{Mici}: Scott should be out shortly!
{Mici}: We are all set! Scott is here!
{Mici}: CBS presents actor Scott Bakula tonight who is best known for his role as Sam Beckett in the TV series "Quantum Leap"
{Mici}: Scott is here tonight to talk about his upcoming CBS Wednesday Movie, IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE airing Wednesday night at 9:00 pm ET/PT
{Mici}: Welcome Scott Bakula!
{Mici}: IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE is an emotionally charged story featuring Bakula as a man who, while on death row for the murder of a teenage girl, anguishes over the fate of his own child after his execution.
{Mici}: Welcome to the stage and to Palace!
{Scott Bakula}: Hello everybody out there ...
{Scott Bakula}: I am looking forward to talking with you.
{Mici}: Our audience is often invited to ask some questions
{Mici}: meanwhile, is there more you would like to add about the upcoming movie
{Scott Bakula}: Umm ...
{Scott Bakula}: just that it is a very emotional roller - coaster of a movie ..
{Scott Bakula}: with great performances by Richard Thomas and Amy Madigan.
{Scott Bakula}: And it deals less with the death penalty and more with the issues of forgiveness.
{Scott Bakula}: Which is ultimately why I wanted to be associated with this movie.
{Mici}: thank you! we do have some questions now in from the audience
{Scott Bakula}: fire away!
{Mici}: from Margaret at The Arena: what play would you like to do, again or for the first time
{Scott Bakula}: It would be a musical ...
{Scott Bakula}: and it would be either Sweeney Todd, for the first time ...
{Scott Bakula}: or Man of La Mancha, which I did years ago.
{Mici}: from JILLDAVIS1 at The Arena: I am here with my 11 and 7 year olds. They are your shortest but biggest fans
{Mici}: from JaneyG at The Arena: What is a typical day like for you as a producer?
{Scott Bakula}: I would say that there are no typical days as a producer ...
{Scott Bakula}: your days when you are actually producing are fast and furious ...
{Scott Bakula}: and there is never enough time in the day ...
{Scott Bakula}: when you are not producing ...
{Scott Bakula}: your days are filled with a lot of creative thought and meetings and...
{Scott Bakula}: most often spent waiting for people to respond ...
{Scott Bakula}: which is almost never in a timely fashion.
{Mici}: Here's a question from the audience concerning IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE...
{Mici}: from V.A.Nightwolf at The Arena: Having worked in the prison system myself...do you feel the portrayal was accurate?
{Scott Bakula}: We had technical advisors from within the system ...
{Scott Bakula}: we did research into the system ...
{Scott Bakula}: but as always we are making a piece of entertainment ...
{Scott Bakula}: so I am sure that to someone within the system we may have taken some liberties.
{Mici}: What did you gain most as an actor from doing this role?
{Scott Bakula}: The movie is much less about the prison system then it is about the emotional journey of the main characters.
{Scott Bakula}: Well, it was a very emotional journey for all the actors in the piece ...
{Scott Bakula}: my goal was to play against the emotions ...
{Scott Bakula}: which is a big change for me.
{Mici}: from Freda 2 at The Arena: Did you talk to anyone that was on death row to help you out?
{Scott Bakula}: I actually did not talk to anyone on death row ...
{Scott Bakula}: but I read books and accounts and sociological studies into a large variety of this type of criminal.
{Mici}: on a lighter note...this from an audience member (2 parts)...
{Mici}: Pam from Boston at The Arena: I'm 40 years-old, and I'm not the only one, but there is something
{Mici}: about you that makes me act like a 17 year old with a crush. :) You see that in so many of us, and yet,
{Mici}: you can still show us such respect. How do you manage that?
{Scott Bakula}: I am blushing over the internet.
{Mici}: hee hee
{Mici}: Kim at The Arena: Hi Scott! Do you have any plans to do another television series?
{Scott Bakula}: Nothing specific right now, but there is a strong possibility in the next year or so that one could happen.
{Mici}: Also from our audience (2 parts) from TD2000 at The Arena: I can remember watching Quantum Leap as a little kid because
{Mici}: was always fascinated with futuristic ideas and technology.
{Mici}: Do you feel that show has in some way influenced our technological society to
{Mici}: :has influenced technology in our society in some way
{Scott Bakula}: First of all ...it is always hard to hear about someone watching the show when they were a kid ...
{Scott Bakula}: but I have learned to accept it ..as I age gracefully ...
{Scott Bakula}: and in regards to the technological ...
{Scott Bakula}: I think that technology is evolving much faster than most of the ideas that we put forth on the show...
{Scott Bakula}: with the exception of time travel itself ...
{Scott Bakula}: I am still waiting for that one to be a reality.
{Mici}: Did you anticipate the huge success and continued following of QUANTUM LEAP?
