Monthly Question and Answers : 2010
January 2010
What do you think about the vampire craze that seems to be taking over the entertainment world?
Go vampires! They’re sexy, they’re hot, and they’re profitable.
Which is sexier, hip bones or hollow of the throat?
Hipbones.
Would you rather meet your great-grandchildren or your great-grandparents?
Great-grandchildren in a heartbeat!
Do you regularly use your English accent to make sure its still there?
No. (He said in American)
Is the reason Spike did not smoke on the last season of Angel because you quit smoking?
I tried to minimize Spike’s smoking the whole time, knowing that kids were watching, and hating the herbal cigarettes that I had to smoke. Spike didn’t smoke on “Angel” because I had more power then.
Have you ever (at any age) performed in a magic act?
No, not that I can recall.
Either/Or
Dark or white meat? Both.
Scuba diving or sky diving? (Laughs) I’m not like that guy, the either/or guy. Uh, ok…. Scuba.
February 2010
What was your very first non-acting job and how old were you?
Dishwashing at the Nest Restaurant in Modesto, CA
Did you ever have a special childhood stuffed animal, and if so what was it called?
At one point I had 27 stuffed animals and they were all arranged in a row so I had no room in bed and I was happy as a clam. My favorite was a snake named King Edward.
Can you walk on stilts or ride a unicycle?
Yes. I am a man who took acting classes all his life. I can do the unicycle, I can do all that crap. (Laughs.)
If you were to inhabit the world of any video or computer game, which one would you live in?
I like dark apocolyptic video games, but I have no interest in living in those worlds. But if I could be Batman I’d be willing to go to Arkham Asylum,
On days when you are home and able to relax, do you prefer to go barefooted, wear only socks or wear socks and shoes?
I give equal time to all footwear!
As someone who obviously enjoys his work is there any aspect of your job that you dislike?
Waiting. My favorite word in the universe is “action” so everyone has to shut up and let me get to work.
I understand you are influenced in your song writing by the music of Nick Drake, I just wondered which song of Nick’s is you personal favorite , and how you first heard about him?
I’m not arrogant enough to claim Nick Drake as an inspiration. He’s too complex for me to copy. My favorite song is the last cut on the album Pink Moon. I heard about him from a car commercial!
A headline about you which you gladly would read?
James Marsters set to be Barack Obama’s new press secretary, James Marsters solves the energy crisis, James Marsters does away with insurance companies.
March 2010
What song did you start to play in the deleted scene for P.S. I Love You? Everyone loves that scene.
Oh, that was Too Fast, that I wrote. I had to use something that I wrote so they didn’t have to deal with any copyrights.
Should the individual or society be of primary importance?
Uh, well society exists to give succor to the individual. There’s no reason for society if it doesn’t serve the individual, so the individual does come first. I’m an American, though, so I’m gonna say that. If I was Chinese, I might tell you the opposite.
Are you a good swimmer?
I’m a very good swimmer. I was trained at the YMCA in Modesto to the level of “Shark”, which is just below lifeguard.
What do you think of Joss Whedon’s comment that “Buffy was in love with Spike the moment their hands clasped” in the finale?
Yeah, I believe that. Only then was he a true hero, only then did he truly sacrifice himself for other people and only then did he truly deserve her.
Food you hated as a child, but came to like as an adult?
Nothing. I still hate lima beans, I still hate liver, and I still hate brussel sprouts.
As an actor, you have died onstage and onscreen several times. Which were your most and least favorite deaths to perform and why?
My least favorite was on Lie to Me because I wanted more dialogue with Tim Roth and Jennifer Beals. My favorite was my first death on Smallville because I knew it was meaningless. Dying isn’t good.
Favorites:
Decade? My favorite decade? Right now!!
Amusement park ride? Rollercoaster- an old-fashioned wooden roller coaster.
James Bond? I would have said Sean Connery until Craig. But now it’s Daniel Craig. Yeah. He’s the dirtiest, he’s a real killer. You really would not want to have dinner with that guy. I love it – he’s so nasty!
April 2010
When Spike burned at the end of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, why did he laugh?
(Pauses.) Because that’s MY reaction to great pain. Whenever I hit my head, or cut myself, I’m like “OH, GOD, OH THAT HURTS, OH WOW… (laughs loudly) You laugh so you don’t cry.
Are you good with tools? Can you fix things in the house or car, or do you just call someone to do it?
I ran a theatre company – I can fix anything, but it only lasts for 4 weeks.
Everyone experiences those “what if” moments. Is there any particular role that you have auditioned for and not gotten that you still wonder “what if?” to this day?
No. I’ve learned to forget about roles I didn’t get. Anything else would drive me insane.
What memories do you have of the actual moon landing?
I remember being allowed to stay up late to watch it, which never happened in my house. I am also ashamed enough to say that I was young enough to be bored. It was only after I got to the school yard that I realized how momentous the event was.
