Discovering Buffy / P - S
Anonymous
I work for a FOX affiliate in Knoxville, TN.
As for Buffy? I boycotted the show. Initially, at least. I refused to watch the first two seasons because I was one of the few people in the known universe that enjoyed the movie (and, more specifically, the physical presence of Kristy Swanson) and I just couldn't understand why Swanson wasn't picked to portray her television counterpart. It wasn't like she was doing anything. I never wanted to see it, and I wouldn't have, had I not been paid to.
In early 1999, I got a job as a Master Control Operator for a WB affiliate in northern Arizona. Basically, my job was to run all the programming and keep the station on air. It wasn't long before I found myself manning the helm on a Tuesday night at 8pm. The episode was "The Wish." I fell completely in love.
I became an instant Buffyite. Thanks to my job, I was able to catch up on what I had been blacklisting for two years. From season four on, I never missed an episode. I guess in retrospect, I should have been paying that WB station for the experience.
I work for a FOX affiliate in Knoxville, TN.
As for Buffy? I boycotted the show. Initially, at least. I refused to watch the first two seasons because I was one of the few people in the known universe that enjoyed the movie (and, more specifically, the physical presence of Kristy Swanson) and I just couldn't understand why Swanson wasn't picked to portray her television counterpart. It wasn't like she was doing anything. I never wanted to see it, and I wouldn't have, had I not been paid to.
In early 1999, I got a job as a Master Control Operator for a WB affiliate in northern Arizona. Basically, my job was to run all the programming and keep the station on air. It wasn't long before I found myself manning the helm on a Tuesday night at 8pm. The episode was "The Wish." I fell completely in love.
I became an instant Buffyite. Thanks to my job, I was able to catch up on what I had been blacklisting for two years. From season four on, I never missed an episode. I guess in retrospect, I should have been paying that WB station for the experience.
Patrie, Justin
My name is Justin M. Patrie and I am a Master's International Relations student from Edmonton, Canada, studying in London, England. I am a notorious channel surfer so occasionally I would catch 5-10 minute snippets of 'Buffy' in-between my preferred shows or during commercial breaks. I always thought of it as just another teen-angst drama filled with bad-writing and unrealistic situations. Two on-air events changed my mind though. On one occasion I happened to catch a bit of an episode where Buffy actually drank alcohol. The other was when she had sex with Angel. Other teen shows approached the acts of teen drinking and teen sex but always in a formulaic manner that resulted in a sappy moral story about why both were incontrovertibly bad. In Buffy though, no such thing happened. Buffy didn't wake up with a bad hangover and a "I'll never drink again message" and she did end up actually having sex with Angel, as opposed to choosing to wait. After catching those two bits of shows, I figured that Buffy was indeed unique and did not follow the standard rules associated with teen-dramas; it made its own rules and redefined the genre. Since then, I have watched Buffy almost religiously and consistently impressed with the quality of writing, cinematography, storylines, acting and originality.
My name is Justin M. Patrie and I am a Master's International Relations student from Edmonton, Canada, studying in London, England. I am a notorious channel surfer so occasionally I would catch 5-10 minute snippets of 'Buffy' in-between my preferred shows or during commercial breaks. I always thought of it as just another teen-angst drama filled with bad-writing and unrealistic situations. Two on-air events changed my mind though. On one occasion I happened to catch a bit of an episode where Buffy actually drank alcohol. The other was when she had sex with Angel. Other teen shows approached the acts of teen drinking and teen sex but always in a formulaic manner that resulted in a sappy moral story about why both were incontrovertibly bad. In Buffy though, no such thing happened. Buffy didn't wake up with a bad hangover and a "I'll never drink again message" and she did end up actually having sex with Angel, as opposed to choosing to wait. After catching those two bits of shows, I figured that Buffy was indeed unique and did not follow the standard rules associated with teen-dramas; it made its own rules and redefined the genre. Since then, I have watched Buffy almost religiously and consistently impressed with the quality of writing, cinematography, storylines, acting and originality.
Paule, Michele
I am a Senior Lecturer in Education working within the Research Centre for Able Pupils at Oxford Brookes University. I also teach undergraduate courses in media studies. I have a research interest in able girls' identification in and with popular culture. This interest was initially inspired by Buffy and the ways in which able young women engaged with and talked about the show. I was working with a group of able girls in a state comprehensive secondary school when I first happened to see an episode one evening, in that post-work-pre-dinner-tired state. This was near the middle of the second season - What's My Line I - during its 6.45 Thursday broadcast on the UK's BBC2. It caught and held my attention from the opening credits - indeed it was these that intrigued me enough not to channel-hop. The next day I mentioned it to one of the students, a very bright 14 year old. She practically yelped with pleasure, quickly filled me in on the season I had missed, and insisted I borrowed tapes to catch up. I spent most of the weekend doing so. Thereafter, as far as she and her peers were concerned I was an initiate, and they were keen to discuss their love of the show and its relationship to their lives. A few weeks after, I was speaking with an artist friend who had just completed an installation about personal monsters, and I mentioned my 'discovery'. Her eyes lit up. 'Great!' she said, 'someone I can talk about Buffy with who doesn't think I'm mad.'
I include the latter part because at the Blood Text and Fears conference, there was some interesting dinner conversation about how delegates first 'came out' [this was the term employed] about their interest to their friends, as well a how they first 'discovered' the show.
