PEOPLE Online conference with Nick Lea (Krycek on "The X-Files"), 5/9/96 (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Hello everyone! I'm Dylan Jones -- your infrequently seen host for this evening (note the knocking knuckles) -- and, on behalf of PEOPLE Magazine, I want to welcome you all to this conference! (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Before we get underway with our discussion tonight -- with "The X-Files" actor NICHOLAS LEA -- I should remind everyone that this is a moderated conference and it will be conducted on both CompuServe and the World Wide Web! So, if you are on CompuServe and have a question for our guest, submit it to the question queue either by selecting the question icon (for Windows) or typing "/question" (in terminal emulation). If you are on Pathfinder, just submit your question via a private send to the Moderator. The Pathfinder moderator, Ben Trumble, will chime in with your questions. (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) If you were looking at your television screen on September 10, 1993, you may have seen the birth of something a little strange, a little unnatural. It was "The X-Files," Fox's hour-long series that each week has challenged -- and poked raucous fun at -- our perceptions of the world, the other-worldly and... the government (not to mention cigarettes!), while affirming that the Truth Is Out There. (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Tonight, the Truth may be right here.... On the phenomenally popular series, FBI investigators Fox Mulder and Dana Scully are surrounded by a tortuous maze of cover-up and intrigue, not the least of which has been provided by agent Alex Krycek -- played perfectly by NICHOLAS LEA. Introduced as Mulder's temporary partner, it soon became clear that Krycek was working for the hidden Powers That Be in the government, informing on his partner and, eventually, appearing to kill Mulder's father and Scully's sister in order to derail investigations into alien visits. Not exactly a nice guy.... (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Luckily for us, Nick Lea *is*. (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Having just shot a pilot for Fox --"Once a Thief" -- for a new series directed by John Woo (!), Nick has taken a break to discuss life, Meaning, and things X-like and otherwise. Welcome Nick! (nick lea) Good evening all! Hey Dylan and Everyone else. I've broken my Internet cherry! (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) We're your first? (blush) (nick lea) yes. (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Why, Nick, I hardly know what to say -- except that we intend to do the honorable thing. (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) While everyone is firing up their typing fingers -- and my extra-sensory perception tells me that several million are at work -- I'll lay this first question on you, Nick. When we last saw Krycek, he was getting a comeuppance, some might say. (Others might say he had bile oozing from his eyes. Whatever.) With a nod to the show's supernatural sensibilities, what's the likelihood of the Krycek -- whom some see as Mulder's evil twin -- coming back to regular life in the series? (nick lea) In a word - Excellent (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Dude! Great! But there's a sacrifice one makes in playing a character like Krycek... And that leads me to the first question of this evening from our loyal chat visitors. % Question from DJB: [102327,2365] Dana Krawchuk How does it feel to play a character that not a lot of people like? (nick lea) DJB, there's less of a distance to fall when you're the bad guy. I love it. (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Ready for the next one? (Promise, no X-viewer angst in this one) Okay! From someone who is up on your next project.... (nick lea) Let's go. (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Hmmm, the questioner snatched it away at the last moment but the question was... Can you tell us something about "Once a Thief"? What was it like working with John Woo and does Jon Walker get a guest spot? (nick lea) John was a wonderful man with quiet charisma. Jonny - absolutely. I had to wear knee and elbow pads on the set everyday --because of the stunts, of course. (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) I take it you play a thief who gets into rough-and-tumble situations... (nick lea) No. I play an ex-cop who joins together with two ex-thieves that grew up in Hong Kong, to fight crime. Unique, huh? (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) I'll be tuning in. (nick lea) Thanks, to you and the other two people on line. (Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) This one is from the Internet... (Internet Questions) How did you get started in acting? (nick lea) I had always wanted to be an actor, grew up in love with movies and actors and actresses an great stories. I met an acting coach and fell in love with it and quit my job the next day and started studying. (7-49,nick lea) Next question. