sliders chat
The transcript that was on Tim Lucas' page.
April 18, 1996
On Thursday, April 18 at 9 PM EST on both CompuServe
and Pathfinder, we got the
chance to meet Jerry O'Connell online. Check out the transcript of the session
below. Note that this is an edited version of the transcript. If you want to see
all of Jerry's misspellings, check out the unedited
version.
(PEOPLE) Hi, folks.... 'Tis TIME!!!! Hi everyone. I'm Patrizia DiLucchio--and on behalf of PEOPLE Magazine, I'd like to welcome you all here tonight. Tonight's guest, Jerry O'Connell, plays Quinn Mallory on Fox TV's "Sliders"--presently in the critical Friday 8 PM pre-"X-Files" time slot. The show, an adventure series that chronicles the travels of four characters who "slide" to parallel dimensions of...San Francisco, California (!) is *enormously* popular on the Internet--I counted over 60 Sliders-related web pages on a recent Alta Vista search as well as two Sliders newsgroups.
In addition to his work on "Sliders", O'Connell's best-known credit is probably his role as the chubby Verne in the Rob Reiner classic, "Stand By Me". In April, O'Connell begins work on "Jerry McGuire" where he'll play a star quarterback being wooed by the 20 million dollar man, Tom Cruise.
Welcome Jerry!
(PEOPLE) I'm going to ask you all a favor... Please. NO PRIVATE MESSAGES.
(Jerry O'Connell) I am ready for any questions
(PEOPLE) Question for you--what is it about "Sliders" that makes it such a hit on the Net?
(Jerry O'Connell) I think the fact that it is sci-fi and that there are so many details that many people can discuss and sort out. The web has helped me understand some of the things that we have done. By the way, I am a web head.
(PEOPLE) One of us! Kool...
(Jerry O'Connell) I try to go to the sliders site to answer as many questions as possible
(PEOPLE) Jerry when you're ready for the next question, lemme know...
(PEOPLE) Question from EXTERNAL NETWORK: [73214,2131] Theo Thourson
(PEOPLE) Many people have said that "Sliders" has a great
premise, but the writing hasn't lived up to expectations. The "What if. . .
" idea hasn't been fully appriciated. What is your opinion on this matter?
(Jerry O'Connell) Ok. The premise of sliders makes for limitless episode ideas. We try to come up with the carziest worlds we can and... I have to admit i like some worlds more than others. My favorite world is where 98% of men were wiped out with a virus and the rest were used for breeding purposes. GREAT RATIO...
(PEOPLE) I'll bet!
(PEOPLE) Question from DAYTONA BEACH, FL: [74237,2337] Fox Mulder
(PEOPLE) What is to come for the Sliders?
(Jerry O'Connell) Hopefully a third season, and we have a comic book that is new and I am writing the next issue
(PEOPLE) Any chance for a Sliders movie??
(Jerry O'Connell) Not that i have heard.
(PEOPLE) Question from TORONTO, ON: [103707,2015] Michael
(PEOPLE) Where is the show taped?
(Jerry O'Connell) Vancouver. Gorgeous town. It has the best skiing possible.
(PEOPLE) Will there be a new Slider regular? She went through the time
wormhole with you. A blonde.
(PEOPLE) Sliders isn't in any danger with the network, is it? I know it's
on a three-week hiatus right now...
(PEOPLE) I recall reading that you, Jerry, were pretty good in the
athletic program at your college. Correct?
(Jerry O'Connell) She was only in the prison world. Second, no, Sliders will be back in a couple of weeks. Last, I was captain of the saber team at NYU for fencing and made it to the NCAA's in my junior year.
(PEOPLE) Any plans for a swashbuckling movie? Or will Quinn and the crew end up in a medieval San Francisco? Where you can show off yr fencing skills...
(Jerry O'Connell) I would love one of those because I am a fencer. I would like to show my stuff. Post it on the web and let the producers see.
(PEOPLE) All right everyone! You know what to do now...
(PEOPLE) Question from EXTERNAL NETWORK: [72630,1463] megan
(PEOPLE) What was the name of the TV show you starred in sometime in the
late '80's (I think) where you were a kid who could fly with an odd scientist
friend? (leave it to me to ask the most irrelivent question possible)
(Jerry O'Connell) My Secret Identity. And only you and my mom know that
(PEOPLE) Question from PITTSBURGH, PA: [76322,2043] Ronee
(PEOPLE) Do you see sliders revisiting a world every so often to build
characters and relationships?
(Jerry O'Connell) The writers have not done that yet, but there are a lot of characters I would love to see come back personally
(PEOPLE) For instance...?