I am a Senior Lecturer in Education working within the Research Centre for Able Pupils at Oxford Brookes University. I also teach undergraduate courses in media studies. I have a research interest in able girls' identification in and with popular culture. This interest was initially inspired by Buffy and the ways in which able young women engaged with and talked about the show. I was working with a group of able girls in a state comprehensive secondary school when I first happened to see an episode one evening, in that post-work-pre-dinner-tired state. This was near the middle of the second season - What's My Line I - during its 6.45 Thursday broadcast on the UK's BBC2. It caught and held my attention from the opening credits - indeed it was these that intrigued me enough not to channel-hop. The next day I mentioned it to one of the students, a very bright 14 year old. She practically yelped with pleasure, quickly filled me in on the season I had missed, and insisted I borrowed tapes to catch up. I spent most of the weekend doing so. Thereafter, as far as she and her peers were concerned I was an initiate, and they were keen to discuss their love of the show and its relationship to their lives. A few weeks after, I was speaking with an artist friend who had just completed an installation about personal monsters, and I mentioned my 'discovery'. Her eyes lit up. 'Great!' she said, 'someone I can talk about Buffy with who doesn't think I'm mad.'
I include the latter part because at the Blood Text and Fears conference, there was some interesting dinner conversation about how delegates first 'came out' [this was the term employed] about their interest to their friends, as well a how they first 'discovered' the show.
Pratt, Darcy
My teenaged sisters roped me in, near the end of Season One. I am a 34 year old copywriter and Marketing Communications Manager for a national manufacturer of networking cabling hardware, and my two sisters, who were both in high school at the time, were fanatic Buffy watchers, almost from the start. I have to admit that I mocked them at first. I hadn't seen the movie, but a show called "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Ha. Really. But eventually, they convinced me to give it a try. I think my first episode was "The Puppet Show", in May of 1997. I was immediately captivated by the show's clever wit and unexpected charm. I caught up on the beginning via that summer's reruns, and have been a fanatic and Buffy-evangelist ever since. I read the high-brow Buffy books and discussions and participate occasionally in Television Without Pity's fantastic Buffy posting board. In fact, "BtVS" and its spinoff "Angel" are the only two shows I set my VCR for, every week. And despite occasional bitterness toward Joss and Mutant Enemy for various choices, they've never really let me down, in the end.
My teenaged sisters roped me in, near the end of Season One. I am a 34 year old copywriter and Marketing Communications Manager for a national manufacturer of networking cabling hardware, and my two sisters, who were both in high school at the time, were fanatic Buffy watchers, almost from the start. I have to admit that I mocked them at first. I hadn't seen the movie, but a show called "Buffy the Vampire Slayer". Ha. Really. But eventually, they convinced me to give it a try. I think my first episode was "The Puppet Show", in May of 1997. I was immediately captivated by the show's clever wit and unexpected charm. I caught up on the beginning via that summer's reruns, and have been a fanatic and Buffy-evangelist ever since. I read the high-brow Buffy books and discussions and participate occasionally in Television Without Pity's fantastic Buffy posting board. In fact, "BtVS" and its spinoff "Angel" are the only two shows I set my VCR for, every week. And despite occasional bitterness toward Joss and Mutant Enemy for various choices, they've never really let me down, in the end.
Rastin, Kimberly
I am a teacher in London Ontario Canada. Although originally qualified for High School English, I am currently teaching a grade 5/6 class in a Catholic school. I'm one of the original Buffyphiles, having been an avid viewer from the original showing of Welcome to the Hellmouth in February of 1997. back then I was English major with an affinity for pop culture and and a love of the camp/cult and fantasy genres. I confess to having somewhat enjoyed (or at least found amusing--Paul Rubens was a hoot) the original movie, and was intrigued by the prospect of the concept of a television show, and eagerly tuned into the first episode. From there I was hooked. The concept, the use of language and, over the years, the committment to a complex, evolving mythology all lured me in and held me hostage on Buffy nights. Throughout the rest of my university career and beyond I've taken flack for my love of this "silly little show", but I proudly defend it to all those poor souls who don't know how to separate (or at times combine) the ridiculous and the sublime.
I am a teacher in London Ontario Canada. Although originally qualified for High School English, I am currently teaching a grade 5/6 class in a Catholic school. I'm one of the original Buffyphiles, having been an avid viewer from the original showing of Welcome to the Hellmouth in February of 1997. back then I was English major with an affinity for pop culture and and a love of the camp/cult and fantasy genres. I confess to having somewhat enjoyed (or at least found amusing--Paul Rubens was a hoot) the original movie, and was intrigued by the prospect of the concept of a television show, and eagerly tuned into the first episode. From there I was hooked. The concept, the use of language and, over the years, the committment to a complex, evolving mythology all lured me in and held me hostage on Buffy nights. Throughout the rest of my university career and beyond I've taken flack for my love of this "silly little show", but I proudly defend it to all those poor souls who don't know how to separate (or at times combine) the ridiculous and the sublime.
Rea, Amy
I'm a freelance writer in the Twin Cities, MN area, writing both for consumer publications and corporate ventures. I was vaguely aware of Buffy from press surrounding both the movie and the TV series, although I'd seen neither. In the fall of 2002, my husband and I were letting are kids ogle video games at an Electronics Boutique when we spotted a secondhand copy of Season One on DVD and bought it on a whim, having just finished watching The Sopranos on DVD. I expected a kitschy, silly form of entertainment, "junk food TV" of "X-Files for Dummies"--but I found it to be much more in-depth than that, even while providing lots of giggles. We've watched all that's available on DVD and the occasional episode in syndication, though I hesitate to get too far ahead. Season 4 comes out in June...
