January 2011 Archives

Well lookee who showed up at the convention today? :) Rock the house Lucy!

Gotta love Lucy - she not only says she loves the fans, she shows it. Class act! Given all the Spartacus PR work Lucy has done over the last month (and it was wall to wall Sparty PR - just look at the AUSXIP Spartacus site to see the work Lucy has put in), she would be right to take some time off before she starts work again - this time on No Ordinary Family but no, Lucy shows up. For the fans. To thank the fans.


Click on the thumbnails for the larger pics - (C) 2011 Christa Morris

Want to see more pictures? While I wait for the pics to arrive, check out the AfterEllen Site which has KT's pics of all the con and in particular Renee's time and Lucy coming at the end.

Click here to view the pics above and lots more

Following our update from 22 January 2011 where we reported on Rittenhouse Archives Spartacus Blood and Sand Trading Cards, there is now an update. You can buy them at $50 or $750 for a case.

Rittenhouse Archives is pleased to announce our premiere edition of Spartacus: Blood and Sand Premium Trading Cards, based on the Starz TV series starring Andy Whitfield and Lucy Lawless! In this Premium Pack Series, there will be 2 autograph cards per pack!

Back in July 26, 2010 we reported on the news that Lucy will be on American Dad or more to the point her voice was going to be used in the Animated series.

We have a follow up to that report. Lucy's episode is called "A Pinata Named Desire" and will air 13 February at 7:30/8:00 PM ET/PT (see below for details from Deamon's TV

AMERICAN DAD: Stan and his acting classmate Stacey (guest voice Lucy Lawless) take direction from Roger in the "A Pinata Named Desire" episode of AMERICAN DAD airing Sunday, Feb. 13 (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. AMERICAN DAD ™ and © 2011 TTCFFC ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

..  Barbara Davies and MaryD

Today is the last day of the 16th Official Xena Convention.

Lucy rumours have circulating around the LAX Marriott around and around - you have the star of the show not present for the big party and there will be rumours of a surprise visit. Guaranteed. It's the Xenaverse, afterall and Lucy has just dropped in once before.

I don't think fans could forget the 2004 Xena Con where she surprised the heck out of Renee and the fans by popping up as the crazy fan with the unruly hair and denim jacket called Pat! Will Lucy be there to surprise Renee and the fans? Hmm..

There was a video shown by Sharon at the con where Lucy said she will be not be there because Julius and Judah had to start school.

So there you have it....

On 13 September 2010 I posted the news that Lucy made a guest appearance on Madeleine Sami's new skit show. In the show, Lucy wore her Amazon leathers from the Season 6 episode "Dangerous Prey" and looked great. Other than Lucy still looking in fantastic shape 10 years on from filming Dangerous Prey, the leathers were "borrowed" from Starship where Lucy had donated them for their auction to film the skit. She gave them right back and the leathers were sold for $5,110 NZ

Left (Lucy on Sami's new show) | Right (Lucy on Dangerous Prey)

Madeleine's new show is called Super City and it premieres on 11 February at 10 pm in New Zealand on TV3. We're not sure which episode Lucy is in but it's one of the six. Her character's name is.. Sappho (according to her Auckland Actors resume site

You can get more info on the show on their facebook page or on their TV3 site

-- Barbara Davies and MaryD

Added new artwork by LouLou of Xena and Gabrielle from A Friend In Need Part 2.

Click here to view larger artwork

and if you haven't caught up with the latest Lucy Lawless interview at starpulse - Lucy would have liked to have ended the show this way

Lucy was asked about Xena in a new interview with Starpulse. Here is the Q&A (and I agree with Lucy...X&G deserved to sail into the sunset and be happy).

I have to ask. A lot of 'Xena' fans are still very upset about the show’s ending. How would you have ended Xena if given the opportunity?

Lucy Lawless: I would have them sailing off into the sunset together. That way, people could dream about what adventures they would embark on next, as opposed to separating them forever. That was the most hurtful thing about 'Xena.' It’s a cool story if you think about it. In 'Spartacus' people are killed in the worst way all the time. It’s part of the show. However, it wasn’t right for 'Xena.' It’s such a shame to look back because it really hurt fans. People related to those characters in a unique way, creating a different kind of fandom. The 'Xena' fans are an incredible bunch.

Read full Interview

Q&A: Lucy Lawless Dishes On Sexy 'Spartacus' Scenes, Hurt 'Xena' Fans & More

January 28th, 2011 12:00pm

It’s been nearly a decade since 41-year-old actress Lucy Lawless starred as a leather-loving heroine, but that’s ancient history. After "Xena: Warrior Princess" came to an end in 2001, the New Zealand icon continued her adventures in Hollywood, doing everything from minor television roles to showing off her singing pipes on “Celebrity Duets.”

Fortunately, Lawless has made a triumphant comeback as Lucretia in Starz’s television series, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena." While Lawless did co-star in the previous "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" as the sinfully seductive wife of a gladiator trainer, her character Lucretia wasn’t supposed to return for the six-part prequel. By popular demand, not only is Lawless back, but she’s here to say. Diehard fans must have gotten the memo because 2.8 million viewers tuned in last Friday for the show’s premiere.

Starpulse chatted with Lawless during her brief visit to New York City about filming those dangerous nude scenes, meeting the new Spartacus, and showing off her merkin.

Read Interview

-- Barbara Davies

TVGuide.com caught up with Lawless to get the scoop on the drama's racy sex scenes. "The minute they call cut, I blank it out!" she says. "I was very blessed to have John Hannah and Jaime Murray as my accomplices — my great colleagues and friends. When you got to belt out those kind of stories and those kind of scenes, you need good, solid professionals in the trenches with you."

Lawless also shares her thoughts on Whitfield's departure how it was a "torturous process" to recast Spartacus. Plus: Find out what it was about McIntyre that impressed everyone.

Lucy Interview TV Guide Online 28 January 2011
Posted on: 29th January 2011

-- Barbara Davies

Christie from AfterEllen has posted the day's events at the con today. Check out her blog on AfterEllen.

Click here to view

Christie also reveals that there was a rumour that Lucy would make a surprise visit since she was in Los Angeles (she filmed the Lopez Tonight show on 27 Jan) although Spartacus doesn't start filming until April.

We'd heard a rumor that Lucy Lawelss might be making a surprise appearance, and we tried to confirm it. Sadly, it's definitely not true. She was in Los Angeles earlier in the week, but she's back in New Zealand, shooting Spartacus. Sorry, everyone!

Lucy Lawless Gives The Real Dirt on Sex Scenes - People

Lucy Lawless Gives the Real Dirt on Sex Scenes to People and what it's like to "shtup" on camera.

-- Barbara Davies

The NYMag Vulture site has an interview with Lucy:

Lucy Lawless has dabbled in just about every geek genre known to drooling man, whether battling swords and sorcerers alike on Xena: Warrior Princess, infiltrating the Battlestar as a Cylon on Battlestar Galactica, and violating many an ancient slave on Spartacus: Blood and Sand. As the loyal wife (and apt partner in wantonness) of Spartacus's Batiatus, the proprietor of a gladiator academy, Lawless’s Lucretia returns in the even more base, six-episode prequel to the Starz series called Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, airing Fridays at ten. Vulture took full advantage of the actress’s quick wit and playful disposition to pump her for thoughts on stuff like Snooki and merkins … and the new show, of course.

A few snippets:

Ausiello reported overnight on his new site TVLine.com that Lucy will be appearing on the show No Ordinary Family in a 5 episode arc.

No Ordinary Family is the story of the Powells. They are an every day American family who undergo a remarkable transformation after the charter plane they hired crashes in the Amazon River.

Lucy's role in this 5 episode arc would be yet another strong, powerful woman and a potential adversary to the Powells whose agenda could put the family in danger.

Ausiello says: Lawless' arc will carry the show (which airs Tuesdays at 9 pm) through the end of the season, and hopefully create enough momentum to earn the underrated Family a renewal.

As yet this is unconfirmed (by Lucy herself, by her management and/or ABC) but Ausiello does have an excellent track record with these things so it's pretty exciting to see Lucy in another show.

Actress Lucy Lawless makes a surprise appearance to Lopez Tonight to answer a fan’s twitter question. This appearance was a little light on the Spartacus: GotA and more on Xena. Lucy looks absolutely fabulous in that black dress!
Lucy on Lopez Tonight 27 January 2011
Posted on: 28th January 2011

TV’s “Xena” Lucy Lawless talks via satellite about her new mini series “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena” with Talking Pictures’ Tony Toscano. The interview appears to be have been filmed on 20 January 2011. See more of Lucy’s Spartacus: Gods of the Arena PR Interviews

Lucy Interview with Talking Pictures’ Tony Toscano

Resene Fastest Art Exhibition - Lucy Lawless

Welcome to Lucy’s page for the great Resene Fastest Art Exhibition – part of Auckland Cup Week. Along with other celebrities Lucy will be decorating a large white fibreglass horse to be displayed in Auckland in the two weeks leading up to Cup Week. At the completion, the painted horses will be auctioned with the proceeds from Lucy’s horse coming to Starship.

Resene Fastest Art Exhibition - Lucy Lawless Lucy's doing her 'bit' for Starship! We want to get as many people as we can interested in this amazing piece of unique art so spread the word. Make sure you ‘like’ this page and let your friends know!

There are five high resolution photos of Lucy at the Pix11 Morning News Studios in New York 19 January 2011 on a celebrity forum

You can find the photos here

Photo #1 | Photo #2
Photo #3 | Photo #4
Photo #5

-- news submitted by @LeAnnLand on Twitter

Added new artwork by Carpe Chakram from the first episode of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. Lucretia and Gaia: Present Transgressions

Click here to view

Starship has posted the following on their Facebook page

Starship Foundation Make sure you visit Lucy's page below for her entry into the Resene Fastest Art Exhibition. The more 'likes' we get on Lucy's page the more Starship could get. Be sure to tell your friends!

and on the Resene Fan Page it had the following news:

Resene Fastest Art Exhibition - Lucy Lawless

Lucy Lawless is riding into town and she's going to start horsing around for Starship! Stay tuned...

