This is a transcript of a May 14, 1996 online chat with Richard Biggs. This file is best viewed in a window larger than 80 columns, if possible. OnlineHost: Tonight we are joined by Richard Biggs, star of the science fiction hit "Babylon 5." OnlineHost: Rick's other work includes "Days of Our Lives" and numerous television appearances. B5 Online: Welcome Rick! Rick at B5: Good to be here! Ready for your questions! B5 Online: From Cyaros... Question: just seen you ,joe and pat at marcon in columbus great time thanks B5 Online: From Mibari1... Question: Now that Franklin has resigned from Med Lab, what does that mean for the character? The Question: War council, etc? Rick at B5: More emotional, sexual, spiritual dimensions through other relationship other than Medlab. B5 Online: From Jst... Question: How are the pens working? Rick at B5: The pens are working WONDERFULLY, and thank you. :) B5 Online: From LSDB5... Question: What will Franklin be doing while away from his position? Possibly a Ranger, I hope! Rick at B5: A love interest. No, Jason is not available. B5 Online: :D Rick at B5: Trying to find himself. Franklin is trying to come to terms with who he is. B5 Online: From Nethicus... Question: Do you find working on B5 similar to experience working on Soap Operas? Rick at B5: No, B5 is more relaxed... more challenging. Soap Operas are very easy to do compared to Rick at B5: Babylon 5. B5 Online: From Its A Myth... Question: For Rick: Judging from last episode, you're in great shape. What do you do to work out? Rick at B5: What do I do... hmm. I try to stay away from the Snicker bars and go to the gym a lot. B5 Online: From JH... Question: Hi! This is Jennifer from South Carolina. Do you find Sci Fi audiences much different Question: from Soap audiences. We would love to see you back at Celebrity Softball soon! Rick at B5: Hey! How ya'll doin down thar in S. Carolina? :D Soap Opera friends are crazy, wild... Rick at B5: on the edge. SF fans are more cerebral.. more "Lets sit down and talk about the future." B5 Online: From Pitzerboy... Question: just wondering if you did any research for the addiction-thing.... Rick at B5: Yeah... I tried to do some reading, research. i tried to talk to people who have a Rick at B5: problem like that. B5 Online: From Garibaldi... Question: Do you have any special way of memorizing your lines? Rick at B5: I did a lot of theater and that kind of gets me through. What I do is I have people Rick at B5: volunteer to read my lines to me over.. and over.. and over again - they hate me. :D B5 Online: From DraziPurp... Question: Who's going to take over as Medical CHief of staff now that Franklin is gone? Rick at B5: They are all very capable - they are the best. They can do just fine without me, Im sure. Question: How long does it take to shoot an episode? Rick at B5: It takes 7 working days. From 6:30-7PM. :) B5 Online: From BYU... Question: Rick...were you an athlete in high school, and if so, what sports did you play? Rick at B5: In High School i sat on the bench.. 2nd string football. I broke my knee.. my arm... Rick at B5: my shoulder. B5 Online: From Tenor Ab... Question: I'm an amateur actor who is interested in pursuing a professional career. How did you get Question: started, and what do you recommend for someone who hopes to? Rick at B5: High School drama is where I started.. and college theatre. Probably recommend Rick at B5: theatre, theatre, theatre! B5 Online: So, your saying theatre, Rick? B5 Online: From Trkgr... Question: what shows did you do before babylon? Rick at B5: Days of Our Lives.. Gary Shandlings Show, Three's A Crowd, Three's Company. B5 Online: From Lcclp... Question: Will Dr. Franklin find himself in time to help when Shadws attack B5? Rick at B5: No and Yes. Rick at B5: They attack, but he's not back yet. B5 Online: From Pitzerboy... Question: any future non-B5 projects coming up? Rick at B5: There are some things in the air, but nothing's really sticking yet. Theatre, Movie of Rick at B5: the Week - a lot of stuff but nothing firm. B5 Online: From Archer... Question: Richard, when you saw the resignation scene, knowing JMS penchant for offing characters, Question: did you fear for your job? Rick at B5: Sure! Yeah. Especially with the fact that anyone can go at anytime. If it happens, it Rick at B5: happens. B5 Online: From Hologhost... Question: How do you expect your characters father to react to the addiction plotline? Rick at B5: I hope the situation comes into play with boththe addiction and the secession storylines.. Rick at B5: A lot of people have asked me that - I hope Joe listens. Question: Hi Rick...it's me, your old fan club prez, Janice! Are you still teaching acting in Question: Sacramento at John Robert Powers? Rick at B5: Hi Janice! No teaching there, but other places. :) B5 Online: From Earl K1... Question: Which scene or episode have you found most diffcult to prepare for? Rick at B5: An episode coming up that was very emotional. It was very draining. B5 Online: From Lollie... Question: Richard, How did you get involved with Babylon 5? Rick at B5: My agent called and sent me on the audition. I went through 4 callbacks and I got the Rick at B5: part. Question: Marcus! When