FOX.COM HOST: Our guest tonight has worn so many hats, it's difficult to name what he's most known for...
FOX.COM HOST: acting, directing, producing....
FOX.COM HOST: He's currently the host of the FOX show Beyond Belief,
FOX.COM HOST: a program that demonstrates to us that fact can be at least as strange as fiction!
FOX.COM HOST: Mr. Frakes is well-remembered as Commander William T. Riker of TV's Star Trek: The Next Generation...
FOX.COM HOST: and obviously, feature films: Star Trek: Insurrection and Star Trek: First Contact.
FOX.COM HOST: Many of you have probably seen Jonathan speak at Star Trek conventions over the years!
FOX.COM HOST: If there's anything you've missed asking him during his previous public appearances or online chats, be sure to ask him now!!!
FOX.COM HOST: As if his previous association with stories of the paranormal weren't enough...
FOX.COM HOST: Jonathan Frakes is executive producing Roswell--and as with
FOX.COM HOST: Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,
FOX.COM HOST: and Star Trek: Voyager, he's got his hand in directing several episodes as well!
FOX.COM HOST: The moment we've been waiting for has arrived!
FOX.COM HOST: Our FOX.com guest is here to chat with us...
FOX.COM HOST: Welcome to our chat, Jonathan!!!

Jonathan Frakes: Good evening, the footage you are about to see is extremely graphic! My name is Jonathan Frakes, welcome to Beyond Belief. Go get the kids!

bbk5: How did you get the job as host of Beyond Belief?

Jonathan Frakes: As the official spokesperson for the paranormal, Al Schwartz and Barry Adelman approached me about this job and after a couple of episodes they decided it was a good mix.
Jonathan Frakes: I think we've done 20 or 30 episodes. And the 13 the audience will see this summer are all brand-new.
Jonathan Frakes: And we hope everyone will demand more so we can go back to work again! But seriously, I think my hosting a show like this makes sense to an audience because of my character's healthy respect for all things alien on Star Trek.
Jonathan Frakes: And also having hosted Alien Autopsy, Fact or Fiction on FOX, and the short lived series Paranormal Borderline on UPN, I guess I had the right credits.

cho_cho_man: Hey Jonathan, how do you feel about Alien Autopsy? You glad you did it or what?

Jonathan Frakes: I think Alien Autopsy raised interesting questions.
Jonathan Frakes: We all wonder if there was a government cover-up. But I doubt if the footage aired on that special was real.

archangel: Do you have any personal interest in the paranormal?

Jonathan Frakes: I do now! I have a healthy respect for all things paranormal. I think we'd be arrogant and naive to pretend that we are the only living beings.
Jonathan Frakes: I believe that psychic phenomenon does take place. I see it in my wife almost every day!

2501: Do you belive in aliens????

Jonathan Frakes: I believe in the aliens on Roswell.
Jonathan Frakes: I hope a lot of other people plan to this year as well.

SciFiGal: What do you think about reality-based TV?

Jonathan Frakes: I think some reality-based television is appalling, voyeuristic and not worth any of our time.
Jonathan Frakes: But a show like ours doesn't play on violence or drug busts or human tragedy.

CoolDan989: Do you plan on writing a Beyond Belief story in the future?

Jonathan Frakes: I wish I were a writer.
Jonathan Frakes: It's the one part of the equation I haven't tackled.
Jonathan Frakes: There are plenty of wonderful writers out there who could do a far better job than I.

mikedaddy: Do you enjoy hosting?

Jonathan Frakes: I like hosting very much.
Jonathan Frakes: I like the work and the size of the crew is smaller than I'm used to. The pace is fast and furious.
Jonathan Frakes: The writing on Beyond Belief, thanks to Barry and his crew, is succint, informative, ironic, and roles off the tongue.
Jonathan Frakes: Rolls off the tongue, that is. And I don't have to remember all those lines.

SciFiGal: What do you find most fascinating about Beyond Belief?

Jonathan Frakes: The popularity of the show surprises me when I travel around the country, and I'm approached by people of all ages and all walks of life...
Jonathan Frakes: who tell me how they gather around the TV with their family or friends and watch the show as if it's a game show.
Jonathan Frakes: So they have something at stake in terms of arguing about which stories are real and which are invented.
Jonathan Frakes: I think it's a very smart idea that Dick Clark has found here, and hopefully we can find a new audience for it. Certainly, game shows aren't doing too badly this year.

