an Anthony Head fansite
Vulkon Oakland Slayercon
Saturday, August 28, 2004
Transcript of Q&A with Tony Head and Nicholas Brendon
Saturday Banquet transcript
Sunday Q & A transcript
pictures
NOTE: Anytime this, {...}, appears, it indicates a place where I could not determine exactly what was said. In most cases, it was only a few words, but in a few cases there is a gap of a minute or so.There was not a microphone for the audience so questions and comments from the audience are summarized as best as possible.
The autograph sessions took place in the same place as the Q&As and ran late. A con person and Julie Caitlin Brown were talking on stage shortly after the time Tony and Nick were scheduled to start when Tony just came out on stage without them realizing it at first. The audience cheers clued them in fast.
Tony: Hello. We got a chair. You know, this is really cool, you do that synchronized. (talking to people in the audience running back and forth) You can form a team! (Someone shouts out it could be an Olympic event) It could be! Do you know they keep adding things? Each time they go to a country, they add another event. If they ever do get to England, it would be Tiddlywinks. So then, here we are. Now, I was told that basically no one can hear any of the questions so I have to repeat them. (something from the audience) It's much better today? Cool! (Something from the audience) Of course it's me. Duh! So I don't quite know where Nicky is yet, but anyway, I'll just get stuck in, if you'll excuse the expression (audience laughs). Oh you're easy. (more comments from audience that I couldn't hear. Tony laughs.) Do you know them that well? Um, okay, so where should we start? Should we start with the photo op? (He poses dramatically for a moment and the audience whoops and cheers) I love the photo op. (he giggles) (someone in the audience asks him to take off his jacket) Why, you want the t-shirt? No, I like this jacket. It's cool! This is {name of designer - I couldn't make it out} I'll have you know. Handpicked by Alyson Hannigan and Alexis Denisof. (something from audience) Well, that they do. (Someone from audience asked if since they [AH and AD] dressed him, could we undress him). Nooooo. That's not right. (he looks to the back of the room) Alexis isn't still signing in back is he? (he's told yes) Oh dude. (laughs) I thought I was slow! God bless. He's only got a couple left now. (someone from the audience points out that Alexis had to sign for everyone that day while Tony only had to sign for half, since he was going to be there the next day also) Well, yeah. Oh,don't make me feel bad. (said in a joking way. He turns away to cough) I don't want to cough at you. That's not very pleasant. So should we get some questions? (he doesn't see any hands at first) No one! (then he sees one) Oh, yeah?
Q: I know you did TV shows in Britain and here too. Is there any difference between the two?
Tony: Is there any difference between TV shows - doing TV shows in England and doing TV shows in (he stumbles over his words here and makes some exaggerated mumbling noises). Primarily, the difference is the amount of money that's spent on it. And the craft services (he jumps out of his chair to really emphasize his point) They'd get anybody excited. You get seriously - I don't know how Hollywood starry people do it. 'Cause like, craft services in America, I just got seriously fat on. Because they're really good. You just get everything. You just get like popcorn and Krispy Kreme donuts and there's always like cookies... It is great. There's an occasional salad, for the healthy people. But in England you get like... at four o'clock, you get a tray of sandwiches and biscuits. You get...well we have assorted tea time biscuits which you don't...thank God, you don't have here. You get like, a quarter stack of chocolate digestives and the rest are things like custard creams. I can't bear it. And chocolate bourbons. You're mercifully spared...it's not bourbon like whiskey. It's like chocolate {...}, sorry 'bout that. Like a wafer sandwiched with - oh it doesn't even bear describing. Anyway, that's the essential difference between them. The chocolate digestives go really quickly, needless to say, leaving the rest of the crud for everybody else. And I think that they've got stashes - they put a little stash away of all the chocolate digestives and hide them. Bastards. But...um...no the essential difference is that there's a huge crew in the States, and they basically work 'til it's finished. Generally they like to try to do - it's an average of about a 14 hour day, they like to try and do 12. But in England we do like an 11 hour day and it stops at the end of it, because there's no money. So, basically, where ever you are, they just suddenly go "Okay, we're stopping now" Oh, it's in an accent. "Okay, we're stopping now." (said in a deeper. more cultured voice) Um...but...um...I don't know. The other thing is that they'll never invest in anything more than about six to eight episodes in England. But in America, obviously you do like 22 episodes. It does mean that when you're doing stuff in England that you can do lots of different things. I mean, I'm doing two different shows right now, plus a documentary series for the Discovery Channel. So...um... you know, it's nice and busy, whereas in the States, you sign up for 22 episodes, and you're very lucky if you have the time or the energy to do anything else. Um...and occasionally people do stuff in the summer break, but it's...it's hard going for Americans, but nice...nice when you can get it. Yes? (This is directed to the next person asking a question. At this point, the crowd starts cheering and Tony looks around confused for a bit until he realizes that Nick Brendon has just walked out on stage. They sit down next to each other.)
Nick: It's like Simon and Garfunkel up here.
Tony: I'll be Simon, and you can be Garfunkel (Tony sings a bit of Simon and Garfunkel sounding music)
Nick: I don't know any of that. I'm too young. (audience reacts and laughs, while Tony mocks being hurt)
Tony: You come straight on with the insults, just don't care. (They both talk over each other for a moment)
Nick: So I guess you were talking.
