PAUL MCGANN

America Online Chat

This chat originally took place on America Online on May 7, 1996.

OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Oldsmobile; licensed to America Online, Inc.
OnlineHost: Your host tonight is AOLiveMC7 (JackDL)
OnlineHost: British thespian Paul McGann stars as the Doctor, the eighth incarnation of the quirky hero who travels through time and space to fight evil, in DOCTOR WHO. DOCTOR WHO is the world's longest-running science fiction TV series in history, and :will be returning to the small screen for the first new installment in seven years in the two-hour movie to air Tuesday, May 14th (8:00pm - 10:00pm ET/PT).

Welcome!

AOLiveMC7: Welcome to the Oldsmobile Celebrity Circle, Mr. McGann!
PaulMcGann: Thanks for having me.
AOLiveMC7: NTIM38 asks:
Question: Paul is the new Doctor Who going to be a series?
PaulMcGann: Yeah, it all depends on the ratings doesn't it? It's a 2 hour pilot.
AOLiveMC7: KFB UWOT asks:
Question: How does Mr. McGann feel about all the fan anticipation now that we're close to air date?
PaulMcGann: The feeling's mutual.
AOLiveMC7: Susan03 asks:
Question: Paul, what was it like playing a role in Alien3?
PaulMcGann: It was good to work with David Fincher who I am glad to see is receiving belated recognition. Alien was an underrated film.
AOLiveMC7: Whoville asks:
Question: How does life in the US compare to life in the UK?
PaulMcGann: It's cheaper.
PaulMcGann: Life, that is.
PaulMcGann: only kidding.
AOLiveMC7: GSlee4558 asks:
Question: Mr. McGann, how does it feel to be a science fiction icon now?
PaulMcGann: WOW! Daunting.
AOLiveMC7: COL TLord asks:
Question: Hi there Mr. McGann..what do you think of the on-line experience and would you be interested in chatting with fans on-line more in the future through Doctor Who Online on AOL? :) <insert plug sign here>
PaulMcGann: Yeah, I'd like to think about maybe handling my own press, via Online, thereby circumventing the need to deal with the British tabloids.
AOLiveMC7: NTIM38 asks:
Question: Paul on the show how old are you are you about 700 years old?
PaulMcGann: Yeah....give or take a century.
AOLiveMC7: Newton DK asks:
Question: How intimidating is it to step into a role with such a long history and do fans help or hinder the process?
PaulMcGann: I guess Pierce Brosnan has a similar problem in filling in 007's shoes, one has to try and dispel those images of the other fellows and do your own thing. Having said that......... The only intimidating thing is one's current rivals, not one's predecessors. The fans have been great.....thus far.
AOLiveMC7: JLWWHO asks:
Question: Did you enjoy the time you spent portraying Dr. Who? Is it true that you have a 5 year contract with Universal and FOX? I think that you are the best choice for the 8th Dr.
PaulMcGann: Yes, Yes.....and I agree.
AOLiveMC7: WhoMeToo asks:
Question: Do you have a house here in the States, too?
PaulMcGann: No.
AOLiveMC7: Icthar asks:
Question: What did Paul think of the quality of the Vancouver production crews? And of Canada in general...
PaulMcGann: The crew was 1st division. And Canada was nice...Capitol N.
AOLiveMC7: TOMELORD asks:
Question: Will you be on any American Talk shows?
PaulMcGann: Almost certainly.
AOLiveMC7: Newton DK asks:
Question: How did you prepare for the role? Did you watch a lot of old Who shows or prefer to enter it green, much as the new Doctor - post regenerative - does?
PaulMcGann: Precisely.
AOLiveMC7: Jlawson28 asks:
Question: Does it feel surreal to be playing the Doctor after watching the show as a kid?
PaulMcGann: YES!!! I was 5 when the show began, and to be 35 and offered the Jacket and the Spaceship was surreal indeed. Best Moment was 1st "pulling those levers" aboard the Tardis.
AOLiveMC7: MLee51451 asks:
