Happy Together - Kristen's dad releases a book!

"No matter how much passion there is at the beginning of a relationship, for love to last it must be actively created. For thirty years, Dr. Bill Cloke, an innovative and successful couples’ therapist, has been helping couples create lasting connection, commitment, and intimacy by learning the essential relationship skills he now reveals in Happy Together." - happytogetherbook.com

Kristen Cloke, Millennium's Lara Means, has always been kind with her support for what we do here, and we'd like to take this opportunity to support a project close to her own heart.

Dr. Bill Cloke, Kristen's father, has just released a book that looks to help everyone maximise their potential in relationships. Happy Together puts the years of experience Dr. Cloke has as a relationship therapist for 30 years onto paper. Given that I doubt many of us have perfected our relationships (please don't take a good, hard look at my own track record), a little guidance from those with objective experience can never be a bad thing!

If you have a moment, take a look at the book's website. Campaigns are about people working together towards a common cause, supporting each other. As Kristen and Glen have been such a pillar to us, as a community of like minded people, I'd like to hope we can offer the same in return!

Happytogetherbook.com - is available from Barnes and Noble and Borders, as well as a plethora of online outlets. You can read excerpts from the book on the website, including some of the first chapter. Whether we like it or not, Love is always important and for most of us (okay, me at the very least) a foggy mystery. Perhaps Dr. Cloke can help bring some clarity!

“Happy Together explains why love, like happiness, is an inside job. Dr. Bill Cloke gives great insights into how to create a loving relationship that lasts.”
—Marci Shimoff, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Happy for No Reason

Lara Means Week: Sunday - Kristen Cloke Interview!

So this is it! Sunday! The final day of Lara Means Week! A thank you to Alison Nastasi, MR Sellars, Joselyn Roja, DiRT, Steve Katzenmoyer, James Wong, myself (of course), Troy Foreman and of course, Kristen Cloke. Thanks to all the people who have supported this week - including those of you in Twitter and Facebook land.

We'll be announcing the winners of this week's competition for the signed season 2 box-set and the signed photo tomorrow.

We'll leave you with the feature of the week, the exclusive interview with Lara Means herself, Kristen Cloke.





If you can't see the above player, or the player refuses to play ball (as can happen on IE browsers), you can download the MP3 here, or sign-up and download from ITunes - search for "Millennium Group Sessions".

Lara Means Week: Monday: Cloke and Wong speak!

And welcome to Lara Means Week! A week subtlety dedicated to the wonder that is - and if you've not guessed it's back to the box with you - Lara Means.

So what have we in store for you this week? I suggest you listen to the voice of Lara Means herself and let her tell you - click the play button below!


So what do we have to start off the week?

Well we thought we'd start off with something very special. The question as to what happened to Lara Means is one that has echoed through fandom for more than a decade. Speaking on that very subject, we offer you the comments of Millennium season 2 writer and producer, James Wong. Press click to hear James' comments on Lara exclusively at BacktoFrankBlack.

Click the play button below!

Plus, to start the week out, we have some media for you. A wallpaper for you to proudly adorn your PC or Mac all week with, and a postcard for you to print out and send to FOX!

Wallpaper (1200x1024) Click the picture, right click, set as wallpaper!

Postcard: Right click, "save link as", then download and print!

Win EXCLUSIVE autographed prizes during Lara Means Week!

As Lara Means week draws closer and the excitement builds, we here at BacktoFrankBlack wanted to let you in on another little nugget of news that I think you all will enjoy. We have talked with Kristen on several occasions the past couple of weeks and she is both touched and surprised at the popularity of her character Lara Means.

As a special thank you, we will be having a special competition during the week and will be giving away a couple of signed items from Kristen herself. Who knows, Glen's signature may appear as well! Remember, ONLY here at BacktoFrankBlack will you have a chance to win these cool signed prizes! Stay tuned!

Lara Means Week makes HorrorSquad.com!

