Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Spike Live: Buffy’s Biting Vampire Stops By for a Chat

This week, James Marsters gabs about smooching Sarah Michelle Gellar, pumping up with Marc Blucas and doing Shakespeare naked. Plus, will Faith return to Sunnydale?

Hey, everyone. James is here. Let’s go!

From number28: How do you get your hair to look like that?

My hair is dyed to within an inch of its life every nine days. I love it. I think it looks great, but getting it dyed stings a little bit. In fact, I’m rubbing scabs right now. My hair is naturally curly, and I’ve always wanted straight hair, so, finally, I’ve gotten my dream.

From Raleigh: James, you have 155 Websites devoted to you. How does that feel?

Overwhelming. Damn, 155 of them? I gotta get a computer. Man, that’s going to make my head swell! That makes me feel great. I’ve gone on the Net a couple of times—once when I was filming a movie in Missouri, and the assistant director called me over and said, "James, you gotta take a look at this." I gotta check that out. It’s incredible!

From lis237: How was it kissing Sarah Michelle Gellar?

It was very good. It was easy to go to work that day. Sarah is a great friend, and it was certainly more comfortable than kissing someone you meet two minutes before the scene. My girlfriend is sitting next to me right now, though, so I’m watching my words very carefully.

From julie67: Are you happy with where the storyline is heading?

Yes, now that I have filmed a couple more episodes that have been seen. I didn’t know how Joss was going to fit me into the whole thing. I was afraid I was going to end up a bed wetter or something. But you haven’t seen nothing yet—just wait and see.

From hacker2093: Do you think we’ll ever see Dru again?

I hope so. They have tried to get Dru back on the show two times now, but she’s been very busy doing movies. I hope they keep trying, though, because I miss her.

From jcbuffyfan: If you didn’t play Spike, who (on Buffy) would you want to play?

Macbeth.

From Danielle: Spike rules! I was wondering what your opinion is on the overwhelmingly positive response to your character, who is essentially (for lack of a better description) an evil, murderous demon?

Makes me scared to go out at night. I love it. I was suppossed to be killed after five episodes. And I have to thank everyone who got on it and wrote to Joss. I have a very nice apartment now.

From Tinkerbell: I wanted to know if there’s going to be a Spike-and-Willow romance going on...

I think they’re cooking up someone else for Willow, but she just got burned by Wolf Boy, so I don’t know. I’ve always thought that Spike should flirt with her to catch her off guard, but I haven’t heard anything about us getting together. But, you never know.

From lisa: Boxers or briefs?

Neither. In fact, on the show, I’m always wearing those button-fly Levis, and they were getting old and ripped and the crew was like, "James, come on."

From bufaddicted: Hi! Is Spike going to start helping Buffy out with research and stuff?

Can Spike read? Hmmm...You know, Spike is still evil, he’s just forced into helping Buffy. I don’t think he will ever help unless it is for his own selfish benefit.

From mrtrick1: If you could fight anyone on Celebrity Deathmatch, who would it be?

Trent Lott. I’d kick his ass. Because he’s an evil man.

From energyr: I think you are amazingly talented. Any plans for the future in moonlighting?

I’m hoping for a good summer, but they haven’t really started casting, and right now I’m busy with Buffy. But I guarantee there will be other projects ahead.

From buffyisdabomb: Are you going to be able to fully function as a vampire again?

If sucking blood out of demons is allowed, yes.

From clover21: Hi, James! The comedy is wonderfully performed in the show—a great example is the ep "Something Blue." Have there been any scenes that were hard to get through because people started laughing?

There was one scene that hasn’t aired yet that everybody had to get their hair fried out for. Generally, there is a lot of joking on the set. But once they roll and it’s action, we get down to business.

From stephie: Will you be on Angel again this season?

I think so. I’m contracted for at least one more, and I’m really hoping that Spike can hurt vampires, because I’d love to go hurt vampires. I still haven’t forgiven him.

From eyewatchtv: Do you think you’d make a good vampire in real life, or would you be more of a slaying kind of guy?

I’d make a great vampire. I love the idea of being able to take whatever I want whenever I want.

From goddessbeth: Since Spike is now a regular, are there any plans for you to write another comic book?

No. I just got asked the other day, but I’m afraid I’m just too busy. I had a good time writing and learned a lot about what it is to write a comic book. If Spike gets killed, then maybe I’ll have time, but...

