Have We TALKED About This??

 Buffy the Vampire Slayer actor Nicholas Brendon arrested for alleged prescription fraud. He was also charged with a misdemeanor for allegedly failing to properly identify himself when stopped by police.

This Entertainment Weekly 'Buffy' 20th Anniversary Reunion is Evvverything!

If you haven't already watched the 44 minute Buffy 20th reunion video, really stop what you're doing and watch it here online RIGHT NOW on the People/Entertainment Network. It'll make your whole damn day.

Highlights: SMG and Joss are still Bangel 'shippers, Kristen Sutherland (Buffy's mom) has a killer Wednesday Adams-type style going on, Nicholas Brendon seems happy and healthy, everyone looks amazing (cough *Charisma Carpenter*) and more! Oh, and David Boareanz likes to rock a RHCP-eque cock-sock, or nothing at all. lolz!

See a slew of photos below of the cast reuniting from EW's corresponding photo shoot below. Issues are on sale this week!

Anthony Stewart Head didn't attend lol

No Really, Thank You.

On this great day, Sarah Michelle Gellar professed her love and gratitude for Buffy and it's fans on social media in celebration of the show's 20th anniversary and other cast members followed suit. She said:

"most importantly thank you to all of you, the fans. We made this show for you, and your unwavering support has kept this show going long past our seven years. You are everything. And always remember...'if the apocalypse comes, beep me'"

Aww.

Now go and watch along with us, our site-wide favorite episode: "The Gift".

'Cruel Intentions' Show - WTF Sarah Michelle Gellar?

So Sarah Michelle Gellar is reprising her role as Kathryn Merteuil in a reboot show of the 90's film she starred in named Cruel Intentions but not a Buffy reboot show of the 90's show (and film) of the same name. Yeah ok. What did we ever do to you, girl?

'Buffy's' Nicholas Brendon Returns to Dr. Phil After Storming Off

I know this is dark subject matter, dear Buffyfest readers, but Nicholas Brendon is one of ours and needs some support right now. Obviously he's ready to tell his story so we're ok with mentioning it.

Several months ago Nicholas Brendon stormed off the set of The Dr. Phil Show. At the time, he accused Dr. Phil of going for "the jugular" and forcing him to "lay the darkest parts of myself on national TV". Today, our Xander returned to the show after being arrested 4 times this year for various reasons (trashing a hotel room, pub;ic intoxication and most recently, a domestic violence incident with his girlfriend). On today's show, Nicky told Dr. Phil that he blacked out during most of these incidents. He has now checked into a 90-day depression program at a Florida rehab center in October (but was allowed to attend Toulouse Game Show, a French fan convention, last week.)

Nicky opened up about attempting suicide because of his substance abuse. "I cut my wrists with a steak knife," Nicholas Brendon told Dr. Phil McGaw, crying. "Did you want to die that day?" Dr. Phil asked. "I think I wanted to be heard. I think I wanted to be helped, you know?" he said. "Because I think there's a lot of good life to live."

He also insisted he did not choke his girlfriend. "I just felt at that time that my girlfriend shouldn't drive, so I tried to take her keys away. I held her down to get the keys."

"When you wake up in jail and you're not sure why you're there, that's a very, very lonely feeling," Nicholas says.

 He also delved into his childhood trauma of being molested by a music teacher, who went to jail in 1981, when he was about 10 years old. After the teacher was caught, Brendon said he felt "numb, and then the betrayal kind of came to fruition after it all came out, and then anger." "I think about it every day of my life and I wonder how it affected me … did I stop growing emotionally?" he added. "When you're molested for a couple years and you're blamed for it by the people who are supposed to be your protectors, there's going to be a lot of confusion and a lot of sadness."

At the end of the interview, Brendon checked into a dual diagnosis treatment center, HeadWaters at Origins. "Maybe I'm just done," he said. "Maybe I'm ready to be happy now."

See a clip below:

Good Luck, Buddy. We're rooting for you!

New York Comic Con - Day 1

Dr. Horrible Cosplayer

I think this is our 8th year covering NYCC as press and it truly gets better and better every year. It's grown so much since our first time attending - between the awesome fans in costumes, kick-ass panels and cute interactive branded things, like the vid made above at the Nickelodeon booth (located right when you walk in). They did facial recognition of my face and morphed it into Spongebob! So fun! If you're attending, definitely do that and also check out the amazing "Cafe 80's" - set to look like the spot from Back to the Future 2 where you can also pick up the coveted, real world version of "Pepsi Perfect". Sooooo good. This convention is the place to be for brands right now.

