Ted Raimi AOL Chat, September 1997

AOL Chat with Ted Raimi

June 22, 1997

Originally posted to the Chakram mailing list by "Cleya"

OnlineHost:: TRaimi has entered the room. Celebrity Circle features actor Theodore Raimi - starting at 10 PM ET. To send your question to the speaker, click on the Interact icon, then use the Ask a Question option. Your emcees are MegK and AOLiveMC10, Rusti. Theodore Raimi is a native of Detroit, Michigan. Ted is the youngest among the three brothers of the Raimi family. The eldest is Ivan Raimi who is a doctor and writer. Ted's second eldest brother is the famous Sam Raimi, who is a producer, director, actor and screenwriter. Sam is also one of three people who formed Renaissance Productions. Welcome!
MegK: Welcome Mr. Raimi!
TRaimi: Thanks for signing on and for those of you who don't know me, call me Ted. For those of you who are my good friends, call me Ted. LOL
MegK: Hehehe
MegK: OK Ted... from Quest4600 we have this question....
Question: Hi Ted! :-) I was wondering what you thought of the format changes that were made during _seaQuest_?
TRaimi: I thought they were all good but they came too little too late. We really hit it in the 3rd season, however, but by then we had lost so much of our audience from the 2nd season that it was sort of like beating a dead horse.
MegK: Chf Revik has this one for you:
Question: I've heard you spend a lot of time on the web, have you ever thought about looking in on a "seaQuest" role-playing game called UEO On-Line? It's on AOL... (hint, hint) (g)
TRaimi: No, I haven't done that but I used to do that when I was on the show. I really don't get much time on the net other than time to check my mail from my friends and try to update my website, which is the Ted Raimi International Fan Club. Which I don't run, but I try to give as much information to my fan club president as I can. But thanks for the tip ::wink wink:::
MegK: Chf Revik wants you to check this out:
Question: Have you seen "seaQuest 2047", the sQ spinoff on the 'net? (http://sqx.simplenet.com/2047)? Tim O'Neill was featured in "Lest We Remember".
TRaimi: No, I haven't seen it but it sounds kind of scary. It sounds like a eulogy or something, or is that just maybe a warning? I can't really tell, but I'm sorry, I haven't really seen it.
MegK: From JayJay51...
Question: I've watched Seaquest from the beginning and I still watch it in reruns. My favorite season was season 2. Did you have a favorite season or favorite episode?
TRaimi: Yes, I do. I think my favorite episode is Season 3, the pilot where Seaquest was found in a giant wheat field in the middle of Iowa, and I think it was brilliant because they had to pull a show that was written to be dead in the 2nd season out of the ashes, and then revive it for an entirely new audience in the 3rd season. I think it was an incredible effort. It was very exciting.
MegK: CdtStrick wants to know:
Question: Which do you like better SeaQuest or Xena
TRaimi: I like them both, actually. I wish I could answer your question more better. They're both different although Xena gives me the opportunity to do physical comedy, which I really really love. But there aren't many opportunities in Xena to be dramatic, because I'm the funny guy on the show. But that's a fun thing, too. I'm lucky because I get to have great cast members on both shows. Xena, of course, has lovely cast members as opposed to Seaquest. This is always a positive when you're acting.
MegK: PenandSwr has another Xena question for you:
Question: Questionfor Mr. Raimi -- Joxer has matured a lot in two seasons. His character has really grown. Will we see more progress in the season ahead?
TRaimi: Yes you will and thanks for noticing. I am very fortunate that I've got some very creative writers on my side, and they have been developing his character quite well. It's unusual to have such a buffoon like Joxer to be so well developed in a TV show. There are very rare examples of that. For example, characters from Barney Miller like Fish and Taxi and other shows where there have been very extreme characters. It's been unusual for TV writers to create 3-D character. They've done it on Xena, and I certainly enjoy playing and creating them, in a certain way. In this 3rd season, you'll see Joxer becoming a little more fleshed out but no less stupid or imbicilic, I don't think. But there's lots of surprises. We're going to start meeting members of Joxer's family. ;>
MegK: Now that will be...
MegK: cough
MegK: interesting.
MegK: LOL
MegK: From Trb1007, we have this question:
Question: Ted, I enjoy your performances very much. What would you like to do theatrically in the future?
