Site last Updated - May 13, 2006

Transcribed by ZON (a non-typer so please be kind)

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Welcome Amber Benson….

[plays peek a boo behind stage curtain. Plops down in chair.]
Alright, I made a promise to a certain group of people out there that the first thing I was gonna do – you know who you are [laughs] was ask them if they would sing a song that they wrote for me. So, if you guys will, uh, give us a few minutes and let them sing their song, I would be much appreciative of that. [sweet little girl voice] Thank you.
They’re very cute. We like them. [laughs]
You guys gonna come sit on the stairs? [ruckus as Plan C Kittens come up and settle in]
Yeah. [Now] you can sing to me. I’ve never had anybody serenade me before…especially a bunch of good-looking young people over there like those, y’know. [jocularity]
[spotlight appears over Kittens. Amber guffaws.]
from the audience: The Von Trapp Family!!!
They got a light! [adjusting]
Alright alright. Wait. Hold on. [Amber gives us her mic and settles into her being serenaded pose]
Plan C Kittens: [finding a key…any key..] Aauuummmmm.
One, two, buckle my hand grenade [cue guitar to the tune Under Your Spell]

We watched the show in sorrow
Never a smile on our face
We felt so bad for Willow
No one with to suck face
Now we’re bathed in light
Every Tuesday night

We’re under your spell
Now that you’ve appeared
Gone is everything we feared
It’s magic we can tell
You took away our frown
Willows done with boys town.

We knew you weren’t a demon
Despite what your family said
With rage we all were screaming
After we saw Seeing Red
Though we know its just a show
It doesn’t mean we’ll let you go…
[adamantly] It doesn’t mean we’ll let you go!
[psycho resolve-face adamant] IT DOESN’T MEAN WE’LL LET YOU GO!!!!

We’re under your spell
Nothing we can do
Joss has turned our world askew
He’s put us all through hell
But if rumors are true
We’ll be seeing more of you
It’s what we believe…
Na na na na na..[Amber gets up and does a Tara twirl]
[some in audience sway and sing along]

Will Joss hear our plea?
If not, there’s always Plan C!

We’re under your spell
Planned for half a year
Just to come and see you here
We think you’re really swell
Beautiful and great
We’ll be in room 348

You make us COMplete…
You make us COMplete…
You make us complete…

[applause and hooting from audience. Amber guffaws. She is presented with a lyrics sheet signed by the group and a Timmy Horton coffee mug – long story.]