I'm a freelance writer in the Twin Cities, MN area, writing both for consumer publications and corporate ventures. I was vaguely aware of Buffy from press surrounding both the movie and the TV series, although I'd seen neither. In the fall of 2002, my husband and I were letting are kids ogle video games at an Electronics Boutique when we spotted a secondhand copy of Season One on DVD and bought it on a whim, having just finished watching The Sopranos on DVD. I expected a kitschy, silly form of entertainment, "junk food TV" of "X-Files for Dummies"--but I found it to be much more in-depth than that, even while providing lots of giggles. We've watched all that's available on DVD and the occasional episode in syndication, though I hesitate to get too far ahead. Season 4 comes out in June...
Reeves, Bryan
Sigh...I had ignored Buffy for the first four seasons, thinking that a show based on "that stupid movie" couldn't be worth watching. Luckily, I hang out with a group of TV fiends who were hooked on the show; these same guys were the ones who had a few years earlier convinced me that I would like a quirky SF show called Babylon 5. So I bought the video of the pilot and first episode-hey, this is a cool show!- and started watching with season 5. I quickly obtained the first 4 seasons and my wife and I settled into an intensive 2-per-night crash course in Buffy, followed by the first season of Angel. Hooked like a fish.
As a frustrating side-note, the summer before I became a Buffy fan, I went to the Chicago comic-con where Joss Whedon was a guest. One of the previously mentioned friends writes for a local (St. Louis) paper, and had managed to arrange a short interview with Joss. Now by this time I was fairly certain that I would end up watching the show, and had bought a pirate tape of the unaired pilot at the con. My friend asked me if I would take pics for the paper of Joss during the interview and I said sure. Now imagine the scenario: there I am, taking pictures of Whedon, being close enough to shake his hand, and not realizing that just a short time later I'd come to think of him as a twisted genius! Grrr, argh, indeed!
Sigh...I had ignored Buffy for the first four seasons, thinking that a show based on "that stupid movie" couldn't be worth watching. Luckily, I hang out with a group of TV fiends who were hooked on the show; these same guys were the ones who had a few years earlier convinced me that I would like a quirky SF show called Babylon 5. So I bought the video of the pilot and first episode-hey, this is a cool show!- and started watching with season 5. I quickly obtained the first 4 seasons and my wife and I settled into an intensive 2-per-night crash course in Buffy, followed by the first season of Angel. Hooked like a fish.
As a frustrating side-note, the summer before I became a Buffy fan, I went to the Chicago comic-con where Joss Whedon was a guest. One of the previously mentioned friends writes for a local (St. Louis) paper, and had managed to arrange a short interview with Joss. Now by this time I was fairly certain that I would end up watching the show, and had bought a pirate tape of the unaired pilot at the con. My friend asked me if I would take pics for the paper of Joss during the interview and I said sure. Now imagine the scenario: there I am, taking pictures of Whedon, being close enough to shake his hand, and not realizing that just a short time later I'd come to think of him as a twisted genius! Grrr, argh, indeed!
Reineke, Laura E.
I'm a fourteen year-old eighth-grader at a small Catholic school in northwest Ohio. Throughout my study halls in January of 2002, two of my close friends would chat about a show called "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", which I dismissed as having no moral fiber and blatantly ignored until a month later, when an online acquaintance of mine began to quote the now-famous musical episode from "Buffy"'s sixth season- "Once More, With Feeling". Warily following my friend's strong advice, I downloaded a few MP3s from OMWF, and was fairly interested. So I downloaded the episode itself, and ever since, I've been hooked. Over the course of summer 2002, I downloaded dozens of episodes from Kazaa, read episode reviews on tons of websites, and increased my "Buffy" knowledge to a point where it surpassed that of any of my friends who'd acknowledged the show before me. I now own seasons one and three on DVD, have fifteen of my favorite episodes stored on my computer, and can quote vengeance demons and vampires and slayers without even blinking.
I'm a fourteen year-old eighth-grader at a small Catholic school in northwest Ohio. Throughout my study halls in January of 2002, two of my close friends would chat about a show called "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", which I dismissed as having no moral fiber and blatantly ignored until a month later, when an online acquaintance of mine began to quote the now-famous musical episode from "Buffy"'s sixth season- "Once More, With Feeling". Warily following my friend's strong advice, I downloaded a few MP3s from OMWF, and was fairly interested. So I downloaded the episode itself, and ever since, I've been hooked. Over the course of summer 2002, I downloaded dozens of episodes from Kazaa, read episode reviews on tons of websites, and increased my "Buffy" knowledge to a point where it surpassed that of any of my friends who'd acknowledged the show before me. I now own seasons one and three on DVD, have fifteen of my favorite episodes stored on my computer, and can quote vengeance demons and vampires and slayers without even blinking.