Well, Lara Means week is definitely gaining some momentum my Millennium friends! Our good friend and fellow Millennium fan Alison Nastasi has been nothing but spectacular in supporting our campaign. You may remember her from her former website TheScreamstress.com and her appearance on one our Millennium Group Sessions podcasts. Well, her work has been nothing but stupendous and she now writes for several blogs including Cinematical and SciFi Squad.

Well, she has posted a great write up about the Lara Means week celebration over at Horror Squad. Not only did she do a bang up job on promoting it on the site, she is also participating with a great analysis of the character Lara Means!

So follow this link and read about Lara Means week. Also, you will find a small clip from the brand new interview that we did with Kristen Cloke.

BacktoFrankBlack would like to thank Alison Nastasi for her continued support and fantastic work!

NEXT WEEK: Lara Means Week!

Nuff said?

MIDNIGHT OF THE CENTURY WEEK DAY FOUR: HERE'S DIRT'S THING - VIDEO REVIEW!

You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why...DiRT's coming to town of course and now that he's finished decking the halls and fa-la-la-la-la-ing we had the chance to sit him front of the television with a glass of mulled wine and a slice of Yule log with instructions to cast his discerning gaze upon the reason for our week of celebrations, Midnight Of The Century!

Christmas Eve and the anniversary of his mother's death brings Frank Black into confrontations with Catherine, his estranged father, and even an angel. All the painful memories and arguments serve a purpose, however, in helping to steer Frank in the right direction for dealing with some important decisions regarding Jordan and the gifts she's inherited. Like most of you I have watched Midnight of the Century more than a few times over the festive season and I know that I love it but let's find out what our resident reviewer thinks of Millennium's very first festive outing.

So now you know, that's DiRT's view of Midnight Of The Century and now we want to know yours. Did DiRT hit the nail on the head for you or was he so wrong you considered for a moment if he had had more mulled wine than he should have done. So, dust down those keyboards and tell us what you think. Rest assured, DiRT reads all the feedback he gets so don't be shy and please, join with me in wishing him and his family a very Merry Christmas!

As always, every new video we add to Youtube, or is added to Youtube for us, reaches out to a whole new audience and may find a Millennium fan who never knew of our campaign in the process. Don't forget, keep sending those letters and postcards to Mr. Steve Asbell.

As always, lend your considerable support to the man and go visit his own websites and find out what it's all about. Remember, every video made for the this campaign is an indispensable way of reaching out to a potential new campaigner.

Mark

• To visit his website and enjoy the numerous things he has on offer, click here!

• To check out his Youtube channel and view more reviews from the man himself, visit here!

Whilst you are enjoying this week, please take some time to remember why we are here and why we strive to bring you things we think you, as Millennium fans, will find enjoyable. Our very reason for existing is to encourage supporters of the show to send letters and postcards to Steve Asbell asking for a return of Frank Black and I shall dispense with any shred of dignity I have left and beg you to do just that. If you don't have the facilities to print the postcards we release then do as Russ did above, send whatever you have to hand and, if I'm honest, I like his own contribution more than anything I have designed. It shows a certain individuality and nothing speaks louder than that. No more tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow folks, post them today!

Midnight of The Century Week Day One: Midnight Of A Merry Little Christmas!

T'was the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse although Josef was securely locked in the basement working on the video you are about to watch. It's time for BackToFrankBlack to plunge itself into the festive season with a week long celebration of the Kay Reindl and Erin Maher penned festive episode, Midnight of the Century! I am delighted to say that all the hard work that has gone in to this week has been supported by Frank Spotnitz and to all who made it possible, and to Frank, I am very grateful.

We have a week of events to help you good folk celebrate the festive season, Millennium style and we hope that you will all be duly inspired to do you bit for the cause and post your letters and postcards to 20th Century Fox before Christmas. To launch the week, Josef has created a beautiful little video celebrating the episode so without further ado, switch on the fairy lights, grab a glass of eggnog and two types of bread and join with me in wishing all Millennium fans out there, A Merry Little Christmas!

