Chris Carter Online AOL Chat Interview
February 12, 1999
Online Host:
Chris Carter, creator of Millennium and
The X-Files is now with us. Good evening, Chris,
thank you for joining us!
Chris Carter:
I'm happy to be here and answer any questions.... as
long as they're not too embarrassing.
Online Host:
Great, let's get started.
Question:
Is there going to be a Millennium/X-Files
crossover episode?
Chris Carter:
I hope so, and this would be the year to do it. I
have a story in mind... that involves Scully and
Emma and Frank Black.
Question:
Does Millennium show the honest side of the
characters, or is it all one big question, like
The X-Files?
Chris Carter:
Both show the honest side of the characters. What is
in question are the motives of either the conspiracy
or the Millennium Group.
Question:
How has the millennium influenced you?
Chris Carter:
The millennium was the central influence on the
concept of the show. But no one I know is really
afraid of the millennium, so making it a scary
concept requires illustrating ways in which the
anxiety it produces effects society.
Question:
When you were growing up did you have an idol or a
favorite TV show?
Chris Carter:
My favorite TV show was Gilligan's Island. My
idol was Sandy Koufax.
Question:
Mr. Carter, will Darin Morgan be writing any new
episodes in the future?
Chris Carter:
Not as planned. Sorry, I wish he were.
Question:
What can you tell us about Harsh Realm, the
future of Millennium, and the future of
The X-Files?
Chris Carter:
Harsh Realm is in the prep stages and the
pilot will shoot in early March. It's science
fiction, but completely different from the other two
shows. And... Millennium's future is in
question but we're hopeful for a fourth year pick-up
and the next year of The X-Files will most
likely be the last.
Question:
Do you think that all of the online cult-like
responses to your show are flattering or alarming?
Chris Carter:
I hardly ever read anything that is alarming. I read
things that are disturbing and criticism that is
annoying, but I read it all and will continue to.
Question:
What is your favorite stand-alone episode?
Chris Carter:
This is hard for me to answer... there are over 130
episodes now and... I have too many favorites. But
any Darin Morgan episode and... any Vince Gilligan
episode. Beyond the Sea and Post-Modern Prometheus.
Question:
If Millennium is cancelled at the end of
season 3, is there any chance 1013 will film a
special episode or TV-movie for the year 2000?
Chris Carter:
Don't rule it out!
Question:
Will we be seeing any famous faces in either The
X-Files or Millennium?
Chris Carter:
We rarely cast marquee stars. But on occasion we
have an opportunity to work with someone we can't
pass up. You can expect to see great character
actors from feature films soon, but we can't divulge
any secrets.
Question:
When will we get to see a Millennium
soundtrack!!!
Chris Carter:
We're working on it, but it all depends on the
fourth season pickup.
Question:
Millennium has been on for three years, but
it's also been low in the ratings. Do you consider
it a success?
Chris Carter:
I still think it's one of the best-produced shows on
TV, I think the stories are interesting and I'm
sorry it hasn't found the wider audience it
deserves.
Question:
I have been a fan of The X-Files for a long
time, but recently started watching Millennium.
I am glad to see that there are 2 shows worth
watching. My question is, is it stressful handling 2
shows at once?
Chris Carter:
I've aged ten years in the last three. Being
responsible for 44 hours of programming is a giant
pain.
Question:
You've often mentioned your television and movie
influences in creating and sustaining Millennium
and The X-Files---but are there other
literary influences?
Chris Carter:
The Bible. A lot of the writers from the romantic
period, including Mary Shelley. Dostoyevsky.
Question:
Do you plan to take Millennium back to its
"roots," you know, discussing the faction between
the roosters and the owls, the end of the
millennium/world, etc. It's a great storyline, but
it hasn't been addressed much this year.
Chris Carter:
The show has grown and in the second season there
were some new... directions taken, but with the
death of Catherine we were forced to find a new and
credible way to tell our stories. So we brought in
Klea Scott, changed the location to Washington DC
and sent Frank Black back to the FBI. This gave the
show the "franchise" I'd avoided originally, so in
approach it's true to its roots but it must also be
true to the realities of the characters' lives.
Question:
What was it about Klea Scott that made you decide to
cast her?
Chris Carter:
Her poise, her acting ability, her believability in
the role of FBI agent, who could portray a woman who
would work well as a student of Frank Black's.
Without making it seem like an obvious opportunity
to create any sexual tension. We wanted to avoid the
criticism that we were stealing from The X-Files.
Question:
Will there ever be any more Millennium
merchandise? The fans are craving it!
Chris Carter:
Yes. We have books coming and some other assorted
things in the works.
Question:
Which character that you created do you identify
with the most?
Chris Carter:
Frank Black. But, the Mulder and Scully characters
represent the two sides of me and many of us. The
warring impulses between faith and skepticism.
Online Host:
That's all we have time for tonight, Chris. Do you
have any closing comments for your audience tonight?
Chris Carter:
While Millennium's future is in question, I
think that year 3 has had some of the most varied
and compelling episodes. Thanks to Chip Johannessen.
Ken Horton, and the other writer/producers, and Tom
Wright has been tireless as our key director, as has
John Kousakis and the entire Vancouver crew. Also -
congratulations to Rob MacLauchlan on his ASC
nomination and to Lance for his third Golden Globe
nomination and to Klea as the consummate pro.
Online Host:
Thank you very much for joining us, Chris. We love
your show(s)! and hope you'll join us again soon.
Many thanks to our audience tonight! Your questions
were great!
