TVGEN: Welcome, everyone. We'd like to welcome X-Files actor Chris Owens. Welcome, Chris. Glad you could join us this evening.
Chris Owens: Thank you, Spender Defender Folks!
elise_osullivan: What is your favorite X-Files episode?
Owens: Let's see. Of those that I've seen, I really liked "Small Potatoes." I really like Vince Gilligan's writing very much. I certainly enjoyed doing "Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man," and that was thanks to Glenn Morgan's writing. And if I'm allowed a third one, the "Post-Modern Prometheus" episode which Chris Carter wrote and directed beautifully. And I'd have to say that my favorite part of that show was Mulder and Scully dancing together at the Cher concert.
ANASAZl: How did it feel to be under all that makeup in "Post-Modern Prometheus"?
Owens: It was a bit of an endurance test, but when I saw the finished product, it was a lot of fun to act under. We did about six hours a day of makeup.
Scully_X1013: Chris, were you aware of the importance that your character would have in the show when you first began on The X-Files?
Owens: No, not really, because the first part I played was The Cigarette Smoking Man in his youth. And it wasn't until later that I was given the part of Special Agent Spender.
Hackenkreuz: Have you done any other acting besides X-Files?
Owens: Yes. Probably 40 episodic television appearances. A handful of movies of the week. Lots of small and intimate theater. Not to mention 12 solid years of good bartending.
catwoman362436: Chris, do you think in Season 8 you will be the new Mulder?
Owens: Hmmm. I don't think there will be a new Mulder. I have the feeling that after Season 7, The X-Files will continue with its movies more than with the series, though I don't know for sure.
kris__14: What is it like to work with David Duchovny on The X-Files?
Owens: Wonderful. He's got a great sense of humor, and he likes to keep things light. And he's a challenging actor.
scullyplusmulder4ever: Are you intimidated by any of the X-Files cast?
Owens: LOL!! Besides Mitch? LOL! I guess when we're in front of the camera, I try to approach it as a level playing field. But certainly several of the characters have dark histories, and you can kind of feel it when you're working with William Davis.
Bejeweled_Eyes: Hello Chris, I love your work. I heard a rumor that Mulder and Spender are brothers. Can you tell us whether or not this is true?
Owens: This hasn't been confirmed or denied. And in fact it's something that I don't know for sure.
louie6511: Is The Cigarette Smoking Man related to another character on the show?
Owens: That's the rumour. If so, which one? There's speculation as to its being Mulder or indeed his sister, Samantha. It seems the Cigarette Smoking Man is responsible for most of the cast members.
LostPenny: Chris Owens, what can you tell us about the development of your character's relationship to Cancer Man?
Owens: We have begun exploring that in Season 6. I've had a few surprise visits from my new father.
Gotenks_dbz1: How does it feel to be the "Bad Guy" and the "Good Guy" at the same time?
Owens: LOL! I love the ambiguity. I think it keeps it interesting for me as well as the audience.
Starbukk64: Do you think Spender has the chance to eventually help Mulder and Scully?
Owens: Possiblly. It would take a change of philosophy on his part, or perhaps on theirs. He's rather in the middle right now, between Scully's factual science, and Mulder's paranormal speculations.
Scully_X1013: Which was your favorite character to play — young CSM, Spender, or the Great Mutato?
Owens: I liked them all, it's hard to say. At the risk of sounding too wishy-washy, I've enjoyed all of them. The fun thing about Spender is that pieces of the puzzle are still falling into place.
Langly_Phile: Chris: How long did it take to get into the Great Mutato makeup?
Owens: It averaged about five and a half hours a day. And I was in full makeup for seven days.
Ringo_Langly: What are your feelings about Agent Spender replacing Mulder and Scully in their job of investigating the X-Files?
Owens: I don't think Spender is there to replace. He's really there to add another character, another color to the cast. To me, The X-Files is Mulder and Scully, their relationship as they confront the paranormal. LOL!!
dee_ayy: I'm sure you're a really nice guy and all that. But how does it feel to know that millions of X-Files fans stick pins in their Spender voodoo dolls every night?
Owens: LOL!! I feel their pain. And I thrive on it!
Special_Agent_Fox_Spooky_Mulder: Are there any pranks played on set, and if so. have you done any or had any done to you?
Owens: We don't really do a lot of pranks. It's more adding an appropriate line or two, some of which don't get to make the cut. Which I guess would make them inappropriate. At least inappropriate for television.
elise_osullivan: Would you like to see Spender and Scully have a relationship?
Owens: Sure, if it supports the storylines. I wouldn't like to see it added in just for titillation, gratuitously.
Janai1013: Hello Mr. Owens. Do you like filming in L.A. better than in Vancouver? In what ways is it better or worse?
Owens: When you're in front of the camera, the job is really the same. The crew in Vancouver was excellent and felt like a family. And the crew in L.A. is quickly becoming that. The locations are different. We're in the desert more often. But I think the transition has been smooth.
elise_osullivan: What would you like to see happen on The X-Files?
Owens: Hmmm. I'd like to see Spender's non-belief confronted with an incredible fact. I'd like to find out where my mother is.
jnp_99: What is your relationship like with Scully, in real life?
Owens: We enjoy a good laugh. Friendly. And I think we have a lot of fun when we're working.
Ringo_Langly: Have you always been a fan of The X-Files?
