America Online Chat, NBC Online Auditorium April 21, 1995

OnlineHost: Copyright 1995 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

OnlineHost: Your host tonight is CSEmcee3 (ChuckCLJ)

OnlineHost: NBC Online welcomes "Earth 2's" Clancy Brown (John Danziger) tonight. Brown was born in Urbana, OH (near Columbus), on a January 5, and raised in both Urbana and Washington, DC. He received a track scholarship to Northwestern University, from which he graduated with a B.S.S. degree in speech. He appeared in local Chicago theater until he was cast as Viking, a nasty prison inmate in the 1982 feature film "Bad Boys," starring Sean Penn.

OnlineHost: A year later he moved to Los Angeles, where he appeared in such movies as "The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai," "Extreme Prejudice," "The Bride," "Pet Sematary II" and "Highlander" (as the evil Kurgan.) He also stars as a prison guard captain in the upcoming feature "The Shawshank Redemption," based on a Stephen King novel.

OnlineHost: Brown's TV credits include the NBC mini-series "Love, Lies and Murder" and "Bloodlines: Murder in the Family" as well as the movies "Johnny Ryan," "Desperate Rescue," "Last Light" and "Cast a Deadly Spell" (the latter two for cable.) He also guest-starred on "China Beach" and the cable series "Tales from the Crypt." Among his extensive theater credits are "Antony and Cleopatra" (starring opposite Mercedes Ruehl) at the Actors Theater in Louisville, KY, in 1992; "Miss Julie"; "Romeo and Juliet"; "The Merchant of Venice"; and "Much Ado About Nothing" (the latter two in Chicago.)

OnlineHost: Brown's "Earth 2" character is a take-charge, high-tech mechanic and Brown says, "He's just a regular guy. The most important thing to him is his daughter, but he also feels the whole group of pioneers needs to be taken care of. If someone is needed to take the trash out, he won't mind doing it."

OnlineHost: Brown describes himself as an avid reader who particularly enjoys the works of Frank Herbert and Allan Eckert. In addition, he also likes to collect animation art, shoot a few basketball hoops, follow the Cincinnati Reds baseball team and "goof around the house" as a handyman. Brown lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Jeanne Johnson, a TV news producer.

CSEmcee3: Welcome Mr. Brown :)

ClancyLive: Glad to be here.

CSEmcee3: Are you ready for our first question?

ClancyLive: Sure, sure let's go.

Question: I really enjoyed the "Shawshank Redemption." What made you choose the role of the Captain? I was really disappointed the movie didn't even get one Oscar!

ClancyLive: Yeah, me too. Probably came in second a lot. I would have done any role in that picture. It was such a good script.

Question: Your characters in "Shawshank" and "Highlander" were evil and "Earth 2's" Danziger seems like a relatively nice guy. What draws you to a character/role? What made you choose these characters?

ClancyLive: Well, "Shawshank," the script as I said, "Highlander" I chose because I had just finished doing "The Bride" and I wanted to do an evil character after doing such a nice sweet character. And Danziger was about the only role I could play on "Earth 2" and I love the whole premise of "Earth 2." Like "Shawshank" I wanted to be involved anyway I could.

Question: Mr Brown, I saw you at the Pasadena convention. Did you have a good time there? Do you think you might like to go to more cons nationwide and meet your fans? We'd love to see you.

ClancyLive: Yeah, I had a good time at Pasadena. Everyone was very friendly and supportive. I don't think my wife will let me go do many more cons because it takes me out of town and she has to adjust my ego after being the center of attention over a weekend.

Question: Given the opportunity, would you like to appear on the "Highlander" TV series? I'd love to see you guest as a "good" immortal who is a lot like Danziger!

ClancyLive: No, I'm not interested in the "Highlander" TV series.

Question: Are Devon and Danziger EVER going to get together?

ClancyLive: Probably at the end of a very long run...like 5 years. But not any time soon. It's too much fun to see them dance their way around their attraction to each other.

Question: Are the people on the show nice? What about Debrah Farentino?

ClancyLive: Yes! Everyone's very nice. We all like each other very much, which is rare in my experience. It's been a very hard production schedule. And everyone has pulled their weight and more. Besides, Debrah is one of the 50 most beautiful people according to People Magazine, so that's a treat to work with one of those 50 folks. I just want to know why Rebecca and Jessica didn't make the top 50.

Question: Are you folks still shooting in New Mexico, or is the current "mountain camp" location closer to home? (Do you folks have to rent local apartments when you wind up on those extended location shoots, or do the bosses put up the cast/crew in hotels?)

