Just days after Ain't It Cool News first reported the rumor, "Roswell" executive producer Jonathan Frakes has confirmed that there indeed will be a crossover episode with his series and fellow UPN newcomer "Enterprise," but it will be without "Enterprise" star Scott Bakula.



"He thought it was too early to break the fourth wall," Frakes told Zap2it of the actor, who plays Capt. Jonathan Archer in the news series. "Bakula is not going to do it."



Frakes said he doesn't know if they'll use another castmember from "Enterprise" because he's not sure if he'd get "any bang out of anybody but Bakula."



"Bakula is at least a TV star. These other guys (in the cast) are about to become TV stars. So I think we can get as good a laugh out of me directing Jason (Behr) as Max in the audition," Frakes said.



Frakes, best known as Cmdr. William T. Riker in "Star Trek: The Next Generation" and for directing the feature films "Star Trek: First Contact" in 1996 and "Star Trek: Insurrection" in 1998, will play an "Enterprise" episode director in the "Roswell" episode "Secrets and Lies." The idea to do the crossover came as a result of talks between Frakes, "Roswell" executive producer Jason Katims and former "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" executive producer and current "Roswell" writer/producer Ronald D. Moore.



"This was the brainstorm of Ron Moore and Jason Katims," Frakes said. "They said, 'Since you're directing, would you mind playing yourself in the episode? And while you're at it, would you mind playing yourself as if you're directing an episode of 'Enterprise?' And while you're directing the episode of 'Enterprise,' do you think we can get somebody from the cast of 'Enterprise?' And while you're at that, would you call ('Enterprise' executive producer) Rick Berman and Paramount and see if it's OK?'"



Berman, while agreeing to the crossover, didn't allow any of the "Enterprise" sets to be included in the "Roswell" episode, Frakes said.



"It's an audition scene. Max is auditioning to play the role of an alien, only he doesn't know how to play an alien, hence the wacky, ironic hijinks. It's a comedy scene in a serious episode."



This is actually the third time that Frakes will play himself in "Roswell." He originally appeared in the show's pilot, and later in the first season episode "Convention."



"I've always had trouble playing myself," Frakes said. "Some people like it, some people find it a little absurd. It's a many-layered joke at 'Roswell,' being the producer and director and an actor."



And even though Bakula turned down the episode, Frakes said he still respects the actor and what he will be doing for the "Star Trek" franchise.



"He a wonderful leader. He's charming, he's strong, his acting is effortless. He's a real pro. It's a great addition to the family."