Am vorabend des beginns der ausstrahlung des 2. Teils der 4. staffel in den USA gab es einen offiziellen chat mit DK auf dem skiffy server (events.scifi.com #auditorium). Und mit dabei war als überaschungsgast der frisch umgezogene Ben Browder. Zu beginn des chats um 9 Uhr EST waren etwa 300 Leute im chatroom, eine stunde später waren es gut 430. Der chat wurde auf irc.chorn.com gemirrored.

<ChatMod> The floor is closed folks. We&#39;re just waiting on David. Shouldn&#39;t be long.
<Ben Browder> DK is trying to connect
<ChatMod> I&#39;ll go ahead and post the introduction while we&#39;re waiting
<ChatMod> Hi everyone, thanks for joining us here. I&#39;m Ben Trumble for SCIFI. Tonight we&#39;re happy to be chatting with FARSCAPE writer and producer David Kemper. David has helmed FARSCAPE through it&#39;s four seasons on SCIFI.
<Ben Browder> But he&#39;s fairly internet insecure
<ChatMod> In addition to his FARSCAPE adventure, David has served in varying writer/producer capacities on such series as SeaQuest DSV, American Gothic, Pacific Blue, Poltergeist: The Legacy and Tour of Duty. Additionally, he has written numerous episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Voyager, The Pretender, The Equalizer, Stargate SG-1 and The Outer Limits.
<ChatMod> Brief word about the drill. This is a moderated chat -- please send your questions for our guest to ChatMod, as private messages. (To send a private message, either double-click on ChatMod or type "/msg ChatMod" on the command line - only without the quotes.)...Then hit Enter (or Return on a Mac.)
<Ben Browder> Dk&#39;s on java
<ChatMod> We&#39;re sorry about the silence. We&#39;re still waiting for David. Bear with us
<Ben Browder> that should explain some things
*** Barbarella sets mode: +v DK
*** ChatMod sets mode: +v DK
<ChatMod> Hi David. Really to rock and roll?
*** ChatMod sets mode: +v DK
<ChatMod> David, can you type to the screen?
<Ben Browder> David... your fingers working?
<DK> Hey, Guys. Why is everyone here?
<Ben Browder> It&#39;s ALIVE&#33;
<DK> Am I on. Is this microphone on?
<Ben Browder> testing
<Ben Browder> one
<ChatMod> You are live and loud
<Ben Browder> two
<ChatMod> Ben too
<DK> Two
<DK> DK, too.
<ChatMod> First question...
<Ben Browder> Lets do this thing

<ChatMod> <Gmmas> to <ChatMod>: What are the chances of us seeing a Farscape movie and how soon?
<DK> Oh, now.
<DK> STOP IT.
<DK> Wait till we finish the damn show, first.
<DK> (But...
<Ben Browder> We&#39;re waiting on the script...
<DK> we&#39;re working on something like a script, if you must know.

<Ben Browder> There IS a script?
<Ben Browder> Wow
<DK> Well, YOU&#39;RE not in it.
<Ben Browder> It&#39;s Cruise... right?
<DK> Pitt.
<Ben Browder> oh
<Ben Browder> figures
<DK> Next Q
<DK> GA

<ChatMod> <DaScape> to <ChatMod>: Ben - Did you enjoy working with Kent as your father? and did you ever see him in Battlestar or Airplane prior to working with him??
<Ben Browder> At least it&#39;s not Affleck this time
<Ben Browder> Saw him in reruns of Adam 12
<Ben Browder> Kent&#39;s a total pro
<Ben Browder> Man can find his mark and the light faster than any actor I&#39;ve ever met.
<Ben Browder> And he&#39;s a great bloke.
<Ben Browder> GA
<ChatMod> <Commander-StrideR> to <ChatMod>: What&#39;s the word on projects besides Farscape?
<DK> My career&#39;s dead, How about you, Ben?
<Ben Browder> Looking for one at the moment.
<DK> A lot of us in Australia
<DK> are looking to put together a project and work together
<DK> on something in the near future.
<Ben Browder> Just started back in LA this week
<DK> It goes without
<DK> saying that Ben would get a call from us
<DK> almost instantly should we get funding.
<DK> GA
<Ben Browder> LOL