ClancyLive: We've actually finished production in New Mexico for the year. The mountain camp location was in New Mexico. And yes, we had to find our own accommodations. That's usually negotiated when we sign our deals.

Question: Do you know if the show has been renewed for another season?

ClancyLive: We will know soon. My hope, my feeling is that it will be renewed. But I don't get to make that decision. And I don't know how the show will be scheduled or changed if there is a next season. And thank you, thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you for all of your efforts online and with TV Guide and through snail mail to try and convince the PTB to renew it. Some of your comments I've kept track of and find quite moving and vindicating. It's a good show. It should have another season. My favorite posts are the ones from families that say they watch it together and discuss it afterwards. I've heard some criticism that maybe the show gets too complicated for children, but that's what the family discussions afterward are all about. It's what a TV show should do; initiate family conversation and interaction. I'm proud the show does that for them.

Question: I've heard that working in television is more grueling than working in movies. Do you find that to be true? And which do you prefer?

ClancyLive: Yep, I don't PREFER any venue really. I prefer good material and execution. This show has been very challenging on every level. Movies are more luxuriously scheduled and artists can become indulgent. There's no time for that on this show. We have to know what we're doing before we come to work. And I love that kind of professional challenge. Some folks don't, but I do.

Question: Are there benefits to filming your series rather far from either Los Angeles or New York (other than the money saved by the show, I guess?)

ClancyLive: Yes. On this show I got very intimate with a part of the country I otherwise wouldn't have been to. And as far as working on this show, your focus on location is a lot more intense than it might be being at home in Los Angeles or in a complex place like New York.

Question: Clancy, what inspired you to make your career as an actor? Was it the acting you did at St. Albans Trapier Theatre, or something else?

ClancyLive: Definitely, Ted and St. Albans and Shakespeare & Co. at Trapier had a lot to do with it. My inspiration was simply I had to try. I couldn't live my life without knowing if I could make a living as an actor.

Question: Do you log onto any of the online services?

ClancyLive: Yes, I'm on AOL.

Question: Do you have any plans for theatre in the near future ?

ClancyLive: I haven't had any offers, but I'm certainly anxious to get back on the boards when time permits.

Question: What was your favorite "Earth 2" show?

ClancyLive: This Sunday's shows are very good. I haven't seen it yet, but I think the second show of the pair could be my favorite. There are back-to-back shows this Sunday at 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. ET. Of shows that have aired, I've enjoyed "A Memory Play," and "Brave New Pacifica," and "Enemy Within," and "After The Thaw." Which are your favorites?

Question: What do you like best about your current role?

ClancyLive: Good question. Hi Lia and RED - glad you're here. There's a lot to like. I think mostly Danziger is a pragmatic romantic and a devoted father, too devoted sometimes perhaps. The great thing about my character and all the characters really is they are imperfect and painfully human. I particularly like John Gegenhuber's character, Morgan Martin. He drives us all nuts, but only because he's so familiar.

Question: What do you think was the best movie you've been in so far?

ClancyLive: "Shawshank," without a doubt. Hi Mahjong, Donni and Barb. Glad you're here. You too, Seleya and AnnieBW.

Question: Clance, where can I get a pix of you as "Kurgan" from the "Highlander" movie?

ClancyLive: I don't know. Margaret Harrick Motion Picture Library in Los Angeles.

Question: Do you have any info on upcoming episodes?

ClancyLive: Yes, I know all the info on the upcoming episodes. Watch them and you'll know what I know. Where's Uly, DC and Willow?

Question: Hello, I love your show and will you ever get to New Pacifica?

ClancyLive: If we get another season, probably. I don't want to get there too soon. I love the sense of discovery and journey that is the premise of "Earth 2".

Question: Do you ever imagine us going to another planet to colonize?

ClancyLive: We better. Read "The Pale Blue Dot" by Carl Sagan. If we don't destroy Earth1, eventually some asteroid or comet will.

Question: What do you remember about "Buckaroo Banzai?" Did you enjoy the filming?

ClancyLive: I remember that I absolutely enjoyed the filming. We had no idea what we were doing or how it would turn out, but we had a great time. Too bad we'll never be able to do it again.

Question: Mr. Clancy, I've really enjoyed your work on the series. I'm also a fan of the first "Highlander" movie. What do you think about the way the "myth" of the Highlander was dealt with (changed) in the 2nd and 3rd movies and series?

ClancyLive: Don't get me started. In the second movie the myth was completely compromised and denied. It was awful. In the 3rd movie they tried to copy the first too closely. I thought it was very unimaginative considering the broad appeal of the first film and the inventiveness and potential of the mythical premise.