From eyewatchtv: If you had to be staked, how would you like to go?

I don’t want to get staked! Anything other than a pencil—I saw that last season, and I thought that is a humiliating way to go.

From heymouse: What is your favorite ep so far? You’ve had some great lines this season!

Anything with a good body count, but, saying that, Spike hasn’t had a great body count lately. I would probably say the two crossover episodes. Before those, it was "School Hard."

From pineapple_head: What type of music are you into?

A lot. I like Belle & Sebastian, Beck, Catherine Wheel, the Charlatans, The Cure, Digable Planets, Miles Davis, Al Green, Benny Goodman, Arlo Guthrie...I’m rifling through my CD collection right now.

From nicolemn: Do you know if Oz is coming back?

I hope so. He went off to do a movie. The door is certainly open in terms of story. I hope so, because I think he’s wonderful, and I have yet to be able to work with him.

From heymouse: James, you have totally stolen the show. Anyone getting jealous on the set?

No, I don’t think we have time for jealousy. Everyone has a full plate. But I think Xander would like to punch a few more people. No, seriously, though, there really isn’t any jealousy on the set.

From vslayer414: Who is the weirdest fan who has ever come up to you?

Well, there was one day...It was Halloween night, and I had just seen Bringing Out the Dead, which is all about a man dealing with freaks in Hell’s Kitchen in New York, and I walked out of the theater, and it was even freakier. This guy walked up to me dressed as me, and he asked his friend to take a picture of me. The friend was dressed as Darth Maul, and he was getting a piece of pizza. So, I had to sit and wait for Darth Maul to get his pizza. It was very surreal, but mostly the fans are great.

From kbuffy: Any upcoming public appearances we should watch for?

No, I’ve cut back on public appearances, because I am trying to get more sleep on the weekends. I did a couple while I was filming and really got burned out. We film 24 hours a day, so I need to catch up on sleep. Maybe more this summer. It’s too bad, because it’s really a lot of fun.

From trentlover44: James, do you know if Faith is coming back?

I have heard rumblings and rumors, but I don’t know for sure. They didn’t kill her.

From yokelcletus: I’d like to see an episode dedicated to Spike’s past.

I bet there’s a great story to be told on how you became a vampire. I would love to do a story about Spike’s past, as long as I don’t have to put on the muttonchops David had to for his [past story]. I would love to learn about his past—I imagine he wasn’t a very nice guy.

From beequeen: How does it feel to know that, at any given moment, countless females are lusting after you?

It feels really good. Makes me all warm and tingly.

From pineapple_head: What movie do you consider to be a "must see"?

Bringing Out the Dead, Apocalypse Now and Three Kings.

From adrianna79: What do you like to do in your spare time?

I have none. I mean, seriously, I have no spare time. But if I had some extra time, I would like to get back to writing. I would like to spend more time with friends and family...and fix my car—a ’65 Ford Mustang, black chrome. It has a carburetor problem.

From tanaqui: Is the accent a pressure or a pleasure for you?

Total pleasure. At first a pressure, because I didn’t want to embarrass Tony Head and his English friends. But he’s told me that I’m doing a good job.

From cfayehill: Have you always wanted to be in show biz, or is it something you just fell into?

I’m one of those guys who has wanted to do it since fourth grade, when I played Eeyore in Winnie the Pooh. To do well in school, my mother had to convince me that it somehow related to acting, like chemistry and higher math—that was hard to rationalize.

From vslayer414: James, how did you get the part of Spike? How did Joss find you?

They had been looking for a long time and hadn’t found what they were looking for. They looked at big names and couldn’t find anyone, then started scraping the bottom of the barrel and found me. Frankly, I just think I had the bad accent.

From allieg: Any chance we’ll see Spike playing a guitar and singing? Maybe the blues?

I don’t know. I would love it, as I’ve been playing the guitar for about 15 years. If they could make it cool, then that would be great. I would love it. But I don’t know if they have any plans for that right now.

From liz_lavelle: Are you one of the people who pulls pranks on the set, and, if so, what have you done?

No, I don’t pull pranks. I damage the set. I really do. I go for it a lot. I went through a wall the other day, and I destroyed some good shrubbery. I tend to really go all out, and sometimes I damage stuff. They are threatening to dock my pay.