I think you will agree with me that that is inspired and as Josef has continually beavered away, week in, week out, in order to increase our presence at Youtube and bring new supporters in our direction (he is well on his way to his videos receiving a hundred views with each new release) please share you thoughts with him on this wonderful festive outing and wish him Merry Christmas in the process.


As promised, each music new release from Josef will be accompanied by a postcard that we urge you to send to Steve Asbell at 20th Century Fox. Making 20th Century Fox aware that we are here to stay and active in our support of a Millennium Movie is a vital way you can help this campaign achieve its ends. We are regularly asked what is the best way to help this campaign and there is no finer way than sending this postcard. The only way we can bring this show back is to make some noise and continue making that noise. Give Frank black the best Christmas present you could possibly give him by helping to bring him back to our screens in 2010.

Send your letters and postcards to FOX:

STEVE ASBELL
Twentieth Century Fox
10201 West Pico Blvd.,
Bldg. 88, Room 132
Los Angeles, CA 90035#

Mark

As a little extra treat for you good folks (well it is Christmas after all) you can now download a behind the scenes account of the creative process that goes into the creation of the above music video. Simply click on Frank's Christmas tree below to be taken to the download link.

LUMINARY WEEK DAY FOUR: Here's Dirt's Thing

Ladies and gentlemen it's time, once again, for our masked avenger, wrestlemaniac and super powered reviewer DiRT to cast his x-ray vision upon another episode of Millennium and direct his considerable following in our direction in the process.

As you no doubt know, DiRT has already cast his expert gaze over Luminary, and we urge you to check it out, but in the spirit of Luminary Week he has taken something of a departure and revisited that very episode again responding to the comments you guys posted before and bringing a fresh opinion to the table.

Luminary exemplifies what Season Two of Millennium sought to achieve. Glen Morgan and James Wong were passionate in their belief that Millennium had room to grow and flourish and were urged to tinker with the format by 20th Century Fox in light of declining ratings. They set about reshaping the original vision in the hope of adding an further dimension to an already exemplary show. Over the years the fans have found much to enjoy in each of the seasons, all with their differing flavours, and as DiRT looks once again at Luminary we also want to know what you guys think of the season as a whole. The Old Man, Lara Means, Roedecker, Owls, Roosters, Marburg and much, much more....anyhow, Luminary redux: here's what he made of it.

So is he right or is he wrong? Tell us your opinion of this oft debated epsiode and it's season and don't hold back, we're big fans, we can take it.

As always, every new video we add to Youtube, or is added to Youtube for us, reaches out to a whole new audience and may find a Millennium who never knew of our campaign in the process. Don't forget, keep sending those letters and postcards to Mr. Steve Asbell. Frank's Army Fights on!

As always, lend your considerable support to the man and go visit his own websites and find out what it's all about. Remember, every video made for the this campaign is an indispensable way of reaching out to a potential new campaigner.

Mark x

• To visit his website and enjoy the numerous things he has on offer, click here!

• To check out his Youtube channel and view more reviews from the man himself, visit here!

Avatar Vision Presents: LARA MEANS IS PARANOID!

Yup, it's MusicMonday™ once more and it's the MusicMonday™ I have been waiting for for an age. It's Lara Means time and there's no need tell you how much that character means to me. Josef has come up trumps again, so much so that this little gem has been on constant repeat on my iPod in a style very reminiscent of Lucy Butler's music playing habits. So without further ado it's time to grab the popcorn and soda and run for the back row. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Lara Means!

As always, we thank our resident video alchemist Josef for taking this campaign and continuing to plug it in the vast abyss that is Youtube and we hope you will feel in some way inspired to follow in his footsteps and donate a little video magic of your own.

Don't forget to leave a comment or two for Josef, he really appreciates all the feedback he receives for his sterling work and keep your eyes peeled (ouch) for next weeks video it will certainly please one particular individual I can think of!

Mark x

• To visit Josef's Youtube page and check out his own collection of videos, click here!
• To check out his myspace page and listen to some of his original compositions, click here!

