Jewel Staite AMA!

First off, thank you so much for doing this AMA! I loved you in Firefly, it was, and still to this day is one of my favourite shows. To my question I suppose... Is there any part of Kaylee's character that you really resound with?

The randy part.

Was it strange for you to play Sean Maher's love interest in Warehouse 13 after Kaylee's long running infatuation with him? I think all of us Firefly fans fondly recall the " I ain't had nothin' twixt my nethers weren't run on batteries" line on the subject...

No. It was awesome. Namely because HE was the one pining after ME.

You've been in 2 very popular shows which have been cancelled.

As an actress, how do you deal with the disappointment of your show being cancelled?

Have you heard of wine?

What was it like working on Are You Afraid of the Dark? That was a staple show for me when I was a kid and The Tale of Watcher's Woods was my favorite one!

PS - My boyfriend is in love with you, but I accept it because I'm in love with you too.

I loved doing Are You Afraid of the Dark mostly because I was a little kid and there were tons of night shoots so my mom let me have tiny sips of coffee and I felt really cool. PS - Are we all getting married?

Love the sense of humor the Firefly cast has! Will you please tell us about a practical joke on the set of Firefly or Serenity?

Nathan Fillion is responsible for any and all practical jokes because he'll do anything for a cheap laugh. We created a really mindless competition on creative ways of giving each other the finger which snowballed into a competition to the death... I won. Sorry, Captain.

The question on everyone's mind.

Toilet paper hanging strategy: Standard, logical waterfall or inefficient demonic reverse hidden waterfall?

The boyfriend put you up to this, didn't he? Go back to work, Al.

First off, Thanks for signing my back a while back. Secondly, what's the weirdest thing someone has asked you to sign?

A boob. A genuine female boob. Then she had my signature tattooed on her genuine boob. Do you like how I chose this as the first question to answer? Oh, get ready.

How good was the strawberry in Firefly really?

Not as good as a cheeseburger. Sorry, boys.

If you could have given Kaylee a storyline they never got to film, what would it be?

Kaylee needed to have mad babies. Like, a litter of babies.

Hi Jewel! What do you think Kaylee is up to nowadays?

Kaylee's kicked Mal down a couple pegs and become Captain, obviously. Simon looks after the babies.

Hey Jewel! You took a picture with my 6 month old son dressed as Jayne at Rose City Comicon and I just wanted to say it's one of my favorite pictures of him.

http://i.imgur.com/EFCJlBd.jpg

Are you or any of the other Firefly peeps going to be up in the Pacific northwest anytime soon?

I'm gonna say yes, cuz I live in the Pacific northwest. Whew, that was an easy one!

What's your favorite behind the scenes FireFly moment?

Probably behind BEHIND the scenes as in Sean Maher's behind. Just joking! Not really! My favourite moments were always the moments we spent on our downtime, usually at Nathan Fillion's house playing charades and drinking margaritas. I love those people. We have all held each other's hair back at one point or another. I'd do anything for them. But don't tell them I said that because they'll get big heads.

Jewel, first off, I love you.
Second, when you worked on Stargate Atlantis, did you ever get to touch Richard Dean Anderson (despite only guest starring in a handful of episodes)? If so, did you find you were a better engineer after coming into contact with the aura of MacGyver?

I have never touched RDA. I am sorry. For you, not necessarily for me. I'm sure he is a nice man.

Hi Jewel :) can't wait to see you How To Plan An Orgy in a Small Town; What made you say yes to Jeremy?

Basically, besides the script being brilliant and making me laugh my ass off by page 3, Jeremy is super nice and enticed me with free clothes and alcohol. You will love this movie. I can't wait to do it.

Hi there! I was wondering if you could shed any light on Joss Whedon's surprise appearance at the StarFury convention in London last September? It was super cool and now I'm scared to go to any other Cons - just in case he crashes the party again!

The short story is this: Sean Maher and I were near Heathrow airport doing a convention. Joss was secretly in town for The Avengers. We met at our hotel bar and after one tequila two tequila three tequila four, Joss decided he wanted to go dancing. The only place we could think of that had any form of dancing was back at the convention disco party. So we decided to dress him in a disguise which consisted of my friend's scarf over his head. (Sean also wanted a disguise so he put on his glasses like Clark Kent, which isn't really a disguise but he's so cute I didn't want to tell him that) We walked into the disco thinking we were going to pull the wool over everyone's eyes but he just looked like Joss Whedon with a scarf on his head. Everyone was super cool about it and we basically formed a giant dance circle and Beyonce'd our asses off until 3am and it was glorious. Browncoats know how to par-tay.

• If you could be either Batman or Robin, which one would you be?
  
• If you were to get stuck in an elevator but could choose who'd you'd be stuck in there with, who would it be and why?
• If you could pick a song to sing on American Idol, what song would you choose?

1. Who in hell is ever going to choose Robin?
2. Someone who makes me laugh (Nathan Fillion, Seah Maher, Ennis Esmer, Aaron Abrams), or someone I get to make out with (boyfriend)
3. I do a very mean Whitney Houston "Run To You", if I can toot my own horn.

