Chris Carter: The Lone Gunmen
by MSN Online

Host: Hi everyone and thank you for joining us this afternoon! We are pleased to bring you, Chris Carter.
Host: Chris, welcome to back to MSN! It's great to see you again!

Chris Carter: Hi to all X-Files fans the world over!
Chris Carter: And new fans of "The Lone Gunmen."
Host: Chris, what has been the response to "The Lone Gunmen" so far?
Chris Carter: The online response has been terrific. People have embraced the characters and like the comic approach so you can expect more of that.
Host: Let's see the audience has to say. . .

GreenlyIguana Asks: Is the Lone Gunmen replacing the X-files?
Chris Carter: No. It is only taking it's timeslot for three weeks.
Chris Carter: with one Friday airing included during that time. Then it will go to Fridays at 9 which is the old X-Files timeslot. Put on your party hats.

paiku Asks: WIll characters from the X-files make special appearances on the Lone Gunmen at all?
Chris Carter: Yes, we just had Mitch do a crossover and before we finish our first order of twelve episodes we should have at least one more X-Files croxxover.

BlueEyes1121 says: Hi Chris!!! i personally think your awesome~My question is Would you ever consider doing a Lone gunman movie, and more X-file movies?
Chris Carter: (laughs) First things first. Let's make "The Lone Gunmen" a hit and then the future is out there. . .

Flint_K Asks: Do you ever find it difficult to come up with new ideas?
Chris Carter: Flint, it's hard but the hardest part is executing them with this inhuman schedule that we are forced to make.

ChrstnSweetie Asks: What inspired you to come up with The Lone Gunmen show?
Chris Carter: Frank and John came to me almost two years ago after we finished our second episode of the X-Files featuring the Lone Gunmen and said they thought the Gunmen could be an interesting storytelling vehicle on their own.
Chris Carter: I like to think of Frank, John and Vince as the 1013 Lone Gunmen.

Host: What's the story behind the name of your company, 1013?
Chris Carter: That is my birthday, October 13. Those numbers have popped up in strange and wonderful ways in my life.

Host: So do you believe in Karma, Kismet and all that?
Chris Carter: I want to believe.

oddra Asks: Are you as confused by the timeline on X-Files as I am? How far along IS Scully's pregnancy - she should be about 10 months now right?
Chris Carter: (laughs) That WOULD make it an alien baby.
Chris Carter: We began season 8 with the story beginning a day or two after Mulder's abduction.
Chris Carter: Using that as a starting point, we have tried to be honest to the passage of time.
Chris Carter: Which will jump Scully's pregnancy and her pregnant belly to April without having to fudge the calendar.

the violinist313 says: Which show is harder to come up with ideas for-The X-Files or The Lone Gunmen?
Chris Carter: Good ideas are hard on any show but it always exciting with a new show because as you come up with ideas you start to see the show's real potential which is where we are now with "The Lone Gunmen."

kstrustno1 Asks: Looking back, is there any aspect of the "X-Files" that you would have made differently?
Chris Carter: It is hard to say. Looking back, you are more struck by all the good decisions and not the bad ones. But the truth is you are going fast forward that you don't have a lot of time to reflect.

Host: What do you think about all the Internet rumors about "The X-Files" and "The Lone Gunmen"? Do you follow fan comments online?
Chris Carter: Yes, I am an active reader of a number of fan sites.
Chris Carter: And I would like to curse all of you who made nasty comments about Agent D. who has turned out to be an excellent addition to the show and in no way was ever meant to replace Agent Mulder on "The X-Files" or in Scully's heart.
 

xedout1 says: How long does it take to research and write an episode?
Chris Carter: It differs from episode to episode. It takes me, generally, 7 to 10 days to write an episode. We have a dedicated researcher on staff who really does most of the directed research for us now. Her name is Katrina Cabrera-Ortega.

