Happy Bunny's LEXX pages

A chat with Michael McManus

in #auditorium at www.scifi.com

Tuesday, July 18 2000
or some ungodly hour of Wednesday morning for those of us in the UK & Europe!

*** Michael (MichaelMcManus@npfl.zpyz.ztlb.tmdq.this.chat.server) has joined #auditorium
LOTSA HI MICHAELS...

Host Moderator says:
	We'll be starting in 2 minutes...So I'll close the floor now *** Moderator sets mode: +m *** Moderator sets mode: +v Moderator *** Moderator sets mode: +v Michael
Host Moderator says:
	Michael...are yoy there?
Michael says:
	tup
Michael says:
	yup
Host Moderator says:
	Cool
Michael says:
	very
Host Moderator says:
	Hi everybody I'm your Moderator Ben Trumble and I want to welcomeyou all to SCI FI's very special chat this evening with actor Michael McManus, Lexx's Kai, the last of the Brunnen-G.. Before joining Lexx Michael appeared in the critically-acclaimed film Thye Squamish Five, and his performance in Atom Egoyen's Speaking Parts won him a Genie Award nomination for Best Actor.
Michael says:
	in toronto
Host Moderator says:
	Brief word about the drill - This Is A Moderated Chat -- please send your questions for our guest to me, Moderator, as private messages. (To send a private message, either double-click on my name or type "/msg Moderator" on the command line - only without the quotes.) Because of the popularity of this chat, we would like to ask that each of you send only one question. I'm sure that Michael will answer asa many as he can in our hour.
Host Moderator says:
	First question...
Host Moderator says:
	<Indigo> to <Moderator>: MM:Do you find it frustrating when people want you, the actor, to be like Kai; only living?
Michael says:
	no
Host Moderator says:
	Hmmm...long answers!
Host Moderator says:
	<B5Mage22> to <Moderator>: Is there anything you'd specifically like to see happen with Kai?
Michael says:
	oh
Michael says:
	at the end of the series....???--i would like to drift off into a black hole and never be heard from again.
Host Moderator says:
	Michael. At the end of answer could you type GA ...for Go Ahead...
Host Moderator says:
	Here's another
Host Moderator says:
	<Catarina> to <Moderator>: Hey, Michael. Good to see you. I was just wondering, what do you want for Christmas? It's most creative one I could come up with. Later.
Michael says:
	ok.ga
Host Moderator says:
	Did you get that last question?
Michael says:
	i want...god....i want...gosh I've been GOOD this year, so--
Michael says:
	i'll say that I want lexx to be starting at least by then
Michael says:
	or a porsche. ga
* Bouncer uses dried komodo dragon as nail file ...
Host Moderator says:
	Avery politic answer :)
Host Moderator says:
	<WhiteTiger> to <Moderator>: Michael...you said once in an interview being in front of a camera was uncomfortable, as opposed to theater. In what way is it uncomfortable?
Michael says:
	I find my comfort zone performing in front of at least 600 people and there are rarely that many in a film crew. Ga
Host Moderator says:
	<Pandora> to <Moderator>: Good evening and thanks so much for joining us, Mr. McManus. My question (one of many ) is "How did you first prepare for playing Kai in Series 1? Did this preparation change any for Series 2 and 3?"
Michael says:
	Ah. well, i dressed for three or four shooting days before I shot the scene with thodin.
Michael says:
	by the time i shot the scene i was so happy to be strutting my stuff and of course I had to hide it being kai, and that sort became the basis of something that has continued to be more or less of a pleasure to do except on bad wig days. ga
Host Moderator says:
	<Astartae> to <Moderator>: Please, please ask my question so I can faint away into a bliss..."How has playing Kai changed your life? For better or worse?"
Michael says:
	playing kai gave me a chance to catch up on many overdue bills....
Michael says:
	and the travel has been wonderful, ie berlin shooting terms....
