| Chris Brancato & Rob LaBelle, First Wave, showing on the Sci Fi Channel |
Chat Date: August 12, 1999 |
Chris Brancato & Rob LaBelle
First Wave creator and Crazy Eddie from the same show
Robzilla: YAY
Robzilla: ROCK AND ROLL!
Moderator: I'm making the room moderated. Hold on -- this may take a second...
Ooshati: Yes!
Robzilla: ^_^;
AnnaSwan: woohoo!
Robzilla: heh
Moderator: Chris?
Moderator: Rob?
Moderator: Welcome!!!
Chris-Brancato: Hi
Moderator: Can you type????
Rob-LaBelle: Hi
Moderator: Hi Chris!
Moderator: Hi everyone -- thanks for joining us here tonight. We're gearing up for Sunday's FIRST WAVE marathon
on The Sci-Fi Channel when six episodes are airing back-to-back. Our guests tonight are FIRST WAVE creator Chris
Brancato and actor Rob Labelle who plays Crazy Eddie.
Moderator: AND -- besides the FIRST WAVE marathon, we¹re also featuring a FIRST WAVE auction -- for autographed
scripts! Check it out at http://www.cityauction.com/listings.asp?c=scifi&affiliate=scifi
Moderator: Quick note about the drill -- this is a moderated chat and that means that you will be sending questions
for Chris and Eddie to me (Moderator) as private messages.
Moderator: First question:
Moderator: Nei>: What was your inspiration for creating FW?
Chris-Brancato: My inspiration came
Chris-Brancato: out of a desire to fuse
Chris-Brancato: 2 genres that I happened to like
Chris-Brancato: --The fugitive pursuit...and a Twlight Z type of scifi
Chris-Brancato: I like characters caught between a rock and hard place and stories about the human
Chris-Brancato: condition -- as sf allows you to do
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: Just so you all know
Moderator: GA only means "Go aheadf"
Moderator: Chris is not selling Georgia vacations!
Moderator: AnnaSwan> : Are either of you left handed? We've noticed Cade's left-handedness and are wondering
about the rest of you guys.
Rob-LaBelle: Not if I can help it!
Chris-Brancato: I'm not right-handed...just left footed
Moderator: <Gmmas> Rob: your character adds welcome humor; do you see that role expanding?
Chris-Brancato: We hadn't noticed Cade was left handed
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: Did you see Gmmas' question for Rob?
Moderator: I'll repeat it:
Rob-LaBelle: I may have defer to our producer on that!
Chris-Brancato: We think Rob's humor is a welcome addition.
Moderator: <Gmmas> Rob: your character adds welcome humor; do you see that role expanding?
Chris-Brancato: And we've sought to increase his role
Chris-Brancato: in Cade's activities
Moderator: Two related questions ...
Moderator: <Ooshati>: Will Eddie ever get a girlfriend?
Moderator: <Iasis> Is Cade ever going to "get over" the loss of his wife and have some sort of
a love interest?
Chris-Brancato: But at the same time... Cade is our hero...And LaBelle should remember that at contract time!
Chris-Brancato: He never gets the girl!
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: A word to the wise, Mr LaBelle...
Moderator: <Ooshati> : Chris: Will there be another ally regularly appearing in the show's future?
Chris-Brancato: Hmmm...
Chris-Brancato: The answqer is not right now
Chris-Brancato: In part because the for,mat of the show doesn't allow
Moderator: <scifime2> Rob are you anything like your character?
Chris-Brancato: for a reccuring character like that...But Cade has a game plan
Chris-Brancato: every week bringing believers to his side
Chris-Brancato: At some point in the series I wouldn't be surprised if he calls on them to aid in the struggle
Moderator: I'll repeat that question for Rob...
Chris-Brancato: I think Cade understands that this is a lonely journey...and dangerous...so at this stage he protects
the people who become believers
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: IF you're ready for the next!
Moderator: <scifime2> Rob are you anything like your character?
Rob-LaBelle: Yin and Yang
Rob-LaBelle: I can make fun of myself...Eddie is clueless about that.
Rob-LaBelle: Eddie doesn't drink...and Rob might...We're totally different!
Chris-Brancato: I'd like to answer that!
Moderator: Uh-oh...
Chris-Brancato: I throuhly disagree with Rob's statement
Chris-Brancato: Rob has no sense of humor about himself!
Moderator: He lacks the humor chromosome!
Moderator: Ready for the next?
Chris-Brancato: And have any of you noticesd that Rob LaBelle and Roberto Begnini are never in the same place at
the same time?
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: <hernanamous> did Chris get to choose who acted the parts? if so why did he choose who he did
and why?