The Plan C, which I just found out about yesterday was that they were gonna meet me at the border to make sure I got in ok. Y’know those pesky Canadian immigration officers right? [laughs] And…[is about to continue explaining the velvet bag, kidnapping, safe house, hovercraft/fanboat, coffee, flutterkicks and all the other stuff we pulled out of our ass to capture Ambers heart…but is interrupted by our adoration]
Awww…I love you guys too! You guys ROCK! I have the best fans EVER.
[Kittens, Amberholics, and the entire audience of fans applaud themselves and Amber]
Oh god. You guys make me cry. [laughs]
Awww. I’ve had so much fun here. Canadians rock! [audience hoots]
Um, I think I said everything I had to say yesterday…so I’m gonna go now. No.[laughs]
I don’t know what else to say just uh, huh?
Audience cry out: Sing!
[laughs] Sing again? You weren’t there? I think that maybe..that was…Mmmmm. Maybe later. I, I can’t beat that. That was… You guys, I can’t believe you did that. You guys are fantastic. They’ve been trying to serenade me all day and every time I see them, they get shooed away. [laughs]
Oh my goodness. [cleansing breath]
Uh, I dunno. I’ve been really lucky. I got to work on Buffy the Vampire Slayer which is quite an amazing show. Worked with just really cool people. Got to sing. Got to dance. Got to suck face with Alyson Hannigan. [audience hoots].
It’s true, redheads do have more fun. [touches her hair] I kept trying to get red. Every season it changed. Um. Gosh.
You don’t have any questions or anything do you?
Mary: Yes.
You gonna save me? Oh it’s you again! Hello Mary!
Mary: I’m the person who draws her in her underwear. [Amber guffaws]
She makes me look really hot. What can I say? I [audience hoots]..I look in the mirror and don’t quite see what you see, but that’s alright. I’m ok with that.
Mary: I had to imagine…
And she’s married too!
Mary: Yeah yeah. And I’m 32. I’m not too young to be married. [more guffaws]
Mary: So Amber. I heard that Sarah Michelle is very fashionable and that she’s had some input on some of the hot fashions on the show and I wondered if you had had any input creatively into anything like that. Like, when they throw stuff at you and you go “ I am NOT wearing that!’ or “ Can I keep it?”
Ohhhhh…I’ve had…I stole 2 things when I left. [laughs] I stole a pair of blue jeans that everyone kept going “ Oh those are really cute on you, you should…you should go find some!” I’m just like, “No, I’m not gonna find any. I HAVE some. I don’t need to go find anything…”
And I stole a pair of red shoes. They’re like those Nike Changos. I dunno..i dunno what they are but they were in my room one day and they just disappeared. I don’t know quite what happened to them. [laughs] Um, Sarah, yeah Sarah will go out and shop and look for things for herself and she’ll make notes on what she likes and then Cynthia who does the wardrobe for Buffy will go out and buy them for her. [laughs]
So, Sarah had a lot to do with the stuff she wears and uh, we went back and forth with my stuff..uh, there was a lot of things I wore that I wasn’t 100% happy with just because I’m standing next to really petite women and you put me in a big blousy top and a big baggy skirt, I look like I…I could eat them, y’know? [laughs]
Mary: Sometimes it seems they would put you in intentionally frumpy clothes.
Yeah. I dunno. Poor Tara. She just had bad taste. [bad wardrobe Yesss!] I mean, look at me, I’ve got great taste…NOT. So, [laughs] I just wear my [totally adorable burberyish rain] jacket. It makes me happy. Um, yeah I actually was really upset because a jacket that I had to wear was too short and I didn’t like it and I’m like [mopey child’s voice]
“ But I don’t wanna wear the jacket. I tried on the long jacket and it was better…” and they made me wear the short jacket. So, uh I didn’t really get any input in my clothing. What I learned to do is that if you don’t wanna wear something, you just tell Cynthia, who’s really cool – the woman who did the costuming for Buffy is awesome - and I would just say, [child voice] “ Cynthia, I don’t like that. Lets not take a Polaroid of it. “ , we wouldn’t take a Polaroid of it, and I wouldn’t have to wear it. So…[giggles] I learned that from Sarah. [laughs] Sarah took me aside. She said, just don’t take pictures of it, Joss and Marti can’t see it, and you don’t have to wear it.
Mary: Thank you.
Thanks Mary.
Hi Amber
Hi! How’re you doin?
Good. I Love the show, to tell you…
Oh yay! See?!!!! Somebody out there likes it!!! [laughs]
..and I was just gonna ask um, did you put any musical talent into the Buffy musical or..?
Oh. I wrote it all. [laughs]. Especially the uh, ‘under my Willow tree’ line [laughs] No, ‘spread beneath my Willow tree’, excuse me! Um, it’s funny because Joss is really into Shakespeare and on weekends a lot of us would go to his place and we’d read, uh, a play, like Shakespeare. Afterwards, it would kinda degenerate into “ Let’s sing along! It’s like, CAMPFIRE TIME!” and everyone would start singing. So, I know that Marti Noxon could sing cause I heard her at Joss’ house and uh, I mean, I’d heard stuff that Joss had written that wasn’t for the musical but stuff that …cause he writes music all the time. He writes songs. That’s right! Andy Hallet sang. Whoo hoo hoo. My god. Can he sing or what? Um, so Joss kinda knew what everybody was into and just because we all had been singing. I was like, I like that sing. I wanna sing that one” so we’d sing ‘STAY’ by Lisa Loeb. Joss would play the piano and Mare (?) who’s one of the other writers on Angel would sing with me and we’d sing Stay and we did some Grateful Dead [!] stuff. So, he knew what I liked and what I was interested in and I guess in that way…He knew I liked musical theatre a lot and that way he kinda knew what everybody could do and so we sorta had input like that in that respect. I didn’t get to go, “ Now ok, Joss, on that line..i think I wanna…” [laughs] But, uh, it was a lot of fun. We had such a nice time doing that musical. I did NOT want that to end.
Yeah. It seemed a lot of fun..like, just watching it. Its really cool.
I’ve seen it like, seven times.[laughs]. It’s the one episode that I’ve like seen fifty thousand times.
My sister really likes it. She plays it over and over again.
Oh my gosh.
Like in one day I think she at least watched it six times.
[guffaws]
It was scary tho…[laughs and laughs]. Cuz then she started to sing all the songs. Very scary.I’m like, Mom, save me.
Well I appreciate that you’ve enjoyed the musical.
Yeah. It was really good.
[laughs] Anything else or?
Uh. Ok. That’s all.
You sure?
Yeah.
Ok [guffaws]
Thank you.
Thank you.
Claire: Hi Amber.
Hiiiiii! Is that…is that? Who is that? I can’t see. Oh, Claire. Is it Claire? Wow. I can believe I remem..I’m good aren’t I? [audience laughs]
Yeah.
She was awfully cute. How could you forget a face like that? Ooooh!