{Scott Bakula}: No, I don't think any of us foresaw that ...
{Scott Bakula}: I know that I simply responded to a good character ...
{Scott Bakula}: and a good script even though I didn't get a complete script when I first read for it.
{Mici}: Another question from the audience.... from SS at The Arena: You are such a great actor.....How long have you been acting?
{Scott Bakula}: I basically got the acting bug when I was about 13 ...
{Scott Bakula}: so, that was 10 years ago.
{Mici}: Changing the topic slightly...what can you tell us about the movie Luminarias?
{Scott Bakula}: As of the last I heard it is now going to open in L.A. on April 14 ...
{Scott Bakula}: that could change ...and it is a movie about 4 Latina women ...
{Scott Bakula}: living, loving and working in L.A. and their tumultuous, humorous and emotional lives.
{Scott Bakula}: I play a lawyer who meets one of these women in court ...
{Scott Bakula}: as an adversary and there follows a very bumpy love story.
{Mici}: Thanks for the update...Do you have other projects coming up?
{Scott Bakula}: Ummm ...
{Scott Bakula}: I shot a small part in a movie called The Trial of Old Drum ...
{Scott Bakula}: which I believe is airing also in April on Animal Planet ...
{Scott Bakula}: I play an attorney, again, it is a true story ...
{Scott Bakula}: who represents a dog in court, who is going to be put down if I fail.
{Scott Bakula}: And, I shot an independent movie called Above Suspicion ...
{Scott Bakula}: last fall that is in post production as we speak ...and I have no further information.
{Mici}: We are getting hundreds of questions ...what an enthusiastic audience!
{Mici}: from gianna at The Arena: hello Mr. Bakula..., fan from the Netherlands here... I wonder if you will ever come over to our country for an appearance
{Scott Bakula}: I have great fans!
{Scott Bakula}: I would love to ...
{Scott Bakula}: someday I hope to travel more and take advantage of some of the wonderful offers I have had over the last few years.
{Mici}: from Freda at The Arena: I have a copy of the I have a tape (cassette) of you in God Spell. I think that had to have been your first "oh Boy"
{Scott Bakula}: I don't remember saying "oh boy" but if it is on tape then it must be true.
{Mici}: :more from his great fans...from JaneyG at The Arena: I just want to say, Scott you keep getting better with age!
{Scott Bakula}: Again, I am laughing and it is much better than getting worse with age.
{Mici}: from Donna D at The Arena: How do you feel about the success of American Beauty? It received more award nominations today.
{Scott Bakula}: Well, I am thrilled ...
{Scott Bakula}: I am so proud to have been a part of that movie ...
{Scott Bakula}: with those wonderful people ...
{Scott Bakula}: they all deserve it.
{Mici}: from Debbie 2 at The Arena: Debbie from Mississippi...we all enjoyed the play at the Alex in June. Will you do another fund raiser soon?
{Scott Bakula}: Nothing scheduled right now ...
{Scott Bakula}: but I take the opportunity again to thank everyone that came and to all that supported it ...
{Scott Bakula}: and to those that supported it and were not there.
{Mici}: thanks...we have more comments and questions coming
{Scott Bakula}: O.K.
{Mici}: from AlBa at The Arena: You are also an incredibly versatile performer. Do you find that is a help or hindrance in today's entertainment business
{Scott Bakula}: Sometimes it is a hindrance because you run the risk of not being easily ...
{Scott Bakula}: pigeon-holed ...but for an actor the opportunity to be different is what keeps you going.
{Mici}: from gianna at The Arena: I didn't see you at the GG awards for American beauty. Where you there?
{Scott Bakula}: No, I wasn't ...
{Scott Bakula}: I was invited but unable to attend.
{Mici}: from Margaret at The Arena: are there any actors you'd really like to work with?
{Scott Bakula}: Oh, there are so many ...
{Scott Bakula}: There are so many young actors out there right now working ...
{Scott Bakula}: and there are so many older actors out there whom I also admire ...
{Scott Bakula}: I have worked with hundreds of wonderful actors ...
{Scott Bakula}: and you always learn from working with all of them ...
{Scott Bakula}: but it would also be great to work with someone like Meryl Streep ...
{Scott Bakula}: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise.
{Scott Bakula}: Or Paul Newman.
{Mici}: from scottaholic at The Arena: Mr. B....any professional goals you're still striving towards?
{Scott Bakula}: Ummm, I think I continue to strive to do different things ...
{Scott Bakula}: but mostly to continue to have an impact with the roles and materials I choose ...
{Scott Bakula}: regardless of the medium.
{Mici}: :sharing some general fan comments...
{Mici}: To Scott Bakula from coleeflower at The Arena: From my 13-year-old son, Nathan: I really like you and Quantum Leap!
