Succubus Club Interview with Steve DeKnight

[ProducerEthan]

Hey everyone! It's Producer Ethan from the Succubus Club. I just want to say to anyone who called in on Wednesday or was listening to the show that I realize we may have offended or hurt some people. The interview, on a technical radio angle, went very well and I know we answered allot of questions. However, I realize the tremendous impact this show and these characters (esp. Tara & Willow) have had on the fans and if Mr. DeKnight seemed harsh or abrassive I assure you it was not meant that way. I won't put words in the man's mouth, but his attitude at the station was very serious. This was a blind turn in the BTVS story that happened to fall in his proverbial lap. I hope that anyone who reads this will understand where I'm coming from when I sincerely apologize to any truly offended people. I hope to hear from you all soon.

[Kiwiccan]

Ethan,
Thank you for coming here. All Steve had to do was show a little sympathy and compassion towards the fans, but for whatever reason he chose not to. He chose to be flippant, rude and disrespectful to all of us who love the character of Tara and Amber Benson. By adopting this attitude, he was also disrespectful to Amber herself, by making light of this whole situation. Even the hosts had to stop his not so funny humour by asking him to be serious while answering a few questions. His behaviour was not acceptable...period.

In no way does this reflect badly on your show or the hosts. They did their best with what they had to work with.

Perhaps you can invite Amber on The Succubus Club as a show of love and support for Amber and the charater Tara?

[xita]

Producer Ethan, thank you for stopping by and for being a person concerned with the tone of the interview.

However, as producer, I think there are some things that you should be aware of. The hosts of the show were well aware of the nature of the calls before the show, weeks before. I wish they had educated themselves on the subject and presented a more balanced view of this debate.

I would recommend that you have someone on at some point who has a good grasp of the issue and is able to present an opposing view. It was extremely hurtful and I don't think you, your hosts, or Steven Deknight can ever know the negative effect this has on the gay community.

[WebWarlock]

Ethan,

Thank you for your words and stopping by. But it is too little, too late.

We know that you, your staff and the hosts of the show are not to blame for what Mutant Enemy has done. Nor were you to blame for the things that were said by Mr. DeKnight.

But the interview with him on your show was the last straw. The insensitivity towards the fans displayed by Mr. DeKnight could have been controlled a bit better by the hosts. The mood may have been serious in the studio, but his attitude came across as flippant, arrogant, rude and quite hostile.

I dont think anyone blames you, or your staff. But for me at least, Wednesdays show is what finally convinced me to stop watching Buffy forever.

I think you can gain back quite a bit of good faith if you were too present someone either from the ME staff that supports our feelings (if there is such a person) or even Ms. Benson herself.

We were expecting a hard hitting interview of what will go down as one of the most controversial episodes of Buffy ever. Instead we got salt rubbed in to already open and sore wounds.

Warlock

[Rally]

Ethan,

Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to give us a little insight from behind the scenes.

While every [i:d1b0f08598] knows[/i:d1b0f08598] that ultimately everything is a Joss decision, that SDK is not to blame for pulling the trigger. He simply wrote the script, and a script that gave us more W/T goodness than we could have ever hoped for.

The fact of the matter remains, that he did come off as callous and hurtful in the interview. Since I have been transcribing it, I have listened to it more than once and that fact never changes.

While I am sure he is feeling the wrath of the fans and humor is often a defense mechanism. Unless SDK chooses to post here and face us himself, he will continue to be looked down upon for his hurtful comments made on your show.

I would like to thank you for stopping by and the otherwise very good production.

[kpmuse]

Ethan,

I second what every has said thus far. But, what I will take you to task on is your selection of music during the breaks. What were you people thinking playing songs that are dear to Willow and Tara's story during this most horrible time for their fans.
That to me is inexcusable, and as bad as putting Amber in the opening credit. That hurt me alot about your show, and I can't for the life of me understand that decision.

Perhaps when David Fury is on you can prepare the hosts to talk with him about what is so upsetting to this community.
Just a thought.

Thanks for stopping by and talking with us. I really do appreciate it.

[Wiccagrrl313]

Thanks for stopping by, Ethan. Thank you for being concerned about the effect of the interview and the fans' reactions. I personally thought, all things considered, that the hosts did a fairly decent job. Could have maybe pressed a bit harder on some things, but most of the problem for me was Mr. DeKnight's attitude.

I do think it would be a wonderful idea to have someone with an opposing point of view on- someone who can talk a bit more about why this has hit a lot of people so hard.