Rice, Rebecca
It's a family affair, really. My name is Rebecca Rice and I'm a stay-at-home mom for two beautiful (but very demanding) little boys. I was 23 and just out of college when two of my crazy friends, Penny Horwitz and Joel Ruggaber, convinced me that I should try watching one of their favorite shows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I was skeptical, because I was not a fan of the movie and the title was just dubious. But they explained that one of the main characters, a girl named Willow, had a lot of things in common with me. They pointed out that she was good in school and had very few friends, but most importantly, she was head-over-heels in love with her best friend, who was too clueless to notice her, and she was too timid to say anything. That got me, and I tried an episode, the very first ep of season two, which begins with a very cute Willow-and-Xander scene in which they almost kiss-- but don't. My mom humored me in watching that first episode, and we were both hooked almost instantly. Somewhere in there we adopted a cat who came with the name Angel, which we kept in part to honor the character of that name. My husband became a fan very quickly when we first met, and when our first son was born, we named him Xander. I'm still hoping we may have a girl, so we can call her Willow. I know it's the right time for Buffy to end, but I will still miss the guaranteed hour of good writing every week, which I have come to depend on. If only they hadn't cancelled Firefly. Sigh. At least there's still Angel. And Joss is such a wonderful writer and storyteller, I can't wait to see what he'll do next.
It's a family affair, really. My name is Rebecca Rice and I'm a stay-at-home mom for two beautiful (but very demanding) little boys. I was 23 and just out of college when two of my crazy friends, Penny Horwitz and Joel Ruggaber, convinced me that I should try watching one of their favorite shows, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I was skeptical, because I was not a fan of the movie and the title was just dubious. But they explained that one of the main characters, a girl named Willow, had a lot of things in common with me. They pointed out that she was good in school and had very few friends, but most importantly, she was head-over-heels in love with her best friend, who was too clueless to notice her, and she was too timid to say anything. That got me, and I tried an episode, the very first ep of season two, which begins with a very cute Willow-and-Xander scene in which they almost kiss-- but don't. My mom humored me in watching that first episode, and we were both hooked almost instantly. Somewhere in there we adopted a cat who came with the name Angel, which we kept in part to honor the character of that name. My husband became a fan very quickly when we first met, and when our first son was born, we named him Xander. I'm still hoping we may have a girl, so we can call her Willow. I know it's the right time for Buffy to end, but I will still miss the guaranteed hour of good writing every week, which I have come to depend on. If only they hadn't cancelled Firefly. Sigh. At least there's still Angel. And Joss is such a wonderful writer and storyteller, I can't wait to see what he'll do next.
Ruddell, Caroline
I am a research student at Brunel University, currently writing a thesis on split characters in contemporary psychological horror-based texts, including Btvs. I first discovered Btvs when I was an undergraduate student and Season two was being shown on television. I came home quite late one evening and caught an episode by chance, and it happened to be ‘Becoming’ Part 1 (Season two). Being the end of the season, and never having seen Buffy before, I didn’t have a clue what was going on, but I knew I had never seen anything quite like it. I was instantly interested as my work at the time was on vampires in film, and I decided to watch more to see if I could include Buffy in my current work, well that was my excuse anyway. I practically ran to HMV the next day to buy Season one on video, and I have never looked back, always finding more and more in the show to interest me academically. Incidently, ‘Becoming’ parts 1 and 2 are still my favourite episodes.
I am a research student at Brunel University, currently writing a thesis on split characters in contemporary psychological horror-based texts, including Btvs. I first discovered Btvs when I was an undergraduate student and Season two was being shown on television. I came home quite late one evening and caught an episode by chance, and it happened to be ‘Becoming’ Part 1 (Season two). Being the end of the season, and never having seen Buffy before, I didn’t have a clue what was going on, but I knew I had never seen anything quite like it. I was instantly interested as my work at the time was on vampires in film, and I decided to watch more to see if I could include Buffy in my current work, well that was my excuse anyway. I practically ran to HMV the next day to buy Season one on video, and I have never looked back, always finding more and more in the show to interest me academically. Incidently, ‘Becoming’ parts 1 and 2 are still my favourite episodes.
Ryan, Brandy
My name is Brandy Ryan, and I am a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, in Toronto (Ontario), Canada. My first Buffy experience was at the hands of my best friend when I was in the last year of my undergraduate degree. He'd been raving about Buffy for weeks; I had been mocking him as long. My initial reaction to the show was not the name (as many site), nor the idea of fantasy/supernatural content; I really disliked Sarah Michelle Gellar. Over reading week of 2001, my best friend convinced me to come over and watch four episodes that he considered some of the best Buffy had produced. If I didn't enjoy them, he promised never to mention Buffy again. That day, I watched "Hush," "Fool for Love" and "Darla," and "I Will Remember You." I was immediately hooked by the amazing narrative continuity (the Buffy/Angel cross-overs), the talent of actors who can carry thirty minutes without dialogue, and the show's ability to combine humour with horror and emotional angst (not to mention the dialogue, which I immediately picked up on and still use to this day). I still didn't really enjoy SMG as Buffy, and mockingly predicted the death of Buffy. Her death made me believe in the power of the show: even though I didn't much like the character, I was in tears when she actually died. Since then, I've written two papers (not yet published) on Buffy, created a Buffy course, joined the Buffyology board, hosted two 12 hour Buffy days, been interviewed by CBC radio for a piece they did on Buffy, and read/bought everything I can get my hands on in terms of critical analysis. This show really changed my life; I've become critically and emotionally invested in a way that I hadn't thought possible. Among other things, Buffy as a character offers a realistic representation of a woman's struggle to mediate feminism and fallibility.
