CHAT with RICHARD HATCH
		at Sci-fi Channel in Setember 3, 1998
			for Drangon Con

#auditorium buffer saved on Thu Sep 03 17:51:10 1998

<Richard> Hello everybody!  It's a pleasure to be here.  The Battlestar is 
parked out back and I hope I don't get a ticket for double parking!  Herb has 
not joined us yet, but I am hoping he will be here anyway

<Moderator> Sorry for the delay, folks.  I'm as anxious as you are for Richard 
to rejoin us.  Keep sending me those questions and will get them to him as soon 
as he's back on-line. Okay, I think we have Richard back with us. Richard, can 
you talk with us yet?  Can you speak now, Richard?

<Richard> yes
<Eleven> Richard!!!
<Moderator> Okay.  Hi Richard!  How is the Galactica Trailer project coming?

<Richard> We're moving right along with the trailer.

<Moderator> <Starbuck> to <Moderator>: Richard, I saw in your interview in 
Starlog that you didn't like Galactica 1980. Can you point out some of its 
(many) faults that you didn't like?

<Richard> We will be shooting at the end of the month, although we may be 
shooting a scene with John Colicos a little sooner.  We have received tremendous
support from all quarters and I can't wait to get going.

<Moderator> <BODuke> to <Moderator>: hello to Richard Hatch.  I enjoyed watching
you in bg; what is your favorite Galactica story ? 

<Richard> To tell you the truth, I never watched Battlestar 1980 except for 
maybe five minutes worth.  What I object to is that is was put together for all 
the wrong reasons.  Battlestar Galactica should never have been taken off in the
first place  The ratings were too high

<Moderator> <Kira> to <Moderator>: Mr. Hatch, are you still in touch with any of
the cast members from the show?

<Richard> I see everyone on a semi-regular basis
<Richard> everyone looks great, including myself, and I look absolutely STUNNING

<Moderator> <Starbuck> to <Moderator>: Richard, I've never heard of the 
Galactica Trailer project, can you give us some info about it? 

<Richard> I have been pitching Battlestar to Universal and Barry Diller's 
company for the past 3 months and am putting together a short presentation as 
part of our pitch to clarify our concept of building a bridge between the old 
show and the new one.

<Moderator> <Jess6> to <Moderator>: If the ratings were so high what prompted 
the network to kick the show off the air?

<Richard> It follows the same line as the books which update the original series
with the original characters 20 years in the future
<Richard> The show was never supposed to be a series in the first place 

<moderator> if BG is successfully revived, how about pulling a Dallas and saying
that Galactica 1980 was just someone's bad dream of some kind (too much Ambrosia
for Boomer?)

<Richard> We were not prepared to go an entire season; the special effects dept 
was not set up, stories were not written.  Therefore it took us on average 10-12
days to shoot each episode instead of the normal seven, costing a lot more money
in overtime than was intended.  ABC was not receiving the additional revenues 
brought in by the movies and the merchandising.  Therefore, ABC felt they could 
make more money with a cheaper show, even if it didn't do as well as Battlestar 
in the ratings;  they made a big mistake, tried to bring the show back in 1980, 
but they unfortunately cut the budget in half, destroyed the original concept 
and Dirk and myself decided not to do it. We were also both working on other 
projects at the time

<Moderator> <BODuke> to <Moderator>: Richard, if Universal doesn't buy the 
Galactica movie how about trying to sell it to the Sci -Fi Channel?

<Richard> the show is currently being pitched to the scifi channel and we have 
been waiting for the outcome.  If you love the show, please send as many letters
and email to them letting them know how you feel.  This show deserves to come 
back.  No show in the history of television has had such an impact for being on 
only one year.  Most one year shows on fail because they have not had enough 
time to develop their characters, plots and story lines sufficiently.  It 
usually takes a show 2-3 years to find their rhythm and pace.  Think of Star 
Trek: TNG

<Moderator> <Eleven> to <Moderator>: Give us the email addy or url to show 
support!

<Richard> Check www.richardhatch.com;  the addresses are there

<Moderator> <BODuke> to <Moderator>: who will be in the bg movie if it comes 
back: Dirk Benedict or Anne Lockhart ?

<Richard> I believe just about everybody  will come back but we will also have a
few new characters, including, if you follow the new books, Starbuck's daughter 
Dalton, and Apollo's surrogate son, Troy, along with a new warrior training 
program

<Moderator> <Tweety> to <Moderator>: what was it like working with Dirk?  Was he
much like his character?