GillianFanNumber1 says: Who's been your favorite guest star to work with on either show?
Chris Carter: There are so many. I think that because we are working with him right now. Michael McKeon, comes to mind. CC Pounder, Peter Boyle, Lily Taylor, Steve Railsbach, John Neville, Roy Thinnes, the list goes on. . .
Chris Carter: Also Ricky Jay. . .
Chris Carter: Lily Tomlin I shouldn't forget and Ed Asner.

SpinierIceman says: What do you think is really inside Area 51?
Chris Carter: (laughs) Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory.

MollyChristina Asks: Do you work directly with the other writers or do you just get a final script and start working your magic?
Chris Carter: Molly, I mostly work with Frank or alone and then if a script needs to be rewritten I try to work with the writer as much as possible.

IndoorKitty Asks: Have you had any strange encounters with overly fanatical X-Philes?
Chris Carter: On occasion. Sometimes the tattoos can be a bit much. Their's not mine! But mostly, everyone is respectful and keeps their distance. Maybe it's me. . .

gibson29 Asks: do you have a favorite xfiles episode?
Chris Carter: I have too many favorites. Several from each season. But my personal favorite would have to be the Black and white episode starring Mutato.

StacyC76 says: Do you have anything to do w/ the music that is played on the xfiles?
Chris Carter: Stacy, yes. We work closely with Mark Snow, who needs very little input actually. We view the music as another character in the show who needs direction each week.

babe17 says: Is is hard to do two shows?
Chris Carter: Yes. One show is really enough.Two shows means you have to work twice as hard and there aren't that many hours in the day really. We are just thankful for the opportunity.

DeeDee7777 Asks: Will you publish a book explaining the mythology?
Chris Carter: DeeDee, I hadn't thought about it. My hope is the show explains the mythology.

Teska_Future Asks: Will the Myth arc ever get completely resolved?
Chris Carter: Completely would mean the end of the series and the movies. Be careful what you wish for.

pinkcat603 Asks: In Humbug did you like working with Steven King?
Chris Carter: Steven King's episode was called Bughoney, or Bunghoney or Chinga. Not to be confused with Humbug written by Darin Morgan.
Chris Carter: Working with Steven King was a dream. Not only because I am such a fan, but because he is truly one of the nicest people I have worked with during the run of the "X-Files."

TrueBeliever says: When you first started the show, did you have any idea that the "X-files" would become this huge thing?
Chris Carter: Not in my wildest fantasies. It is still surreal to me.
Chris Carter: I am pinching myself right now.
Chris Carter: Ouch!

karencatlia says: The X-Files has a very unique fan-base. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this? Do you ever go, "Man these people are weird. Why oh why couldn't I have been on Baywatch."
Chris Carter: (laughs) My reasons for wanting to be on "Baywatch" have nothing to do with the fans of the "X-Files."
Chris Carter: Anyway, "Baywatch" has been canceled and I am having the wrap party at my house if they let me.

martinidrinkingman says: Do you plan to develop Strughold's character? (the leader of the Syndicate according to the movie)
Chris Carter: We loved working with Armin Mueller Stall but he is a feature actor in big demand and we are just a little TV show with two small a coin purse.

 

ScottPoweel0 says: When can we expect to see Lone Gunmen here in the UK?
Chris Carter: Good question. I would imagine barring any unforeseen moves by FOX, that you would see it as early as this Summer or early Fall.
 

cerulean_blue_ Asks: X-Files has had some very funny ep's (The Unnatural, Bad Blood) - are there any eps like that this season? (note i'm from australia so i've only seen 5 eps of season 8)
Chris Carter: blue, we decided not to do comedy or parody episodes this eason mostly to establish the character of Doggett and to not trivialize the absence of Mulder in any way.

ottomated says: Do you ever get the urge to write yourself in as a character?
Chris Carter: I have been on the show in the season finale of season 2. You may not have noticed because my acting was so remarkably bad or maybe you did notice and have repressed the memory. In that case, regression hypnosis is in order.

T_a_Z_ZsNShanesRoseMSP Asks: What ever happend to Krychek?
Chris Carter: Stay tuned. Krycheck returns in April in the season's fifteenth episode entitled "DeadAlive."

