General Amber & Aly tidbit thread

[tyche]

buffy.nu have a scan of a small Aly article from Buzz magazine:

www.buffy.nu/article.php3?id_article=3679

Suddenly, playing with yourself is a scholarly pursuit. - Lucille, Arrested Development

[kajo 2000]

There is a new Amber interview in UK sci-fi magazine Xpose Special (issue #25). If no one else does so first, I will post a transcript of the interview in its own thread in the next day or so.





Edited to add: OK, I was going to post my transcript today but I see someone else on another board has beaten me to it!

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"I want to be Byron... because I want to date young boys." Amber Benson

Edited by: kajo 2000 at: 3/21/04 7:03 am

[J uk]

ZeroChance has typed up the interview here:

pub31.ezboard.com/famberb...ic&index=7

[WillowGoddess]

hey thanks for the article,

The inward eye, the sightless sea, ayala flows through the river in me...

[AmbersSecretAdmirer]

It's a good article but I can't help but feel a little let down by Amber in that she seems all too willing to accept Joss' version.



I will have my alternative version up online soon so I think when that happens I will email the address to her and she can see from my version why we are all so angry.

TARA AND WILLOW 2GETHER 4EVER!!! BLESSED BE ETERNALLY!!!

[helpful information perha]

ASA



I'm actually very impressed with Ambers comments

She is walking a fine line here - she is a St8 actress in hollywood and coming out with statements against Joss's "vision" Would hurt her career/job prospects - on the other hand she has and continues to acknowledge the importance of the character she played to the lesbian and gay community and doesn't simply say she didn't come back because of "other commitments - but rather extends her not coming back to other issues beyond just schedule conflicts - even though she doesn't elaborate on them.



I believe she has made a VERY diplomatic statement here - and that she has sent a rather clear message - at least for me - that there were considerations other than timing that kept her from coming back as "evil tara"



She has made enough comments on this issue over time for me to know where she stands - ie she was not on board with ME taking tara evil places that would cause people more pain --- while being diplomatic with regards to biting the hand that feeds her - ie people like joss - who invited her to his home for dinners - gave her a job for 3 years and access to sound stage and editing equipment for her movie and invites to awards dinners and featured her talents in a musical etc etc



I'm not disappointed in her comments at all - I think she has shown great poise and diplomacy here

[Warduke]

AmbersSecretAdmirer, I agree. I love Amber but the first part of this interview left a very bitter taste in my mouth. And I am very disappointed.

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Firefox: One Browser To Rule Them All.

[sam7777]

At least. Amber continues to say that she is done with it. Still I wish Amber would take a page from Aly and be less effusive about Josswad.

_____________________

I still see dead lesbian cliches

[WebWarlock]

I don't know.



It's not like she was cheering Asshole on, she admits there was nothing she could do about it. So she came to terms with it and moved on.



In the end it is all about the numbers.



After Tara was killed, Buffy's rating went down then it was canned.

Angel is dead.



Amber has a great career ahead of her and Asshole's best work is in the past.



If the best revenge is living well then vengence has been served.



Warlock

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Web Warlock

Coming Soon to The Other Side, The Netbook of Shadows: A Book of Spells for d20 Witches

"Razzle, dazzle, drazzle, drone, time for this one to come home." - The Replacements, "Hold My Life"

[helpful information perha]

Sam



from Ambers perspective - Joss gave her the job in the first place, invited her into his home for gatherings that also lead to excellent friendships and connections that have lead to other jobs, gave her a prominent singing part in the musical, included her at his table at Awards Events (more connections), wrote a song for her movie and gave her sound stage and editing space/equipment/time etc etc -- her feelings about the Tara character and how it was used/abused aside -- she is friends with and has gotten major support from Joss - you don't screw over people who have given you both work and support in the biz -- and amber doesn't strike me as someone who would piss on friends even if they didn't agree with them on some issues

[urnofosiris]

Quote:

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she is friends with and has gotten major support from Joss - you don't screw over people who have given you both work and support in the biz --

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He also never put her in the credits, used her character as a prop for a senseless storyline then tried to put the blame on her for not coming back and giving us that glorious WT reunion that made him weep so. She promoted that show more than any other actor. She has done more than enough. She gave a great performance when working on that show, she owes him nothing. Maybe they are the best of friends or maybe they are not friends at all. I never heard her describe him as either.