Click here to go the Resene Fastest Art Exhibition Lucy Page

Added a new artist to the Xenaverse Art Gallery - LouLou!

Click here to view artwork

There are two new photos of Lucy outside the studios of The Wendy Williams Show which were taken on the 19 January 2011 by Ray Tamarra / Getty Images

Picture #1 and Picture #2

The Resene Facebook Page has been updated with a gorgeous new/old Lucy Photo taken by Patrick Bellett.

It's an older photo of Lucy judging by the hair colour so unless Lucy's coloured her hair again in the last few days...this is a new old photo

You will need a facebook account to access the photo. Click here

TVbythenumbers has just posted the ratings for the first episode of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena Episode 1: Past Trangressions. It reached nearly 1.1 million (1.097 million).

Starz’ Spartacus: Gods of the Arena premiered to 1.097 million on Friday at 10pm on Starz. The 11p encore drew another 753,000 viewers.

The premiere was up 66% from the premiere of Spartacus: Blood and Sand on January 22, 2010 (659,000) and up 70% based on combined viewing of the 10pm and 11pm encore (1.850 million vs. 1.091 million). read more

The Sequential Tart site (cute name) has an article about the Women of Spartacus: Blood and Sand written by Corrina Lawson. Not the actors but more about the actual characters which is pretty interesting, well written and a look into the minds of the four female characters: Lucretia, Ilithyia, Naevia and Mira.

The Women of Spartacus: Blood & Sand
Being Naked A Lot Doesn't Keep Them From Being Interesting

The last thing I expected when I started watching Spartacus: Blood and Sand were strong female characters.

I was in it for the gladiators and because I'm a sucker for Roman history.

The first couple of episodes were as expected. The title character had a beautiful wife who loved him — someone surely designed for the fridge. The appearance of Ilithyia, the wife of the Roman legatus, was also pretty basic, with her using sex to get him to do what she wanted.

And then things started to change.

Read Article

-- Barbara Davies

Lucy is going to be on ABC 7 show "On The Red Carpet" Sunday, Jan 23, at 6:30pm. Many thanks to Marilyn Edwards for the news.

I'm not sure if it's the same interview as the one that I posted on 21 January

Part 3 On The Red Carpet Interview With Lucy Lawless 20 January 2011
Posted on: 21st January 2011

Lucy talks about doing a Xena movie and how they could it; comedy or serious. For some odd reason On the Record Carpet also stuck a Kevin Sorbo interview on there (?!) so you have first half is Lucy and the rest is Kevin.

Part 2 On The Red Carpet Interview With Lucy Lawless 20 January 2011 Lucy talks about Andy Whitfield and updates on his health.

On The Red Carpet Part 1 Lucy Lawless 20 January 2011 Lucy Lawless says “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” the prequel miniseries to the Starz cable show “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” will feature sex, drugs and a girlfriend for her character. Watch Part 2 |Â Watch Part 3 Click here to read article from On [...]

Starz has officially released 11 high resolution Episode Stills for the upcoming Episode 2 episode 2 Missio

Batiatus conjures up a devious plan and enlists Lucretia, Gaia and a clutch of gladiator recruits to see it through. Oenomaus longs to reclaim the top gladiator rank, but new challenges cross his path.

Click here to view images

EPISODE 2: MISSIO PREVIEW

Spartacus Gods of the Arena Episode 1 is now available to view online for free

There is also a preview of episode 2

Click here

Episode 2 log have also been released

Batiatus conjures up a devious plan and enlists Lucretia, Gaia and a clutch of gladiator recruits to see it through. Oenomaus longs to reclaim the top gladiator rank, but new challenges cross his path.

Credits | Official Page | Episode Stills | Episode Promo

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena Episode 1: Past Transgressions
Review by MaryD

A younger Batiatus finds himself newly in control of his father’s gladiator school. He uses his most skilled fighter to win favor with a cunning nobleman behind the building of the new arena.

Well that was a welcome return of an old friend and I'm not referring to Gaia. Seeing our favourite gladiators and their owners was so wonderful. I'm sure others will review the episode and what it all means but I think I should go into how each old characters and new character affected me as I watched. Firstly I have to say I LOVED this episode. It's a more gritty look at Capua and it's inhabitants. The blood on the sand is still there in abundance and the writing is SUPERB. Beautiful job Steven DeKnight.

Let's start with our beloved characters who are young again.

Read Review

You know the drill. If you don't want to be spoilt...don't follow the links!
If you want to be spoilt...just click away

The links will be updated as more reviews come through

1. AfterElton.com "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" 2.01 Recap: "Here's How it All Started // love these recaps!

2. TVSquad.com Spartacus: Gods of the Arena' Prequel Season, Episode 1 Recap

Minor spoilers - only if you kept your head in the sand and refused to read any Sparty articles or watch any of the interviews. If you did, I admire your strength unlike us mere weak mortals who devoured everything Sparty related but I digress...

Jaime has posted on her twitter page about the music she and Lucy used to get into the swing of things during the "opium scene" (I think pretty much everyone and their grandmother knows about this scene since it's been discussed at length).

The "opium scene" is where Gaia seduces Lucretia and they get hot and bothered (Lucretia can blame the drugs...Gaia is just naughty)

Lucy & I had a song 4 what I'll only describe as the Opium scene. This was it. We played it loud :) Enjoy ? http://blip.fm/~10zuw6

Nice.

The Journal Pioneer from Canada has the following article about the return of Spartacus to Canadian TV. The image they used is from the second episode "Missio".

A bloody continuation Roman epic ‘Spartacus’ gets prequel in ‘Gods of the Arena’ Gladiators return in “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.” 21 January 2011

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA — Don’t always believe what you see on TV.

It’s a cliched, overworked expression, to be sure, but followers of the cult Roman epic “Spartacus: Blood and Sand” probably needed reminding after April’s finale, aptly titled “Kill Them All,” in which virtually every character but Spartacus himself was killed — bloodily and lustily — in the story’s closing moments.

Click on the thumbnail to get the full article

Episode still from Episode 2 Missio - Gods of the Arena

Lucy was on VERY briefly on two shows tonight. ET and TMZ both featured Lucy. TMZ found Lucy at the airport and ET showcased Spartacus and there was a snippet of a Lucy interview.

ET has a very quick look at Spartacus: Gods of the Arena and an even quicker Lucy snippet of an interview that looks to be part of a larger interview.

TMZ spots Lucy Lawless at the airport as she flew into Los Angeles after her PR tour in New York for Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.

For more Lucy Lawless interviews go to AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Interviews subsite

Lucy Lawless Interview SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA

On the Starz original drama series Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, the prequel for the popular Spartacus: Blood and Sand, actress Lucy Lawless plays Lucretia, a woman who is always supportive of her husband Batiatus’ (John Hannah) dreams, however wild the direction they threaten to grow. Though conscious of the role she’s expected to play as a proper Roman woman, she will discover that when the moment most needs it, she can do what is necessary to gain power.

During a recent interview to promote the prequel, Lucy Lawless talked about returning to a character that she thought was dead at the end of the show’s first season, the pleasure of seeing the early life of Lucretia, how much she hates doing action scenes, and the fact that she will be returning for Season 2, which is being called Spartacus: Vengeance, and will now feature Liam McIntyre in the title role. Check out what she had to say after the jump:

Here's a few highlights:

Since you’re married to one of the executive producers, has Rob told you what’s going to happen in Season 2 at all?

LAWLESS: It’s best not to know because you angst about it ahead of time. What good is that going to do for you? Or, you look forward to it and it doesn’t happen because they rewrite it. So, until it’s on the stage, what’s on the page doesn’t matter so much.

Do you consider this show a family business?

LAWLESS: What makes it easier is that I’m proud of this. I’m proud of my work and I’m proud of the finished product. I think Rob’s a brilliant producer and a brilliant boss. People bring 110% because he’s the kind of boss who sets them up. They’re not afraid to fail. They are not going to get shot down. They are going to take the best idea from whoever in the room has got it, so all the guns are pointed in the same direction and not at each other. That’s an environment of trust that he sets up in New Zealand. Chris Albrect and Starz have been so courageous. It’s great that Chris didn’t kill it because he could have, when he came in and took over. It’s like the leader of a pride of lions. The alpha male lion comes in and often kills the predecessor’s cubs. But, he had the foresight, the intelligence and the wisdom to go, “You know, this is working surprisingly well,” and he kept us alive. I, for one, am so very grateful to him and to his team.

So, no more performances at The Roxy?

LAWLESS: The energy to get them up and running was too much. Spartacus burned me out in a really good way. It just took everything I had. There was that terrible flu that everybody had for three months, and I had it for just about the entire shooting of the prequel. I was just not in good enough shape to do singing as well. It just didn’t present itself as an option. I’m a bit sad about that, but I’m too tired.

Did you always hate the action? (about Xena)

LAWLESS: Yes, I hated it, but I wasn’t in a position to say no. Very quickly, I realized that I can’t be cringing every time they come and say, “Lucy, would you like to go and learn your next fight?” I haven’t even finished filming the last one and I would have to go learn the next. I said, “You know what, guys? Instead of asking me, ‘Would you like to?,’ just say, ‘Lucy, the fight’s up.’ Then, it doesn’t require a response. It just requires me to do what I’m told.” If they say, “Would you like to?,” it makes me think, “No, I fucking hate that stuff!” If I have a choice, I don’t want to go. So. we very quickly realized that it’s better to just give me an order and then I’ll do it without thinking.

Did you really think there was a doubt that they’d find a way for you to be in Season 2?

LAWLESS: I’m in Season 2, but I probably won’t be in Season 3. They’re bringing me back for Season 2, but I fully expect to die. It’s just the best role, ever. My character gets a lot of air time.

Read Full Interview

Lucy Lawless: In the ‘burbs, Spartacus is rocking a lot of marriages.

New York Post - 21 January 2011

The real life drama that rocked "Spartacus" left producers scrambling for a plan B and that answer presented itself in the form of a pre-quel. "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena" takes place prior to the "Blood & Sand" series yet features many of the men and women who made that show such a success.