Michael says:
	on the down side, i have to a certain extent in the role become somewhat boring even to my slef during the 14 or longer hour days, and that is a serious hazzard but when I think of my bank account it helps me to overcome that little problem
Host Moderator says:
	<lunatic> to <Moderator>: Hello Michael, did you have as much fun and challenge playing the "live Kai" in Gondola as you did playing psycho Kai in WTD?
Michael says:
	"live kai" --PRINCE, was very controversial on the set, but the kyodo skills that I learnt rather well and quickly will be always with me.
Michael says:
	the costume tended to fall aff every three or four minutes and that was a drag. ga
Host Moderator says:
	Michael several people want to know about "Bad Wig Days?"
Michael says:
	have you ever had a bad hair day?.....
Michael says:
	multiply by a factor of 3
Michael says:
	ga
Host Moderator says:
	<Joanie> to <Moderator>: Is it difficult to always play the "dead man" erm.... I mean the "straight man" in the series? That being said, have you ever just cracked up during a scene?
Host Moderator says:
	A reminder, we're chatting with Michael McManus, Lexx's Kai. This Is A Moderated Chat -- please send your questions for our guest to me, Moderator, as private messages. (To send a private message, either double-click on my name or type "/msg Moderator" on the command line - only without the quotes.)
Michael says:
	i think to myself when I am feeling the strain," how hard it must be to be stanley tweedle every day. ga
Host Moderator says:
	<kaisquared> to <Moderator>: As many of the attempts to destroy you involve spectacular special effects,how do you keep the excellent non-emotional emotional responses in sync with the action?
Michael says:
	well, kai to the power of 2--my main film technique for this part is well suited to not changing a thing under any "normal " circumstances.
Michael says:
	think john wayne in outer space. ga
Host Moderator says:
	<Ariel> to <Moderator>: hi....in which direction would you like to go from here as an actor? comedies, film, romance? If you had a variety of choices....
Michael says:
	WESTERNS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ga
Host Moderator says:
	They're about due for a revival!
Host Moderator says:
	<Kari> to <Moderator>: The US hasn't seen Series 3 yet :((( but I have seen pictures on fan web sites. Lex G. said in a recent interview that a certain Series 3 plotline was an excuse to get you naked. (We know better than to take the beans seriously, though.) Did you ever feel exploited?
Michael says:
	NOOOOOOOOO!
Michael says:
	FAAAAALSE!!!!
Michael says:
	He's just jealous because we're the same age and belive me, lg naked is not something I like to think about.
Michael says:
	it was a frankenstein reveal that I consider to be very daring and a completion of the tease that my character has become. ga
Host Moderator says:
	<MSunnynum1> to <Moderator>: Hello, Michael. I understand you sing a bit. Have you ever done any stage plays w/musical content , or plan on doing any in the future, (if you find the time from Lexx , of course)?
Michael says:
	sing a bit is exactly what I do. and I have done a fistful of plays with music and even very recently a light opperetta written by my friend alan cole. ga
Host Moderator says:
	<Joanie> to <Moderator>: In your opinion, what is it about your character that makes him so attractive to female viewers?
Michael says:
	my mother has five sisters, and they have been attracted to me since my birth. I assume it is the same alchemical thing. ga
Host Moderator says:
	Many people wonder if you were a fan of science fiction before Lexx
Host Moderator says:
	and if so, what?
Michael says:
	science fiction\romance has always been attractive to me
Michael says:
	however, pure science fiction no. ga
Host Moderator says:
	<gabriel> to <Moderator>: >gabriel>wanted to thank you very much for doing this chat; i wondered if you could touch on your experience with Atom Egoyan?
Michael says:
	OH.
Michael says:
	I consider his films to be autuer driven works, and i approached working with him as an employee.
Michael says:
	it was a fine experience but the character is so effeminate that I have a hard time watching it and always have. ga
Host Moderator says:
	<Pandora> to <Moderator>: Pan smiles....me again.... I and many of my friends here at the SciFi/US BB really enjoyed "Wake the Dead" and "Twilight" since these episodes allowed Kai to be more of a dynamic character but did not compromise the basic premise (of him being dead, unemotional, etc.). Did you have any input into these episodes?