<Richard> In many ways he is opposite to his character.  He is much more 
introspective,  quiet, and reflective although at times a spark of his Starbuck 
humor does shine forth * Richard smiles

<Moderator> <kenz> to <Moderator>: Richard, were you a sci-fi fan always are did
you just happen to be in the right place at the right time?

<Richard> I always have been a hard core sf fan from the time I was a little 
kid, but to tell you the truth, I almost turned down Battlestar Galactica 
because I wasn't sure the role would be challenging enough to me as an actor.  
What a fool I would have been!  Don't you think?

<Moderator> <kdavis004> to <Moderator>: What do you think of other sci-fi shows 
and which one do you like the best?

<Richard> I am just beginning, believe it or not, to get into ST:TNG in the 
reruns, the same as I did with classic trek.  I also enjoy DS9 on occasion

<Moderator> <Jeff> to <Moderator>: Will the ever popular Pegasus Battlestar be 
back?

<Richard> Book 2 of the trilogy that I am writing with Christopher Golden is 
entitled "Warhawk:  the Return of Commander Cain and the Pegasus"

<Moderator> <Hellrazor> to <Moderator>: What do you think about A.C. ClarkÕs 
idea about sci-fi: "If there were any new sci-fi ideas, I would have thought of 
them already"?

<Richard> If Harlan Ellison said the same line I'd believe it. :-)

<Moderator> <GreenSlime> to <Moderator>: Any chance any other battlestars 
survived?

<Richard> I would love to answer this question, but this is the stuff that 
future books, stories, and episodes will contemplate and explore.  Ah, the 
creative magic of SCIFI! * Richard smiles* I want you to know that I am not 
typing this

<Moderator> <BODuke> to <Moderator>: do you ever go on- line when youÕre at home
and do you ever visit any chat rooms when youÕre not working?

<Richard> I refuse to answer this question on the grounds it may incriminate me.
BIG BROTHER is WATCHING!!!!!!  AND LISTENING!!!! * Richard smiles again

<Moderator> <Knick> to <Moderator>: What do you think of Babylon 5? And how 
about making the Galactica: 1980 debacle be a Dallas-like bad dream on the part 
of some character?  Like, too much Ambrosia for Boomer....

<Richard> sounds good to me 

<Richard> btw, I like the continuing story lines of B5.  I feel that would be 
very appropriate for Battlestar Galactica

<Moderator> <GRAYALIEN> to <Moderator>: Dear Mr. Hatch, just to let you know my 
wife had a crush on you for a long time, any words for her?

<Richard> Where can I find her and does she have any sexy underwear?  Can I take
pictures? * Richard grins

<Moderator> <alexrain> to <Moderator>: Were you ever a fan of Space: Above and 
Beyond??

<Richard> Which show????? !!!!

<Moderator> <H2K> to <Moderator>: Would you like to guest star in any certain 
Sci-Fi show on the air now?

<Richard> I would love to guest star on Babylon5, DS9, Voyager.  Mad about you  
whoops!  I forgot! That's not scifi.  Too bad; I would love to get as close to 
Helen Hunt as possible

<Moderator> <Nickster> to <Moderator>: What is your opinion of the current 
Galactica comic series, and will it have any type of tie-in to your books or the
potential film? 

<Moderator> and <charybdis> to <Moderator>: What do you have to say about the 
organic cylons in your books as compared to the robots in the series?

<Richard> I wish Chris Scalf well, but in all fairness, I have not had the 
chance to read his stories.  However, the novels in the series take up 20 years 
later and I would not expect these respective story lines to mesh

<Moderator> <BODuke> to <Moderator>: are you left handed or was your character 
on bg left handed Ôcause I notice that you had your gun in your holster on your 
left leg in bg?

<Richard> I am ambidextrous.  I bat right, throw left, and whenever I am in a 
gun fight I like to use my left hand to give everybody the illusion that they 
can beat me

<Moderator> <Jess6> to <Moderator>: Hi there, Mr. Hatch! Besides doing 
Battlestar Galactica what other projects have you been doing??? and <BlackBaron>
to <Moderator>: My question was, what was your favorite project SINCE BG?

