On March 24th, Babylon 5 Online was proud to welcome Patricia Tallman to our home and our Babylon 5 community! Below is a transcript from the event! Copyright 1996 America Online, Inc. OnlineHost : The auditorium consists of two major areas: the audience, where you are right now, and the stage, where the speakers appear. Text which you type onscreen shows only to those in your row, prefaced by the row number in parentheses, such as (2) if you are in row 2. To interact with the speaker, use the Interact icon on your screen. OnlineHost : To send your question to the speaker, click on the Interact icon, then use the Ask a Question option. OnlineHost : Tonight we are joined by Patricia Tallman, a very talented actress and stuntwoman who first appeared in the pilot movie of Babylon 5, and recently reprised her role as a rogue telepath in the second and third seasons. She has also appeared in "Night of the Living Dead" and the new "Star Trek" series of spinoffs. Welcome, Patricia! PT at B5 : Hello! B5 Online : From JIMXXYZ Question : Hi: Babylon 5 sorta reminds me of a 50's space show. Any ideas why it survived when other sci-fi shows released about the same time are now collector's items? PT at B5 : For one thing, J. Michael Straczynski create the show, he has a brilliant five year plot line that nobody else is doing. The characters have grown with everyone, and Joe keeps us constantly on our toes - you never know what's coming next. This is NOT a predictable show. :) B5 Online : From Larry Che... Question : Will the role of Lyta replace Talia's role of "station telepath?" PT at B5 : No. Lyta has her own stroyline and always has. Even if Talia had stayed with the show, Lyta would have come in with her storyline with Kosh. B5 Online : From SandraB85... Question : Pat, When will we see you on the show again. I understand it will be very soon. PT at B5 : I just shot an episode called "Walkabout"... but Im afraid it won't air for quite a while. Maybe not even until next season. B5 Online : From AChag1948... Question : Hi Patricia........I was wondering if you are doing any stunt work in the new "Jurassic Park" Movie, assuming it's actually going to be made. PT at B5 : It depends on the stunt coordinator. I would LOVE to be part of it, but I have no idea PT at B5 : if it would be appropriate. It depends on who the actresses are. :) B5 Online : From PIZZAZZ2... OnlineHost : Evening... how are you tonight PT at B5 : Im great, thanks, hope everyone else is! B5 Online : From Lkrepel... Question : What roles did you play/episodes did you appear in on Star Trek? PT at B5 : Ive done about 20 episodes on TNG, Voyager, and DS9. Some of the guest stars would be Kiros on "Starship Mine," which just aired the other night... Jera the Romulan on TNG... Nima on "Battlelines" on DS9... "Weapons Officer" on DS9. And... Nurse Takamura on DS9. In addition to countless target practice roles, falls, hits, fights, etc. on all three shows. Im currently working on DS9 doubling Terry Farrell. B5 Online : From Pinkleaps... Question : Do you like the changes that character has gone through from the pilot to now? It seems Lyta is becoming a more challenging role to play? PT at B5 : Very much! If I were able to pick a path for Lyta, it would be to be able to become more of a soldier for the Light, and that seems to be in the direction that Joe is taking her - but you never know... B5 Online : I hate when you do that... ;> B5 Online : From CYaros... Question : what is the connection between you and Kosh PT at B5 : I could very Vorlon and say, "There is a connection between us all." But to be honest with you, there is more to it than even I know. From what I understand, Kosh to me is like a religious mentor. I have that kind of passion for him, as if he were Jesus. There seems to be, however, something a bit sinister going on, and that's all I can say. If Joe is in the audience... he could perhaps expound further. B5 Online : Hmmm... Welcome Joe! Jms at B5 : Jeez, a man can't even lurk around here...this is *Pat's* hour in the spotlight, not mine. PT at B5 : Did I say too much, Joe? Jms at B5 : No, you were just fine. As always. PT at B5 : Of course you can't lurk - you're too big a guy! Jms at B5 : Well, I can loom real good.... B5 Online : From PaxilBndi... Question : Do you expect your role to increase over the next two years? PT at B5 : JOE.... Jms at B5 : (smiles all-knowingly) PT at B5 : That says it all. And all I can say. ;> Jms at B5 : I would suggest that there's a very good chance of this, yes. PT at B5 : YES!!!! Jms at B5 : Once we recast the role. PT at B5 : Ouch! Jms at B5 : JOKE JOKE JOKE JOKE JOKE....! PT at B5 : not funny Sick in the mind, folks! Jms at B5 : (Don't hit me, I'm a sick man.) PT at B5 : Sick in the mind, folks! Jms at B5 : We're all *extremely* fond of Pat on the show, and she brightens up the place for... mall of us, a great performer, and we're lucky to have her. (Can I come inside now?) PT at B5 : O.K., all better now.:> B5 Online : From Von Schaa... Question : Any teasers about "Walkabout" you would like to share with us? PT at B5 : I think I can say... I get to be on a ship I've been dying to get aboard. it's a special episode for me. For one thing, I got to meet Bill Mumy. Jms at B5 : It's also fair to say that Lyta gets as close to a shadow vessel as anyone ever should... and her role has a key here to increasing over time. B5 Online : From GrimJack4... Question : Patricia: Having worked on both Trek and B5- do you have a preference? What sorts of differences between the two shows cats/crews? PT at B5 : Oh Puhleeze! There's no question! B5 is a very special show with very special people, we have so much fun and we're very proud of our product. The Paramount shows are fun in a different way. I am just a grunt over there in the stunt family and we do the best with what we got. B5 Online : So her job is safe then, JMS... good. :) B5 Online : From PsiLytaA.... Question : did the scene with the Centauri telepath creep you out as much as it did the audience? Jms at B5 : I think a *lot* can be done with Lyta, and I'm looking forward to it, yes. PT at B5 : I felt, as Lyta, in control there, and disgusted by the Centauri. I'm glad it was effective for you. I am feeling schizophrenic (sp?) talking to you, BTW. mAnd Joe... how do you mean that? HmmMmMM? Jms at B5 : If you came to more staff meetings you'd know the answer to that. Suffice to say...fun stuff for an actor to play. PT at B5 : Am I invited?? :D Jms at B5 : Always, Pat. (Have I now made up for that crack above, or shall I do penance for... the next 2,000 years?) B5 Online : From Mike 1061... Question : At the End of PTG were you sending or receiving? PT at B5 : (I haven't decided yet, Joe..) Anyway.. I was SENDING, but both had been going on - if you know what I mean. B5 Online : From CYaros... Question : will you be attending any conventions this year PT at B5 : Yes, they are building up! I will be in San Francisco April 12-14th at Syndicon (Joe?) Jms at B5 : Yes, you will, Pat. PT at B5 : And Columbus, Ohio in May, and Chicago in June (I hope). Jms at B5 : (shakes head, playing stooge again) PT at B5 : And London in August. B5 Online : From PaxilBndi... Question : Are you happy with your characters storyline? Jms at B5 : YES SHE IS, DAMN IT! PT at B5 : Yes! Ecstatic! B5 Online : Wowsers! Jms at B5 : (I've gotta cut back on the caffeine...) B5 Online : From James YO... Question : Will Lyta's appearance be changing in the future? PT at B5 : I HOPE not.. because I hate wearing prosthetics. They are uncomfortable... and you're in makeup FOREVER. I've done it to death! In "Army of Darkness"... that was a 4 1/2 hour makeup job.. I worked 17 hours, and it took another 2 1/2 to get out of it. The KNB guys (The special Effects Guys) had to hold me down by the end of the day to get the contact lenses back in my eyes. It was a total nightmare! Jms at B5 : I saw that bit, Pat...couldn't tell it was you at ALL. PT at B5 : The itching really gets me.. Now Joe knows what to do if he gets mad at me :> Jms at B5 : These prosthetics will be *much* easier for you, Pat, I'll see to it. PT at B5 : OOOHHHH>>>PLease NOOOO Jms at B5 : (Thinks she'd make a *terrific* 7-foot tall lizard person.) B5 Online : From SandraB85... Question : Pat, What sort of background can you give us on your character, Lyta Alexander? PT at B5 : ::ahem:: Moving along... Do you have an hour? It's a lot... :D She was very inexperienced when she first got to B5. Sort of friendless, not much with social skills - that sort of thing. When she touched the Vorlon, she found something that was missing in her life. B5 Online : From CYaros... Question : have they been confirmed for a fourth season PT at B5 : They'd be fools NOT to... B5 Online : Hmmmm PT at B5 : Joe... Jms at B5 : what? B5 Online : I think I'll go sit in the corner now.. PT at B5 : Never mind. B5 Online : I think the decision will be made sometime in May. :) Jms at B5 : We should hear for sure late April/early May. B5 Online : From PaxilBndi... Question : Do you prefer stuntwork or acting? PT at B5 : At this point I prefer acting, but stunts give me the adrenaline rush I seem to require. Maybe I can combine the two - do something that requires me to do my own stuntwork. I'm a big Jackie Chan fan! B5 Online : From Padria... Question : Do you think that Lyta might become a regular next season? PT at B5 : Regular would be good... unfortunately it's not up to me. Hmmm... Joe? Jms at B5 : what? Jms at B5 : s'okay...did I miss anything? PT at B5 : NAHHH Jms at B5 : Let's just say I look forward to seeing more of Lyta. Her role does become more important as time goes on. PT at B5 : Hey folks , we have a lot of ?'s , so I can't answer any more repeats. So don't feel bad if I don't answer your question personally this time. B5 Online : From JIMXXYZ... Question : What role did you play in night of the living dead? PT at B5 : You can't miss me in "Night!" I have short red hair and a big gun. Jms at B5 : Very tough woman there...Pat Tallmanatrix B5 Online : From CYaros... Jms at B5 : (in "dead") Question : are you a sci-fi,horror fan PT at B5 : Oh Joe.. yes, big time. Jms at B5 : yes, Pat? PT at B5 : Never mind, Joe. Later Jms at B5 : "Night" was where I discovered Pat's work... I was blown away by her work, and was determined to find her and hire her. B5 Online : From SandraB85... Question : Pat, Could you compare working with Michael O'Hare on the pilot and working with Bruce Boxleitner this year? Thanks. PT at B5 : I only worked with Michael for the pilot, and have worked with Bruce several times. I adore Bruce and think his wife is terrific! He's one of the reason the set is so much fun and so comfortable to work on. Jms at B5 : (did you want to elaborate on being an sf/horror fan, as above, if you were cut off?) PT at B5 : Joe, are you tired of telling that story? Jms at B5 : (going now to sit in corner) PT at B5 : And , no that's all I had to say B5 Online : From Grimjack4... Question : Has Joe explained the gills yet - they were freaky/creepy PT at B5 : The gills allow me to breathe the Vorlon atmosphere. We have yet to see how they will come to play in the future.. and if I've been altered any other way. How do Vorlons have babies, anyway??? Joe? Jms at B5 : what? B5 Online : Hmmmm B5 Online : From Lkrepel... Question : How far ahead in the storyline does JMS let you in on? PT at B5 : None. He is a firm believer in the Need-To-Know policy. B5 Online : From Mike 1061... PT at B5 : But I can guess. Question : Pat - Any ideas as to when Lyta will work with the Rangers? PT at B5 : No, but wouldn't that be fun! All those lonely men in uniform. And God knows, Lyta needs some action! Joe? ;> Jms at B5 : what? PT at B5 : I give up. Jms at B5 : Lyta and the rangers would be a fine thing. PT at B5 : OOOOO goody. B5 Online : From Lolson773... Question : Pat, have you ever had any telepathic or paranormal experiences yourself PT at B5 : I knew youwere going to ask that... Of course, I think everyone has. That's why X-Files is so popular. And that's a whole discussion unto itself. B5 Online : From Lkrepel... Question : Have you found the fan attention/addiction overwhelming? Yet? Jms at B5 : Except, of course, they're all dead by then. PT at B5 : (What does that mean, Joe?) Jms at B5 : what? Just figured I'd get half the chat rows to fall over if I said that. PT at B5 : I find it kind of inexplicable, but I really enjoy it. I'd be lying if I said I didn't. I was hoping it wasnt a comment on my "charms" Jms at B5 : No, no...was just playing about maybe something big happening. B5 Online : From Nance02 Question : What do you consider most interesting about the character of Lyta, and what aspect do you find the most challenging to play? PT at B5 : The most interesting thing is, we have NO idea what's really going on with her. And the most challenging is... acting against a blue screen. You'll see what I mean in "Walkabout." B5 Online : From VitoDiM... Question : Did you watch B5 when you were not actually on? PT at B5 : Between the pilot and the Divided Loyalties, not really. Since then, of course! B5 Online : Folks, we have one more question for tonight.... And finally Pat... Question : How did you get into doing stuntwork? PT at B5 : I met stunt people while I was taking a sword study class in New York, and they thought I would be a good stuntwoman. The rest is history. :) Jms at B5 : Pat: you know sword stuff? How well? PT at B5 : Very well!! It was a major thing for me in school Jms at B5 : Cool...that could be useful. B5 Online : Thanks for joining us for our conference with Patricia Tallman. Join us tomorrow when the B5 Sweepstakes goes online! B5 Online : We want to thank Patricia and JMS for joining us. :) PT at B5 : Thank you everyone! Im so glad you were interested... maybe we can do this again some time. God Bless! Jms at B5 : A big hand for Pat...a joy to work with, and fun PT at B5 : Goes both ways Joe! B5 Online : Thanks again everyone! Join us at Babylon 5 Online at Keyword "Babylon 5"! OnlineHost : Copyright 1996 America Online, Inc.