Clair: Um Amber. I just wanted to ask, what was your favorite episode?
I’m torn because usually I say Once More With Feeling is my favorite episode but I really really like Restless too. I don’t understand it [audience laughs] but uh, I really like it. I just when when Tony, you know is singing “ We’ve got to find Buffy..” you know I was just oh, I LOVE that part I would rewind it , “I like that part.. Let’s do that one again. “ Uh, I just..it was such an interesting episode all the weird stuff that happened and Sarahs got, you know, a mud pack on her face and I’m dressed like , you know, an Indian princess. It was a lot of fun to shoot. It was just so surreal. It wasn’t like a, like a regular episode. It was so out of order and crazy and then “ I’m the cowboy! I’m the cowboy from Death of a Salesman”. I just..oh! When Marc Blucas did that I cracked UP. I was, “ I wanna watch that. I wanna watch that.” [laughs] So, between the musical and Restless, those are my two, my two top picks. I mean the musical is so cool. Did you like it?
Claire: Uh huh.
Yeah. Me too.
Claire: And also, how long have you been playing Buffy? [audience and Amber laugh] How long have you been in Buffy?
Um. I’ve been Buffy for many years now. You guys didn’t realize but um, [audience laughs]. Um, let see, I started out in season 4. In the middle of season 4 so I guess it’s been almost 3 years. It’s been like 2 and ½ seasons…almost 3 years of my life. Oh my god. I was 22 when I started and now I’m 25 so yeah, 3 years. Wow. It’s a big chunk.
Huh?
Claire: Thanks.
Oh thank you, Claire.
Claire: Bye.
Bye.
Oh that’s Katie!
Katie: Um hi. Yeah.
They’re so cute!
Katie: I’m even shorter than her!
[Amber guffaws. Audience laughs]
Katie: I was uh, wondering who’s your favorite character in Buffy?
Hmmmmmn. You know that’s hard because everybody’s got their own strengths and weaknesses. I’m kinda partial to Dawn just because Michelle is a good friend of mine so uh, and I empathize with Dawn. She..cuz [audience claps] she’s an awesome gal. She and I were going back and forth, “who’s gonna get their license first?” Which is really pathetic because I’m 25 and she’s 16. [laughs] It was a battle, “I’m getting it first! No I’M getting it first!” Um, so, uh and actually I put her in my comic book. Chris Golden and I have written another Buffy comic book and we decided that Dawn would be a nice addition to Willow and Tara. She’s a nice foil, you’ know. She’s very honest. She tells you straight up, you know. She’s got a kids perspective. She doesn’t lie. It’s all very honest, “ You’re being mean. I don’t like you” kinda, you know what I mean? [laughs] She doesn’t think twice. So, I guess I’d have to say Michelle, although Spike is a lot of fun too, you know? [audience hoots “Oh yeahhh!”]
Yeah I know the female contingency is definitely more into the Spike. So, and Buffy, of course is fantastic. She probably, like the character herself is probably my favorite just because she’s really one of the first women to go out and kick butt. So…
Claire: [tiny voice] Thank you for doing the show.
[sighs] Huh?
Claire: Thank you for doing the show.
Well thank you for coming here today and hanging out with me.
Claire: Bye.
Ok, bye. [laughs]
Kathleen: Hi.
Hi!
Kathleen: I had the pleasure of speaking with your mother this morning…
AH. It’s YOUR fault. [laughs]
Kathleen: Ok. We did seek her out and took a picture and everything but, um. It was obvious speaking with her, the close relationship you guys have and how integral it is speaking about the different things you choose to do or don’t choose to do. I was just wondering if you could even fathom the idea that if you didn’t have that support would you have still gone into acting as you had and think you’d have been successful?
Um, I’m really lucky. I have an amazing support system. My dad, my mom, my sister, they’re 155% supportive of what I do and it’s tough. I have a lot of friends that come out to Los Angeles from god knows where and their families don’t understand them. They’re like, [funny voice] “ Why don’t you come home and get a real job? Why doncha get married? Have kids?” You know, they don’t understand that this is a dream. It’s someone’s passion. You have to go for it. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am if I didn’t have them behind me. I’d probably be flippin burgers in Burger King somewhere. I’ve been practicing. You know, now that I’m unemployed. [laughs. Audience ‘awwww’s. Amber guffaws]. I kinda prefer Wendys, though. They have baked potatoes. I’m a vegetarian. So…[laughs]. But um, I think you have to have your support system. Whether it’s your family or your friends or just people that get you. People that are, “ Ahhh. We are simpatico. We understand each other.” You know? So…
Kathleen: The other question we’ve been throwing around is just, where have you gotten your boots?
Where have I gotten my boots? Do you know, um, I was in Scotland last summer and uh, [laughs] - it was awesome, I love Scotland – and uh, this guy comes up to me. I was at a signing, and he goes [scottish accent], “ Wir de ya git those lolly boods?” [laughs] I was like, [laughs]. He was askin about my boots but I swear to god, I thought he was talking about my boobs. [audience guffaws. Claps.] I was like, “Dude, they are REAL. OK? They’re not THAT big!” I was so embarrassed! He’s like, “ No, yir BOODS!” Im like, “ Oh, my boots?” He’s like, “YA!” [much laughter] So…I actually got them in Cardiff, Wales while I was over there last summer. It’s a company called Swear. They should send me free shoes. I’m always telling people about them. Oh see, you know! Swear. They’re great. They’re really comfortable. Although, there’s a woman here in like, a pair of white platforms. Really tall, stunning woman and they’re much bigger than mine. I dunno know how she’s walking in them. She looks good. But, uh…these are pretty comfortable and they’re not that tall. I can walk in them pretty well. So…[giggles]
Thanks.
Hi, Amber.
Hey, how you doin?!
Uh, 2 questions: Uh, firstly, I kinda noticed in the season finale that uh, Alyson Hannigan is really enjoying beating up Sarah Michelle Gellar. [Amber guffaws] I was just wondering did you ever wish that they could get the writers to give you a really physical episode to do? Pick up the battle axe and wack something to teeny weeny bits?
Well, they gave me a physical episode. It was the uh, what, it was the uh, second to last before I died where we were in bed together. That was pretty physical. [laughs. Hoots.] Lemme tell ya, they left some stuff out! All I can say is that she goes under the covers and they did a close-up on my face! Wooohoohoo. [tittering. Laughs.] Um, I kept bugging them to let me kill something. I bugged them and I bugged them and Joss is like, “ No no. you use magic to…” I’m like, “ No! I want hit something! I wanna KILL something! I wanna sss..” I was gonna say spike something but it’s…[laughs] I’m just kidding.[giggles]