As promised, each music new release from Josef will be accompanied by a postcard that we urge you to send to Steve Asbell at 20th Century Fox (apologies for any confusion regarding addresses but news from our sources indicates Steve is indeed the man to target.) Fox have begun to take notice, your hard work during Lucy Butler Week is paying dividends. Do not give up, send this postcard today.

To see the address you need to send this to as well as a range of others you might like to send, click here!

HE WHO LAUGHS LAST...

Millennium is not known, shall we say, for its liberal use of comedy but we aficionados know better. Millennium had some acutely funny moments amongst its canon, not least in the masterpieces that are, 'Somehow Satan Got Behind Me' and 'Jose Chung's Doomsday Defense', courtesy of the genius, and I do mean genius, that is Darin Morgan.

Never ones to rest on our laurels the team at www.backtofrankblack.com are busy working on our next podcast before episode three has even been unveiled to the masses and we are devoting our attention to the very episodes mentioned above. With a guest from the cast of Millennium, an exclusive giveaway and more besides we hope to bring this fun filled spectacular to you in the future, until then, Frank Black needs you!


We want to know what you think the funniest lines in Millennium are, no need to wonder after mine, you can see them above. Rack those brains, watch those episodes and send us the moments that made you laugh and see all the submissions we receive feature in a special Blog entry we have lined up to coincide with the podcast. Easy really. Leave us a comment here at the blog or send us your thoughts to info@backtofrankblack.com.

Can't wait to see what you send us, till then, how many Frank Black's does it take to change a light bulb?

MONSTER OF THE WEEK - BACKTOFRANKBLACK EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

For fans of Millennium, Perry Lang will most likely be known for directing the season two episode, Monster. In the wider sense, Perry is a director, writer and actor who has contributed to countless series' and movies both in front of the lens and behind. Considering how busy he is we were delighted when Perry agreed to take time from his schedule to speak to us about the genuinely unnerving experience that is, Millennium 'Monster'.

BACKTOFRANKBLACK: As far as genre and cult offerings go, it would be simpler to mention what you haven't directed rather than what you have. All directors must have a unique approach and vision which they bring to the projects they are working on. What would you define as a 'Perry Lang' approach to directing? If you could pick a shining example of your style at its zenith, what would it be?

PERRY LANG: My approach to directing is essentially text driven. In other words the script talks to me... after reading it as many times as possible. I've gone through a lot of phases that might be defined as a style, now I just like listening to the script and seeing what it's saying, if that makes any sense.

BTFB: You have a very balanced history of work in front of the camera and behind it. From a personal perspective which affords you the greatest degree of personal satisfaction, acting or directing? Do you believe it is essential to have experienced life in front of the lens to be effective behind it?

PL: I don't believe you need to be an actor (or have been one) to understand how to work with them. For me, it a took a while to understand how each individual actor works within his/her process. I stupidly assumed early on that all actors worked like me and in that I was completely mistaken. I enjoy good material and I would have said for the last twenty years that my only desire would be to write or write and direct but as I get older, the idea of acting again sounds appealing.

BTFB: I have noticed that you appear to direct a couple of episodes of a series before moving on to the next, as most Directors do. Do you enjoy this aspect of your work or would you appreciate a longer tenure on a show? Are there pros and cons to both aspects of your profession? From a totally uneducated perspective, when a new Director visits an established franchise how is it ensured that your work, whilst distinctive, reflects the established mood and theme without being incongruous?

PL: I enjoy moving around. Creatively I actually get bored with a show after directing a few episodes but sometimes I miss working with some of the people on certain shows and moving on often means leaving those working relationships behind.

A director doesn't have to work too hard to make the show he's doing look like the series it's a part of. There are so many elements that remain the same, it pretty much takes care of itself. That said, there are particular parameters in which you need to work but it's not as hard as it may seem. In some ways a director has to keep looking outside of the rut in order to keep things fresh.

