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Amber chatted at the BBC Buffy the Vampire Slayer site on Thursday, March 29th, 2001. Here's the transcript, provided by Cally, AngelRachel and company.
<BBC_Host> Hello, and welcome to tonight's live chat with Amber
Benson, Tara in Buffy.
<BBC_Host> Amber is here to answer your questions.
<BBC_Host> Here's the first question.
<Question_from> Selina Woodcock - Before you got cast as 'Tara'
were you already a fan of Buffy?
<Amber_Benson> Yes. I was friends with Alyson Hannigan already
and have always been a big fan of the show.
<Question_from> <Adam_Potter> #event - > hi i was just wandering, What is it like to work with the cast of Buffy? What was it like being the new girl in season 4? Thanx Amber
<Amber_Benson> I think that portraying part of a couple that is
part of the first...
<Amber_Benson> lesbian relationship on network television made me
realise that...
<Amber_Benson> there are very few role models out there for gay
viewers.
<Amber_Benson> Luckily, it's a wonderful group of people and they
were...
<Amber_Benson> very encouraging to me when I joined the show...
<Amber_Benson> It was really like coming home.
<Question_from> Howell Brwon - Has fame changed you in any way?
<Amber_Benson> I get less sleep!...
<Amber_Benson> And I'm not really famous yet... I'm still a big
****!
<Question_from> robyn_francis what's it like working with sarah
michelle geller?
<Amber_Benson> She's super nice and super professional.
[19:35] <BBC_Host> Welcome to tonight's live chat with Amber
Benson, Tara in Buffy.
[19:35] <BBC_Host> If you have a question that you would like to
ask Amber Benson, Tara in Buffy please send it in now. We're
receiving an awful lot of questions, and Amber can't answer them
all, so please bear with us.
[19:35] <Question_from> SA_A - DO PEOPLE CONFUSE YOU WITH YOUR
CHARACTER YOU PLAY ON BUFFY
[19:36] <Amber_Benson> Not really. I have gotten a few letters
from young women asking me out...
[19:36] <Amber_Benson> but that's about it.
[19:36] <Question_from> Sue Connell - Who are you closest to on the set of Buffy?
[19:37] <Question_from> Daniel_Williams -How did you first get
into acting?
[19:37] <Amber_Benson> I really like to hang out with Michelle
Trachtenberg.
[19:37] <Amber_Benson> I started dancing when I was really little
and realised that I really...
[19:37] <Amber_Benson> enjoyed being on the stage. Then I moved
on into acting.
[19:38] <Question_from> Irene Boll - I hear you are currently
filming your own film 'Chance'. Is it to be producer, writer and
director all at the same time?
[19:38] <Amber_Benson> I need more sleep! My brain is fried, but
it's wonderful.
[19:38] <Question_from> Flis - Who else is gonna be in your movie
from Buffy? You mention a 'James' in the journal (which is great,
thanks soooo much for that!!) could that be the original
Mr.Marsters???
[19:38] <Amber_Benson> I can tell you for certain that one of the
writers, David Fury, is going...
[19:38] <Amber_Benson> to be in it.
[19:39] <Question_from> natalie_uglo - if u got stuck in a lift
with some one (famous) who would it be and why?
[19:39] <Amber_Benson> Well, if Einstein was still alive, I would
be very curious to find out...
[19:39] <Amber_Benson> what that man is all about...
[19:40] <Amber_Benson> But if I were to mention a living person
it would be the man who wrote...
[19:40] <Question_from> Lucy Orchard - What was it like creating
a comic based on yourself (or at least your character!) with
Christopher Golden. Has it made you consider submitting any
storylines for BtVS? By the way you're a fab actress!
[19:40] <Amber_Benson> Wanna Blessed Be.
[19:41] <BBC_Host> If you have just joined we are chatting with Amber Benson...Tara in Buffy!
[19:41] <Amber_Benson> Working on another comic book and making a movie.