Michael says:
	after the eight original hours, the writers jh and lg were bemoaning the fact that my character wasn't "going anywhere".
Michael says:
	talking to them one night in berlin they were very aggressively trying to turn me into spock of whatver.
Michael says:
	but pd and I agree that the premise of unchanging and uncomprimised lack of motivation is more original and interesting and that the problem has to be dealt with in another way.
Michael says:
	at the end of this night, i suspect that they were 'forced' to resort to other means to develop an understanding of what kai IS<
Michael says:
	and the idea that an atmosphere or a technological mistake could turn the toasdter into a fridge is to my mind the correct and I agreee, very interesting solution.
Michael says:
	jh wrote wake the dead, lg wrote twilight! ga
Host Moderator says:
	A brief pause for station identification here at the halfway point. We're chatting with Michael McManus of Lexx. If you have a question send it to me Moderator as a private message
Host Moderator says:
	<LexxKaiCB> to <Moderator>: Hello Michael, my name is Charmaine, thanks for being here tonight. What part have you enjoyed the most in your career?
Michael says:
	tom in glass menagerie, playing opposite martha henry as amanda. ga
Host Moderator says:
	It's hard to beat a Tennessee Williams part...
Host Moderator says:
	<Xev> to <Moderator>: Michael, you have a lot of fan web pages out there, for you as an actor, and the character Kai. Dose that bother you at all? Do you find it creepy that these people spend so much time createing something that just about you? Or do you think it's flattering?
Michael says:
	I think it would be flattering if offers were pouring in as a result of these pages, and the last I checked it was a free world and I was an actor in it.
Michael says:
	what do you think we're trying to do anyway? HIDE???? ga
Host Moderator says:
	<Akasha> to <Moderator>: I would like to ask Michael if he has ever read a book in which there was a character he would like to play if ever it were made into a movie? If so, what book and character?
Michael says:
	the guy in "IN the skin af a lion" by ondatjii. ga
Host Moderator says:
	<Jennix> to <Moderator>: hi michael, was it a different experience for you to shave off all your hair for K-town and Gondola??
Michael says:
	no, I'd done it already for speaking parts. I'm a pretty hairy guy. ga
Host Moderator says:
	Many people wonder what career you might have followed had you not becom,e an actor?
Michael says:
	i considered music, math, dance, liturature. ga
Host Moderator says:
	<BlackStormCloud> to <Moderator>: Does Michael ever intend on bringing his considerable talents to New York theatre? For his New York fans?
Michael says:
	that's definitely easier said than done.....
Michael says:
	i got my union card an a show that didn't quite make it there. but as rats do, I also love NY! ga
Host Moderator says:
	Michael many people want to know how you got your start in acting? Where you studied?
Michael says:
	I consider my starting point performing with the st michael's choir.
Michael says:
	I went to that vocational school, then I did musicals in highschool and then when I discovered that I really couldn't do ANYTHING, i determined at the tender age of eighteeen to become an actor.
Michael says:
	ga
Host Moderator says:
	<HappyBunny> to <Moderator>: My question: I've read that you've worked in the UK. Did you enjoy working here and have you any plans to work here again?
Michael says:
	I think workiong in the UK is marvellous the audience is so sophisticated and generous.
Michael says:
	I can't imagine myself setting in London again as I found it to be a little bit too english for me. ga
Host Moderator says:
	Kais> to <Moderator>: Welcom Lord of th Lexxians.We've been asking each other for the past few hours so I think it time we asked you,whats YOUR favorite episode of Lexx,and why?
Michael says:
	I'm very attaqched to wake the dead because it was a perfect experience, by which I mean that me and jeff and paul fought a lot of opposition to make that happen.
Michael says:
	but my all time favourite, and I think it will last, is the number 4 movie because it really emotional developed everything that has to exist between kai and zev. ga
Host Moderator says:
	Many people want to know about the status of a 4th Season? Will it happen?
Host Moderator says:
	Many people want to know about the status of a 4th Season? Will it happen?