I am rather tired of hearing that it had to happen for the sake of the story. If I were the interviewer I would ask her to explain to me how it is that is someone is addicted to something, they can just keep on doing it or using it. When SR rolled around Willow had stopped using magic, they used Tara as a prop to get a "wicked cool" Willow, that had nothing to do with addiction. I'd like for her to explain to me how it makes sense and how telling the millionth addiction story "had to happen" rather than keeping the one and only long term loving lesbian relationship on TV, something which has never been done before.



I know she would not have chosen this story herself and I do not doubt her commitment to positive gay storylines and her (gay) fans and I am grateful for her decision to not return to that show. I'll support her work for as long as I can, but I don't have to agree with everything she says and I definitely disagree firmly with some of the things she said in this interview.

Edited by: DrG at: 3/22/04 2:22 pm

[sam7777]

HIP: I think you confused my response with Warduke's. I simply said that I wished she was less effusive about Josswad and that I was happy she continues to say she is done with it.



This interview is consistent with all the others she has given. Amber has been consistent and doesn't piss on her friends unlike other folks like Josswad for instance. If Josswad is Amber's friend, he has spoken pretty poorly about her in the press with no justification as Amber has never said anything bad about him except for being sorry that his "vision" hurt fans. Amber is a class act.

_____________________

I still see dead lesbian cliches

[helpful information perha]

Sam - ok thanks for the clarification

and I agree - its consistent with everything else she has said previous

[sam7777]

HIP: Yep Amber's certainly being a pro. Considering how she has behaved it made what Josswad has said about why she didn't come back to the role all the worse. That clearly hurt Amber as she said to Curve magazine: (posted by Liquidreams)

Quote:

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And what about Joss Whedon's accusation over the summer that he had always planned a glorious, romantic reunion for Tara and Willow but Benson played the spoiler? You can almost hear her wince over the phone. "Yeah, that's been bandied about in the press a lot," she sighs.

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Prior to that he claimed she didn't come back because of money. Amber has had to spend interview after interview setting the record straight. This sort of talk hasn't been helpful to her career and you have to wonder why Josswad is now trying to tear down someone he helped in the past. Amber comes off as a class act. Josswad not so much.

_____________________

I still see dead lesbian cliches

Edited by: sam7777  at: 3/22/04 5:51 pm

[sam7777]

As for Josswad's generosity, Josswad gave Amber the Tara role but it was Amber who made it so special that it went form a one shot to a recurring role. Willow and Tara bought in fans many of whom post here. I think the main reason that Amber was given a more prominent role in the musical ep was pragmatic rather than Josswad promoting an actress whose role he was ending in 12 eps. Aly didn't want to sing or dance much so Tara's role was increased to give Willow more screen time IMHO because Amber was willing to sing and dance. James Marsters was also in "Chance" and I have to wonder how much of the help for that film was due to him rather than Amber. I find it hard to give Josswad the benefit of the doubt considering the things he has said about Amber since she left the show.



I don't agree with what she said in this interview about the dead lesbian cliche and what followed either. I missed that bit when I first skimmed the interview. I have to admit that I am dissappointed that she said that.

_____________________

I still see dead lesbian cliches

Edited by: sam7777  at: 3/22/04 6:00 pm

[NeitherHereNorThere]

Thanks for the link. Amber interviews are always nice.





helpful information perhaps, I agree with what you said. I think Amber showed incredible grace with what she said. I'm not happy with what Joss did with Tara, but the things you stated that he did - showing off her talent in the musical, the song and the club set he did for Chance, giving Amber such a wonderful role for 3 years - I'm glad he did that.



I don't think we should expect Amber to be pissed off with him. It would be understandable, but I honestly don't get why people are saying they're disappointed with what she said. She still clearly shows how important her fans are to her, how important the character of Tara is - why should she hold a grudge that will get her nowhere?





Jane

"Come into my parlor," Said the spider to the fly...

