Don Francks: I have to say hello and give kisses to all of my sweet sugar wenches, because Walter fortunately has his wenches. And a couple of wenchims who hopefully are guarding the door!

Just_AmyG: OK, you know there are "wenches" (I gave you the list in Toronto). What do you make of all of it, and are we nuts or what? We love Walter!

Francks: Well if anyone is going to call you nuts, it's me but in a most loving fashion. It's really nice to have someone who's nuts over me! The wenches are most intelligent, and one of the reasons that they are most intelligent is because they have an extreme high sense of humor, which pleases me.

beef_and_broccoli: Hi Don. I love LFN. You're the best. Do you like the direction that the writers are taking your character? Where would you like to see your character go?

Francks: I think my character is probably one of the best characters on the show, mainly because I have a chance to show love, friendship, affection, decency, thoughtfulness, awareness, tenderness — and we can't leave out sexiness. There is something about being a friend, which is what my wenches heard me say at one of the auctions, which is that I don't need fans, I need friends. And to have a friend you have to be one. As far as the direction of where the writers may take me, I think Walter is a very mysterious character, and I think that mystery is going to stay there for a while. We don't know where he came from, and we don't know where he's going. The only thing we can ask for is that he has a degree more involvement than he has in the past.

Sanlin528: Walter has a fantastic set of equipment to play with, as head of munitions and armaments in the high-tech, fictional world of Section One. What would you say his (or your own, as an actor) favorite prop, gadget, mechanical device, or special effect from the series would be?

Francks: I don't know whether I can answer that one the way you might like me to. The ongoing creations are too varied and often the viewer must know that Walter has created a multitude of the devices used in each of the episodes, even though they don't see him making them.

Sanlin528: As an actor, is it fun playing a character who is the "Inspector Gadget" or James Bond style "Q" for Section? Do you like gadgets and technology in real life?

Francks: In real life my gadgets are from another era. Many of my friends, wenches and otherwise, realize that my love is with more antiquated machinery and devices. Namely Model T Ford racing cars, old motorcycles, old antique wooden boats, and the history involved in all of the above mentioned, including air ships and biplanes, which leaves you to realize that Don and possibly Walter is a motorhead! Meaning that he loves anything that goes by itself with his involvement.

LFNCovert_ops: I know you collect antique cars and cycles, which is your favorite?

Francks: That would be like choosing my favorite wench, utterly impossible. Each one has its own spirit, its own lines, its own speed, and its own excitement.

beef_and_broccoli: What did you do for the holidays?

Francks: How 'bout explosive quietness?

TVGEN: Care to elaborate?

Francks: To elaborate — the arrival of Cree Summer, road tired but excited from her European tour with Lenny Kravitz. Opening for him in Amsterdam, Berlin, Stuttgart, Paris, and other major cities, plus having Lili, my wife, and Rainbow's son Sun sharing our rented home, blessed with cold but good traveling weather. The gifts were sparse, but the main gift of us being together — enormous.

AnneMicha: Don, you made a very touching Xmas special called The Xmas of Sara Betts. Did you enjoy doing it and what prompted you to do it? Merci.

Francks: When Michael MacFarlan, the director-producer, asked me to play the part of Joshua for the Salvation Army presentation I was gratified to be part of such an undertaking. Sally Ann (The Salvation Army) is known not just in the western world but in all nations as an organization that helps anyone, no matter what race, color, creed. I understand in America when a poll was recently taken this old respected group was voted number one as far as people's trust toward donations, and confidence. It's also a joy for me to relate the completion of a longer television offering completed just before Christmas for next year. The Salvation Army is extremely pleased with Joshua, who may be, in essence, a street angel, and yet is very real and knows the streets well.

CyDoc9: Hi Don! I love your portrayal of Walter. My question is: Of the various media you've worked with (TV, movies, theatre, etc.), is there one you prefer over the others, and if so how come?

Francks: Entertainment for me has been like flowers in a field, each flower being different in color and fragrance. There is a time for one to bloom, and a time for a perennial. For me to find a particular choice once again is extremely difficult. There is something very special about doing a one-man show. To fly by the seat of your pants is challenging. But the rewards can come from that one-on-one experience that you can have with your audience.

SDNAndere: My theory is that Walter was a biker before Section. Can you shed any light on Walter's past?

Francks: No, there has been no clue to Walter's past. Some consider him an ex-hippie. Others do favor the biker theory. Others talk or surmise a Native American connection. It's going to be fun for all of us as this season unfolds to see whether we are given a gram of information on this subject.

Sanlin528: Because Operations is unwilling to sack ("cancel") Walter, Walter has a lot more freedom of expression than most other characters, on the series. Can you describe the experience of playing such a wise, passionate and humorous character?