Tiger: Where and how did these stories get submitted?

Jonathan Frakes: My understanding is that the real stories come from a series of books on paranormal behavior, and the fiction stories are created by our writing staff.
Jonathan Frakes: I also know that Dick Clark Productions receives submissions of stories with like themes.
Jonathan Frakes: I have taken a couple myself that people have given me about strange happenings in their hometowns, ghosts, and other unexplained phenomena.

CoolDan989: Which kind of Beyond Belief story do you like more: a story with a happy ending, or a scary ending?

Jonathan Frakes: I'm a fan of the happy ending, but I think I may be in the minority. Scary stories seem to appeal to a wider audience.

CoolDan989: Do you know before the taping of an episode which stories are fact and fiction?

Jonathan Frakes: I don't. And I ask them not to tell me so that I can deliver the wrap-arounds without revealing which are true and which are not in my voice. I try to approach each story with the same degree of seriousness or cynicism.

princess: I think last week's story Cruel to the dead, i think it was very scary. Do you sometimes get scared from these kind of stories that are true

Jonathan Frakes: I sometimes get scared by the stories that are true, but more often than not, I'm amazed and surprised that the stories that they tell me that are true in fact are.

ozzy11340: Is Beyond Belief going to be on all year long?

Jonathan Frakes: We hope it will be picked up and run forever. I think this summer is a tryout to gauge the interest in our show.

sbfan2000: Why has Beyond Belief been so "off and on" in the last two years?

Jonathan Frakes: Frankly, I think the powers that be at FOX have changed hands so often in the last three years that our show, Beyond Belief, has been overlooked.

yani: When will you know if the show will be picked up in the fall?

Jonathan Frakes: I'm hoping that this run this summer will firmly root us on the FOX schedule.

CoolDan989: Have you ever been in a Beyond Belief-style experience?

Jonathan Frakes: Good question.
Jonathan Frakes: I have had what I thought were dreams which may have been daydreams, that were what we call deja vu experiences.
Jonathan Frakes: I think we all have.
Jonathan Frakes: But I haven't had any aliens land in my backyard. Yet.

mikedaddy: What do you think of Beyond Belief?

Jonathan Frakes: I'm proud of it. I think it's a well-put-together, well-produced show, that I'm proud to be part of.

d_monkey64: What other shows do you like to watch, besides Beyond Belief?

Jonathan Frakes: I like The Animal Planet.
Jonathan Frakes: I like Roswell for obvious reasons.
Jonathan Frakes: I think West Wing is the best new show on the networks.
Jonathan Frakes: But mostly I'm on PBS because I have two young kids.

FishBoyMan: Which did you like better: ST Next Gen or Beyond Belief?

Jonathan Frakes: Star Trek really changed my life.
Jonathan Frakes: Or I should say, my career. Since I was able to not only work as an actor in that incredible company, but I also learned how to direct while I was on that show.
Jonathan Frakes: And probably the success of Next Generation is what has allowed me to do Beyond Belief.

SciFiGal: Which TNG (The Next Generation) actors does he keep in touch with?

Jonathan Frakes: I know it sounds like a cliche, but we are all still like a family. I spoke to Brent yesterday.
Jonathan Frakes: Patrick's in New York now, I speak to him monthly. LeVar and I work on the same lot at Paramount.
Jonathan Frakes: And Rick Berman's wife is the godmother of our son. So it's a pretty tight-knit group.

SciFiGal: Do your kids watch reruns of ST: TNG?

Jonathan Frakes: My kids are still too young I think to get Star Trek.
Jonathan Frakes: My son is five, and my daughter is now just three. But they've seen enough of the boxes of action figures in the basement that they have an inkling of what it is daddy does for a living.

sghhh: You have two kids...would you encourage them to get into the business like you and your wife?

Jonathan Frakes: I would encourage them to be anything but actors. I'm hoping that they see the light and get real jobs!
Jonathan Frakes: But it may already be in their genes.