Tony: Only a little. I've been talking about craft services.
Nick: Oh, really?
Tony: Yeah.
Nick: That would be bad. Don't get Tony started on craft services.
Tony: Oh, my God (said in a "the things I have to put up with" sort of voice)
Nick: Well, I'm Nicholas Brendon, and this is...uh...oh shoot, give me a second (pretending he can't remember Tony's name. Tony is making "Yeah, yeah" type noises throughout.) Weird, I'm embarrassed right now.
Tony: (laughs for a bit) Tell you what they do do. Craft services, in...in -
Nick: You weren't kidding.
Tony: Not at all. In Hollywood, you get this craft table and they go "Oh! Krispy Kreme donuts, look!" And they take, like, that much (indicates a small amount with his hands). Nothing. And they go -
Nick: And everybody says, "Don't touch me there!" Like my wife.
Tony: (laughs) Okay. But, ignoring you, what was your question? (audience members asks question) Am I going to do any more stage or musicals? Don't know. I'm trying to - (at this point he is distracted by a con person and Tony and Nick then both get up and move their chairs further back on the stage, much to the audience's displeasure - including mine, since this now meant I couldn't see Nick every time the woman with the five foot tall hair sitting in front of me decided to move her head)
Nick: Well, I've got a better idea. Hold on! (He ducks under a screen behind them and Tony joins him after a moment) Like it? This is kind of cool, really, when you think about it. It's very avant-garde. (They both dance around for a moment with only their legs visible. The audience cheers. Then they come back out and take their chairs)
Tony: God, that was fun. We need to do that again, dude. (They both say "Oh yeah" type of things for a moment) So am I going to do anymore stage work or musical? Um...I don't know...um...basically, we'll probably do some once a year...there's something that we're talking about at the moment that might happen kinda Christmassy, I don't know. But...ah...I'd like to do - to keep it sort of going, but I feel like there's a lot out there at the moment, so thank you (directed upwards). So, sort of try to keep it all going, you know what I mean. Yeah, that's cool.
Nick: I hear you're singing tonight.
Tony: Apparently. (audience cheers)
Nick: Thank you. (He and Tony talk to each other for a moment and I can't make out what they were saying other than that they were discussing how to handle taking the questions)
Tony: Okay! Hi! (to next person asking a question) Want to answer that? (To Nick) What was I doing in the season when I wasn't on Buffy?
Nick: Oh, just slagging off a bit.
Tony: Slagging off a bit? (he laughs) I wasn't slagging anyone off!
Nick: I know. Except the craft service guy. (Tony is laughing throughout)
Tony: What was I doing? I think I was doing Manchild (cheers from audience) Obviously a popular choice. Thank you. Um...I was basically...and spending some time with my family, that I haven't really spent a lot of time with for about seven to eight years. I mean, I've spent some time, but not as much as I wanted to, so. Um...when I went to Joss and said at the end of five years, "I think it's time to go home", and he went, "Well, can you stick around a little?" Um...so we sort of agreed that I'd do about eight episodes of season six, and then, thankfully, um...he missed me, and we did thirteen. (audience cheers)
Nick: And I was up to eight in the last season. And I was in town, that's the scary part! (audience and Tony are laughing) It's true. (Nick fakes crying)
Tony: It's okay.
Nick: Uh...yeah
Do you have any embarrassing stories about each other from the set?
Tony: Oh, please. Embarrassing stories about each other from the set.
Nick: Mine are illegal.
Tony: Um...not really.
Nick: Yeah, it was a tight ship.
Tony: Tight ship, tight ship.
Nick: Tony liked to just basically, kind of hole up in his trailer and not talk to anybody. Kind of a lot like, uh... which Spice Girl you worked with again? Geri.
Tony: Geri Halliwell.
Nick: Geri, yeah. Yeah. And he had his little {...} and was always stroking it. (mimics stroking a pet) {...} He was actually kicked off the show, he didn't really ask to leave. The dog was freaking us all out. (mimics stroking a pet again) We just thought that was being English, you know. We didn't know.
Tony: There's really not much embarrassing moment...it was actually, it was like...it was cool, that's what was nice about it.. it was...we were all kind of friendly, bizarrely. Right even to the end, which is why, you know... a lot of people say "We're a big happy family" but we actually kind of were. Because the crew was really cool as well, so we had a really nice time. Didn't we?
Nick: Yeah, yeah, I had a blast. {...}
Tony: {...}
Nick: {...} I'm growing right now. Just looking at you. (Tony tries to say something but can't stop laughing) {...}
Tony: That why you've got your legs crossed?
Nick: Ah...(laughs) You. (to next person asking a question)
Tony, is it true what Joss said, that you spent most of the time on the set without pants?
Tony: (laughs) Where did he say this? (He's told in the DVD commentaries) Well, Nicky you can answer that. Did I spend most of the time on the set without pants?
Nick: Yeah. Basically, you didn't see where he was supposed to wear his pants. When you couldn't see, like, you know, camera angle, he'd take his pants off. And again, we just thought he was being English.