If you woke tomorrow and found that you were now Bruce Willis, what's the first thing you would do?

Call up my buddy Sam Jackson and go for brunch.

Hey Jewel! How different do you think Firefly would have been if you had gotten the role of River instead? Would you have played her in a similar way to Summer or do you reckon it would have been unique?

I can't really imagine anyone else playing any of our roles. Plus no one plays crazy like Summer. (hi, sweetheart!) Also if any of them do an AMA and get this question and think they would have played Kaylee "more uniquely", someone's getting their ass kicked.

Do you watch shows even if you star in them? If you do, can you still see yourself or other cast members as characters, or is the whole facade ruined for you?

Most of the things I watch that I've done I want to strangle myself. I can usually get through everything once, because in my opinion that's how you learn how to improve for next time. Sometimes I get nostalgic for Firefly and watch that again. But then I end up strangling myself so for the sake of breathing I try not to.

Is your aversion to corn anything to do with the fact it passes through your digestive system unscathed and therefore cannot be composed of edible matter? And who is the most fantastic sticky out eared none fanboy convention staff member to have ever driven you around the UK and got totalled with you on your birthday whilst listening to the animals in Blackpool zoo. I seem to remember a discussion about rimming a beaver if we woke up with headaches....but then the bar ran out of Pinot Grigio. How very dare they.

Hi, Nicola.

Hi there! I have no idea what I'm doing either. This is my first question to a AMA post :) I'm a big traveler and have a "bucket list" of locations I'd like to visit someday. What is one place you would love to travel to and why?

I want to go to Italy. And I want to eat my way through it. And I want someone to roll me around in a stroller while I eat. Like a fat baby.

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Pure bliss and gratification. We needed closure. It's like after a bad breakup when your ex wants to rekindle things for a minute. PLUS we got to film on the Universal Studios backlot which means we got to ride the rides for free anytime we wanted, son!

What would it take to win your heart?

Do you own a yacht and/or winery?

What's the most difficult scene/thing you've done in a show/film?

The wraith in Stargate: Atlantis season 2 was a nightmare. First day at work, my call time was 3:45 AM to get the prosthetics on. Plus, when you look that ugly, no one wants to talk to you. Except David Hewlett. He talked to me. I love you, David. Also, filming "that scene" in Dead Like Me was a wee bit awkward, because it was my first day and I didn't even know Callum, and then there we were humping against a wall. My dad still hasn't seen that one.

Hi Jewel! First I just want to say your awesome. If you could choose between an unlimited supply of your favourite food or wine, or for a second season of firefly to be made what would you choose?

You are a cruel human.

We're you able to keep a prop from the set of Firefly or part of your costume? If so, what?

Nathan took everything so basically the only things I was allowed to keep were the small things he managed to part with. The Kaylee's room door sign. The hammock from the engine room. And one padded bra I stole from my wardrobe, I'm sorry Mom.

1. Are there any books you’ve read that you’d love to see turned into movies?

2. Who do you hang out with the most from the old Firefly cast?

3. What do you think of the upcoming Star Wars movies?

1. In The Woods and the sequel, The Likeness. I would play the female cop, naturally.
2. Toss up between Nathan and Sean.
3. Meh. Although boyfriend is a massive Star Wars nerd so I will probably be forced to watch.

Hello Jewel! Here's a Welcome to reddit lase I made for you! [Link] Now the question: You're given the power to revive a series: Firefly or Atlantis?

That's like asking me which family member I like the best! I can't answer that! I mean, I could, but you know what I mean. If forced at gunpoint I would have to say Firefly, only because Atlantis got years and Firefly got.. well.. weeks? Lame-o.

Hey Jewel,

I have a vary serious question:

Who would win in an epic space starship smackdown between Kaylee and Catalina? You decide the rules.

Kaylee. Catalina's biggest weapon is her wit, and that's not going to take her too far. Plus Kaylee's friends fight dirty.

Hi Jewel!

Can you tell us something about yourself that we may find surprising?

I have 12 children, all from previous relationships.

What is the most important thing in your life?

The quality of my life. Putting my personal life and my own happiness first before work or anything else. Doing things I love. Spending time with the people I love. And most importantly, my shoes, my purses, and my wine club memberships.

Hello! What was one of your most memorable moments with a fan at a convention?

A fan was so nervous meeting me, he farted. And we both ignored it like it never happened. I will never forget that fart, or you, my friend. <3

If you had to choose between:

• A muscle car

• A unicorn

as your daily driver, which would it be and why?

Muscle car. Something tells me unicorns are shit at staying the course and getting you where you need to go. Unicorns are probably flakes. Amiright?

Mal, Wash, Jayne - Shag, Marry, Leave to the reavers?

EW OH GOD. I would rather shag a reaver, seriously.

What is your favorite dish to cook and your favorite to eat? (could be the same answer)

Cheeseburgers, all day long. I make a mean roast chicken, manicotti, mac and cheese, great souvlaki.. Basically, I'm your dream lady, food nerds.

If Sean Maher was heterosexual would you date him?