[19:41] <Question_from> <Cally_Stirling> #event -> Hi Amber What
has been your favourite ep to film?
[19:41] <Amber_Benson> I love 'Hush'.
[19:42] <Question_from> Dododioh -If you could choose any two
actors or actresses to act with, who would they be?
[19:42] <Amber_Benson> Albert Finney and Jude Lawson because he's
really cute!
[19:43] <Question_from> Grace_Tanswell - Are you interested in
witchcraft in real life?
[19:43] <Amber_Benson> It was definitely something that I was
curious about but...
[19:43] <Amber_Benson> Buffy keeps me so busy that I have no time
to work on any charms.
[19:43] <BBC_Host> We have over 30mins of time remaining, so please send in your questions!
[19:43] <Question_from> <alexandra_clark> did u get a lot of
negative mail from fans of seth green because u sort of took his
place
[19:43] <Amber_Benson> Yes. People adore Seth and filling his
shoes has been...
[19:43] <Amber_Benson> very difficult.
[19:44] <Question_from> <lauren_whitham - who is the funnist
person in the cast?
[19:44] <Amber_Benson> Nicholas Brendon...
[19:44] <Amber_Benson> he makes everybody laugh.
[19:44] <Question_from> <Daniel_Edwards - You first appeared in
Hush - were the Gentlemen Scary
[19:44] <Amber_Benson> I went in for lunch and almost screamed
because they were...
[19:44] <Amber_Benson> all sitting at the lunch table eating and
it frieked me out...
[19:45] <Amber_Benson> Plus it was 11pm at night and we were
having lunch...
[19:45] <Amber_Benson> that didn't help either!
[19:45] <Question_from> <Mark_Wain- Do any of the stars have
annoying habbits?
[19:45] <Amber_Benson> Well, I can't speak for anybody else but
if I don't quit biting my nails...
[19:45] <Amber_Benson> I'm not going to have any fingers left!
[19:45] <Question_from> David_Maxwell - Do you think BTVS sets a
precident for strong female characters in network tv?
[19:46] <Amber_Benson> Hell, yes! ...
[19:46] <Amber_Benson> I think Joss Whedon has created the first
tough female role-model...
[19:46] <Question_from> richard - how do you relate to 'Tara' in
real life?
[19:46] <Amber_Benson> on network television for young women.
[19:46] <Amber_Benson> I can be really insecure and nervous
around people I don't know...
[19:46] <Amber_Benson> I can also be really shy...
[19:46] <Amber_Benson> So we definitely share that trait.
[19:47] <Question_from> Becca_F - How long does it take to
record one episode of Buffy?
[19:47] <Amber_Benson> Eight days.
[19:47] <BBC_Host> We have hundreds of people online, so please be patient, Amber will try to answer as many questions as possible!
[19:47] <Question_from> Gunnar_Schindler - What did u think of
Anthony steward head's singing?
[19:47] <Amber_Benson> The man is a singing god.
[19:48] <Question_from> <Phil_Robbins> #event -> Hi Amber! I was
wondering if you can give any info as to wether there's going to
be a season six please?
[19:48] <Amber_Benson> I hope so. I don't want Buffy to end. I
love working on the show.
[19:48] <Question_from> joel_sainsbury - do you get as much male
attention as alison and sarah?
[19:48] <Amber_Benson> I probably get more female attention,
actually...
[19:49] <Amber_Benson> Although I have gotten marriage proposals
from an 11-year old boy in Sussex.
[19:49] <Question_from> Marc_Bueller - How long is your
contract with the show?
[19:49] <Amber_Benson> You will definitely be seeing me in Season
5.
[19:49] <Question_from> Craig_S - Can we expect any large
storylines or arcs for Tara in Season 5?
[19:49] <Amber_Benson> There's definitely a couple of episodes
which explain more about where she...
[19:50] <Amber_Benson> comes from.
[19:50] <Question_from> crazy_joe_devola - non-buffy question,
what type of music do you like?