The six-episode miniseries, which kicks off tonight, also serves as an excellent send-off for the even more excellent John Hannah since his Batiatus was offed in the show's season finale. Joining Batiatus in the fun is his loyal lady Lucretia, played by Lucy Lawless.

In addition to talking about recasting their lead character, Lucy revealed that while filming their signature sex scenes never gets any easier, each one serves a very specific purpose -- to inject some love back into viewer's sex lives!

Read More

Last night the Gods of the Arena cast and their guests had the chance to see the first episode of Spartacus: Gods of the Arena Episode 1: Past Transgressions.

Here are some of their responses:

Lesley-Ann Brandt
(Naevia / Gods of the Arena)

Screening last night of ep 1 was amazing!!! @MsJaimeMurray so good to see you hunny. Beautiful work! Can't wait for u all 2 see it. 10pm on starz tonight!!!!

Katrina Law
(Mira on Spartacus Blood and Sand and upcoming Vengeance (Season 2)

Congrats @starz_channel @stevendeknight @LesleyAnnBrandt, #NickTarabay, #PeterMensah n all the peeps on #Spartacus:GOTA airing 2nite! Enjoy!

Jaime Murray
(Gaia / Gods of the Arena)
So great to see @LesleyAnnBrandt last night, such a beautifull girl :)
Watch @spartacus_starz tonight at 10pm. I think you'll like. Likey a lot.


Keith Andreen
(Katrina Law's (Mira) partner)

Without question @stevendeknight knocked it out of the park with @spartacus_starz Gods of the Arena. Brilliant, visceral and sexy. Prepare!

Congratulations to @LesleyAnnBrandt , Peter Mensah, Nick Tarabay and all the other brilliant actors on Gods of the Arena! Amazing work!

Sharon Delaney
Editor: Official Xena Fan Club & Official Lucy Lawless Fan Club

Saw the first episode of Gods of the Arena Lucy Lawless and Jaime Murray will melt your socks off! http://tiny.cc/4xujy (link to Sharon's episode review on Official Xena Fan Club Page)

Zoe_Archer Zoe Archer
(Guest)

@ @Whoknowsya Tall, gorgeous, great skin. And she was very sweet. Congratulated me on my career in a competitive field.
44 minutes ago

Zoe_Archer Zoe Archer
@ @bonn1511 No Crixus, sorry. Actors from the new series, though! Pretty people.
59 minutes ago

Zoe_Archer Zoe Archer
Last night at a Spartacus screening, I met Lucy Lawless! We talked of romance & naughty things, then I gave her a bookmark. #epicallycool
1 hour ago

Andrea just sent me the following news about the new Spartacus Trading Cards (you will notice that Viva's name has been written as Biba). The news will be in the next issue of Previews Magazine. Click on the thumbnail for the larger scan. The cards be will available from 27 April 2011 at $50 per box and only 200 available.

Limited Edition Series-Only 200 Boxes Produced! Rittenhouse Archives presents the premiere edition of their Spartacus: Blood and Sand trading cards series, based on the hit Starz TV series! The card series will include 26 Episode Synopsis cards (2 per episode), with each card sequentially-numbered to 250 (2 cards per pack).

Also look for the 9-card "Savage" sub-set, depicting the blood, violence, and action of Spartacus, sequentially-numbered to 350 (1 card per pack). Also look for 12 Autograph cards from Andy Whitfield, Lucy Lawless, John Hannah, Biba Bianca, Jai Courtney, and more! 2 autographs per premium pack! 6 Cards per pack. 15 Packs per box.

News submitted by Andrea

Our favourite warrior and her bard are back on Australian network TV. A decade ago Xena was on channel 10 where they sliced and diced the show. The show was able to be seen in on reruns on Foxtel Cable on TV1 for a long time but now she's back on network TV. This time she's on 7Mate - the new digital channel by Channel 7 which is catered towards guys (can't figure out how Xena figures into this unless it's the leather and blue eyes that gets them <g>)

Throng.com.au has posted the following info regarding the return:

Another classic TV show is coming to 7mate: Xena Warrior Princess. Xena begins on 7mate at 3pm Thur Feb 3, and continues 3pm daily. It will also be on at 3am from Monday (morning) Feb 7.

News submitted by Adam

'Spartacus' allows cast members to pull out all the stops

"We're just like every other couple," giggle John Hannah and Lucy Lawless about playing Quintus Batiatus and Lucretia on the television series "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena."

Yeah, like every other couple if you have a house of slaves and gladiators, partake in copious amounts of sex and don't mind dispatching anyone who gets in your way.

Hannah and Lawless are back unexpectedly in the prequel to Starz's hit series "Spartacus: Blood and Sand." At the end of that show, they looked like they were dead - more about that later - after a slave revolt led by Spartacus (Andy Whitfield). Originally, Starz planned a second season, but then Whitfield was diagnosed last March with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

"Gods of the Arena" was meant to give the Australian actor time to recover and return to his role as the Roman gladiator who led a slave rebellion, but it was announced earlier this month that the actor's cancer had returned and that he was stepping aside to concentrate on getting well.

Read More

The campy legend of Lucy Lawless' iconic small-screen heroine "Xena: Warrior Princess" is ancient history, but her cunning and power-hungry turn as the lustful Lucretia in Starz's ever-evolving fantasy dynasty "Spartacus" is one tasty part.

"There are plenty of other things I would do to show my other sides, but most people couldn't imagine me out of this genre," she said. "Besides, there really isn't anything better than 'Spartacus.' "

The New Zealand-bred Lawless, 42, who married Michigan-made Rob Tapert in 1998, said she can't wait for fans of "Spartacus: Blood and Sand" (which debuted in January 2010) to witness the new six-part prequel, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," when it premieres tonight. "You really have to let people know to watch right to the very last drop," she said.

Still not convinced? Let Lawless -- who talked to the Free Press last week after Starz announced a second season of "Blood and Sand" but before Liam McIntyre ("The Pacific") was announced as the new Spartacus -- pique your imagination on what she declares is "the most exciting show ever."

Read Interview

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

Someone sure is happy to be back in LA from very frosty New York. The following pics were up on Zimbio of Lucy looking quite happy.

All these images can be found on Zimbio

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

The following article is from the US TV Guide Print Magazine 24 January 2011. Click on the smaller image for the full size scan.

Scanned by Roger

Just in case anyone has forgotten that today (21 January 2011) is premiere day for Spartacus: Gods of the Arena:

Episode 1: Past Transgressions

A younger Batiatus finds himself newly in control of his father’s gladiator school. He uses his most skilled fighter to win favor with a cunning nobleman behind the building of the new arena.

Credits | Official Page | Episode Stills

EPISODE PROMOS

Gaia and Lucretia meet up in the marketplace. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena – Ep 1 “Past Transgressions” Premieres Friday Jan 21st at 10pm e/p on Starz. http://www.starz.com/spartacus

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena – Ep 1 “Past Transgressions” Premieres Friday Jan 21st at 10pm e/p on Starz http://www.starz.com/spartacus

On The Red Carpet has an interview with Lucy from today where she discusses Spartacus, Andy Whitfield and a Xena Movie. For some very strange reason they chose to stick a Kevin Sorbo interview on the back of the third portion.

Part 3 On The Red Carpet Interview With Lucy Lawless 20 January 2011
Posted on: 21st January 2011

Lucy talks about doing a Xena movie and how they could it; comedy or serious. For some odd reason On the Record Carpet also stuck a Kevin Sorbo interview on there (?!) so you have first half is Lucy and the rest is Kevin.

Part 2 On The Red Carpet Interview With Lucy Lawless 20 January 2011 Lucy talks about Andy Whitfield and updates on his health.

On The Red Carpet Part 1 Lucy Lawless 20 January 2011 Lucy Lawless says “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” the prequel miniseries to the Starz cable show “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” will feature sex, drugs and a girlfriend for her character. Watch Part 2 |Â Watch Part 3 Click here to read article from On [...]

AUSXIP Reporter: Klippart

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena Behind The Scenes 2
Posted on: 21st January 2011

Go behind the scenes of the latest original series by Starz, ‘Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena.” Premieres January 21 only on Starz. The video takes a look at the main characters, interviews the actors and looks behind the scenes of this spectacular show.

Gaia and Lucretia meet up in the marketplace. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena – Ep 1 “Past Transgressions” Premieres Friday Jan 21st at 10pm e/p on Starz. http://www.starz.com/spartacus

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena – Ep 1 “Past Transgressions” Premieres Friday Jan 21st at 10pm e/p on Starz http://www.starz.com/spartacus

The Scrolls of Spartacus By Starz Media

Description

Experience the action of the arena from script to screen of the Starz® Original hit series Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Episode Scrolls allow you to purchase the script from each episode of Spartacus: Blood and Sand, Season 1 (free episode included with download). Scripts are packed full of audio and video extra features, notes from show creator Steven S. DeKnight, and behind the scenes footage. Also included is Scaling Capua, an interactive widget detailing the social networks of Capua’s most fascinating citizens.

Features

Episode Scrolls – Extra feature filled scripts for each episode of Season 1 available for purchase. Future updates will include episodes from Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.

Scaling Capua – Explore the back stories and social networks of the characters in Spartacus’ Capua.

Videos – View videos from purchased scripts including show clips and behind the scenes footage.

Photos – View exclusive photos from purchased scripts and use them as iPad wallpapers.

Future updates will include scripts from Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, premiering on January 21. Only on Starz.

Click here to purchase

TV Guide Online has an article: Spartacus Draws Up a New Battle Plan With Prequel Series Gods of the Arena

Lucy mentions two of her co-stars that inspired her:

Lawless is most certainly a survivor, even though Lucretia seemingly died in the Blood finale with a sword to her pregnant abdomen. "This role is the greatest challenge and pleasure of my career, so I'm grateful I escaped my fate," says Lawless, who shot Lucretia's demise two ways — one where she's clearly dead, one where she's still twitching. Execs chose the latter, assuring she'll be back for Season 2.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves. In Gods, the popular actress engages in some sizzling Sapphic sex with costar Jaime Murray (Dexter), who plays Lucretia's girlhood pal Gaia — and that's something Lawless' fans have been dying to see since the star's days as Xena: Warrior Princess. "The lesbian stuff made me nervous as hell, and I don't think I could have done it without Jaime," Lawless admits. "She's really funny and 200-percent professional. She's my kind of woman!"

