Okay.
Glen Morgan
Thanks for the great turnout on Sci-Fi Channel
James Wong
We're looking forward to hearing some questions about our favorite show, Space:
Above & Beyond.
Glen Morgan
It means a lot to the cast and srew. sorry - typo (crew)
DB
To Morgan & Wong; Hello. When you started writing Saab did
you have an idea of how the show would eventually end? What was it?
James Wong
We thought it would be longer - hopefully 5 years of SAAB.
Glen Morgan
We didn't know how it would end - we hoped it would run a lot longer
James Wong
When it came down to knowing they'd be cancelling the show, we came up with that
ending.
Glen Morgan
(Laughs)
DSBlade
Was the show geared for more than one season?
Glen Morgan
Yes
James Wong
Yes. In fact, even as it was ending we had planned the 2nd season as a selling
point to FOX. So, in the 2nd season, McQueen was going to be back on Earth dealing with his
disabilities. There was going to be sort of a new honcho of the 58th, who was going to be a
woman. We were planning on introducing some new characters. So, we had already kind
of mapped out loosely the 2nd season when we realized they were going to cancel the
show...so we sorta killed off all the characters. (laughs)
Ilya
what caused FOX to finally cancell the show? was it the
high budget or low ratings or something else?
Glen Morgan
Their stupidity !
James Wong
I think it was a combination of that they didn't have the confidence that we had in
the show really picking up steam. Towards the end, they didn't give us enough airings in a
row. They promised us 5 airings in a row Friday at 8 and they renegged on that. They ended up
only giving us 2. That was the timeslot we always asked for. Without much promotion - we
really felt that they didn't give us a chance.
Thehammer
Were you happy with how the show ended?
Glen Morgan
I was not happy that it ended but was happy that it ended the way it did - story
wise
WAPBodie
Were you pleased with the great ratings SAAB got on SciFi?
James Wong
We were extatic! We were telling every FOX executive we saw that day what great numbers they got.
JooJanta
Is there anything about Space that you would do differently now?
Glen Morgan
I think I would have not have done "Hostal Visit" or "Choice or Chance"
James Wong
Knowing what we know now, it's too easy to say why we would've done so many
things differently. For me, it's a process of finding the show...I think some of
the earlier episodes can be a little clunky as we're finding the show, but that's
normal in every series.
GreyHunte
If the show continues to be popular on the Sci-Fi
Channel, do you think you might change the ending and make more episodes?
Glen Morgan
If anyone cared we would definately make more episodes. But the ending would not
be the ending if that were the case
CwazyCat
Would you ever consider doing a movie? tv or otherwise?
James Wong
Absolutely. In fact, at the X-Files episode party we cornered Peter Roth, who's
the head of Fox network, and almost sold him on a 2-hour movie.
Glen Morgan
Do you mean of Space ? YES !
Arphaxad
How do you respond to the accusation that Starship
Troopers was "Space Above And Beyond: The Movie," previous novel or otherwise?
James Wong
I didn't see ST so I can't comment.
Glen Morgan
It was not as good as the novel but much better that the movie. We always looked at
the novel "The Forever War" by Joe Haldeman. Not the novel "Starship Troopers"
Punchey
Did Heinlin's Starship Troopers have any part in
inspiring Space: Above and Beyond?
Glen Morgan
I had never read Starship Troopers,
James Wong
I read ST a long time ago but I didn't even think about it to tell you the
truth. We were more influenced by our fictional war class in college,
in which we read the Ilyad, Red Badge of Courage, the Naked And The Dead...up to
Forever War. Those are the books that influenced SAAB.
ChiggyVonRichthofen
What can we, as fans, do to help bring about a SAAB movie? "The Fanbase IS Out There..." :)
Glen Morgan
All of us appreciate it SO much.
Keep watching on The Sci-Fi Channel
James Wong
(cool nickname :)
All we can do is show the network the ratings on SFC and hopefully we can convince
them that there are people who want to watch it.
SixthSense
If Space had been renewed for a second season, what
would you have done differently in the last episode?
Glen Morgan
I don't know. I don't know if I would have done anything differently in the last episode
James Wong
The script was written so that it was a little bit less clear that the people had
died...so that might have kept to that more. That might be the only thing we would've
done differently..
