美国国家公共电台 NPR Lucy Lawless: To Fans, 'I'm A Really Cute Walking Dinosaur'

 

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

There's a provocative¹ exchange - the beginning of the first episode of "My Life Is Murder" - a woman scrolls² through images of glistening³ pecs and washboard abs while chatting on the phone.

(SOUNDBITE OF TV SHOW, "MY LIFE IS MURDER")

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: (As character) I guarantee you, Alexa, this will be better than any boyfriend you've ever had.

LUCY LAWLESS: (As Alexa Crowe) Well, that sounds fabulous⁴ and expensive.

UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR: (As character) It'll be worth it. I promise.

LAWLESS: (As Alexa Crowe) Well, I have had a hard week.

SIMON: It turns out to be strictly⁵ business - crime-solving business that is. Lucy Lawless plays Alexa Crowe, a retired⁶ detective called back into police work as a consultant⁷ on some of the most baffling murders in Victoria, Australia. Lucy Lawless is also executive producer of the series about to premiere on Acorn⁸ TV in the United States. And Lucy Lawless, who will always be Xena: Warrior⁹ Princess to a generation of viewers and Diane on "Parks And Recreation" but especially Xena: Warrior Princess, joins us from New York. Thanks so much for being with us.

LAWLESS: Aw. Scott, it's so nice to be back with you again.

SIMON: Aw, well, thank you for saying that.

LAWLESS: Thank you for having me.

SIMON: I enjoyed the episodes I saw. And Alexa used her skills and guile¹⁰. But I want to reassure¹¹ people, now and then, she gets to throw someone around, doesn't she?

LAWLESS: Yes - well, a little. I was - to be honest with you, I was a bit chagrined¹² by that because that was never my favorite part of the job. But...

SIMON: Oh, in "Xena," really? Yeah.

LAWLESS: And you know what? And it hurts. No. I always hated it. But I didn't have any choice. So, you know, if you don't have a choice about something, you really oughtn't to invest in it emotionally. So I just get it over and done with. But it's always a shock when they say I have to run out of the way of a car, you know?

SIMON: But you know how to do that?

LAWLESS: Yes. I say, over to you, stuntwoman. But there is...

SIMON: (Laughter) That's how it's done. Yes.

LAWLESS: That's how it's done. But there is some amount of selling before and immediately after. So it doesn't get easier with every passing decade.

SIMON: We don't learn a lot about Alexa all at once. But it comes out in occasional lines. May I ask, what's the good luck charm, as she calls it, in her shoulder?

LAWLESS: It's the tip of a knife from a drug dealer¹³. That reminds her that she got away scot-free from that bad deal, when that deal went down. And I think she's just been dry and tough, you know? And she pretends that's her good luck.

SIMON: Yeah. And she's widowed.

LAWLESS: She is widowed. Her husband was also a detective and died in the line of duty. And we explore that loss in a slightly lighthearted way when we go into the world of the undertaker because, every episode, we try to take you into another sector¹⁴ of life, you know, some party you've never been invited to. Some might be the world of the very beautiful people and PR and models where you get to see the ugly underpinnings of that business. And there are themes, which then are reflected back on Alexa Crowe herself. So you get - we're going to lift the veil a little bit and have some fun and pursue justice in those worlds. And it's really satisfying, you know? It's lovely.

SIMON: To pursue justice, you mean? - at least on screen. Yeah.

LAWLESS: Well, yeah. The verisimilitude of justice, when you spend an hour with people that you like on television in a very beautiful, vibrant¹⁵ environment and get this lovely sense of catching¹⁶ the bad guy - to me, it's a little bit of a chance to recoup because the news is a bit grim these days. And it's just nice to have a little bit of a - like, a psychic¹⁷ break.

SIMON: The series also shows off Victoria.

LAWLESS: Yeah.

SIMON: Which is very picturesque¹⁸.

LAWLESS: Oh, this town is incredible. Melbourne - I got city envy. I'd never been there before. And this town is such a foodies' paradise. And at one time, it was the richest city on Earth. During the gold rush, that's where they banked all the gold. And it was also - they're quick to tell me - not a penal¹⁹ colony - is where free men, free English people chose to settle. So they see themselves as being a little more genteel. And certainly, it is a much more sedate²⁰ city, flat and beautifully planned with a wonderful light-rail system, which everybody uses. It's clean. It's efficient. And everything runs on time. And just miles upon miles of Victorian-Edwardian housing, which is very low rise - so it's a super sedate, charming, cosmopolitan²¹ town and very stylish²².

SIMON: What - may I ask you, what do you make of the impression that Xena still seems to leave on a lot of lives all over the world?

LAWLESS: Oh, were you bored with Melbourne? Did I give you (laughter)...

SIMON: No, no, no. Not at all - not remotely. but...

LAWLESS: OK.

SIMON: ...I know who I'm talking to so...

LAWLESS: OK. Right. Oh.

SIMON: If I don't - if we don't give the folks a Xena question - all right?

