Mixed
"It's particularly exciting because the show is going to be about how one becomes their best self in the face of having the toughest job. In a way, the show is the same, but it's being allowed to grow organically. We're not making the mistake of keeping Buffy in high school." JM about season 5 (Source)
"Dead Things" and how Spike was even made bloodier

"The scene where Buffy beats up Spike was toned down before being transmitted.
Steven DeKnight: " We did re-shoot Spoke getting bloodied. On the original, we completely demolished his face. It was really brutal. UPN, to their credit, didn't have a problem with it, but Joss felt it was so horrific that it took away from the emotion of the scene. And he was right."

Steven DeKnight (TEXT) (wrote Season 6 Ep13, "Dead Things")What he told fans in a posting to the Bronze message board.
Sexuality and Nudity on the show and on the set

"I don't think we're doing anything graphic. We're not doing anything more than is being done elsewhere on television. I also feel that it is a responsible exploration of a young person's sexuality. The thing that's happening between Spike and Buffy is for a purpose. It's going to say something very painful and truthful about Buffy and her journey towards adulthood. It is a decision that springs from an artistic impulse, not just wanting to put booty on the screen."
"And yes, as always, Joss is wanting to unsettle you. So if he's going to put sexuality on the screen, he's going to do it in the least comfortable way you can think of. He does not want you sitting (comfortably) on the couch." JM (TEXT)


Talking about having to do nude scenes on television. His first nude scene was in a Chicago production on Shakespeare's The Tempest.
"Trying to retain some shred of dignity in the tempest that is series television. Luckily, Sarah (Michelle Gellar) and I have built up trust and friendship, so er kind of lean on each other. She taught me that love scenes are much like fight scenes, which is to say, you're going to a level of unreality that is beyond normal acting."
Talking about their first sexual scene together in "Smashed" where the director kept on doing take after take.
"We did like eight takes and the director kept doing take after take after take. Finally, Sarah just said, 'OK, James, just don't do anything. Just do the worst acting in your life. Think about breakfast.' And we did it, and that's the take you see on television." JM (TEXT)

"We were in a mutual support society. I kind of alerted him: 'You are mackin' on Buffy, they're gonna take you naked, dude.' He's like a basketball guy, he knows about being in shape, but I was just letting him know. He's like 'Oh, s****.' And then they sprung it on Seth [Green], man! They didn't tell him he was going down, and then he's like [makes incoherent yelling noises]. Of course, he's ripped, anyway..." - JM, on costar Marc Blucas

"Canoodling with Alyson? Sure! The problem is I know her boyfriend and I have a girlfriend -- and it's weird enough when you DON'T know the other person. But what the hell, I'll try anything. Sorry, Alexis -- your girl's hot!" - JM, speaking on romance between Spike and Willow

Question: Describe Sarah's kisses in one word.
JM: [pauses] Sarah has this boyfriend who's in Australia right now. She has a fiancé now and he's jealous. You know, my girlfriend is jealous. I'm jealous. My girlfriend is an actress so I get all jealous when she has love scenes. It drives me crazy, man. I can't stand it. It's hard. Seriously, it's all about lighting and becomes a scene like any other. You start on "action and you end on "cut". [pauses] I've got a girlfriend, you know. She knows Kung Fu! JM (The Realm)

The Comic Book
"Basically we just threw around story elements first, and came up with something that we liked. My feeling was that the last episode in which we saw Spike and Dru was not a closed book at all. I kinda wondered what the hell happens the second day? I mean she's been around sniffing Angel for the last four months, and I hit her over the head and kidnap her, but what the hell happens when she wakes up? It's not happily ever after. So I wanted to put them through an adventure that would bring them back together, but I wanted to have them start very far apart, just for dramatic reasons."-- James Marsters on the Spike and Dru comic book he co-authored
Other

You understand why "Buffy" has not drawn a huge audience. It's impossible to describe to a newcomer without sounding like a raving lunatic. But those who have seen the show understand its poignance, its great comedy and its overall brilliance."
-New Jersey Online

Question: What does the fake blood taste like?
JM: I would rather eat toads than swallow any more of that stuff! All it is is strawberry Quik, it sends you into insulin hell. There is a medic standing by with a syringe because for that shot, you have to drink the mug in the Master, which is the big shot that encompasses all the action, the mug for your close-up, for your double-shot and each shot takes two or three takes to achieve. So you are chugging a big, big thing of strawberry Quik. I can't believe I still have a sweet tooth. Strawberry Quik doesn't sound that bad and I don't mean to whine but people have been known to pass out from it.
 (The Realm)

Question: Is it awkward pretending to suck peoples necks?!
JM: (laughs) I spit all over the girl's necks because I try to make it look like I really am chewing and so I'm always wiping their necks off and apologising. No-one's seemed to mind so far but no. Man, it's sexier than hell. You basically get to neck with a total stranger. It's not awkward at all, just a little sloppy.
(The Realm)

Question: Oh, how irritating are those fangs to wear?
JM: Not at all. The first pair that I wore started to warp and cut into my gums, and I had a little bleeding problem, but they made a new set for me. You just have to make sure you don't sound like a sissy with a lisp. (Source)

Question: Does it feel any different to now have your name in the credits?
JM: Oh, yeah. People actually believe I'm in the show now. Joss didn't want to put me in the credits at the beginning because he wanted to keep it a secret. So, when I told people I was on the show, they literally called me a liar. (Source)
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