<ChatMod> <Rhayle> to <ChatMod>: Will we have a better understanding of why the old woman is in the story come the next eleven episodes?
<Ben Browder> DK?
<DK> Ah, that would be a spoiler. Best you should watch and see.
<DK> On the other hand,
<DK> I can get all esoteric on you
<Ben Browder> please don&#39;t
<DK> and say that why is ANYONE in our life?
<DK> Why does
<DK> the person next to you in your
<Ben Browder> here we go
<DK> class or at work just show up and
<DK> become a friend?
<DK> Sometimes
<DK> you just accept and roll ahead with the people thrust at you.
<Ben Browder> I&#39;m heading for some coffee
<DK> GA from D

<ChatMod> <Oziscififan> to <ChatMod>: So who was funnier on set, Aeryn, Chinana, or Braca?
<Ben Browder> ooohhh
<Ben Browder> Dangerous question
<Ben Browder> Frankin is very funny in a dry fashion
<Ben Browder> Franklin even
<Ben Browder> CB tells great jokes
<Ben Browder> and GiGI is just a trip
<Ben Browder> But choosing might be perilous
<Ben Browder> ga
<ChatMod> Next, a comment and a question --
<Ben Browder> hello... testing... one....
<ChatMod> A comment, followed by a question --
<ChatMod> A comment, followed by a question --
<Ben Browder> ok
<ChatMod> You&#39;re fine Ben

<ChatMod> <Wormy> to <ChatMod>: Why did you have to go and make Farscape such a great show? Now it hurts so much to lose it&#33;
<ChatMod> <ElRenno> to <ChatMod>: Did you all play a lot of practical jokes on each other on/off the set?
<DK> Ben?
<Ben Browder> It&#39;s DK&#39;s ultimate way to torture you.
<Ben Browder> Practical jokes...
<Ben Browder> we&#39;d never do that
<Ben Browder> we&#39;re all highly trained professionals
<Ben Browder> ga
<DK> Hey folks,
<DK> do we have any Q&#39;s that don&#39;t skew towards boxers or briefs?
<ChatMod> Well --

<ChatMod> <p40whk> to <ChatMod>: David, as a writer, do you fit the script to the personality of the actor or dou you hope the actor is versitile enough to convey the meaning of what you write?
<DK> Very good question.
<DK> It works both ways...
<DK> When the actor is not that talented, you write the best you
<DK> can and hope that they can keep up. Sometimes
<DK> you have to ultimately lose them and move on.
<DK> In the case of most of our talented cast
<DK> and in Ben&#39;s case in particular
<DK> you have actors who are so strong that we
<DK> the writers actually learn from them. For instance,
<DK> we notice the strengths that Ben, for example
<DK> can bring to the screen, then we tailor the part to them.
<DK> In Ben&#39;s case, he was able to play serious,
<DK> romance,
<DK> and tough, strong leading man.
<DK> Buttttt....
<Ben Browder> Thanks David.... I love you too.
<DK> he showed us that he could do comedy,
<DK> and also get "crazy,"
<DK> so we took flight in those directions and the show
<DK> morphed and was all the better for it. And
<DK> that holds true for everyone.
<DK> Think of Gigi and Wayne to name only two.
<DK> They took us to places we never thought their
<DK> characters could go. And when Lani showed us that
<DK> he could play "tortured" bad guy -- one who
<DK> was torn between the dark and the light, we went that way in a heartbeat.
<DK> DK GA
<ChatMod> A follow up to that ...