My name is Brandy Ryan, and I am a PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, in Toronto (Ontario), Canada. My first Buffy experience was at the hands of my best friend when I was in the last year of my undergraduate degree. He'd been raving about Buffy for weeks; I had been mocking him as long. My initial reaction to the show was not the name (as many site), nor the idea of fantasy/supernatural content; I really disliked Sarah Michelle Gellar. Over reading week of 2001, my best friend convinced me to come over and watch four episodes that he considered some of the best Buffy had produced. If I didn't enjoy them, he promised never to mention Buffy again. That day, I watched "Hush," "Fool for Love" and "Darla," and "I Will Remember You." I was immediately hooked by the amazing narrative continuity (the Buffy/Angel cross-overs), the talent of actors who can carry thirty minutes without dialogue, and the show's ability to combine humour with horror and emotional angst (not to mention the dialogue, which I immediately picked up on and still use to this day). I still didn't really enjoy SMG as Buffy, and mockingly predicted the death of Buffy. Her death made me believe in the power of the show: even though I didn't much like the character, I was in tears when she actually died. Since then, I've written two papers (not yet published) on Buffy, created a Buffy course, joined the Buffyology board, hosted two 12 hour Buffy days, been interviewed by CBC radio for a piece they did on Buffy, and read/bought everything I can get my hands on in terms of critical analysis. This show really changed my life; I've become critically and emotionally invested in a way that I hadn't thought possible. Among other things, Buffy as a character offers a realistic representation of a woman's struggle to mediate feminism and fallibility.
Saffioti-Hughes, Carol Lee
I am a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin Parkside. Among other things I teach popular culture/gender studies/ethnic studies. Had my daughter lived, she would have been 10 this year, and I am drawn to the things that her friends and agemates would be. So, I have watched Buffy on and off for quite a while, responding to the concerns of fellow parents when I can that this program gives young women permission to voice. I am teaching an on-line course at the university even as I write, entitled, "Buffy the Slayer: Deconstructing Girl Culture." The students are enthused (and amazed) that something they really like, is also worth college credit. I teach mythic structure, narrative structure, and many ways to bring Buffy in touch with these, and the students in touch with their own voices. I am deeply aware of my responsibility to pass permission to voice, on to the next generation of young women. I am also deeply concerned about some of the deep-structural messages that are nevertheless extractable within the series.
Buffy Lives. And so does my daughter, Autumn Grace.
I am a professor of English at the University of Wisconsin Parkside. Among other things I teach popular culture/gender studies/ethnic studies. Had my daughter lived, she would have been 10 this year, and I am drawn to the things that her friends and agemates would be. So, I have watched Buffy on and off for quite a while, responding to the concerns of fellow parents when I can that this program gives young women permission to voice. I am teaching an on-line course at the university even as I write, entitled, "Buffy the Slayer: Deconstructing Girl Culture." The students are enthused (and amazed) that something they really like, is also worth college credit. I teach mythic structure, narrative structure, and many ways to bring Buffy in touch with these, and the students in touch with their own voices. I am deeply aware of my responsibility to pass permission to voice, on to the next generation of young women. I am also deeply concerned about some of the deep-structural messages that are nevertheless extractable within the series.
Buffy Lives. And so does my daughter, Autumn Grace.
Saunders, Kayin
I am a Washington, D.C. litigation attorney. My girlfriend introduced me to Buffy. She started watching Buffy during Season One and used to casually mention how good it was. I had seen the previews for the episodes on the WB but I had never watched it. I had seen the original movie and was far from impressed. Well, one night as my girlfriend and I were watching TV we came across a TV preview for a Buffy episode that was airing in 5 minutes. She forced me to watch. The episode was Reptile Boy. I watched and found it interesting. It wasn't until I had watched every episode up to Surprise when I realized I was addicted. I was a Highlander addict at the time and BTVS proved to be a far more compelling substitute. I've been an addict ever since.
I am a Washington, D.C. litigation attorney. My girlfriend introduced me to Buffy. She started watching Buffy during Season One and used to casually mention how good it was. I had seen the previews for the episodes on the WB but I had never watched it. I had seen the original movie and was far from impressed. Well, one night as my girlfriend and I were watching TV we came across a TV preview for a Buffy episode that was airing in 5 minutes. She forced me to watch. The episode was Reptile Boy. I watched and found it interesting. It wasn't until I had watched every episode up to Surprise when I realized I was addicted. I was a Highlander addict at the time and BTVS proved to be a far more compelling substitute. I've been an addict ever since.
Scheleko, Michele
I am a 26-year-old female. I work full-time as an office manager for a small, family owned company and part-time at a retail store. As for discovering Buffy, it goes like this: I had seen the movie and disliked it except for the line (and I paraphrase) "...marry Christian Slater and die." Huge Christian Slater fan here. I didn’t become aware of the television show until seeing the news about the big two-day event (which ended up being Surprise/Innocence) and everyone clamoring for their free WB posters. I still didn't watch. However, while I paint, I always have the television on for noise. One day, the channel was on Buffy. Next thing I know, I have stopped painting and was totally caught up in the show. At first I was confused because I thought Buffy and Angel were together. Why were they fighting? Why wasn’t Angel allowed to see Buffy? What was happening? I was hooked. It was the episode “Killed by Death”. After that, I watched every Tuesday episode and played catch up during the summer when re-runs were shown on Monday and Tuesday. Life, ever since, has revolved around Tuesday nights. No phone calls, no visitors, and no working.