From titanicdiva1912: How’s that competition for best bod working out between you and Marc?

No competition at all—just a mutual-support society. In fact, I was the one who alerted him that he was going to have to take his shirt off. Nothing makes you do more sit-ups.

From stryx: Oh, how irritating are those fangs to wear?

Not at all. The first pair that I wore started to warp and cut into my gums, and I had a little bleeding problem, but they made a new set for me. You just have to make sure you don’t sound like a sissy with a lisp.

From endorwitch: I read you did, but I’d like to find out from you: Do you answer your fan mail? I sent a letter yesterday, so...

I once went halfway through the process, but the postage alone was $7000. I’d like to brag that they pay me that well, but I’m still trying to pay off my student loan. The Buffy people know they don’t have to pay much since the writing is so great.

From sweet_tarot: Hi, I met you at a convention recently. I have to say that you are the nicest guy. My question is, do you think Spike will ever (sort of) accept being part of the Scooby Gang?

Thank you, and, yes, but only if it gives him what he wants. He will never be a team player. But then I say that, and, of course, Joss will do something else.

From bufandangel: How is the plot with Buffy and Riley going, chemistry-wise? I prefer her and Angel much more!

What big shoes for Marc to have to step into. I think he’s very fortunate, but he also has a big mountain to climb. I think he’s doing very well. As Joss said, "You don’t follow a banjo act with a banjo act." But I think the whole Clark Kent thing is working.

From amyj1018: How much creative input do you—or anyone else on the show, for that matter— have in terms of character development, story ideas, etc.?

The only real creative input is what shows out of my eyes and what goes on between my own ears. Which can be substantial, when the camera goes close-up on you, that’s all there is for that moment. I have no input as far as story or character development with respect to writing. For example, when Spike was in a wheelchair last season and Dru was climbing all over Angel—sticking her tongue in his ear and stuff—I could have played that a lot of ways, and I chose to play it angry. I could have been sad...

From rainbow21_: Who would you love to star in a movie with—if you had the time?

My girlfriend, Liz. We met doing a Shakespeare play—the first time I fell in love with her, she was performing Shakespeare. She’s my Lady Macbeth—she’s great.

From forget_me_not: Spike’s been on the business end of a lot of humiliation this season. What do you think has been his lowest point so far?

The stuff you’ve seen pales in comparison to what he’s about to go through, so just wait.

From flowergirlx: How has your life changed since appearing on Buffy?

I no longer have to borrow money from anyone. That sounds like a little thing, but it’s the world for an actor.

From hoydenish: Would you like to see Spike with Buffy again?

Yes. I think that you know you’re seriously in the mix when you’re either kissing Buffy or hitting her.

From spikegrrl1: Who is your favorite character in Macbeth? I’ve heard you love the play.

Oh, Mac himself. He shows us that we are capable of horrendous evil—that evil is the human condition. And the body count is awesome.

From willow0085: On a dare from my friend, I ask you: Do those leather pants ever cut off your circulation?

I haven’t gotten leather pants. I’m waiting for them. I was in the same jeans and T-shirt for two years. I got a new costume now. They bought me new jeans and a black shirt. I’d like to wear leather pants, though.

From forget_me_not: What’s your favorite TV show (that you’re not in, that is)?

In Search of History on the History Channel. Very interesting bits of history...body counts, cruelty.

From jcbuffyfan: Does it feel any different to now have your name in the credits?

Oh, yeah. People actually believe I’m in the show now. Joss didn’t want to put me in the credits at the beginning because he wanted to keep it a secret. So, when I told people I was on the show, they literally called me a liar.

From swoop300: Your fans at the Bronze created a new club: the Horny Spike-Lovers’ Association. You, of course, are an honorary member! Say a few words!

Well, uh, as much as I would like to take action on being a member of that, I’ll let my girlfriend take care of that. But, thank you!

From cara21: Where are your ticklish spots?

All over my body.

From moomoo: Do you travel?

For Christmas I’m going overseas for the first time in my life—and looking forward to it. I’m going to Spain.

From forget_me_not: At what point did you feel you’d "made it" as an actor? Seeing your name on TV? Buying brand-name groceries instead of generic?

It happened before I came to Los Angeles. That’s more of a decision that you have to keep to yourself—and it can’t be tied to if you’re working or not, because as an actor, you’re often not working. But it happened for me doing The Tempest in Chicago, which I was naked for.

