Entertainment Tonight: How do you keep things on the set fun and lively?Lucy Lawless: This is a country where you don't get away with being a whiner. Here in New Zealand and Australia, you've just got to get in together and make a project happen. I think for us actors, we're kind of the morale leaders on the set. Everybody's looking at you all of the time. Their job is to focus on you. It's your responsibility not to make their lives miserable and we take that very seriously. We just love one another. There's very seldom a tense moment, which is unusual on a set. Getting everything we need shot in a day is everybody's main focus.
ET: I want to ask you about your costume. This is a very cold climate. How do you cope?
Lucy: It's just one of those things you don't complain about. Certainly my costume is as good as this costume could ever be. We've worked out most of the bugs and you just put on a robe. Between times, and when the camera is rolling finally, actors don't feel it. At least I don't. The minute they call cut, you're instantly freezing again. The winter has been tough, but I feel really well-equipped to deal with it.
ET: Tell me about when it's really hot, humid, and uncomfortable. Look at what you're wearing.
Lucy: When it's hot and humid and uncomfortable, that's when we turn and look at TED [RAIMI] because he's playing Joxer and laugh because he's got the hottest, most miserable costume there is. They all laugh at me in winter because I'm freezing.
ET: Are there any other guests that you'd like to have on the show?
Lucy: Well, as far as guests on the show there's a million people! I'm praying that K.D. LANG rumor comes true. That would be great. I would love to do one of the musicals with her. I'd like Marcus to come back. Marcus was Xena's first boyfriend, played by BOBBY HOSEA. He's a great person to work with and a great character. We always seem to have a steady flow of really great people to work with.
ET: Tell me about the k.d. lang rumor and why you'd like her.
Lucy: Well, first because she's a great artist and has a great voice. This rumor about k.d. lang has been going around for a long time. I had been asked about it, but as far as I know it wasn't true. Then recently it has come to my attention that she's indicated that she would like to be on it. I'm just praying that happens. I hope it can work with her schedule and ours. I'm sure we'll be pulling all the strings at this end that we can. I would love to work with her. She has one of the greatest voices. She has acting talent, too, so who could be better? I think it would be such fun to meet her!
ET: Are you surprised by the enormous success of the show?
Lucy: You know, I seldom feel the success of the show from where I'm working. It's a lot of us mucking together trying to make our schedule everyday. I don't think about the phenomenon of the success except when I go to conventions and for two minutes I feel like THE ROLLING STONES. That's pretty astounding and thrilling and I feel quite comfortable with that. I went to a Xena convention recently and I'm not overwhelmed by it anymore. I just realize what a great honor and what an anomaly it is to be the recipient of that much attention and love. I'm really enjoying it actually. This is not a problem for me anymore.
ET: A moment ago you said, "Welcome to our humble grounds." It is humble here.
Lucy: There is no glamour.
ET: It seems like a very hard-working environment. Tell me about that.
Lucy: It is a very hard-working environment and that's the way it has to be because it's a hero show. We only have two stars. It's not an ensemble piece. We work outdoors and there's no room for egos or complaining or wasting time. We all work for the greater good in this environment. I think people in the states have a hard time understanding that it can be that way. Actors can't get away whining about what a tough life they have.
ET: I'm sure you all get really close here on the set.
Lucy: Yes.
ET: Is that important?
Lucy: I can't imagine doing this show if you're not close. Particularly for the star and co-star. If RENEE [O'CONNOR] and I were not great friends, this would be impossible. One of us would've had to go. As it happens we are and I love her so much! They're just the best gang!
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