Buffy The Vampire Slayer

Carrie Graham, right, gets an autograph Saturday from actor Mark Lutz at the convention for fans of the TV shows "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Angel."

’Slayer Convention’ attracts ’Buffy,’ ’Angel’ fans to downtown hotel

Compared to many science fiction and fantasy-film gatherings, the "Slayer Convention" happening this weekend at the Marriott hotel in downtown Knoxville might seem subdued in its celebration of the TV show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and its spin-off "Angel."

There are not the usual rows and rows of collectible merchandise, only a small store of T-shirts, photos and action figures.

There are no throngs of decked-out superfans in capes and space suits, just a costume contest planned for this afternoon.

There are also a couple of missing celebrities. "Buffy" series regular Anthony Stewart Head (who played "Giles") canceled the day before the event. "Angel" actor Andy Hallett (the green-skinned karaoke demon "Lorne") had air-travel troubles, and his arrival was postponed until Saturday evening.

But despite the missing stars, 200 or so were on hand for the chance to chat and mingle with their favorite actors in a relaxed, intimate atmosphere.

"We were disappointed when ’Giles’ canceled, and we’ve been a little disappointed at the postponement of Andy Hallet," said Kelly Harris of Knoxville. "But we’ve had a good time meeting Buffy people and seeing people who are as obsessed as we are."

"And more so," added Harris’ friend Yvonne Loveday.

"Yeah, we’ve discovered we’re only the ’midlevel,’ " Harris said. "We thought we were the ’crazy’ people."

Hallet was expected to make it to the Marriott in time for his part in a series of question-and-answer sessions. A big part of convention interaction, these meetings work as a "debriefing" for the fans who followed the ins and outs of the characters’ lives for seven years of "Buffy" and five of "Angel."

During her session, actress Clare Kramer, who played a villain named Glory, fielded questions about her approach to acting and her on-set experiences. She told the crowd how fortunate she felt that "Buffy" was her "big break" in Hollywood.

Fan Jill Collins of Knoxville enjoyed getting to quiz Kramer.

"Finding out that I had pegged her character motivation was kind of thrilling," said Collins, who says her appreciation of the series is "academic," as opposed to being a "rabid-fan girl."

For the actors’ part, the chat, photo and autograph sessions give them a chance to meet people who enjoy their work.

"There’s nothing more gratifying as an actor than to be able to meet people who watch your programming and give you commentary on it," said Scott L. Schwartz, who played a vampire biker in "Buffy" and has also appeared in films such as "Ocean’s 11."

Fans came from across the country for the chance to socialize and discuss the now-defunct cult-hit shows

Anne Adams of Gulfport, Miss., left her home two weeks ago just before Hurricane Katrina hit. She spent time with friends in Shreveport, La., before taking her already-planned trip to the convention.

"I just had to come regardless of Katrina," she said, "because when I go back, it’s really going to be dreary."