Would you prefer money for a housekeeper, cook, gardener, or personal secretary?
Housekeeper – I like to cook. What the heck does a personal secretary do anyway?
What’s the best guitar you’ve ever played?
A beat-up Taylor in 1983 in New York. A guy was busking on the street and let me play his guitar. I made five dollars for him in five minutes. He was happy.
Favorites:
Relaxation Ritual – Hot bath and a good rant on MSNBC by Keith Olbermann.
Fast Food – I have a great love for both In and Out and Carl Jr. because they serve a no-carb hamburger.
May 2010
If you could choose one of the following aspects of Spike which would it be?
a) His attitude towards life
b) His way of loving someone
c) His look (clothes, hair, etc)
His way of loving.
We know that you name your guitars, such as “Malcom” and “Crystal.” How do you come up with the names for your guitars?
(Laughs.) I have no idea. The name just pops in my head. I named my tour guitar “Chow” because it was made in Korea.
You’re playing a game. How important is winning to you?
It depends on who I’m playing with. If I’m playing with children then it’s most important that they have fun. If I’m playing with my girlfriend then it’s most important that she has fun. In all other circumstances I want to win, win, win!
What food reminds you of childhood?
Mmmmmmm. Charleston Chew Candy Bars and giant Pixie Stix.
Would you be likely to survive alone in the wilderness?
Under what conditions? I would put my chances at slightly better than average – which would make me bear meat.
Everyone always asks about crying on cue, how about laughing? What makes you laugh?
Oh. (laughs) Anything! Yeah, if you’re in a good mood and not bitter, then it’s very easy to laugh on camera. But in fact, it’s harder to laugh on camera than it is to cry.
Either/Or:
Spring or Fall? Spring
Who do you most relate to, pre-vampire William or Simon from “Chance”? Simon
June 2010
What’s one thing from the past that humanity should bring back? (Object and/or social practice)
Uniforms in schools. That way the poor kids don’t have to bow their heads in front of the rich kids.
In the movie ‘Stand by Me,’ the narrator says “I never had any friends later on in life like the ones I had when I was 12.” Do you think that’s true?
Yeah. It’s true for me.
“Winding Roads” was a movie about three women, three men and their relationships, with the focus primarily on telling the women’s stories. But what about the men? In your opinion, what were we supposed to think and feel about your character, Billy Johnson?
He was a good regular guy. He just wasn’t interesting enough for her, but he was a decent man.
What would Spike say to Edward Cullen from “Twilight”?
Let’s party, man!
Do you ever prefer the cover of a song (such as The Clash’s “I Fought the Law”) over the original artist’s version?
Hmmmm… Generally no, but the Clash did rock – that might be my exception.
You have said how your stage experience affected your screen performance when you first started on Buffy and how you adjusted. I was wondering, now that you have gone back and done a couple stage pieces, how do you find your screen work has affected your stage performance?
Good question. It has made my stage performance more honest and more improvisational.
Yes/No
Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? No.
If you were in an emergency situation and you had to deliver a baby, could you? Absolutely!
July 2010
You’ve spoken in the past about Edmund Kean, an theater actor from that past century you admire. If you could spend a day with him, what would you want to know?
I would probably hate Edmund Kean. If I ever met him, I would probably punch him. He sounds like a really ridiculous asshole. But he was a genius. I think I would much rather be in the audience and watch him than have dinner with him.
I just finished watching Lie to Me and was wondering what your motivation was when you opened the door at the end? You had this happy smile on your face…
Oh yeah! My wife had just told me we were going to have sex. Well, you have to have a secret! And I decided that I was a guy with a large family, we had five kids, we were always tired. But that one day, my wife was cooking and she comes up and says, “hey baby, just wait til the kids go to bed tonight!” and then… I opened the door. You should come from a mountain top right before you get killed, you know?
What is the TV show you miss from childhood?
Hawaii Five-0. But oh, that’s RIGHT! We’re making a fresh one! I don’t have to miss it anymore. (Laughs)
What is your honest opinion of your face?
Uhhhh. I think I’m like a 6 1/2. I think I’m good looking enough for television, but the reason I keep getting work is because I care.
How does one know when it’s really love?
If after 18 months when you’re starting to really know the person, you find out if your initial attraction was real or just you being too hopeful.
What kind of music would you never listen to under any circumstance?
Music of the hair bands – Bon Jovi back in the day. Any band where the band wears more makeup then Elvira.
Do you think in our day and time everyone should carry some sort of weapon with them?
No!!! My God, no! Ask me again in 15 years, but not now.
Either/Or:
Sweet or salty food? Salty.
Synthesizer Rock Band: Steve Miller or (The Original) Styx? Miller, Miller Miller! Styx sucks. Sorry, but they just do.