Um, I once said that Spike ate Miss Kitty Fantastico and after that i’ve never been able to live that one down. ‘Cept I didn’t say Miss Kitty Fantastico. I said something that begins with a P. [laughs] So..um, yeah. Um, but finally in, I guess it was the season opener. The two part season opener I got to axe the bad motorcycle guy that was gonna kill Willow. So, I got to kill something. I didn’t get to kill anything. I was standing over in the corner while my lovely stunt double, who’s really cool, she killed him. So, uh so yeah I got to kill something but I didn’t really get to…it was a cop out.[laughs] But, yeah, I would have loved to have done something. Wear makeup or do something crazy on t hat show and I really didn’t get the opportunity. You never know what’s up, so..
And, uh, I really enjoyed the work you did with Michelle Trachtenberg. Um, was there any scene between the two of you that was your favorite?
Gosh. I’m trying to think. Probably, probably the scene where we’ve gone out together and we’re sitting at the table...yeah. I think that one. We had so much fun together. I love Michelle. She’s like my sister. She’s fantastic. She’s such a..she’s like 16 going on 55. She’s so much more mature than I am. It’s ridiculous. [laughs] And she’s so much more fashion forward than I am. She knows what Prada is and I’m just like, “ Whuuut?” So uh, I think that’s probably my favorite scene with Michelle although , we had some really nice stuff she and I. I mean, I really…cuz I’ve talked to the writers about it and they wanted to give us stuff together because they felt that we really had a connection and when you’re friends with somebody it’s so easy to kind of, just walk into a scene and be like, [sing-song voice] “ Ahhhhh. It’s so comfortable and things are wonderful.” It’s just very simple and easy to be there.
Thank you very much.
Thank you. I’m not nervous today like I was yesterday. God. Whoo.
Backing up to something you just mentioned, Seeing Red. Those were actually the first real love scenes that you and Willow um, that Tara and Willow had together. I just wondered how those scenes were filmed. You guys look like you had a good time. [laughs]
I had a good time. I dunno about what anybody else was doin but, ah…[guffaws]
Although you seemed a little sheet-aware. You seemed to know where that sheet was on your chest at all times.
Dude, that little thing I was wearing was not covering, ok? [laughs] The sheet..the stupid sheet. The other sheet was satin and it kept sliding and I’m just like , “ God damn you, you’re staying! “ [laughs] “ Don’t you dare go below!” Um, sorry. [giggles] Um, yeah we were clutching the sheet. Both of us were quite…cuz neither of us are exhibitionists. Both of us like to keep our clothes on. If you’ve noticed, Willow and Tara don’t wear revealing clothing very often. Um, and that is a personal choice on some peoples parts. I don’t think I have a say but I know that Alyson has a bit more..anything that’s tank top is like, “ NO! God forbid! “ Um, she’s very , she’s more comfortable wearing you know, regular clothing. Um, yeah, that was the first time we really did an intense sort of…I mean, we made out sort of. I mean, we kissed. We kind of kissed and stuff. In fact, the kiss in The Body was totally censored by the..i mean, they didn’t like it at all. They tried to get it axed out of the episode. I mean, it was really intense. I don’t know how we got away with…I know how we got away with the stuff cuz we moved to UPN. They weren’t as uptight about, about that kind of thing. It just…different people. Different strokes for different folks. Um, that didn’t sound good, did it? Sorry. [laughs] God, I’m so sick. Uh, yeah, but it was really interesting to um , to do. I’ve never really had any like, love scenes with anybody period. Then to have my first real love scene with a girl was quite…it was just weird. I dunno, cuz I think I wouldn’t have felt as comfortable with a guy. Just because it’s a girl and you know what girls are all about and I mean, I do because I’m a girl. I know what girls are all about. It didn’t make me uncomfortable or weird or nervous. I wasn’t worried about anything going anywhere, [laughs] y’know? So, it was a lot easier, I think, and we were both like I said, “ Here are my boobs! Look at them!” [laughs] So, so we were both mindful of each other’s sheet. We both helped each other, “ If I put my arm there…[and you go here] You’re good. Yeah. You put your foot there. We’re good. Yeahhhh. We’re covered! Yeah.” [laughs] Of course, the crew didn’t like it, “ you can, uh, move your foot now.” [laughs] So.
Alright and just yesterday you mentioned you knew two years ago that you were gonna die? Um, I was just wondering exactly when you were told that Tara was gonna die and did you freak out?
Did I forget? [laughs]
Freak out.
Oh! Freak out! I’m like, “ Did I forget?” Huh.
No,  freak out.
You know what? I guess ok, it wasn’t…it’s so hard to think in years with Buffy because we only shoot for a certain amount of time and then you guys see it in a different time than we see it and…So, I guess it really wasn’t two years ago. It was two seasons ago. I knew, like, the middle…pretty much the mid to the end of season 5 that it was…that it was gonna happen. In fact Joss was really excited about it. [laughs] He took me aside…cus and then he didn’t. He wasn’t excited when it got close. He kept pushing it and pushing it. Tara was supposed to die sooner actually and uh, it just kept…just like, “ Noooo. We’re not gonna kill Amber yet. We’re gonna wait a little bit longer .” Um, but he told me he was all excited about it because it was such an interesting storyline. He was really excited about the storyline because they know. They know years in advance what they’re gonna do. I mean, it’s disgusting, these people. They are SO well organized. I can’t even keep my room clean and they’re you know…like planning out Buffy’s life for the next five years. Um, so he was really excited about it and I was like, [jokingly] “ Uhhh. That’s lovely. Yeah…a winner.” [laughs] And uh, so it was yeah, it was a little..I was a little [mopey child’s voice], “ Mommmmm. They’re gonna kill her. [sniff]” And it was at that time I’d become so engrossed in the character, she was such a part of me. It wasn’t even like they were gonna kill her. It was like, they’re gonna kill ME. Awwwww. So, yeah, it freaked me out a little bit but then once I understood where it was coming from, why it needed to be done. It made sense, you know and yeah, it sucked. It totally sucked. I’m not gonna lie to you. I would love to have stuck around longer. And it’s tough for the fans too because a lot of people love that character and uh, you know it stinks when she’s not there anymore and you watch the show specifically because she’s part of the reason. Y’know, you like what she does. So, uh, I dunno. [laughs wistfully] Thank you. [game show voice] Come on down! You’re on the price is right!