SciFiGal: Will his wife ever appear in any of the Star Trek movies?

Jonathan Frakes: Another good question! I certainly hope so. We were lucky enough to have Genie Francis appear in our final episode of Roswell last season.

BloodLess: Mr. Jonathan, been a fan since I was eight. You are a great actor with immense talent. Do you have plans to be in the next Star Trek movie?

Jonathan Frakes: Absolutely.
Jonathan Frakes: Assuming we can get the engine started on the Enterprise.

AdmiralMemo:Do you plan to star in or direct (or both) a Star Trek 10?

Jonathan Frakes: If asked, I'll be there in any capacity they'll have me. Star Trek 10, from what I hear, is still in the development stage. Although I think we're all hoping to have another chapter of our franchise by Christmas of 2001.

kytra: What is your favorite episode of Star Trek?

Jonathan Frakes: I have a soft spot for an episode called "The Offspring," in which Data built himself a daughter.
Jonathan Frakes: It was my first directing effort.
Jonathan Frakes: I also think that "Best of Both Worlds" was probably the finest episode we ever made.

philG: Do you still watch Star Trek?

Jonathan Frakes: I've been known to stop the remote control late at night as I recognize some of those younger, familiar faces of myself and my friends. And it reminds me of what a great experience those last 13 years have been.

Flesh_Golems_Rock: Did you watch the original Star Trek series?

Jonathan Frakes: Actually, I was not a huge science fiction fan. Until I was hired as Riker. But from that point on I did my research and have caught up on lots of classic Trek.
Jonathan Frakes: My personal favorite is Mudd's women.

Mulders*****: Would you call yourself a trekkie?

Jonathan Frakes: I'd actually call myself a Treker now.

Sean: When you started acting, did you ever think you would do a show like Star Trek?

Jonathan Frakes: I had no idea.
Jonathan Frakes: That after 30 or more guest spots on television shows as drug dealers, hen-pecked husbands, and father-killers, and a veritable panoply of bad guys, that I would end up playing such a heroic, honorable man as Commander Riker.

anamarylee: How do you think Gene Roddenberry would react to the way Star Trek has and still develops?

Jonathan Frakes: That's an interesting question. I'm not sure that Gene would approve of all the violence that has become part of DS 9 in particular.
Jonathan Frakes: But I think he would certainly approve of the style in which Rick Berman has carried on the legacy that is Star Trek.

CapnBiggles: Do you consider youself as indelible a character as Kirk now? Part of the Star Trek genre permanently?

Jonathan Frakes: I should be so lucky.
Jonathan Frakes: Kirk got hundreds of more women than Riker even thought about.

SteveMcClure: Mr. Frakes, what is your favorite memory on the set of Star Trek?

Jonathan Frakes: It's hard to pinpoint one. I can say that there was never a morning, no matter how early and how dark it might still have been, that I didn't look forward to going to work and spending the day with such interesting, talented, and maybe most importantly, funny people.

Jinx2000: What do you like most about Star Trek?

Jonathan Frakes: I'm proud to be associated with a show with such high ethical and moral standards, and such seemingly timeless popularity.
Jonathan Frakes: Especially since I have kids now who will, for better or for worse, know that their dad was one of the "Star Trek guys".
Jonathan Frakes: There are far worse fates.

susieq: What is the biggest lesson Star Trek has taught you?

Jonathan Frakes: Tolerance.
Jonathan Frakes: Patience.
Jonathan Frakes: I think the "prime directive" that Gene Rodenberry invented is a code of behavior that a lot of us would do well to live by.

Butch: What was it like working with Patrick Stewart

Jonathan Frakes: I think he's arguably one of the finest actors working today.
Jonathan Frakes: And as much fun as he is to work with as an actor, he is even more delicious to direct because he can play any note that you can ask him to play. And then find some that you haven't even imagined.

spaciestacie: Have you seen Patrick Stewart's new movie, XMen? What did you think of it?

Jonathan Frakes: I have not seen it. Have you? I don't think it's out yet.

ttplayer: Have you visited the Star Trek exhibit in Las Vegas?