And Whitfield, who is currently undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, remains her kind of man. "Andy didn't curl up in a ball and think of himself — he's concerned about all the people making their livelihood with this show," says Lawless. "He wants us to continue and we love him for that. It's no wonder he played Spartacus so well. The guy is a true hero."

Read Full Article

Starz has released three new video clips - one is an all new behind the scenes look at the show, it's characters and the actors.

The next two clips are from the first episode "Past Trangressions"

Go behind the scenes of the latest original series by Starz, ‘Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena.” Premieres January 21 only on Starz. The video takes a look at the main characters, interviews the actors and looks behind the scenes of this spectacular show.

Gaia and Lucretia meet up in the marketplace. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena – Ep 1 “Past Transgressions” Premieres Friday Jan 21st at 10pm e/p on Starz. http://www.starz.com/spartacus

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena – Ep 1 “Past Transgressions” Premieres Friday Jan 21st at 10pm e/p on Starz http://www.starz.com/spartacus

Added three interviews Lucy has done today with Reuters, Omaha Morning Blend and AM Northwest.

Reuters Interviews Lucy Lawless 20 January 2011
Posted on: 21st January 2011

Spartacus series packs in the drama Jan 20 – Actress Lucy Lawless talks about her new series entitled, ”Spartacus: God of the Arena”. Alicia Powell reports.

Omaha Morning Blend 20 January 2011 Lucy Lawless
Posted on: 21st January 2011

You know her from Xena:Warrior Princess. Now Lucy Lawless is back in action in Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. We’ll hear about this latest role in the Starz series and what Lucy’s been up to!

Lucy Lawless is best known for her role as Xena: Warrior Princess. Now she’s set to star in a new series called Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. We talked with Lucy today via satellite. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is a Starz original action-adventure drama six-part series. In a passionate and ambitious partnership with her [...]

For more Lucy interviews go to AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Interviews subsite

NEW YORK - JANUARY 19: Actress Lucy Lawless leaves the 'Wendy Williams Show' taping at AMV Studios on January 19, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images)

AP Live Interview with Lucy Lawless 19 Jan 2011
Posted on: 20th January 2011

Lucy is interviewed by the Associated Press on her role on Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.

For more Lucy interviews related to Spartacus: Gods of the Arena go to the AUSXIP Lucy Lawless Interviews subsite

Premier Guide Miami has an interview with Steven DeKnight - there is a Lucy mention

Talk about the love affair between Jaime Murray (Gaia) and Lucy Lawless (Lucretia).

Steven S. DeKnight: Yes well, not to give anything away to the fans, but Jaime Murray’s character, Gaia, comes into town and you find out she’s an old chum of Lucretia’s from back in the wild days. And Lucretia is trying to become more respectable. But Gaia is still the wildcard, unlike Ilithyia and Lucretia in Season 1, Gaia actually loves Lucretia, will stand by her through thick and thin, but is not adverse into hulling her into a bit of old-time trouble. And they’re very, very friendly. I’ll just leave it at that.

Read More

Just received the following from Starship and I'm passing it on:

Starship is in the running to receive a donation from Sovereign Sunshine who will give a share of $10,000 to each of six charities based on the number of votes received online.

The charity with the most votes will also receive an additional donation from Sovereign Sunshine’s monthly Sunshine Day fundraising activities.

Please take 2 minutes to vote for Starship online before the end of January - it is free and you could win a digital camera and digital photo frame!

The website is: http://www.sovereignsunshine.co.nz/ . You will need to register to vote but it is a very simple process and by taking part, you will benefit some of New Zealand’s most vulnerable children.

Thanks very much for your help!

Sarah

PS The Starship Foundation raises funds so that New Zealand’s children can have access to the best possible medical care. Each year Starship Children’s Hospital cares for close to 150,000 children from around the country.

Please also forward this email to your friends and family, every vote counts so click here and support Starship – it is easy and free!

Lucy Lawless: 'Spartacus' star has a line on energy saving Lawless scoffs at the clothes dryer when there's perfectly good sunshine to dry her laundry outdoors.

Lucy Lawless adopted an old-fashioned method for saving energy: she put up a clothesline in her yard. "It's obscene for me to be drying towels when the sun is beating down for free," she explains. "And I don't care if it offends somebody's aesthetic." Lawless, last seen bleeding profusely in the conclusion of the first season of Starz' "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," reprises her role as Lucretia in the six-episode prequel, "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," premiering Jan. 21.

The Wendy Williams Show 19 January 2011
Posted on: 20th January 2011

Lucy was on another interview today for the Wendy Williams Show 19 January 2011 where she talked about Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, that famous merkin and about life in New Zealand.

Video created by Roger

Starz has got a new poll up on their facebook fan page

Who do you wish to grace the ludus more often? Winner will be next week's featured character. Click the "Poll" tab above and vote. Grattitude

My question is..do we have to choose? How about all of them!

Lucy was a guest at Sirius XM Radio for an interview on the Spartacus PR train. Here are some links to pics of her at this event!

Rex Features

and StarTrackPhoto

1/18/11 Show Recap
January 19, 2011 by Good Egg Dave in Featured, Main Blog, photo

Lucy Lawless stopped by in studio. And that name absolutely rhymes with her appearance in studio. She talked about her co star dealing with adversity, and how it has been an inspiration to her. Andy Whitfield does not want getting sick to be his legacy. Lucy talked about Spartacus’s meaning and information for her prequal. Lucy also called Rich a queer for talking about Blanch on the golden girls. Covino enjoyed the interview and really felt like Lucy was very open about a lot of issues. Covino felt like she was even more beautiful in person.

Source

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

EXCLUSIVE: The Daily BLAM! was able to participate in a round-table interview with Manu Bennett, Dustin Clare, Jaime Murray & series creator Steven DeKnight who talked about the upcoming prequel, Gladiator Camp, a and small bit about season two of Blood and Sand.

Also causing mischief this season is Lucretia's college home girl Gaia played by Jaime Murray. Though she was "late to the party," as she stated due to a audition but she did answer a few questions.

Gaia is seen as the obvious troublemaker on the series this season. When asked her feelings about playing one, Jaime stated that being such is "always the best role." She also goes on to explain "I don't think Gaia sees herself as the troublemaker. I think she's gets a certain thrill over the power that she wields and generally the power that she wields cause a bit of trouble along the way." Jaime also states that she thinks her character is generally fond of her friend Lucretia and that her friendship with Lucretia may be due to Gaia being, more or less, alone in the world.

"She doesn't really have much in the world. It's a time where women had very little power in the world. They couldn't vote... they had to be married, it was really look down on for a woman to be without her husband and she finds herself alone in the world and Lucretia is all she has."

Read Full Interview with Steven, Manu, Jaime and Dustin

Lucy was on another interview today for the Wendy Williams Show. Zimbio has two very fab pics of Lucy arriving for the interview. Click on the images for the larger versions.

The Wendy Williams Show has also released a snippet of the interview (everyone seems fascinated by the merkin and Wendy chats to Lucy about how the merkin is created).

AUSXIP Reporters: Klippart & Lori

NY PIX Morning News 19 January 2011 Lucy Lawless Interview

Actress Lucy Lawless stopped by to talk about her role as Lucretia on Spartacus: Gods of the Arena which premieres January 21 at 10pm on Starz.

Before Spartacus struck down his first opponent in the arena, there were many gladiators who passed though the gates onto the sand. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, the highly anticipated prequel to Starz’ hit series Spartacus: Blood and Sand, tells the story of the original Champion of the House of Batiatus.

Watch Video

'Star Trek: Voyager,' 'Xena' Lead New Eligibility List For Portal Awards

The annual Rod Serling Award remembers shows that have stood the test of time

A decade can be a long time for fans of a show that no longer is in production. But at least there's still a way to commemorate it.

Airlock Alpha has released the Class of 2001 -- shows that ended in 2001 and are now eligible for the Rod Serling Award.

The award, named after "The Twilight Zone" creator, is part of Airlock Alpha's Portal Awards, the online fan awards that have attracted more than a million votes since it was founded in 1999. The Rod Serling Award honors the shows that are still prevalent in the minds of fans, even after being off the air for at least a decade.

"Xena" put Lucy Lawless on the map. The actress would later make her mark in shows like "Battlestar Galactica" and "Spartacus: Blood and Sand," but she will always be remembered as Xena, which broadcast its finale on June 18, 2001.

Read More

AUSXIP Reporter: Lori Boyles

You may all remember the squatter that was secretly living in Lucy's house? Well he's back. He's stalking Lucy in Europe. A series of video clips were taken during Lucy's trip to Europe in June / July 2010 - where she visited Italy and other interesting locales including Dachau Concentration Camp.

These are the video/s of her Eurotrip

Stalking Lucy Lawless in Europe - Part 3
Posted on: 19th January 2011

You have to feel for young Jason...having Lucy upset with you is not good for one's health LOL! A word of advice: do NOT get on the wrong side of Lucy Lawless. This clip got cut a bit short because she broke my camera. Frankly I was lucky that's all she broke. I guess it [...]

Stalking Lucy Lawless in Europe - Part 2
Posted on: 19th January 2011

AUSXIP Reporter: Lori Boyles

Lucy Lawless talks 'Spartacus' substitute

New York Post - 18 January 2011

While talking about Friday's premiere of "Spartacus" prequel, "Gods of the Arena," I had to take a moment and ask Lucy Lawless -- who plays the scheming Lucretia in both incarnations -- about yesterday's announcement that Liam McIntyre would be Andy Whitfield's replacement.

A word she hopes no one actually uses when referring to the situation.

"This was not a decision we made lightly. It hurt us to do it and Liam has some terribly big shoes to fill," she told PopWrap exclusively. "We don’t expect him to be Andy, no one could, but he’s going to be Liam. And we believe that he’s the right guy to reimagine that role and keep this series on fire."