<ChatMod> <WastelandGraphics> to <ChatMod>: What is the biggest challeng when writing an episode for Farscape? Drama, character interaction, technical babble?
<DK> Ben is as
<DK> qualified to answer this as I am...
<DK> Want at it, Kemosabe?
<ChatMod> Ben stepped away for a minute
<DK> Okay, mine...
<DK> Techno babble does not
<DK> really exist on our show.
<DK> We get rid of it. Finito.
<DK> The hardest part is the over plot of an
<DK> episode, and keeping it in line with the sweeping theme of the series,
<DK> and then layering in the characters and making it about THEM. That&#39;s
<DK> what I think the audience responds most to. And it&#39;s ultimately the most fun to write. Good question. GA

<ChatMod> <JUle27> to <ChatMod>: Can you tell us a bit about who or where you had the inspiration for the concept of unrealized realities?
<DK> Having written the script, I will take the blame. I was looking for a way
<DK> to explain in drama terms what I believe.
<DK> I think we are continuously standing
<DK> at micro-crossroads, and our actions determine
<DK> where we end up. I do not in any way
<DK> believe in astrology or predestination. I think
<DK> that we choose. If I decide to beat the yellow light, I could get broadsided. But
<DK> if I screech to a stop, the guy behind me
<DK> might hit me. Each action carries a different consequence, and
<DK> could lead to a different unrealized future. I&#39;m just
<DK> surprised that the ep resonated with so many people. It&#39;s a tough
<DK> concept to deal in, and I was afraid
<DK> more people would scratch their heads and go, "Huh."
<DK> GA

<ChatMod> [list=1] to <ChatMod>: Was there ever a major change in direction while doing Farscape?
<Ben Browder> Ok... I&#39;m back... sorry bout that still moving in and just had the delivery of a major appliance.
<DK> Every week, day, minute, scene and line. We are a show
<DK> that respects,
<DK> EXpects,
<DK> even demands
<DK> participation from all creative
<DK> participants. That, naturally, causes mission control
<DK> to make constant changes in where we&#39;re going, day by day.
<DK> However,
<DK> the overall arc had only 3 or 4 MAJOR turns
<DK> that we didn&#39;t plan before the various seasons started.
<DK> GA

<ChatMod> <trustywinona> to <ChatMod>: since the series has ended without a proper close...will we ever find out how Far§cape was set to end?
<DK> I&#39;m hoping that will come to light in the future, on screen, either large or small.
<DK> GA

<ChatMod> Ben, people want to know the appliance. Brand, ice making abilities, etc...
<Ben Browder> Actually... it was a car.
<Ben Browder> which is getting probed and prodded as we type.
<Ben Browder> ga

<ChatMod> <DaScape> to <ChatMod>: Are you optimistic about the ratings rising for the rest of season 4? I believe its doing better over here in the UK so far and the show has has a LOT of media coverage
<DK> I think that the hubbub you fans around the world
<DK> have created over our cancellation
<DK> will result in an uptick, as we say. Hopefully, if
<DK> we can build over the next 11 weeks on that,
<DK> we&#39;ll be able to control which direction
<DK> Farscape&#39;s unrealized reality will go.

<DK> GA

<ChatMod> <WastelandGraphics> to <ChatMod>: Ben, how have your kids reacted to all the pressure, first of fame, then to move back to the States?
<Ben Browder> I don&#39;t talk about my kids... but thanks for asking... and they&#39;re doing fine.
<Ben Browder> ga

<ChatMod> <Zugrail> to <ChatMod>: Who do you feel is the strongest possible network/outlet for Farscape to possibly continue on, Scifi, UPN, Etc. ?
<DK> That is a business decision that is beyond where I sit right now.
<DK> My advice is to
<Ben Browder> way beyond where I sit
<DK> worry less about the future and enjoy the present. Some of our best
<DK> episodes are about to hit the screen
starting tomorrow night. I&#39;d
<DK> love it if all our fans would sit
<DK> back, watch, enjoy and spread the word.
<DK> GA from DK

<ChatMod> <uisceboo> to <ChatMod>: Ben, been doing any writing?
<Ben Browder> Been noodling
<DK> Writing, Ben, not cooking.
<Ben Browder> but the move left me computorless for quite a while
<Ben Browder> and that means I end up scrawling on napkins
<Ben Browder> or envelopes
<DK> In the kitchen again...
<Ben Browder> there&#39;s a great story on the back of one of my gas bills
<Ben Browder> if I could find it
<Ben Browder> in all this chaos
<Ben Browder> Hope to get something down this year.
<Ben Browder> ga