Jonathan Frakes: I'm proud to say that I was there at the opening of the Star Trek exhibit at the Hilton. And I have been back numerous times since.
Jonathan Frakes: I was actually quite impressed with the ride itself. And the high standards that we've all come to expect from Star Trek were maintained.

Informant: Would there be any chance that the TNG crew would team up with the DS 9 crew in the next movie? Would you even be interested in doing the teaming thing?

Jonathan Frakes: I wouldn't be surprised if we saw some cross-over from the other Star Treks in the next movie.

TheTrombonist: In the series Riker played the trombone, do you?

Jonathan Frakes: I don't play well, but I have played since the fourth grade. And still continue to entertain my children on Saturday mornings with my trombone.

Dudein3D: Jonathan, in a "survivor" fashion, who would be alive at the end of the time on an island, you or Riker?

Jonathan Frakes: I haven't seen the show, so I can't answer with any confidence.

Ryan: Do you have any other talents besides acting?

Jonathan Frakes: LOL! I like to think that I'm a good father.

SciFiGal: Does he still act? Or is he strictly behind the camera now?

Jonathan Frakes: I still like doing both.
Jonathan Frakes: And going back and forth has made my life quite interesting.

SciFiGal: Will he be directing any non-Star Trek movies or television shows anytime soon?

Jonathan Frakes: I thought you'd never ask! Here's my chance to plug what I'm doing!
Jonathan Frakes: I'm directing a movie for Paramount and Nickelodeon called Clockstoppers.
Jonathan Frakes: I'm also directing a movie for Centropolis and Sony, a black comedy called Steve Was Here.
Jonathan Frakes: And I'm proud to say that the show I'm a producer on, Roswell, has been picked up for its second season.
Jonathan Frakes: And I'm acting in a miniseries on AMC called The Lot.
Jonathan Frakes: So I've been lucky enough to find some jobs that don't require space suits.

Christine: But you look so cute in a space suit! :)

Jonathan Frakes: I DO look cute in a space suit!! Or I did when I was younger.

y2silverstar: What is the theme of Clockstoppers?

Jonathan Frakes: Clockstoppers is not unlike Back to the Future.
Jonathan Frakes: We alter time.

david_m: What stars are you working with now on your new films?

Jonathan Frakes: Neither film has been cast yet.

katie: What career would you be interested in if you had never begun acting?

Jonathan Frakes: I started college as a psychology major, so I suppose I could have become a shrink.
Jonathan Frakes: Had I not been bitten by the theatre bug.

UncleBob: What would your dream job be?

Jonathan Frakes: My dream job would be selling bait in a small bait shop in Maine. Just kidding!

philG:What has been your most favorite acting experence?

Jonathan Frakes: I think the time on Star Trek.
Jonathan Frakes: It provided me with so many varied acting challenges.

Flesh_Golems_Rock: Dude, who is your favorite actor?

Jonathan Frakes: Oh, boy. I'm a big Gene Hackman fan. I think he's different every time we see him. And I think Johnny Depp is going to be a big movie star. My favorite actor of all time is Genie Francis.

Rancor: Who was your role model when you were younger?

Jonathan Frakes: My father.
Jonathan Frakes: He taught me to make sure that I would find a job that I loved doing. And I have.
Jonathan Frakes: And he also made me watch John Ford movies. Which helped.

Jinx2000: Was your father ever in the acting business?

Jonathan Frakes: No, but he was a disc jockey. Which is sort of a kissing cousin to actors I suppose.

SAVIORA: What was your father like?

Jonathan Frakes: This shouldn't be in the past tense--he still is! A delightful, cynical, sarcastic, brilliant English professor.

duncan: Do you feel you have been "pigeonholed" as an actor due to your work with TNG? If so, does that bother you?

Jonathan Frakes: That's not the first time I've been asked this question. And what I've usually answered, without sounding too glib I hope, is that it's better to be typecast than not to be cast at all.
Jonathan Frakes: This industry finds it easier to pigeonhole us as actors, directors, writers, producers, designers, everyone has the same uphill battle.

jackie: Do you miss Star Trek?

Jonathan Frakes: Of course I miss it, but I know that we'll all be back together again soon, and I'm looking forward to it.

2501: Have you ever wanted to star in an X-Files episode?