BTFB: When you approached 'Monster' were you aware of Millennium, its unique approach to story telling and the types of themes it dealt with? How would you assess the experience of working on the show and the results? Have you watched this episode in retrospect and critiqued you work with the value of hindsight?

PL: For me it was a chance to do something dark and I appreciated that aspect. I don't believe I actually even saw the episode.

BTFB: Monster is one of a number of episodes that signaled the change in narrative and style that the second season of Millennium attempted to introduce, it introduced a popular new series regular, Kristen Cloke and eased a number of metaphysical aspects into the overall arc that would become prominent throughout the season. Were you aware at the time, and conscious of, the fact that you were in the process of somewhat redefining a franchise?

PL: No, not really, I guess I understood it didn't have the audience that X-Files did but it was a much darker piece. I didn't watch a single episode after directing Monster.

BTFB: A vast portion of the people we have spoken to have espoused warm memories of their time with the cast and crew of Millennium, aside from the technical side of your job as the episode's director, do you recall your time fondly with regards to meeting Lance, Kristen and the rest of the cast and crew?

PL: I was happy, in that particular case, to move on to something else.

BTFB: As you know, we exist as an entity primarily geared to raising awareness of the groundswell of support that exists, and grows, with regards to a movie adaptation of Millennium. From a behind the scenes perspective, do you agree that this particular franchise is ripe for such an adaptation and considering the notable changes to the mood and theme during the show's three seasons, where would you pitch such a project in terms of narrative, content, characters and so on?

PL: I'm glad you've found something (maybe something I never saw) in the show and I hope that you're able to find it again in a feature film form. I sincerely applaud your passion.

BTFB: What can admirers of your work keep their eyes open for with regards to the continuing career of Perry Lang?

PL: I've in the final stages of post in Web Series that I've written and directed called Blue Belle, I hope you get a chance to see it soon.

BTFB: Once again, thank you so much for such a kind donation of your time, it truly does matter to an organization of individuals who have appreciated, discussed and dissected your work, with much pleasure, a thousand times over.

PL: Thanks for your interest. I thought your questions were well thought out and to the point -- I appreciate it.

A TEST OF CHARACTER - FUN WITH THE CAST

To maintain our efforts to promote the campaign and continue our relationship with the cast and crew that have shown such warmth and support towards us, we proudly present our second Millennium Initiation Test, a quirky way of involving Millennium's supporters in our campaign. As you will have noticed, Kristen Cloke is a staunch ally of this campaign and one, of many, cast and crew members who desire to see a return of the Millennium franchise in whatever form this may take. So please indulge the campaign team in a moment of Millennium fun and we urge you to check us out on a regular basis to enjoy many more serious, and lighthearted, contributions from those who contributed to the franchise. After all our hard work of late we are due a moment of frivolity so read the words of a Millennium cast member and continue your support of this campaign as you do so!

CLOKE AND DAGGER - EXCLUSIVE BTFB CAST INTERVIEW

To those who know me it is no secret that I am a particular admirer of the second season character, Lara Means and the actress who portrayed her, Kristen Cloke. During the course of the campaign I have spoke to her a number of times and she, like so many of the cast and crew, has given freely of their time to us and responded to all campaigners for the return of the franchise with warmth and encouragement. It gives me great pleasure to bring to your attention an interview we conducted with her recently and I am sure that you will all enjoy the result as much as I do.

BACKTOFRANKBLACK.COM: Kristen, thank you for taking the time to speak to us. May I begin by saying that one of the most notable features of the second season of Millennium is the often experimental and creative way in which the stories unfolded. Was it a conscious move to abandon more traditional techniques in order to explore the boundaries of serial television?

KRISTEN CLOKE: I know that Fox wanted to take the show into a different area in the second season. Glen, Jim and Darin are really creative story tellers. I think they approach stories in a unique way. That is who they are as writers and it is reflected in the show.

BTFB: Lara is a unique character in the sense that she is one of few televisual creations to not reveal very much of her history or back-story. Was this a conscious decision to maintain the character's enigmatic nature?

