Georges Jeanty talks Buffy

The article really shows Jeanty's love for Buffy and his modest attitude towards his own work. The comment about creating a Buffy "Summer Special" has me wondering how Joss is going to get all of this done. Otherwise, in true Buffy Fan-Fashion, his comment about Angel: After the Fall is really the only thing people are discussing on various sites. I wonder if the only thing that will make some people happy is if every creative person in the verse either stops doing interviews altogether or they become lobotomized pods who only talk in polite, simple sentences. Oh, the drama.

http://buffycomics.hellmouthcentral.com/html/interviews/georgesjeanty2.htm

And the winner is....

Thanks to everyone who entered the "Haiku Review Contest". There were a lot of great ones and we had a very difficult time choosing a winner, but the results are in!!!

The winning Haiku is Impaler General's ode to Dr. Horrible :

I sold my soul for
The Evil League of Evil
Only a Penny.

Love it. Check out the goodies he's won:

A variety of Postcards and buttons, an "I wear the cheese" magnet, Sunnydale keychain, a bunch of stuff from the gift bags that you buy at the OMWF Sing-alongs, and the Director's cut of Angel ATF issue 1. Fun!

Thanks again and keep an eye out, we'll be doing another contest real soon.

I don't think there is much to say here

Gellar returns to TV

It's been awhile, and although I'd rather her focus on a Buffy movie, Sarah Michelle Gellar is stepping back into TV. It's cable, so that gives me hope.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117992915.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

The Evil League of Evil is now accepting applications

Let's do it, do it!

http://www.evilleagueofevil.com/

That site says:
Aspirants to new heights of Evil should submit a video application that meets the terms below.

• It should be no more than three minutes in length.
• There should be little to no swearing.²
• Dialogue, logos, and music must be original.³
• You must be evil (bonus to have a name).
• Your video application should be posted to YouTube or Vimeo.
• Email us a link to the video, with your contact information.⁴
• October 11 is the last day to submit.

How exciting! Anyone who does this let me know...we'll post some videos up.

Whedonverse "Haiku Review" Contest - 1 week left to enter

So the contest ends this Sunday, 9/28. We're received some great entries so far...but there's still time. So click here for the details, get inspired, and really put your all into that Haiku so you can win a gift bag worth of Whedon goodies!

Buffy snubbed at Emmys.....again

Buffy's OBVIOUS poll win for Great Dramatic Moment, or whatever, was not shown during the Emmy broadcast at all. Thanks, douche bags. Here's a pic of "Hello, hotness" from tonight to get us through this dark time.

Buffy & the Emmys

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has considered all "genre" television a "niche market" for decades and has consistently screwed it over just because, let's face the facts, it's considered "nerdy". Never mind that you can make a good argument for a Joss show having far superior writing, acting, & directing (along with the obvious make-up, lighting, & sound) than 95% of the contrived and/or bland bullshit that's on television (I'm looking at you, Sopranos/Frasier.) They still just consider it too weird and not mainstream enough and they don't want to soil their red carpet with a bunch of weirdos because advertisers and viewers alike just won't want to play along. I get it. It's sad and bears no artistic integrity, but this is show business.

So while I don't like this little marketing ploy that the Emmy's have set up - years after pooping all over the shows that were up for this "Emmy moment poll", they dangle the prospect of giving some kind of menial recognition to the said pooped on - I'm still tuning in to the damn thing tonight to see if a great Buffy moment will finally make it onto that coveted stage. Touche Emmys, you win this round. Next up: let's see if David Boreanaz will show some emotion about it during the show.

Joss attends fundraiser for Obama

Joss likes Obama, a lot of A-listers were there, yadda yadda yadda. Not much interesting in this story, but who knew he was that into Obama? Full scoop here:
http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/09/obamas-fundrais.html

and while we're on the subject, check out this tee I found:
hee! and durf. Purchase here, if you want. If you don't, see if I care.:
http://skreened.com/someofnothing/barack-obama-meets-buffy-the-vampire-slayer

Free Giles Song on Amazon!

Oh cool! "Exposition song" from Restless is free from amazon.com right now. Totally free no strings! Fun! click here:
http://www.amazon.com/Buffy-Vampire-Slayer-Score-Bonus/dp/B001FYB4H8

Only drama is that you have to download a stupid Amazon downloader thingee. I've had my own "unofficial Buffy score" for years and it's great, but I don't know why I haven't bought this soundtrack yet for the better quality alone. I think I'll do that today.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - Angel: Aftermath writer Kelley Armstrong

As Angel: After the Fall comes to a close, fans can rest easy knowing that there's a new story on the horizon in the form of Angel: Aftermath, a five to six issue story arc written by Kelley Armstrong. Kelley was nice enough to do an interview with me, and as you will see from her comments, she's just as much a fan of the Buffyverse as any of us. So, sit back and enjoy the first glimpse into the mind of the writer who will be creating the "aftermath".

Buffyfest Blog: How did you get involved with Joss Whedon and the Buffy Universe in general?

Kelley Armstrong: My only involvement with the Buffy universe has been as a fan, and that's what got me the job. Another writer knew I'd said this was one universe (other than my own) that I'd love to play in. This writer was then talking to the publisher of IDW and they were discussing the end of After the Fall. He suggested I might be interested in writing a story arc. Which I was!

BB: Who is your favorite Angel character? Why?