(PEOPLE) Question from TORONTO, ON: [103707,2015] Michael
(PEOPLE) Are you scheduled to visit Toronto, Canada?
(Jerry O'Connell) No, but i lived there for three years, learned how to play hockey and had a good time, go Jays
(PEOPLE) From the INTERNET: Any Slider crossover plans with other shows?
(Jerry O'Connell) No, although I would love to slide into Baywatch
(PEOPLE) !!! LOL...
(PEOPLE) Question from VANCOUVER, BC: [76026,476] Tara McInnis
(PEOPLE) Why haven't there been more encounters with other sliders? And
what happened after Quinn got shot last season? I heard it was just
"undone"...?
(Jerry O'Connell) There will be encounters with Sliders in a really cool upcoming episode. In the first episode of this season there is an answer to how Quinn survived a gunshot wound to the shoulder. I am personally glad he survived since I got to come back
(PEOPLE) Question from CYU: [102327,2365] Dana Krawchuk
(PEOPLE) Are you similar to your character," Quinn Mallory"?
(Jerry O'Connell) No. Quinn is a physics genius and I have trouble adding and subtracting. That was much of my appeal for my character -- math and science was never my thing. I hope Ms. Archis from the tenth grade can see how much I have improved.
(PEOPLE) Question from EXTERNAL NETWORK: [73214,2131] Theo Thourson
(PEOPLE) Do you have any plans to write or direct any episodes of
Sliders?
(Jerry O'Connell) Not in the future. But I just wrote an issue of the sliders comic book which you can get at your local comic store from Acclaim Comics
(PEOPLE) Are you going to the ComCon in San Diego this July?
(Jerry O'Connell) I haven't planned yet but I am going to a science fiction convention this weekend in Denver. You can call 1800-733-8735 for more info. All people in the Denver area should take note.
(PEOPLE) Great!
(PEOPLE) Question from CZK: [104057,1505] David A. Raine
(PEOPLE) Do you still keep in touch with your castmates from "Stand
by me"?
(Jerry O'Connell) I see them from time to time but it is tough to stay in touch because they live in hollywood and I live in New York.
(PEOPLE) Question from DAYTONA BEACH, FL: [74237,2337] Fox Mulder
(PEOPLE) What do you do in your free time (other than fencing).
(PEOPLE) P.S. I remember the show "my secret identity"
(Jerry O'Connell) I am pretty athletic so I do a lot of water sports and basketball. I love to run and recently I have been writing a lot since I graduated from NYU film last May. I am twenty-two.
(PEOPLE) Question from EAL: [73370,2454] Jeffrey Clinard
(PEOPLE) Do you know if they plan any more Slider novels?
(Jerry O'Connell) They just released one, and I don't know of anymore.
(PEOPLE) Question from EXTERNAL NETWORK: [104137,2734] Lisa Breen
(PEOPLE) You are a wonderful role model to the younger generation. Was it
difficult going from a child actor to an adult actor?
(Jerry O'Connell) I never really thought about it so, it was never difficult for me. I graduated from college last may and realized I had better get a job, and acting was always the fun thing to do.
(PEOPLE) Question from ERIE, PA: [72507,3112] Kevin
(PEOPLE) In that show My Secret Identy, how did the character lose some
of his powers and aquire new ones? If I remember correctly, at the beginning the
character was invincible and towards the end he wasn't. How did that happen?
(Jerry O'Connell) Artistic license and the magic of television.
(PEOPLE) Of course!
(PEOPLE) Question from OXNARD, CA: [104124,12] Skylar
(PEOPLE) When did your romantic relationship with Wade come about, and
what is your full name?
(Jerry O'Connell) The romantic relationship with Wade has always been there Sabrina Lloyd and I have fun playing the sexual tension between us. Jeremiah O'Connell is my full name.
(PEOPLE) On this note...several people have submitted questions saying what a total babe magnet you are...and then have gotten shy! And withdrawn them. So I will ask what all the women here want to know...Got a girlfriend?? :-)
(Jerry O'Connell) That's the story of my life. I do NOT
(PEOPLE) (gasps from the collective 'Net audience!)
(Jerry O'Connell) Living on the road is very tough to hold a meaningful relationship.
(PEOPLE) There you have it ladies...There's still hope!
(Jerry O'Connell) but my letter writing skills get better everyday thanks to the internet
(PEOPLE) Question from DAYTONA BEACH, FL: [74237,2337] Fox Mulder
(PEOPLE) How did you first get in to acting?
(Jerry O'Connell) Growing up in New York, I was always involved in off braodway theater and drama classes after school. There happened to be a cattle call audition for a little film Stand By Me. call it luck or fate I landed the role of Vern Tesssion (the little fat kid) and the film was a success. That was my big break.