TRaimi: More films, mostly. I love doing Xena but most of my career has been in feature film, and I'd like to get back to that pretty soon. I'm doing a movie at the end of the summer with Jeffrey Combs and it's a horror movie, tentatively called Fly Trap right now. It should be lots of fun.
MegK: Dingane wants to know a bit more about Joxer:
Question: Would you consider Joxer an underdog, an everyman, or something else?
TRaimi: Good question! He's definitely a something else. However, he certainly is an underdog who is an everyman, who thinks he's a super hero. Got all that? Kind of confusing, I know, but Joxer is a complex person. Like a zoo monkey a little bit. He's eating a banana, but he never shows what he's thinking. LOL
MegK: hehehe
MegK: Boingo799 wants to see you without a screen in between, I think:
Question: Any conventions for you soon?
TRaimi: Yes, there are a number of them. I'll be in 4 different cities around the US. They're in Detroit, MI on the 17th or 18th of August. Be there or be square. The rest of the dates are unconfirmed.
MegK: Athena63 has this question for you:
Question: Have you considered writing any scripts for Xena Warrior princess?
TRaimi: Yes, I have. I'm currently working on one right now, although it's not certain whether or not it will get made. It's up to the producers. But when I wrote my script for Seaquest, I had to pitch the producers. This is a submission. Hopefully with some help from RJ Stewart, the chief writer, I may get it produced.
MegK: GabBardXW wants to get down to the nitty gritty:
Question: Hi Ted!! I really appreciate you taking time to spend with your fans. I enjoy watching your portrayal of "Joxer"...he's quite funny. How does it feel getting beat up by Gabrielle? Thanks!! Good luck!!
TRaimi: Thanks, Gab. That's a nice compliment. It's always fun because Renee is always very careful not to really hurt me. I'd say probably out of the 100 days I've ever worked on that show, 75 of which Gabrielle had to poke me in the eyes, hit me in the nose or kick me in the shin. She's only hurt me once during the Comedy of Eros episode where she pulled my ear with her teeth.
MegK: Boingo799 asks:
Question: What ever happened with American Gothic?
TRaimi: American Gothic was cancelled because of low ratings. However, I think this one was a little too strange for American audiences. It was a little too off beat, very much like my other show Twin Peaks was. People couldn't quite stomach it at the end. Generally, most straight horror TV programs, without any sci-fi bent to them, generally fail. There's been a few exception, but horror seems to be in the domain of movies than TV. People want safety and comfort when they turn on their TV. This one offered no comfort. Just good old fashion scare. But that's a very good question! I often ask myself the very same thing.
MegK: DHat3463 wants to go way back in your life:
Question: How did you decide to become an actor???
TRaimi: Well, my mother runs a chain of women's lingerie stores in Detroit, MI, and I could have been the bra king of Michigan. I thought about that awhile, and I thought a little harder. And I thought I didn't want to do that, so that was out. Then I realized that it was a very lonely time I was having at college. I didn't know anybody. I certainly know any girls. I didn't have friends. I saw these guys on the football team had all these girls and friends. I figured out that the only place I could fit in was in the drama department. It was a great benefit. I suddenly had pals. It was all very magical and wonderful. And like every other actor, you vascillate between joy and misery for the rest of your life. But that's the joy of acting. That's what you sign on to do.
MegK: This question comes from Mchakram:
Question: Are you going to do any Hercules episodes this season?
TRaimi: Yes, I am. I just completed one where it's yet untitled but I will tell that Eolis goes into a negative universe and meets Hercules' counterpart, Xena's counterpart and Joxer's counterpart. At the risk of being clobbered by the studio, I'm not going to say much more about it but it's going to be a blast. It's going to be on in another 2 months.
MegK: EWATVER asks:
Question: Hi! I was wondering- Do you watch yourself on tv? Also- I s that hat uncomfortable? It looks kinda hard.
TRaimi: EWATVER, yes I do! But I only watch it once because after that, it's like looking at yourself in the mirror. After it's done, I put a label on it and stick it in a closet. I'll never see it unless a friend wants to. I usually watch other actors for their acting technique and to see how they look at the camera. As to the hat, yes. It is the most uncomfortable costume piece I've ever worn in my life. Incidentally, the costume is very heavy. It's designed by Nglia Dickinson, who also incidentally designed Lucy's costume and Renee's costume. Looks great, feels heavy -- like regular beer.
MegK: From Boingo799:
Question: Do you have an email address where we can write you? And do you ever come online.
