Was aching for a good discussion on this stuff.

It may sound a bit impertinent - but may I rec you two wonderful reviewers - stormwreath and beer_good_foamy? They write interesting meta on comics and I always enjoy their stuff. The discussions on their LJs are always worth reading. Also, there are two communities where we post links and exchange ideas - newly_legion and angel6_atf

I hadn't read that interview.

Joss did a big interview for The Write Environment DVD
http://www.thewriteenvironment.com/shoppingcart/products/The-Write-Environment%3A-Featuring-an-Interview-with-Joss-Whedon.html

Parts of the interview were transcribed by fans - ikafreak did the Spike part

http://icafreak.livejournal.com/267794.html

and enisy did season 9 part

http://community.livejournal.com/newly_legion/99883.html