Question: Hi. Thanks for doing Doctor Who & welcome to the family. What did you do to bring the role to primarily an American audience as opposed to primarily a British one?
PaulMcGann: Apart from relocating to North America, and all that that entails, the producers remain very mindful of the worldwide audience of apparently some hundred million.
AOLiveMC7: WuMing812 asks:
Question: How about continuity. Will we be seeing elements from the old program?
PaulMcGann: Certain Icons, I suppose one tampers with at one's peril, and those elements such as the Tardis naturally remain other than that here's to the future!
AOLiveMC7: KrsD asks:
Question: What was the biggest challenge in making the Doctor your own?
PaulMcGann: Hmmmmmmm.......
AOLiveMC7: Smidyett asks:
Question: I read here that "Withnail & I" is being re-released. Is that in theaters, or on video tape?
PaulMcGann: It's currently playing nationwide in British theaters as part of it's 10th Anniversary Celebration.
AOLiveMC7: BJColbert asks:
Question: IS THE SERIES ON THE NETWORKS OR ON PUBLIC TELEVISION?
PaulMcGann: It's on FOX TV it is FOX's Tuesday Night movie the 14th of May.
AOLiveMC7: ChrisGSL asks:
Question: How are the British people reacting to an American version of Doctor Who?
PaulMcGann: With mild frenzy. Very British.
AOLiveMC7: DennisMC2 asks:
Question: Paul, what has been your most unnerving moment...the one that made you a bit wary of your decision to take this part?
PaulMcGann: The wig.....
AOLiveMC7: MikeL989 asks:
Question: did you get to choose your costume, or was it pick out for you?
PaulMcGann: IT was pick out for me.
AOLiveMC7: FUrquhart asks:
Question: What was your favorite episode of Dr. Who?
PaulMcGann: The appearance of the Yeti, sometime in the mid-60's.
AOLiveMC7: Areldoth asks:
Question: Mr. McGann, assuming the show gets picked up in some form or another, where would you like to take the character of the Doctor?
PaulMcGann: Yes.....around the back.....
AOLiveMC7: Probe one asks:
Question: How much freedom where you given on the development of your Doctor if any at all...?!?
PaulMcGann: None. 'Twas a done-deal.
AOLiveMC7: Newton DK asks:
Question: Has the BBC expressed any interest in reviving the series should the US ratings be less than what FOX wants (the Queen forbid)?
PaulMcGann: None whatsoever. and which queen was that?
AOLiveMC7: AngieCD32 asks:
Question: Are you at all amused by a British television institution being produced for an American studio in Canada?
PaulMcGann: Tickled pink!
AOLiveMC7: FredPAC asks:
Question: If it becomes a series and if the opportunity presents itself would you like to direct an episode?
PaulMcGann: Definitely.
AOLiveMC7: Indrah asks:
Question: Did you get to see any of the animation or special effects yet? aspiring animator. :)
PaulMcGann: No.
AOLiveMC7: Romanov11 asks:
Question: Have you had any comments about the show from the actors who have played the other doctors?
PaulMcGann: None. they have all been conspicuously silent.
AOLiveMC7: Boomie C asks:
Question: What companions do you have aboard the Tardis?
PaulMcGann: That would be telling.
AOLiveMC7: Dcutter31 asks:
Question: Will there be any cameos of past cast members?
PaulMcGann: Hopefully.
AOLiveMC7: TOMELORD asks:
Question: What's your favorite Dr. Who villain?
PaulMcGann: D' Yeti...the one with the golden ball for a heart.
AOLiveMC7: CHaynes14 asks:
Question: The other Doctors have all had peculiarities of dress, Peter Davison celery, Tom Baker a scarf, etc..What, if anything does your incarnation have?
PaulMcGann: A shroud.
AOLiveMC7: Rayctate asks:
Question: Will the doctor have a significantly closer relationship with his companion?
PaulMcGann: D.W. Loves D.A.
AOLiveMC7: DoctorWho asks:
Question: Hello there Paul. If Doctor Who were to come back as a series, how long would you like to be the Doctor?