TRaimi: I do have an email address but unfortunately becuase I have to be careful who I give it to, I can't give it out tonight. But if you want to write to me, you can find the address at the Ted Raimi International website. You can do a search on websites and it's a site that I'm very proud to call the official site because the president and vice president are wonderful and very supportive of me. That's where I thin you can find that.
MegK: Another question for Chf Revik:
Question: What did you think of the episode "Weapons of War", with Kimura? A lot of fans think it was one of the best O'Neill episodes ever, do you agree?
MegK: (from I mean)
TRaimi: Please write. I love getting letters and I'll answer letters whenever I can. Chf, here's the funny thing. I have never seen that episode. I am not kidding you. The series was yanked off the air before that episode aired officially, and I have never seen it. I am preparing to watch it on the Sci Fi channel because even us actors have to watch it on TV unless there's a special screening. So there you have it. But I'm glad you liked it. I worked on it very hard. I remember it very well.
MegK: JPAT2 asks:
Question: Hi! Do you think seaQuest is- er, was- a good way to teach us about the environment??
TRaimi: Yes, it was. Espeically in our 1st season, which was mostly about that crew and the ocean. You can't hit people over the head with an environmental message. They get offended by that. If you come around from the back way and tell them a story, and that way you're gentlely tapping them on the shoulder. That's a more substantial and effective way of getting the message across. I think we did quite well there in the first 22 episodes. But thank you for asking. There seems to be a lot of Seaquest fans out there!
MegK: Smileypro takes us to Twin Peaks (I still am haunted by the theme music) with this:
Question: Ted, could you tell us about your TWIN PEAKS expierience?
TRaimi: Yes, I can. It was one of the most satisfying TV experiences I've ever had. I was acting with some very fine actors who were very gracious, warm and really made me feel like a part of their TV show. The strange thing was, the show was shot way out in the LA valley which, for those of you who do not live in LA, is a very remote part of the city. I suppose that added to the show's strangeness. The directors and cast were terrific and surprisingly normal. There was no strange activity going on. No one was plotting to kill anyone, and no one ate pie while I was there. Not a single piece. Lots of candy though. Lots of M&M's and Snickers. They were popular.
MegK: Back to American Gothic with a question from Editor90:
Question: I loved your performance as Half-Ted in the terrific American Gothic--did you enjoy working on that show?
TRaimi: Thanks for the compliment. Yes, I did. I had a blast Gary Cole was brilliant actor to work with. He's very generous as an actor. It was beautiful. We shot that in North Carolina. I remember being one of the few city slickers out there. As soon as the 10k lights were off, there was nothing but black skies and stars above. I was awestruck. I stood there staring at the sky at the end of the shooting day, and I had to be led off the field -- my eyes were gaga. It was a very exciting time. I got to play a bad guy. I enjoy playing a bad guys For Xena fans, this is the first time I've had to do comedy with the exception of a short stint on Alf. Most of the time I play bad guys and pensive intellectuals.
MegK: GabBardXW asks:
Question: Hi Ted!! I really enjoy watching your portrayal of Joxer. GREAT work!! Do you get to do your own stunts or do they have a stunt double take all those nasty punches?
TRaimi: It all depends. If the camera is one me and you see my face, I'm the one getting beat up. For a few of the more dangerous stunts like falling great distances I wish I could say it was me, but it's not. And thanks for the great compliment. I'm glad you like my performances.
MegK: Another American Gothic question from SuperMoch:
Question: Mr Raimi, I really enjoyed your guest spot on American Gothic. I read in an interview with Micheal Lange that your brother Same was against you taking the part- why? I thought you were classic! (But I'm biased...)
TRaimi: Thank you very much. I think that it's difficult to say whether my brother was biased or not. He's a shrewed director and writer first. I don't think he was against me taking the part, but he was concerned with what was best for the show. He's a very talented director and writer. But I think he was happy with what happened, and it turned out to be a good episode.
MegK: Animorph1 asks:
Question: What role did you like the best? The role of tough Joxer under Aphrodite's Spell or the funny comic Joxer?
TRaimi: The truth is, you can't have one without the other. They're both rewarding in different ways. I think that the Aphrodite episode was great fun because it came out of a conversation I had with RJ Stewart. He was in New Zealand not too long ago, and we were talking about movies. The film Court Jester came out as one of our favorite movies from long time ago. AT that moment it hit RJ. He said, Hey why don't we make a Xena episode with a similar theme and simliar idea. So that's how that episode came around.
