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"I was 5 when the show began, and to be 35 and offered the Jacket and Spaceship was surreal indeed."

A few days before the TV mvoie aired, Paul fielded questions from fans in an AOL chat. It was my first exposure to Paul's wonderful wit and sense of humor. If Paul's answers seem short, keep in mind that he was typing them himself instead of using a typist!

OnlineHost: British thespian Paul McGann stars as the Doctor, the eighth incarnation of the quirky hero who travels through time and space to fight evil, in Doctor Who. Doctor Who is the world's longest-running science fiction TV series in history, and :will be returning to the small screen for the first new installment in seven years in the two-hour movie to air Tuesday, May 14th (8:00pm - 10:00pm ET/PT). Welcome!

AOLiveMC7: Welcome to the Oldsmobile Celebrity Circle, Mr. McGann!

PaulMcGann: Thanks for having me.

Question: Paul is the new Doctor Who going to be a series?

PaulMcGann: Yeah, it all depends on the ratings doesn't it? It's a 2 hour pilot.

Question: How does Mr. McGann feel about all the fan anticipation now that we're close to air date?

PaulMcGann: The feeling's mutual.

Question: Paul, what was it like playing a role in Alien 3?

PaulMcGann: It was good to work with David Fincher who I am glad to see is receiving belated recognition. Alien was an underrated film.

Question: How does life in the US compare to life in the UK?

PaulMcGann: It's cheaper.

PaulMcGann: Life, that is.

PaulMcGann: Only kidding.

Question: Mr. McGann, how does it feel to be a science fiction icon now?

PaulMcGann: WOW! Daunting.

Question: Hi there, Mr. McGann. What do you think of the online experience and would you be interested in chatting with fans online more in the future through Doctor Who Online on AOL?

PaulMcGann: Yeah, I'd like to think about maybe handling my own press, via Online, thereby circumventing the need to deal with the British tabloids.

Question: Paul on the show how old are you are you about 700 years old?

PaulMcGann: Yeah... give or take a century.

Question: How intimidating is it to step into a role with such a long history and do fans help or hinder the process?

PaulMcGann: I guess Pierce Brosnan has a similar problem in filling in 007's shoes, one has to try and dispel those images of the other fellows and do your own thing. Having said that... the only intimidating thing is one's current rivals, not one's predecessors. The fans have been great... thus far.

Question: Did you enjoy the time you spent portraying Dr. Who? Is it true that you have a 5 year contract with Universal and FOX? I think that you are the best choice for the 8th Doctor.

PaulMcGann: Yes, Yes... and I agree.

Question: Do you have a house here in the States, too?

PaulMcGann: No.

Question: What did Paul think of the quality of the Vancouver production crews? And of Canada in general?

PaulMcGann: The crew was 1st division. And Canada was nice... Capitol N.

Question: Will you be on any American talk shows?

PaulMcGann: Almost certainly.

Question: How did you prepare for the role? Did you watch a lot of old Who shows or prefer to enter it green, much as the new Doctor — post regenerative — does?

PaulMcGann: Precisely.

Question: Does it feel surreal to be playing the Doctor after watching the show as a kid?

PaulMcGann: YES!!! I was 5 when the show began, and to be 35 and offered the Jacket and the Spaceship was surreal indeed. Best Moment was 1st "pulling those levers" aboard the Tardis.

Question: Hi. Thanks for doing Doctor Who and welcome to the family. What did you do to bring the role to primarily an American audience as opposed to primarily a British one?

PaulMcGann: Apart from relocating to North America, and all that that entails, the producers remain very mindful of the worldwide audience of apparently some hundred million.

Question: How about continuity? Will we be seeing elements from the old program?

PaulMcGann: Certain icons, I suppose, one tampers with at one's peril, and those elements such as the Tardis naturally remain. Other than that, here's to the future!

Question: What was the biggest challenge in making the Doctor your own?

PaulMcGann: Hmmmmmmm.......

Question: I read here that Withnail & I is being re-released. Is that in theaters, or on video tape?

PaulMcGann: It's currently playing nationwide in British theaters as part of it's 10th Anniversary Celebration.

Question: Is the series on the networks or on public television?

PaulMcGann: It's on FOX TV. It is FOX's Tuesday Night movie the 14th of May.

Question: How are the British people reacting to an American version of Doctor Who?

PaulMcGann: With mild frenzy. Very British.

Question: Paul, what has been your most unnerving moment... the one that made you a bit wary of your decision to take this part?

PaulMcGann: The wig....

