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Julie Benz on AOL Live!
Date: March 10, 2000
AOL KEYWORD: Roswell

TV Guide Online: Tonight we are chatting with Julie Benz about the new TV movie "Satan's School for Girls." Welcome, Julie! Thank you very much for coming tonight.

Julie Benz: Hi everyone.

Question: You've done a few shows that revolve around the supernatural or unexplainable, do you believe in any of those things?

Julie Benz: I try not to. I think if I did, I would be very scared. I just try not to think of that stuff.

Question: Hello, Julie. I've been a big fan of yours for many years now. Was "Hi Honey, I'm Home!" your first TV appearance, and what was that like?

Julie Benz: Yes, it was my first TV appearance. It was a lot of fun and I really wasn't prepared for the working atmosphere. I was always late, and I was happy when the show got cancelled. I've got a better work ethic.

Question: Did you see the original "Satan's School for Girls," and how does the new version compare?

Julie Benz: I saw the original and the original is very scary, but watching it today, it's kind of campy. Our version is modernized and I think it's scarier than the old one. It's really creepy. Plus Kate Jackson, who was in the original, was in this one. It's great working with her.

Question: Will you be returning to Roswell High as a guidance counselor again, or will you be doing your FBI job incognito?

Julie Benz: Good question. I have shot one more episode, which will air in a week or two. Kathleen returns, but that's all I can tell you.

Question: Who is your biggest influence, in going into acting?

Julie Benz: It would have to be my manager, Vincent. He basically discovered me in Pittsburgh. Because of his belief in me, that's why I am doing it today. He's still my manager 12 years later.

Question: Was the vampire makeup you wore on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" very uncomfortable?

Julie Benz: Yes. YES! YES! YES!

Question: Hi, Julie. Have you heard about our "Save Roswell" and "Roswell Is Hot" campaigns? If so, what are your thoughts on it?

Julie Benz: I didn't realize "Roswell" needed to be saved. It's great, and people have been tuning it. We're moving to Monday nights. It's a great show and hardcore following.

Question: Is it true that Agent Topolsky dies?

Julie Benz: They never find the body.

Question: Julie, do you like filming timepiece films, such as "Inventing the Abbotts," which takes place in the 1950s?

Julie Benz: They're a lot of fun. Everything from the wardrobe and makeup and the language of the time is an added challenge to the actors to work on those pieces.

Question: Julie, what was it like working with Jack Nicholson?

Julie Benz: It was fun. It was a dream come true. I am such a huge fan of his, and to work with him as a fellow actor, it was the high point of my life. And he was really cool. He didn't hit on me. It was the high point of my career.

Question: What kind of roles can we look forward to seeing you in the future?

Julie Benz: Yeah. "Satan's School for Girls" on Monday on ABC. Also "A Fate Totally Worse than Death." We're cursed and go from 18 to age 99. I'm getting ready to shoot a pilot for NBC. I've been recurring on "Angel" as well, bringing Darla back to life. I'm doing another one after that. I have one in the can I shot that should be on in a week or two. Looks like I'm going to be doing the season finale of "Angel" as well.

Question: What's it like working with Shiri, Majandra, Jason and Brendan? Are any of them your friends off camera? Are they sweeties?

Julie Benz: Oh yeah. I did a movie with Majandra last summer. We became really good friends. I adore Jason and Brendan and Shiri. I went bowling with them the other night. They're just fun people to hang out with.

Question: Which did you like doing better, small or large screen?

Julie Benz: As long as the scripts are good, I like doing them both. I love sitcoms because the hours are less. As long as the scripts are good, that's the priority. "Roswell" is one of the best-written shows on TV. Some of the stuff they've given me to do is amazing, material I'd never see at this point in my career myself.

Question: What was it like working with Rose McGowan on "Jawbreaker"?

Julie Benz: LOL. We had lots of fun. I learned a lot from Rose. She has such great makeup and fashion tips. We spent most of the time hanging out in Rebecca Gayheart's trailer gossiping.

Question: What would you do instead of acting?

