PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: PALEYFEST 2008: 25TH ANNUAL WILLIAM S. PALEY TELEVISION FESTIVAL: BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER REUNION {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media's William S. Paley Television Festival in Los Angeles. Held this year at the Cinerama Dome at the Arclight, the festival celebrates the excellence and diversity of American television and is dedicated to television's creative community. This evening marks the reunion of cast and crew members from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," the popular series about a teenage vampire slayer named Buffy and her colleagues, who fight an unending battle against the undead. Matt Roush (senior TV critic, TV Guide) moderates. Barbara Dixon (director of The Paley Center in L.A.) offers opening remarks. Dixon then acknowledges William C. Paley, son of the festival's namesake, in the audience.
Next, Roush brings executive producer/writer Marti Noxon to the stage. Noxon introduces one of the series' most popular episodes, the music-filled "Once More, With Feeling," which is screened in its entirety. (For synopsis and credits, see B:92507.)
Roush then introduces the panelists: Noxon; executive producer/creator/writer Joss Whedon; producer/writer David Greenwalt; and cast members Amber Benson (Tara Maclay); Seth Green (Daniel "Oz" Osbourne); Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia Chase); Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers); Emma Caulfield (Anya Jenkins); James Marsters (Spike); Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris); and Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers). Eliza Dushku (Faith Lehane) was scheduled to participate but was unable to attend.
The panelists discuss topics which include: if singing in the musical show "Once More, With Feeling" made it the hardest episode for the cast; if "Buffy" could be reincarnated on Broadway; why the sixth season had a darker tone than its predecessors; what happened when the series switched from the WB to UPN; why Whedon always referred to Gellar as "Jimmy Stewart"; if Whedon will create a "Buffy" sequel; sexual symbolism on the show; Whedon continuing the "Buffy" storyline in comic books; cast members' enduring reactions to "The Body" episode, in which the mother of Buffy and Dawn dies; why Whedon was particularly challenged by the "Hush" episode, which featured almost no dialogue; Benson's feelings on playing a lesbian, then having her character killed off; Carpenter having trepidations about taking her Charisma character to the "Buffy" spin-off, "Angel"; and if Gellar minded that "Buffy" never got "industry respect."
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following topics: panelists' favorite movie and iPod song; why Oz's storyline was phased out; if Whedon was bothered by the age difference between lovers Buffy and Angel; composer Christophe Beck's musical contributions to the show; future projects for the cast and crew members; and what panelists miss most about being on "Buffy."
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: March 20, 2008 7:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 2:15:27
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:92173
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Barbara Dixon … Host
- Matt Roush … Moderator
- Joss Whedon … Panelist
- Marti Noxon … Panelist
- David Greenwalt … Panelist
- Amber Benson … Panelist
- Seth Green … Panelist
- Charisma Carpenter … Panelist
- Michelle Trachtenberg … Panelist
- Emma Caulfield … Panelist
- James Marsters … Panelist
- Nicholas Brendon … Panelist
- Sarah Michelle Gellar … Panelist
- William C. Paley … Guest
- Christophe Beck
- Eliza Dushku
- James Stewart