KC: It has been such a long time since I have even watched the show. Some of this is a little hard to remember... I believe Lara talked a little bit about her story in the Christmas episode?? I guess I felt that I knew what her story was, so I never really thought about whether it was talked about. Glen often creates a character for me in his scripts that serve as a story telling device for him. We have a lot of trust and he knows I really want to serve his purpose as a story teller.

BTFB: One, of many, fan preoccupations regarding Lara Means is the debate regarding her feelings for Frank. Fans maintain that there are moments that provide evidence to suggest the character developed romantic feelings for Frank during the course of their relationship. Was such a thing ever intended or is it merely a matter of perception?

KC: I don't think Frank and Lara had romantic feelings for each other, but I do think they shared something that was completely unique to only them. To really feel really understood by someone is very powerful. Lara was a mirror for Frank. I think her purpose was to help Frank and the audience better understand Frank's "gift."

BTFB: I believe, and ask to be corrected, that it was only ever intended that the character would feature in a single season. After spending a considerable amount of your time developing her was it hard to say goodbye when the season was completed?

KC: I have yet to work with Glen where I did not die or simply go insane never to be heard from again!! But I liked Lara Means a lot.

BTFB: The musical montage that depicts Lara's descent into psychosis is an intense and disturbing experience for the viewers. Is it as physically and emotionally draining to film scenes such as those as it appears to be?

KC: That montage was hard because there was no scene. There were just little cuts. Tom Wright knew exactly what he wanted to do. ( He always does.) He would show me the small piece we were going to shoot and I had to fill in all of the blanks to make it work emotionally for that cut. It was really a challenge and fairly painful. It was the kind of thing that took a lot of trust on everyone's part.

BTFB: A number of requests have been voiced to members of the campaign that fans would like to see Lara return should the movie ever be made. Would you be in interested in revisiting her again in a new format?

KC: I don't think Lara Means was thought of again after that season.

BTFB: We spoke to Lance Henriksen recently who discussed the comparative merits of television and movie roles. As you have experience of working in both formats do you have a preference and how difficult is it to do either when raising young children?

KC: I really loved acting. I did not care if it was in television or film. It is most important to me to feel helpful and useful as an actress and as a human. I really pour my whole self into acting when I do it, so I don't do it much anymore. My children need me now and I truly love being a mother to them.

BTFB: Thank you for taking the time to speak to us, Kristen and for all your support and well wishes. We wish you every continued success for the future.

THE TIME IS NEAR - A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

Dear Supporters,

Some updates on some upcoming events!

LANCE HENRIKSEN INTERVIEW PART TWO:
We know you have been waiting patiently for the second installment of our exclusive interview with cult icon, Lance Henriksen, so please allow us to reassure you that that wait is gradually drawing to a close. We have been working hard to bring this to your attention and are in the process of finalizing the publication date and we thank you for the patience you have afforded us.

In addition, please make you sure you visit us often as we are working on a number of exclusives with Lance that we know you will find as exciting as we do.

We thank Lance for his continual support, energy and enthusiasm and for the regard he holds for both the series and its fans.

KRISTEN CLOKE INTERVIEW:
That said, we are pleased to announce that our latest exclusive interview will be online from Saturday 1st February. Second Season regular, Kristen Cloke has granted us an interview that we will are pleased to bring to your attention. I have spoken to Kristen a number of times since the campaign began and she, like so many of the cast and crew, have espoused such warmth and friendship to the franchise's fans that we extend our gratitude and warmth to her also.

In addition to the above we have a number of things to bring to your attention so continue to make BackToFrankBlack.com a regular stop on your daily internet visits. You can do so much to support the cast, crew and ourselves in our efforts to make this campaign a success so allow me to offer a reminder of how you can help BacktoFrankBlack.com bring Frank Black and Millennium back!

Send some flyers!

* Our website has added flyers to its campaign tactics - print out some ink friendly a4 or a5 flyers to send!

Write a letter!