[helpful information perha]

actually - I'd like answers to those questions as well - but to my mind its whedon who should be doing the explaining - in a interactive forum - with all of us there - in person - asking the questions and taking no quarter/BS from him





as for ambers comments - I don't expect her to give anything but the same diplomatic response to the oft repeated now question - she knows its a damned if she does /damned if she doesn't question - and she gives a response that allows her to walk the tight rope of an actor who needs work in hollyweird thus has to cover her ass with regard to her former employer - who like it or not is a "player" with a lot of connections and pull - all the while making it clear just what whedons vision was - that she had to be "convinced" to go along with "his vision" and then diplomaticly pointing out that there was more than time constraints that kept her from coming back to play "evil tara" Honestly - I can't see her giving any other response if she wants to keep working in hollywood

[Warduke]

HIP, I was going to reply but Garfield did a better job of that than I could.



I will add that Joss may have done all that for her but so what? Does that mean she owes him something for life?



Let's say Joss were to say something really rude towards gays in an interview. Does that mean she has to back him up? To say she understands his point? Hell no!



And about wanting Joss to answer those questions Garfield would ask Amber. I disagree with saying that Joss is the one that should answer them. Not that he shouldn't answer them but if Amber agrees with him, then she should be able to answer why she does.

Quote:

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but I honestly don't get why people are saying they're disappointed with what she said

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And why exactly should I be happy about what she had to say about what happened in S7?

Quote:

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Why should she hold a grude that will get her nowhere

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She doesn't have to hold a grudge, but sure doesn't have to say what she said in that interview either. And she doesn't have to be that diplomatic with someone who has lied and blamed her for things that are his fault.

And like Garfield said, I support Amber in everything she does, but I do not have to agree with everything she says.

As a W/T shipper, I sure as hell don't agree with what she said in this interview.

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Firefox: One Browser To Rule Them All.

[NeitherHereNorThere]

Quote:

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She doesn't have to hold a grudge, but sure doesn't have to say what she said in that interview either. And she doesn't have to be that diplomatic with someone who has lied and blamed her for things that are his fault.

And like Garfield said, I support Amber in everything she does, but I do not have to agree with everything she says.

As a W/T shipper, I sure as hell don't agree with what she said in this interview.

---

Oh, I totally get what you mean about not having to agree with everything she said in the interview. And I'd completely forgotten about the thing Joss said about wanting a W/T reunion, but Amber being the one to spoil the idea. Remembering that, I'm suddenly rethinking my opinion. I do, however, still applaud Amber for being so gracious and not slamming him in her interviews. Which I think a lot of people are upset she's not doing, and I'm so glad she isn't.



It doesn't get classier than Amber.

"Come into my parlor," Said the spider to the fly...

[sam7777]

NeitherHereNorThere: I'm rethinking things as well. I don't think folks here want Amber to slam Josswad but as a W/T fan, I was very dissapointed by her defense of his storylines. I wish that Amber had simply said nothing about Buffy and concentrated on her post-Buffy projects. I feel as if we have lost our only ally.

_____________________

I still see dead lesbian cliches

[skittles]

I don't understand... what "evil Tara" are you talking about?? what W/T reunion?? The last episode of Buffy was "Seeing Red"... so there's no need of a reunion... not on this board... not at all.



I don't understand all of Amber's interview... but I don't need to understand it. All I do is admire that woman more & more every day.

skittles



"I'll tell you how the sun rose, --A ribbon at a time." Emily Dickinson

[xita]

Thank you skittles. Moving along now.

- - - - - - - - - - -
"No more twat. No more twat for me. Twat gets me into trouble!" - Crack Whore Jenny, The L Word

[helpful information perha]

see I don't see it as amber protecting whedon/sticking up for his vision - I've spoken with her at sidewalk and read what she has said in other interviews previous and I personally have walken away feeling she understands where the fans are coming from



The way I see it - this diplomatic response is amber backing down from some previously stronger statements and protecting her career - as Sam pointed out - she has already hinted to her career having suffered somewhat already - and if whedon is out bad mouthing her for disparaging/undermining him/his show - then you can sure as heck bet it will hurt her career - she isn't SMG who has taken whedon's hits and struck back in the press - amber doesn't have SMG's name recognition

in hollywood to make war in the tabloids with a name producer - and personally - I don't think she should have to -- I'll direct my anger at the guy who created the "vision" - he's the person I hold accountable