Now that NYCC is open to con-goers on Thursday (instead of just professionals as in the past) it's totally cray. I mean look at the crowds at 11am on a workday! I'd be shocked if they don't add a Wednesday "Preview Night" to the convention very soon ala SDCC. Maybe even next year?

Instead of waiting on long-ass lines to attend panels in the underbelly of the Javits center, this year Nerdist and Wikia decided to plop a stage right in the front hallway where the proceeded to conduct interviews all day. The same goes for the NYCC Live stage in "The Block" area. These are the easiest panels to get in ever! See our coverage of the panel with Eliza Dushku here.

 

Speaking of the Buffyverse, Sarah Michelle Gellar made a rare convention appearance at NYCC today. Out of all the conventions we've been to all over the country, we've only ever seen her one time at SDCC, so this was a real treat!

She was there, of course, to appear in the Star War Rebels panel to chat a bit about her new character in Season 2 named The Seventh Sister. During the panel she said her character is “a thinking man’s villain. She’ll toy with you and then kill you.” When asked who her favorite character in the Star Wars universe was she replied she "of course loves Han Solo" but if she could play any character it would be Anakin around the time of the Clone Wars. Sounds like she really is a fan! Finally, during the Q&A someone said to SMG "I’ve been waiting for 15 years. I’ve gone through so much struggle to be independent, and I'll ask myself “What would Buffy do?” In response, Sarah Michelle Gellar gave the girl a hug. 

The Dark Horse booth has the usual fantastic Whedonverse display.

More to come!

Eliza Dushku Panel #NYCC 2015 - Full Video

The gorgeous Eliza Dushku took stage just a few hours ago at New York Comic Con 2015 totally rocking Buffy's Red Leather Pants. I'd like to think it was on purpose, especially with Sarah Michelle Gellar showing up at NYCC as a surprise guest in the Star Wars: Rebels panel. Surprise guest to Eliza too! I imagine a conversation that went like "Hey! Are those my pants? I knew I lent them to you and you never gave them back!!" Oopsie!!

Ahem.

Anyway Eliza, along with Ivana Milicevic, spoke quite a bit...mostly about "Banshee: The Final Season", but also some "Buffy" and "Dollhouse" with Nerdist. See the full video below.



Edited to add this photo Eliza with her mother after the panel was over. Mrs. Dushku sat there right across and watched the whole thing...what a supportive mom!

The 'Buffy' and 'Star Wars' Universes Collide in More Ways Than One!

First of all, I feel the need to spread the knowledge of this fun fact: Yoda was originally named Buffy.

Totally not kidding at all.

In the earliest outlines for The Empire Strikes Back, Luke Skywalker meets a supernatural entity named Buffy, or Bunden Debannen. Here's how George Lucas described it in the rough script:

Buffy very old — three or four thousand years. Kiber crystal in sword? Buffy shows Luke? Buffy the guardian. 'Feel not think.'"

Then Lucas says Luke will become the chosen one, "the human Buffy." LOL! The human Buffy! It's giggle worthy.

Moving on to the present, as you may know by now, the TRUE Buffy has officially infiltrated that universe. Sarah Michelle Gellar is going to be playing a villain in 'Star Wars Rebels' when the second season premieres on Oct. 14.

Smidge's character is named the "Seventh Sister Inquisitor". She'll be joining her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr., who currently voices Kanan Jarrus.

I think I see the resemble #forcefriday It's my official character reveal #seventhsister #inquisitor #starwars #starwarsrebels What do you guys think? #worththewait

A photo posted by Sarah Michelle (@sarahmgellar) on Oct 2, 2015 at 8:06am PDT

Nicholas Brendon, You So Crazy (Part 5).

Nicholas Brendon, our dear Xander Harris, has been arrested 5 times in a not very long period of time and we think he needs some help, love and support!

On Wednesday night, Police charged Nicky with third-degree robbery, a felony, two counts of criminal mischief and one count of obstruction of breathing in Wednesday's arrest in Saratoga Springs, NY. This is all after an apparent altercation with his girlfriend.

From AP:
The girlfriend told police officers who were called to a downtown hotel on Wednesday night that she had gone to return property to Brendon and told him she intended to leave, Jillson said. But Brendon objected, grabbed her car keys and then threw her cellphone into the street when she tried to call for help, a police report said. 

"It sounds like it went downhill from there," Jillson said. "He allegedly grabbed her by the throat and started choking her." Brendon, who has been arrested multiple times over the past year, was gone when officers arrived but was arrested a short while later a few blocks away. Jillson said alcohol was involved but he didn't know if Brendon was intoxicated. 