* Use our letter template to help start a letter to FOX!

* To add spice to your letter, print out our polaroid template to send your picture in the campaign's name to FOX.

* We even have stationary for you to use and a simple letter template to start with!

* And of course, the best address to send stuff to:

MICHAEL BROIDY
20th Century Fox 10201
W. Pico Blvd. Bldg. 88,
Room 344
Los Angeles,
CA 90035
USA

Karaoke Knight? An Interview with Tucker Smallwood!

Tucker Smallwood is a name not unfamiliar to a great many people. An actor, author and vocalist he has lent his considerable talents to a great many successful films and television shows. To 'Millennium' fans he will always be remembered for the powerful performance he delivered as angel of death, Steven Kiley, in the season two episode 'Goodbye Charlie'. The team at BackToFrankBlack are grateful that Tucker took time from his busy schedule to speak to us.

BACKTOFRANKBLACK: Our thanks, Tucker for taking the time to speak to us. To begin I would like to note that ‘Goodbye Charlie’ deals, primarily, with assisted suicide as its narrative and, did so at a time when the debate surrounding it was not widely had. Was there an awareness amongst the cast and crew of Millennium that the stories they were telling were groundbreaking for the time?

TUCKER SMALLWOOD: I discovered after it aired that viewers came down on the side of their pre-existing positions on assisted suicide. If in favor, Kiley was perceived as an angel; if against, as a demon. At the time, it was controversial in the sense that Glen and Jim always write provocative, resonant stories.

BTFB: The premise of the episode sees the two protagonists charged with the task of deciding if Kiley is an angel or a devil and the denouement is intentionally ambiguous with regards to this, allowing the audience to draw it’s own conclusions. When building a character such Kiley, is it necessary for the actor to make a judgment regarding the character’s motives in order to portray him?

TS: I think that goes without saying, that an actor must always have a clear point of view about his character. I am pro-choice in all aspects of that concept and was always clear that my work was involved in service to humanity.

BTFB: It is very much a hallmark of Glen Morgan and James Wong’s work to pair the intense with something decidedly at odds with that, in this case murder by karaoke. Is it difficult, as an actor, to portray the necessary menace of the scene whilst delivering a musical number?

TS: You’ve described their process quite aptly...and humor is a complimentary ingredient to darkness. There was no menace; remember, Kiley is in service to humanity, his acts are those of mercy.

BTFB: One of my favorite scenes in the episode takes place during Kiley’s interrogation, namely, when Kristen Cloke’s character dispenses with her attack of Kiley to beg for his assistance in understanding her own particular facility. Do you think this was a commentary on the central issue of the show, assisted suicide, in that it is much easier to maintain a sense of social morality until such time as the matter at hand begins to affect you personally?

TS: As in all things, there is that which is theoretical/intellectual and that which is pragmatic and present. Ask inhabitants of war zones how their reality affects their perceptions and values.

BTFB: Another particularly intense scene involves Kiley subtly manipulating a character into considering suicide as an end to her torment. When you portray scenes as intense as this is it difficult to divorce your own feelings about the scene and adopt the feelings of the character who believes, in this instance, he is committing an act of good?

TS: Just so. Kiley had a gift and the clarity of someone comfortable with the many aspects of what it is “to be alive”. Having faced and accepted my own death (in Vietnam), having seen the other side and knowing that our life here is one of many phases of existence, I was without conflict. What might have been interesting would have been to portray a character whose choices are antithetical to my own. But our craft requires us to be “justification machines”; we always seek the ‘self’ in every character we create.

BTFB: ‘Goodbye Charlie’ strongly hints at a supernatural facet to the character and I wondered if it was ever stated to you what the true nature of Steven Kiley was and what your own feelings on this issue are?