Tony: (who has been giggling throughout) Ah, Joss Whedon. Um...no....I think - actually it's a question you should ask Alexis Denisof when you get a chance. Did he ever do any scenes in Angel without his pants on. You should do that. (An audience member tells Tony that he's already told that story) He's told that story? (audience member says that Tony has told that story) Why, yes I did. (in an "oops, you caught me" voice) But now is the chance to ask him, personally. And ask for verification, as it were. 'Cause I told that story about him (laughs deviously) Um, yes!
How does it feel to be a sex symbol, for both of you?
Tony: Well, I feel really good to be a sex symbol for Nicky. (lots of cheers from audience)
Nick: Every time I look at Tony, I grow a little. (Tony cracks up laughing)
Tony: Um, how do you feel to be a sex symbol?
Nick: Well, you know. It's such a puzzle, really. You know. I gotta wake up in the morning, and I gotta look at this face, and say, "My God, man, you are handsome." (much laughter from audience and Tony). {...} I don't know, I tend to - you're beautiful, by the way (to the woman who asked the question. The audience awwws) I find that it's good to -
Tony: (muttering) You smooth talking bastard.
Nick: It's the way I work, man. I'm a giver now, I'm not a taker.
Tony: That's what makes you sensitive, dude.
Nick: Thank you. I give. {...}
Tony: Um...I don't know. I don't think of myself as a sex symbol because it's an oxymoron, but there you go. But thank you. And...um...thank you.
How do you feel about being a choking hazard?
Tony: Very, very, very pleased.
Nick: Choking hazard?
Tony: I am...Warning: a choking hazard. And I articulate in 14 places.
Nick: Really?
Tony: Right. Thank you! (He stands up and bows) That's one! Just in 14. Yup. And I'm 12 foot high. Or, 12 inches high. Well, it's all relative, isn't it? Yes?
(The next question is about the Buffy animated series and Ripper)
Tony: Buffy cartoon, uh...seems to be going ahead, is that right?
Nick: Yeah. Well, you used your voice.
Tony: I used my voice, but that was for the...for the presentation.
Nick: I would imagine that it's going to sell.
Tony: I hope so. That's right. You're hearing it right here guys.
Nick: We both did...we've taken our voices from inside of our bodies, and we put them on these little tapes. And they draw. And it's just about done. The presentation is done. So I think they got this thing called (he deliberately mumbles the name) or something like that in New York, where they sell it.
Tony: What's it called?
Nick: (deliberately mumbles name again so it can't be understood) It's in the New York - And I think that's where they sell everything.
Tony: Everything?
Nick: Everything. (with great emphasis) I'm being sold there. (audience whoops) I'm only a thousand dollars.
Tony: Wow, that's very expensive. Um...and Ripper? I don't know, basically I haven't seen Joss for a while, but last time we talked, it was all very exciting. (He makes various noises to indicate he doesn't really know) I don't know, I have no idea. If he has the time and I've got the time, I hope...I mean, the story's there, last time we talked. And he was still excited by the idea. But then, he has so many ideas.
Nick: I heard that Joss was kind of kicking around the idea of making a Xander one called Zipper. (the audience and Tony laugh)
Tony: Zipper? (in a disbelieving voice)
Nick: Zipper. Your zipper's there! I don't know what I'd be doing. I'm in charge of making sure zippers are zipped. Zipper's show! Hey, hey, hey! Come here. Heeerrre. (mimics zipping up someone's pants) Now get away from me, man. I'd tune in.
Tony: You know, that's a concept, dude.
(Audience member says something)
Nick: Crotches. Yeah, I search for crotches. Restricted video. 18 and older.
Tony: Yes? (finally stops giggling long enough to call on next questioner)
(Something about favorite episodes.)
Tony: Which episode was my favorite? Go on (to Nick)
Nick: Well...you know. Hush was great, and also Once More With Feeling. I liked The Zeppo.
Tony: Yeah, Zeppo was good.
Nick: I like the one where Tony does that weird thing? So yeah, that was funny. Where he came in, and I react to you? You came into the basement, that was fun.
Tony: And you said, "Walk like Frank 'n' Furter".
Nick: Oh, well, you wore heels. (they are talking over each other at this point and I can't make out what either says)
Tony: And I did.
Nick: Yeah, you wanted to walk that way. So I think those...I mean, there's so many, it's hard to...
Tony: Restless.
Nick: Yeah.
Tony: Restless was great.
Nick: It's so good. I mean, all 144, or really 145 with the presentation -
Tony: No. The presentation was crap.
Nick: Wait. What are you talking about? I thought it was great.
Tony: You were stunning.
Nick: Thank you.
Tony: I was crap.
Nick: You were great! No, you had glasses on and stuff.
Tony: {...}
Nick: You played with your glasses, and you drank some tea...It was great. Hey, you really taught me how to do some stuff. Don't negate that buddy.
Tony: Teehee. (He actually said Teehee instead of his usual giggle)
Nick: (mimicking him) Teehee. I see one over here. I spy you.
If you could spend one day as a woman, what would you do?
Nick: Not leave the house! All right! Is this thing on? Oh yeaah! (said in a deep macho guy voice)
Tony: Um, if we could spend one day as a woman, what would we do? Shop. (laughter from audience)
Nick: Have a baby!
Tony: Yeah! Actually.. in one day?
Nick: I would want to make as much love as possible to see what it feels like, you know? Yeah, that's, that's weird...so then I wouldn't do it anymore. I don't want to hurt you. No, no, trust me {...} I won't tell you why, but {...} You don't believe me? Swear to God. I've got pictures. {...} Yeah, odd question. Get a lot of odd answers to that question?