DarkTrent says: What happend to the girl that was around the lone gunmen all the time?
Chris Carter: Suzanne Modeski. She is working at the Burger King on the corner of Hollywood and Vine, putting mind controlling drugs in your Whopper.

danakscully64 Asks: Are us Shippers going to see any shippy episodes anytime soon?
Chris Carter: I think that you will be very happy with the final six epsodes of the season but you will only be allowed to watch them if you tune into "The Lone Gunmen" the next two weeks.
 

blake1098 says: If I haven't seen the last season of "The X-Files" will I be lost with "The Lone Gunmen"?
Chris Carter: No. If you haven't seen the X-Files since Season 1, you won't be lost. There is no connection between the two shows that you need to have in order to enjoy The Lone Gunmen. I think it is more of a mainstream show in that way. More accessible than the "X-Files" is and was when it began.

guest5 says: Hi Chris. Do people come up to you with ideas all the time?
Chris Carter: Yes, but I have to put my fingers in my ears and make noises like a lunatic. At least that is what my lawyers tell me.

Host: Chris, you have a very dry sense of humor. Is "The Lone Gunmen" a good outlet for you?
Chris Carter: Yes, because as my wife tells me, I also have a stupid and silly sense of humor too.

cyan00 Asks: Hi Chris, are you worried that a lot of fans will quit watching if ..D. Duchovny leaves? Also I watched the first episode of The Lone Gunman and found it to be pretty good.Thanks Kris D.
Chris Carter: We don't know if there will be a seaon 9 yet, so you are jumping the gun. My worry is always that the show would be boring or uninteresting withor without David. All we can do in either case is to continue to tell great stories.
 

graceunderpressure says: Were you a great writer in school? What were you known for?
Chris Carter: I wan't such a great writer in high school. I got better in college. IfI keep practicing someday I'll actually, possibly, maybe, feel that I deserve your compliments.
Chris Carter: In school, I was known for my disco dancing.

singleinsight says: Who are you, and why do you possess my television screen?
Chris Carter: You make me sound the voiceover from "The Outer Limits."

xedout1 says: Do have any advice for budding writers?
Chris Carter: Yes. Keep your butt in the chair and your fingers on the keyboard. The best advice any writer will ever get.

mulderphile Asks: Is there any possibility you'll let Mulder & Scully have a normal baby and live happily ever after?
Chris Carter: Yes, there is that chance. Then the X-Files becomes a sit-com next year called "Everybody Loves Mulder."

CCFan1 says: How many episodes of "The Lone Gunmen" have you shot so far and how long does each one take to film/shoot?
Chris Carter: We are currently filming episode 179. Each episode takes 8 days of principle photography and 2-3 days of second units.

binary says: how do you feel about the new star wars films and the use of computer generated actors?
Chris Carter: I think that some of the characters are computer generated but many of the actors are flesh and blood working in digital environments.

GradientMean Asks: The end of "The X-Files" series will be a sad day for us fans, but will it be a sad day for you, Chris? Or do you consider it a job, and will just move on?
Chris Carter: My hope is to continue with "X-Files" movies but I will always look back at this time in my life with thanks, whether that happens or not.

Lost_Worth Asks: Do you have any other shows in mind?
Chris Carter: I do have one more show in mind but my plate is full with "The Lone Gunmen" and "The X-Files." That is where my focus is right now.
Chris Carter: Tell all your friends about "The Lone Gunmen." It is on Sunday at 9pm and next Sunday at 9pm and also next Friday at 9pm before it goes to Fridays for good.
Chris Carter: But it needs those ratings and that is where you all come in.

Host: Chris, thank you for joining us tonight on MSN Live. Best of luck with "The Lone Gunmen" and "The X-Files."
Chris Carter: Au revoir, adios. . .
Chris Carter: and
Chris Carter: nanu nanu. . .

Source: MSN, Images © 20th Century Fox - Formatted by me, so please credit if you use it! :)