{Scott Bakula}: Thanks Nathan!
{Mici}: Many have asked "Will Quantum Leap Return?"
{Scott Bakula}: I wish I knew the answer to that question ...
{Scott Bakula}: probably the most asked question of me ...
{Scott Bakula}: you never know.
{Mici}: from MeganC at The Arena: Is there any truth to the rumor that there will be a Quantum Leap movie?
{Scott Bakula}: It is a truthful rumor but there is no truth to it ...
{Scott Bakula}: we don't know ...we still remain willing and able, but the phone hasn't rung.
{Mici}: from Brent Roberts at The Arena: Mr. Bakula, I loved the show "Mr. and Mrs. Smith". Are you planning anything of that sort again?
{Scott Bakula}: I doubt it ...
{Scott Bakula}: Those kind of shows seem to be being done much more effectively on the big screen ...
{Scott Bakula}: it is kind of hard to compete with the budget of Mission Impossible.
{Mici}: from Freda at The Arena: I was disappointed when you didn't get "Music Man". Any hope for musicals in the future?
{Scott Bakula}: I am always entertaining the idea of a musical part ...
{Scott Bakula}: Music Man didn't work out for a variety of reasons ...
{Scott Bakula}: and there is a good chance that another one will come along.
{Mici}: from Akasha at The Arena: Do you foresee any family members following in your footsteps?
{Scott Bakula}: Well, it is hard to say ...
{Scott Bakula}: I never encourage anyone to get into show business so if they do ...
{Scott Bakula}: it will be their own drive and ambition that will make it happen.
{Mici}: :some audience comments we couldn't pass up passing along...
{Mici}: from Doctor Avatar at The Arena: several of the women here were hoping you would take your shirt off
{Scott Bakula}: It's off ...done.
{Mici}: lol! hahaha
{Mici}: from MeganC at The Arena: Other than Somewhere In The Night, have you written any other songs?
{Scott Bakula}: Oh, I wrote lots of songs when I was younger ...
{Scott Bakula}: I haven't written anything recently.
{Mici}: a from Deb at The Arena: from my 11 year old daughter, who is a big fan of QL. Do you and Dean still keep in touch?
{Scott Bakula}: Absolutely, we spoke over the holidays and I actually saw him in Vancouver in the fall.
{Mici}: From Freda at The Arena: You have played so many different parts in your shows. Both on TV and on the big screen. Is there anything that you haven't done that you would really like to do?
{Scott Bakula}: Well, the great thing about being an actor is the next great role is around the corner ...
{Scott Bakula}: and as long as you maintain your love for acting you can continue until you die, basically.
{Mici}: from SaraE at The Arena: Remind everyone that you're going to be on Donny and Marie tomorrow am
{Scott Bakula}: They have already taped it ...so physically I won't be there so don't go down to the studio to see me ...
{Scott Bakula}: I will also be on Woman to Woman tomorrow at 4PM.
{Mici}: from V.A.Nightwolf at The Arena: When you wrote "Somewhere In The Night"...did you have anyone in particular in mind? [settle an old bet please :) I said your daughter . he says not.
{Scott Bakula}: I wrote that song to work with the episode ...
{Scott Bakula}: so it was about that experience of that episode.
{Scott Bakula}: Combined with the lonely journey of Sam Beckett.
{Mici}: :more comments too good to pass up...
{Mici}: from SS at The Arena: Wow! you really know how to bring the woman in here Mr. Bakula
{Scott Bakula}: Yes, one of my specialties ...it is on my resume.
{Mici}: from Deb at The Arena: This is from my daughter again, Amanda. Since you have been talking to Dean can you tell her f he has any projects in the works?
{Scott Bakula}: You know Dean did a flurry of independent films last fall ...so many that I am not sure of the names of them ..
{Scott Bakula}: but has been busy.
{Mici}: from Cugunaslu at The Arena: Scott, have you ever done interactive chats before? And how are you liking this?
{Scott Bakula}: I have done a few of these now ...and I always find them to be relaxing and pleasant.
{Scott Bakula}: And a nice way to communicate one on one with a lot of fans.
{Mici}: from Akasha at The Arena: you're such an incredibly busy man....how do you find time to relax and what helps you do so?
{Scott Bakula}: Well, I don't have a lot of time to relax ...
{Scott Bakula}: I wish I had more, but sometimes I think I am living my life with the old motto of rest when you are dead haunting me.
{Scott Bakula}: But when I get a chance I love to get out doors ...
{Scott Bakula}: to the beach, to the mountains, and play.
{Mici}: from Derek Meier at The Arena: Mr. Bakula, I chatted with you on AOL once and all my friends don't believe it's really you. Can you just say hello so I can tell them i talked to you?