Owens: I started to watch The X-Files about a month before I was hired on it. I had just moved to Vancouver. And I thought that there was a possibility that I might get to read for the show. And I liked it right away. There are many episodes I haven't seen yet.
ariel765: Why does your character try to suppress the X-files? Is it fear of what happened to his Mom or blackmail by Cancer Man and the others?
Owens: My history with my mother is that to my mind she's delusional, and so I think I look at all these paranormal fantasies as a means that people use to escape from reality. And so I pursue reality because to me that is my truth.
PrincessPorphyria: I love The X-files and I've never chatted with anyone from the show. I'd like to know: How did you come to find out about the role of Agent Spencer and how did your audition for the part go?
Owens: For one of those brief times in my career a part was given to me and that was the part of Jeffrey Spender. I auditioned for young Cigarette Smoking Man and for Mutato, and after filming Mutato I was informed that the powers that be at The X-Files thought they could make more use of me. And it made me one happy actor.
ABCBC: Are you anything like Spender in real life?
Owens: No, I don't think so, I don't think I'm quite as serious, but then again, I'm not confronted with his issues. I'd much rather play an agent on TV.
italianbabe2002: What is the hardest thing that you've ever had to do in acting?
Owens: Learn to trust. That what is going on is enough. That and operate a large drill playing a coal miner 1000 feet underground. I mean 100 feet.
yapbl: Did you really take a bite out of that peanut butter sandwich?
Owens: LOL! Somebody did!
scullyplusmulder4ever: Can you sense the chemistry between David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson when you're doing a scene with them?
Owens: Yes. And also on the show when I watch it. They have a silent language between them.
Bubbler_1998: Who on The X-Files do you wish you had more scenes with?
Owens: Probably Scully, just because I don't know who she is. And because Mulder is always beating me up.
gillian_adams: If you had to describe yourself as one flavor of ice cream, what flavor would you be?
Owens: Pralines and cream. I'm not even going to think about that one!
MANOLIS_VARNAS: What is your opinion of the difference between the horror movies/shows now and those in the '80s? Do you see The X-Files as a new Twilight Zone?
Owens: Except The Twilight Zone always had those kind of morals. And X-Files is more open ended. But this is one of the discussions to have over a case of beer!
Bejeweled_Eyes: Where do you believe you fit in the Mythology?
Owens: Oh Man! That is still to be determined.
Ringo_Langly: Do you believe in extraterrestrial life?
Owens: Yes. I now live in L.A.
Ringo_Langly: How did you like playing a Nazi in "Triangle"?
Owens: It was scary. The uniforms have a lot of power. And I enjoyed trying my hand at German.
Starbukk64: Do you think you will be stereotyped as a bad guy because of this role?
Owens: Bad guys are more fun to play. But I actually don't look at Spender as a bad guy. I'm just doing my job. Mind you, William Davis is convinced he's the hero of The X-Files, so you see how far you have to go to rationalize.
tangerine18966: So, Mr. O... how do you like hanging out in L.A. now? Do you prefer working back at home, rather than in a really big city?
Owens: I like to work period! And L.A. is certainly a fun place to explore.
lyssaann: Does Vince Gilligan write many episodes this season?
Owens: He has written, I think, a few so far, and I believe he is working on the two-parter coming up.
MF_LUDER_FOX: Chris, this may seem like a stupid question, but what colour was the great Mutato? We only got to see him in black and white.
Owens: Varying shades of gray and pink.
elise_osullivan: I saw you on Stargate SG-1. How would you compare the experience working on that television show to working on The X-Files?
Owens: That's a good question. The Stargate set was less familiar to me but once again, once you are in front of the camera, the job remains the same.
chubacha: Would you rather play on Millennium or The X-Files?
Owens: X Files. Millenium is too dark and scary for me.
DeLeRiOs: If you had your choice of who to work with in Hollywood —director, actor or actress — who would it be? WHY?
Owens: Robert Duvall as an actor just because he's so fabulous. And I'm sure Robert cares a lot! I'd like to work with anyone with a good script.
tara_x_: Are there any good behind-the-scenes bloopers?
Owens: We do make a gag reel every year, and we show it at the wrap party. And I've participated in bits and pieces.
TIMECK: There are many days that I think that Scully will be taken out of the plot. Do you think that this will happen in the near future?
Owens: No. We need Scully. Who's going to keep Mulder in check? Without her he might want his old office back.
Ringo_Langly: Do you believe that there may be some kind of government conspiracy?
Owens: Yes, though maybe not quite the way it's depicted in X-Files. But a lot of power concentrated in the hands of the few always leads to danger — not that I'm paranoid.
courtenaybc: What would you say would be your biggest accomplishment?
Owens: Oh, securing a parking pass for the Fox lot! Believe me, those are the guys who really hold the power in L.A., not the producers!
elise_osullivan: Have you ever thought of writing your own X-Files episode?
Owens: I've done some writing but not an X-Files episode. For now, I better leave it in the hands of the experts.
jdickhute: Will you be appearing in the Washington, DC area for a show, expo or other non-X-Files gig?
Owens: I don't know yet.
catwoman362436: Did you enjoy playing the monsters in the earlier episodes?
Owens: I play with the monsters whenever I can! They don't call me Big Spender for nothing!
jnp_99: Can you give us a taste of what is to come in the next season of The X-files?
Owens: I will have more dealings with my father. The aliens will not go away. And I'm sure Mulder will beat me up a few more times!
TVGEN: Thanks for joining us tonight, Chris. Please join us again sometime soon.
Owens: Thanks to the fans for their unbridled enthusiasm!