(PEOPLE) Successful and very well made...
(PEOPLE) Question from EAT: [103200,1045] Rose Marie
(PEOPLE) Do you have any plans to make an on-screen movie?
(PEOPLE) My sister and I are fans of yours, we would like to know if you
have a fan mail address, and are you going to make any personal appearences
soon? =)
(Jerry O'Connell) I have a film coming out this July called Joe's Apartment based on an MTV short called Joe's Apartment. I am currently shooting a film with Tom Cruise scheduled to come out this Christmas: Jerry McGuire. No I do not have a fan club, but my mom and friends are very proud. Yes, I will be making a public appearance in Denver this weekend.
(PEOPLE) Question from LOS ANGELES, CA: [72134,1647] Greg Cortese
(PEOPLE) I am a big fan. Tell us about your upcoming role in "Jerry
Maguire".
(Jerry O'Connell) the number one player in the NFL draft Frank Cushman a quaterback. The part is a dream come true. Although in real life i am usually the tackling dummy.
(PEOPLE) Question from EXTERNAL NETWORK: [73214,2131] Theo Thourson
(PEOPLE) What theatre productions have you appeared in?
(Jerry O'Connell) I did a play directed by Herbert Burgoff costarring with Patrick Dempsey at HB studios in New York and other off broadway productions.
(PEOPLE) I'm going to ask this question for Wendy Zocks...She got shy
at the last minute.
(PEOPLE) What kinds of special effects do you use in Sliders?
(Jerry O'Connell) We use computer generated images to blue screen. It is a lot of fun for me to work on sliders because i get to see all of the tricks being completed.
(PEOPLE) Question from TORONTO, ON: [104036,1542] Kristina
(PEOPLE) Were you the guy with the prosthetic leg in Calendar girl? Were
you born in Canada?
(PEOPLE) (tap, tap, tap)
(Jerry O'Connell) Yes I was the guy with the prosthetic leg in Calendar Girl and I was not born in Canada.
(PEOPLE) All right Internet!
(PEOPLE) Two questions from the Internet -- an easy and a toughy:
(PEOPLE) First, this from Sonja Rosa: Jerry, I've noticed that this year
you have a scar on your upper lip, how did you get it?
(PEOPLE) And then this one from Stephen Dickson: Jerry, who is your
favorite minor character on the show, why, and would you want them to come back
in an alternate world?
(Jerry O'Connell) I was bitten by a dog when I was eleven.
(PEOPLE) Ouch!
(Jerry O'Connell) I had seventy four stitches
(PEOPLE) (Yeow!)
(PEOPLE) Did you have to go through that rabies series of shots?
(Jerry O'Connell) Luckily not. I hear they are very painful. A friend of mine who was bitten by a raccoon had to do that and it weasn't fun.
(PEOPLE) Back to Stephen's question....Who's yr favorite minor character?
(Jerry O'Connell) There are so many characters from world to world. It is tough to name just one.
(PEOPLE) Question from ORLANDO, FL: [102162,2453] Brian (FL)
(PEOPLE) I'm so happy Sliders got the prime slot right before X-Files!
How did that happen?
(PEOPLE) Can you tell us more about this movie with Tom Cruise?
Tearjerker? Suspense? Action flick?
(PEOPLE) Joe's Apartment is the movie about the cockroaches, right?
(Jerry O'Connell) Yes. We were looking fo a nice time slot. That is why we were off for the amount of time we were and we finally got it. The movie with Tom Cruise is comedy written by Cameron Crow (Say Anything; Singles). Cameron is also the director. It is a great cast and we are having a blast. Yes, Joe's Apartment is about roaches
(PEOPLE) :-)
(PEOPLE) Pack that can of Raid and head off to the box office, folks...
(PEOPLE) Our last question for the night...
(PEOPLE) (And by the way, Jerry, your friend Danielle Forbes sez hi!
(PEOPLE) Question from CZJ: [102421,3515] Erin
(PEOPLE) What do you miss most being an actor? Is it hard living a normal
lifestyle? Do you get stopped a lot in public?
(Jerry O'Connell) The only problem with being an actor is having to wake up early in the morning. No, I do not get stopped alot in public. I was in the train the other day. Someone recognized me from Stand By Me. I couldn't believe it! I can't even recognize myself from back then. Thanks for a great time everybody. A good episode of Sliders coming up on the 26th.
(PEOPLE) Jerry--thank YOU!
(Jerry O'Connell) also remeber Joes Apartment (the roach movie) this summer. Check me out at the sci-fi convention! More info 1800-733-8735. Also check out the web site.
(PEOPLE) Good night everyone. You were a great audience.
