1                MICHAEL, PLEASE CAN YOU TELL US WHEN YOU HOPE TO LEAVE SOUTHPORT CORRECTIONAL FACILITY?

I'm scheduled to leave Southport on 22 April, and it won't be soon enough for me, as this has to be one of the worst facilities in all of New York State! There are daily shit fights between inmates, spitting, piss fights. It's worse than a zoo. I don't think even monkeys throw piss and shit at each other! The next place I go won't be so harsh, I'm sure.

2              DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHERE YOU WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO?

Unfortunately, I don't have any idea where exactly I'll be moved to, as they don't tell us where we're going until we get there, for security reasons. I suppose they're afraid if we knew where we're going in advance, we'll try and have the bus that's taking us there ambushed or something.

3              THE WEBSITE RECEIVES LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF EMAILS ASKING ABOUT YOUR PAROLE. PLEASE CAN YOU TELL US WHEN THIS MAY OCCUR?

I think there's been some confusion, unfortunately, on the date of my parole. I won't be eligible for parole until 2006, in three years. People have asked if I'll be eligible in the spring, but, no, I won't. All I'll be eligible for the spring is being transferred to a nicer, more lenient facility.

4              A LITTLE BIRDY HAS TOLD US THAT YOUR HEALTH HAS SUFFERED SOMEWHAT SINCE YOUR TIME IN SOUTHPORT. IS THIS THE CASE, AND IF SO, ARE YOU AT LIBERTY TO SAY WHAT HAS BEEN WRONG AND WERE YOU ABLE TO GET TREATMENT?

Well…all I can say is that the medical staff here at Southport are pretty lame. I haven't seen a dentist in nearly two years, and, I must say, I don't think I'd even want to be seen by the dentist they have here, who speaks very little English and, like many of the employees of the State, doesn't seem to care much about his job! He also doesn't like filling cavities. His responses to a cavity, more likely than not, is 'pull it out'! So I'm thankful to be leaving here, as I have two cavities and don't want to wind up looking like a trailer park hillbilly!

The medical doctor isn't much better, another example, I fear, of a man with little or inferior skills settling for a State job. I think because of the calibre of inmates at this facility the medical staff's attitude is simply, ' you're lucky to be getting any help at all'. Again, all I can say is, I'm glad to be leaving Southport. The Facility is infamous throughout the State for its substandard medical department!

5              AND SO TO PARTY MONSTER, THE MOVIE! WE'RE AWARE HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT PARTY MONSTER - THE DOCUMENTARY, BUT IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE MOVIE. OBVIOUSLY NOT A CRITIQUE OF IT, BUT YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS ABOUT WORLD OF WONDER AND KILLER FILMS PUTTING IT TOGETHER?

Well, let’s start with Macauley Culkin's visit to see me.

I'm very anxious to see how Mac portrays me, of course. We spent a lot of time together and I think he has it down…although James was on the set and he says Mac acts 'a bit like Richie Rich. sort of load and flamboyant (nothing at all like me!!!). I saw some stills taken from the set though, and they're just amazing. Amanda and Sophia as nurses at The Emergency Room parties…so dead-on! It looked just like one of the parties. Limelight was unavailable for filming, you know, but they rented a synagogue in the East Village. That really did capture the feel of the Limelight. My only real complaint (so far) is the outfit Mac's wearing in that one publicity photo being circulated at the moment. You know the furry-sleeved jacket and the yellow platforms, which I would've never worn! Otherwise, I think he's captured the look pretty well. Astro Earle cut his hair, and Astro used to cut my hair, so he was the one to do it. Kabuki did the make up, which was a brilliant choice. I think she really understands the look and is a genius.

As for the movie, I wish I could critique PARTY MONSTER, but unfortunately I haven't seen it or even read the script. I was excited to hear WOW and Killer Films would be involved, as they have impressive track records, but I haven't been involved in its production in any way, really. All know is what friends who've worked on the set have told me, which is basically not a lot - who wore what, who got the most screen time, etc. Apparently Seth Green steals the show as James. You have to remember, though, that the movie is a comedy, almost a parody of what was, and not meant to be an apt or true depiction. In fact, James tells me I won't even recognise it as 'my story'. Of course, no one exaggerates as much as James!

6              WE KNOW YOU BELIEVE HAVING KABUKI AND THE OLD POSSE ON BOARD WAS VITAL. WHAT HAVE THEY HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE WHOLE PROCESS?