Zon: Hello.
[giggling. Amber humming something. Much goofing around]
Zon: Um, go ahead.
No, I was gonna sing the Star Trek theme again. I dunno. I’m obsessed with it now. Everybody’s wearing Star Trek. I’m like, [giggles]…But you’re not. [audience laughs]
Zon: Yeah, it’s…it’s a thing.
Is that Zon? That’s Zon.
Zon: Yes. [amber laughs] I’m curious to know about your action figure that’s coming out from Moore Collectibles. How involved are you in that process?
Dude, I have an action figure?! [laughs]
Zon: [not buying it] You know…Yeah, surprise.
[all innocent] No kidding. Really?
Zon: Sure.
You’re lying.
Zon: Moore Action Collectibles. Check the web site. It’s coming soon.
REALLY?!
Zon: YES. We’re gonna be reenacting your scenes with little figures. [aud. laughs] Tara will always live on in an action figure…
You can’t take the clothes off. They don’t come off! [laughs]
Zon: Well, we’ve…there’s probably a lot of Kittens that have written in to suggest that…so.
[audience hoots. Amber laughs.] Um…
Zon: So, yeah? You’re not getting a cut?! Whats up with that?
I have no idea we were doing…Wow. Wow. I’m gonna go to that web site! I’ll be back! No.
Zon: So they didn’t approach you for measurements or casting..i mean, sculpting?
No, I mean..someone did call us asking about my bust size. But no, I’m kidding. [audience guffaws] Somebody actually came over and was like, “ God, your boobs aren’t as big as they look on tv…” [Makes face. huge laughs] What do you say to that? Thank you?
Zon: They’re…just…right.
[guffaws. Prim voice] They’re just fine. Thank you very much. [laughs] So, I had no idea. Really? Wow, an action figure. I hope it looks like me. Sometimes things don’t look like you. There’s a bunch that don’t look like Sarah.
Zon: Ok. Can I ask one more question…
No.
Zon:…since you didn’t know much about that?
No! [laughs]
Zon: [laughs. Oh, you…] Um, I’m just wondering if your arms are particularly short. Why does Tara’s sleeves always hang over her wrists and…what’s up with the sleeve fiddle thing?
[Amber stands and demonstrates that her jacket sleeves indeed hang over her hands. All laugh.] Maybe my arms are short. [aud.laughs] I dunno. I think..
Zon: Was it a costume decision that was supposed to be some…a costume emotey thing?
I think the stuff they bought for Tara was that willowy [Amber laughs at her pun]…no, that kind of…it was all very like, a femmey kind of material..a chen..i mean uh, not chenille. That’s not femmey. That’s like bathrobes. [laughs] . Um..chiffon!. Thank you. Like chiffon..everything was very, very [affected voice] girlie with rhinestones and little bits and pieces and “ mmnnhhmm, I just LOVE it so much!” Cuz you see how I dress. And uh, I think because all that stuff is very like, whispy. It just was big and long. I think it was more the clothes. Although, I may be short armed. I’m not sure. We’ll have to measure. [laughs]
Zon: [laughs] Thanks. [waves bye]
Thank you. [waves bye]
Oh, the Big Evil. Big Papa Evil. [laugh]
BPE: Time for the really important question…
Oh no.
BPE: Boxers or briefs? [audience laughs.]
Uh..i don’t wear either. [laughs. audience hoots] Um, oh what I prefer on uh, someone of the opposite sex?
BPE: Yes.
Boxers or briefs? Um. God. I don’t knowww. I think it just the guy. If he’s comfortable in boxers then “ Hey! I’m there.” If he’s not and he’s comfortable in briefs then “ Hey! I’m there.” [aud. Laughs] And if he’s like somebody who will remain nameless from Buffy doesn’t wear anything…[laughs]
BPE: Then you’re SO there.
Huh?
BPE: Then you’re SO there?
Then I’m SO there. No, um. [laughs] No. I uh, I you know….boxers. Hey, there we go. Boxers. Briefs. Both! Nothing! [all laugh] I don’t know. What do you like? [aud. roar. Claps.]
BPE: I could show ya but it’d cost ya ten bucks after the show. [more laughs]
Well I have this lovely Tim Horton mug. I’d be willing to give that to you.[laughs] Well, no, I would be willing to uh, let you borrow it. It’s MINE. It’s all mine. I must have it!
BPE: Thanks very much.
[laughs] Thank you Big Poppa Evil.
I dunno how I'm gonna follow that all.
[Amber laughs]
Uh, this isn’t going to be a very popular question…
Oh no.
Well, now
Hey, do you want me to die more? [aud. Laughs]
Noooo.No no no. I just was wondering…oh it sounds funny, in the episode where you die um, uh the character Warren was also killed off
Flayed like a fish.
Yeah. Well, the thing, the thing is… well, I know that Buffy has to have um, quite a bit of violence and that’s part of the plot but I somehow felt that they went over the line with the way they killed him. It really bothered me and I was wondering how you felt about that.
Um, I didn’t see the episode. I didn’t want to see anything. I just couldn’t watch it. It was too much for me.
Since the gross out factor seemed a little bit high…
Yeah, when I read it, I was a little turned off by it, myself. I...i’m really torn with Buffy because we really are tongue in cheek, fantasy, and we hope that when people watch the show they realize that. But, you’re right , there a lot of people out there that go, “ That’s real. I can flay somebody like a fish. Wooo.” You know, it’s true. Like I said before, if you can sell detergent on tv, you can sell you know, violence. You can sell sex. You can sell anything and uh, I’ve been really torn with Buffy because like I said, I think it’s a fantasy show and we’re trying…we’re doing things that are out of the ordinary anyways and I just hope that people don’t take it…I personally, am not a big violence fan. I’d much rather see somebody having sex than killing something. [aud.laughs] You know. [Aud. Applauds big] Um, so I’m in agreement with you. I mean I have no say over, you know. Course, then I, course totally the opposite I say that I wanted to be drawn and quartered when I die but I was just kidding. You know. But I do. I think that violence, especially when young kids watch, you don’t want to tell them…you don’t want to set the example that this is ok, ‘this is how we live our life.’ Its not real. I mean there are no vampires. There are no witches. Well, there are wiccans. But, they’re not uh, making out with Alyson so…[aud.laughs] Um, you know it’s just, maybe there are vampires too that… I don’t know.  I never met one that was like a real deal Nosferatu man. But, there’s some really cute vampires out there today. Um but they go home and take their teeth out, right? Maybe not? [aud. Laughs] So, we are fantasy and I just hope that people realize that and don’t take it 100% to their heart and say, “ Oh! You know, we must go out and kill things because Buffy does!” I mean, you stake somebody, their not gonna turn into dust. They’re just gonna lay there and bleeeed, ok? So…
Thank You.
[sincere serious voice] Thank you.