PaulMcGann: 5 years.
AOLiveMC7: BlairW489 asks:
Question: Mr. McGann, will you sign autographs for fans via the mail? Any con appearances planned?
PaulMcGann: Yes, and no.
PaulMcGann: All requests to BBC Worldwide.
AOLiveMC7: SVBabe asks:
Question: What was your LEAST favorite episode of Doctor Who?
PaulMcGann: I don't have one.
AOLiveMC7: Icthar asks:
Question: If the show is picked up is it likely to continue shooting in Canada?
PaulMcGann: More than likely.
AOLiveMC7: JohnH1033 asks:
Question: What do you think of the whole on-line experience, like seeing a Web site with all your appearances to date on it?
PaulMcGann: It makes me tingle all over.
AOLiveMC7: OVance asks:
Question: Are you pleased with the TARDIS interior and the amount of money spent on it?
PaulMcGann: It's 'work of art' and therefore, priceless.
AOLiveMC7: JJJJJULIE asks:
Question: Paul, were you influenced by Monty Python?
PaulMcGann: Is this a 5 minute argument?
AOLiveMC7: Icthar asks:
Question: Your biography in the Screen International Film and Television Yearbook 91/92 says you were born in Ireland, is this true?
PaulMcGann: No. Liverpool, England.
PaulMcGann: As in Liverpool 2 Manchester United 0.
AOLiveMC7: TARDISBoy asks:
Question: Did you take a long time in deciding whether or not to take the role, or was it something you just snatched up?
PaulMcGann: No, I waited 12 months, and then I 'snatched'.
AOLiveMC7: Rayctate asks:
Question: How spacious is the TARDIS--I mean the real set--on the inside?
PaulMcGann: 1 acre.
AOLiveMC7: RSuwanski asks:
Question: What are your thoughts of possible being made an "Doctor Who" Action Figure?
PaulMcGann: Providing it was anatomically correct. No problem whatsoever.
AOLiveMC7: OVance asks:
Question: Mr. McGann, would you be interested in a Four Doctors or Six Doctors special if given the opportunity?
PaulMcGann: Menage a six...methinks.
AOLiveMC7: RSuwanski asks:
Question: Who is doing the music for the movie?
PaulMcGann: Still undecided.
AOLiveMC7: AddisonRo asks:
Question: Which talent agency represents you?
PaulMcGann: MARINA MARTIN in London.
AOLiveMC7: SAlexH asks:
Question: What did you think of Alien 3 as a film, compared to the other Alien movies or most science fiction in general? Did you think it was a good film? By the way, I don't recall ever really seeing your character get taken out by the beast. Did I miss it?
PaulMcGann: I thought the film was underrated
PaulMcGann: We all missed it in fact...including the editor.
AOLiveMC7: Ecomancer asks:
Question: Does the TARDIS still not work?
PaulMcGann: It works for me.
AOLiveMC7: JLWWHO comments:
Comment: Mr. McGann I think you are witty and your answers are just a hoot! I can not wait to see the movie! I am Mrs. JLWWHO and have not been a big Dr. Who fan, but I am now, thank you for your time spent here and putting up with the American loonies.
PaulMcGann: Welcome to the family, you seem very discerning.
OnlineHost: All good things must come to an end. Our time is up for this event.
AOLiveMC7: We have time for one last question from SciFiTalk:
Question: What was it like to work with Eric Roberts ?
PaulMcGann: An education.
AOLiveMC7: Our thanks to Paul McGann for joining us in the Oldsmobile Celebrity Circle tonight.
PaulMcGann: Keep watching the skies.
AOLiveMC7: Thanks for joining us tonight. Good night!
OnlineHost: Thanks for joining us in the Oldsmobile Celebrity Circle this evening. Remember, Oldsmobile brings an exciting guest on-line every Monday through Friday, and transcripts from the events can be downloaded using keywords: "Oldsmobile" or "CenterStage" within 24 hours after the event has ended.
OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Oldsmobile; licensed to America Online, Inc.

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