Read More

Following up the post back in December on when Spartacus: Gods of the Arena will be shown in the UK. The following tweet shed a bit more light on when that will be occuring:

Http://twitter.com/#!/sky1insider

sky1insider Sky 1 Insider
Spartacus: Gods of the Arena will air on Sky 1 HD and Sky 1 in early
February - exact date coming soon! @NYGUK
3 hours ago
--

On December 8, 2010 the following was posted:

Spartacus: GotA will be screen in the UK on Sky1 early in 2011 (the TVChoice tweet doesn't say what day)

You can catch Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena on Sky1 early in the new year - sounds really exciting!
about 3 hours ago via Tweetie for Mac

Just met John Hannah for a very funny and frank chat about Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena. He's a real star, but does have a potty mouth! -:)
about 3 hours ago via Tweetie for Mac

The Current GotA Premiere Schedule:

USA - 21 January 2011
Canada - 23 January 2011
UK - February 2011
Australia - ??/2011 (GO! has announced it's picked up the show for 2011 - exact date not known yet)

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

Lucy's interview on The Today Show turned out to be more entertaining than anticipated. You just don't give Lucy that opening and not have her do something funny:

Coda mispronounced Lucy's name when she was saying one of the "later in the hour we have Louie Lawless".

So it became a running joke. They cut to Lucy once and she had made up a name tag so someone knew who "Louie Lawless" was. Throughout the interview "Louie" was also mentioned.

The televised version of the interview + the Lucy segments not shown online with the running joke are now on the AUSXIP Video Lucy Lawless Channel

The Today Show + Luly Snippets 18 January 2011 - Lucy Lawless
Posted on: 19th January 2011

On 13 January Lucy was at The Grove in Los Angeles for an interview with EXTRA and to hand out free copies of Spartacus Season 1 DVD. Janna was at this event and has sent in 30 gorgeous photos of Lucy!

Click here to view the images

Starz has released three new videos for Spartacus: Gods of the Arena

Fight For Glory – Gods of the Arena
Posted on: 18th January 2011

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena – Fight for Glory Premieres Friday Jan 21st at 10 pm e/p on Starz

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena – Lust for Power Premieres Friday Jan 21st at 10 pm e/p on Starz. http://www.starz.com/spartacus

Meet Gannicus, a true physical specimen, fearless in the arena and possessed by a thirst for the fleeting pleasures of life. Premieres Jan 21st 10pm e/p on Starz

Resene Fastest Art Exhibition - Lucy Lawless Facebook Fan Page

Click here to view fan page (you need a facebook account)

Lucy's chosen charity is Starship Foundation.

Auckland Racing Club is creating Auckland’s biggest ever art event through 18 works of art in the form of life size fibreglass horses.

18 interesting Kiwis will be given the task of transforming plain white fibreglass horses into works of art – all based on the theme of “Racing Around Auckland.”

The horses will go on tour throughout Auckland in the fortnight leading up to New Zealand’s richest sporting event - Auckland Cup Week (5th – 12th March) and will be auctioned off during the week with proceeds from the sale of each horse going to its painter’s nominated charity.

Why 18 horses?

On Saturday 5th March, 18 horses and jockeys will be competing against one another on Ellerslie’s track in a bid to win the Southern Hemisphere’s richest Derby race – the $2.2 million Telecom New Zealand Derby.

Each of the 18 fibreglass horses will be paired up with a runner in the big race.

The charity whose ‘real’ horse wins the Telecom New Zealand Derby will win an additional prize.

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

Added new Xena and Gabrielle art by Aphrodian to the AUSXIP Xenaverse Art Gallery

Click here to view

I've just received the following tweet about the Extra interview Lucy did at the Grove from Katie Wilson

@AUSXIP I was told that the LL on Extra at the Grove interview, airs tonight in Los Angeles at 1am. :) about 4 hours ago via web

thekatiewilson
Katie Wilson

Haven't confirmed it yet but it's something.

EW Magazine 21 January 2011 issue has a small article on the hunt for a new Spartacus and the news of Lucy's return as Lucretia (that's not much of a spoiler since everyone has already heard that bit of news)

Click on the thumbnail for the larger scan.

Scanned by Roger

Lucy's site has been updated with more Spartacus PR interviews
In addition to interviews already we knew about:

Here are the new additions

Interviews:
- NYmag.com
- LA Times
- NY Post Jarrett Wieselman’s PopWrap blog
- Backstage
- People TV
- Reuters TV

18 January 2011
- The Today Show / 18 Jan (US)
- Live (some may be taped for airing at a later date):
- Sirius/XM Radio Tour (4 shows)

19 January 2011
- Wendy Williams Show / 19 Jan (US)
- PIX Morning News 8:45 am segment
- ABC News Radio
- AP TV
- TVGuide.com

20 January 2011
- The Morning Blend / 20 Jan (US)
- Satellite Media Tour
- Better TV

Lucy did an interview for The Today Show last week and the interview has been scheduled for 18 January 2011. The following is an NBC Press Release

NBC NEWS - PRESS RELEASES

TODAY

January 13, 2011
COMING UP ON "TODAY"

<snipped>
Tuesday, January 18 (7-9 a.m.): Hear the touching story of a husband's
sacrifice for his pregnant wife. Mark Feuerstein dishes on "Royal
Pains." Dylan Ratigan discusses "Steel on Wheels." Tony Dungy and
Lauren Dungy talk about the book "You Can Be A Friend." The Script
performs live on TODAY.

(9-10 a.m.): Diet S.O.S. How to cut travel costs. Sarah Shahi discusses
"Fairly Legal." Diet S.O.S. How to optimize your food storage.
Today's Kitchen with Terrance Brennan.

(10-11 a.m.): Today's Buzz with Andy Cohen. Sara on the streets.
Overcoming betrayal and dealing with revenge. Lucy Lawless discusses
"Gods of the Arena." The Kratt brothers stop by TODAY.

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

Added some gorgeous new artwork of Lucy and Xena related artworks by Klippart:

The following three artwork are new and the others have been posted elsewhere but the first time on AUSXIP

Click here to view all the artwork

This page lists several GotA behind the scenes documentary extras as
being scheduled for Starz On Demand from 22nd Jan onwards. I would guess they're pretty much the same content as the videos on Starz's youtube channel

Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena Extras

Go behind the scenes of Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena. See this new
original series by Starz beginning January 21 only on Starz!
Starring: John Hannah, Lucy Lawless

Episodes

• Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena Extras Gladiator Camp
• Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena Extras Slaves
• Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena Extras Girlfriends
• Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena Extras Gladiators
• Spartacus: Gods Of The Arena Extras Women

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

Film Review Online has a fantastic interview with Lucy.

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena – Lucy Lawless on life after a ‘fatal’ wound

It didn’t look good for John Hannah and Lucy Lawless, aka Batiatus and Lucretia, at the end of Spartacus: Blood and Sand. It still doesn’t look good for Batiatus, as he almost had his head severed off, but the fatal wound Lucretia was dealt now appears not to be quite so deadly. She will be returning to Season Two of the franchise.

Unfortunately, Andy Whitfield, who played Spartacus, won’t be coming back as his cancer has recurred. So instead of going straight into Season Two, Starz decided to do a prequel, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, which will chronicle the House of Batiatus before Spartacus arrives.

I spoke with Lucy about the series, which is produced by her husband Rob Tapert, along with Sam Raimi.

Read Interview

AUSXIP Reporter: Klippart

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena – Stars John Hannah, Lucy Lawless and Peter Mensah on the prequel - Posted on 11 January 2011

With the illness of Andy Whitfield, the second season of Spartacus on Starz has been delayed. To keep fans of the series satisfied, the producers came up with a unique concept – to do a prequel.

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena explores the deadly history before the arrival of Spartacus, and the death he carried with him. Quintus Lentulus Batiatus (John Hannah) takes the reins of his father’s stable of gladiators, with ambitions to elevate the house beyond all former glories. With his beautiful, scheming wife Lucretia (Lucy Lawless) at his side, he will stop at nothing to see his name forever carved into history.

Also returning for the prequel is Peter Mensah, who plays Oenomaus, a gladiator who later joins forces with Spartacus in the series. I spoke with all three at the TV Critics Association

Read More

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

There are 53 absolutely gorgeous photos of Lucy taken at the AOL Studios.

BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JANUARY 13: Actress Lucy Lawless stops by the AOL Studio, January 13, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Michael Becker/PictureGroup) via AP IMAGES

Here are a sample of the images - Click here to view them all

AUSXIP Reporter: Klippart

Lucy is scheduled for another interview with The Morning Blend in Omaha on 20 January 2001.

The following has been posted on their site. They appear to post the interviews on the site.

Lucy Lawless
Thursday, Jan 20, 2011

You know her from Xena:Warrior Princess. Now Lucy Lawless is back in action in Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. We'll hear about this latest role in the Starz series and what Lucy's been up to!

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

Lucy will be on the Wendy Williams Show to promote Spartacus: Gods of the Arena on Wednesday January 19 Friday January 14th, 2011

From the Official Wendy Williams Show site:


From “Xena” to “Spartacus,” actress Lucy Lawless gives us a first look at the new season of her hit Starz show.



AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

For US fans The Soup is on at 10 pm TONIGHT

Lucy Lawless On The Soup Skit - Kelsey Grammer
Posted on: 15th January 2011

Lucy is in on the irreverent tv show The Soup in various skits This skit introduces Lucy as Kelsey Grammer, the star of Frasier. Who knew Kelsey was a  gorgeous cross dresser from New Zealand who looks so much like Spartacus and Xena star Lucy Lawless! Video created by Roger

Lucy Lawless on The Soup Skit - Lucy From Jersey Shore
Posted on: 15th January 2011

Lucy's second skit on The Soup.  Graphic Graphics but it's the second part of this video that is hysterical - Lucy does The Jersey Shore - I just couldn't stop laughing at this!

Oh my goodness this is hysterical! Lucy Lawless on The Soup in two very funny skits. Skit #1 - Lip Locked The host and Lucy take the mickey out of as soap opera about two lovers. Another guest has Lucy paint him - it's just priceless! Lucy NEEDS to do more comedy; she's fantastic at [...]