Brendon, who's from Sherman Oaks, California, was released from jail Thursday after posting a $20,000 bond. It was unclear if he had a lawyer who could comment for him, and no telephone number for his booking agent could be found. 

Brendon posted bail and is due back in court on Tuesday. Good luck, dude!

Sarah Michelle Gellar and Alyson Hannigan Insta-crafting.

Smidge posted this Buffy/Willow pic on her Instagram and it's adorbs.

SMG writes:
So this girl (#AlysonHannigan) and her husband (#AlexisDenisof) know how to throw a party. I thought I was good with the crafts, till I went to this party #CraftMaster Thanks for having the #PrinzeFamily I've never seen a farm and pony rides in Santa Monica before #NowIveSeenItAll

Apparently they ran into each other at a Michael's store recently...which perhaps prompted this crafting play date? Who knows, but it seems they have buried any rumored hatchet that may or may not have existed from back in the day. They really look great and can very clearly play the late 20's/early 30's version of their characters! Who says they can't make a Buffy movie? Oh yeah, that's right…it was Smidge who said that. Damn :(

Sarah Michelle Gellar Raps as Cinderella? Stop What You're Doing Right Now and Watch!

Our SMG and Whitney Avalon recently faced off in a Princess Rap Battle on YouTube!! You decide who ran off with the crown (you know what we think)!

Cray Cray!!

FLASHBACK FRIDAY: THE MISS JENNY CALENDAR EDITION!!!!

 Before Robia LaMorte was Jenny Calendar (computer teacher, Giles' S.O., gypsy descendant, and murdered by Angel) - she was a PRINCE Protege. Robia LaMorte was known as PEARL to me. I was a big fan of Prince & The New Power Generation's album, "Diamonds & Pearls" back then. Remember all the sex noises to the intro of "Cream" (get on top, cream shaboogie bop).......

FOLKS!!! HERE'S YOUR MOMENT OF ZEN.

YOU GOT HER NAME WRONG, MTV!!! 

Her? On the left? Why that's no other than ROBIA LAMORTE!!!!!

TO THE LEFT. MISS CALENDAR?

10/10 FACIAL BEAUTY

BEFORE SHE R.I.P.'d

ONE LAST MOMENT OF PASSION WITH GILES

Nowadays according to Robia LaMorte's wiki:
Since her role ended on Buffy, LaMorte has periodically accepted guest starring roles on various television shows. More recently she has retired from acting, focusing her efforts on other priorities such as Christian counseling, although she occasionally can be seen in commercials and smaller roles. She also spends some of her time preaching Christianity and selling audio CDs on her website that give accounts of her religious conversion and beliefs. In an FAQ on that site, LaMorte writes that while she was once a proponent of New Age beliefs, she rejected them after her conversion to Christianity. She criticizes these beliefs as a form of "earth worship" and characterizes the practice of witchcraft a dangerous opening for demonic influence.

 NO COMIC CON APPEARANCES EVER, I IMAGINE. BUT ALL THE BEST. WE LOVE YOU, ROBIA LAMORTE!!!! THIS ONE'S FOR YOU!!!

 Editors Note: I actually wanted to embed some of her funnier commercials but ended up finding this:

   

 You're welcome. - Tara

Nick Brendon, You So Crazy - Part Two

Nicholas Brendon, slowly but surely becoming the Whedonverse's own Nick Nolte, was arrested for being a drunk, hot mess again at a Comic Convention in Boise, Idaho over the weekend. Just 2 weeks after getting married, he must have been still celebrating just a bit too hard.

Poor Nick, looking a bit bruised and worse for the wear in his mugshot on Saturday Morning, still turned up at the Tree City Con the next day...a delight to fans we're sure.

CNN reports:

Brendon was in town for the Tree City Comic Con. Police were called to a downtown hotel Friday after reports of a disturbance in the lobby, according a news release from the Boise Police Department. "When officers arrived, they found the suspect who showed signs of intoxication and repeatedly refused officers commands to stay seated while officers tried to speak with witnesses," the release said. "When the suspect continued to try and walk away, officers took him into custody for resisting and obstructing."

The hotel staff said Brendon had broken a decorative dish and they wanted to press charges. He was booked into the Ada County Jail and bonded out, police said. Brendon is charged with two misdemeanors -- malicious injury to property and resisting or obstructing officers. Police say additional charges are possible. 

Brendon remained on the schedule to speak at an event Saturday evening. His Twitter account thanked fans for their "love, support and positive vibes."

Haha! Broken a "decorative dish!" What the hell is this nonsense?

You might remember the first part of this story back in 2010 when Nicky got drunk once again and was very rudely tased by the po po! Keep your head up, buddy. We've all been there. Well not exactly there being booked in Boise and all, but you know what we're sayin'....the fans still love ya.

