TV Guide: For several seasons Ted Raimi has done double duty playing the whimsical yet noble Joxer on both Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. In addition, Ted Raimi also played Lt. Tim O'Neill on all 3 seasons of Seaquest DSV. Welcome, Ted. Glad you could join us tonight.
Raimi: Hello nefarious fans of Xena, Hercules, Seaquest DSV and possibly members of the Ted Raimi International Fanclub! Greetings!
MeBananaGirl: I LOVE your style. How would you describe it - slightly vintage 40's?
Raimi: Yes, with an early 60's twist. Thanks!
queen_of_water: A lot of fans are looking forward to your London convention. Are you appearing both days?
Raimi: I don't know the particulars of the convention yet, but probably - mate!
realeyes: What kind of research did you have to do to become Xena for Deja Vu? You did such a wonderful job.
Raimi: I found the worst elements in myself and brought them forward. It's just like when I bring some of the best and simplest for Joxer.
queen_of_water: I was wondering, what does the cast & crew of Xena like to do best when they take five on the set?
Raimi: Lucy likes to chat or read. Renee studies her script diligently. And I usually goof around with whomever I can find.
TV Guide: Is there a practical joker on the set?
Raimi: Very often the camera crew likes to pretend they're rolling when they're not really at all. Then someone will yell all of a sudden "Action, Ted, go, go, go!" And I'll be frantically trying to say my lines and hit my marks with no preparation at all. They all seem to find this VERY amusing. So do I.
realeyes: Did you have to practice your scream, or are you a naturally good screamer?
Raimi: Please explain.
vikinggirl99: How uncomfortable is the Joxer costume?
Raimi: Very, But over the years modifications have been made so that it has become more and more comfortable. The worst part, not surprisingly, is the hat. It's like wearing a bag of straw on your head.
Joxrluvr: What was it like for you to meet William Shatner, since you idolized him as a boy?
Raimi: It was a thrill since Mr. Shatner is a fine actor despite the many jokes about him. Although it was confusing to have him call me Lieutenant on Sea Quest when we were not shooting Star Trek.
lovingtate: I've noticed that several of the Xena stars have directed also. Is that something that you are interesting in doing at some point?
Raimi: Not television. Acting and directing are two sides of the same coin to me. Both interpret the writer's work to be presented on screen. The real challenge I believe is in writing, a much more difficult task than either acting or directing.
realeyes: When will we see you in a movie of your own?
Raimi: When Xena's season is over I plan on producing and writing my own movie, but I have no plans to star in one anytime soon.
Beth_Smarr: It is rumored that Jace will appear this season; will this mean double duty for you again? If Jett is in the episode, that would mean triple duty!
Raimi: Triple!
Beth_Smarr: How busy on Xena will you be this season? How will that affect your other commitments?
Raimi: I have no other commitments! Xena will keep me busy for almost the entire year since Lucy is now quite pregnant, and her action abilities will be severely limited. So for at least a couple of months they'll be bringing in myself and Renee to do more things.
Parasong: My 4 year old daughter is here. She says: "I love you. Where can we write to you to get a picture of you, Xena and Gabrielle?" She really loves Xena.
Raimi: To get a picture of the three of us she can write to Universal Studios, Hollywood, CA or write to Renaissance Pictures, Hollywood. The address can be found in Los Angeles phone books.
findle_98: It has been said that Renee's a very analytical actor, while Lucy's style is more instinctive. How would you describe your acting style?
Raimi: My acting style is analytical at home but instinctive on set. If you spend too much time thinking and not enough time reacting I tend to get very mechanical and stiff. This, miraculously, is not true with Renee O'Connor who seems to be more loose and relaxed the more she thinks about a scene.
vikinggirl99: Any chance of a SeaQuest reunion show?
Raimi: Not at this point, no. The ratings on the Science Fiction channel have been high however, so who knows.
JoxerBuddy: What was your inspiration for the role you played in Skinner?
Raimi: I didn't have one particular inspirational role model. However, I did a lot of research into serial killers and read as many books about them as I could take. Ted Bundy, Macy and a few others were key there.
joxerfan: Tell us some good stories about working with Josh Becker. (Or about growing up with Josh Becker!)
Raimi: Josh is a movie freak. There is no doubt about it. He could tell you anything you'd ever want to know about just about any picture. He's very funny and very off handed, but at the same time, interestingly, he is extremely analytical. Josh can give you 20 reasons why he wants something done. But if he believes none of those reasons bring him any pleasure whatsoever, he'll do something else. Josh is a very funny guy.