DocKate
How many plots/ideas did you have for season 2?
James Wong
We had just the barest outlines of the direction we wanted to go.
Glen Morgan
6-12. I have the better memory
James Wong
Glen has a better memory, it's true.
DaveMedic
If the show had been allowed to continue, woud you
have given us glimpses into Chig society and culture?
Glen Morgan
Yes. We did it in show 22 or 21 ?
James Wong
oh yeah! show 21, when we saw the incubators on that planet. that was the beginning.
Punchey
I think a question that everyone's always asked is, "is Wang really dead?"
James Wong
Yes, he is dead.... if there's a movie, there might be a miraculous escape hatch. ;)
Glen Morgan
If this is the movie - he may not be so dead. Are you Joel Da Lafonte asking this Q?
Thehammer
If you had the chance would you make the show more
like Babylon 5 with a definaate beginning, middle and end?
James Wong
No.
WldCard
In your opinions, what were the best and worst things
about SAAB (aside from cancellation)?
James Wong
The best thing was Reverse Stars.
Glen Morgan
Best thing - the friends we made, episodes we were allowed to do, the
reactions of fans
James Wong
The worst thing was the difficulty in producing it - 16, 18 hour days almost all the
time.
Glen Morgan
worst thing - the hours it took, being lied to by the network, Being lied to
was a very painful lesson !
DeadSpark
How many inside jokes were there that we didn't know about?
James Wong
You know, I can't remember! There were a lot!
Glen Morgan
HA, HA, HA! ....632
James Wong
We had a lot of "Charger" inside stuff. Leslie O'Neal was on the show in one episode
because, you know, we're huge fans. Commedor Ross was named after Bobby Ross, who used
to be the coach.
Guyver
I know the shows were rather expensive to make, but with
today's technology, could you do them a lot cheaper?
Glen Morgan
Constantly hearing that they were a little expensive makes me a little nuts
James Wong
Possibly. We've been told since the show's been cancelled that they never lost a
dime on SAAB, so it wasn't the reason why it was cancelled, apparently.
Glen Morgan
During the season we were able to control costs and the show MADE THEM MONEY ! So -
hearing about the Costs makes me NUTS
blazerunner
How were you lied to?
Glen Morgan
We were told we would get 6 weeks - Friday at 8pm the month of April. That we would get
Fri night in JAn as well. Neither one of those happened. we got ***around.
I wish the Sci-Fi Channel had the show - they treat it right, and promote it
right
Kellie
The S:AAB episode where Wang is imitating McQueen... was
that scripted or spontaneous? It was a wonderful bit of mimicry
James Wong
We walked around the set one time, we saw Tucker playing blues guitar outside the
trailer.
Glen Morgan
Joel used to walk around impersonating James Morrison, so James and I scripted it in
James Wong
We asked "can you really play that? Bring it to the set and we can use that!"
We would see things like that and incorporate them into the scripts.
Hellboy
How can you remain loyal to the Fox network after such treatment?
Glen Morgan
We're not - we're going to CBS
James Wong
Our next project is with CBS.
Moderator
What's your next project?
James Wong
It's a show staring Arsenio Hall and George Eads - an action/comedy. Not sci-fi at all.
Pusher
and nothing for X-files???
Glen Morgan
Our time is over for X-Files
UncleMeat
Have you finished writing the script for the Devlin/Emmerich version of Fantastic Voyage?
Glen Morgan
Yes, we finished it last June
James Wong
yes, we did. and there's been sort of a snafu in that. Devlin & Emmerich are
probably going to Sony but the rights to FV are owned by FOX
so there's been some hang-up in the picture because of that.
Idyred
So you will no longer be working on Mellinium?
James Wong
We have the rest of this season left - 6 more episodes.
Glen Morgan
we have 6 more episodes
Matt--A
Excuse me, but just said your next project is with CBS?
Just about every good program aired on that network was canceled. Look at AMERICAN GOTHIC!
Why do you feel comfortable there? At least FOX takes risks.
Glen Morgan
Not with us !
James Wong
It's not that we feel comfortable - I guess every network can screw you. But so far
it's been a pleasant experience. Until we get screwed ourselves, we'll hope for the best.
DocKate
If Millennium is renewed, will you re-up?
