40 years running and we want you to know that you and the cast of Enterprise were held in great esteem and respect by us old-timers. Great job and we look forward to seeing more of you all as you continue your careers.
JB:
Again, many, many thanks for your sweet words…..Thanks all so much….so sorry I don’t have time to answer everybody’s questions, but happy to do this again in the future.
