Star Trek exclusive

Check out what happened when Brent Spiner, aka Star Trek's Lt Cdr Data, joined us for a live video webchat

Barsue: It was great to meet you at the convention in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago - will you be there next year?

Brent Spiner: I remember it well - you were wearing a flower print blouse!! I will be there next year - hope to see you again!

Jane: Were you a fan of Star Trek before you appeared in it?

Brent Spiner: Yes...to be concise.

Gaz: Why do you think Star Trek has stood the test of time?

Brent Spiner: Well Gaz, if I may call you Gareth, I'm not a philosopher. You know as well as I do why it stood the test of time.

V: My friend recently bought a copy of your album for a vast sum of money and it turns out that it's really fantastic. We want to hear more. Are you going to return to the recording studio?

Brent Spiner: Yes. I've been waiting patiently until I was ready to lose a lot more money, and now I'm ready. I'm conceptualising my next recording now.

Ben Rice: How does it feel to be one of the most iconic stars in Star Trek history, and how do you feel to have been part of its success?

Brent Spiner: I feel good. What more is there to say?!

Steve: Was the robotic style of acting difficult to maintain for so long?

Brent Spiner: No, actually it was very easy. Just a matter of concentration and focus.

Steve: Hello. What was the best thing about being Data in Star Trek?

Brent Spiner: The best thing - there are so many great things. Knowing the cast has been the best thing. I spoke to Patrick yesterday - so we keep in touch.

Jan: Will you do a Data "look" for us live on camera?

Brent Spiner: No Jan I won't, but thanks for asking!

Mike: Do you have any acting ambitions left?

Brent Spiner: No I've done it all. (Being ironic!) I'm still hoping to become 'legit'.

Marilyn: Where are your favourite places to travel to?

Brent Spiner: Well, I love the world - this world! I enjoy London, Paris and Rome, The Amalfi Coast and Caribbean. I'm scared of flying so if I could do it by beaming I'd be really happy!

tashayar1: Do you feel that playing a character who displayed so few emotions has hampered your career post Star Trek?

Brent Spiner: I'm not sure I understand how that would be possible, but I'll give you a 'no' on that one.

Anthony Adolph: I'm a genealogist, and was sitting exactly where you are now, yesterday, answering questions on family trees! Data is unusual, in that he had absolutely no ancestry (although I know he considered Dr Soong his 'father'). I'm curious to know if you know much of your family's origins?

Brent Spiner: My family oranges?!! A little. I know the basics. I wish I knew more specifics but I do know they're all dead!Anthony, look up the name Spiner for me - let me know!

Will: What is it like playing Data? Despite the hard work, do you have fun on set and who is your closest friend within the Next Generation actors?

Brent Spiner: I'm not doing it anymore! When I did do it, I had a very good time. I'm really close to all the actors, with the exception of Michael Dorn.

Steve: How long did it take to do all of the special effects make-up when doing scenes that involved doing something to Data's electronics and literally 'opening his mind'?

Brent Spiner: Took forever! It'd take hours and hours. I regretted when I read they were going to open up a part of my body. They opened up every part, save one!

MacDaz: Do you get tired of people thinking Trekkies are weirdos?

Brent Spiner: Probably not as tired of it as you do! But I think it's unfair. And I said so this morning on the BBC breakfast show.

Matt: When are we going to see you next on stage, film or TV?

Brent Spiner: Matt, that's up to you! I've no idea. I have a movie that came out a couple of weeks ago in America called Material Girls. You may enjoy it for all I know!

M: You said you'd like to appear on the London stage, what would be your ideal part?

Brent Spiner: I'd like to do my one man show because I always enjoy working with myself. It's called the Greens. The first act is an impersonation of Lauren Green and in the second act I sing!

Trekkie: Star Trek Nemesis was the best of the Star Trek films. Are there any plans for another film with the Next Generation cast?

Brent Spiner: Thank you for saying that - I like Nemesis too. I don't think you'll see the Next Generation cast in another film though. I hope I am wrong.

Dana: I've heard you say that you would never play Data again, but would you be open to playing an ancestor of Soong in a future Trek project, or even a totally unrelated character?

Brent Spiner: Sure - I'd be happy to. Let's start a letter writing campaign. Address them to J. J. Abrams care of Paramount pictures.

Roxana from France: Hi there, Mister Spiner! You're a great actor and a great man! Knowing you co-wrote the story board for ST Nemesis, I'd like to know if you'll write or co-write again for other films in the future?

Brent Spiner: With any luck at all I will be. I have several projects in mind and I'm furiously working on them as we speak. Well not as we speak...!?!

Anthony Adolph: Boring indeed! Spiner's probably a variant spelling of Spinner, which means that ancestors of yours spun wool for a living. The oldest reference is in Worcestershire in 1270.

Brent Spiner: That's a fascinating background - wool spinners! I think you're wrong Anthony but with due respect I have a feeling the S was probably an SCH at one time!

Pattie: What's your favourite film of all time?

Brent Spiner: If I had to narrow it down to one - John Forbes' The Searchers. Great film.

Marilyn: If you had to choose another profession what would it be?

Brent Spiner: Wool gatherer!

Tiberian: Since you played Data and he was destroyed, are you glad that the new character B4 (before) was created for you, and will you enjoy playing him in the future?

Brent Spiner: I would enjoy playing him if I ever had the opportunity but I think that's doubtful.

Tina: What do you do in your spare time?

Brent Spiner: Tina, I don't know. I really don't. The days go by and I have no idea where they went. I don't have spare time - what is spare time?

Patrick: Would you like a reference to Star Trek on your tomb stone and do you want your ashes sent into space like Scotty?

Brent Spiner: Patrick, I have no intention of dying. If it happens I don't want to be buried - I'd like to be stuffed ... with crab meat, if possible.

Linda: Do you ever watch old episodes of The Next Generation and what do you think of them now?

Brent Spiner: I never watch episodes of the Next Generation and I think they're brilliant. It's a matter of spending too much time doing Star Trek as it was - 16 hour days and I did it for 7 years straight, 10 months of the year. I had to devote my time to other things so I'd be a well-rounded person.

Yasmin: I've been a fan of yours for years - who are your acting heroes?

Brent Spiner: So many - I don't know what to say because I'm a fan of so many people. Particularly people who are already gone - Peter Sellers, Buster Keaton, Chaplin. Laurel and Hardy - mainly comedians.

Russ: Do you have a favourite episode of Star Trek?

Brent Spiner: Not really. It was like doing one long episode (all 178 episodes of them that is!). It was a good one!

Pete: What's the best thing about being famous - do you get recognised a lot and what do people say to you?

Brent Spiner: I don't get recognised that often. When I do they're generally very nice. The best thing about it is my folks don't bother me anymore about when I'm going to get serious and go into a business.

Nick: What's your favourite location in the world to simply sit, chill, and enjoy the scenery?

Brent Spiner: I like my back yard actually. It's very pleasant and peaceful.

Marilyn: How is the garage sale going? Have you emptied it yet?

Brent Spiner: Not yet - there's more to come. The best is yet to come! I'm little by little selling everything I own.

Brent Spiner: Thanks everybody - this couldn't have been more fun. Let's do it again tomorrow morning! I'll be back next year for the 41st anniversary. Anthony I'm sure you'll be here too. See you in the movies.