Host Moderator says:
	A reminder, we're chatting with Michael McManus, Lexx's Kai. This Is A Moderated Chat -- please send your questions for our guest to me, Moderator, as private messages. (To send a private message, either double-click on my name or type "/msg Moderator" on the command line - only without the quotes.)
Michael says:
	WELLL, the fine people at scifi are the determining factor, and they are dragging their heels, and I am no longer commited on option, as my option has expired and so if I should happen to luck into work before the powers that be make up their mindcs, then the lexx will be happening without ....me. ga
Host Moderator says:
	Another frequent question is whether you will be attending any LEXX conventions in the near future?
Michael says:
	I have no policy yet re lexx conventions, but if you are referring to the Un convention that is happening in august the answer is no. ga
Host Moderator says:
	<MissJean> to <Moderator>: As a Brian Downey fan (aka StanFan) I must ask... Do you ever wish you had a role that combined the facial/vocal expressiveness with the chance to developp the character over such a long haul?
Michael says:
	I occasional get voice gymnastics envy, but then along comes an episode like tunnels, and the envy dissappears. ga
Host Moderator says:
	<strawberry72> to <Moderator>: Michael if ever given the opportunity to write for lexx would you? What type of episode would you write?
Michael says:
	I would write three episodes, called kai stan zev.
Michael says:
	they would overlap and not make a stick of sense until you'd seen all three. ga
Host Moderator says:
	<Kari> to <Moderator>: I want my friends to love Lexx as much as I do, but I can't get them to even watch it. I must be the worst Lexx ambassador ever. How would you describe Lexx to someone who'd never seen it?
Michael says:
	"you only have to test it for a minute and if you don't like it you probasbly never will". I have no problem with people not liking it because the pleasure of it is such that some and even many must hate it. like comic books from rene tremblay"
Michael says:
	ga
Michael says:
	(sorry)
Host Moderator says:
	<kris> to <Moderator>: pretty please with cherries on top... hi micheal i was just wondering how you think Lexx differs from any program made in the United States?
Michael says:
	Ah, formula answer:
Michael says:
	lexx at bottom is negative about human potential, and america doesn't often go there especially when they have the utopic possibilities of science fiction in there grasp. ga
Host Moderator says:
	Kind audience...as hour is nearly over, please, no more questions...
Host Moderator says:
	<ozzie> to <Moderator>: I know part of LEXX is filmed in Germany, so in short, do you speak much German?
Michael says:
	I have spent two years learning german and I give myself one more year to achieve fluency.
Michael says:
	if I can learn it in three years, next I'll take on SWEDISH! ga
Host Moderator says:
	<Surio> to <Moderator>: please, please surio what is it like working with zev?
Michael says:
	working with both zev and xev, is always a fine pneumatic experience that most people will never have. ga
Host Moderator says:
	<Pyrrhus> to <Moderator>: Hopefully at least this question will get through... Michael, how do you feel about the differences in Censorship between the US and Europe? Is there a lot of things we don't see that Lexxians overseas do?
Michael says:
	Well, in europe they are naturally much more afriad of violence than they are of the female body.
Michael says:
	in america people seem to think a nipple is a scandal.
Michael says:
	so I would have to say that in america things on lexx are a tiny bit more violent, and things in europe are just a bit sexier. ga
Host Moderator says:
	Michael, our hour is about over. You've been a wonderfully patient guest.
Host Moderator says:
	We always ask this question as a closer... What was the best advice you ever got as an aspiring actor? Advice you would pass on yo others?
Michael says:
	a drunk, and blousy woman in Fran's all night diner said to me at the end of a party when I was young,
Michael says:
	"You'll never make it!" stumbling, she left the party, she clearly had never made it. that is to me, wisdom of the ages. ga
Host Moderator says:
	Michael. Thanks for taking the time to join us! Any final comments before we let you make your escape and we open the floor?
Michael says:
	IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE, AND LET'S ALL DO IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR!!
Michael says:
	bye
Host Moderator says:
	Thanks again for chatting Michael.
Host Moderator says:
	Have a great night
Host Moderator says:
	We hope to see you again soon
Host Moderator says:
	Bye

Missing parts of this transcript courtesy of Zaphod.