Some of the Club Kids tell me the party scenes are very realistic, the costumes and make up. As I said, that's thanks to Kabuki, who really is a genius make up artists and who was really there, part of the scene. I must complain about the Clara The Chicken costume...it’s just not very cartoonish, nit Clara-ish at all.

7              WITH YET ANOTHER 17 MARCH GONE, WE WERE WONDERING IF THE WHOLE EVENT HAS SLIPPED INTO A KIND OF UNREAL, FICTIONAL AFFAIR, OR WHETHER IT'S ALL VERY CLEAR, REAL AND FRESH?

I don't think the whole event will ever slip into a kind of unreal or fictional affair. Something like that - at least for me - is impossible to shake. One day doesn't go by when I don't think about 17 March 1996. There's been a lump in my stomach, a knot of guilt, ever since. No matter what I do, whether I'm reading a book or listening to the radio, eating dinner, whatever, it's there, always, underneath it all. I try not to think about it too much, rather concentrate in doing other, positive, good, Karma-inducing things to try, hopefully, to somewhat 'counteract' what's happened. I realize I won't ever be able to make it go away, it'll always be there, but, possibly, with a lot of work I'll be abler to do enough positive things in the later half of my life that I'll be able to strike a kind of balance. That's my goal. It's why I'm writing a book, in fact, so I can donate the proceeds to charity.

8              HOW'S ALIGULA COMING ON? YOU'VE MENTIONED IT ON THE SITE FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW, AND THERE'S THE EXCERPT WHICH PEOPLE SEEM TO REALLY LIKE. THOSE SAME PEOPLE WANT TO BUY IT RIGHT THIS MOMENT. ANY IDEA WHEN IT MIGHT BE READY FOR PUBLICATION?

I'm working non-stop on ALIGULA - I'm unsatisfied, so far with the results, but with every rewrite I'm getting a bit more satisfied. I'd like to finish it though, so I can begin a new project, as, to be honest, I'm a little tired of the story. This month I hope to have the actual storyline done though, and that's the difficult part. After that all I'll have to do is go over it and add the color and details. Which will be easy, relatively speaking. I'd say it'll be done by the end of 2003.

9              YOU STILL HAVE THE KNACK TO COURT THE MEDIA (EVEN FROM BEHIND BARS). WHAT DO YOU PUT THIS DOWN TO?

My dimples!

10                SOMEONE ONCE MENTIONED TO US THAT TO A CERTAIN EXTENT MICHAEL ALIG'S LIFE, WAS PLACED IN ASPIC THE DAY HE WAS FOUND GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER, AND IT'S SOMEWHAT BIZARRE THAT HE HAS BEEN ABLE TO SUSTAIN SUCH MEDIA INTEREST OVER THE PAST SIX YEARS. WOULD YOU AGREE, AND WHAT WOULD YOU SAY YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENTS WERE BEFORE YOU WENT TO PRISON, AND SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN INSIDE?

I had to look up the word 'aspic' and when I did the definition was ' A gelatin made with meat stock or tomato juice, chilled and used as a garnish and coating for meats, seafoods, eggs, etc. or to be used as a salad.' So it's interesting that you say my life and achievements 'were placed in aspic…the day I was found guilty of manslaughter…that aside, I'd have to say my greatest achievement (so far) was to create an environment where the 'misfits' could feel comfortable, be in charge. Clubland has always been that place, to a certain degree, but DISCO 2000, the club kid scene made it, I think, even more so. And of that, I'm proud.

Since I've been inside prison, my greatest achievement has been without a doubt, to get sober. I never thought it'd be possible and yet it has. Being sober has allowed me to reconnect, re-evaluate what's important in life - I know it's cliché, so I won't harp on about it. It's all been said before, by every recovering addict, and I don't want to take away from it by saying something trite.

11           IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANYONE WHO WOULD IT BE, AND WHY?

Angel, because then he'd be alive.

12           WHEN ONE MENTIONS THE NAME MICHAEL ALIG, PEOPLE SEEM TO EITHER LOVE HIM OR LOATHE HIM! Why?

I don't know" Go figure!

13                FINALLY, LET'S RETURN TO THE MOVIE. IN THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY, DO YOU THINK YOU WILL SUPPORT IT OR DIS IT?

I'll have to wait to pass judgement until after I actually see the film. I'd like to say I'll support it…but I'll just have to wait and see it first.

Michael Alig - 1 April 2003

SOUTHPORT CORRECTIONAL FACILITY