From taraljc: So, any shirtless make-out scenes in your future?

Just filmed one last week—just shirtless!

From kachu: How is the new guy Riley getting along with everyone?

Really well. He doesn’t want to get killed any more than I do.

From jasmen666: Joss mentioned last night that when he was directing tomorrow’s episode, it was very terrifying. What is your view on it?

I think it was a profoundly brave thing to do. One of the strongest things about the show is the dialogue. He is one of the best writers of dialogue I have ever worked with, and to completely abandon that is the mark of an artist that will be around for a long time. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve heard it is remarkable. I think artists who challenge themselves and go in different directions are the ones to watch.

From runewolf: Do you have a favorite historical period?

Oh, so many. I think the Renaissance would have been fabulous when they were unearthing all the Greek culture, and it was reinvigorating all of Europe, but I think I was born in the most exciting time imaginable. I wouldn’t change places with anyone in history. The world is spinning fast right now.

From hyper_angel: Do you agree with your "Love’s a bitch" speech?

Yeah, totally! To be in love is to be vulnerable in that way, and people who try to protect themselves shortchange their experience.

From patshin1: James, what do you think of the WB promos with all the WB stars in them? Did you shoot one yet?

I’ve shot one, but I haven’t seen it yet. I think they’re cool. They’re shot really well, but I’m still waiting for mine. I’m paired with Marc Blucas.

From monique1017: If you could travel in time, would you go to the past or to the future?

Good question. I think I would go to the future to either allay or confirm my fears.

From bad_hairday: James, what is your favorite line that you’ve said in the role of Spike?

There are at least 10 every episode, but probably the speech to Buffy and Angel about love, or—in my first episode, killing one of the teachers—saying that I’m a "veal kind of guy and not gonna eat you."

From cloveland: Are you aware of a club called the Spike Girls, with 253 people who watch you religiously? This is Bratty Spike...

God bless you, Bratty. Rock on.

From scaleyg: Any more great scenes with Alyson (like "Initiative")? You two were great together.

Thank you. She’s a great actor. I haven’t shot any more yet, but I’m sure there’s more to come.

From dru316: Hi, James, are you an animal type of person? I know that you have a cat, but do you like any other types of animals?

I like all animals. I think they admit to themselves that they are animals, unlike humans. My cat, Zack, at 14 still kicks butt, but now I can hug him without getting slashed, because he’s getting a little older.

From buffy_jen: What’s your favorite food?

My favorite food? Steak, medium rare.

From kachu: Who is a better kisser, Sarah Michelle or Juliet Landau?

Sarah. Or Liz.

From friedlchenail: If you were not an actor, what would your profession be?

License-plate maker. They only thing that kept me out of trouble over the years is that, ultimately, I love acting more than any kind of self-destructive or mischievous behavior. I think acting has saved me from going too far.

From geegee_24: What’s up with you and Harmony?

She kicked me out. I’ve been dumped by two girls now. She may be back, but, in general, Spike gets burned, and he’s bitter, and he’s breaking hearts.

From kat_girly: Do you ever hope the writers decide to give Spike a soul? What do you think that would do to the show?

Hmmm...that would be interesting, but, ultimately, not right for the show. I think that Spike would change, but he would have a lot less fun. I don’t want to become brooding. I enjoy wreaking havoc and chaos.

From tanaqui: How do you think our generation will go down in history?

As the saviors of the country. As the ones who got up off the couch. Thanks for showing up online, and, once I get a computer, I promise to come visit.

I’m still here for a few minutes. He was so great! You guys were great! Thanks.

From carney: Are Rick and Lily gonna break up on Once and Again?

I hate to say it, but, in a word, yes.

From want_take_have: What’s up on ER?

Well, Dr. Corday’s mom is coming in the form of Jeanne Moreau (famous French star), and she won’t exactly be welcomed with open arms.

From shelby: Anything on Angel?

Oh, yeah. Cordelia is going to be the kissing bandit when she realizes Doyle has left her with a parting gift that came with his kiss. She’s trying to get rid of it, but she doesn’t realize that a big, purple demon aptly named Barney is after her.

From Hayley: I heard one of Rachel’s sisters will be visiting on Friends. Any celeb gonna be playing her?

How ’bout Reese Witherspoon? Great casting, don’t you think?