On May 16, 1996 Mitch graced Compuserve with an Online chat. Over 30 people on Compuserve and many on the Internet Relay Chat attended. For those of you who couldn't, here is a log of the chat. Many thanks to Deborah for the log. And many thanks to Mitch himself for doing this. Let's hope he'll do it again!
% Moderation of this conference has begun
% Your moderator is 38 [76711,1644] Dylan Jones/PEOPLE
% The floor is now CLOSED
% Moderator recognizes 8 [74774,3115] Internet Questions
% Moderator recognizes 44 [71154,2565] MFarrell
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Ladies and gentlemen...due to some technical difficulties (sun spots, etc) Mitch will be chaneled through me! So please be patient with us tonight! (Thanks!)
Before we get underway with the tonight's discussion with actor MITCH PILEGGI, I should remind everyone that this is a moderated conference and it will be conducted on both CompuServe and the Wold Wide Web! So, if you are on CompuServe and have a question for our guest, submit it to the question queue either by selecting the question icon ("ASK") or typing "/question" (in terminal emulation). If you are on Pathfinder, just submit your question via a private send to the moderator.
Often on Fox TV's phenomenally popular "The X-Files," FBI Assistant Director Walter Skinner is caught in a dangerous balancing act between his Truth-seeking agents -- Mulder and Scully -- and the ever-looming Powers That Be. Part protector, part disbeliever (perhaps one part school principal?), he is a solid anchor among the bizarre investigations that characterize show and has become one of the program's most popular characters.
Skinner owes his success, however, largely to the versatility of actor MITCH PILEGGI, who has brought a rugged dignity to the role -- and an eerie, edginess that sometimes has the audience wondering: Whose side is he *really* on? Tonight we may find out (the Truth, we hope). While weknow Mitch best as Skinner, a cursory investigation of his past might provide fodder for a movie: Raised largely in Turkey and the Middle East, attending college in Germany and working for a Defense Department contractor abroad, he did not decide to pursue a career in acting until he was 27. We've seen him in several roles since -- as a convict with an electric personality in Wes Craven's "Shocker," and a fiesty in terrogator in "Basic Instinct," among many. But with the season finale of " The X-Files" only hours away, we suspect many of you will want to talk about the show and about Skinner, a role that Mitch has said he won perhaps as a result of a bad mood during his audition!
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Welcome, Mitch! Mitch, we have... well a heckuva lot of X-philes here this evening. While they begin to file away questions, I'll ask one of my own: You may (or may not) know that you have just been voted by PEOPLE Online We b users as one of the Most Beautiful People in the World! (Cheers!) Are you surprised by the devotion of "X-Files" fans and have youwhat's it like to be a sex symbol?
(Mitch) First of all I'm very gratified by the response of fans -- I'm a fan too so Im'm on the same page with 'em. As far as the sex symbol thing... (makes strange, strangled noise) (Mitch is chuckling) (scratching his head)
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Hmmm, seem to have stumped Mitch with that one! WAIT! I've been told that Mitch will now be coming to us live! All the troubles are behind us! (crossing fingers) (still crossing fingers) (fingers turning red) (fingers turning purple) (fingers falling off) (Moving on to toes) Just hang on a last second! (make that two -- we're trying to find Mitch among allof you!)yoo-hoo, MITCH!
MFarrell@PEOPLE) Hi
MFarrell@PEOPLE) For all those waiting
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Hi, Mary -- just waiting here. Put your feet up.
MFarrell@PEOPLE) we will give you freee connnect time
% The floor is now OPEN
MFarrell@PEOPLE) just e-mail us
mitch pileggi) dy/DDylan, we're here.
Courtney =)) Hi mitch
mitch pileggi) Yes, here.
Melody Spiker) skinner fans have learned to be bery patient.
Believer) Hi Mitch :-)
Paula Mackey - MPEB) Hi mitch!!!
Sara Davis) hi mitch
foxxy lady) Is Mitch here?