<Moderator> We've got about 5 minutes left, so please send your final questions 
for Richard to /msg Moderator

<Richard> I have been working on a new project entitled Reaching for Higher 
Ground, the life story of John Denver.  My company is putting together the story
of his life *moderator* if Baltar was marooned on a planet as part of the 
Pegasus stories, how does he get back into play?
<Richard> I also teach and lecture all over the country in between projects 
teaching people how to unleash their creative genius and live their life and 
dreams to the fullest.  BTW, I have just completed two independent movies 
entitled Iron Thunder and Unseen. They should be out some time next year

<Moderator> <cdwrites> to <Moderator>: You mentioned your writing collaboration 
for BG; have you done any other writing projects?  Do you enjoy it as much as 
acting?

<Richard> I have a comic out entitled the drakkon wars which I am planning to 
develop into novels and a movie or tv series

<Moderator> <Sygnas> to <Moderator>: Richard when/how soon do you think we will 
know if you will be able to return BSG?

<Richard> I am working my ass off on this project.  I believe in this show and I
will not stop until we can make them an offer they cannot refuse

<Moderator> <CaptSheba> to <Moderator>: Richard, in your book you follow the 
line of the last BSG episode about the Apollo and Sheba relationship. What do 
you think of the Sheba character and woman in scifi in general?

<Richard> Sheba is going to develop more and more in the direction of becoming 
Annie Oakley in space. She is a strong funny bawdy, and sexy character and she 
has a permanent place in the Battlestar Galactica universe.  I believe men and 
women should be absolutely equal in all ways and in all roles that they may 
decide to play in life.  Battlestar embraces this concept.  The world needs role
models to demonstrate that men and women can work together in a more 
collaborative and synergistic way; the future of our planet depends upon it

<Moderator> Richard, we're at the end of our time here. Any final words for your
fans?

<Richard> I also want to integrate the various age categories.  I am tired of 
shows that are either about young people or old people or in between people.  I 
would like to demonstrate that all ages need to communicate with each other, 
live, work, and play together.  I want to see a 16 year old and a 60 year old 
doing one-armed pushups together.  I just want to thank everybody  for joining 
me

<Moderator> Thanks for joining us tonight, Richard, and good luck with the new 
Battlestar Galactica!  Next up, we chat with SF author John Shirley.

<Richard> Everybody is entitled to their own opinions.  I respect that and would
never put anybody down for their thoughts or ideas or belief systems;  the world
is big enough to support all our points of view.  The Battlestar universe is 
ever-evolving and hopefully, we can incorporate a lot of wonderful ideas that 
are roaming around out there.  Many of the fans I have met have incredible ideas
for Battlestar and I would love to find a way to be able to access and utilize 
them.  Once again, Thank you for your patience, your questions and your support 
of Battlestar

<H2K> Richard, I sang Happy B-day to Sophie last fall at Rising Star in Virginia
and was wondering if she is looking forward to her B-day this year?

<Richard> I'll be talking to you soon

<Moderator> Okay, the room is now unmoderated, and we'll get right to our chat 
with John Shirley.

<Juliaann> Thanks for the chat, Richard. Goto- http://www.planetx.com/ 
space:aab/
<Jennab5> Thanks Richard!
<Sea> I want to talk
<Moderator2> Hi everyone!
<zna> thanks richard
<londomoll> Great Chat!
<JohnShirl> Who the hell is John Shirley they ask - my wife knows Richard Hatch 
it turns out
<Starbuck> Bye Richard!
<GreenSlime> Thanks man
<Sagran> thanks richard

<Richard> please check out my web page at http://www.richardhatch.com for more 
information and updates on BG

<H2K> Thanks Richard!!!
<Jeffrey> Thanks Apollo!!!!
<BODuke> bye - bye to you Richard thanks for answering my questions and have a 
nice nite
<LordSphere> hi
<Jess6> Good Chat Richard!! Good luck on the BS Movie!
<charybdis> BSG Rules
<Moderator2> We're making a rather dramatic shift here from the hopeful universe
of Battlestar to the dark world of horror writer John Shirley.
<Sheridan> Thanks Apollo
<Sagran> Richard go to dalnet #Battlestar _Galactica
<daggit> See you tomorrow Richard!
<Jeffrey> BS Rules
<Jennab5> Please come to Houston for a con, I can't make the 20 Yahren Reunion 
this weekend in Universal City, CA
<JohnShirl> Which one is Lorne Greene in?
<BODuke> good luck with the Battlestar Galactica movie
<H2K> Richard, are you enjoying yourself at the con?
<Sygnas> try to return some mail richard
<Jess6> Bye Richard, thanks for answer my questions!
<DeltaFox> We Want BSG Back !!!!
<H2K> LONG LIVE BSG 

End of #auditorium buffer Thu Sep 03 18:08:06 1998