Tony: Yeah. Do you ask that of many people?
Nick: Just came to you right now? Security. Is it over?
(something is said from audience)
Tony: You asked James the same thing?
Nick and Tony at same time: What did he say? (something said from audience. Both Tony and Nick make 'Oh, okay' noises. Others in the audience want to now what was said.)
Nick: She's going to ask James the same thing. Then we're going to find out what he says.
Tony: Yes, you betcha. We're going to kick ass when we find out
Nick: Be nice buddy. {...}
Tony: God, we'll be lethal dude.
Nick: Ah, we already are. Right now...we are literally killing people right now. You're killing up there. We know. What's that stench? (Tony is giggling helplessly throughout this entire part) Decaying bodies. Hi! (to next questioner who I could not hear)
Tony: What? The dance? (others in the audience yell out "The Snoopy dance.")
Nick: You've got to realize that it's just a very basic dance. (the audience cheers anyway and Nick shrugs and stands up)
Tony: I wanna see this.
Nick: (says something away from the microphone and then picks it back up to say something) I'm just doing this once, ok? Because I...usually...okay (He sets the microphone back down and does the dance for about three seconds to great cheers)
Tony: What an amazing {...}
Nick: I know, now that takes care of that question.
(Someone asks him to do the I'll Never Tell dance.)
Nick: I - I don't know that dance.
Tony: What was the I'll Never Tell dance?
Nick: You know, the...the...the kind of like (he stands up to demonstrate but can't remember) I forgot, I totally forgot how to (he kicks a bit) Hey, you know I'll be honest with you, I have not danced since that episode. I don't go home and say, "Oh my god, there's my pole!"
Tony: Aw, you told me it was growing.
Nick: It is right now.
Tony: Okay! I didn't get to dance in that episode (in a self pitying voice. The audience awwws on cue and tell him he could do it now)
Nick: {...}
Tony: I have no dance to give. I don't know the Scoobie dance. He did the Scoobie (sic) dance, not me! (People in the audience yell out "The Time Warp") Oh stop it. I don't - I never, ever remember The Time Warp. We used to do it at the end of the show and it was one of those things that - we'll deal with that when we get to the end of rehearsals, and I never got to learn it, so basically there was always this geezer in stockings and whatever, not knowing The Time Warp. Everyone else knew it, and it was just me, going (throws his arms around a bit to demonstrate)
Nick: No, I mean, that's what he would do, right? He wouldn't know it.
Tony: Of course. Yeah, absolutely, he wouldn't know it. (they both look around for the next questioner) {...}
Nick: Everywhere.
(The next questions is about if they are interested in anything beyond acting)
Nick: Ah, sure, I'd like to do some writing, some directing somewhere down the road. Um...yeah, now listen man. I just say it...just one thing to this guy. All right? Open. (points to his head)
Tony: Open too. Open... Um...yeah I've written a couple of things, and uh...at some point, I guess I'd like to direct. But it's this whole thing...basically... um...it's a little, I would say it's a little bit like saying, "Hey I can do this too!" (in a overly enthusiastic voice) I'm still working on the acting so, uh...I guess sometime down the line. But...um...what? (something is said from the audience) If I wasn't acting? I used to say, "Yeah, I'd like to be a writer", but actually...um...I guess I really would like to be a writer. But I did realize the other day that I really like making props, so a prop man. And me and Sarah, were going to this fancy dress party given by Matt Lucas, who is one of the stars of Little Britain. And um... we went as British holiday makers (?) and I had to make some sick down Sarah's front. I made it out of some...we have latex glue in England called {...} And it was {...} and dried peas (laughs) and it was extremely realistic, and I was very...I put a splash on my shoes.
Nick: Proud of yourself?
Tony: I was extremely proud. And I did actually end up thinking I could be a prop maker. It would be really cool fun...but anyway, there you go ... and what would you like to do if you weren't an actor?
Nick: I'd just go to DeVry. If they would have me. That's what's scary. (someone in the audience says something about stripping) No, I already did that! Man. Yeah, yeah. A low time in my life.
Tony: {...}
Nick: {...}
(The next question is what they would have pitched for an episode and then Tony is asked if he found a monologue)
Tony: Couldn't find it. No. She'd ask me, would it embarrass you if I asked you to do Captain Hook's soliloquy because he has a soliloquy at the beginning of the second act. I like... I do a part and it's sort of like I learn it, I do it, and then it's gone, and on to the next. So I haven't the foggiest idea. Apart from the fact that it starts with...um...I can't even remember what it starts with. Anyway. But...uh...I did try the internet, but all I could find was stuff about Peter Pan, but not the script. But if I find it...uhhh...I'll do something later, maybe tomorrow. And...what was the first part of the question?
Nick: Pitch an episode. You have pitched an episode before.
Tony: Yes, I pitched.
Nick: And it worked out well. (Tony giggles) Joss is {...} "Tony! Hey how are you! Great idea! Great I want to hear it!"
Tony: I did, I pitched a few. Um...and uh...I seem to remember we used to spend many a night in the first season, we used to spend it saying "Hey wouldn't it be good if.."
Nick: Yeah, over margaritas. Back in the day.