Question: Did you get to choose your costume, or was it pick out for you?

PaulMcGann: It was picked out for me.

Question: What was your favorite episode of Doctor Who?

PaulMcGann: The appearance of the Yeti, sometime in the mid-60's.

Question: Mr. McGann, assuming the show gets picked up in some form or another, where would you like to take the character of the Doctor?

PaulMcGann: Yes... around the back...

Question: How much freedom were you given in the development of your Doctor, if any at all?

PaulMcGann: None. 'Twas a done-deal.

Question: Has the BBC expressed any interest in reviving the series should the US ratings be less than what FOX wants (the Queen forbid)?

PaulMcGann: None whatsoever. And which queen was that?

Question: Are you at all amused by a British television institution being produced for an American studio in Canada?

PaulMcGann: Tickled pink!

Question: If it becomes a series and if the opportunity presents itself would you like to direct an episode?

PaulMcGann: Definitely.

Question: Did you get to see any of the animation or special effects yet?

PaulMcGann: No.

Question: Have you had any comments about the show from the actors who have played the other doctors?

PaulMcGann: None. They have all been conspicuously silent.

Question: What companions do you have aboard the Tardis?

PaulMcGann: That would be telling.

Question: Will there be any cameos of past cast members?

PaulMcGann: Hopefully.

Question: What's your favorite Doctor Who villain?

PaulMcGann: D' Yeti... the one with the golden ball for a heart.

Question: The other Doctors have all had peculiarities of dress: Peter Davison celery, Tom Baker a scarf, etc. What, if anything, does your incarnation have?

PaulMcGann: A shroud.

Question: Will the doctor have a significantly closer relationship with his companion?

PaulMcGann: D.W. Loves D.A.

Question: Hello there, Paul. If Doctor Who were to come back as a series, how long would you like to be the Doctor?

PaulMcGann: 5 years.

Question: Mr. McGann, will you sign autographs for fans via the mail? Any con appearances planned?

PaulMcGann: Yes, and no.

PaulMcGann: All requests to BBC Worldwide.

Question: What was your least favorite episode of Doctor Who?

PaulMcGann: I don't have one.

Question: If the show is picked up, is it likely to continue shooting in Canada?

PaulMcGann: More than likely.

Question: What do you think of the whole online experience, like seeing a web site with all your appearances to date on it?

PaulMcGann: It makes me tingle all over.

Question: Are you pleased with the TARDIS interior and the amount of money spent on it?

PaulMcGann: It's a 'work of art' and therefore, priceless.

Question: Paul, were you influenced by Monty Python?

PaulMcGann: Is this a 5 minute argument?

Question: Your biography in the Screen International Film and Television Yearbook 91/92 says you were born in Ireland, is this true?

PaulMcGann: No. Liverpool, England.

PaulMcGann: As in Liverpool 2 Manchester United 0.

Question: Did you take a long time in deciding whether or not to take the role, or was it something you just snatched up?

PaulMcGann: No, I waited 12 months, and then I 'snatched'.

Question: How spacious is the TARDIS — I mean the real set — on the inside?

PaulMcGann: 1 acre.

Question: What are your thoughts of possible being made into a Doctor Who Action Figure?

PaulMcGann: Providing it was anatomically correct. No problem whatsoever.

Question: Mr. McGann, would you be interested in a Four Doctors or Six Doctors special if given the opportunity?

PaulMcGann: Menage à six... methinks.

Question: Who is doing the music for the movie?

PaulMcGann: Still undecided.

Question: Which talent agency represents you?

PaulMcGann: MARINA MARTIN in London.

Question: What did you think of Alien 3 as a film, compared to the other Alien movies or most science fiction in general? Did you think it was a good film? By the way, I don't recall ever really seeing your character get taken out by the beast. Did I miss it?

PaulMcGann: I thought the film was underrated.

PaulMcGann: We all missed it in fact... including the editor.

Question: Does the TARDIS still not work?

PaulMcGann: It works for me.

Comment: Mr. McGann, I think you are witty and your answers are just a hoot! I can not wait to see the movie! I have not been a big Doctor Who fan, but I am now, thank you for your time spent here and putting up with the American loonies.

PaulMcGann: Welcome to the family, you seem very discerning.

AOLiveMC7: We have time for one last question from SciFiTalk:

Question: What was it like to work with Eric Roberts?

PaulMcGann: An education.

AOLiveMC7: Our thanks to Paul McGann for joining us in the Oldsmobile Celebrity Circle tonight.

PaulMcGann: Keep watching the skies.

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