Reported by: Kllppart
Video by: Roger

Lucy Lawless at The Grove 13 January 2011
Posted on: 14th January 2011

Lucy was at Los Angeles’ The Grove on Spartacus: Gods of the Arena PR duties today. Lucy appears 1:02 minutes into the video clip. She was being interviewed on the tv Show EXTRA and also handing out Spartacus: Blood and Sand Season 1 DVD’s to lucky fans who attended. Extra did not air the interview [...]

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

Check out the photos of Lucy from the Extra Interview at The Grove today. Looking gorgeous as ever.

You can find out more pics here

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

Lucy was being interviewed on the US TV show Extra today and also giving out Spartacus Season 1 DVDs to lucky fans who went to The Grove.

Extra did not air the interview today (hopefully it will show up tomorrow)

The following were tweets from fans who attended:

bonniegirl88: back from Extra! got to stand mere feet away from one of
my idols...Lucy Lawless!! =D and i got season 1 of Spartacus! a definate
plus! =D
about 7 hours ago via TweetDeck

thekatiewilson: Still cannot believe that I talked to Lucy Lawless
today! haha
about 9 hours ago via web

thekatiewilson: Met Lucy Lawless today during Extra at the Grove!! So
exciting!
about 9 hours ago via web

bernadettyork: Just saw lucy lawless at the grove in la! She was doing
an interview for "extra"
about 10 hours ago via txt
--

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

The US TV Guide has a two page article and advert in time for the GotA premiere on 21 January 2011 in the US. The issue is dated 17-23 January 2011.


WARNING: ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS

Scans by Lori Boyles

The Starz Spartacus Fan Facebook page has three photos from the TCA Panel.

Click here to access Facebook Fan Page

Reminder for those in the Los Angeles area on 13 January 2011 between 1:00 and 1:30 pm - Lucy will be with the Extra TV Show crew and she will be handing out goodies like the Spartacus Blood and Sand DVD.

The Extra site is now listing Lucy as one of the guests for the day.

The show will be taped (Monday-Friday) between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM PDT at The Grove, a hugely popular L.A. shopping and celebrity hot spot, with Mario talking to all the stars and interacting with fans. There will also be special musical guests and performances featured on The Grove stage.

Thursday, Jan. 13: Actor Joe Mantegna and daughter Gia, Miss Golden Globes (9:30 am), Katharine McPhee (11:00 am) and Lucy Lawless (1:00 pm)

Read More

AUSXIP Reporter: Klippart

Lucy has posted a new blog post about her upcoming Spartacus: Gods of the Arena promo duties. It's taking her to New York for The Wendy Williams Show and The Today Show next week.

Check out Lucy's blog post

The timesunion.com site has posted three AP photos of Lucy, John and Peter from the TCA Panel. In order to view the larger images you will need to click through all the images. The three photos are #44, #45 and #46. Click here to view

#44 of 89

Lucy Lawless, left, and Peter Mensah, cast members in the television series "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," take part in a panel discussion during the Starz Networks Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif., Friday, Jan. 7, 2011. (Chris Pizzello / AP)

#45 of 89

Lucy Lawless, a cast member in the television series "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," answers a reporter's question during the Starz Networks Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif., Friday, Jan. 7, 2011. (Chris Pizzello / AP)

#46 of 89

John Hannah, left, Lucy Lawless, center, and Peter Mensah, cast members in "Spartacus: Gods of the Arena," take part in a panel discussion during the Starz Networks Television Critics Association winter press tour in Pasadena, Calif., Friday, Jan. 7, 2011. (Chris Pizzello / AP)

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

The Search for the New Spartacus - Stars Lucy Lawless & John Hannah, along with EP Steven S. DeKnight, talk to IGN about what it's going to take to succeed Andy Whitfield.

There is a Lucy quote which I found very interesting (Craig Parker is amazing so whoever this actor was that totally made Craig change tack...let's hope it's the new Sparty.)

"That's right," Lawless said. "Someone who's got their own thing going on. The audience will forgive. The crew will support. And the story will be told. They have to find somebody who surprises. They've brought in a lot of people and they have to play opposite Craig Parker [Season 1's "Glaber"] and I saw somebody in particular surprise Craig. And I thought 'that person, just in pure acting terms, did the best job.' Because I saw Craig get off his road and have to take a new tack. This boy was not following. A lot of the others were following. This boy took it. So they're inching closer."

Read full interview

AUSXIP Reporter: Klippart

Laughing Matters: Tig Notaro
by Ben Simkins on Jan 11, 2011 • 4:37 pm

<snipped>

303: Departing Denver you moved to LA and became an assistant on the show Xena: warrior Princess and discovered your new career, stand-up. What drew you away from music and into comedy?

TN: I was already doing comedy when I got my job at Xena. That turned into comedy of its own, in that I was easily the world’s worst assistant. I was answering phone calls about these Xena and Hercules characters, meanwhile I had never really seen the show and was just watching the clock all day waiting to go do open mics after work. Lucy lawless tells everyone the only reason they kept me around, was because I amused everyone on the production. It was a great experience that I feel lucky to have had. It took care of me financially while I ran around the comedy club scene. When I was in Denver working in music promotion, I was really just wanting to get into comedy. It wasn’t until I moved with my two childhood friends to LA that I finally got into it. There were a million opportunities to do comedy around LA, so after watching two weeks of shows, I finally did my first open mic. I think I’m thirteen years into it now?

Read Full Interview

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

Lucy will be on the Wendy Williams Show and The Today Show next week to promote Spartacus: Gods of the Arena according to Sharon from the Official Lucy Lawless Fan Club.

Last year on 26 January 2010 Lucy appeared on the Wendy Williams Show to promote the upcoming premiere of Spartacus: Blood and Sand

Click here to view the video

Lucy appeared on The Today Show on NBC 22 January 2010 to promote the show Spartacus Blood and Sand.

HQ Screencaptures | Watch Video

Mens Health Magazine held a competition and the prize was a walk on role on Spartacus Gods of the Arena. Randy Barnes travelled to New Zealand for the role. He also got some TLC from Lucy Lawless and Jaime Murray. Check out the video towards the end to see them.

Ever wonder how Hollywood actors get in such great shape? Check out The Spartacus Workout. It’s a training plan designed for the cast of the Starz television show Spartacus—and perhaps the most popular workout in Men’s Health history. It’s also the same routine that landed Men’s Health reader Randy Santel a role on the show. In a competition with thousands of MH readers, Barnes came away with the title of “best transformation” as judged by the Starz producers. His prize: A trip to New Zealand to appear on the television show. Check out this behind-the-scenes video which takes you onto the set of Spartacus. The best part: A special appearance by actress Lucy Lawless.

Bits and bytes from cable side

Two popular genre shows have now been reincarnated

Two popular genre shows have now been reincarnated, snatched back from the edge of oblivion by admirably inventive means.

When the illness of title star Andy Whitfield threatened to shut down Spartacus for good, its creators kept the show going by flashing back five years for a six-part prequel, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. With Whitfield now permanently sidelined, a full second season will then pick up the current storyline with a recast lead.

Not only is the show still alive and kicking, but so is co-star Lucy Lawless, despite her having been mortally wounded at the end of Season1.

“Just a little poke in the tummy,” Lawless laughs. “Put a poultice on it, she’ll be all right.” “I remember when we made that decision,” adds series co-creator Steven S. DeKnight. “ I got a call from Rob (Tapert) saying, you know, (originating network) Starz really loves John (Hannah) and Lucy, as did we all. John obviously got his head almost completely severed (at the end), so . . .

“It wasn’t that bad,” protests Hannah. “I could survive.”

Apparently not. But Lawless’s Lucretia remained, if perforated, more or less intact. And thus, once she’s healed , will be hale and hearty enough to resume her scheming solo in Season 2.

“What we have planned for Lucretia in Season 2 makes Season1 and the prequel pale in comparison,” says DeKnight.

“And that makes me pale,” confesses Lawless.

“The writers have come up with some incredibly twisty, gnarly stuff. My head nearly exploded several times. But it’s been the greatest job, the most complex, rewarding job in my life.”

Upcoming Spartacus PR Event:

Lucy Lawless at the Grove in Los Angeles this Thursday January 13 between 1:00 to 1:30 pm with the crew from the TV Show Extra.

Lucy will be giving away DVDs of season 1 of Spartacus!

The Extra at the Grove page is here. It doesn't yet mention Lucy will be appearing on 13th, but I expect it will be updated in due course.

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

Bumpy Bind Adding a baby to a TV cast is a challenging move. Now Alyson Hannigan’s pregnancy is giving her show’s writers a growing dilemma

Perth Sunday Times 9 January 2011

Lucy is mentioned in the article regarding Xena's immaculate conception during Season 5.

Scanned submitted by Sheryl-Lee Kerr

AfterEllen has a great interview with Marissa Ramirez (Melitta on Spartacus Gods of the Arena). Marissa was Lucretia's body slave on the Spartacus Blood and Sand prequel.

AE: And how was it working with the amazing Lucy Lawless?

MR: Lucy is one of the classiest women I think I’ve ever met. I just enjoyed watching her not only act but also her actions with the extras, the crew and the other actors. She’s so graceful and humble and so beautiful. It was really an honor for me to be working beside her and I felt like I learned a lot from her. She’s just truly a beautiful person and I think she exudes this light from within and it’s very catching to everyone around her. The crew just loves her! She’ll come out with the biggest plate you’ve seen of chocolate and just walk around passing out chocolate. What actress does that? It’s just so sweet! She’s so down to earth and she takes so much pride in where she’s come from and how she’s gotten there. It’s awesome to be around her!

AE: What else did you learn from her?

MR: You know, I was very far away from home so it was nice to have someone that I could confide in about maybe ‘I don’t know if I feel comfortable with this’ and she would just make it all okay. She just made me feel a lot more comfortable with what I was doing there and what my character was doing. She would remind me of the relationship between Lucretia and Melitta. It made all the difference in the world with her doing that and knowing that if I needed something she was there.

AE: Would you have been all for a more physical relationship to happen between you and Lucy?
MR: Oh, of course! I think it’s more challenging to be intimate with different men that I’m acting with for the first time. I think with another woman it would be easier to go there. I definitely would’ve been open to it.