Francks: As this series proceeds, we are exposed to each character's ability or inability to speak their free mind to Operations. He can be an overbearing task master, appearing ofttimes self-centered, and other times having nothing but the Section's interest at heart. And there are those who say that he has no heart. Except when it has to do with him personally. Walter manages to meet Operations toe to toe when necessary, but, as has been seen in the past, he does accept Operations' prime position. Walter ofttimes finds it necessary to be devious in his dealings with Operations. Sometimes Walter wins, sometimes he loses, but at least he tries! LOL!

Wickddoll: What did your wife think of your *ahem* reaction to the ladies at the convention? Is your neck sore from sleeping on the couch?

Francks: Having a wench at home makes it easy for me to answer that. There's a little bit of her in all of you and a little bit of you in her! She loves you all! LOL!

Nikita507: Don, when are the writers going to get Walter drugged up on a mission so we can hear your great voice singing?

Francks: I once proposed an episode which I tentatively called "Walter's Day Off," in which such a groovy happening occurred. Walter would have a high-heeled, short-skirted bad girl on the back of his flaming Harley, and stop in at a club where some musician friends of his were rehearsing. And end up being asked to sing some blues and jazz standards. After which, as he's going to take off and hit the road again, she says, I kinda like the bass player! LOL! He says, Go for it! And hits the road onto some further adventures which I won't go into here! Needless to say, the writer said, Yeah, that sounds great. And walked away. I haven't seen him again. LOL!

la_femme_fanatic: Are you working on another musical album? Any chance we are going to hear Walter sing in an episode?

Francks: The CD I just completed is titled Jazzsong, with Steve Hunter on concert grand piano and David Trevis on fretless electric bass, bass, six-string guitar, and upright bass. It is currently in the hands and heart of Susan Sternkopf at Warner Bros. Records in Hollywood. Time will tell, and maybe Susan will too, if you contact her! LOL!

la_femme_fanatic: How has the success of LFN changed your life?

Francks: LFN is allowing me a greater realm of friends internationally than I have previously known. Therefore, feelings of world peace, elimination of hunger, the cleanup of global pollution, a greater understanding of the environment and humankind's interdependence and a sharing of all of the above, plus, let there be no more war, comes closer and closer to becoming a reality.

dejedgenet: Nikita once said, "Walter, sometimes I don't know if you're incredibly wise or just full of crap." Which do you think?

Francks: Sometimes when you're full of crap, if you're wise, you have the ability to open up your head on a windy day and dump what's in your head into your hands and throw it up into the wind. But don't take your hands away because if you're lucky maybe a few grains of truth and wisdom will fall back into your hands. And the rest will fly away. I'm not talking about imposed truths, I'm talking about inarguable truths. Such as the need for a drink of water, the need for a breath of air, the need for some sustenance from sweet Mother Earth, and the need for friendship.

silvermerlynn: You have a great relationship with Nikita on the show. What is happening with that relationship this season?

Francks: Nikita trusts Walter. It is reciprocal. Walter adores his sugar. No matter what either of us is forced into, we will never lose that trust.

Sanlin528: Last season, Section's resident demolition and explosive's expert, Walter, was romantically involved with the character Belinda. Do you think we'll see any passions ignite between Walter and a new flame?

Francks: There was mention of a new flame in a past episode, just completed. Whether this flame will burn brighter or be snuffed is again the great unknown. But Walter sure would like it!

Walters_Wench: At the fan convention you mentioned that your son would be doing his best to get you online. Have you had a chance to check out the Internet sites devoted to you and, if so, what do you think?

Francks: Walter coming on line will happen soon, through the expertise of my daughter from a previous marriage, whose name is Tylersue, and her company, Tippy Canoe (Tippy Canoe and Tyler Too!). She is most conversant in net-speak and computerese, and will be invaluable for further communiques. Keep watching, keep surfing!

rblashock: Could you tell us who the biggest prankster is on the set and maybe something funny that they've pulled? Thanx!

Francks: Walter is not on the set enough; the other characters being more prevalant have more time to involve themselves in such frivolity. LOL! Although I am known to involve everyone in song, skit, jive and other forms of dementia!

latika_2: What do you like to do for fun when you're not working?

Francks: Being involved in writing, acting, singing, producing and other entertainment activities may seem to some like work. This is fun for me. The aforementioned hobbies can be work, especially when you can't get the damned Model T's cranked and started! Sometimes that's work! There is no difference. It's all just the joy of living.

yada_me: Don, tell us about any upcoming projects?

Francks: The CD may provide an answer to this question. Which may mean personal appearances in concert, jazz festivals, plus the possibility of a one-man show which I tentatively title "The Lord, Lenny and Me" (the Lord is Lord Buckley, Lenny is Lenny Bruce, and Me is definitely me!). Plus motion pictures in the offing.

TVGEN: Don, thanks for joining us tonight. Have a great weekend, and good luck with LFN. Please join us again sometime.

Francks: Because I don't have any fans, I just want to say how overwhelmed I am to have so many friends. Just because I love you doesn't mean I don't care! LOL! Thanks!

TVGEN: And thanks for all of you in the audience for joining the TVGEN chat tonight. Thanks for all your questions.