LAWLESS: OK. I'm sorry. Let's do that again. Go ahead.

SIMON: Enough about Melbourne, Lucy.

(LAUGHTER)

LAWLESS: Now back to me - that's enough about Melbourne - back to me.

SIMON: Well, what do you make of the impression Xena still seems to have with a lot of people?

LAWLESS: Well, I'm really delighted because people are so kind to me. I think I've been around long enough that everybody knows me from something. And it's like I'm a - like, a really cute, walking dinosaur²³ or something. You know, they're really nice to me. They're not afraid of me. They're not cold to me. I don't know. I think I've got some - I must have some kempt luster²⁴ about me that makes me - people feel friendly towards me. And I'm really gratified and delighted by that.

SIMON: You were one of the founding sisters of women superhero characters.

LAWLESS: I never feel I can really take credit for that. There was Sigourney Weaver²⁵ in the "Alien" movies before me. And Joan of Arc and the real Mulan and some Indian warrior princesses. So I was delighted to be...

SIMON: (Laughter) I said one of.

LAWLESS: ...The - yeah - the '90s iteration.

SIMON: Yeah.

LAWLESS: But certainly, it was new on television at the time. And people said it would never work.

SIMON: I'm going to guess you could have a happy life just slitting²⁶ open your residual²⁷ checks. What...

LAWLESS: No. You're wrong. They're like, 19 cents. It's like (laughter)...

SIMON: Really.

LAWLESS: There was no fortune to be made in residuals²⁸ and syndicated television. It's not, like, you know, doing a sitcom²⁹ or something.

SIMON: Yeah.

LAWLESS: But mustn't grumble³⁰ - it's given me everything.

SIMON: Well, what do you still enjoy about working?

LAWLESS: Oh, my God. Everything - I love it. What's beautiful about television is that you have a very long list of tasks of the day. So all day long, you're just checking them off. So it's really satisfying. And you're problem-solving in order to make the day, getting it all done on time in as joyful³¹, collegial way as possible. That's a really satisfying day's work. You know - and hopefully, you make something that people like. But even if they don't like it - well you're already paid. And you already had a good time. So that's that. (Laughter) Like, it - it kind of - it's incidental to me whether it's a success or not.

SIMON: Lucy Lawless stars in and is executive producer of "My Life Is Murder," a new Australian crime drama with comedic touches, of course, on Acorn TV. Thanks so much for being back with us.

LAWLESS: My life is murder.

SIMON: (Laughter) Thank you so much. Take care.

LAWLESS: Cheers, Scotty.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

SIMON: And "My Life Is Murder" premieres on Acorn TV August 5.

1 provocative   

adj.挑衅的，煽动的，刺激的，挑逗的

参考例句：

• She wore a very provocative dress.她穿了一件非常性感的裙子。
• His provocative words only fueled the argument further.他的挑衅性讲话只能使争论进一步激化。

2 scrolls   

n.（常用于录写正式文件的）纸卷( scroll的名词复数 )；卷轴；涡卷形（装饰）；卷形花纹v.（电脑屏幕上）从上到下移动（资料等），卷页( scroll的第三人称单数 )；（似卷轴般）卷起；（像展开卷轴般地）将文字显示于屏幕

参考例句：

• Either turn it off or only pick up selected stuff like wands, rings and scrolls. 把他关掉然后只捡你需要的物品，像是魔杖(wand)，戒指(rings)和滚动条(scrolls)。 来自互联网
• Ancient scrolls were found in caves by the Dead Sea. 死海旁边的山洞里发现了古代的卷轴。 来自辞典例句

3 glistening   

adj.闪耀的，反光的v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• Her eyes were glistening with tears. 她眼里闪着晶莹的泪花。
• Her eyes were glistening with tears. 她眼睛中的泪水闪着柔和的光。 来自《用法词典》

4 fabulous   

adj.极好的；极为巨大的；寓言中的，传说中的

参考例句：

• We had a fabulous time at the party.我们在晚会上玩得很痛快。
• This is a fabulous sum of money.这是一笔巨款。

5 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

6 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

7 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。

8 acorn   

n.橡实，橡子

参考例句：

• The oak is implicit in the acorn.橡树孕育于橡子之中。
• The tree grew from a small acorn.橡树从一粒小橡子生长而来。

9 warrior   

n.勇士，武士，斗士

参考例句：

• The young man is a bold warrior.这个年轻人是个很英勇的武士。
• A true warrior values glory and honor above life.一个真正的勇士珍视荣誉胜过生命。

10 guile   

n.诈术

参考例句：

• He is full of guile.他非常狡诈。
• A swindler uses guile;a robber uses force.骗子用诈术；强盗用武力。

11 reassure   

v.使放心，使消除疑虑

参考例句：

• This seemed to reassure him and he continued more confidently.这似乎使他放心一点，于是他更有信心地继续说了下去。
• The airline tried to reassure the customers that the planes were safe.航空公司尽力让乘客相信飞机是安全的。

