alt.tv.x-files 20 Questions To Be Read Before Posting + YAXA List
Revised 8/30/94
Compiled by Cliff Chen (with help from Pat Gonzalez)
This is a weekly post designed to prevent anyone from asking any "stupid"
questions. This is not to be confused with Pat Gonzalez's X-Files FAQ,
which is a very complete FAQ for the show itself.
This newsgroup is, for the most part, a rather friendly group and
we'd like to keep it that way, so try not to flame. In addition, for a
full week after an episode has aired, be SURE to mark all posts containing
spoiler information CLEARLY.
Q: Are the X-Files based on true stories?
A: No. But elements of the stories have been taken from true-life
accounts. The notice preceding the pilot episode was there for
effect.
Q: Who is the mysterious man who Mulder gets information from?
A: "Deep Throat," (abbreviated DT) as he has been dubbed by the writers,
is a powerful figure in the government, for more info, see the Deep
Throat FAQ. He is played by actor Jerry Hardin.
Q: Will Mulder and Scully ever become romantically or sexually involved?
A: The show's creator and executive producer, Chris Carter has stated that
he has no plans for this to happen and anticipates none in the future.
Q: When will the second season begin?
A: The season premiere, entitled "Little Green Men" is scheduled for
September 16. There is no need to worry about pre-emptions.
Q: Is there any sort of X-Files merchandise?
A: There are several official products available. These include a
sweatshirt, t-shirt, baseball cap, coffee mug, keychain, and letterman
jacket. All of these can be ordered through Delphi. Many of them can
also be found in Sam Goody/Musicland or Suncoast Pictures stores. An
X-Files comic is due to begin in January. The first X-Files novel
by Charles Grant will be available in November.
Q: If Star Trek fans are Trekkies, then what are X-Files fans?
A: Chris Carter would call us "File-o-philes." In a newsgroup poll, fans
preferred to be called "X-Philes," a name which seems to have become
official in the eyes of TV Guide, Starlog, etc.
Q: I wrote/have an idea for an episode, what should I do with it?
A: One of two things.
1) Post it to alt.tv.x-files.creative (if your site carries it) and/or
upload it to the Rutgers ftp site. It is preferable that you do
not post fan-fiction to this newsgroup, but if you must, then
please CLEARLY label it as FAN-FICTION in the subject header.
2) Nothing, Chris Carter & co. are not interested and do not accept
scripts from writers without agents.
Q: What else has David Duchovny/Gillian Anderson/Jerry Hardin appeared in?
A: See the X-Files FAQ for DD and GA, it's fairly complete so odds are that
if you saw them in something which isn't new, it's old news. One thing
which isn't mentioned in the FAQ is Duchovny's AT&T commercial spot.
Jerry Hardin has appeared in *MANY* movies and TV shows, so please
don't cry out every time you spot him.
Q1: What is the marital status of David Duchovny/Gillian Anderson?
Q2: Is it my imagination or is Gillian Anderson gaining weight?
A: David Duchovny is still single, but is apparently dating someone.
Gillian Anderson was married during the filming of the first season
and is currently pregnant (hence the weight gain). She is due in
September.
Q: I read that they are considering writing Gillian's pregnancy into the
show, is this true?
A: No, Scully will appear this season, but will be missing several
episodes. The rumours that she will be impregnated by an alien are
false.
Q: Where can I send fan mail to the actors/production staff?
A: Send the mail (addressed to the appropriate person) to:
_The X-Files_
c/o Fox Broadcasting Company
P.O. Box 900
Beverly Hills, CA 90213
Q: Where can I send FOX e-mail?
A: The VP of Programming Research has an e-mail account:
foxnet@delphi.com
Please include the title of the show(s) you are discussing in the
subject header.
Q: Where do the episode titles come from?
A: They are given by the writers and appear in the Episode Guide as they
do on the scripts and in some local television listings. Check your
local paper to see if they list them.
Q: Where can I get the Episode Guide/FAQ/DT FAQ/Mulderism List?
A: All four of these documents are posted on the first of each month to
the newsgroup. Alternatively, you can download a copy via ftp from the
(*) indicated sites.
Q: Where are the ftp sites for X-Files material?
A: (*) mtp034.mis.semi.harris.com in /xfiles
cybercow.rh.uchicago.edu in /pub/Xfiles (DISABLED until Sept.)
ftp.rutgers.edu in /pub/x-files (Graphic and sound files only)
(*) tartarus.uwa.edu.au in /pub/lars/x-files (Australian site)
vorlon.mankato.msus.edu in /pub/x-files/creative (a.t.x-f.creative
archive) (*CURRENTLY DISABLED*)
Q: Is there a WWW home page for the show?
A: Yes, there are several. Here are a few:
http://www.rutgers.edu/x-files.html
http://alfred1.u.washington.edu:8080/~roland/x-files/x-files.html
Q: What is IRC and when is the X-Files channel open?
A: IRC stands for Internet Relay Chat and is sort of a party line for
computer users. The #x-files channel is run on Fridays at 10PM,
Saturdays at 8 PM, and Mondays at noon (all by Eastern US time).
Q: Is there any sort of official fan club?
A: Yes. You can get more info by sending a SASE to:
The X-Files Fan Club In Canada:
P.O. Box 3138 c/o S. Bartle
Nashua, NH 03061-3138 4404 Perry Street
Vancouver, B.C.
CANADA V5N 3X5
Q: What are all these acronyms, like GATB, DDEB, etc?