I am a 26-year-old female. I work full-time as an office manager for a small, family owned company and part-time at a retail store. As for discovering Buffy, it goes like this: I had seen the movie and disliked it except for the line (and I paraphrase) "...marry Christian Slater and die." Huge Christian Slater fan here. I didn’t become aware of the television show until seeing the news about the big two-day event (which ended up being Surprise/Innocence) and everyone clamoring for their free WB posters. I still didn't watch. However, while I paint, I always have the television on for noise. One day, the channel was on Buffy. Next thing I know, I have stopped painting and was totally caught up in the show. At first I was confused because I thought Buffy and Angel were together. Why were they fighting? Why wasn’t Angel allowed to see Buffy? What was happening? I was hooked. It was the episode “Killed by Death”. After that, I watched every Tuesday episode and played catch up during the summer when re-runs were shown on Monday and Tuesday. Life, ever since, has revolved around Tuesday nights. No phone calls, no visitors, and no working.
Schopen, Fay
I am a 28 year old journalist and film studies graduate living in London, UK. I have always had a soft spot for lowest-common -denominator American TV, (Sunset Beach, Dawsons Creek) where everyone is attractive and has nice, shiny hair. I can trace this predilection all the way back to my obsession as an eleven year old with the Sweet Valley High books. I ended up studying for a year at the University of California, Santa Barbara thanks to that. The third series of Buffy was being aired on BBC2 over here, some really good reviews started to filter through, I remember thinking, 'this sounds exactly like the kind of rubbish I would like," I remember, alone in my apartment, watching The Wish and I really loved it, I was scared. Easily scared. But I wasn’t emotionally and dangerously hooked until episode The I in Team, series 4, when Adam kills Maggie. I was so shocked, instantly a connection was made. Dreamt Buffy that night. Then caught up on all the episodes I had never seen. My boyfriend despairs of me. I wrote an abstract on fragmented identities and the search for the self for the Buffy conference last year at my old alma mater the University of East Anglia, but I didn't get picked, I’d like to think it was because I am not an academic by profession. Academic writing should not be the preserve of acadenics, Its a strange constructed, constricted language. I don't know what I'm going to do when Buffy finishes in a matter of weeks...ah yes, upgrade to DVD and start all over...
I am a 28 year old journalist and film studies graduate living in London, UK. I have always had a soft spot for lowest-common -denominator American TV, (Sunset Beach, Dawsons Creek) where everyone is attractive and has nice, shiny hair. I can trace this predilection all the way back to my obsession as an eleven year old with the Sweet Valley High books. I ended up studying for a year at the University of California, Santa Barbara thanks to that. The third series of Buffy was being aired on BBC2 over here, some really good reviews started to filter through, I remember thinking, 'this sounds exactly like the kind of rubbish I would like," I remember, alone in my apartment, watching The Wish and I really loved it, I was scared. Easily scared. But I wasn’t emotionally and dangerously hooked until episode The I in Team, series 4, when Adam kills Maggie. I was so shocked, instantly a connection was made. Dreamt Buffy that night. Then caught up on all the episodes I had never seen. My boyfriend despairs of me. I wrote an abstract on fragmented identities and the search for the self for the Buffy conference last year at my old alma mater the University of East Anglia, but I didn't get picked, I’d like to think it was because I am not an academic by profession. Academic writing should not be the preserve of acadenics, Its a strange constructed, constricted language. I don't know what I'm going to do when Buffy finishes in a matter of weeks...ah yes, upgrade to DVD and start all over...
Scott, Manda
I am a veterinary anaesthetist, climber and novelist, generally, these days in reverse order (that is, writing comes first). I don't watch television, have no kids nor any contact to any and have no interest whatsoever in teen culture. I stayed with my brother and his wife - the family's Buffy fan - for Christmas of 2001. he got her a DVD of the first season of Buffy for Christmas. I was scathing, Don't tell me we're watching *this*? It's nonsense. Didn't your mother tell you that you'll go blind if you watch junk like this?' etc. etc. It was Christmas. I loathe Christmas and, much as I love my brother, I wasn't in the best frame of mind. I was also the guest and duly ignored. After lunch we sat down to watch episode one, season one. I had never seen the movie, I had barely heard of Buffy, I asked endless very irritating questions. 'Why is she doing that? Which one is Buffy? Why is she so wet when she's supposed to be a superhero?' Sometime around ep 3, I stopped asking. Sometime around midnight, I said, 'But it's not even tomorrow yet, we could catch at least ep 6 before we go to bed' Two weeks later, kid brother called me, Season four was on the TV (I don't watch TV, remember?). 'You'd better start watching, your greatest dream has come true, Willow's a dyke.' I still don't watch TV, but I do have the videos of seasons 1 - 5. Rather gave up on season 6 but 7 sounds better.