Chris-Brancato: We did a word wide search for the role of Cade Foster...Hundreds of actors auditioned live or on
video Ultimately we found that Sebastian had the twin qualities right for the role
Chris-Brancato: Those qualities -- aggression AND compassion
Chris-Brancato: I think he does a wonderful job...As for Rob LaBelle...He was a college friend and needed a job
desperately!
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: <Morn64> : For Rob Labelle: Over the episodes I've notice that Eddie seems to be portrayed less
and less paranoid. In "Aftertime" he literally welcomes an unknown woman into his trailer camp-out. Is
there any particular reason for this?
Moderator: Station identification: we're chatting tonight with FIRST WAVE's creator Chris Brancato and actor Rob
LaBelle who plays "Crazy Eddie." Got a question for them? Please send it to me (Moderator) as a private
message.
Chris-Brancato: That was episode where he took more medication than usual...
Rob-LaBelle: That's right!
Rob-LaBelle: Eddie has a problem w/ beautiful women
Rob-LaBelle: Even though he got burned by an alien chic k
Rob-LaBelle: All I needed was a little encouragement from Foster
Rob-LaBelle: It was a natural intuitive response to an beautiful woman
Rob-LaBelle: Thank God...Human this time!
Rob-LaBelle: GA
Moderator: Rogue> <Chris> How did you come up with this concept of using the Nostrodomis proficies, or
was it basically just that they were sitting there waiting tobe used?
Chris-Brancato: I've always been curious about the prophesies and my partner Bert Salke liked the idae of using
the quatrains like a riddle in each episode
Chris-Brancato: It's interesting to have Cade and Eddie debate the meaning of these as the episode moves along
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: <BestBrainsInc> Chris, what can we look forward to next season?
Chris-Brancato: We can look forward to Cade Foster's growing frustration about the progress of his journey; to
Joshua's growing ambivalance about his own mission--and to Foster and Eddie's growing belief that the 2nd Wave
is VERY near
Chris-Brancato: I'd like to stress that we constatntly seek to evolve and expand the show for your viewing pleasure
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: <Brianxxx> : Do both of you believe in aliens for real
Rob-LaBelle: Well, yeah, I definitely don't believe we're about to be invaded. But it would be arrogant to believer
we're alone in the Universe.
Rob-LaBelle: But I won't blame them for all the woes of society -- nor in the millennial view are they the salvation
of man.
Chris-Brancato: Of course I believe in aliens. Just look around
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: <Ooshati> Are there other aliens like Joshua out there?
Chris-Brancato: I do believe that there
Chris-Brancato: is a small
Chris-Brancato: group of aliens
Chris-Brancato: both here and on the home planet
Chris-Brancato: who question the mission of their species
Chris-Brancato: Howver
Chris-Brancato: this group is very sma;ll
Chris-Brancato: and would be subjected to immediate execution if discoivered
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: <TJ> : Sebastain says he saw a ghost in rela life do youi know anything about that?
Rob-LaBelle: I have no comment...
Chris-Brancato: After a long hard work week, Sebastian sometimes drinks a few too many beers
Rob-LaBelle: At which point we're never sure what he'll see
Rob-LaBelle: GA
Moderator: Sebastian (we hope!) is coming online his own self next month -- so you'll get a chance to ask him in
person!
Moderator: <SliderJMN>: I don't know if someone asked this already but do u guys ever visit the First Wave
bboard or chat room. And be honest. Do u know if the actor who plays Kade visit's them?
Rob-LaBelle: I absolutely visit all the time
Rob-LaBelle: Whener I'm not working
Rob-LaBelle: I spend lots of time there. Seriously. On all the boards
Rob-LaBelle: I think Sebastian visits the Sebastian website. The man...The actor...The god
Moderator: Ready for the next?
Chris-Brancato: I post fairly regularly on the SciFi site for FW. I've very appreciative of the fans, and especially
appreciate all the comments and feedback. It means alot that you like the show and tell us what works and what
doesn't
Moderator: The First Wave bbs -- for all of you asking! -- is one of The Sci-Fi Channel's fine assortment of message
baords. Follow the link from the home page (it's on the menu to the left)
Rob-LaBelle: I really appreciate reading the bbs after an episode airs. I've noticed CrazedEdward visits with regularly
too or El Loco Eduardo
Rob-LaBelle: GA
Moderator: <cb>: To Chris and Rob, I really enjoy First Wave. What will the 2nd Wave bring to Cade and Eddi,
and humans for that matter?
Chris-Brancato: Well, the 2nd Wave, should it succeed will potentially bring about the death of 19 million humans
on the first day.