Is that Christina? {Audio File Cuts Out} Yeeess. I know names. I’m the name queen. It’s cuz I’ve written it all out for you guys. I can’t remember it if you tell it to me. But if I sign it, I’m like, “ Ahhh. I’ll remember your name forever…” I memorize my lines that way. I’ll write them out sometimes. It really helps a lot.
Ok, um, what do you consider to be Tara’s legacy? Like, what she left behind on the show?
Well, aside from the child she’s going to give birth to posthumously. Um, no. [all laugh]. By Giles. No, I’m kidding! [giggles. Aud. Roars.] Poor Giles. [snorts] Um, so honestly? The legacy? I think that it’s the fans. That’s where the legacy is. It’s in the people that got something wonderful from her. They can put a video in and watch her and take what they need from her, from her character. That, it’s ok to be shy and uncomfortable in situations and a little insecure. We all are! Some of us are just better at hiding it. You know? Um, so I think that’s….that’s the legacy that she leaves behind. If she’s touched one person, then she’s made the impact she needs to make. Of course people, you’re gonna touch people negatively too, but, I just don’t wanna hear about that stuff. Don’t tell me. Uh [laughs]. I just…you know. I think that…that’s her legacy.
Ok.
Thanks.
See ya later.
Bye. [laughs]
Hi.
Hel-lo.
Um, first just to comment gain about the costumes. You were saying Tara often doesn’t get the most glamorous costumes in the episode but I would disagree when it comes to Once More With Feeling.
I’m with ya on that one.
Yeah. Her costume in that was amazing. I really loved that.
Mmm Hmmm.
Um, you know, the music of that episode…I’d really like to complement you on your voice…
Thank you.
…I think you have one of the best voices in the cast. [audience applauds heartily]
Aww. Thank you.
It’s all the equipment they had while I sang in the mic. They made me sound good.
No…[laughs]
Yeah. Well, I heard a little bit of modulation in there. Um..
Yeah. [laughs]
I’m actually seriously wondering if you had had any sort of musical career before that or since or in the future?
I sang on Vegas. No, in Vegas. No, um, I started out doing musical theatre as a kid and um, I love singing. But, mostly I love singing just for me. I like to get in the shower or the car and sing along with the radio and you know, just what makes me happy. I don’t know if you’re like me but sometimes things can be not so nice and when you’re feeling down, when you sing a song, [chipper voice] you feel better. You know, especially when the little face comes out and bounces on the words in front of you. [aud. Laughs]. That’s the BEST! [big laughs]. God. Um, and I agree with you on the uh, the outfit for the musical. They kept giving me all these different outfits and I was like [eh.]…and she pulled that one out and I was like [yay]. I loved it. It was great. I didn’t mind that It was tight. It hurt but I didn’t mind cuz it looked really good.
It must have been hard to sing in, you know.
Oh well, cuz I didn’t. Well, actually I did sing. Um, I dunno. Well, I’d never lip-synced anything before and I found that it was easier for me to sing along with it than lip-sync it and so I just got them to turn it WAYYYY up so I’d remember the words and I’d be where I needed to be. We were in the park and I was completely annoying all the people in the park cuz it was like, [screetches] REALLY loud. I mean, it was just filling the whole park because I need it LOUD. I felt like I was in like, Def Leppard or something. [aud. Laughs]
{Audio File Resumes}
Did you wish you could like, take that corset home with you when you left?
Um, no. No way, Jose. That was painful but it looked good on camera.
Yeah it did.
It was funny tho cuz I walked out and everyone was like, “Are you going to the Ren-Faire ?” [audience laughs]
Joss called me the Pretty Princess. [funny voice] He’s like, “ Oh, look! The Pretty Princess came out!” It was so embarrassing.[tee hees]
Thank you.
Thanks.
Hi, Amber
Hi, how are you?
Good. I’d just like to know when you were first, when you first got the part of Tara, did you know that she was gonna be Willow’s lover?
No, I didn’t. I didn’t know at all that that’s where we were going and then uh, everyone kind of said we looked like we were dating and [laughs] when they watch the episodes and 3 episodes in Joss took us aside and said we’re gonna be heading in this direction. So, no I didn’t know. But, it wouldn’t, I mean, I’m an actor and I wanna play all kinds of different parts so you could have told me I was playing you know, a….humped, warted-nosed…Eukenuba[?]-swilling something or other. I dunno…and I would be 100% there. Just because it’s something interesting and new and different. I probably would even have been more excited about playing the part if I’d known she was gonna be a lesbian. If you can believe that. But, it’s true cuz how often do you get to play a part like that? Once in a lifetime.
By the way, I wear boxers.
You wear boxers? [laughs heartily]
Hi.
Hel-lo.
Ok, um, first of all I’d like to say that I was so pleased to see your character on Buffy. I must admit I watch it infrequently. When I first saw you I was just like, “ Oh wow. She’s so real. This is like, a person that I’ve actually you know, gone to high school with or whatever. “ You were so quiet. The character was and then over the course of the season, you know, she gained this new confidence. You know, being with Willow, she was really standing up for herself in the relationship and so I’d like to say it was really beautiful in evolution, that you did as an actor.
[touched] Thank you.
And also there was just one more thing I’d like to share. Uh, I’m 25 and I haven’t gotten my drivers license yet either so you’re not alone. [laughs]
I JUST got it! [aud. Claps]
You just got it?
I just got it. [big applause] Well…I’d rather I hadn’t got it to tell you the god honest truth. I’m so paranoid I’m gonna hit something. Or someone.
Well, I’m actually learning to drive with my boss who’s 43 so…She’s getting her license for the first time. So…
It’s the cool people that don’t. We get other people to drive us. See, we’re smart. [audience laughs]
So anyway, nice to see you here and well done.
Oh thank you guys for having me here in Toronto. It’s been so much fun. You guys are fun. You guys rock! [big mutual admiration society applause]
The people outside on the way to the autograph room, they’ve got the indie comic table. They’re sorry they couldn’t be here but they wanted to say Hi.
Awww.
That’s all.
Awww…I should pop by and say hello sometime. Maybe I shall.
Frances: Hi.
Hi! Is that…oh, that’s..wait, I know you. FFFrances.
Frances: Yep. [all impressed. All laugh]
We took a prom picture together. He looked really hot in that picture. He keeps asking about Michelle though. I’m kind of perturbed. [audience laughs]
Frances: I wanted to ask if you like, wanted Tara to die differently. Like, more heroic or something? Like saving Michelle?