Tony: Back in the day. Yeah, so talking about you know, what we're going to do in the second season. Oh, Giles could be the bad guy! Yeah!
Nick: Yeah, I think there were more for...we came up with more for Tony's character, for Giles, than for Xander, because Xander's kind of the guy that just went anywhere, you know? And I think he was exactly at the end, he was kind of the glue that held it all together, and then there was the...
Tony: No, I was the glue. I was the glue
Nick: (talking over him) No you were not. You were gone. I was the eyes and the glue.
Tony: I was the absent glue, okay?
Nick: Have you ever mushed up eyes before, and used it as adhesive? It works. But yeah, bad guy? They thought of making me into a bad guy at the end. They were going to kill me instead of taking my eye out. Because they were going to have me be the First...Thing.
Tony: Whoa. Dude.
Nick: Yeah, but then Joss said that fans might get upset if they killed Xander. (agreement from the audience)
Tony: Ya think??
Nick: So they took that back and just made me lose an eye.
Tony: Seems fair enough.
Nick: Thank you, thank you. (to something said from the audience)
Tony: Um...I did, I did actually pitch something...I think I did pitch a couple things. I pitched something towards the end, which, in my opinion, might get done sometime.
Nick: In the Ripper?
Tony: No. I actually got picked to pitch a story for Ripper, yeah. But Ripper, if ever Ripper gets done, it'll be a one-off {...}
Nick: Like a movie?
Tony: Yeah.
Nick: Like a big time movie?
Tony: No, like a TV movie, like a little time movie.
Nick: I'll take it.
Tony: {...}
Nick: You gonna hit people?
Tony: I hope so!
Nick: Like this (stands up to demonstrate)
Tony: Why I oughta...
Nick: And then you just walk, like this is the camera...
Tony: You've done this before.
Nick: I learned from you buddy. I watched with the master. Black shirt guy. (this last is to pick out the next questioner)
(the question is if they ever read a script and were surprised by what their characters did)
Nick: Yeah, losing an eye. {...} (Tony breaks up laughing along with the audience)
Tony: Um, I must admit, when I was told by... an extremely...he was {...} first AD, he said "Oh God, this episode you turn into a demon!"
Nick: Is that the one that, you came into the basement and I {...}
Tony: And I kind of thought "At last! I get to be bad!" And he says "It's really funny." (he makes a disgusted face) So, I must admit...yeah I was...that was sort of a surprise.
(He's asked if Giles killing Ben was a surprise)
Tony: Yeah, that was, that was, actually, oh that was bad. I'm a murderer. Oh yeah. And when Jen-Jen-Jenny got killed! (fakes sobbing)
Nick: Well, you didn't kill her.
Tony: No. Angel did! (more mock crying) It's okay.
Nick: {...}
Tony: Moving swiftly on...
(the next question is a a woman who has been asking every guest the same question: What's your porn name? There is a lot of reaction from the crowd before she even has a chance to say a word.)
Tony: What? What? Oh my God! (crowd laughing) Do you ask that kind of a question? Oh boy.
(she finally actually asks the question)
Tony: Oh! (in a "Oh that's not such a bad question" voice)
Nick: Mine is... it's uh...what is it, it's dog, and then..
Tony: It's first pet and mother's maiden name.
Nick: No, no, it's the street you live on. The first street you lived on and your first pet, right? Yeah. Ross Vintage.
Tony: Oh, see in England, it's...in England it's first pet's name and...um... your mother's maiden name.
Nick: {...}
Tony: No, if it's the street, then it's...um... {...}
Nick: Like Bubbles 18th.
Tony: Well, if it's the street, it'd be Stuff Church. Um, and if it was my mother's maiden, it's Stuff Shingler.
Nick: Either way, man. {...}
Tony: Either way.
Nick: Hey, I'm Stuffed.
Tony: No, not Stuffed.
Nick: Just Stuff.
Tony: Just Stuff.
Nick: Crazy. You named your dog Stuff?
Tony: No, it was a cat.
Nick: Oh, a cat.
Tony: Yeah. There was a dog before that but I don't know that it was really my dog but the name was equally good - Boise.
Nick: (says something to the audience)
Tony: Talk amongst yourselves. Boise.
Nick: Boise.
Tony: Yeah. Boise Shingler {...} But Stuff's good. I'm sticking with Stuff.
Nick: Stick with Stuff.
Tony: Okay. What? That's not so bad (to the audience) Why's everybody going (makes disgusted noises). (He and Nick talk over each other at this point, but they are basically just exchanging Yeah's and It's good's) Yes, in the back! (to the next questioner - who I, as usual, could not hear) So...besides the character we played, what other character on Buffy would we have liked to have played, is that right? (the question is clarified) Best identified with? Oh, Cordelia. (much laughter and approval from the audience) Um, I don't know. Maybe I'll just stick with Cordelia.
Nick: Yeah, they loved it.
Tony: They did! They loved it.
Nick: A favorite.
(They both make lots of Hmmm and Um noises at this point as they are thinking)
Nick: I gotta go through all the characters. {...}. Golly. You mean series regular or -
Tony: What about that fat geezer in the tub?
Nick: Yes! Kool-aid. That guy that was in Speedos for that episode.
Tony: That was you.