are they going to bring you back to "Days"? I'm a little off track on the Question: topic here. . .just wondering. I thought you were great. Rick at B5: Marcus at a medical convention in Los Angeles racking up a hell of a hotel bill right now. Rick at B5: No plans to get back. B5 Online: From Hologhost Question: The arc is so serious now, how do you and the other actors lighten things up around the Question: set? Rick at B5: We hang out with Claudia. :D B5 Online: From Sning1.. Question: What direction would you like JMS to take your character, and how would you compare this Question: role to Marcus on "Days"? Rick at B5: Comedy. You can't really compare the two roles - they are two totally different people. B5 Online: from AMorold... Question: Do you like working sci-fi and did you have to get used to working with "aliens"? B5 Online: Hey! I resemble that remark! B5 Online: From JBRod222... Question: Good Evening. I was very pleased with your performance on b5. It was the first time i Question: realy have seen drug addiction dealt with on a major sci-fi show. Rick at B5: Thank you. B5 Online: From Hologhost... Question: Have you been online before? Rick at B5: All the time. I have a computer. Im listening to what you all are saying when you talk Rick at B5: bad about me. ;> B5 Online: From HO Katarn Question: How much of the final story do you and the rest of the cast know? Rick at B5: None. We just know the next script as it comes down. B5 Online: From EAPR... Question: Wo;; we see any interspecies dating for Dr Franklin? Rick at B5: GOOD Storyline! I see the Dr. falling for a cute .. i dont know.. are there any female Rick at B5: Vorlons? Hmmm B5 Online: From Garibaldi Question: Have you worked with any of the B5 cast members before? Rick at B5: No, but I've worked with people behind the scenes on other shows. B5 Online: From Mudmaster.... Question: Your presence at the Odium last year in Chicago helped make it a great time for me. Are Question: you appearing at any other conventions in the area soon? Rick at B5: No, it will be England in June... Virginia in July, Mass., and Cleveland. B5 Online: From Minbari1... Question: which character would you like Franklin to interact more with? Rick at B5: Vir. :D Ivanova. I think both of them are very sharp and intelligent and there would be Rick at B5: some really great dialogue between the two. B5 Online: From Amkosh... Question: After B5, would you like to do more sci-fi, or pursue a different genre of acting? Rick at B5: I think I would kind of like to go and do something else. More theatre or feature film. B5 Online: From Londo2... Question: Hi! This is James from England again. Will you be comming here for BABCOM '96? Rick at B5: At the end of July, yeah, I will be there for Babcom! Along with a few other people. :) B5 Online: From Archer C1... Question: Have you had much experience with British b5 fans? Since the show is so popular over Question: there are they at a different intensity level than US fans? Rick at B5: They certainly enjoy the show and follow it more intensely and they appreciate it. They Rick at B5: don't have to see the reruns as much over there. They see all the shows at once. B5 Online: From Tenor Ab... Question: Who have you learned the most by working with on the show? Rick at B5: Probably John Flinn, the cameraman. B5 Online: From Lcclp Question: Rick, from a rather minor character, you have built Franklin into a charaacter with many Question: dimensions. Did you konw that would happen when you signed on? Rick at B5: No, but that was my objective with him. Coming from the soap "one dimensional" character Rick at B5: I was determined to make him three dimensional. B5 Online: From Alathal... Question: Where did you go to school, and did you have any formal acting training? Rick at B5: Yeah, I went to USC for 6 years. I had Classical Training. B5 Online: From RedQueen5... Question: How do u feel about the portrayel of blacks in the B5 Universe? Rick at B5: Lack of? If you can clarify I would appreciate it. B5 Online: From GreenGoo7... Question: Hi from British Columbia. What's the funniest thing that has happened on the set Rick at B5: The funniest thing was Majel Barrett walking into a door without it opening and smacked Rick at B5: her in the face. :D B5 Online: From Its a Myth... Question: What do you think of the new uniforms? Rick at B5: I like them a lot better, they look rebellious. B5 Online: And now for the last question tonight... B5 Online: From Pitzerboy... Question: rick.. just wondering how you feel about the merchandising end of entertainment. do you Question: think B5 should be more active? how about dr. franklin action figure..... Rick at B5: Hmmm Rick at B5: I say go for it! How about a B5 cartoon? A B5 lunchbox maybe? B5 Online: I want to thank everybody for joining us tonight with our conference with Rick Biggs of B5 Online: "Babylon 5." I would like to invite everyone to the Eclipse Cafe for some munchies... and of B5 Online: course downloadable videos of the 2 parter! B5 Online: Thanks again Rick! Rick at B5: Keep watching and Ill see you at a convention some time! Thanks! OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 America Online, Inc.