12 chagrined   

adj.懊恼的，苦恼的v.使懊恼，使懊丧，使悔恨( chagrin的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• I was most chagrined when I heard that he had got the job instead of me. 当我听说是他而不是我得到了那份工作时懊恼极了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He was [felt] chagrined at his failure [at losing his pen]. 他为自己的失败 [遗失钢笔] 而感到懊恼。 来自辞典例句

13 dealer   

n.商人，贩子

参考例句：

• The dealer spent hours bargaining for the painting.那个商人为购买那幅画花了几个小时讨价还价。
• The dealer reduced the price for cash down.这家商店对付现金的人减价优惠。

14 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

15 vibrant   

adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的

参考例句：

• He always uses vibrant colours in his paintings. 他在画中总是使用鲜明的色彩。
• She gave a vibrant performance in the leading role in the school play.她在学校表演中生气盎然地扮演了主角。

16 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

17 psychic   

n.对超自然力敏感的人；adj.有超自然力的

参考例句：

• Some people are said to have psychic powers.据说有些人有通灵的能力。
• She claims to be psychic and to be able to foretell the future.她自称有特异功能，能预知未来。

18 picturesque   

adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的

参考例句：

• You can see the picturesque shores beside the river.在河边你可以看到景色如画的两岸。
• That was a picturesque phrase.那是一个形象化的说法。

19 penal   

adj.刑罚的；刑法上的

参考例句：

• I hope you're familiar with penal code.我希望你们熟悉本州法律规则。
• He underwent nineteen years of penal servitude for theft.他因犯了大窃案受过十九年的苦刑。

20 sedate   

adj.沉着的，镇静的，安静的

参考例句：

• After the accident,the doctor gave her some pills to sedate her.事故发生后，医生让她服了些药片使她镇静下来。
• We spent a sedate evening at home.我们在家里过了一个恬静的夜晚。

21 cosmopolitan   

adj.世界性的，全世界的，四海为家的，全球的

参考例句：

• New York is a highly cosmopolitan city.纽约是一个高度世界性的城市。
• She has a very cosmopolitan outlook on life.她有四海一家的人生观。

22 stylish   

adj.流行的，时髦的；漂亮的，气派的

参考例句：

• He's a stylish dresser.他是个穿着很有格调的人。
• What stylish women are wearing in Paris will be worn by women all over the world.巴黎女性时装往往会引导世界时装潮流。

23 dinosaur   

n.恐龙

参考例句：

• Are you trying to tell me that David was attacked by a dinosaur?你是想要告诉我大卫被一支恐龙所攻击？
• He stared at the faithful miniature of the dinosaur.他凝视著精确的恐龙缩小模型。

24 luster   

n.光辉；光泽，光亮；荣誉

参考例句：

• His great books have added luster to the university where he teaches.他的巨著给他任教的大学增了光。
• Mercerization enhances dyeability and luster of cotton materials.丝光处理扩大棉纤维的染色能力，增加纤维的光泽。

25 weaver   

n.织布工；编织者

参考例句：

• She was a fast weaver and the cloth was very good.她织布织得很快，而且布的质量很好。
• The eager weaver did not notice my confusion.热心的纺织工人没有注意到我的狼狈相。

26 slitting   

n.纵裂（缝）v.切开，撕开( slit的现在分词 )；在…上开狭长口子

参考例句：

• She is slitting a man's throat. 她正在割一个男人的喉咙。 来自辞典例句
• Different side of slitting direction will improve slitting edge and quality. 应用不同靠刀方向修边分条可帮助顺利排料，并获得更好的分条品质。 来自互联网

27 residual   

adj.复播复映追加时间；存留下来的，剩余的

参考例句：

• There are still a few residual problems with the computer program.电脑程序还有一些残留问题。
• The resulting residual chromatism is known as secondary spectrum.所得到的剩余色差叫做二次光谱。

28 residuals   

剩余误差

参考例句：

• In some cases residuals from these arrivals will stack up to give nearly horizontal alignments. 在某些情况下，这些波至的残余会叠加在一起给出近于水平的同相轴。
• Strong oscillations can occur in the residuals as the number of terms is increased. 随着次数的增加，剩余时差会发生强烈的摆动。

29 sitcom   

n.情景喜剧，（广播、电视的）系列幽默剧

参考例句：

• This sitcom is produced in cooperation with Hong Kong TV.这部连续剧是同香港电视台联合制作的。
• I heard that a new sitcom is coming out next season.我听说下一季会推出一个新的情境喜剧。

30 grumble   

vi.抱怨；咕哝；n.抱怨，牢骚；咕哝，隆隆声

参考例句：

• I don't want to hear another grumble from you.我不愿再听到你的抱怨。
• He could do nothing but grumble over the situation.他除了埋怨局势之外别无他法。

31 joyful   

adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的

参考例句：

• She was joyful of her good result of the scientific experiments.她为自己的科学实验取得好成果而高兴。
• They were singing and dancing to celebrate this joyful occasion.他们唱着、跳着庆祝这令人欢乐的时刻。