Question: What do you think we can do to convince NBC that "Earth 2" has enough viewers to keep on? We're calling our "ratings" in, but is there more? Thanks for coming tonight!

ClancyLive: My privilege to be here. I think you're doing so much that can't be ignored by TPTB. If there's more to do I would have no idea what it is. I think you guys have covered all the bases. Maybe pray. And keep the faith. NBC is not stupid. Unless they cancel this show.

Question: Were you surprised by the turnout for the appearance you and Jessica made at the Pasadena (Star Trek) convention last month?

ClancyLive: Yes.

Question: What is it like having True play your daughter?

ClancyLive: J. Madison Wright is a delightful kid. She's my favorite actress on the show and my favorite relationship to play. True can be annoying but Madison never is. We should be so lucky to have kids like her.

Question: Do you have any children?

ClancyLive: Got one on the way.

Question: What do you feel you have gained with your experiences from filming "Earth 2?"

ClancyLive: Great stories, great friends, great appreciation for the wilderness, and playing a character with lots of depth and emotion. Something I might not have gotten to do if I'd stuck to my movie bad guy roles.

Question: Can you verify if "Earth 2" is scouting a new location for next season? Thanks - Gail

ClancyLive: Yes, I will verify that we will not be in New Mexico next year. The new location, however, I'm unsure of.

Question: What did you play in "Tales From The Crypt?"

ClancyLive: A rich bad guy.

Question: Is the message of "Earth 2" that the human spirit would survive no matter where it was planted?

ClancyLive: That's one of the messages. There are different ones each week.

Question: What would be your dream role for a feature film lead part? What kind of character?

ClancyLive: My dream role for a feature film lead part would be one in which I win the Oscar and they cancel the award because nobody could ever be as good as I was anymore. :) And I get paid one billion dollars.

Question: Do you enjoy playing the "bad" guy? Would you rather be the "good" guy more often?

ClancyLive: I love playing bad guys. Good guys are usually reactive, except Danziger. Bad guys are always proactive. It's an American society paradigm for the hero to have no choice but to act. I like taking responsibility for my actions in life and in my art.

Question: If "Earth 2" gets renewed, when do you go back in production?

ClancyLive: July sometime, I think.

Question: WAS IT HARD MEMORIZING YOUR LINES IN TIME FOR THE SHOWS? - A FAN

ClancyLive: Don't shout, I can hear you. No, it's part of being an actor. If you're a carpenter, you have to know how to pound a nail without thinking about it. If you're an actor, you gotta memorize lines.

Question: What makes you choose a particular movie over others?

ClancyLive: In this order: script, director, actors, bank account.

Question: Do you like the direction "Earth 2" is going?

ClancyLive: So far, yes. Ask me again next season.

Question: What can you tell us about "The Hunger" that will appear on Sunday?

ClancyLive: The script was titled "Survival of the Fittest." It's a story of survival, obviously, with a thorny moral dilemma at its core. If you're familiar with "Rashamon" you will recognize the story technique in this episode. It's really good. Some think it's our best episode so far.

Question: How long have you been acting?

ClancyLive: In films, since 1983, and on stage since 1975.

Question: Congratulations on a great show! Your character is especially interesting. Any plans for letting us know some of your character's history? What about True's mother?

ClancyLive: Did you miss that episode? I think history of all the characters will leak out in proportion to the curiosity expressed by our audience.

Question: How do you like "Earth 2" compared to working in films?

ClancyLive: See answer above. Number 2 or 3.

Question: Are you like your "Earth 2" character?

ClancyLive: I look like him. I look just like him, actually.

Question: In you profile, I noticed that you like to play basketball. What is your favorite college and pro team?

ClancyLive: My favorite college team has always been the Tarheels. My favorite pro team changes. This year I like San Antonio. My favorite team of all time, however, was the "Earth 2" charity team which went .500 for New Mexico and raised a lot of money for good causes.

CSEmcee3: Well all good things must come to an end. We are out of time. I'd like to thank Mr. Brown for being our guest tonight.

ClancyLive: Thanks for having me. And thanks for coming everybody. Watch this weekend. It's very important to NBC and their decision about next season. Bye.

CSEmcee3: I'd like to invite our audience to join us again for our next NBC event.

OnlineHost: Our thanks to "Earth 2's" Clancy Brown (John Danziger) for appearing online tonight and to NBC Online for making this event possible. Be sure to check for the transcript at keyword: NBC. Thank you and good night.

OnlineHost: Copyright 1995 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

main interviews page