[19:51] <Amber_Benson> I really like Jeff Buckley and a guy named
Ryan Adams.
[19:51] <Question_from> Rosalin_Forlani - Would you like to be
in a crossover?
[19:51] <Amber_Benson> That would be super cool. The cast of
Angel is super nice.
[19:51] <BBC_Host> If you have a question that you would like to ask Amber Benson, Tara in Buffy please send it in now. We're receiving an awful lot of questions, and Amber can't answer them all, so please bear with us.
[19:51] <Question_from> Holly_Anderson - Hi! Whats the most
memorable moment you have had on the show?
[19:52] <Amber_Benson> I think probably moving that soda machine
in 'Hush'.
[19:52] <Question_from> Dawn_Brayford #event why don't we get to
see tara and willow actually kiss, when all the straight
characters do?
[19:52] <Amber_Benson> You're just going to have to wait and
see - hint, hint.
[19:53] <Question_from> Nicola - If you could cast a spell on
anyone living or dead who would it be and why?
[19:53] <Amber_Benson> My sister - to try and get her to clean
the house.
[19:53] <Question_from> Mark_Austin - What is your best memory
of your first day?
[19:54] <Question_from> mathew_nolan you have done animation
such as king of the hill....did you like it and would you do it
again?
[19:54] <Question_from> alan_bailey hi amber....how far ahead
does the cast get to know plotlines?
[19:55] <BBC_Host> We have just 20mins left with Amber, send in
your questions NOW!
[19:55] <Question_from> Natasha_Wilmshurst #event -> Did you
get to work with Eliza Dushku when she appeared in Series 4? If
so, how was it working with her?
[19:56] <Question_from> adele_h - would you like to do a spin
off with alyson?
[19:56] <Question_from> faith_83 - you knew alyson hannigan
before buffy - how?
[19:56] <Question_from> Alex_Wells - Are you looking forward to
MAC making a BTVS figure of you in the future?
[19:57] <Question_from> Nick_Barron - Do you get to keep any
cool props/clothes etc from the show?
[19:57] <Question_from> Michael_Green - Did the cast have an
initiation ceremony for you when you joined?
[19:58] <BBC_Host> If you have a question that you would like to
ask Amber Benson, Tara in Buffy please send it in now. We're
receiving an awful lot of questions, and Amber can't answer them
all, so please bear with us.
[19:59] <Question_from> Siochan - Hey Amber. I was wondering if
you or any of the other cast members would be visiting the Uk or
Ireland for promotional work over the easter or summer break. I
always end up hearing about these things too late.
[19:59] <BBC_Host> Just 15 minutes to go with Amber Benson. If
you have any more questions send them now.
[19:59] <Question_from> Natalie_Dokarry - What's the best thing
about being on Buffy??
[20:00] <Question_from> Shufflebum_Munky - What's the strangest
thing you've received from a fan?
[20:01] <Question_from> <sam_salsbury> #event -> how do you see
the future of buffy, with it shifting (maybe) from the wb and
possibly onto UPN...do you think it could survive?
[20:01] <Question_from> <Pat_Bates> #event -> How did you feel
when you were offered the part in the series? Were you aware of
the intentions of the scriptwriters when you accepted?
[20:02] <Question_from> John_Forster - Did you have fun making
this episode (Yoko Factor) as it is the funniest I have seen.
[20:02] <BBC_Host> If you have a question that you would like to
ask Amber Benson, Tara in Buffy please send it in now. We're
receiving an awful lot of questions, and Amber can't answer them
all, so please bear with us.
[20:03] <Question_from> Steve_Kool - Amber, how would you
recommend getting into the acting business?
[20:03] <BBC_Host> This is a moderated chat which means that any
duplicate questions and general hello messages will be filtered
out. Try to keep your questions and/or comments as concise as
possible.
[20:03] <Question_from> <Matt_Heath> #event How do you feel about
people saying that you are encouraging kids to dabble with dark
forces?