Julie Benz: Probably nothing. I can't really do anything else besides act. That's why I act. I love to read, so I'd probably be working in a library or something really boring.

Question: What's your favorite food?

Julie Benz: I like anything that is processed, nothing natural. Sugar, chemicals, licorice. Where does the red come from? Pepperidge Farm crackers. How do they color those? What the heck is hydrogenated? I'll eat that stuff over an apple any day.

Question: What advice would you give to an aspiring actress?

Julie Benz: Study. Study. Not just acting. Study things you love and people. Learn as much as you can about the world. Too many times you become too limited in your way of thinking and what the business wants and not what's right for the part. We're portraying people's lives on camera. Keeping in touch with humanity is important.

Question: Hi, I'm a really big fan of yours! What is your favorite movie and why?

Julie Benz: My all time favorite movie is "Terms of Endearment." Every time I see it, over 20 times, it takes me on the emotional roller coaster of life. Shirley McLaine in that movie is funny and heartbreaking. It's very rare to see that.

Question: How did you like working with "Buffy," and are you going to be back on "Buffy"?

Julie Benz: I'd love to work on "Buffy" again. Unfortunately, I've been killed. I love working with Sarah and the whole cast. They're a great group of people. I just don't know if it makes sense to return to "Buffy." I love Darla.

Question: Do you get freaked out when you get home after playing these creepy parts?

Julie Benz: No. I don't get creeped out by that. Just people in real life. If I were to run into a vampire, I would be pretty scared.

Question: With all these paranormal shows, when are you going to be on "The X-Files"? :)

Julie Benz: I'd love to be on "The X-Files." "The X-Files" is a wonderful show.

Question: Do you get recognized a lot for your TV shows?

Julie Benz: Sometimes, I don't know. People look at me weird. I don't know if it's because they recognize me or if I have food in my teeth. I was in the Prada store in LA and they're all "Buffy" fans. It was nice to have them all fawning over me.

Question: Do you want to play any comedy parts?

Julie Benz: Yes. I love making people laugh. It's so much more fun. Drama can be very draining, having to be emotional and all that. It's very draining personally. I love to make people laugh. "A Fate Totally Worse Than Death" is a comedy, coming in September.

Question: Do you have any pets?

Julie Benz: Yes, I have two border collies, Elvis and Gracie.

Question: What's your favorite TV show? (Besides "Roswell," of course.)

Julie Benz: I love "The Sopranos." Love, love, love "The Sopranos." And I love "Will and Grace." It's one of the best-written shows on TV. Every actor on that show is the most talented.

Question: What would you consider the "big break" in your career?

Julie Benz: Working on "Buffy" and also the movie "As Good As It Gets." They really helped to put me out there.

Question: Do you want to explore any other aspects of films?

Julie Benz: Just acting. Maybe producing projects I believe in one day. I directed a high school play once. I couldn't get people to memorize their lines. I couldn't be mean. I'm a pushover.

Question: Julie, are there any particular young actors out there today you would like to work with, such as Chris Klein or Ben Affleck?

Julie Benz: I love working with David on "Angel," and Jason is wonderful to work with. I'd love to work with Meg Ryan, Susan Sarandon, Meryl Streep, Kevin Spacey.

Question: Do fans ever follow you around? What's your funniest fan experience?

Julie Benz: They never follow me around. I look normal in everyday life. My funniest is one day I was on the Universal lot in the commissary. This actress from "Brother's Keeper," a little girl of 5, she turned and yelled "Oh my God, it's Darla." I'm just like, "How do you recognize me?" She said it was my voice. I ended up introducing her to Sarah. The little girl couldn't talk at all. We all posed for pictures with her and she was shaking.

TV Guide Online: Thank you so much for coming tonight, Julie! We had a great time!

Julie Benz: Tune in Monday at 8 on ABC. Look for my web site, www.juliebenz.com. It should be coming up in a week or two. And watch "Roswell" and "Angel" to find out what happens.
Portions of this transcript may be edited by AOL to correct spelling, punctuation and/or remove any material that violates AOL's Terms of Service.
Copyright 2000 TV Guide, Inc.; licensed to America Online, Inc.


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