Glen Morgan
No
James Wong
I think Millennium has a very good chance of being renewed. The numbers for the
originals, when they're promoted, are quite good.
Glen Morgan
We really enjoy doing Millennium, we are really good friends with many people
involved. It's just FOX shows no interest in us.
KC
Where did you two meet? How did you begin working together?
James Wong
We met in high school in Elcajon, CA. We actually went to college together at Loyola
Marymount University. When we came out of college, our friends got us a job at this production
company and that's when we started writing together.
Sitruc-of-Borg
Where you sci-fi freaks back then?
Glen Morgan
Just Freaks
James Wong
(laughs) I always read SF when I was a kid, but we weren't writing science fiction stuff.
blazerunner
what was the first project you two worked on?
Glen Morgan
A movie called "The Boys Next Door" please don't watch it.
Kellie
Is one of you Plot vs. Dialogue or do you both do both?
JooJanta
when you write scripts, do you write the whole thing
together, four-handed at the computer, or do you divide it up or something?
Glen Morgan
Both do both
James Wong
We've done it every which way possible.
Glen Morgan
Ha. It depends upon time and schedule
James Wong
But lately, we've just been doing back-to-back-to-back scripts. I would write
one, Glen would write one, etc.
Glen Morgan
We work out the story together. One of us writes it, the other re-writes it.
The good ones are Jim's, the bad ones are mine, the great ones are Darron's
Atrus
"Any other movie plans?"
Poopzee
James, did you enjoy directing and will you do more?
James Wong
we have a couple of old scripts that we want to get going as movies. I did very much
enjoy directing...most of the time. (laughs) Some days are not as fun. I hope to be
able to do more.
Pags
Who are/were your role models?
James Wong
(thinking)
Glen Morgan
Our parents
James Wong
I think my parents, and my brother. My brother because my father - I didn't really
know until I was like 21 because he was stuck in China.
NytProwlr
What do you think of the fan "presence" on the internet?
James Wong
In the beginning, the X-Files Internet fans really helped us - to read their comments.
Glen Morgan
The SAAB fans are wonderful, their imput and support are great. Other shows -
life is tougher
James Wong
Towards the middle of the run for us, on X-Files, it became very much UNhelpful
because we felt that they sort of had taken a position that new things shouldn't be tried.
DSBlade
Have you both always wanted to be writers?
James Wong
No. I wanted to be an astronaut.
(laughs)
Glen Morgan
Yes, in any capacity of making movies
RedBaron
-(PLEASE!!!!!! - I've been trying to find this out for TWO years!) I started posting as the
Red Baron on the Fox BBoards (still there) BEFORE he showed up in NNM and TAA _
peoplehave asked me WHEN did you decide to add that to the eps?
Glen Morgan
Around show 11. I,m not sure, probably around Nov 95
James Wong
I don't remember...
The Red Baron is a historical figure. (laughs) I think we were inspired by history
more than your online screen name.
Greyhound
How do you react to the weirder fan support? Like the dogtag project a while ago,
and birthday presents, things like that? Do you think we're all just wacko?
Glen Morgan
The dog tags are on my desk as we speak
James Wong
No! We're very touched by the outpouring of support and we have all those
memorabilia in our offices.
Glen Morgan
The jar of marbles are on my desk at home
James Wong
They gave us each a jar - mine is on top of my entertainment center in my office.
DarkAngel
Are you still interested in X-Files anymore? As in, still respect it?
James Wong
Of course I respect it. It's just that we don't have an opportunity to really
work on it.
Glen Morgan
Of course I do.
James Wong
I watch it just like anybody else, on Sunday night - if the babies are cooperating.
Oy
Do you feel that after reaching a certain level of fame, that
you are just in a different world than the rest of us, and so your writing becomes less
true?
Glen Morgan
(Laughs)
James Wong
(laughs too)
Glen Morgan
I hope I am not being presumptious (Laughs)
James Wong
I don't think we're really in a different level of fame!
Glen Morgan
I have no Idea, we are not famous
James Wong
We're not like Chris Carter - we're not recognizable on the street.
Glen Morgan
That Q was clearly from my MOM
GreyHunte
How long is an average week of work for you?
James Wong
It feels endless.
Glen Morgan
I average 14 hrs a day
James Wong
For instance, last night I was in my office until 10:30pm.