Stanalee) Technical difficulties abound.
Seymour) Mitch is signed in under his own name!!!!
Ted E. Johnson) hello mitch
elaine v. correa) Hi
% The floor is now CLOSED
% Moderator recognizes 18 [76702,2433] mitch pileggi
mitch pileggi) Hello, everyone.
mitch pileggi) Hi, sorry sorry sorry. It's People's fault.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Yee-ha! No that's not true! It was sun-spots -- alien abducters!
mitch pileggi) Let's get started.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Something Out There! Mitch, thanks for putting up with all this --
mitch pileggi) No Problem.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) But I'm afraid to say that I HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN that you haven't answered that little old question we asked you about being a ... (gasp) S-E-X SYMBOL! What's it like? (because, beelieve me, I'll never know)
mitch pileggi) Blush. There's a lot of skin to blush, too.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Mitch, this is a family station...
mitch pileggi) it doesns't compute.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Are you being followed around, pestered? (By folks other than us, I mean)
mitch pileggi) No, not pestered. People tell me that they like the show.
mitch pileggi) Which I appreciate. I enjoy talking to people who watch the show.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Mitch -- just let me know when you're ready for the next question. No shortage.
mitch pileggi) Go.
% Question from EVERETT, WA: [104460,2177] Courtney =)
Are there any movies in Mitch's future?
mitch pileggi) Not that I know of. Hopefully the X-Filesmovie will be somtime in the future. Next.
% Question from SEATTLE, WA: [74747,651] Stanalee
When the character of skinner was being created, how much input
did you have into the process? Was it your idea to make him the
disciplinarian?
mitch pileggi) The character was created by the producers, by Jim Wong and Glenn Morgan, and I'm very satisfied with the direction they've been taking. I let them go with what they do. Next.
% Question from TROY, MI: [73621,2573] T. Alexander
Hi Mitch - I'm sure it is probably a thrill to work on THE best
show on TV, but, if you could play any part in any movie, sitcom
or play - which would you want to act in and why?
mitch pileggi) Someday, I'd like to play Tevya in Fiddler On the roof. A few years down the road. Next.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) (Wel,, if you were a rich man...) I think there is a question from the Internet...? Maybe not
% Question from AFS: [103702,2153] ryan o. saunders
Mitch, is Skinner's "wife" due to make more appearances
in future episodes?
mitch pileggi) Possibly. I thought that she did a wonderful job. It was a treat working with her. Next.
% Question from EXTERNAL NETWORK: [71061,1041] Shalimar
Have you ever thought about writing an episode? If yes, would
it be about the pa ranormal or something explainable by science?
mitch pileggi) I don't have the discipline to write. What discipline I do have is expended on acting and working out. Otherwise, I'm too lazy. That's why I'm an actor. Next.
% Question from HYATTSVILLE, MD: [102770,2315] Ted E. Johnson
Thanks for Never wearing a hair piece! Those hair club comercials
disgust me and I want to thank Mitch for showing that men who
are balding can still look studly and not whine about hair loss!!!
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Not a question, true, but a nice sentiment.
% Question from CHEADLE: [101514,3126] Sacha
if there was 1 thing you could change about your character what
would it be?
mitch pileggi) I appreciate your comment.
mitch pileggi) Well, Sacha I'm very satisfied wih the cdriection of the cha racter and I can't think of anything i would change. Next.
% Question from SANTA CLARA, CA: [74263,65] Dan & Sonya
With the popularity of the Skinner character, are you afraid of
being typecast?
mitch pileggi) I've been afraid of being type-caast i the past with characters that I've played in other projects-- for example crazy guys.. It's a pleasure to play somebody who's closer to normal. Next.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Horace Pinker not in the cards? :-)
mitch pileggi) Nix!
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) But you were so...
mitch pileggi) (Next...)
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) electric!
mitch pileggi) NEXT I said!