[20:04] <Question_from> <Kitty_K> #event -> Is Joss Whedon as
full of ideas as he seems to be? I always imagine him to be this
bottomless pit of enthusiasm!
[20:05] <Question_from> Daniel_Edwards - Do you want to get
vamped up later on in the series?
[20:05] <Question_from> David_Howell - Do you think you have been
accepted by the fans as part of the scoobie gang?
[20:06] <Question_from> Lynn_Benson - If a film of your life was
made - who would you like to play you ?
[20:06] <Question_from> <BenM - what plays did u act in school
and which one of them did enjoy the most???
[20:07] <Question_from> Niki_Boyes - Hi Amber, what do you think
of Buffy website, have you visited any?
[20:08] <Question_from> Billy_Davis - So what do you make of
Spike's English accent?
[20:08] <Question_from> jd - do you enjoy any british tv or
films?
[20:09] <Question_from> Sam - what does your family feel about
you acting a lesbien part?
[20:09] <Question_from> John_Presco - When did you first realise
that you are famous?
[20:09] <Question_from> Matthew_Jones - do you enjoy your role
on Buffy and would you change it at all?
[20:10] <BBC_Host> Just five minutes to go with Amber Benson. If
you have any more questions send them now.
[20:10] <Question_from> hannah_stewart - was you scared when you
auditioned for buffy?
[20:11] <Question_from> Matt_Fay - how busy is your schedual?
[20:11] <Question_from> robyn_francis - Do you sometimes slip
in to tara.s charicture without realising it?
[20:12] <Question_from> GodsJiva - Hi! If you could be in any tv
show apart from Buffy, which one would you choose?
[20:12] <Question_from> Eluria_Diamrem - Do you have any pet(s)
?
[20:12] <Question_from> <trinity_page> #event -> if you had to
stuck on a desert island, what five things would you take with
you and why.
[20:14] <BBC_Host> Just time for one more question...
[20:15] <Question_from> Andrew_Jones - Amber what did it feel
like to see yourself on tv for the first time?
[20:15] <BBC_Host> That is all we have time for.
[19:54]
[19:54] <Amber_Benson> I've never done an animated show but I
would love to do one...
[19:54] <Amber_Benson> I love cartoons.
[19:55] <Amber_Benson> We usually don't know what's going to
happen until we get the script...
[19:55] <Amber_Benson> They're very tight-lipped about what's
happening on the show.
[19:55] <Amber_Benson> She was a doll. I love working with Eliza.
She's so much fun.
[19:56] <Amber_Benson> That would be fantastic. I don't see it on
the horizon...
[19:56] <Amber_Benson> but it would be very cool.
[19:56] <Amber_Benson> I met her through mutual friends at a
party.
[19:57] <Amber_Benson> I hope they never make one...
[19:57] <Amber_Benson> I would be so embarrassed.
[19:57] <Amber_Benson> No. They keep everything.
[19:58] <Amber_Benson> They dumped my head in the toilet and held
me down...
[19:58] <Amber_Benson> until I cried.
[19:58] <BBC_Host> Don't forget to visit the Buffy website at
http://www.bbc.co.uk/buffy/
[19:59] <Amber_Benson> I'll be seeing them in June.
[19:59] <Amber_Benson> I will be at 'Nocturnal' in the UK.
[19:59] <Amber_Benson> I'll be in disguise though! Short, little
bald woman.
[19:59] <Amber_Benson> Working with such cool people...
[19:59] <Amber_Benson> Joss Whedon is a god.
[20:00] <Amber_Benson> I have a lovely picture sitting in a
trailer at work...
[20:00] <Amber_Benson> from a young man who quoted some
scripture...
[20:00] <Amber_Benson> and told me he loved me eternally and gave
me all his contact details...
[20:00] <Amber_Benson> and it's framed!
[20:01] <Amber_Benson> I hope so. I think Buffy is a wonderful
show and deserves to go on...
