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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:48:01 GMT -5
Joyce Milliman's stuff is now appearing in The Boston Globe and the NY Times. I remember a Salon writer named, I think, Stephanie Zacharek or something similar, who wrote some wonderful stuff during season 6. She really nailed down for me all the things I loved about Season 6, and championed it even when most folks were pooh-poohing it as the worst season ever.
Athene V
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:48:33 GMT -5
FYI, there is no emphasis added in the preceding article -- the parenthetical statement about Spike in all-caps is EXACTLY how the WB has it posted on their website.
David Crenshaw
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:48:58 GMT -5
Sue - just wanted to say you made some great points. Particularly about Spike not being a "cool" character. He "puts on" the cool, and everyone knows it. I mean, can you imagine that Fonz's backstory would have had him writing excrutiatingly bad, overly-romantic love poems to a woman who would have nothing to do with him, and reading them to his mummy? Or the Fonz being treated as a smarmy outcast by the rest of the characters? Besides - Spike isn't cool. He's hot. We all know that. Yes, like you Sue - the points made that I did agree with - too much SiTS has zilch to do with Spike. And I forgive the writers even on that point, as I think that had the very, very tricky job of trying to allow and prepare for a lot of different spin-off or series continuation options. As far as JM being like Shatner - too absurd for words!! James' performance all Season is Emmy worthy, and I hope he gets the recognition he deserves.
Spring Summers
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:50:24 GMT -5
//the parenthetical statement about Spike in all-caps is EXACTLY how the WB has it posted on their website. //
Sort of feel sorry for James--that kind of thing on behalf of the network can't be good for cast harmony from the get-go.
Sue P
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:51:00 GMT -5
//I wonder how that is decided (re: cast order)? Other than DB being first. Some shows do it alphabetically. Clearly this must have been negotiated by his agent. Wonder how the other leads feel?//
So far, Angel and Buffy do it quite similarly, with the significance of the characters sort of being ranked. Willow, for example, was always Buffy's best friend, so Alyson came second in the cast list following Sarah, and then moved to the end of the list to take Tony Head's place when he left full-time status. James is sliding right into Charisma's spot on the Angel cast list. Where he's listed is right where she always was.
David Crenshaw
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:51:28 GMT -5
With Buffy folding and Charisma Carpenter leaving Angel, there's no one left that had full-time status during season 1 of Buffy. David Boreanaz was considered a semi-regular (ala Anthony Stewart Head now) during Buffy's first season, and he is now the only person left that's been there since the beginning. If Charisma had stayed, she'd have been the last. This, of course, is not counting Joss Whedon himself.
David Crenshaw
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:52:12 GMT -5
I second, or third maybe, all of that. Well put, both of you.
Lee Parish
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:52:58 GMT -5
Of course FX repeated Doppelgangland last night and this morning. AH so deserved recognition for that ep. I'm not sure what the Academy allows you to submit. How do you send a reel which says: a. This is Alyson playing Willow. b. This is Alyson playing Vampire Willow. c. This is Alyson playing Willow playing VW because you need to see significant portions of all three portrayals to appreciate the spectacular acting involved. So much more nuanced than just doing a good job of playing one character. (Like John Laroquette (who actually is an incredible actor with a wide wide range--but you didn't see that range on Night Court) getting 5 Emmys in a row for playing the same sex-crazed district attorney. James should receive an Emmy for his entire body of work on Buffy because he has taken one character and portrayed such an incredible range of roles.
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:53:18 GMT -5
It's also in USA TODAY which reports that Spike will definitely travel to LA. Smallville is the new lead-in.
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:53:39 GMT -5
Spring - I meant to put your name in the subject. I'm doing about 5 things at once, and being interrupted at all of them.
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:54:22 GMT -5
//Sort of feel sorry for James--that kind of thing on behalf of the network can't be good for cast harmony from the get-go.//
Maybe it's a good thing Charisma won't be around next season, for that reason. In interviews, she always came across as most grateful for the severed apron strings between BtVS and AtS. She tried for diplomacy, but it never sounded sincere -- everyone else pulled it off. I just get the impression that Charisma had some heartburn (or just plain ego) toward the cast of BtVS, but everyone else would be willing to welcome James aboard.
David Crenshaw
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:55:26 GMT -5
Thank you, David, that makes a lot of sense, and puts her subsequent behavior in much clearer perspective. I'll pass your comments on to my friends. I've been thinking further about Kennedy (picture me wandering around the grocery store in a mental fog, musing on Buffy), and I'm leaning towards kind of almost liking her again. Positive points: She helped Willow get through the whole Warren-spell incident. Very supportive there. She came back after Willow scared the hell out of her by drawing on her for energy. Most of all, she didn't pull a Parker after their first night together. Is she right for Willow in the long term? Probably not, but she could grow up to be a good friend, given some firm talking to, a little time, and losing that stupid tongue stud. All this, of course, assuming they survive... I think that covers it. Thanks for the new insight, Dave.
Anne Davis
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:56:54 GMT -5
Doppelgangland was always one of my favorite episodes. Alyson did an incredible job in playing both roles (and, as you said, in playing one role pretending to be the other); both variations of Willow were so completely different and yet she managed in one episode to make them feel unique and three dimensional. Many actors can be good at one particular role, to the point that they earn an Emmy or Oscar or Tony for it, but they flounder if they try anything else. I was floored by Alyson's performance in that episode. A lot of credit is given to Sarah for her acting chops, but I've always believed Alyson was the best actor on BtVS hands down (no slight intended to either James or Tony, both of which are also good, but Alyson is still better). And also another actor that's incredible is Alexis Denisof. Not just for the way he's pulled off the evolution of Wesley, but if you get a chance, watch him in Billy as he stalks Fred through the Hyperion. His performance is right out of the Shining and would make Jack Nicholson proud.
David Crenshaw
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:57:42 GMT -5
Thank you, David, I can smile again. I've lusted after Giles since that first scene in the library...
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Post by Dalton on Oct 10, 2003 15:58:15 GMT -5
Sue, you said - a "mother-superior" type: older female ala Giles in Buffy. (still probably wind up looking like middle-aged Raquel Welch rather than a real human being)-- I know, Jean Stapleton!
Hey, if we're dreaming, how about Judy Dench? After all, she's done her own TV shows before.
Anne Davis
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