I think we're too brother-sister now. A person's sex appeal tends to dwindle once you've seen them do pilates, wear your nightgown, dry heave on tequila, cry to a Whitney Houston song, and skip out on a bar tab. You can guess who did what. (I LOVE YOU, SEAN, YOU ARE THE BEYONCE TO MY JAY-Z! unless they break up)

Hey Jewel! Love what you've done and your sense of humor.

If you could pick a role as a villain, what type of villain would you be and what would be your great evil scheme to defeat the good guys?

I'd be the kind that gets to dress in super hot outfits while kicking ass and breaking hearts. And my evil scheme would be to defeat them with my charm, obv.

Hi Jewel,

Huge fan of Firefly and Stargate here. My bro-in-law is too, especially Stargate. He gave a talk at Contagion about Stargate last year.

My question is what went through your mind the first time a fan told you they looked up to you/your character as a role model?

Pure terror.

Thanks for doing this and thanks for being an awsome person at conventions.

Have you ever turned down a role, that you later regretted? And if so, will you tell us what it was?

Thanks.

I turn down a fair amount of things, because I've been at this for 25 years and I can luckily afford to be a little picky. I've never once regretted anything I've turned down. Regretted a couple things I said yes to, but what are you gonna do? Regrets are a waste of time.

Hi Jewel!

How do you plan an orgy in a small town?

Carefully. It's like planning the perfect dinner party. Spiked punch helps. And there must be canapes.

What Firefly cast member would fit best into the cast for Orgy movie?

Sean Maher. For reasons other than the fact that his nickname is Sean "The Bod" Maher. Don't tell him I told you that.

Hi Jewel! Thanks for doing the AMA! Huge fan of Firefly and the Killing (like everyone on Reddit)

Important Question. You have been sentenced to death for a crime you did not commit. What would you choose for your final meal?

Also, is The Killing over over?? Or any chance on a new renewal?

Firstly, as far as I know, The Killing is over-over. Boo. Secondly, I would say the 8 course seasonal tasting menu at L'Atelier Joel Robouchon (there's one in Paris and one in Vegas-- EAT THERE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD). Best mashed potatoes in existence. Second choice is a cheeseburger from Umami burger washed down with a bottle of pink Veuve. I would have to be drunk for the electrocution.

Hi Jewel!

As a fellow food lover, what wine did you choose for this AMA? And what is the best restaurant you've eaten at?

My beverage of choice right now is coffee, I swear. But best restaurant on planet earth goes to Mama's Fish House in Paia, Maui. Best lobster bisque. Best ahi tuna club. Best mai tai. Best service. Best everything. I want my ashes scattered in that restaurant. Which is gross.

Hi Jewel, I'm a big fan. If Kaylee were a real person, I would marry her. I have two questions:

1) Would Kaylee say "yes" if I proposed? Keep in mind, I'm probably very charming in space. 2) If you could marry a fictional character, who would it be?

1. Kaylee is in love with a super smart doctor dude who is so hot he looks like a Ken doll.
2. Probably Jack from Lost, although he's a bit of a whiner and I couldn't be trusted if Sawyer was around.

I enjoyed meeting you at Comic-Con Dallas and recently discovered your food blog http://happyopu.net/. What wine varieties and regions do you tend to enjoy? If you have a glass at home at the end of the day, do you have a go-to wine variety? Do you tend toward traditional styles (French) or New World (Australia, North America) or South American varietals? When you have a glass of wine with your friends do you typically choose red, white, bubbly? Dry or sweet or it depends? The next time I'm up in Washington state visiting relatives, I'm hoping to cross the border and visit The Flying Pig you've reviewed so highly. Stay shiny and Cheers!

To really delve into this question, I would have to say the only wines I like are bubbly ones, white ones, pink ones, and red ones. Bye!

Cashews. Yay or nay?

Oh my god FINALLY!!!!!!
(yay.)

What are your feelings on "LA Complex"? Just cheese, or actually well-made, interesting cheese?

Very well made. No cheese. More soap. Meaning if anything it was more of a juicy soap opera. Plus it was a very sometimes all too real depiction of the film industry. I loved doing that show, and Raquel was one of my favourite characters to play. Besides Firefly, it's my favourite thing I've ever done. And it's on Netflix plug plug plug

Ohmigosh, HI! Of course I'm obsessed with Firefly, but I'd like to know how you liked working on The Killing? Definitely an awesome show, and I would have loved to see your character's storyline play out! Are you sad it's over?

I'm super sad, but feel like it ended on the note it should have. As in, Caroline decided not to put up with Holder's guff anymore. Highlight of the shoot was being directed by Jonathan Demme, who was so kind to me and said some nice things I'll never forget. I think he has a pretty bright future in directing.

We also have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They're very intelligent and equally mischievous. Would you tell us a favorite funny or annoying occurrence that Charlotte instigated? Who rules the house between Charlotte and your Cocker Spaniel? Thanks!

Charlotte the cavalier rules all things in this house. She is the antichrist. The devil. Satan herself. Many shoes have been lost. I saw her run at the wall and take a bite out of it for no reason. Do not let the cute face fool you. If I wind up dead, she did it.

Seriously, is there anything better than bacon?

No. Don't be daft.