TS: The script was the script. Such choices are left to the actor. And its tricky to try to play someone supernatural, just as its tricky to play a king or a god. You make your choices and rely upon FX and ambiguity to win the day. In the end, it’s up to the viewer to make such judgments. The episode was filmed in a former psychiatric hospital and criminal asylum in Vancouver. I have had some experience in clearing spaces with anomalous presences. There were definitely corridors in that hospital with a great deal of activity. Between set-ups I would wander about and marvel at the sudden changes in temperature, at times, entering a passageway and quickly deciding not to walk along any further…and how could there not be such energy, considering the history of this place.

BTFB: Throughout your career you have had the opportunity to portray a number of sci-fi or genre characters and I wondered how the experience of working on Millennium compared to other franchises and if Millennium were to be adapted in a movie format would you be interested in contributing to it in some way?

TS: Millennium had in common this with S:AAB, The X-Files and The One – all were written by Jim Wong and Glen Morgan. That commonality insured a positive creative experience. I can’t imagine how Kiley might figure into a film but I’d jump at the chance to work again with Lance and Kristen.

BTFB: What should fans of your work keep our eyes and ears open for in relation to the continuing career of Tucker Smallwood?

TS: BLACK DYNAMITE, a parody of blaxploitation films premiers this week at Sundance (I am a corrupt congressman – sound familiar?) In February/March, I’ll travel to Fresno State for a month to perform in The Piano Lesson and teach a few classes.

BTFB: Once again, our thanks to you for talking to us. We wish you continued success and happiness for the future!

A Message from Lara Means

During the course of this campaign, members of the team have been delighted and grateful to receive correspondence from members of Millennium's cast and crew. What is evident in all their kind letters and emails is the high esteem with which they regard the franchise and the warm and generous support they extend to its fans. In addition, many have championed the efforts of this campaign and have expressed a desire to see it succeed. I have been proud to receive word from Kristen Cloke on a few occasions and I asked her if she would grant her permission for me to share a few words with you all, as always, Kristen responded warmly to the suggestion. In closing, it is nothing short of heartening to see fans, the cast and the crew united in their high appraisal of Millennium and Frank Black. We are currently working to bring more of their words to your attention, till then, enjoy the words of Millennium's Lara Means.

Please know that I so enjoyed working on" Millennium." I truly loved the cast and crew and many of them are still good friends of ours. Everyone was tremendously talented and kind. I believe the collaborative talents of every person who worked on "Millennium" in combination with the innovative direction that Glen and Jim took the show that season provided so much to be immensely proud of. I will always hold that experience and Lara Means in a special place in my heart.

Zone Horror UK promotes BacktoFRANKBLACK!

UK Horror has run an article about the BacktoFRANKBLACK campaign!

Millennium (which is being shown daily here on Zone Horror at 20:00) lasted three seasons but the main character, Frank Black returned briefly in an episode of The X-Files (episode 4 of series 7 fact fans!). More recently, creator Chris Carter and lead actor, Lance Henriksen have stated their interest in bringing Frank Black back. In Millennium producer/writer Frank Spotnitz’ words, “It’s something we would definitely interested in… but its going to take a massive appeal by fans to get it up!”

So it comes as no surprise to learn that a website has been created to petition and ask for Frank Black’s return, in any shape or form....

To read more, click here.

To discuss the article or leave comment, go the Zone Horror's forums or contact them directly here."

BacktoFrankBlack at IMDB!

The campaign to bring back Frank, BacktoFrankBlack.com has been added as a news desk item to IMDB.com.

Chris Carter
Millennium
Lance Henriksen
Kristen Cloke
Frank Spotnitz

All linking to the press release used by Fangoria. (Example from Chris Carter's IMDB's news profile)

Thanks to Fangoria for the support!

BacktoFrankBlack.com updates!

New website translations! The first of four is now up!

To view the key site areas in Russian, click here! This option is available from the front page of the site (click on the Russian flag) and the main menu.

We also have a new page for contributors to the website.

In the meantime, keep promoting, writing letters and signing petitions! Don't forget to spread the word. We have banners, flyers, avatars and wallpapers at the website - please utilize our resources!

And in a spare moment, enjoy our Millennium game! Let us know what level you get to.