{Scott Bakula}: Hello Derek Meier, you are telling the truth ...tell your friends to get off your back.
{Mici}: from Freda 2 at The Arena: I heard you once on the Mike and Brian show. You were in a car on the way to the foot doctor. How's your foot?
{Mici}: :he has such caring fans
{Scott Bakula}: Well, I believe my foot from that particular injury is just fine ...
{Scott Bakula}: thank you for asking.
{Mici}: from Oceana at The Arena: I came to see you in Love Letters last year...are you planning on doing any more theatre with Chelsea...by the way, we loved the performance
{Scott Bakula}: First of all thanks again for coming ...
{Scott Bakula}: nothing is planned in the immediate future, but we loved that experience ...
{Scott Bakula}: and hope to repeat it again someday.
{Mici}: You have performed in theatre, television, and movies...which medium do you prefer?
{Scott Bakula}: They all have their charms ...
{Scott Bakula}: I love a live audience ...
{Scott Bakula}: which make theatre so appealing ...
{Scott Bakula}: I love in television the speed of shooting and the speed of projects being aired ...
{Scott Bakula}: and I love the freedom that you get making a movie.
{Mici}: :he has articulate fans...the next question is in 3 parts...
{Mici}: from AlBa at The Arena: I saw "Luminarias" at a special screening in Washington, D.C.
{Mici}: It was a really good film - super performances from the cast and a lovely romantic performance from you,
{Mici}: Scott. Do you think it will get a wide distribution outside of L.A.?
{Scott Bakula}: I would hope so, I think it is a film that has a wide appeal ...
{Scott Bakula}: but I also think that we are still learning how to distribute these kinds of movies in the U.S.
{Mici}: from Vaz at The Arena: We loved you in Lord of Illusions. Any plans on future movies with the same character and Clive Barker?
{Scott Bakula}: Clive and I talk several times a year and ...
{Scott Bakula}: we continue to look for an opportunity to do a sequel with Harry.
{Mici}: from V.A.Nightwolf at The Arena: :) you once said you were computer illiterate (years ago) are you getting better at typing & web surfing?
{Scott Bakula}: No.
{Scott Bakula}: If you have to ask "what is web surfing" does that give it away?
{Mici}: hahaha
{Mici}: from Akasha at The Arena: Do you ever find yourself going to your shows just to see peoples reactions?
{Scott Bakula}: Not just to see peoples reactions, but I love to be in an audience ...
{Scott Bakula}: watching a movie that I have participated in ...
{Scott Bakula}: the premiere for American Beauty was incredible ...
{Scott Bakula}: and the screening from Luminarias blew the roof off.
{Mici}: We have time for two more questions from the audience....
{Mici}: from JILLDAVIS1 at The Arena: Does your mother get upset with the language you use in some of your movies?
{Scott Bakula}: My mother is basically used to just about everything now ...
{Scott Bakula}: she has seen and heard so much in other movies ...
{Scott Bakula}: that by most standards mine have been pretty tame.
{Mici}: our last question has a couple of parts...
{Mici}: [Pam] From Boston at The Arena: Approximately how many scripts are presented to you in a given month,
{Mici}: and how do you choose the projects you do?
{Scott Bakula}: Well, there is a script flow that comes into my company, about 50 to 100 scripts per month ...
{Scott Bakula}: I will see a small portion of those and then I will get anywhere from 10 - 20 scripts submitted through my agents ...
{Scott Bakula}: for acting roles.
{Scott Bakula}: That doesn't include books, original musicals, treatments, pitches and the odd 20/20 or 60 Minutes stories.
{Scott Bakula}: I almost always start with the script and the writing ...
{Scott Bakula}: and then the character. If I am not going to be in the movie, the characters ...
{Scott Bakula}: and then you have to consider if it is something you think you can sell.
{Scott Bakula}: There are lots of great ideas that no one will make in this town ...
{Scott Bakula}: like the Quantum Leap movie.
{Mici}: I would like to close the chat with a final comment from an audience member who sums this chat up nicely....
{Mici}: from SS at The Arena: Mr. Bakula...
{Mici}: I have met many actors in my time and I would put you on the top of my list
{Mici}: for most impressive person...I will never forget this....
{Mici}: God bless you in your future films! We love you!
{Scott Bakula}: Well, I appreciate that. Thank you!
{Mici}: Based on the questions and comments we didn't get to, I think he speaks for many here!
{Scott Bakula}: Go RAMS!
{Mici}: Be sure to see Scott in his upcoming CBS movie, IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE tomorrow night
{Scott Bakula}: Thanks very much!
{Scott Bakula}: I had a good time.
{Mici}: Thank you for joining us this evening!
{Mici}: We appreciate all of you joining us! thanks so much.