Transcript by Becky Dorrie.
TONY: Good afternoon to you and a good morning from me!
Q: Are you anything like your character?
TONY: No, not remotely. When I first read the part it seemed to be an interesting idea to do a character that was older tham myself and completely different. I find it strange that people even think I am like him.
Q: Do you have any pets?
TONY: Yes, 10 horses at the last count, 4 cats, a dog and a goldfish... a rabbit and a squirrel
Q: How do you feel about the Buffy producers preempting last weeks episode?
TONY: (I respect them for the decision BTW). It's sad. It's a great episode and I hope there's a time when it will be seen. It's an unfortunate part of our world. Sometimes we seem to comment on real events. And it's a lack of respect and we act accordingly, in not airing this show. The show wasn't about that, it just happened to cross that ground and it's a lack of respect to air it.
Q: How did you end up with a role on Two Guys a girl and a pizza place?
TONY: They asked me to do it and I said 'fair enough'! Basically, I read the script and it was funny, so I did it and within a week the role changed dramatically. It just got better and better. It may be airing tomorrow. Worth checking out! On ABC.
Q: Is any information from 'Earshot' going to be crucial to the finale, or are we safe?
TONY: There's one thing that Buffy finds out about me that isn't crucial but it's funny and it stretches our relationship a little. But I think 'The Prom' stands on its own. I hope it gets shown sometime, because it's one of those episodes that stands on its own. It's not essential to the storyplot, but its....heavy.
Q: In the Hansel & Gretel Episode, you spoke German - Do you really know German and do you know any other languages?
TONY: I spoke a very strange and garbled German. I have to go in and repair it because I don't speak it. I do speak a bit of French, not fluently.
Q: Tony, I know that you were Frank N. Furter in The Rocky Horror Picture Show... Would you ever go back to Broadway, now that you've landed such a sweet gig as BTVS?
TONY: Yes, I'd love to. At the moment my visa allows me to do the show and related events, and that will change. I would love to do theatre and Broadway is definitely an interesting option.
Q: Do you know how one becomes a Watcher?
TONY: It's in the blood. You're born to it. I think it's one of those very strange English institutions where you're nominated and part of the institution in order to be a contender. I've always maintained it was in my family heritage.
Q: What do you think of the cuts the BBC are making to Buffy?
TONY: I've only actually seen 'Welcome to the Hellmouth' here. I'm surprised how they make them, which is like a watershed. There is a time where after you can show more violent scenes. In 'Hellmouth,' the violence actually wasn't there yet they stripped it down another notch. Some of the humour got lost and one of Joss's great attributes was being able to see humour in strange places. I just found it a bit sad. I'm sure the English audience will eventually be able to see the full episode. I just did a presenting job for BBC Choice and they are doing a bit on Buffy, where they will run up to 4 unedited episodes. So you can have a look at that.
Q: How do you feel about the fact that Giles, the school librarian and somewhat of a stuffed-shirt, has become such a huge sex symbol? do you find that a little odd?
TONY: No! Tremendous! I'm still jazzed at the fact that I was referred as the most sexy man in fiction! I haven't played him with that in mine. But hey, whatever lights your candle! I like Giles. He has a lot of integrity and a very warm heart. And I think it's a very wonderful thing.
Q: Didn't some Librarian Association give you an award for your presentation of a librarian on TV?
TONY: They may have. I know that a number of library societies have thanked me and commented that it made it cool to be a librarian. And that students are now finding it cool to be back in the library and in the books
Q: While writing your play, what are the best ways you've found to overcome writer's block when it rears its ugly head?
TONY: Batting my head against the wall is usually a good one :) Basically having the courage to walk away from it and know that it's going to be alright in the end. I always try to finish on a good note and not try to push it too far. I always write with someone and we do the best we can, but you don't always see eye to eye, but there always is a solution and that's one of the excitements of writing. And....there's always a way out! It's like doing crosswords... like trying to piece a puzzle together.
Q: Tony, what has been your favourite episode to film so far? I've gotta say that I LOVED 'Passion.'