Gabrichoo: Whats your favorite role so far?
Raimi: I don't have one. There is, just like anybody else, times where I enjoy what I'm doing, and there are other times when I don't enjoy what I'm doing.
Mighty_Joxer_lover: About how many months of the year are you in New Zealand?
Raimi: 5 1/2.
vikinggirl99: I read that Xena or Hercules may move from New Zealand to Vancouver. Any truth to this rumor?
Raimi: No.
CuckooCrazyChick: Whenever someone is asked who on the show they want to work with, they always say "Ted Raimi." Who would YOU really want to work with?
Raimi: Good question! I think Steve Buscemi and John Malkovich top the list at the moment.
CuckooCrazyChick: Will Joxer get to deal with the loss of Gabby and Xena, or will they be back before he knows they were gone?
Raimi: You'll have to watch and findout.
melbeth_13: Will there be any new versions of the song Joxer the Mighty in the next season?
Raimi: I sincerely hope not. I think that joke, while funny when we created it, has played itself out. I'm trying to think of a new song at the moment!
realeyes: I heard there will be another musical episode. Will Joxer be in it? And more importantly will you be singing?
Raimi: I don't know if there is going to be another musical, but I believe that there might be a completely CGI animated episode coming up. But I can't confirm this.
BroadwayPhil: In the past year, your fans have produced a veritable explosion of SeaQuest and Xena fan fiction featuring your characters. Do you ever get a chance to read any of it? If so, what do you think?
Raimi: Wow I didn't know that! I'll try to find some on the internet, I understand there is quite a bit of it. Though I don't log on that often to look at Xena sites. But thanks for telling me
DoubleDownLV: Regarding accusations of nepotism, do you find that you get a lot of flack because of who your brother is, even though you have done very well with your OWN talents?
Raimi: I don't think I have gotten so much flak as I have gotten comparisons to my brother. But charges of nepotism are at the complainer's discretion, and quite frankly if you don't like to watch me, then by all means, turn the darn thing off. Watch my brother instead!
Grrl_69: Are you as funny in real life as you are on the show?
Raimi: Yes, I have people write my dialogue for me in real life, too!
vikinggirl99: Will Gabby ever realize how Joxer feels about her?
Raimi: Yes she will at the beginning of next season. Lots of things will be answered then.
Beth_Smarr: What is the status of Iggy Vile?
Raimi: Dead, dead, dead.
AzinaZelle: Do you have any new TV appearances or roles lined up in the future?
Raimi: Nothing other than Xena, that keeps me pretty busy. Although I do have a part in For Love Of The Game, the new Kevin Costner movie coming out this summer.
Gabrichoo: Your role on American Gothic was very serious, and you are known more for comedic roles. Was it hard to prepare for?
Raimi: No, not really. Finding psychopathic tendencies is not difficult for me. Nor for many other actors I've worked with. Lots of loonies out there.
Gabrichoo: What was it like working with Gary Cole on American Gothic?
Raimi: An education. He is a very generous actor. Who is also one of the smoothest TV actors I've ever worked with, meaning his lines come out effortlessly. It was cool to watch.
Joxrluvr: Great job on Déjà Vu. Do you find it hard being so far >from a home base for so long?
Raimi: Thanks! Yes I do. New Zealand is a wonderful country. Filled with some very exceptionally cool people. But I'm an American first and foremost. And I usually can't wait to get back home. If you don't understand this, try eating a kidney and liver pie every day for a month.
rjaneway: We hear that Xena and Gabrielle have a new look for the coming season. Will Joxer have a new look as well?
Raimi: Unfortunately no. They have kept Joxer in his rags and bags.
ladykoriandr: What was it like working on the set of SeaQuest? What did you do when it was canceled?
Raimi: Went to CostCo. and bought everything in bulk.
DoubleDownLV: Which was your favorite season of SeaQuest? And, do you have a favorite episode? (Aside from the one you wrote.)
Raimi: Yes, Spin Drift was a brilliant episode. That I thought was one of the most well constructed shows that we've ever done.
joxerfan: Tell us about these two new half hour shows - Cleopatra and the pirate one. Any chance you'll do a guest shot?
Raimi: I do not know what the shows are about as they are in their embryonic stages, but it's more than likely that my head will pop up in more than one episode of them. I'm sort of like a TV virus.
vikinggirl99: Do you still keep in touch with your SeaQuest co-stars?