Nick: Oh, well then him! Perfect. (They both point to a different audience member at the same time but end up going with Nick's choice.)
Tony: Um, what advice would we give to a young person who wants to pursue a career in Hollywood? I don't know, to be honest. Hollywood is such a weird place and everyone in Hollywood says they want to act. I mean, what kind of career do you want? As a waiter or... {...}
Nick: {...} Bottom line, don't let anyone piss you off.
Tony: Exactly. If anyone has a dream, stick with it, go with it, don't let anybody tell you it's a bad idea. And if you finally get put off it, then, you know, then it wasn't for you. Because it's a funny old game and it's fantastic when it's fantastic but it could be quite brutal if it's not. But if you have a dream, stick to it. Find your way to, find your way to an acting class. I mean, things really changed for me when I found an acting class. And, you know, it's...it's a funny ole game. Go with it girl! Go with your dream!
Nick: Have fun though, that's the thing.
Tony: Yes, have fun.
Nick: 'Cause, you know there are ups and downs. Don't get too high and don't get too low. Persevere.
Tony: Going up and down?
Nick: You should try using it. Yeah, you're growing now, aren't ya? (stares directly at Tony's crotch)
Tony: Yes! (mock embarrassment and he crosses his legs) On forth, if you'll excuse the expression. (He listens to the next question and looks confused) What was my personality transplant? (more from the audience) Oohh, so what was the most emotionally draining moment for you?
Nick: Um, probably in Restless having my dad come down and all that stuff. Hit a little close to home you know. Not that he ever beat me, but I had to go to places that I didn't want to go. That whole day wasn't "Hey! I'm having fun!" Go Fellini on my ass, man.
Tony: It was weird. I guess, I don't know, I mean Passion was - was- was- a fairly intense episode. (Audience applause) Thank you. But I mean it was beautifully written episode and everybody delivered. It was really strong. Was it something we said? (to someone getting up and leaving) Dude didn't like Passion! (He and Nick are talking over each other again)
Nick: When you said Passion, he was like.. (Tony imitates someone walking out in disgust)
Tony: Um...but, no. I've said it before but ultimately the script's very...when they filmed - when Giles phones Buffy's home and they put a real land line in so I was talking to Buffy. It was really emotional. Um... and I didn't think of it as a - you know, the last season, Giles was just doing what he thought was right. It's basically, you know, his relationship with Buffy was sort of quite - it ended up quite parental and...um...I don't know. As far as I was concerned, Spike raped Buffy so I was going for his ass. It made sense to me! Not in a sexual way, obviously. (much laughter)
Nick: You know we just thought it was being English!
Tony: Um...you know, it kind of made sense. I mean, it didn't not make sense to me. In fact, things got slightly complicated and it was, you know, I thought it was a good script to - I loved it...the thing I always loved about Buffy was that they always played consequences. They never just - something happened and then not have consequences. There was always some knock on effect, repercussions basically. That whole storyline between Spike and Buffy had repercussions. It made sense to me. (someone from the audience asks about Giles killing Ben) It made perfect sense to me! Gotta get rid of the guy! (something more from audience) Well, probably, but well, you know. Sorry, this whole conversation is about me murdering Ben. But Ben was turning into a psychopath, come on! And a female psychopath at that! But...um...no, but I did just sort of shut off the blood. But I don't know, I thought that - because obviously the knock on of that was that Giles has changed now that he's killed.
Nick: You kill somebody, you change a little bit. I've changed a lot in the last week.
Tony: You choose one (referring to the next question)
Nick: The first person to stand up, gets it. (he picks someone and people start ohhhing and ahhhing)
Tony: What? What? Did I miss something? What happened? Whaaa?
Nick: He's going to sing tonight at dinner everyone.
Tony: He's going to sing tonight at dinner everyone.
Nick: Get tickets.
Tony: No seriously, I'm trying to work it out...'cause some people who can't get in because all the tickets are gone. So I'm trying to work on - it seems sense to me that people can come in afterward. I don't see the sense -
Nick: After dinner, you mean?
Tony: Yeah! (lots of applause from audience members who didn't have banquet tickets)
Nick: {...} Helps it digest.
Tony: Not the way I'm singing tonight mate. But don't plan on it yet because I'm still working on it. But if Fernando is up for it... But it doesn't sort of make sense to me to restrict it. So, who knows. (someone yells out "You're the bomb!") I'm a bum?
Nick: No, bomb.
Tony: No, no, I'm gonna stick with that. I'm a bum.
Nick: {...} Yes, no. There's somebody standing up right over here...the red... yes, you. (I couldn't hear the question) I would see with both eyes. It's a pain in the ass trying to act with one eye. You knock into stuff. You touch things you shouldn't be touching! Don't press there! No, you get fired for that. No, seriously. Folks. Don't do that. Really not cool.
Tony: Don't go there.
Nick: That, probably - Tony?
Tony: Ahhhh...ummmmm
Nick: Great! So! I'm just kidding, man.
Tony: There was a scene (laughs) There was a scene that we did which got cut. It was me and Principle - what was his name? Wood?
Nick: Yeah, Wood.
Tony: Yeah, before we were basically were sort of fighting the bad people, there was a scene...we shot it two ways. One with us having a spliff (laughs) and one with us drinking.. it was a bottle of {...} that Giles had brought with him.