I am a veterinary anaesthetist, climber and novelist, generally, these days in reverse order (that is, writing comes first). I don't watch television, have no kids nor any contact to any and have no interest whatsoever in teen culture. I stayed with my brother and his wife - the family's Buffy fan - for Christmas of 2001. he got her a DVD of the first season of Buffy for Christmas. I was scathing, Don't tell me we're watching *this*? It's nonsense. Didn't your mother tell you that you'll go blind if you watch junk like this?' etc. etc. It was Christmas. I loathe Christmas and, much as I love my brother, I wasn't in the best frame of mind. I was also the guest and duly ignored. After lunch we sat down to watch episode one, season one. I had never seen the movie, I had barely heard of Buffy, I asked endless very irritating questions. 'Why is she doing that? Which one is Buffy? Why is she so wet when she's supposed to be a superhero?' Sometime around ep 3, I stopped asking. Sometime around midnight, I said, 'But it's not even tomorrow yet, we could catch at least ep 6 before we go to bed' Two weeks later, kid brother called me, Season four was on the TV (I don't watch TV, remember?). 'You'd better start watching, your greatest dream has come true, Willow's a dyke.' I still don't watch TV, but I do have the videos of seasons 1 - 5. Rather gave up on season 6 but 7 sounds better.
Shapiro, Paul
My name is Paul Shapiro and I am currently an assistant professor of sociology at James Madison University.
Paris. June. 1999. After returning to our cozy hotel on the not so swanky side of town, my girlfriend and I casually lounged on the plush oversized leather sofa in the lobby sharing a late night cocktail. The television was on, and we watched. The show was Buffy The Vampire Slayer dubbed into French. Neither of us speak French. But that presented little challenge as we drunkenly made up the dialogue as characters we didn't know, fought bizarre looking demons, for reasons we could not comprehend. A few days after I returned to the States I was flipping through channels and I came across the start of an English speaking Buffy episode. More out of curiosity (to see how accurate we were in our "translations") I watched. While we had been dreadfully confused and mistaken about the characters, relationships, plots, and the overall purpose of the show, I was now quite taken with the wit, depth, and development of a program I had never "really" seen before. As chance would further have it, shortly thereafter, the WB network started replaying the original episodes starting from season one. I watched. I was hooked. And I'm not ashamed to admit it.
My name is Paul Shapiro and I am currently an assistant professor of sociology at James Madison University.
Paris. June. 1999. After returning to our cozy hotel on the not so swanky side of town, my girlfriend and I casually lounged on the plush oversized leather sofa in the lobby sharing a late night cocktail. The television was on, and we watched. The show was Buffy The Vampire Slayer dubbed into French. Neither of us speak French. But that presented little challenge as we drunkenly made up the dialogue as characters we didn't know, fought bizarre looking demons, for reasons we could not comprehend. A few days after I returned to the States I was flipping through channels and I came across the start of an English speaking Buffy episode. More out of curiosity (to see how accurate we were in our "translations") I watched. While we had been dreadfully confused and mistaken about the characters, relationships, plots, and the overall purpose of the show, I was now quite taken with the wit, depth, and development of a program I had never "really" seen before. As chance would further have it, shortly thereafter, the WB network started replaying the original episodes starting from season one. I watched. I was hooked. And I'm not ashamed to admit it.
Shumate, John
The movie, , was a disappointment for me; hence, I never looked at its namesake on television until last April when I saw and and was taken with Alyson Hannigan's acting talents. My interest in what she was doing at the time took me to BtVS, and I was amazed that such a entertaining and thought provoking series was available on television. Currently, I spend an embarrassing amount of time with Buffy books, internet sites, DVDs, and the reruns on FX and the new episodes, until today, on UPN.
For what it's worth I'm 56, a Columbia College graduate, and have advanced degrees in philosophy and finance; and for my thought and money BtVS is the best television I've encountered in 48 years of watching.
The movie, , was a disappointment for me; hence, I never looked at its namesake on television until last April when I saw and and was taken with Alyson Hannigan's acting talents. My interest in what she was doing at the time took me to BtVS, and I was amazed that such a entertaining and thought provoking series was available on television. Currently, I spend an embarrassing amount of time with Buffy books, internet sites, DVDs, and the reruns on FX and the new episodes, until today, on UPN.
For what it's worth I'm 56, a Columbia College graduate, and have advanced degrees in philosophy and finance; and for my thought and money BtVS is the best television I've encountered in 48 years of watching.
Stecker, Helena
My name is Helena Stecker. I am a rehabilitation social worker at a hospital in Toronto, Canada. I came late to Buffy the Vampire Slayer (mid-Season 5), because I wrongly assumed that a show with such a kooky title would be somewhat akin in content to "Xena the Warrior Princess" or "Sabrina the Teenage Witch", with little to offer the intelligent viewer. That changed when I began my Master's degree internship in the palliative care unit of a geriatric facility in Toronto. My supervisor would often talk about Buffy, and how the slayer would deal with the politics of the hospital. I especially remember her response to the episode "The Body" and how impressed she was with the skillful handling of the range of emotional responses to Joyce Summers' death. Since my supervisor was one of the most intelligent and insightful people I had known, and had years of experience working with dying patients and their families, I decided to give Buffy a try. I was immediately struck by the level of sophistication in plot development, the razor-sharp writing, and the acting talents of the cast (especially the ability to portray great emotional depth). I am currently in the process of catching up on previous episodes and am amazed at how the narrative thread is continued throughout the series. I have been drawn into this show like no other and look forward to continuing critical dissemination of this body of work, especially now that the oeuvre is complete.