TONY: 'Passion' was the one. There have been a number of episodes where when one writes the scripts you knew it would be a great episode. But 'Passion' brought great performances from everyone. When I read it, it brought chills down my spine. I still think it stands out as one of the best. And not because it was my girlfriend getting killed ;) It was just a great episode.
Q: Will your character, Giles, ever find a new love in the future due to the death of Ms. Calender?
TONY: I certainly hope so. Yes, I've been asked this before and as long as it provides conflict, I'm sure it will be put in. Most likely between me and Buffy, but it'll be there. I got very sad when mine got 'knocked off' and the other relationships were developing all over the place. Maybe that's why I was voted one of the sexiest men! ;) I don't know.
Q: Speaking of ways out, did Sydney ever find her way out of VR?
TONY: Not to my knowledge. She's still running around somewhere in there. They had all sorts of things planned for us. The two characters were supposed to come together more and more as well as some tv special, but that never came together.
Q: Do you have any plans to release a solo album like your brother has?
TONY: Something may come out of D'ark Secrets, but it probably won't be a solo album. I think I would resist being one of those actors who suddenly develop a singing career....even though it's always been part of me. It never really sits well with me, but I do love singing and if tomorrow someone offers me a record deal, I'd probably still think about it! ;)
Q: At this point you should be brain dead. Do you tire of having Giles conveniently 'whacked' on the head over and over again?
TONY: It's a standing joke. This year's joke reel from the show included a section of me being whacked over the head. It was Allison's suggestion. I get knocked down but get back up again!
Q: I've read you have a production company - what kind of things are you looking to produce?
TONY: Largely around the musical. There was a project I had going here that was preempted as someone else had been doing the same project. There's also a live action film we've optioned in the States and we're in the early part of the treatment and script. We have several things up our sleeves. No particular type of movie over another, just whatever is an interesting story. I want to do things that haven't been done before... dramatic scenarios.
Q: I've heard that David Boreanaz is a practical joker. Have you fallen victim to his sense of humour?
TONY: laughs He's a terrible giggler. No practical jokes as such, but if he does I'd have to play something back. I've played a few jokes myself ;) I like stuff like that. It keeps things good natured and one of the aspects that keeps the cast so strong. We laugh a lot. It's a good thang ;)
Q: Did Gold Blend offer you and Sharon Maughan the chance to do some more Gold Blend commercials?
TONY: Strangely no. For a long time because we were so readily identifiable with the product I guess people didn't think to. It's not something I'm not avoiding. The coffee commercial was an extraordinary entity in itself. I enjoyed it. They did a book and a CD about it. With opera.
Q: How will they incorporate your character into the 4th season?? Will Giles become the Librarian at Sunnydale University??
TONY: No. We thought about various things he can do. Giles has his own thing he's working on. But he will be back as a free agent. He's certainly no longer employed by the Watcher's Council but who knows? Whatever puts the most conflict out there works best.
Q: Did you base any parts of the character 'Giles' on any school experience of librarians or teachers?
TONY: We didn't have a librarian at the grammar school and I didn't really go to the library often. When I did one time, I met someone who was wearing a ring identical to one I'd lost in a river 6 months prior. She said her brother found it fishing. But I want to add some grit to him. I borrowed a bit from Alan Rickman.
Q: What is the big secret about your past... When that guy called you 'Ripper' what is that about?
TONY: I think Giles' past has come through in bits and pieces and the secret is that he didn't want to be a Watcher and he has an extreme rebellious side. I don't know how much more there is to find out, but I'm sure there's more. I think he felt concerned that he was responsible for someone's death. I pitched a couple of ideas that were pretty dark. Maybe a little too dark, but they might present them one day. But I think the main thing is that I was responsible for someone's death. It gives it an edge.
Q: Can you tell us what is going to happen in the season finale?
TONY: Re the season finale: No, but it's big. Joss wrote and directed it and it's about as big as you can get. And I can't wait for it!
HOST: Thank you for Chatting with us Anthony.
TONY: Please watch Two Guys and a Girl and a Pizza Place airing this week. Thank you very much! Take care all and see you soon! Good night!
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Page created May 1999. Original material © Betsy Vera (bentley@umich.edu). This website is for information and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to infringe on copyrights held by others.