MegK: La Mary asks:
Question: Ted - I loved you in "Lunatics: A Love Story." Any plans to do something with Josh again? Love ya!
TRaimi: Yes. As a matter of fact, in For Him the Bell Tolls and Warrior Princess Tramp, were both episodes directed by Josh Becker. I know that Josh will be directing me in several more Xena's later this year, and I'm looking forward to that one.
MegK: Oniru is looking out for your future:
Question: Hello Ted! Any chance of a spinoff series with yourself as Joxer and Bruce Campbell as Autolycus?
TRaimi: There is little chance of that, I'm afraid, but Bruce and I work together on a regular basis. There's an episode I"m shooting on Tuesday which stars Bruce Campbell and myself and will be directed by no less than Bruce.
MegK: Eluce wants to know:
Question: What is it like to spend time and work in New Zealand compared to being in L.A.?
TRaimi: Well, all my favorite restaurants and hang-outs aren't there. Of course, the people are a little different. Otherwise, it's exactly the same things. The Kiwis, as they are so self-proclaimed, work every bit as hard as Americans and are generally a very funny bunch of people. The crew has a great sense of humor. The only difference is their accent is very Croccodile Dundeeish. They say "mahk" instead of "marker" and they say "tean ovah" instead of "rolling." Otherwise, they're as hard a working crew as you'll ever want to meet.
MegK: Chf Revik asks:
Question: Did you get to work with William Shatner in the first season sQ episode "Hide and Seek"? If so, what was he like?
TRaimi: Will Shatner was a quiet man but it was like being on an episode of Star Trek. Every time he said Lieutenant, I felt like saying, Yes Captain. I had a funny desire to wear a yellow crushed velvet shirt with a v-neck.
MegK: Trekke275 asks:
Question: When you were on seaquset you always were speaking a foreign language. Do you speak any foreign languages in real life? You did it so well
TRaimi: Thank you very much Trekke275 I speak a smattering of German and Spanish, but other than that I don't speak any foreign languages. Each episode where I spoke that language, a college professor was sent over to tutor me. That's why the language had such veracity on the show.
MegK: Cleya asks:
Question: Hi Ted! Your pal, Cleya here! Do you check out any of the Herc/Xena sites? The NetForum perchance?
TRaimi: You know, Cleya, I used to do it all the time. Because for an actor, getting feedback is the one thing he can't have when he's doing TV. But when Joxer's character first came out on Xena, he had so much negative criticism that I had to stop reading it and focus more on what I believe to be a good performance. I couldn't concern myself with negative criticism because I knew people who liked it were also not writing in. So no, I haven't checked out the site often but people say I should because the criticism is much more positive. Wow...sorry about that. I didn't think I'd say that much.
MegK: Wfllaw asks this question:
Question: what's the worst part you've ever played?
TRaimi: The worst part I've ever played was in a movie called Martians go Home with Randy Quaid and I was supposed to play a surprise surprise computer specialist. During the shooting of this movie, I was so offended by something the 2nd assistant director said to me on the picture, I walked off the set. It's the only time in my career that I've ever done that. I wish I could say that It was the first time in my career I've ever done that. I felt justified.
MegK: Mrsloud has a couple questions for you:
Question: How do you feel about your fans? Do you enjoy fame, or do we scare you sometimes (I am in TRIFC and have witnessed the obsession firsthand) ;)
TRaimi: The answer is both. The reason that actors become actors is so they can perform in front of many people. Fame is a part of that. As I become more famous, I also get more fans that are a little more kookoo. That's to be expected. Most fans are fine, but some fans can be a little scary. I've been approached by some very scary people lately, both on the street and through letters. There are some places where I cannot go by myself as I'm afraid and I have to go with a friend or someone bigger than me, because I've had some unforutnate experiences in the past. Some people say You're a big tough warrior and want to start something. But 99% of my experiences are very positive. The fans are very nice and very kind. It's just an unfortunate few psychos that make for a couple of bad experiences in the past.
MegK: Blockhead feels your pain about your Joxer costume and asks:
Question: Now that Xena has undergone a costume change will Joxer be getting some new (and hopefully spiffier) threads?
TRaimi: Thanks for asking. Unfortunately, he won't be. He'll be in the same old clunky tin can he's been in the whole time. Sorry about that.
MegK: CDDIGH asks:
Question: Which do you enjoy more, Directing or Acting?