Raimi: Yes, I do. In fact last night I was out with Marco Sanchez and Don Franklin. We had a great time.
Beth_Smarr: Do you have any regrets over the direction/directions the powers that be took SeaQuest over its all-too-short run?
Raimi: No I don't because I thought that the show had such a huge potential and it couldn't possibly live up to its hype. No show can. So I think that's partly what brought us down. But I have no regrets.
G_TORIE: What is the best part about working in an era long ago and fantasy at that?
Raimi: Well I think that you get to create as you go. There aren't any hard fast rules about what you can and cannot be. In a western you have a six gun and chaps for example. But in pre-Hellenic Greece, you are pretty much in blue sky with regard to your limits, because nobody knows really what pre-Hellenic Greece was like.
vikinggirl99: Do you have any hobbies?
Raimi: Yes, I am studying Spanish, studying piano, listen to music constantly, and I write.
joxerfan: The fun story in fan club cirlces is that Bruce Campbell used to babysit you and carpool you to dance and music lessons. Let's hear some good stories about that!
Raimi: Bruce was a dorky kid. But he was always very funny. And he was often put into duty for taking me around to my cello lessons and my singing lessons. Usually my brother Sam would be off doing something and he'd say I'm busy making this movie, you're going to take my little brother around and drive him places. Bruce was always obliging and very nice about it.
CuckooCrazyChick: During the filming of the break dance scene in If The Shoe Fits did they have to spin you around to get the close up?
Raimi: No I spun myself. I took lessons for three weeks in that break dancing stuff. Man it's hard. I'm glad the 80's are over.
IolausSlut: I know you did your own singing in The Bitter Suite. Have you ever done any musicals? Would you want to?
Raimi: I did quite a few in college but I don't think I would do them anymore. You'd have to be somebody with a voice like Lucy Lawless to get any professional work these days anyhow.
stephachu: I've enjoyed your work and find you very entertaining and I hope you can make it to the upcoming conventions in San Francisco and Pasadena. I wanted to ask if I want to start a career in singing and acting, do you have any advice?
Raimi: Do as many plays as you can, not just the ones they assign to you, but ones you pick yourself, and maybe even direct and act in yourself. The more you do the better you will become. And just anything that's worthwhile, most people will tell you that it's not. Good luck!
joxerfan: What are some of your favorite Joxer moments? Particular lines? episodes? Anything ever get cut that you had wished would have stayed in?
Raimi: Yes, in every single episode I wish that. I often adlib things which, if there is time on the set, they will suit. But these don't often make it into the final cut. Either because of time restrictions or because it didn't fit that particular episode. My favorite episode , since you asked, is For Him The Bell Tolls.
Grrl_69: Was there any embarrassing moments on the set?
Raimi: Yes, during the episode Finns Fems and Gems, I had to parade around the set wearing nothing but a little G string. Man, that was tough!
Joxette: Do you have a girlfriend? (and if not, may I volunteer?)
Raimi: Thanks for volunteering and Joxer always needs a Joxette. But unfortunately I have my own personal Joxette whom I date. But thanks for the offer, it's very flattering.
merlinsdaughter69: What's it really like working with Lucy Lawless?
Raimi: It's a blast. She has boundless energy which always amazes me. Usually by about 4 PM I'm always sitting in my chair every time the camera stops rolling. But not Lucy, she's up and around talking and studying her script. I don't know how she does it really.
AzinaZelle: If you could create an ideal role for yourself, what would it be?
Raimi: The answer to that is that there is no answer to that. But an ideal role would be a role that has depth and can be enjoyed over a long period of time. One that isn't just temporary or hip.
TV Guide: Are you appearing in anything in the near future? Will you be at any of the conventions?
Raimi: Yes. I will. For Love of the Game, this summer, and also I am writing and producing my own film in March of the year 2000. It's a comedy. But it won't star me. I'm taking a backseat to this one. I'll be, with any luck, I'll be able to make it to the Con in London. And also I'm going to try to make it to San Francisco but that looks less likely because my time on Xena probably won't permit it. But after March of next year you should see me in quite a few cons, all around the country and in Europe. My favorite one that I've done quite recently, has been called Aggie Con in Texas. The college students were great.
TV Guide: Ted, thanks so much for joining us this evening. Sounds like you have a pretty full schedule in the near future. Good luck.
Raimi: It's been a blast. Thanks for writing in so many great questions. And for those of you who are curious what is going to happen to Gabrielle and Joxer next season, don't bother askin' me - watch Xena this fall! Thanks again!
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