[tyche]

Thank you for being concerned about us. I do think that your hosts were doing their best to restrain DeKnight's attitude, but unfortunately for him, he came across very badly. It was like he'd read some kind of handbook on how to offend W/T fans, y'know?
As for potential guests who can speak knowledgeably about the effect this storyline has had on the W/T and gay communities, I suggest our own lovely xita and drlloyd.

[tommo]

Thank you, Producer Ethan.

It's encouraging to hear some nice words from someone who heard this interview. So far I think we're being condemned somewhat elsewhere, which is pretty much why I'm not going elsewhere on the internet at the moment.

From a technical point of view, yes, the interview went well. And you're not responsible for what an interviewee says or does; I'm aware of that.

However, Mr De Knight's glib attitude has hurt most of us here very deeply and in that respect, nobody here is too overjoyed with the interview per se.

[emma peel]

Thanks for the post,Ethan. Ditto to what everyone else has already said.
I read the transcripts of the show over two nights,and reading SDK's flippant comments literally made me sick.It made what I had watched the night before so much more horrific.
I hope it goes better with David Fury. At least maybe ya'll will be a little more prepared. Maybe the hosts can take the impact of this hurtful act a little more seriiously.
Again, thanks for the post. Thats's very considerate.
I like the idea of at least trying to ask Amber to be a guest.
Janice

[ProducerEthan]

Hey, everyone. Producer Ethan again. I openly admit that I don't think I'll ever be able to fully grasp the affect that Tara's departure from the show has had on some of you. It's obvious by the sheer number of people on this site that Willow and Tara are extremly loved. I can only do my best to sympathize and offer my support and condolences. I, as well as Kitty and Candy, and the rest of the Succubus Club family am truly saddened by this event. The more I think about it, the more I see how Mr. DeKnight's attitude and/or candor on the subject may have, as one of you said, 'rubbed salt in an already open wound'. Once again I apologize. I also thank those of you who continue to support us here at the Club. We would never want to seem as if we were callous, we love Tara as much as many of you do. This is why, as one of you asked, we played the musical selections we did. Part of coping with a loss is remembering why we miss the person who's gone. These songs were part of Tara's life on BTVS. We want to praise a character who brought us joy and made us feel good. I can't stress enough how sorry I am that anyone was offended. I also thank you all for responding to my post before. Input from you will help us know where to go with the show. Thank you all and I truly apologize.

[Warduke]

Well Ethan, I'd like to thank you for coming here and posting this, you showed a lot of class, SDK should have taken lessons from you, since he obviously has no class whatsoever.

Again Ethan, thanks.

[WebWarlock]

Ethan.

Well I thought good of you already. But coming back here with your words has raised my opinion of you, your hosts and your show.

As Brian just said, that is class. I wish that DeKnight had taken the same amount of courtesy when he was here trolling our site before he spoke to all of you.

Please extend our regards to the hosts, Cathy and Kitty, and let them know that we have no ill will to them.

Warlock

[emma peel]

Thanks for your second post,Ethan. I just wish that other folks
would have any grasp of our loss and betrayal.
Better luck with David Fury next week.
I appreciate your concen and taking the time to come back with more comments.
Janice

[AutumnT]

Ethan,

I'm impressed. Thank you for taking the time to visit us. And thank you for doing so in such a polite and respectful manner. I can't tell you how much it is appreciated. The death of a beloved gay character is not funny to us and DeKnight's behavior was simply shocking.

[virginia(d)]

Thank-you Ethan for coming to the Kitty Board. I am extremely grateful you came here to put your views across.

[ProducerEthan]

Thank you for the support. All I wanted to do was try to calm any fires that we might have unintentionally started, and I would up feeling accepted in a community that I can truly admire. I hope that my posts have helped to at least rectify some of what has happened. Feel free to e-mail me anything you might have to say. I'll be around a bit, I think. It's nice here! Take care.

[Elianna]

ProducerEthan,

Thank you for not only coming here and posting, but for taking the time to read our responses, and replying. That shows to me that not only are you concerned about your image, you actually care to understand our reactions. AS others have said, this shows class.

Thank you very much,
Elianna

[VampNo12]

I just want to add my thanks Ethan for having the decency/class to come here, and respectfully post to this board. In my opinion, the hosts tried their hardest to get Mr.Deknight to answer seriously our concerns, but for some reason he choose callous humor to answer these important questions. For me that is truly why I was so upset with the interview on Wednesday. If Mr. Deknight could of shown some respect for us the fans, (who in essence keep the show on the tv), the reactions we had would of been still upset that Tara was killed off, but tamer knowing the writer at least cared how we felt about the death. Thanks again for coming by, it was greatly appreciated!