A: Here's the YAXA list, maintained by THESUE@delphi.com:
THE OFFICIAL YAXA LIST (X-FILES ONLINE TERMINOLOGY)
C&C--Confused and Cute--refers to Mulder's condition when he looks
as though he just woke up and has that look on his face that says,
"Huh?"
Capitalizing the first letter of a word--such as: Skeptic, Believe,
Trust, Partner--implies a special significance to that word as
related to THE X-FILES (i.e. "Skeptic" usually refers to Scully,
though it can refer to someone else, "Believe" refers to a belief
in the "Extreme Possibility" or paranormal, yatta, yatta, yatta.)
CITC--Conversation In The Car--refers to the exchange between
Mulder and Scully in his car as they kept surveillance on Eugene
Tooms in "Tooms." This is the conversation in which Scully cements
their Partnership, telling Mulder, "I wouldn't put myself on the
line for anybody but you." Shortly thereafter she *does* put
herself on the line, by lying to Skinner about Mulder's whereabouts
when Eugene Tooms was supposedly assaulted, saying that she was
with Mulder being "orientated" on the unauthorized surveillance.
CITDBTB--Conversation In The Dark By The Bed--this refers to the
scene in the pilot episode, "The X-Files," in which Mulder tells
Scully why he is so obsessed with abductions: he believes his
sister, who disappeared when he was a kid and has never been heard
from since, was abducted.
CSM--Cigarette Smoking Man--refers to the mysterious man in
Skinner's office in "Tooms."
DDEB and GATB--David Duchovny Estrogen Brigade and the
corresponding Gillian Anderson Testosterone Brigade--DDEB started
as an email chat group on the Internet consisting of women who lust
after Duchovny, and GATB naturally sprung up as the obvious
counterpart for the guys. There are currently separate branches of
the DDEB on different networks which may be reforming under one or
more new names.
[Cliff-Note: Despite the naming conventions the DDEB and GATB do NOT
discriminate based on gender.]
E.B.E.--Extraterrestrial Biological Entity. First used on THE X-FILES
by Mulder in "E.B.E."
EIHPs--Enemies In High Places (singular: EIHP*)--refers to the off-
screen presence of people Higher Up in the D.C. Establishment who
can hinder and manipulate Mulder and Scully. Also used, by
extension, in reference to those who hinder or manipulate other
players. First used by Gayle, Karin, and Laura Anne.
EP--Extreme Possibility. First used by Kwicker.
FIHPs--Friends In High Places (singular: FIHP*)--refers to the off-
screen presence of Mulder's contacts Higher Up in the D.C.
Establishment who can protect Mulder and Scully. Also used, by
extension, in reference to those helping or protecting other
players. First used by Gayle, Karin, and Laura Anne.
IMBS--Infamous Mosquito Bite Scene--refers to the scene in the
pilot episode, just before CITDBTB, in which Scully discovers marks
on her lower back that look suspiciously like those found on people
who Mulder believes have been abducted and controlled by E.B.E.s
(Extraterrestrial Biological Entities). She runs next door to his
motel room in her bathrobe, and in a panic, strips to her underwear
and asks Mulder to examine the marks, which turn out to be mosquito
bites, to her great relief.
IWTCHU--(The) I Want To Cuddle Him Urge--refers to the sentiment
evoked in many women every time Mulder gets beaten up. Coined by
Kathy.
MIB--Man In Black (plural: MIBs*)--Super-secret government agents.
All that is known is that they are effective in hushing up Things
The Government >>Really<:<: Doesn't Want You To Know. By any means
necessary.
RSD--Red Shoe Diaries--Duchovny's series on Showtime, also
available on video at Blockbuster. (Blockbuster Volumes #1 and #4
are the most often referred to.)
SRE--Scully Rational Explanation--Any of the various explanations
that Scully comes up with that are so far-fetched they almost make
Mulder's explanations seem more credible, such as "a mountain
lion," and (my personal favorite), "swamp gas" (both from
"E.B.E."). First used by yours truly, SUe. An SRE list is
currently being compiled.
UST--Unresolved Sexual Tension. First used by LAG.
V&C--Vulnerable and Cute--refers to Mulder's condition most of the
time.
WPDF--Wounded Puppy Dog Face--refers to the rather sad look Mulder
often has on his face, somewhat reminiscent of a puppy that's been
hit with a rolled-up newspaper.
Yatta yatta yatta--1. Phrase used by Duchovny in his AT&T
commercial, meaning "etc.," or "and so forth." 2. When used in
conjunction with a wink ;-), is the 90's equivalent of "hubba hubba
hubba."
YAXA--Yet Another X-FILES Acronym (plural: YAXAs*)--1. What we'll
have if we add something else to this list. 2. Exclamation used
upon the discovery of what might be Yet Another X-FILES Acronym,
much like you would say "Bingo!"
===========================
*Note: Certain YAXAs, such as MIB and YAXA, are pluralized by
adding an "s" to the end; others, such as EIHPs and FIHPs are
generally used in the plural form, but are sometimes used in the
singular (FIHP, EIHP). Yes, I realize that these are not
grammatically correct, and that when speaking you wouldn't say "Man
In Blacks," but this is the way they're written online. Hey,
language is weird, what can I say? :-)
Compiled by SUe [sue.s@genie.geis.com]
Keeper of YAXAs, holder of the Sacred Chalice of Riix, Heir to
the--oops, sorry, wrong show. <G>
In the same way that editors of dictionaries gather definitions of
words by observing how they are used, the YAXAs listed are defined
based on observations of online posts. Copyright 1994,
SUe Stiefel.
This list may be distributed for non-commercial purposes, but
please do not alter it. Any corrections or possible additions
should be sent to the above email address. (940713)