[20:01] <Amber_Benson> for at least ten seasons.
[20:01] <Amber_Benson> I had no idea that she and Willow were
going to be lovers...
[20:02] <Amber_Benson> but I'm really really glad that I was
given the opportunity...
[20:02] <Amber_Benson> to play her.
[20:02] <Amber_Benson> It's really cute...
[20:02] <Amber_Benson> I like that episode a lot.
[20:03] <Amber_Benson> Gosh. I would say if you think you could
survive...
[20:03] <Amber_Benson> without being an actor - don't do it...
[20:03] <Amber_Benson> It's a horrible, painful, wonderful but
miserable business.
[20:04] <Amber_Benson> Hey, so do Harry Potter and others...
[20:04] <Amber_Benson> People take what they want from the
media...
[20:04] <Amber_Benson> and we're only encouraging people to do
positive things.
[20:04] <Amber_Benson> Totally. He is a creative genius...
[20:05] <Amber_Benson> All the things he comes up with blows my
mind.
[20:05] <Amber_Benson> I think it would be fun to actually stake
a vamp...
[20:05] <Amber_Benson> that's what I'm waiting for.
[20:05] <Amber_Benson> I think I'm slowly starting to become ok
with the fans...
[20:05] <Amber_Benson> I mean, who can take over from Seth
Green?...
[20:06] <Amber_Benson> It's impossible. You can't. I have to
forge my own path.
[20:06] <Amber_Benson> Probably John Cusack...
[20:06] <Amber_Benson> He's got that right amount of sarcasm.
[20:07] <Amber_Benson> I was a hen in some barnyard production...
[20:07] <Amber_Benson> in third grade and I really liked the
costumes.
[20:07] <Amber_Benson> I think there are some fantastic websites
out there...
[20:07] <Amber_Benson> dedicated to Buffy...
[20:08] <Amber_Benson> I'm always blown away by this woman known
as Little Willow...
[20:08] <Amber_Benson> She runs a lot of websites and she's
fantastic.
[20:08] <Amber_Benson> I had no idea he wasn't English until I
met him.
[20:08] <Amber_Benson> I love Mike Leigh and Absolutely Fabulous.
[20:09] <Amber_Benson> They have all been very supportive.
[20:09] <Amber_Benson> It hasn't hit me yet, so I must not be.
[20:09] <Amber_Benson> I think when I cease to go to the
bathroom...
[20:09] <Amber_Benson> then I can call myself famous.
[20:10] <Amber_Benson> I feel really blessed to be playing Amber
and I wouldn't change...
[20:10] <Amber_Benson> a hair on her head.
[20:10] <Amber_Benson> I get nervous for every audition...
[20:10] <Amber_Benson> I always feel like I'm going to throw up.
[20:11] <Amber_Benson> Let's put it this way - I look at my bed
with longing.
[20:11] <Amber_Benson> But I'm loving every minute of it.
[20:11] <Amber_Benson> No, not really...
[20:12] <Amber_Benson> She's definitely a different person to me.
[20:12] <Amber_Benson> South Park.
[20:12] <Amber_Benson> But not as myself.
[20:12] <Amber_Benson> I have two cats and a dog and I love them
dearly.
[20:13] <Amber_Benson> I would take 'THe Journey to the East'...
[20:13] <Amber_Benson> a book by Herman Hess...
[20:13] <Amber_Benson> a computer with internet access...
[20:14] <Amber_Benson> cell phone to call my mother and tell her
I was ok...
[20:14] <Amber_Benson> a DVD of Indiana Jones and the Last
Crusade.
[20:15] <Amber_Benson> It blew my mind, I was so embarrassed...
[20:15] <Amber_Benson> It's so not fair to see yourself on TV
like that...
[20:15] <Amber_Benson> You take yourself apart.
[20:16] <BBC_Host> Thank You for joining the chat...The chat is
now over!