Nick: Why do you have to bring up drugs and booze into everything? What is your major malfunction soldier?! {...}
Tony: Ah, but they cut it. A) because the network presumably though it was a bad idea. But B) I think it got in the way of something. But Joss...it tickled Joss. If you'll excuse the expression. Yes? (to next questioner)
Nick: We're actually shooting it right now. Right here! I haven't heard a thing. But then again, Kelly could be playing my part for all I know. You back there?!
Tony: I don't know. Basically he was talking about...maybe...he said it would be cool if he could do Ripper than maybe he could do... like a DVD set or something. But that's just Joss...um... you know, kicking, what would be a cool idea. No, nothing that I know of. But I have no doubt that down the line...I mean, the Buffyverse isn't dead by any means (cheers from audience) Well, I don't think it is.
Nick: Buffy what?
Tony: The Buffyverse. There's still a huge audience out there and it's not a limited medium. There's stuff that you could do - certainly if the animation series does get the go ahead, it's.. I mean, I've read about six of these scripts and we -
Nick: Where the hell are you getting this stuff? {...}
Tony: I asked! (Nick starts whining and Tony keeps talking over him say "Did ya ask? Did ya ask?") I just said, "Can I read them". There are more actually -
Nick: They've got more?
Tony: Yeah, eight.
Nick: Eight? {...}
Tony: Cool stuff.
Nick: Little kid...in black...right there...yooooou.
Who was your favorite girl on Buffy?
Nick: Well, I had them all! In what capacity? What are you talking about? Heh. Sex?. Buffy. No, I didn't...oopsie. {...} Probably...uh...Faith. (cheers from audience) It was good. Xander likes it rough. It's true. It's in my memoirs. Called Xander's Zipper.
(The next question is about the Buffy video game)
Nick: I can't stop playing it. No, I've never seen it.
Tony: What, the video game?
Nick: I haven't played it. I've lent my voice to it. I said things like "ouch, ooh, ahh, that hurts. Game over, game over, game over."
Tony: No, but my daughters have played it. Have you ever checked out - have you checked out the board game? (several audience members say they have) Well, can anyone play it? (Nick says something but I can't hear over because Tony keeps talking) We spent hours trying to play that thing and didn't understand a word of it! (a woman says "It's really easy") It may be easy for you! Are you one of the creators? The creators said, "Oh, this is really easy." There's two games. There's one easy one and one difficult one and they're both completely, like, "I don't understand where to start!" We all had a big argument and left the room! "I'm not playing that anymore!" (He acts out throwing the dice down in disgust and storming away)
Nick: And if anyone should know how to play the game, it's Tony.
Tony: Why?
Nick: Because you were on the show. You got inside information.
(I couldn't understand the next question at all and I'm not sure what it was about based on Nick's answer)
Nick: You know it. Over and over. We are right now. Come on out. Alyson Hannigan! (He acts as if he has her hidden in his back pocket) You in there? Guess she escaped. But she'll be here later on. Yeah. You. Yeah, the one that's looking like it's not you.
(They are asked about doing DVD commentaries)
Tony: Just weren't asked (mock hurt voice)
Nick: I just did the one. I wasn't asked either. (audience awwws) We're just actors, man.
Tony: Dude, what do we know.
Nick: And to be quite honest with you, I haven't even -
Tony: (at the same time, talking over Nick) Who wants to hear about "I love this bit, I was so good in this bit." (said in a mock pretentious actor voice)
Nick: What are you doing?
Tony: That's me being an actor commenting on his performance.
Nick: {...} Actually your name is a porn name. (Tony and audience laugh) Tony Head.
Tony: Better believe it baby. (giggles) I'm sorry, we keep choosing - let's move over to this side. Yes?
You hear about twins having a psychic connection. Have you and Kelly ever had an experience like that?
Nick: He's having a cheeseburger right now. He's getting a little bit of indigestion. Right now, I can tell you, he should take a Pepcid AC, because I'm in pain right now.
Tony: Is he growing?
Nick: What?
Tony: Is he growing?
Nick: Oh God. Yeah, you know it's hard to say...maybe we have. We have the same reoccurring dream which is I think strange. It's a very odd dream, too. It involves an elephant. I'm not joking. But, yeah, I don't know. I'm not really sure. There hasn't been anything superhero like. {...} (Whatever he says here, he mimics a robot while doing it) We're having one right now.
Tony: Yes...with the sort of pinky thing on underneath the black thing (to next questioner. It's something about kissing Anya. Tony turns to Nick before realizing the question was meant for him.) How was it making out with Emma Caul- oh! Huh, huh. (laughter) It was bizarre. It was Emma! It was like, "No come on, I can't. God, no this is ridiculous." It was over really quickly! Yeah, I had to kiss her.
Nick: Yeah, I know. It was just a day at work, you know. Yeah. You know, just another day at work, you know. Come in, punch in my timecard. Fantastic. She's very sensitive. She's a giver. What do you want from me? This is awesome. Now that was you guys, right? Okay, great.
Tony: So again, in the green. (two people start asking at once)
Nick: Hold on. Let's go...yes, you. And then green.
How do you feel about her death in the last episode.
Nick: She had it coming. (audience reaction is a combination of laughter and "I can't believe he said that!") I was devastated. I was absolutely devastated by that! Come on, you guys didn't think I was serious? Someone had to die, you know, let's put it that way. Joss likes to kill people.