Chris-Brancato: That's the battle plan based on simulations
Chris-Brancato: Id Cade and Eddie are unsuccessful
Chris-Brancato: it will surely signal the beginning of thuman kinds darkest days
Chris-Brancato: I can also say this
Chris-Brancato: When the 2nd Wave comes
Chris-Brancato: it will be unlike any kind of invasion you've ever seen in the world of sci fi
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: <busydaze> why was one of the aliens sympathetic to Cade-beside being able to identify with his
mission(after all it is an alien)
Chris-Brancato: Well, I think that while most of the aliens have a rather fascistic mindset
Chris-Brancato: there are some who remember a time that wasn't so actively military
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: Ooshati> : Chris or Rob: Any anecdotes about making the show(Jokes, flubbed lines, bloopers, etc.)?
Chris-Brancato: Rob flubs his line constantly The outtakes of his mistakes could fill 22 episodes
Rob-LaBelle: Well, I think that I guess on the 1st day...new job...trying to look good
Moderator: Uh oh -- Jackie Chan! White courtesy telephone...
Rob-LaBelle: we were shooting Crazy Eddie and Cade and Eddie had just destroyed Gentec and had jumped in Crazy's
Caddy to get out fast
Rob-LaBelle: During a rehearsal Sebastian and I jumped in the car -- I was driving -- I put the peddle to the metal
in reverse
Rob-LaBelle: I attempted to brake But the car accellerated
Rob-LaBelle: Brakes weren't working...We went faster, and faster, and faster
Rob-LaBelle: I managed to avoid the piles of concrete
Rob-LaBelle: But I hit the Craft Serrvices van narrowly missing the services person who was taking Chris coffee
Rob-LaBelle: The star of the show was doubled up in pain...He SEEMED hurt...
Chris-Brancato: That explains why Eddie never drives anymore
Moderator: And why no one will get you coffee anymore!
Moderator: Ready for the next?
Rob-LaBelle: I must say, though I was the butt of jokes throughout BC...Actually the engine block was loose...It
wasn't my fault!
Rob-LaBelle: GA
Moderator: Uh huh. Right. SURE.
Moderator: GeNeTicHaCkeR>: To Rob: Do you find inspiration from your own charater that has effected you in any
way??
Moderator: Station identification: we're chatting tonight with FIRST WAVE's creator Chris Brancato and actor Rob
LaBelle who plays "Crazy Eddie." Got a question for them? Please send it to me (Moderator) as a private
message.
Moderator: And -- be sure to tune into the FIRST WAVE marathon on the Sci-Fi Channel this Sunday.
Moderator: 6 episodes back-to-back!
Rob-LaBelle: Yes. I see the world in such a different way. I cry constantly... I'm afraid of everyone...I've lost
all hope for humanity...Eddie has stolen my soul and seeped into my core...I'm a better actor for it...It's the
writing. It's so disturbing...But seriously I really enjoy Eddie
Rob-LaBelle: GA
Moderator: <Sarjenka> : Any chance we will ever see the alien's home planet? If even via a dream?
Chris-Brancato: Good question
Chris-Brancato: It is my belief
Chris-Brancato: that we may indeed catch a glimpse of the alien world
Chris-Brancato: Keep watching to find out!
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: <smushybutt> What's it like being a part of a Coppola project
Chris-Brancato: Woeking with Francis
Chris-Brancato: was a personal draem of mine
Chris-Brancato: after all, my last name is Brancato...and I've watched the Godfather 500 times
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: <sparrow>: Rob, what first made you intested in acting
Moderator: Don't tell that to Tony Soprano, Chris...
Rob-LaBelle: Old radio shows...I listen to radio yesteryear as a kid.
Rob-LaBelle: It got my imagination going
Rob-LaBelle: And old 8mmm silent films from the library
Rob-LaBelle: And I had 3 sisters who were interested in acting
Rob-LaBelle: I'd see them in plays
Rob-LaBelle: My eldest is doing community theater... They're total clowns
Rob-LaBelle: Once I started...It was an afflication. No cure
Rob-LaBelle: GA
Moderator: <Morn64> : Chris, have you considered making a hockey episode of First Wave? I've noticed that
Cade has had some background in the sport.
Chris-Brancato: You know we're going to be at San Diego Comic Convention this weekend!
Moderator: Great venue!!!
Moderator: I'd sell my oldest kid to go to that convention.
Moderator: But what about HOCKEY???
Chris-Brancato: I've considered that...But hockey is so popular in Vancouver, we can't get a rink to shoot an episode,
which typically takes 7 days to shoot
Chris-Brancato: I was intrigued by the notion of an alien with the worl'd greatest slapshot
Chris-Brancato: At the begiining of the show Casde always used the names of NHL stars as an alias
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: <TJ> Rob do you like working with all the gadgets and being a critical part in Cades Journey to
stop the First Wave?