[laughs] Saving Michelle and bringing her to your house? [laughs] Witness protection program over at Frances’ house! [laughs] Um, I think that..i dunno. Everytime Buffy dies it’s heroic, you know. It’s kind of like, ‘it’s been done.’ It’s old hat. Um, [laughs] everytime she dies it’s just, it’s just THIS SHOW…ohmygod, I mean, people die. They come back. They’re ghosts. They’re demons. They’re vampires. They have weird teeth…and they smell funny with latex and glue. Uh, I don’t know. I don’t know. It was weird how she died. I would’ve probably asked them to do it differently. I don’t know if I would have had her be heroic per se. But, it was such a, I mean, an out of left field way to die, you know. A stray bullet through the window?! [laughs] [funny voice] Warren’s a really good shot! [laughs] Right through the heart and I mean, we were joking, we were all sitting around like, [sings] “SHOT THROUGH THE HEART and Joss is to blame…”[all laugh] He gave love a bad name. [audience awwww.claps.] So uh , I would have had it just a little bit differently. Maybe not heroic, but something a little more…real. That was just so out of the ordinary. I mean, it was just a really strange way to go. I’m scared to stand under windows now, so. [laughs] SECOND story windows!
Thank you.
Thanks, Frances.
Audience: What about the makeup? What about those last words?
[laughs] Your shirt! Ooops. [audience laughs] As my arterial blood flows on your shirt…I’m so sorry. I’ll get the dry cleaning bill for that. [more laughs]
Audience: I got the mustard out!
[sings] I GOT THE MUSTARD…Yeah. [way alto] HE GOT THE MUSTARD OUTTTTT!!!!! [holds note. We are very impressed and cheer]
Hi Richard. Richard followed me out here from L.A. [laughs] Well, he didn’t follow me but…
Richard: Well, ahh, on that very subject [Amber guffaws] I understand you drove all the way from L.A.
I did.
Richard: And any explanation why?
I’m strange like that. Aren’t I psychotic? No, um I’m not a big fly person. I, I’d rather not get on a plane unless I realllly have to. Um, especially after what happened in September of last year. I just, [sad chuckle] do not want to..i dunno. It’s really scary. It’s really scary to be the United States and have people wanting to come and destroy your whole country. It’s, uh, I dunno. Ahhh, scary. Really scary. The world could blow up one day, you know….cuz we’re all sooooooo self-involved. Anyways, sorry as I go off. Anyways, I don’t like to uh, to fly personally. You know, I’d rather just drive and we wanted to see…I wanted a break from Buffy. I needed to decompress and I felt that taking a vacation was the best way to do that so we’re actually gonna be tooling around the states of America and up through Montreal and Quebec and…[cheers]. Yep. All the beautiful french speaking Canadians out there.[laughs] Um, so it was just a good way to like, get in a road trip. We’re gonna like, go visit my grandmother and it’s gonna be nice. So. My dad flew out and he’s gonna do Montreal and Quebec with us. [more hoots from audience. Amber laughs]
Richard: Another quick one…You keep talking about how much you enjoy doing this. Can we expect you to be doing more of these across the country?
Um, I dunno. It takes a lot out of you. It’s so weird cuz there’s one of me and so many, SO many of you [laughs] and I have to be on my best behavior and I can’t pee. It’s really frustrating. [big laughs] Seriously. It’s like I feel bad because I wanna sign more autographs. It’s so hard because I’ve been at the end of the line and believe me I’ve been at the end of the line. Oh ho ho. And you know, when you are at the end of the line, if the actor gets up and leaves, you wanna hurt them. [all laugh knowingly] Very badly. You just wanna like give them lots of papercuts. [laughs] So it’s like, well I’m just gonna stay. Lemme just…and they’re like, “ We need to go!” We got more! We got more! And so, you don’t get a chance to go to the bathroom. [laughs] So, I dunno I think I’ll have to pace myself. It’s just, it takes a lot out of you. It’s very..tough. My poor arm, for gods sakes. But it’s so much fun so it’s like a catch 22. It’s like, “ Do I go and have a lot of fun and not pee? “ [audience laughs] “ Yeah, I guess I do.” We’ll see. We’ll see what happens. I’m taking, I’m taking a break so….[giggles] This was a lot of fun but I’m gonna go travel now and just relax and look at all the cute boy in the southern states and New England and MONTREAL and Quebec so…
Audience: There are no cute boys in Montreal!
There are no cute boys in Montreal?
Audience: Not a lot. [audience boos jokingly]
Audience: Not a lot. Sorry.
All the girls are cute, huh?
Audience: No, they’re not. [Amber guffaws]
Hel-lo.
Hi. I have a question for you. As an actor, you have moments where you’re on set and is there any that’s more memorable to you as a connection, where you have that you forget the cameras are there. You forget that the rest of the cast is there and you’re completely involved in the moment?
Um…
One that stands out...
Once that stands out? The scene with uh, its weird too because Sarah was sick when we shot it and she was coughing. I mean she was really ill. She had the flu and was NOT feeling good at all. It was a scene in The Body when she and I are sitting on the uh, in the hospital and I’m telling her about my mom and, uh. That one was really. Woo. And it was so strange cuz she was not feeling, she would go lay down between takes. That was how ill she was. And uh, and it didn’t even, just because it was the two of us and it was just us. There was nobody else. The camera was right there and everybody else was kinda off and it was just such an interesting scene. Really just this moving scene. The first time that Tara and Buffy really have a serious moment, y’know? And that one kinda transcended. It happens occasionally. You know, it’s tough, especially with television because it’s hell-a-pacing. We’re just like GO GO GO GO. We have so much, I mean. We have 8 days to make a mini movie. I mean, that’s an hour. Think about, I mean, if you think a week, maybe 10 minutes of footage a day. It’s really, and then all that has to be edited down to like 2 minutes. I mean, it’s ridiculous. It’s so ridiculous what a 17 hour day becomes. Um, I mean there have been times when I spent all day opening a door and walking into a room and that’s all we do. I mean, and it’s like TWO seconds on the screen. I mean, just think, ughhhh. So, but that one specifically stands out. There are a couple more. I can’t think of them at the moment but that one really. That was a nice moment and I love working with Sarah. She’s a lot of fun. [5 minute warning] Oh, here comes the five minutes…by the sexy 5 minute girl. [all laugh]
C’mon. You’re cool.
Thank you for the chat.
Thank you.
Hi.
Someone’s giggling out there. Hello.
Um, actually this is a question that I wanted to ask you yesterday um, but it was actually, it was something that a friend of mine who was supposed to be here but couldn’t wanted to say.
