MSN Chat With Lucy Lawless

13 February 2004

Chat Transcript

DishDiva says: Lucy, welcome to MSN! It's great to have you here for the first time! It's great to have you here!

Lucy: Good morning everybody. Thanks for joining us from all over the world. It is unbelievable.

DishDiva says: We have SO many questions os let's jump right in.

FrauLemper in Onstage_1 asks: How you select the projects you get involve with? (CA)

Lucy says: Well, I try not to be fighting Gods and monsters too much. I am drawn to comedy. I feel my home is there. I want to work with great people on th ebest possible projects-really on the pedigree of the producers. Sometimes if it is just a great experience. I just recently worked on a Warrior program for the Discovery Channel. That was I did that. I went to China, all over Europe, the Southwest of the U.S. It was a great way to get an inside look at people's lives in those places.

chrisgab2004 in Onstage_1 asks: Is there going to be interviews and commentaries on the following Xena DVDs sets ? I love you Lucy

Lucy says: Thanks, there will be B tracks of Renee and I talking about the 3rd season and there are plans to do the following three seasons. Yeah, you get to see behind the scenes as the actors and producers talk about their work.  I read on the Internet that Renee and I laugh at inappropriate moments like when Gabrielle is dragged by a horse or something. . . We have a healthy attitude about our work and a great appetite for fun and enjoyment.

johnnyA926a in Onstage_1 asks: Any chances of a Xena Movie or anything to that effect?

Lucy says: I have warmed to that idea but nobody knows who technically owns the rights. My feeling is that if it doesn't happen soon, I will be too old and people won't buy me in that role. I think Xena should live again whether I am playing her or someone else. She has a lot of lives in her.

AresChosen1 in Onstage_1 asks: Do you think you'll ever record an album?? you have such a great singing voice!! Love ya Lucy!!

Lucy says: Thanks very much. I don't know that I will. I love singing as an adjunct to acting. If you want to be a singer you have to be prepared to live for that. Singing is just a part of acting to me. I can't stop doing it but I am not prepared to make a career out of it. I put all my energy into acting.

Mighty-Xena in Onstage_1 asks: Eurotrip : I noticed some Dutch language in a trailer. You do really speak some Dutch?

Lucy says: (laughs) No, there was no Dutch language in the trailer. I do have a Dutch language in the trailer. I play Madame Vandersexxx.  A Dutch brothel keeper. I wish I spoke Dutch. My sister speaks some but not me. I had to find a Dutch doorman in Dublin to help me with that accent. I had him say the lines into a tape. I will have to send him a thank you letter. A man called Hans at the Four Seasons.

Mianda3 in Onstage_1 asks: Can you give us a tip on how to keep our bodies as great as yours? I love U.

Lucy says: Liquor and Doritos! And have lots of children. (laughs) Love you too. If I am ever in the Congo I promise to drop by.

SwirlySuperkimmie in Onstage_1 asks: what was your favorite about season three?

Lucy says: The Bittersweet. I think it is genius on so many levels. It has a performance by the late Kevin Smith. That guy could sing. I think "Hearts are Hurting" is powerful. I loved the symbolism and the Tarot cards coming alive. It was clever, powerful, twisted, and witty. Everything I love. Genius, really.

Anne12231 in Onstage_1 asks: How was it to work with gillian anderson? note: u and gillian are my idols and it was so cool that they put u 2 together

Lucy says: It was lovely working with her. She is very generous and warm offscreen.

dars27 in Onstage_1 asks: Did you or Renee ever direct an episode or come up with the plot?

Lucy says: Renee directed one. We tried to come up with a plot but that was too hard. I never wanted to direct. I thought it would be bad for me. I thought if I was in it, it would be hard to direct and act. Directing is about control and acting is about surrender. It is real hard. Renee has a different brain to mine and she could cope with it, I enjoyed being directed by her. I thought for me to direct it would be a bad idea and bad for the show.

Suraj_XG_RusXWP in Onstage_1 asks: Have you ever been in Russia or USSR? We'd like to invite you and Renee to Russia! We love you!

Lucy says: I was on my way to Russia when I found out I was pregnant with my first child. I had to run back. I would love to see that part of the world. I am thrilleds to know that the show made it up there. the head writer is a huge Russian fanatic. He  has been there a number of times. He can't say enough good things about Russie--RJ Stewart.

DishDiva says: Russian

To_The_BEST_Actress_LUCY in Onstage_1 asks: LUCY you have inspired me so much in the last 7 years!!! How do you feel about having such a great impact on people around the world?

Lucy says: I think it was the show that had the impact really. I know the reality of putting together a show like this. We were honored to be part of a show that touched so many lives.

forevaxena in Onstage_1 asks: Hi Lucy, Can you tell us anything about your proposed new show on the WB? Thanks! Cindy/ForevaXena

Lucy says: No I'm sorry I can't. I am in delicate negotiations for two different shows. I am happy to be in the swim. In the next couple of weeks I will eiether be doing something fantastic or nothing at all.

Mighty-Xena in Onstage_1 asks: Belgium/Europe : Could you foreseen that the Holibi-community would support the show that big?

Lucy says: I never envisioned it like that but it made perfect sense once we realized we had garnered a Lesbian following. How many other shows have two female heros going side by side through life without a man helping them along. I was always incredibly proud of that> I am glad we appealed to so many diverse types of people. I was never uncomfortable with that. I see it as a great thing.

harrodslondon in Onstage_1 asks: Do you feel there are more acting oportunites in New Zealand as a result of both Hercules and Xena?

Lucy says: Well, Richard Taylor who did the special effects for Lord of the Rings. He said that without Herc and Xena they couldn't have done the costumes and grips and special effects for LOTR because people upskilled a lot because of our tenture there.

J-Letcher in Onstage_1 asks: If someone were to ask the best place to go in NZ where would it be?

Lucy says: I really like Nelson, Queenstown and Auckland. Those are my three favorite parts. It's all good. It is a wonderful gem of a country. I am so lucky to have a passport from there.

flawlessfan14 in Onstage_1 asks: When you watch past episodes of Xena for either DVD commentary or other occasions, do you wish you could go back and change something about your performance?

Lucy says: No. No. Event the times when you weren't as good as you hoped. . .It is like life. . .Even it's imperfections are beautiful to me now. I look back on it as my school days and I wouldn't change a thing. There aren't things I wish I could have done better but I am very much in the moment but the past is gone for me. I have rose tinted spectacles when I think about those days.

the_pagan_saint in Onstage_1 asks: What is your reaction to people who think Xena and gabrielle are lovers?

Lucy says: I now think that they were. I only found that out in the last two episodes. Only then did it become unamiguous to me.

DishDiva says: Lucy, I can't believe the time has gone so fast and I honestly can't believe how many fans from around the world have joined us today.

Lucy says: I want to say thank you so much for being part of the show's success and loving it. It was such a huge part of my life. I am so proud of everyone and what everybody did. I wish you all the best for 2004. It 's going to be a great year!

End of Chat with Lucy