<ChatMod> <GutPageant> to <ChatMod>: Did you ever consider yourselves engaged in a contest , competing with other genre shows to be the first to do &#39;things you&#39;d never see on Star Trek&#39;?
<Ben Browder> LOL
<Ben Browder> or things you never wanted to see on Star Trek
<DK> Never thought about them in the slightest other than to wish my friends who produce them luck and hope that they help raise the profile of the genre.
<DK> GA from DK when Ben&#39;s done.
<Ben Browder> I always watch genre
<Ben Browder> and hope I&#39;m going to love it
<Ben Browder> so... nah... it never
<Ben Browder> felt like a competition
<Ben Browder> ga

<ChatMod> <chicago> to <ChatMod>: Ben what is your favorite DK written episode ? DK what is your favorite BB written ep?
<Ben Browder> Die Me Dichotomy was brilliant
<DK> My favorite Ben written ep was probably, for sheer symmetry and elegance, Green Eyed Monster, however
<Ben Browder> always loved doing DK eps
<DK> he contributed to each and every ep in ways that even you, the fans don&#39;t realize. It was a
<Ben Browder> he wrote great stuff for actors
<Ben Browder> writes great stuff
<DK> suggestion from Ben to myself that helped transform the infamous "cartoon" ep
<DK> into something special and brilliant. And the suggestion
<Ben Browder> my head spins when I think of the stuff he threw at us to do
<DK> was one from a writer to a writer, not an actor to a writer. That&#39;s what makes
<Ben Browder> we argued
<DK> Ben&#39;s contributions to a show like this so special. And it is why
<Ben Browder> a lot
<DK> I would love him to write and act on anything I do. He makes me look good.
<DK> GA from DK
<Ben Browder> David was always right
<Ben Browder> ...
<Ben Browder> ...
<Ben Browder> no
<Ben Browder> really
<Ben Browder> ga

<ChatMod> <babymoya> to <ChatMod>: What can we expect in the episode on Friday with JC hanging out in space, with no why to survive the next 10 seconds? I mean, he is technically gome now. This is of course without giving too much away.
<DK> Okay,
<DK> I&#39;ll give a spoiler here.
<DK> Crichton runs out of air and dies at the end of the teaser.
<DK> Then the show
<DK> becomes about the other characters. It&#39;s a shock, I know.
<Ben Browder> The last half of the season was very easy for me
<Ben Browder> sat on the beach
<DK> C&#39;mon, now --
<DK> you only have to wait until
<DK> tomorrow to find out.
<Ben Browder> phoned David to ask how things were going
<Ben Browder> tommorrow is almost here
<DK> It&#39;s a FANTASTIC ep, written by Monj and directed by Rowan Woods. You will NOT
<DK> be disappointed, I promise. You, the fans,
<Ben Browder> Except the Crichton fans
<DK> are about to see our finest run of 11 eps in a row that we&#39;ve ever done.
<DK> Sit back and enjoy.
<DK> GA from D
<Ben Browder> watching his funeral
<Ben Browder> ga
<ChatMod> <trustywinona> to <ChatMod>: Mr. Browder: for someone coming off of such a major project, whats the next move? Same Q for Mr. Kemper.
<Ben Browder> Test the waters
<Ben Browder> see what turns up
<Ben Browder> impossible to know at the moment
<Ben Browder> DK... we really should get one of them crystal ball thingies
<Ben Browder> ga

<ChatMod> <trustywinona> to <ChatMod>: Mr. Browder: for someone coming off of such a major project, whats the next move? Same Q for Mr. Kemper.
<Ben Browder> Test the waters
<Ben Browder> see what turns up
<Ben Browder> impossible to know at the moment
<Ben Browder> DK... we really should get one of them crystal ball thingies
<Ben Browder> ga
<DK> Well, I have offers to do things on other shows. But at the moment, I think my immediate future is to stay connected to Andrew Prowse, Lil, and a few others in Australia, and try to mount another series with the same level of quality and character engagement.
<DK> And the crystal ball would be GREAT.
<DK> GA