Adam Baldwin vs Joss Whedon: Female Harrassment in the Video Game Industry

There's an interesting piece over at The Mary Sue about recent treatment of women in video games, both on-screen and behind-the-screen. Over the past week or so, Adam Baldwin and Joss Whedon both appear to have weighed in, on opposite sides.

http://www.themarysue.com/video-game-harassment-zoe-quinn-anita-sarkeesian/

Exclusive Interview: Nicholas Brendon and Christos Gage SDCC

Last but definitely not least of our San Diego Comic Con coverage is this little gem of an interview coming right up. We have Buffy writer Christos Gage and actor/writer Nicholas Brendon talking about Buffy, Angel, Feet, Pancakes, Katherine Hepburn and there may have been some mention of diapers and sheep that landed on the cutting room floor. Maybe not, who's to say? The point is: We honestly don't know wtf happened here, but it is obviously whacked. Enjoy!

Thanks to Nick, Christos, everyone at Dark Horse and extra special thank you to San Diego for giving us a Hell of a time this year.

Nicholas Brendon & Christos Gage Interview Teaser

Look out for our final SDCC  interview tonight with Core Scooby Nicholas Brendon and Buffy main writer Christos Gage. It was a really weird time! DO. Not Miss. It.

Sarah Michelle Gellar's Reddit AMA was AMAzing!!!

In case you missed it, Sarah Michelle Gellar did a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) and it was stupendous! Questions like: Weirdest Fan Experience? Her opinion on Alyson Hannigan? And of course the big one...Spike vs. Angel? Sheesh who knew how strong she leaned on THAT particular 'ship? Read the whole thing below!:

Hi reddit, I'm Sarah Michelle Gellar. Most of you know me from Buffy or Cruel Intentions. But now I'm playing the role I've always been born to play on The Crazy Ones. I'm also doing a charitable campaign with Unilever called Project Sunlight that helps support a bright future for children.

Anyways, Victoria's going to be helping me today. Let's answer some questions!

https://twitter.com/RealSMG/status/439175862693294080

For all the years I've been doing this, I just want to say thank you to all of my loyal fans. I so appreciate each and every one of you. You are all the Chosen One.

Sarah, if you awoke tomorrow to discover you were Bruce Willis, what's the first thing you would do?

Oh my god, that's so easy! I would just walk around all day yelling "Yippee-Ki-Yay Motherfucker!"

What was your favorite Buffy episode to work on?

I have a few, so bear with me… My first one is The Prom because I just love that whole story, and I thought it just encapsulated the show so well. It was beautiful and heartbreaking… I also love Hush because I think it's not just the scariest episode we've ever done but the challenge to do a silent episode - I thought it would be easy but it was way harder… And the other favorite I love is The Body, because it was beyond difficult and heart wrenching to shoot, and I don't know if many people know this, but my entire first scene was all done in one take. It was 4-5 minutes of one long take.

If you could create an alcoholic drink based on anything in the Buffyverse, what would you call it and what would be the ingredients?

A fruit punch mouth! And what's in it? A red punch with rum.

How many times did you accidentally stab yourself on the set of Buffy? What did James Marsters' hair feel like? How did David Boreanaz smell?

Oh please?!? How many times do I hurt myself getting out of bed? For a pretty graceful person I'm a klutz… Ha! Well at the time on Buffy, over-processed. As any woman knows what it's like… I can say that David honestly smells very good and continues to smell very good. I apologize to Jamie his wife for answering that question.

Read more »

"Whedonversity" Panel from NYCC 2013

Here is Dark Horse's Whedonverse Panel from Day 1 of NYCC in Full. The title was:
Whedonversity: A Look at the Future of Buffy and Serenity in Comics! Dark Horse Comics panel at New York Comic Con on Friday, October 11th, 2013.

Apologies for some video flaws in this, there was a Cosmic-Suit Spiderman bumping the tripod (not his fault).

Big Scott Allie Interview - NYCC 2013

If you're in New York, we hope you're having a ball at New York Comic Con 2013 which is currently underway. Today is the Dark Horse panel where they'll be covering a lot of Buffy Season 10 and news about the new Serenity series. But if you're in a land far, far away do not fret - we gotcha covered. Editor in Chief Scott Allie sat down with us to talk all things Whedonverse and then some! Look closely too because there are some new images in there. Enjoy!

Scott Allie Interview Preview!

This might be our most scandalous interview yet! Don't miss Dark Horse Editor-in-Chief Scott Allie spill all the beans this Friday...