Rob-LaBelle: Absolutely. There's alot of work wqhen you're dealing with these guys. They're techo-geeks...Not just
the resources for tracking and avoid being tracked -- If I can help Cade in that way I'm doing what I can to stop
the first wave
Rob-LaBelle: GA
Moderator: Migueleto> your favorite Sci fi book and movie ?? (We know FIRST WAVE is your favorite show!)
Rob-LaBelle: I've
Rob-LaBelle: gotta go...Night
Chris-Brancato: But I'm still here
Moderator: Good night, Rob!
Moderator: Thanks for joining us!
Moderator: We're glad you are, Chris.
Moderator: Wht's yr favorite sci fi???
Chris-Brancato: Just a sec...
Moderator: You still with us, Chris??
Moderator: Let's do the station break!
Moderator: Station identification: we're chatting tonight with FIRST WAVE's creator Chris Brancato and actor Rob
LaBelle who plays "Crazy Eddie." Got a question for them? Please send it to me (Moderator) as a private
message. And don¹t forget -- the FIRST WAVE marathon is this Sunday. Six episodes back to back on The Sci
Fi Channel.
Moderator: PLUS --
Chris-Brancato: I'm not sure if this qualifies...But my favorite show has always been Twilight Zone
Moderator: we're auctioning off autographed scripts from FIRST WAVE...
Moderator: http://www.cityauction.com/listings.asp?c=scifi&affiliate=scifi
Chris-Brancato: I love the way Serling explored the human condition in ways that were both scary and emotiuonally
powerful
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: Ooshati> : Chris: Who comes up with the individual quatrains?
Chris-Brancato: In general they are either slightly reworked from the original...Or...I make them up entirely
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: <cuddles>: will cade get the proof he needs to clear his name?
Moderator:
Chris-Brancato: I'm not at liberty to let you know at the present moment. But I vew Cade's journey as a hero's
journey. A test of what it is to be human
Chris-Brancato: If Cade is able through this journey to be wise and strong and learn from his mistakes
Chris-Brancato: Then I do see it as a possibility--that he willl regain hsi freedom... But it's not a given. He'll
have to earn it
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: Brianxxx> Is Foster's wife still alive just under alien control or is she dead for good?
Chris-Brancato: At the present moment I can't answer that with any degree of assurance...although there is nothing
yet to suggest that she's still alive except in memories and dreams
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: <Nei>: What is your feelings on all of the comparisons to the X-Files?
Chris-Brancato: I think we've made a show that is its own animal
Chris-Brancato: At the same time, comparisond to X-Files are natural given the fact that both are sf and I wrote
for X-Files
Chris-Brancato: In my opinion both X-Files and First Wave are unique and compelling in there own ways
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: Rogue> : <Chris or Rob> Did it surprise you that this concept would catch on or was is a given
with as many sci-fi nuts as there are out here?
Chris-Brancato: I never take an audience fpor granted
Chris-Brancato: I think we've managed to attract intelligent fans to the show because of wonderful actors
Chris-Brancato: and story lines that give yoiu something to think about
Moderator: <donaldftanner> : I would like to know if the series was inspired by the clasic 1960s series "THE
FUGITIVE" and "THE INVADERS." I see similar story lines throughout the show.
Chris-Brancato: Certainly First Wave was inspired by the Fugitive series. Strangely I've never seen The Invaders,
though many people have told me of the similarity
Moderator: Chris -- thanks so much for spending time with us here tonight! As always, it was a great chat. And
thanks to everyone in the audience -- if yr question wasn't answered, that's because we had a LOT of questions
tonight.
Chris-Brancato: I like to think that First Wave however similar it may be to previous shows is its own original
take on an age old dilemma. A man who needs to tell the world a terrible secret when the world he's trying to save
doesn't want to believe him.
Chris-Brancato: GA
Moderator: The FIRST WAVE marathon is this Sunday --
Moderator: six episodes back to back!
Chris-Brancato: As always, I really enjoy speaking with you guys
Moderator: For those of you who watch the show on The Sci-Fi Channel.
Chris-Brancato: In the writer's office where I'm standing
Moderator: We love talking to you so come back soon please!
Chris-Brancato: I think you be gratified to know how much time we spend
Chris-Brancato: trying to come up with thing that interest you
Chris-Brancato: Your support means alot to us
Chris-Brancato: I hope if you like the show you'll go out and tell friends to watch
Moderator: I think the fact that you read what your fans have to say is very ,very cool --
Moderator: and I know everyone in the audience agrees with me.
Moderator: Thanks so much Chris!
Chris-Brancato: Word of mouth is vital to the success of our show...We don't have the built in audience of the
Big 3 networks
Moderator: Remember -- the FIRST WAVE marathon is this Sunday on the Sci-Fi Channel, six episodes back to back.
Chris-Brancato: We'll keep working as hard as we can in season's 2 & 3!
Chris-Brancato: Thanks!