Re: The Julie Benz/Alyson Hannigan rumor: a couple years ago, when i was at the San Diego comic book convention, I actually met Julie Benz, who was autographing Buffy memorabilia.
At that time, Darla was still a pretty minor charcter who had only appeared in a few episodes (this was right after the first season)before being dusted by Angel.Only a few hard-core (maybe a half a dozen including me) Buffy fans recognized her.
I found her a very gracious and friendly lady who took the time to chat with us about the show and her character. She was very tolerant and pleasant to even the most rabid and pushy fan boy (or girl) and endeared herself to all of us who approached her at the convention.
That said, I can't, to this day, picture that charming woman as the snooty, prima donna-ish bitch of near- legendary proportions.
I don't know what happened between the two actresses in the alleged incident, but it seems to me that some of that stuff has been exaggerated beyond all recognition.Maybe one or both of them were just having a rough day. Being on a film (or TV) set is hard work and tempers get frayed. I worked as a production assistant for a very low budget company and I know how hard it can get for everyone.
But anyone who has the wherewithal to go to a convention to be harrassed by fan-crazed strangers has got to have tolerence and patience up the yin-yang. No star treatment there, none at all.
Besides, it seems like everybody else on the set got along well with her. Hell, David Boreanaz and Joss Whedon himself worked to get her back for her expanded role on Angel. Would you go through all that trouble for an egotistical jerk? I think not.
I liked her, and I'm a pretty good judge of character. I know a phony when I see one and Julie Benz seemed to be very genuine. I* think some of the things that have been said about her by some of the fan sites are grossly unfair.
That's my take on it, anyway.
[This message has been edited by bfe (edited December 03, 2000).]