Tony: He killed Spike, and he came back on Angel.
Nick: Come on. Come on. But she's dead dead.
Tony: Dead dead?
Nick: No longer coming back.
Tony: No?
Nick: Gone. It was sad. It was sad. It was a good run with her. Now I gotta find somebody else.
(The next person tells them that when Emma Caulfield was asked who the best kisser was, Nick, Tony or James Marsters, she said James. Tony makes a disgusted face.)
Nick: I am so hurt right now. I can't even tell you how I feel.
Tony: I have to say I would be shocked if she said I was -
Nick: (looking at his watch) I think we're done. This is it.
Tony: (continuing on as if Nick hadn't said anything) - because it just wouldn't have been right.
Nick: So, thank you (sarcastically. the audience and Tony laugh). And you go to a lot of these right? Four. Foooour. One, two three, four (in a voice like The Count from Sesame Street) Yes?
Did you get scared of all those bunnies in that one episode? Did you develop bunny phobia?
Tony: Um...no, because they actually shot the bunnies separately from everybody else. It was like, "Okay, let's go and bring the bunnies on."
Nick: No, because otherwise we wouldn't have gotten any work done. Certain people aren't allowed near bunnies anymore (looks at Tony who breaks up laughing) We just chalked it up to being an English thing! {...}
Tony: We do have a few bunnies at home, it's true.
Nick: And he's making more. I really liked that one. That was my personal favorite.
Tony: Yes...just right in the middle there...
(The next question is how Nick felt about the way Xander developed on the show)
Nick: You know...I'm trying to think how they developed him. Up and down...up...you know, I felt that the quality of the stuff was there. The quantity wasn't there so much. But I felt that when I was speaking, I was saying something of utter importance.
Tony: You are very right. You are so wise.
Nick: I was. I was. I got more days off. (laughing) Which back at that time wasn't a good thing. I should have been working more. But that's neither here nor there. (exaggeratedly clears his throat) One more, yes...follow-up. (the person asks about how Xander was a macho soldier in one episode and then couldn't even fight off anything in the next) I wasn't supposed to be a macho soldier. That's why I lost those powers. So , you know...they wanted Xander to be more shifty and stuff. Like you'd see glimpses, "Oh he's grown up" and then the next episode, crying and hitting like a girl. Which I was more than happy to do! I just had to know before we had fight scenes, was I supposed to fight like I want to fight or should I fight like I'm afraid. Which was great...which was cool. 'Cause I liked Xander when he was kinda....I liked that guy. We had enough tough guys on the show, you know? I kinda liked doing it my own little way. Middle...blue...
(The next question is about their personalities being incorporated into their characters)
Tony: Who is that question addressed to?
Nick: The writers do -
Tony: Who is that question addressed to? (it is for both of them) The question is as time went on, people have said that the writers began to incorporate more of our own personalities into the characters. Are you saying, do we agree with that or -
Nick: (interrupts to point and wave at the side of the room) Hey. Hold on a second. Christian, my little brother over here, in the black, he's about to take a public speaking class over at State. So I just wanted him to know what a big room is like. (Christian was on his way out the door and rather half-heartedly waves before leaving - he seemed more than a little embarrassed by the attention and cheers from the audience) Call me?! Dinner? (fake desperation) I love you! Uh...bye! (someone tells Nick that he just got dissed) Yeah, I did, didn't I? My little brother. Yeah, well, that's cool. I love ya buddy. {...} Anyhoo...uh...so...
Tony: So what was the -
Nick: The personalities {...} I...I think it stayed pretty much...I...I felt it was pretty much - outside of season one when they were trying to find the show, I thought that it just stayed pretty consistent. But, you know...
Tony: I thought that...if I went into Joss with something...at one point I sort of felt like I was a superfluous requirement...I mean what can you do? Giles has done the...I can't remember, it was around season four, I think, or maybe - Anyway, I don't know when it was. Yes, it was four. 'Cause, I kinda thought, well, "What am I doing here? I could be at home." And so then Giles developed this mid-life crisis where basically he felt like he was a superfluous requirement and what was he doing there. I think if you mentioned anything to Joss, about "I'm feeling this", it would turn up in your character. Yeah. (at this point a con person comes out to get their attention and tell them to wrap it up) Cool dude. That's a very long jacket.
Nick: {...} Long?
Tony: Long.
Nick: Oh, I was going to say (rubs his leg) {...}
Tony: Um...yes...
(The last question is about their favorite writer)
Nick: Joss was the best.
Tony: Joss was the best. Jane Esperson was for me, too.
Nick: Yeah. They were all good. I mean, Joss, it was one of those things where it was really easy to get into it.
Tony: We're done, dude. We're cooked. We're cooked.
Nick: (talking over him) I'm answering this question! And you know, whenever we got a Joss Whedon script, we just couldn't wait to sink our teeth into it, you know. Well, first read it and then I would just eat it. I would see how long it would take to go through my body.
Tony: We're done dude, we are cooked.
Nick: We're done?
Tony: We're done.
Nick: Well, hey. Is there anything else you want to say? (someone shouts out "Love you!") Thank you!
Tony: Thank you.
They wave and bow and then leave to cheers and applause.