AE: And Lucy is so hot!
MR: And I think that that was another thing. I kept staring at her and wondering how she stays so amazingly perfect. Her skin and everything … it’s crazy! She’s like porcelain.

Read Full Interview

Oh goodness this had me laughing so much! Okay this week you get a double feature from Olansamuelle. I won't spoil it...it's just too funny and priceless

#1 is Lucretia Teaches It

and

#2 is Naevia Tries it

Enjoy!

Lucy talks to Toronto Star TV columnist Rob Salem about Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. Lucy's interview comes on around 7:05 minutes into the video

Lucy Lawless Interview Toronto Star 09 January 2011
Posted on: 10th January 2011

Torchwood’s Eve Myles and Spartacus star Lucy Lawless talk about their upcoming seasons with Toronto Star TV columnist Rob Salem Lucy’s interview can be seen around 7:05 minutes into the video.

I absolutely love this story by Missy Good so Calli created a cover for it! Many thanks to Calli for the cover.

Click here to view cover and read parts 1 - 4 of this ongoing story

The Story of Humanity: The Jess and Dev Tales is set in the near future post apocalyptic - the earth has been devastated by weather. Human society on the planet is reduced to fighting for survival over seaweed and scraps. Jesslyn (Jess) Drake is a warrior for that time - an agent who works for one of two 'sides' (think cold war) and is sent into conflict to steal scientific secrets or otherwise prevent that 'side' from making advances that would let them prosper. There are no good or bad guys.

Dev is Biological Alternative, set 0202-164812, instance NM-Dev-1 is a type of human being developed on a space station in orbit who can accept direct brain programming to suit them for a specific job and is the first of her kind to be made into an agent to join this side. Has a somewhat slave status and no one really wants them around but is given to Agent Drake who is arm twisted into giving it a try.

This article just cracked me up. It seems David "The Hoff" Hasselhoff fancies Lucy (get in line buddy..there is a long list of men and women who fancy Lucy) The REALLY funny story not mentioned here is that Xena Warrior Princess obliterated Baywatch in the rathings :) Too bad these journalists didn't dig deep into the ratings to find that gem.

The following is from the kiwi press: Sunday News

Baywatch cult hero David Hasselhoff has told how he once tried to chat up Kiwi actress Lucy Lawless, sexy star of Xena: Warrior Princess.

"I chased Lucy Lawless one night and she said, `I waited tables on you 10 years ago'. I laughed my butt off, because now she's a big star," Hasselhof told Sunday News.

"I knew she was from New Zealand and God, she looks pretty in person."

Lawless was a teenage part-time waitress in Parnell, Auckland, when Hasselhoff – then the star of the hit TV show Knight Rider – visited New Zealand in 1986.

When the pair next met, in America during the mid-90s, he was headlining Baywatch – the most-watched TV show in the world, with over 1.1 billion viewers.

She was named one of the "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" by People magazine after steaming up the small screen as Xena. Hasselhoff failed to win Lawless' heart, but, even at 58, he still had an eye for the ladies earlier this week on his latest visit here to promote a new ice cream.

"One girl was sitting next to me and I asked her what she did.

"She was a singer, so I thought, `Maybe we should do a duet together, about an old guy and you being too young for me' – I could pull that off," he laughed.

"But she was beautiful and if I never see her again, I'll always remember how real she was."

Read More

Matt Fowler from IGN has an article from the TCA Spartacus panel

Spartacus: Gods of the Arena Unleashes Hell!
John Hannah & Lucy Lawless jump back into the sandals of Batiatus and Lucretia for a new prequel series. Plus, will Lucretia be back for Season 2? US, January 8, 2011 January 8, 2011

Here are some Lucy quotes from the TCA Panel

On going back to play Lucretia again (a younger Lucretia)

"It was a rare pleasure actually," Lawless added. "That
never happens where you get to go back and fill in blanks and actually find out more about your own character. It was a huge thrill for me. And you get to see our characters when they are in the honeymoon phase of their lives."

So, what is the exact fate of Lucretia? Will Lawless officially be a part of Season 2?

The short answer? Yes. "It was just a little poke in the tummy," Lawless laughed. Executive producer/writer DeKnight recalled the decision to keep Lawless in the game. "I think Rob [Tapert] remembers this, I said, 'Absolutely not. No. She has to die. There is no way she could survive.' Then I called him up the next morning and I said, 'I've got an idea that I really like for Season 2,'" DeKnight said. "And it's been a thrill. And what we have planned for Lucretia in Season 2 makes Season 1 and the prequel pale in comparison."

"That makes me pale, because my head nearly exploded several times," Lawless blushed. "But it's been the greatest job, the most complex, rewarding job in my life."

Read full article

Starz has released the Spartacus Press package given to journalists at the TCA Spartacus panel

These includes:

- Series Synopsis
- Character Descriptions
- Cast Bios
- Production Bios
- Digital Press Kit

The Digital Press Kit is interesting. There are a couple of new pics in there and some episode stills.

Source

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies / MaryD

Spartacus Gods of the Arena Trailer 2
Posted on: 8th January 2011

Before Spartacus struck down his first opponent in the arena, there were many gladiators who passed though the gates onto the sand. “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena,” the highly anticipated prequel to Starz’ hit series “Spartacus: Blood and Sand,” tells the story of the original Champion of the House of Batiatus: Gannicus (Dustin Clare) in [...]

Here's some more pics! (I'll have some high res pics up soon). These pics are from the Zimbio site. I've also created an Event page for the TCA Spartacus Panel and you can find that here

I wonder if this look is directed at the journalist who asked about the gay gladiator! LOL! Lucy's response (if you missed the tweet was:"There was a gay gladiator last season. You're not paying attention" - Lucy Lawless to a critic who probably doesn't watch the show #TCA

Here's the pics

- Lucy Lawless
- Dustin Clare
- Peter Mensah
- John Hannah
- Steven DeKnight
- Rob Tapert

News submitted by Klippart

Photos are coming through now from the TCA Spartacus Panel. I'll update the links as they come through:

• Life Magazine
• Getty Images

More Links will be added as they come through...

Lucy is interviewed for AfterEllen about Gods of the Arena and in particular about Lucretia's love scene with Gaia and other interesting bits :) It's a great interview

An interview with Lucy Lawless
Posted by Lesley Goldberg on January 7, 2011

There’s only one word that comes to mind when you think of Lucy Lawless: Xena. The actress best known for her campy ’90s series Xena: Warrior Princess is back — not just in the six-part Spartacus prequel (Spartacus: Gods of the Arena) set to bow on Starz this month but also in the freshly announced second season of the flagship series. After Season 1 ended with her character Lucretia’s life up in the air, Lawless is excited about the opportunity to return to the character in the series’ prequel — a role she says rates as one of the best and most complicated that she’s had to play in her career.

Read Interview

News submitted by Klippart

The following are tweets from the TCA Panel about Season 2 (aka Spartacus Vengeance). You can read the entire Spartacus panel tweet list here

There are no major spoilers - we all know Lucy is coming back so that's not really a spoiler.

Season 2 News from TCA Spartacus Panel

Lucy Lawless will be back Season 2 - Lucretia is very much alive and will be even more evil. Makes her "pale just thinking about it." #TCA

DeKnight says that what Lucretia does in Season 2 will make Season 1 pale by comparison. In other news..LAWLESS WILL RETURN! #Spartacus #TCA

Lucy Lawless on how she will survive her "wounds" to return to season 2 of Spartacus: "It was just a little poke in the tummy." #tca #starz

What is coming down the pike for Lucretia in S2 makes her pale just
thinking about it since she already went through so much in S1. #TCA

"It was just a little poke in the tummy," says Lucy Lawless. Her accent makes everything great. #tca

S2 is the same as what was planned for #Spartacus before Andy Whitfield had to bow out permanently. #TCA #CTAM

Live Tweeting from Spartacus_Starz at TCA - these appeared on Twitter about the prequel and Season 2. No major spoilers.

The panelists were: Rob Tapert, Steven DeKnight, Lucy Lawless, John Hannah, Dustin Clare

Date: 07 January 2011

Location: Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour (TCA) Starz Panel for Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, Los Angeles, CA, USA

At times the prequel is described as Season 2 (which it isn't) so I've listed it under Prequel

PREQUEL

• Steven S. DeKnight Exec Prod. says that we have great new ways to kill the gladiators this coming season. We just keep raising the bar. #TCA
• RT @JasonDKing: "Who doesn't like backstabbing an intrique," says Steven DeKnight discussing appeal of "Spartacus" at #TCA #CTAM
• The most surprising fan of #Spartacus? A minister. Don't know why. Steven S DeKnight isn't pandering to mass market but response is great.
• S2 of #Spartacus will be a more expensive show for utilizing "all of the technology out there" (blue screen etc). Visual range expanded #TCA
• EP Tapert: Spartacus prequel season "similar to season 1 but the engine is going faster."
• Rob Tapert promises only MORE digital sets as they move forward. #spartacus #tca
• Someone says he heard show will have gay gladiator. Lucy Lawless says so did last season. Asks if he wasn't paying attn. Ha! #spartacus #TCA
• "There was a gay gladiator last season. You're not paying attention" - Lucy Lawless to a critic who probably doesn't watch the show #TCA
• #Spartacus Lucy Lawless says season 2 will show Peter Mensah's range as an actor. John Hannah adds 'and naked.' #TCA #STARZ
• "We basically cut out all the boring parts; we hit the ground running" - Steven S DeKnight on the exciting evolution of #Spartacus #TCA
• More gay gladiators this season on #Spartacus, confirms EP Steven S DeKnight. #Starz #TCA #CTAM
• #LucyLawless says S2 will show #PeterMensah's range as an actor. #JohnHannah adds 'and naked.' #Spartacus #TCA #CTAM
• #SPARTACUS Lucy Lawless: doing prequel was great- got to learn about how her character evolved. Batiatus and Lucretia early in love. #TCA
• John Hannah says we're going to see Peter Mensah naked and growls seductively. Wants to know why everyone laughs. #spartacus #T
• We'll get to see the honeymoon phase for Batiatus and Lucretia in S2 of #Spartacus #Starz #TCA #CTAM
• Lucy shares that it was a thrill to be able to go back and fill in bits about her character, like the honeymoon stage of her life #TCA #CTAM