My name is Helena Stecker. I am a rehabilitation social worker at a hospital in Toronto, Canada. I came late to Buffy the Vampire Slayer (mid-Season 5), because I wrongly assumed that a show with such a kooky title would be somewhat akin in content to "Xena the Warrior Princess" or "Sabrina the Teenage Witch", with little to offer the intelligent viewer. That changed when I began my Master's degree internship in the palliative care unit of a geriatric facility in Toronto. My supervisor would often talk about Buffy, and how the slayer would deal with the politics of the hospital. I especially remember her response to the episode "The Body" and how impressed she was with the skillful handling of the range of emotional responses to Joyce Summers' death. Since my supervisor was one of the most intelligent and insightful people I had known, and had years of experience working with dying patients and their families, I decided to give Buffy a try. I was immediately struck by the level of sophistication in plot development, the razor-sharp writing, and the acting talents of the cast (especially the ability to portray great emotional depth). I am currently in the process of catching up on previous episodes and am amazed at how the narrative thread is continued throughout the series. I have been drawn into this show like no other and look forward to continuing critical dissemination of this body of work, especially now that the oeuvre is complete.
Stewart, Elizabeth
I'm an editor for engineering journals, and I have a bachelor's degree in anthropology from Vanderbilt University (1985). I saw the original movie of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I enjoyed it because I didn't expect anything from it but a fun B-movie. When I heard that a tv show was being made on the premise, I was right there from the beginning. I loved it, from the opening credits on, but at first I didn't expect it to turn out to be something so much better than the movie. It was during Buffy's "I'm sixteen, and I don't want to die" scene in Prophecy Girl - SMG's straight-to-the-heart acting, the perfection of the writing - that I realized that this wasn't just an enjoyable way to spend an hour a week; this MEANT something. More than just a good story, it was real, in a Joseph-Campbell-mythological sense. After that, I never missed an episode.
I'm an editor for engineering journals, and I have a bachelor's degree in anthropology from Vanderbilt University (1985). I saw the original movie of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I enjoyed it because I didn't expect anything from it but a fun B-movie. When I heard that a tv show was being made on the premise, I was right there from the beginning. I loved it, from the opening credits on, but at first I didn't expect it to turn out to be something so much better than the movie. It was during Buffy's "I'm sixteen, and I don't want to die" scene in Prophecy Girl - SMG's straight-to-the-heart acting, the perfection of the writing - that I realized that this wasn't just an enjoyable way to spend an hour a week; this MEANT something. More than just a good story, it was real, in a Joseph-Campbell-mythological sense. After that, I never missed an episode.
Stewart, Jenny
My name is Jenny Stewart and I teach media and film studies students to A Level students in Leicester in the UK. i was teaching the horror genre and was looking for a text that subverted the rules of the genre. i was aware of Buffy, yet had never really committed myself to watching an episode. I knew many of my students were fans and thus borrowed season 1 on DVD in Jan 2003 planning to watch just one episode. so there I sat one Saturday nite, thought 'hmmm, not bad, just one more'. this continued all weekend until I had viewed every episode in season 1. I have since bought every season on DVD and have become somewhat of an obsessive in a very short space of time. why I had I never discovered this powerful, witty, 'genre busting', realistic show that does not insult by intelligence before? Buffy maybe no more, but will stay with me forever. I've laughed, cried and literally been to hell and back.
My name is Jenny Stewart and I teach media and film studies students to A Level students in Leicester in the UK. i was teaching the horror genre and was looking for a text that subverted the rules of the genre. i was aware of Buffy, yet had never really committed myself to watching an episode. I knew many of my students were fans and thus borrowed season 1 on DVD in Jan 2003 planning to watch just one episode. so there I sat one Saturday nite, thought 'hmmm, not bad, just one more'. this continued all weekend until I had viewed every episode in season 1. I have since bought every season on DVD and have become somewhat of an obsessive in a very short space of time. why I had I never discovered this powerful, witty, 'genre busting', realistic show that does not insult by intelligence before? Buffy maybe no more, but will stay with me forever. I've laughed, cried and literally been to hell and back.
Syson, Paul
My name is Paul Syson, I live in England where I am studying for a B.A. Honours Degree in English, minoring in Sociology. I am currently writing my thesis on Buffy, and it's relevance to today's society, and our cultural need for heroes. I arrived at the programme by accident; in the UK the programme had been shoved from pillar to post by sloppy schedulers. The first episode I saw was 'I Robot, You Jane'. As I was around 15 years old at the time, the show spoke to me on many levels. I identified aspects of myself within in each of the characters, especially Willow. Eventually the show found a solid fan base, and I caught up on what I missed. By bizarre coincidence, I discovered the very first episode premiered in the US on March 10th, my birthday! So perhaps the chosen one chose me, at least that what I like to believe!
My name is Paul Syson, I live in England where I am studying for a B.A. Honours Degree in English, minoring in Sociology. I am currently writing my thesis on Buffy, and it's relevance to today's society, and our cultural need for heroes. I arrived at the programme by accident; in the UK the programme had been shoved from pillar to post by sloppy schedulers. The first episode I saw was 'I Robot, You Jane'. As I was around 15 years old at the time, the show spoke to me on many levels. I identified aspects of myself within in each of the characters, especially Willow. Eventually the show found a solid fan base, and I caught up on what I missed. By bizarre coincidence, I discovered the very first episode premiered in the US on March 10th, my birthday! So perhaps the chosen one chose me, at least that what I like to believe!