KA: Fred. She had a perfect balance of strength and vulnerability. She made mistakes, but always bounced back determined to do better. That's the kind of strength I really admire in a person...and a character.

BB: What is your favorite Angel episode? Why?

KA: Tough question! I'll give two. "Hero" from season 1 and "A Hole in the World" from season 5. Emotionally and dramatically powerful plus just damn good stories.

BB: What do you think makes Buffy and Angel such intriguing characters that they've lingered long after their shows went off the air?

KA: They're archetypal heroes with a twist. Buffy is the "commoner plucked from ignominy and given great power" making her a teenage girl in a modern society added the twist. Angel is the "tormented hero trying to overcome his past." And he happens to be a vampire. Whedon took classics we recognize and love, and made them real people. And it really is the characters that make a series endure. The plots are interesting, but we keep coming back because we're invested in the characters.

BB: On your message board, you were asked about the canonization of Angel: Aftermath. Could you elaborate on your feelings about canon vs. non-canon?

KA: I leave it up to the reader. Yes, Aftermath is intended to be canon in the sense that it "counts" - it continues the main storyline of the series. But if a reader feels that anything not written by Joss Whedon isn't canon, I can understand that. Or if they really didn't like my story and decide to wipe it from memory, I'd be okay with that, too (well, okay with the "it's not canon" part...not so much with the "it sucked" part!) With a universe that so many writers add to, I think it comes down to the fans to decide, for themselves, what they consider canon.

BB: In your Women of the Otherworld Series you change narrators throughout the story. Will you be using a similar style by changing from one character's point of view to the next in each issue or do you have another style in mind?

KA: I considered that, but I already had a story in mind, and it wouldn't work to do it that way. Aftermath really is Angel's story, though others will have a stint on center stage.

BB: Are there any hints you can reveal to us about Angel: Aftermath?

KA: That's really tough. Any useful hints I give could give spoilers for what's to come in After the Fall. I can say that I'm not taking things in a radically different direction. I'm returning to a previous exit on the roundabout rather than taking a sharp left into new territory. And there will be a new character...or two.

If you want to learn more about Kelley Armstrong, check out her site here:

www.kelleyarmstrong.com

We're having a contest!

It's the Whedonverse Haiku Review contest and it could win you a very cute goodie bag full of stuff. Some of the things are left over from our own Buffyfests. Some are from the now extinct OMWF Sing-along gift bag. It's cute stuff...you want it and we want to give it to you.

So here are the rules:

1. Write a "haiku review" of any Whedonverse episode or season. Can be Buffy, Angel, Dr. Horrible, Firefly...even Serenity. Whatever inspires you. Your haiku should be in the form of 17 syllables broken into three lines of five, seven, and five syllables.
2. Post your haiku in the comments section along with what you’re basing it on.
3. Submissions must be received by Sunday, September 28 to be part of the contest.
   

Now, just to get the ball rolling, here are a few of our own examples:

The Master killed me
but he didn't kill my strength
another is called
Prophecy Girl

A gift for my Dawn
A gift for my Destiny
A gift for my Life
Buffy Season 5 or The Gift

OK, let's do this! Come up with your own haikus and put them in the comments!

Bad News (Dollhouse) & Good News (Dr. Horrible)

I'll give you the bad first. There are problems on the Dollhouse set. Big ones. First Off, Joss shuts down production all together to work on scripts. According to Zap2it:

"Joss directed two of the three episodes already shot, he has not had sufficient time to be in the writers room and tailor the upcoming scripts to his liking."

Read the full details of that scoop here: Zap2it exclusive

That article is all positive and gushy and it's no big deal-ey...but follow that up with this whammy from TvWeek.com:

"However, some executives at the Fox network are worried that Mr. Whedon may not have his “Dollhouse” in order.

Specifically, because the heroine of the show, played by Eliza Dushku, has no free will or ability to do much beyond what she’s told to do, viewers might find it hard to root for her. In addition, some executives have expressed concerns that early episodes of the series have been confusing and hard to follow."

Linkage: Tv Week

Fox they suck, they suck!!! Why do they try to control Joss's work? Do they do this to JJ Abrams? And Joss might have too much on his plate too. And Ugh, if this can't be managed then I'm certainly never going to be in the theater with a big ol' tub of popcorn watching a Buffy movie, am I?

Let's cleanse that mess with the good news. Drumroll: The Dr. Horrible Soundtrack debuted on the Billboard top 200 Albums at #39! Unbelievable. Go Joss! Must be so proud since he loves the music. Here's the proof:
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/charts/albums_index.jsp

Vote for Buffy in Round 2 of the Emmy thing!

http://abc.go.com/primetime/emmys/index?pn=dramavoting_2008_mostmemorablemoments_dv2k8mmm

Let's show em how it's done.

SMG stuff - wow, this Alice movie has really been beaten up good

OK, so Sarah Michelle Gellar is now really, truly, 100% out of the American McGee's Alice project. I'm so confused over this thing, I thought she owned the rights to it? Check the new scoop here:
http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=7661

Also, I don't know if she's going to do it so I don't want to jump the gun - but it's a bit strange to me if she continues to do voiceover in the next Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie and yet doesn't do her own voice of her own original character. What's up with that? Check the details of that story here:
http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/09/09/peter-laird-responds-to-teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-movie-rumors-confirms-deal-for-live-actioncgi-hybrid-is-close/