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Folks, we're screening the questions !(Yikes) Yes sir, Skinner! er, AD Skinner!
% Question from TORONTO, ON: [102117,300] David Faul
Will you have a larger role in next season's X-File show?
mitch pileggi) Chris Carter willing... Next.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Folks, we're screening questions this evening to avoid repetition....Mitch, one visitor in Baton Rouge removed this question, but I'll ask it for him... Do you have any sense of what real-life material the "X-Files" is drawing on? To put it in his words: "How many episodes are based Chris Carter's imagination. On what has been reported."
% Question from SEATTLE, WA: [74747,651] Stanalee
What is it about acting that you enjoy the most? What do you enjoy
the least?
mitch pileggi) Chris and his reseARCHERS arevery aware of what's going on around here. And they'll take certain stories and add their spin. To answer yr second question... I enjoy the opportunity that acting affords me to take on another personality, to become another person, to make a lot of money... ! There's very little about acting that I don't enjoy--
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Mitch, this is being taken down
mitch pileggi) if anything.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) (and can be used against you!)
mitch pileggi) (laughing)
mitch pileggi) NEXT!
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) (of course, for a small fee, we can forget it.)
% Question from MERRIMACK, NH: [104360,1374] Shannon
Walt started out being a by the book kinda guy and over time he's
softened do yo u think this an effort on the part of Chris and
the writers to broaden your part?
mitch pileggi) It's an effort to expand the posibilities for Skinner however, in the end, the rules are what he follows. And he'll always be a hard-ass. Next.
% Question from MINNEAPOLIS, MN: [102562,505] Seymour
When did you first realize that a) the show had a cult following
and, b) *you* h ad a cult following? Did something specific happen
that made you realize someth ing special was going on?
mitch pileggi) Just being involved in the showhas aalways been something s pecial to me. Across the board, it's a treat. The people I work with arevery special. Next.
% Question from CZO: [104603,1624] Buster
Mitch - are you a believer or a skeptic?
mitch pileggi) believer...
% Question from AFS: [103702,2153] ryan o. saunders
During the whole closing of the X-files story arc, Skinner told
Mulder a story a bout his time in Vietnam when he was saved by
a corpsman. Being a corpsman, I t hought the dissertation was
eloquent. Will we get any more insight into the bac kround of
Skinner, and will you have any input on that?
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) that darned computer has a mind of its own. Sorry Mitch -- please continue.
mitch pileggi) It's possible that the Viet Nam experience will be brought again. i don't know. I don't really desire to have any input into story-lines because the writers do such a wonderful job as it is. Next.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Mitch, a couple in Santa Clara ask:
"What was your favorite X-Files episode?"
mitch pileggi) Tough question. Tough, tough question. ProbablyClyde Bruckman's final Repose. I just thought the performances were wonderful, the humor was incredible Next.
% Question from GREENVILLE, SC: [104630,1574] Deborah
will you do any theater while on hiatus?
mitch pileggi) No. Going to Europe to do publicity for the show-- wiht Nick "Rat-boy" Lea!
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Ha! Nick was here just last week. I wont' repeat what he called you. Oh, what the heck... "The nicest guy I've worked with."
% Question from EXTERNAL NETWORK: [71061,1041] Shalimar
Is Chris Carter involved when the episodes are shot, I mean, is
he directing the directors and keeping tabs on everything, or
does happenstance happen?
mitch pileggi) Chris keeps an eye on everything from the final product to what we have for lunch. Next.
% Question from EXTERNAL NETWORK: [75204,2500] Holly W.
What type of guitar do you have and what kind(s) of music do you
like?
mitch pileggi) I hae a Martin acoustic and Fender acoustic. Jim Croce, Neil Young, Buddy Holly, Elvis. next.
% Question from NEWARK, NJ: [76147,2245] Keith Thompson
Skinner seems to view some of Mulder's and Sculley's reports with
a fair amount of skepticism. Does he believe ANY of what his agents
are telling him?
mitch pileggi) Yesssss. Because of his experience in Vietnam, and with the old lady that likes to sit on his chest,he couldn't help butbelive certin things that are going on. Next.