TRaimi: Right now, acting. But one day, it might be directing. I enjoy them both at the moment, however.
MegK: XXL MUSCL wants to know:
Question: Are the producers of Xena currently accepting spec scripts, or agent scripts?
TRaimi: I couldn't tell you that. If you send in your script to the Xena offices and they send it back with a "we don't take submissions", the answer is no. I wish I could be more helpful. Sorry.
MegK: From SR20:
Question: In the show XWP, you, Lucy Lawless, Renee O'Connor, Hudson Leick and the rest of the cast seem to "click" together very well. Is it easy working with such a talented group? Just a comment - Joxer sure has his moments! ; ) You're terrific!!! Thanks!
TRaimi: Oh boy! Yes, they're wonderful actors to work with. They're great straight persons as well. I want to say straightmen, but that's a little sexist. They're both great comedians, especially Lucy. Lucy can play either a straight person or a goofy person with equal success. There are darn few actors who could do that. She's capable of doing it. She's also a very talented actress as well.
MegK: LadyAndro asks:
Question: Hi Ted. I'm a big fan of your work, especially your TV characters. Which one do you relate to more, Joxer the Mighty, the unappreciated hero, or Tim O'Neill?
TRaimi: And we get along very well, I might add. LadyAndro - Well, they're both very similar in many ways. Both are unappreciated hereos, like you said. Tim O'Neill was a talented guy who people recognized as talented but he himself would never get credit for. Joxer was a talentless dope who gives himself credit loudly and obnoxiously every chance he gets. Both characters are unappreciated in the things that they do the best.
MegK: From Gw ramsey:
Question: Ted, what is the address for your web site?
TRaimi: GW, I'm sorry I don't know what the address is offhand. Any search engine will bring you where you need to go if you type in Ted Raimi International Fan Club. I hope that helps. And thanks for checking in there.
MegK: JuBenniso asks:
Question: Hi-You are one very busy, talented man whose hand I hope to shake at the Valley Forge con in thanx for your contributions to XWP. I was wondering how difficult it is to meet the travel demands of your profession, specifically, those trips to NZ.
TRaimi: It's hell on my love life, I'll tell you that. I can't seem keep together any substantial relationshps because the travel is so hard on me. I don't know. Maybe it's because I haven't met the right girl yet. I'll let you know as soon as I do. Otherwise, it's just a lot of time spent in the air, I'm afraid, but I wouldn't live my life any other way.
MegK: GabBardXW asks:
Question: Hi Ted!! I love your character, "Joxer." As an actor, who do you consider to be your mentors? Thanks much!! Good Luck!
TRaimi: As far as Joxer is concerned, I think my mentors are mostly Bob Hope and Danny Kaye. I have to give credit to Moe Howard, Larry Fine and Shemp. I owe a lot to them for the hardcore comedy. All the one-liners are Bob Hope inspired. A lot of the physical comedy is inspired by Danny Kaye.
MegK: Animorph1 asks:
Question: Did you like how Lucy Lawless stood up for you in TV Guide?
TRaimi: Yes, that was very noble of her and really kind of her to stand up for me Negative criticism is something I've lived with my whole life. Any actor gets kicked around in the press, although Lucy took it to heart because she thought I got more than most actors. She's a real pal, I think.
MegK: For the last question of the evening, Ger31862 asks:
Question: what members of Joxer's family will we meet in the third season of Xena?
TRaimi: Boy, I think that it's most likely going to be his brothers. You will see Joxer's brothers. I can say no more or I believe the writers will lynch me from a nearby writing post. Note that's not "riding" but "writing." But it should be a lot of fun.
MegK: Thanks for a fun chat, Ted. It's nice hearing the person behin Joxer. (grin)
TRaimi: Thanks for everything. I had a great time on the interview. And thanks to all of you fans who stood by me, even when most of Joxer's comments were negative. If there's anything you'd like to see Joxer do on the show, or any comments you have about him, you can send your comments to Renaissance Pictures here in Los Angeles, located inside of Universal Studios. If you'd like to write to me, you can send it c/o of my fan club. I'll read it although I can't get to all the question. Just the ones I have time for, but eventually I'll get to everyone's comments to me. Thanks! You had terrific questions tonight. Goodnight. So Long. And Farewell, My Warrior Chums!
MegK: Yes, thanks for some great questions, audience!
MegK: Night all!

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