Didn’t I signed something for them?
Yes, you did and also got a gift for that.
Thank you.
Um, basically this is something that I agree with him on, I think that Tara was the first time that we had seen an introvert portrayed as an introvert and not as somebody who should be an extrovert and happened to be an introvert…and stayed that way all the way through and just progressed into somebody who felt a little bit more comfortable but was still an introvert. And I think that was probably one of the most impressive performances on Bufffy and in television in the last little while. So, I’d just like to thank you for pulling off a performance like that…
Ohhh. Thank you.
It was great.
Awwww. Thank you. [audience applauds] It’s so funny. There’s a guy who’s come, he lives in the states and has come to a couple of things I’ve done in Santa Barbara and I went to ComicCon in San Diego and signed stuff for Dark Horse [comics] and the first time he came, he was really, really quiet. Couldn’t even talk and couldn’t look me in the eye. Just [real quiet] “I have somemmmummble….”…and he’s gone. You know? [laughs] I mean there’s nothing. And then the next time he came back and, and he talked a little bit and he looked me in the eye…but he looked away. But he looked at me. You know, it was…and then the next time he came, he looked me in the eye and it took him awhile but he got it all out and then the next time I saw him he’s like, “I just wanted to thank you. Because of you, I feel ok with what I’m doing…[chuckles sympathetically]..and second, I’ve made friends!” [laughs] He was so sweet and it was weird to see this progressing. I was like, that’s Tara, that’s Tara, that’s Tara. You know? That’s how she feels. That is it. She really, she really had it hard. She was so uncomfortable, so insecure and I would be that way on set and everyone thought I was kinda that way, “ Oh, Amber’s, you know, TYPECAST.” [laughs] And then they would see me outside and I’d be like, [outgoing, animated]“ lblblblbllblblblahBlahblahblah!!! And so…But uh, she really..We’re all inside insecure and shy like I said, some of us are better at hiding it and she’s not very good at hiding it. She’s honest. She tells you how she feels even if it’s just by the fact that she can’t look you in the eye. And then having Willow made her feel more ok, so. But I, I agree with you. She was so much fun. Seriously, I went from this to [quiet] this to [even more quiet] this. [laughs] It was really cool. I’m with you on that. I love her. She was a lot of fun. [laughs]
Lastly, um you are coming back, yes?
I don’t know. I don’t know. Like I said yesterday, if I knew, I still couldn’t tell you and I don’t know so…we’ll see what happens. You never know. It’s Buffy.
Audience: Willow can bring you back.
Well actually, I meant at the convention. You know, coming back to Toronto. [all laugh big]
Oh Oh OH. [does this weird, totally cute high-pitched sucking laugh] Good for you! That’s fantastic! You got me. Um…Up on my little high horse, “ Welllll, I don’t know if I’m coming back or not. Woe is me.”
We can bribe you with ten bits, if you like. [laughs]
I dunno. I like Toronto. I’d love to come back. The food here! [audience applauds. Hoots]
You guys have fantastic food. I don’t care if there is garbage on the sidewalk. I’m happy. [all laugh]
Bad timing…[laughs] That’s all. Really bad timing. Thanks. Anyways…
Thank you.
My problem is you already answered the question I was gonna ask…But it wasn’t the question you were asked actually…
Oh no.
Yeah. [laughs] Um, but anyway uh, so from what you said so far, you haven’t been told whether or not?
I don’t know. They’ve kept it really tight lipped.
I would say there’s a 50% chance at least next year, a 25 for the year after. [Amber laughs] You know, like…
We all come back, don’t we?
Yeah, of course the thing is, the question is, are you gonna come back as a spirit or as an impersoning of a spirit? Actually like…of the new face of the first evil?
Hhhhmmmmm! I’ve, you know what, I’m coming back as a cat. Meow. [audience laughs]
Hellooo.
I think one more and then we’re uh, we’re out of here, folks.
Dude, the boots. Oh they’re awesome.
Oh. Thank you.
Yeah. I really want some but they’re uh, like, pricey. So, anyway…
I know, I spent a fortune. Bad me. But then I…mmmm.
Well, you know, they’re shoes.
I had to.
Yeah.
I don’t buy very much and that was the one thing…
Yeah. I understand. Um…
They’re cheaper there, though.
Hopefully. What are you gonna do next? What are you looking at doing?
Vacation. I haven’t even thought beyond.
Is there anything you’d like to play or anything you’re interested in playing?
Um, I’m too old to play Joan of Arc now so…[audience laughs] So, I dunno. Maybe I’ll uh, maybe I’ll play Janet in the new Rocky Horror. How ‘bout that one? [audience applauds. Hoots] That’d be nice. I’d have to go bug ‘em. That’s the one thing. I’ll have to go bug ‘em. I love that movie so, [giggles evasively]
Audience: PLAY ANN OF GREEN GABLES!
Oh yeah, I’ll play Anne of Green Gables, Giggler! [audience laughs]
Hi, Rashid
Rashid: Hiiii. How you doin?
I’m good. How are you? [laughs]
Rashid: I would just like to ask, with your film Chance, uh, how did you find that experience directing, producing, and writing compare to your acting experience? Do you have any preference for either or?
Um, I really liked bossing around. No. No, it was so much fun to kinda see your, what your vision in your head come out on the screen. It’s really weird. I mean, I would like, write a scene…I’d be like, “ I wonder how that’s gonna play?” Then I’d watch it and it’d be COMPLETELY different than what I thought it was gonna be. So, uh, it was just…it was such a creative, amazing thing. I would recommend it to anybody. If anybody wants to, they should make their own film. You only live once. You might as well. You know? Video is so amazing now that you can, you can make a movie…They made a movie called Tadpole that showed at the Sundance film festival on digital video and sold it for five million dollars. You know? And of course, Sigourney Weaver and Bebe Neuwirth are in it, but, you know…[laughs] but, still. It’s DIGITAL VIDEO for god’s sake! It doesn’t look half as good as film, so.
Rashid: And one more thing….[begins to serenade Amber with Spikes song] I died so many years ago…[Amber laughs]
[Audience Awwwws. Rashid milks it]
[Amber adds a little bit. Audience claps]
You rock!
Thanks for coming.
“If my heart…” I love that part. If my heart could beat, Mnaaa, I can’t even talk. ‘If my heart could beat, it would break my chest. Isn’t that great? What a great line. It’s a great song. Thank you guys so much. You guys have been AMAZING. [audience roars] I bow to you. You guys…
Audience: WE LOVE YOU AMBER! [applause continues]
THANK you.

(THE END)

An Audio File of this can be downloaded HERE

 

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