% Question from EXTERNAL NETWORK: [103071,3541] Paul Asselin
Carl Sagan is critical that The X Files does not give science
equal voice beside the para-normal. Do you feel science should
be afforded better coverage.
mitch pileggi) It's not the Discovery Channel. It's a Tv show. Additionally, I think tht Scully brings a fair aount of scientific information to the cases. Next.
% Question from EBC: [103300,1427] Sue Burke/Toronto
When you first started as Skinner, did you have any indication
as to which side he was on -- Mulder's or the Cancer Man?
mitch pileggi) When I first started, I thought that he would be a roadblock to their investigations. I thought taht was the intention of the character. But as tme went by, they saw other possiblities which made the character more valuable to the show. Thank goodness. Next.
% Question from EAT: [104426,1517] foxxy lady
Can we see you in anything when you had hair. Don't get me wrong,
you're head is sexy, but, just in case...
mitch pileggi) I have some picture from high school. Next.
% Question from RIDGEWOOD, NJ: [102715,1074] Marie
Do you have any idea about what the X-Files movie will be about?
mitch pileggi) I haven't the feintest idea what the next epiode is going to be about, much less the movie. Sorry. Next.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Funny you should mention the next episode.... Something tells me that there are a lot of people here wondering what's going to happen tomorrow. Any hints?
mitch pileggi) Tune in. Next.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Ouch! Mitch -- I know that you're pressed for time... can wqe possibly squeeze in a couple more questions?
mitch pileggi) Sure.
% Question from EVERETT, WA: [104460,2177] Courtney =)
Have you ever experienced anything that has ever been featureed
on the X-Files
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) (You're the best!)
mitch pileggi) I quit dating the old lady a long time ago. That's why she keeps popping up in my dreams. Next.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Ha! (In a previous life?)
% Question from CZG: [104573,156] Avatar3X21 (Jem)
How do you feel about the fact that you've helped create something
that will con tinue on for years and years after the series has
finished its run, in the form of fan fiction and the like? Seems
to me, there's a kind of immortality in that and I was wondering
how you felt about that.
mitch pileggi) It' pretty wonderful. It's such a blessing to be involved in such a quality project a the X-Files. And it's something that I will always be proud of. Next.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) And on that note... We'll ask the last question about the less proud moments of the show...
% Question from TROY, MI: [73621,2573] T. Alexander
Hi again Mitch. What is the worst/funniest "blooper,"
either with you directly or other members of the cast, that you've
had happen on X-Files? Also, I wanted to thank you for coming
and conferencing with us. @>-->--- (here's a cyber-ro se
for you)
mitch pileggi) The funniest is X-rated. It will never be seen. outside of the X-Files wrap parties. But I've got it on tape Any bidders?
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) You bet! Mitch -- thank you so much for giving us your time and answering the questions that we were able to get to -- there were far more asked and I know that many fans out there are hoping they'll have the opportunity to ask them again. One in particular hopes to see you at any conventions
mitch pileggi) It would be my pleasure.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) you may attend in the central states -- if you know of any, please let the folks out there know
mitch pileggi) I think i;m doing one in Chicago, but i'm not sure of the dates.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) In the plains? (not in Chicago)
mitch pileggi) Not in the plains at this time. Possibly in the future.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Sorry, Kristi! Mitch, you've crashed the system several times
mitch pileggi) Me too Kristi.
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) and just with your fingertips! That is awesome power. In a moment, however, you may experience a wave of energy that would ruffle the feathers even of the unflappable Skinner I want to thank you a last time and to let everyone know taht we will have a transcript of this entire conference up in the PEOPLE Forum by the start of next week! Enjoy! % The floor is now OPEN
Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) And goodnight!
mitch pileggi) It's been a pleasure.