Elroy-L
we see many references to SAAB in x-files and millen., that must be you guys?
Glen Morgan
Yeah, the x-files guys don't know their SAAB references
DSBlade
When do you write, morning, afternoon, or all the time?
Glen Morgan
Well, it works out - all the time
James Wong
because we have such time constraints, we take whatever time we can to write.
there are so many different responsibilties we have, as well as
responsibilities to our families.
Glen Morgan
we might wright in the morning, edit in the afternoon, etc, You just do what needs
to be done when you can
James Wong
the morning is my favorite time.
Pags
Any words of wisdom to those who would follow in your footsteps?
genie
Do you have any *real* advice for aspiring writers?
James Wong
Perserverence is the most important thing.
Glen Morgan
As corny as is sounds - to write what you believe in. If you start writing for
executives or "Go by the Book" if won't work
James Wong
We hoped the characters - the longings they have, the problems - the
emotional arcs of the characters are the things we "know" and that's what we write.
Glen Morgan
And... DON'T GIVE UP !
Sitruc-of-Borg
Have you ever goten writer's block?
Glen Morgan
There is a JINX Q
James Wong
There are times when I feel like what we put down on the page is not as it should
be, but because we need to have something out there, there it is. In that case, you
know that it could be better but you just can't get it and you
don't have the time.
Glen Morgan
I haven't had a block - I've had so much to write that the stuff isn't very good
James Wong
That's the kind of writers' block we have on TV.
Rynn
I've heard that a lot of writers keep dream journals to
help inspire them, do either of you do that?
Glen Morgan
(Laughs)
James Wong
I did once, and then I realized that I was a psychotic, so I stopped doing it.
Glen Morgan
No, but I did have incredible dreams while on the Nicotine Patch that got worked
into a Millennium eps.
Sensation
I've now seen the name Jack Colquitt on three of your shows. What's the
significance?
Glen Morgan
VERY OBSERVANT !
That is a good luck character for us.
James Wong
The very first story treatment we wrote, when we were just starting as PA, at
Sandy Howard productions, the main character's name was Jack Colquitt. >From that treatment,
we got The Boys Next Door to write... it's a good luck name.
Glen Morgan
It is a good luck name
Hellblaze
Would you ever consider doing the cheesy 10 years later SAAB telemovie? *grin*
James Wong
(laughs) We would do any cheesy thing they would let us do.
Glen Morgan
I would do the back the back of a SAAB cereal box at this time - anything
CG
VERY Important question: The Fox SAAB (Space) Board still exists & has loyal fans, any chance of
visiting it again??? It's at
http://bbs.foxworld.com/foxsaab.html
Glen Morgan
Yes, If I can get past my freecell game
James Wong
I haven't done that for any show I've worked on so far...but I'll try to stop by.
Pags
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Glen Morgan
Our Children
Moderator
(Don't forget we have a S:AAB section on our own BBoard.)
James Wong
(not Glen and my children...the families that we each have)
Glen Morgan
Not Jim and I, that's impossible
Incubus
One of the great aspects of Space was the way the music
was incorporated. It felt like watching a movie! How did you choose the songs or
classical pieces?
Glen Morgan
Well, before answering that - there is not a better composer that Shirly Walker. They
were also pieces that Jim and I have been listening to our whole lives, we
just incorporated it into our shows
James Wong
Mainly things that we listen to that touch us or move us -that's how we choose our
music.
Hellboy
Do you have a personal favorite SAAB episode? One where
everything clicked and turned out extremely well?
Glen Morgan
I like "Who Monitors the Birds"
James Wong
I like that one, and I loved River of Stars. I liked Sugar Dirt, too.
Moderator
Okay, we're about to wrap up...any parting thoughts for us?
Glen Morgan
(Laughs)
James Wong
Be good citizens. (laughs)
Glen Morgan
Thanks so much for the support that you have given "Space" on the Sci-Fi Channel,
James Wong
Hopefully, we'll be able to do some new episodes some day. I'm so grateful that people
love something that we love so much ourselves. I'm very thankful for that.
Glen Morgan
In general, it is always touching to be invited into these chats.
>From the bottom of our hearts, we really appreciate it !
For an unedited transcript, head over to
http://www.scifi.com/transcripts/MorganWong.html.