<ChatMod> David, as you might imagine, many people are asking if you&#39;d like to comment on how you feel Farscape has been treated by SCIFI?
<DK> Hmmm.
<DK> Load gun.
<DK> Shoot gun.
<DK> Shoot self.
<DK> Okay...
<DK> Let me try to miss myself and
<DK> still give an answer...
<DK> I think that cancelling Farscape was a mistake.
<DK> It took away something special.
<DK> The fans,
<DK> the critics,
<DK> and the people who make the show
<DK> are all reacting the same way.
<DK> So, in retrospect,
<DK> I think it&#39;s something that should have been allowed
<DK> to continue on and grow.
<DK> Besides, now Ben is in the states -- as I am the moment -- and we, along with Ricky Manning,
<DK> had grown to love our new home.
<DK> Very tough to learn to drive on the right side of the street again.
<DK> GA
<ChatMod> You are an adroit shot&#33;

<ChatMod> Several people have asked what Pilot and Moya will be looking for in terms of future roles away from Farscape?
<DK> Rygel and Pilot are, I believe, animatronics who have been dismantled and are resting comfortably while they await the revival of Farscape in any manner or form.
<DK> GA

<ChatMod> <Carney> to <ChatMod>: Can you comment on why "Moya John" sees "Talyn John&#39;s" memories? Or is this something that will be discussed through the series?
<DK> Ben?
<DK> Help.
<Ben Browder> uh...
<DK> Can Carney be more specific, Moderator?
<Ben Browder> I&#39;m dealing with contracts for a brand new car.
<Ben Browder> ga

<ChatMod> <Wormy> to <ChatMod>: Have any of the core Farscape actors made any commitments that could interfere with the filming of a possible fifth season?
<DK> There is no 5th season.
<DK> We have been cancelled.
<DK> My hope is that ALL of the cast
<DK> has a conflict. They are great
<DK> actors and deserve to be working immediately. I hope for
<DK> them the best, and should Farscape be fortunate enough
<DK> to launch again, we&#39;ll worry about it then.
<DK> GA

<ChatMod> David and Ben the hour is officially over. Any clues at all about the adventure we&#39;re going to have over the next eleven episodes that you haven&#39;t given us yet? <grin>
<DK> I can continue on a bit more if you like.
<ChatMod> We&#39;d love to keep going --
<DK> I&#39;ll save any thoughts about the end of the season for the very end of the session.
<Ben Browder> keep going DK
<DK> B, you leaving?
<Ben Browder> I&#39;m swamped here.
<Ben Browder> ga
<DK> I&#39;ll call you after the chat.
<DK> Hey, folks.
<ChatMod> Good night Ben
<DK> Want Ben&#39;s new phone number in the states? What
<DK> am I bid?&#33;?&#33;?&#33;?&#33;?
<ChatMod> Thanks for taking the time to log on tonight
<Ben Browder> Night ya&#39;ll
<ChatMod> 3000000 Brit Pounds so far
<Ben Browder> sorry for all the interuptions at my end
<DK> I&#39;m sure BEN would sell it for that much.
<DK> You can have my HOME for that.

<ChatMod> <joecrichton> to <ChatMod>: there was a mention on the henson website for farscape about anime. can you comment on this at all
<DK> Not in my wheelhouse. I&#39;m contracted to do live action vehicles.
<DK> GA

<ChatMod> <GutPageant> to <ChatMod>: Opening the season with 4 (mostly) Aeryn-less episodes was pretty bold. Is it overanalyzing to think that you were trying to put the viewer in Crichton&#39;s shoes--wondering where she was and when she&#39;d return?
<DK> Not really. There
<DK> were physical, logistical issues that we had to deal with,
<DK> and we wanted to send a chill through everyone. What IF she were gone.
<DK> So you&#39;re pretty close to dead-on there.
<DK> We also wanted
<DK> to leave a hole to intro Sikozu and let
<DK> the audience wonder -- as would Crichton -- whether this new woman
<DK> was going to be competition for his affections.
<DK> GA