[sam7777]

HIP: Amber's Curve interview showed more hurt feelings than a hurt career IMHO. She has never criticized Joss while giving her side of the story. Still her comments here are really more than just diplomatic IMHO and she is making a very definite defense of his storylines covering ground that she hasn't addressed before. And sadly, I don't think her comments here are going to change Josswad's mind. Amber has always spoken her mind and I think she is saying what she believes here. I'm not angry at Amber at all just sad and dissappointed at what she said.

_____________________

I still see dead lesbian cliches

[urnofosiris]

Agreed Sam, not defending this storyline would not be the same as badmouthing that man. All her support for that show and grace and tact in her interviews it did not stop him from saying the shit he said. If she is going to bite her tongue for fear of what Whedon might say all she will end up with having is a painful tongue, and Whedon will still say what he wants, as he has shown time and again. I'd just like to get the answers to my questions, unfortunately I am never going to be in a position to ask them.



Skittles, you are of course very right, maybe this interview would have been better off in the lesbian cliche FAQ thread, but here it is, and now we've been tempted to comment on that nasty alternate universe. Bleh, better to stick to the Pens. I'll move myself along to there now.

[AmbersSecretAdmirer]

Yes, I admit it is a very diplomatic answer. I guess I feel angry that Amber can't really say what is on her mind. She bites the hand that feeds ehr one way or the other, either Joss or the fans (though I agree I think if push came to shove it is Joss' hand she would bite, given what comments she has made on the subject).



As I say, I have my version of season 6 to come and that will certainly hit Joss between the eyes. I cannot promise a happy season 6 cos it aint, it is in truth far darker than Joss' version. But I can promise that my version is more logical, makes more dramatic sense, and does not involve the killing or attempted rape of any of the scoobies.



As soon as it is up and running, my website will contain my season 6 redux and the season 7 amendments that would follow.



Trust me, when Amber sees my version (if she ever does), she may stay diplomatic, but I believe she will understand our argument all the more clearly.

TARA AND WILLOW 2GETHER 4EVER!!! BLESSED BE ETERNALLY!!!

Edited by: Warduke at: 3/23/04 8:32 am

[skittles]

Dr G, you know I love you. But, for me, Buffy ended with "Seeing Red." Full Stop. If I wanted to read about any other situations or possibilities, I can read about them in Pens. I don't want to hear opinions that people air about what others say about stuff that may have happened after that in JW's insane universe.



This thread isn't for that. There are other threads on the board for it.



I realize that the interview was posted here & because of that, people are going to post here... but perhaps someone should have posted that the discussion of that interview has been moved to..... and then link to that thread.



I know that people won't like me for posting this, but, then, I don't like running into .... well, anything that may have happened after SR... if anything did happen after that except in Pens.

skittles



"I'll tell you how the sun rose, --A ribbon at a time." Emily Dickinson

[dekalog]

skittles - you have to excuse everyone. You see they are still all a bit angry at the network for cutting the last 10 minutes of Seeing Red. I can understand that, as I too was upset that my television went dead, and all that footage was lost. Now we we never see W/T going to the Bahamas for their reunion getaway.

[helpful information perha]

dek. - right on - my buffy watching ended with the girls last kiss - I turned the show off at that point and never turned it back on - I've followed all the discussions etc but no way would I EVER watch another min of buffy past that last W/T kiss...I do like the idea of the girls being off for fun in the sun though - I just wish I was - freaken cold in my part of the world

[urnofosiris]

Did anyone doubt her support for WT? To disagree with her or to be disappointed in something she says does not equal slamming. Surely we do not always have to be happy or pleased with what she says. This is not the first time she made comments like that, I have no reason to doubt the validity of this interview, but she can correct me if I am wrong. Most of the time I agree with the things she says, this is not one of those times. So be it. I look forward to her future projects, that is what I am interested in now. I am sure she will give us enough things to praise in the years to come.

Edited by: DrG at: 3/24/04 12:58 pm