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) What were you doing before you met that coach? (7-49,nick lea) I was selling clothing. Snore. (7-49,nick lea) Nex. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Well, depends. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Leather can be exciting. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) But that's another subject. % Question from DJB: [102327,2365] Dana Krawchuk Do you believe in the supernatural? (7-49,nick lea) But clothing, not Depends. (7-49,nick lea) Yes, I do. (7-49,nick lea) Next. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) The cleaning bills would be pretty awful. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Ahy, time for character analysis! % Question from ORLANDO, FL: [72620,3447] eowyn Is Krycek really a bad guy or someone that got in over his head and thought he w as doing the right thing and found out too late. Might we see him reform and help M and S? (7-49,nick lea) That's why I got into acting, because it pays well. (7-49,nick lea) He's misunderstood in my eyes. And originally, (7-49,nick lea) was just trying to do a job. Now, he's just (7-49,nick lea) trying to stay alive. Next. % Question from CZA: [76141,1712] Mulderhair What do you want for Krycek in the coming season? (7-49,nick lea) To escape. Maybe a massage. And some insight into (7-49,nick lea) his heart and mind. Why does he do what he does? (7-49,nick lea) What's his motiviation? A love interest. Just joking. (7-49,nick lea) Next. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) In some ways, he's very sympathetic, I think -- (7-49,nick lea) To who? (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) On the one hand, he follows a (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) "code" within the government -- then suddenly (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) finds things turned upside down. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) His own boss tries to kill him! (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Now, for some of us, this is ordinary, (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) of course, (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) but his character (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) as you played him, (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) seemed to get knocked for loop. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Well, so much for editorials! (7-49,nick lea) I don't see Krycek as particularly a special person. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) In case you've just joined us: (7-49,nick lea) As we said, he is in over his head. (7-49,nick lea) In extraordinary circumsatnces. (7-49,nick lea) Just trying to stay alive. Next. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) In case you've just joined us... (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) We're joined tonight by actor Nick Lea (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) a.k.a Alex Krycek on "The X-Files" (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) (where he has hinted he will return) (7-49,nick lea) Hey, everybody. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) and also the star of (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) "Once a Thief," for Fox and directed by John Woo! (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) -- I should remind everyone that this is a moderated conference and it will be conducted on both CompuServe and the World Wide Web! (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) So, if you are on CompuServe and have a question for our guest, submit it to the question queue either by selecting the question ic (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) on (for Windows) or typing "/question" (in terminal emulation). (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) If you are on Pathfinder, just submit your question via a private send to the Moderator. The Pathfinder moderator, Ben Trumble, will (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) chime in with your questions. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Speaking of our friends on the Internet, I think it's time for another (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) questions from them.... (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Fire away! (7-43,Internet Questions) Will you continue occassional X-Files appearances even with the new show in production? (7-49,nick lea) Yes. It was very important to me to be able to continue (7-49,nick lea) toork for X-Files. And the producers, no matter what. (7-49,nick lea) I made it a stipulation in my contract for Once A Thief (7-49,nick lea) to be able to continue on The X-Files. (7-49,nick lea) No matter where my career goes in the future, (7-49,nick lea) I will always be proud to be on the show. Anytime (7-49,nick lea) they ask me. Next. % Question from MONTEREY, CA: [71154,2526] Roberta Cruz Nick--Thanks for joining us here tonight! Tell us-- will you ever go back to "Sliders"? It would be great to have Friday Fox become the all Nick Lea network! (7-49,nick lea) Talk to Rupert Murdoch (owner of Fox). I spoke (7-49,nick lea) to Tracy Torme (Sliders creator) about the (7-49,nick lea) ]possibility of coming back on the show. He would (7-49,nick lea) like me to.Thank goodness, I'm fairly busy these % Conference 9 (PEOPLE Online Presents Eric Roberts) is now available (7-49,nick lea) days. Next. % Question from EXTERNAL NETWORK: [73450,155] Leigh Nick, your resume says you were in STAR 80. Were you really??? (Not as one of the male exotic dancers...?) (7-49,nick lea) Yes, as a matter of fact I was. Third from the left. (7-49,nick lea) Next. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Wait a second! (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Is it so? (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) But you said you were *in* clothing! (7-49,nick lea) No. I played a high school friend of Mariel Hemmingway's. And ended up (7-49,nick lea) mostly on the cutting room floor. (7-49,nick lea) Next. % Question from SANTA CLARA, CA: [74263,65] Dan Carvin I know you may not be allowed to go into detail, but is there a lot of background to the Krycek character that hasn't been revealed on the show? (7-49,nick lea) I created my own background for Krycek based on (7-49,nick lea) my own wants and desires and needs to be good (7-49,nick lea) at what I do. Not the killing part, though. (7-49,nick lea) Next. % Question from EXTERNAL NETWORK: [101330,2476] Fiona Hi Nick. I saw you at a convention in England last year. Do you have any plans to attend any other conventions over here? (7-49,nick lea) Hello, England or U.K? Mitch Pileggi and I will be (7-49,nick lea) all over the UK in June publicizing the show. (7-49,nick lea) Hope to see you there. Next. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Nick, it sounds like you're (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) busy to say the least. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Still, several people have asked the following -- probably (7-49,nick lea) But by the grace of God . . . . (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) because a true X-phile (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) yes? (7-49,nick lea) Excuse me? (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Oh, I was (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) awaiting revelation -- or a lightning (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) bolt. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) In any case, if you *did* (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) have spare time, what sorts of things might (7-49,nick lea) Dylan, just say no to drugs! (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) you be doing to fill it. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) No, no, no, no. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) And no. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) (there was one hidden in the back of the pocket) (7-49,nick lea) I learned a new James Taylor song on the guitar last night. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Which one? (7-49,nick lea) I just try to stay happy and content when I'm not working. (7-49,nick lea) The song was You Can Close Your Eyes. (7-49,nick lea) Off Mudslide Slim. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) A song with special meaning. (for Krycek, anyway) (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Nick, we're going to have to force you to (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) record that song and send it to us so we can (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) post it for your fans! (7-49,nick lea) Yeah, likely. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Well, I admit... (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) It's also a valuable thing for us to have when (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) you collect your first Grammy. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) But back to the questions! (7-49,nick lea) Shame on you! % Question from CZA: [76141,1712] Mulderhair Do you think that Krycek could supply the answers Mulder and Scully are looking for? (7-49,nick lea) After enough drinks. I think that Krycek is integral (7-49,nick lea) to the entire cover-up situation that confronts M and S. (7-49,nick lea) Next. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Nick, the next is from the Good Ole Internet... (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) I think. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) (tap, tap, tap) (7-43,Internet Questions) Silly though it may sound... (7-43,Internet Questions) Why is the X-Files so popular? (7-43,Internet Questions) What about the show do you think appeals (7-43,Internet Questions) to so many people? (7-49,nick lea) Chris Carter. Chris Carter. All the producers and writers, David (7-49,nick lea) and Gillian. And an insatiable appetite for quality and (7-49,nick lea) the unkown. Next. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) A question of "levity"... % Question from DALLAS, TX: [103526,3244] Marian what is the funniest thing that has ever happened on the X-Files set? (7-49,nick lea) David in a bathing suit. (7-50,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Now now... (7-49,nick lea) Just joking. % Your moderator is 42 [71154,2526] Shirley Estrogenous (7-49,nick lea) I had a wonderful time in Texas a few months back. (7-42,PDiL/PEOPLE) Whoops! (7-42,PDiL/PEOPLE) Technical difficulties. (7-42,PDiL/PEOPLE) % Question from MONTEREY, CA: [71154,2526] PDiL/PEOPLE Hi Nick! So, like, is Krycek another one of those FBI agents with alien DNA? And did he have anything to do with William Colby's recent disappearance? (7-42,PDiL/PEOPLE) I put that in when I was a mere underling... (7-42,PDiL/PEOPLE) But I still wanna know... (7-49,nick lea) No. And maybe. Next. (7-49,nick lea) Hello, Monterey. % Question from CHEADLE: [101514,3126] Sacha would you like a krychek episode all about him and if so would you choose for him to have a family or a girlfriend? (7-49,nick lea) Where's Cheadle? (7-49,nick lea) I would like an episode about Krycek very much. % Moderator recognizes 72 [101514,3126] Sacha (7-49,nick lea) But he is very much alone in the X-Files world. Sad to say. (7-49,nick lea) Next. % Your moderator is 63 [76711,1644] Dylan Jones/PEOPLE (7-42,PDiL/PEOPLE) Dylan's back! (7-42,PDiL/PEOPLE) Yay... (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Ah, sorry 'bout that Nick. (7-42,PDiL/PEOPLE) We're up to "next", Dyl! (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Some guy with a cigarette came here looking for you. (7-72,Sacha) YOu could have a family to kill off (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) And "Next" it shall be! (7-72,Sacha) how does that sopund (7-72,Sacha) sound % Question from DJM: [75204,2500] Holly W. I heard you used to be in a band. What was its name and did you ever have any albums? % Moderator no longer recognizes 72 [101514,3126] Sacha (7-49,nick lea) I'm trying to get away from my childhood as it is, dysfunctional. (7-49,nick lea) The name of the band was Beau Monde. (7-49,nick lea) It means Beautiful World. (7-49,nick lea) We did quite a bit of time in the studio. (7-49,nick lea) But no albums, just demo tapes that I still (7-49,nick lea) listen to. (7-49,nick lea) WHen I want to reminisce. (7-49,nick lea) Next. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) You sang in French...? (7-49,nick lea) Non, Dylan. We found it by opening the (7-49,nick lea) dictionary. And picking a word. It's also (7-49,nick lea) a translation from French into English which (7-49,nick lea) described the elite and trendsetters of the (7-49,nick lea) 30s. Next. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) C'est bon. Or something like that. Nick -- how are you holding up? (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Can you take a couple more questions? (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Fingers aching? (7-49,nick lea) No, Craig's fingers are aching. And I like to (7-49,nick lea) watch him suffer, so fire away. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Me too! % Question from EXTERNAL NETWORK: [73450,155] Leigh Vital statistics! How tall are you, and what color are your eyes? (7-49,nick lea) I'm 6 foot 1, and my eyes are green. Except (7-49,nick lea) when oozing motor oil! (7-49,nick lea) Next. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Penzoil? (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Just kidding -- Nick, many have asked (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) where you'll be appearing in the U.S. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) -- conventions and the like -- where they can see you in person. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Outside of your tour in Europe, do you have anything going in North America soon? (7-49,nick lea) I'll be in San Diego on June 9. I've always wantd to say that. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) And you say it well. (7-49,nick lea) I'll be at Toys R Us on the 11th in New Jersey. (7-49,nick lea) Next. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Last question of the night! (Drum roll) (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Nick: What can you say about "The X-Files" season finale? (7-49,nick lea) Chris Carter will have my left nut if I divulge anything (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Ouch. (7-49,nick lea) about what will be a classic episode. It'll definitely be a cliffhanger, so please (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Of course, if it's just the left one... (7-49,nick lea) tune in on May 17. Can I say goodbye to everyone? (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) PLEASE! And let me (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) thank you, Nick, for being with us tonight! (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) It's been a fantastic hour! And we'll keep our eyes open for (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) "Once a Thief" (which airs....?) (7-49,nick lea) It was a treat. My first on-line experience Thank you Dylan. Thank you everyone else for your (7-49,nick lea) interest. Thank you Raul and John W. (7-49,nick lea) Thanks for watching the show. And I'll be back (7-49,nick lea) whenever you'd like. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) NICK, TOMORROW IS FREE, TOMORROW IS FREE! (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Just kidding. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Actually, we'll have a comrade of yours, Mitch Pileggi, here next week! (7-49,nick lea) Mitch is a good, good friend and one of the warmest (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) If it's as fun as this has been, we're in for a great time. I'd like to (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) (go ahead, Nick) (7-49,nick lea) people I've ever been around. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Just so you'll have some "ammunition" (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) next time you see him, (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Mitch was chosen (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) on our Internet service as (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) one of the 10 Most Beautiful People (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) ! (7-49,nick lea) What am I, chopped liver? (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Nick, Nick! (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) We didn't know! (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) I'm going to "update" the results right now~! (7-49,nick lea) Is everyone else gone? (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) A reminder, everyone: The complete transcript of this conference will appear by Monday in the PEOPLE Forum (type PEOFRM). (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) I don't think it's even close, Nick. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Now this should be interesting. I will now open the fl oor. Nick, please (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) stick around as long as you care to, but prepare to be swamped! (7-49,nick lea) Okay. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) And thanks once more! We *definitely* want you back! % The floor is now OPEN (7-47,Believer) Hi Nick! % Question from SANTA CLARA, CA: [104205,3440] A. Ullrey Will Krycek be directly involved with this season's cliff hanger? (7-9,A. Ullrey) Hi Nick! (7-10,Dana Krawchuk) Hello Nick (7-49,nick lea) H, Beliverver (7-46,AJ) Hey Nick... thanks for coming (7-19,Dan Carvin) Do have a favorite track from the X-Files CD? (7-49,nick lea) Red Right Hand, Dan. (7-21,Rudolph Stephens,J) nick, where r u from originally? (7-10,Dana Krawchuk) Dylan? (7-49,nick lea) Vancouver. God's Country. (7-19,Dan Carvin) That's a good one Nick! (7-59,Marian) [red right hand] i'm not gonna ask (7-17,foxxy lady) Will Krycek ever tell his associates to kiss his @$$!? I mean buttocks. (7-47,Believer) Nick, how did you like "fighting" with Mulder in those (7-47,Believer) scenes? (7-49,nick lea) If Chris Carter thinks I should. (7-63,Dylan Jones/PEOPLE) Dana? (7-49,nick lea) Some of my favorite scenes to work on. (7-49,nick lea) Believer. (7-46,AJ) So are you going to do any cons in the south. (7-49,nick lea) Not any time soon, AJ. (7-47,Believer) Nick are you in the season finale? (7-46,AJ) Pity (7-59,Marian) What part of Texas were you in??? (7-49,nick lea) David is a good friend and we always love working together. (7-49,nick lea) Austin, Texas. (7-59,Marian) That's a good town [i kinda prefer dallas, though] (7-17,foxxy lady) I just think that you should try doing a convention in Denver or Colorado Springs. OK?! (7-17,foxxy lady) PLEASE!!!!! (7-49,nick lea) Tune in to find out if I'm in the finale. (7-47,Believer) :D you know I will be tuned in! (7-49,nick lea) Yes, please, foxy lady. (7-64,Leigh) when's Once a Thief? (7-9,A. Ullrey) How long did you have to be oiled up for Apocrapha? (7-47,Believer) Nick I wrote a song about Krycek and passed it (7-47,Believer) around "another online service" (7-57,elaine v. correa) I heard Mitch showed you a good time in Austin (7-49,nick lea) Way, way too long. (7-49,nick lea) ustin show me a good time. (7-17,foxxy lady) What are you wearing? (7-47,Believer) lol foxxy (7-49,nick lea) A smile, Foxxy. (7-47,Believer) Nick why does krycek always deny killing Bill Mulder? (7-49,nick lea) Because I don't think he did it. (7-46,AJ) Have they told you the plot for the second part of the cliff hanger? And when do you start (7-46,AJ) shooting again? (7-49,nick lea) July. (7-47,Believer) Was that his "evil twin" in B. Mulder's mirror then? :-) (7-49,nick lea) I have to go to acting class now. Goodbye, and thank you everyone. (7-59,Marian) Any truth to the rumor that y'all might be moving the (7-59,Marian) shooting to Seatle? (7-46,AJ) Bye (7-17,foxxy lady) What was up with Krycek's eyes when they started swirling and stuff? I only saw about half (7-17,foxxy lady) the show. (7-47,Believer) night Nick; thanks for sticking around (7-57,elaine v. correa) bye (7-19,Dan Carvin) Thanks for coming, Nick (7-59,Marian) Thanks, Nick