SEASON 2

• Lucy Lawless will be back Season 2 - Lucretia is very much alive and will be even more evil. Makes her "pale just thinking about it." #TCA
• DeKnight says that what Lucretia does in Season 2 will make Season 1 pale by comparison. In other news..LAWLESS WILL RETURN! #Spartacus #TCA
• Lucy Lawless on how she will survive her "wounds" to return to season 2 of Spartacus: "It was just a little poke in the tummy." #tca #starz
• What is coming down the pike for Lucretia in S2 makes her pale just thinking about it since she already went through so much in S1. #TCA
• "It was just a little poke in the tummy," says Lucy Lawless. Her accent makes everything great. #tca
• Someone asking if Lucy Lawless or John Hannah will be back in Spartacus Season 2. Someone not remembering last Spratacus panel...
• "Nothing good came from losing Andy in terms of the guy for that role." - Rob Tapert on #Spartacus S2 #TCA #CTAM
• "I don't think there's much hope for John. That's a head in a jar." "It's just a flesh wound!" Lucy jokes #Spartacus #TCA #CTAM
• S2 is the same as what was planned for #Spartacus before Andy Whitfield had to bow out permanently. #TCA #CTAM

CASTING NEWS

• RT @TVTango: No casting news on #SPARTACUS for replacing Andy Whitfield #TCA
• RT @afterelton: Starz announces that they are moving ahead with a new season of Spartacus after Gods of the Arena. #spartacus #TCA

At long last we are finally getting some great news! Season 2 WILL happen. EW reports that Starz is set to announce this at the TCA Spartacus panel (3 pm LA time).

EW says that "Sources close to the production say Spartacus season two will start shooting this spring, with an eye toward a 2012 premiere"

We still don't know WHO the new Spartacus is (Ausiello reported a few days ago that Liam McIntyre is back in the running for the role). I guess we will find that out soon (hopefully very soon).

Over at Twitter, @spartacus_starz is all set to tweet live from the TCA Spartacus Panel. You can follow them on twitter and I'll be posting their tweets as they become available.

Read more of the EW article here

AUSXIP Reporter: Lori Boyles / MaryD

Katrina Law, Lucy Lawless, Andy Whitfield and Spartacus nominated at Scifi Guys Shirty Awards 2010.

Nominations:

Best Actor
Andy Whitfield

Best Actress
Lucy Lawless

Best Show
Spartacus

One To Watch
Andy Whitfield

Best Supporting Actress
Katrina Law

To vote in the 2010 SCifi Guys Redshirt awards, you need a login code.

To request a code, please enter your email address into the following box, and a code will be created and emailed to you.

To keep the voting as fair as possible, please note that only one code will be provided per email address, and that each code can only be used once. After you click the "vote" button your code will no longer let you log in.

While your email address will be stored in a database, the primary intended reason for doing this is to try to keep the voting process as fair as is realistically possible. There are no current plans to use these email addresses for any purpose other than that, but if you would prefer us NOT to keep your email address after the Shirties have been announced, please tick the box labelled "Please make sure my email address is deleted after the awards".

Click here for more

Spartacus Day at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour (TCA) is on tomorrow (07 January 2011) and Lucy, John and other cast members will be on the panel although the cast list hasn't been officially announced as yet (Lucy has been doing interviews in LA. There was a mention from the tweet by Matt Fowler from IGN that he will be interviewing Lucy and John. Matt has been at the TCA event so it's safe to assume that Lucy and John will be there)

The following information is from the Cablefax site

And now we give you our preview of the 3rd and final day of cable TCA in sunny Pasadena.

Friday – Jan. 7

Starz

Then Starz will bring out the cast of “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena” (premieres Jan. 21), a prequel to Starz’s critically acclaimed 2010 series that stopped production on Season 2 after star Andy Whitfield began cancer treatment. In the meantime, fans will be able to chew on the prequel, which covers the period before Spartacus arrived at the ludus.

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

The following tweet was sent out about an upcoming interview with Lucy and John. Both will be at the TCA Spartacus Panel tomorrow as well from the looks of it since Matt Fowler is reporting from there for IGN:

Fowler_IGN Matt Fowler :
Talking to the incomparable Lucy Lawless and John Hannah tomorrow. Tweet me all your burning #Spartacus Gods of the Arena questions, yo.
http://twitter.com/#!/Fowler_IGN/status/23231005900939265

Lucy was interviewed on US TV this morning for Access Hollywood Live and KTLA Morning Show. The video has been now been posted:

KTLA morning show in Los Angeles talks to Lucy about her saucy role on Spartacus: Gods of the Arena. Interview date: 06 January 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA, USA

Lucy Lawless jokes with Billy Bush and Kit Hoover why she has a “miserable†time filming the sex scenes on Starz•„¢ “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena.†Also, how does her husband (executive producer) Rob Tapert feel about her racy scenes in the show?

The interviews section of AUSXIP Lucy Lawless has been redesigned (finally). I've now got the new updates on the page (so you all won't have to go digging to find new stuff).

In addition you will find the newest video interviews on the right hand side.

The various sections are:

- Live Interviews (tv and web)
- Radio Interviews
- Written Interviews
- TV Transcripts
- Radio Transcripts

Click here to view the redesigned section

More Spartacus PR from Lucy:

blacklow1: Attention lesbian friends -- Lucy Lawless is on Access Hollywood Live tomorrow! Tune in! #fb
http://twitter.com/#!/blacklow1/status/22795778095321088

Snoodit: Interviewing #Xena and @spartacus_starz star Lucy Lawless this month. Have questions? Send 'em my way
http://twitter.com/#!/Snoodit/status/22085865475940352

News submitted by: Klippart

Spartacus PR is just staring to stir and here comes news from Christine about Lucy's upcoming interview tomorrow on the KTLA Morning Show:

I just heard at end of KTLA Morning News show here in L.A. California, that Lucy Lawless will be their morning guest tomorrow Jan. 6, 2011 (our date & time).

News submitted by Christine

Updated the Xenaverse Art Gallery with a new artist: Klippart. Check out Klipp's fantastic Xena and Gabrielle artwork.

Her two new artworks are "The Stare" and "Through The Years" which have not been posted before whilst the others are older pieces.

Click here to view them all!

Following up the press release about the Horses being painted for charity which was posted on 07 December 2010, we have more details about what Lucy and other stars will be doing to decorate their horses for charity.

At the completion of Auckland Cup Week the painted horses will be auctioned off with the proceeds from each horse going to the charity of its artist’s choice (I'm guessing the money raised from Lucy's horse will go to Starship)

The following is from the Ellerslie Race Days site:

Full size white fibreglass horses have been appearing in the backyards of Marc Ellis, Lucy Lawless and Karen Walker amongst others. They have been accompanied by a collection of Resene paints and a sign saying “Paint Me”. And so these horses are under starter’s orders as Ellerslie is set to announce the start of Resene’s Fastest Art Exhibition.

An eclectic group of artists, designers, musicians, sports stars and creative individuals will transform these horses into exquisite works of art. On Wednesday 8th December, at the first of Ellerslie’s Barfoot & Thompson Twilight Summer Series events, Auckland Racing Club started this exciting campaign with the likes of Billy Apple, Ra Vincent (sculptor on the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and King Kong movies), Kids of 88, Op Shop, Lucy Lawless, Mark Ellis, the Auckland Blues, New Zealand Warriors and Karen Walker onboard as artists.

For two weeks in February and March 2011, Auckland will then play host to these 18 artworks as they are let loose to race round the city, before returning to their new home at Ellerslie to prepare for Auckland Cup Week. At the completion of Auckland Cup Week the painted horses will be auctioned off with the proceeds from each horse going to the charity of its artist’s choice.

The 18 horses represent the number of starters in the Southern Hemisphere’s richest Derby race, the $2.2 million Telecom New Zealand Derby, which kicks off Auckland Cup Week 2011 at Ellerslie on Saturday 5th March.

Where are the horses going to appear…who knows, we can’t ask them, they’re horses. Source

AUSXIP Reporter: Barbara Davies

News Release Issued: January 4, 2011 12:01 AM EST

Starz Digital Media Preps for Return of 'Spartacus' with New Facebook Social Game, Multimedia iPad Script App

Prepare to Fight for Glory in the Starz 'Spartacus: Gods of the Arena' Facebook Social Media Game, Limited Beta Open to Public January 6
Multimedia iPad Script App Offers Individual 'Spartacus: Blood and Sand' and 'Spartacus: Gods of the Arena' Episodes with Video and Exclusive Commentaries, Launches in Starz iTunes Store January 17

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Starz Digital Media, the digital and on-demand licensing arm of Starz, announced today the upcoming launches of its first social media game, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, and iPad multimedia script app for the "Spartacus" Starz original series.

Read Full Press Release

The following article and promo poster was in the January Channel Guide for Comcast Cable Co. Spartacus: Gods of the Arena was the feature on the back cover. It was also selected as one of the 10 of the best of the best in new series premieres this month.

Click on the smaller image for the larger scan.

Scan contributed by: Karen

It's nice to see Xena mentioned in a quiz in the Sunday Age (Melbourne, Australia) on 2 January 2011

Click on the thumbnail to play the quiz and the very hard question! :)

How cool is this - the 2009 and 2010 Xena Conventions are now available from Creation Entertainment

You can now order the 2 Disc DVD set at Creation

Lucy Lawless Football Wives Pilot Script.

It's not the same as watching Lucy, but it might interest some to know that copies of the unaired Football Wives pilot script can apparently be bought from Planet Megamall

The script is pretty good and Lucy's role as Tanya Austin would have been a pretty interesting role for Lucy if it had gone ahead. Alas it didn't but then again if it did we may not have had Lucretia...so you just never know.

More Lucy in Football Wives

Football Wives Subsite | Episode Stills | Official Photos | Other Cast

Reporting by: MaryD & Barbara Davies