Jonathan Frakes: I would love to be on The X-Files.
Jonathan Frakes: No one has asked.

susieq: What would you like most for Father's Day?

Jonathan Frakes: A nap!
Jonathan Frakes: I have a five-year-old and a three-year-old, so sleep is in short supply!

FishBoyMan: What is your favorite activity in parenting?

Jonathan Frakes: I don't think I have a favorite. The whole adventure of parenting is educational and ever-changing.

swslot: Do you have any hobbies?

Jonathan Frakes: Yes. Parenting.

STEFisSAXY: What are your children like?

Jonathan Frakes: What can I say? I'm rather partial to both of them.

anamarylee: What would you like to be doing 10 years down the road, or say 15 when your kids are in college?

Jonathan Frakes: I'd like to be able to travel around the world. Leisurely. And see all the places I've only read about, or heard about, or seen pictures of.
Jonathan Frakes: Meet the people, eat the food.

Lukerson: What's your favorite type of music?

Jonathan Frakes: Traditional jazz is what I was brought up on.
Jonathan Frakes: But in the car I listen to a lot of Lyle Lovett.

Spirit: You still like baseball?

Jonathan Frakes: I follow it every day.
Jonathan Frakes: I'd be very curious to see if Sammy Sosa ends up in New York.
Jonathan Frakes: By the way the Lakers are down by nine.

CapnBiggles: Randy Johnson or Pedro Martinez?

Jonathan Frakes: Randy Johnson. The Big Unit is astounding.

philG: Who do you think will win the NBA finals?

Jonathan Frakes: I think we're looking at the last game as we chat.

Meredith: Are you planning on being involved with Roswell next season? You did a wonderful job directing this season, and I really enjoyed the cameos.

Jonathan Frakes: Thank you and of course, I'll be as involved as a possibly can. But the show is in pretty good hands with Jason Katims at the helm. And the Star Trek fans out there will be happy to know that Ron Moore who wrote First Contact as well as many episodes, is on board as a producer and writer of Roswell this season.

Flesh_Golems_Rock: Do you think television has grown in legitimacy so that many actors aren't afraid to return to it after doing films?

Jonathan Frakes: I think the stigma that once separated TV from movies is virtually gone.
Jonathan Frakes: All actors want to tell good stories. Lots of those are now on television.
Jonathan Frakes: They also go where the work is!

downdog: Have you done any world traveling?

Jonathan Frakes: I've been to Russia, I've been to Europe, I'm looking forward to Africa and the Far East.
Jonathan Frakes: East.

FishBoyMan: If you had a chance to live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Jonathan Frakes: I think I'd be happy in New England.

Jonathan Frakes: My heart is up there. We have a house in Maine.

Babs: I just wanted to tell you and/or the people at FOX that I am so glad that you put Fact or Fiction back on. I always loved that show, and my husband and his parents and I always play along and then compare our scores with each other.:) Thanks again.--Relene Fuder

ttplayer: Thank you Jonathan.

CapnBiggles:Good luck with future endeavors. I'll be watchin' ya.

muffntuff:Good luck this next year with Roswell and all other projects. Hope to see you on talk shows doing promotion.

EarlGreyHotGrrl: Bye Jonathan, you kick ass!!!

Brianne: I really enjoy the show!

FOX.COM HOST: Thank you, again, for being with us!

FOX.COM HOST: So glad you could be here to chat with us.

Jonathan Frakes: Well thank you for a well-run chat! Tune in to Beyond Belief! And Live Long and Prosper!

AdmiralMemo: Riker ROCKS!

archangel: Good luck Jonathan. You're a terrific addition to any endeavour you take on.

KLogh: Have a good night Mr. Frakes.

katie: Thank you Jonathan for coming to answer our questions.--Katie

Celeste: Bye.

The_Laughingman: Mr. Frakes I am a huge fan and couldn't pass up the chance to say hello.

ZANATOS: Thanks man.

duncan: We are glad to see Beyond Belief back on and we think you are the perfect person with just the right amount of "cheese" to make it work. Behold the power of cheese!

MattMcClure: Good-bye, old friend.

kaye: The show Beyond Belief is the best.

Princess_Blaze: You rule.

katie: Bye Jonathan love ya.