[kpmuse]

OK. Thanks for letting me know that your intention in playing the music was because you love Tara. That helps to know. It was the combo of that music, and Steve's mocking attitude that made it seem hurtful instead of a tribute.

It is very classy that you stopped by, and thanks again.

[WebWarlock]

I guess it would be too much to expect DeKnight or anyone else at ME to show us as much class.

But we are just stupid fans, what do we matter.

Thanks again Ethan.

Warlock

[Puff]

Thanks Ethan for your kind words

[JJtheCool]

Ethan, thanks for your comments. It was a good way to soothe the many ruffled feathers here on the board.

I guess I'm in the very small minority of those who enjoyed the interview throughout (when the mikes were working, anyway [the one thing you should take care of next time]). I don't think Mr. DeKnight or the hosts meant to be cruel; given the seriousness of this episode, I'm sure they thought that humor would help make the best of a very bad situation. I tried to take them w/ a few grains of salt myself, but I knew from listening that some comments would be considered offensive by many people here.

Anyhoo, thanks for stopping by.

[AutumnT]

[quote:521e401ca6][b:521e401ca6][i:521e401ca6]Quote:[/i:521e401ca6][/b:521e401ca6]

---

I tried to take them w/ a few grains of salt myself, but I knew from listening that some comments would be considered offensive by many people here

---

[/quote:521e401ca6] Because many people here [b:521e401ca6] are[/b:521e401ca6] gay and thus don't find that type of "humor" the least bit entertaining.

[rocketdyke]

there are gay people here?
damn.

thank you mr producer. it was kind of you to actually engage in discussion and acknowledge the strong feelings of many people here on the board. the world would be a better place if there were more people who were brave enough to just try to communicate with people honestly and respectfully, even when they know they may not share the same viewpoints... which you have done quite admirably. its much appreciated by everyone here, im sure.

michele

[Warduke]

Well as a straight man I can tell you that I found SDK's comments and attitude very offensive and quite frankly, moronic.

[Willowlicious]

Ethan,

Thank you very much for coming here and posting in such a kind and respectful manner.

Before Mr. DeKnight's interview on your program, I had reserved judgement on this season and I had, in fact, defended the writers on BtVS repeatedly. Even though I knew they were killing one of my favorite characters in what I felt was a cliched and hurtful manner, I figured I would give them the benefit of the doubt until the finale, because they deserved my respect.

Imagine my surprise when Steve DeKnight told me that I'm just a silly fan who was stupid enough to invest in a couple whose love gave me hope and made me feel happy for an hour every Tuesday night. Imagine my dismay when I found out that he is proud that he lied to me and that he finds it funny that I believed him. Imagine my horror when I found him claiming ignorance to the lesbian cliche that Joss Whedon and other ME writers have openly acknowledged and promised not to repeat. Imagine my disappointment at learning that he claims to have had a much harder time writing "Dead Things" in which a bit character is murdered than writing "Seeing Red" where a beloved character of three years was shot dead. Imagine my pain in realizing that Tara, unlike Anya or other Scooby significant others, was merely a plot device to hurt Willow. Imagine my disgust to find that, despite the fact that Amber Benson's fans (and apparently Amber herself) so desperately wanted her in the credits for three years, Mr. DeKnight and ME thought it would be funny and "mischievous" to finally put her in the credits for the episode that Tara died. Imagine my shock to find out that ME is apparently just wantonly cruel and simply couldn't care less about me or my time.

Steven DeKnight was disrespectful to fans of Willow and Tara and to Amber Benson herself.

I maintained my cool all season until I heard that interview. It was like finding out that someone you thought was a good friend that understood you and you could trust was actually a cruel jerk who had plotted long and hard to make a very public fool of you. I hate to admit it, but I cried. I believed in them and ME made a fool of me. And. It. Hurt.

Well, never again. I know who they are now.

I guess I can at least thank Mr. DeKnight for clueing me in.

Amy

[hellmouthhottie20]

but where do i find this interview.
Iam sorry if i have posted this in the wrong place

Thank you
caz

[ambercatsmom]

Thank you Ethan. However Steven DeKnight seems to have left you holding the bag of crap he left.

Arrogant, cocky, mean-spiritied, vicious, cowardly and cruel person that he is. What a waste of skin, space, and oxygen.

I hear that the folks over at Moore Action Inc are coming out with a Steven DeKnight action doll, yeah it's different from the others, it's the one with it's head up it's ass.

[Rally]

Hellmouth hottie, the interview is transcribed in the Steven DeKnight thread in the spoiler forum.

Part One
Part Two

You can also find it here at slayernews.com