Buffy The Vampire Slayer

The only thing worse than a sore loser is a sore winner. This may come off as cliché but life is competitive and true sportsmanship is rare these days. Sure it can be said that the negative is easier to believe and placing blame on others seems to alleviate the sting of loss, however, when one finds themselves in front of the pack, biting remarks thrown at the competition is just not taking the high road.

Webster’s defines Sportsmanship as fairness, respect for one’s opponent, and graciousness in winning or losing. Let’s try to keep that in mind and play nice with one another.

If my rant strikes anyone as odd, know it mostly stems from me craving some peace in my hectic life, not to mention the LA Kings losing streak and how badly my indoor soccer team lost last night. (We got spanked 9-3). Is it too much to ask for a little tranquility?

Foul mood already, but still maintaining graciousness in winning or losing, losing in my case, I read the comments made by Keith Marder, director of corporate publicity for The WB and found nothing tranquil there. Although the WB has had its share of disappointments this season, overall, the network is holding it’s own and bringing in good numbers so why the verbal assault? Yeah, yeah, talk show hosts do it all the time, but they aren’t running a network.

In his defense, the comments Mr. Marder made were not truly meant for the public’s ears, eyes and knowledge but as a former TV critic himself, he must have known his "jokes" would be leaked for all to know.

And before anyone jumps all over me in defense of free speech, let me say that I am well aware that he isn’t the only player to speak evils against other networks and I’m sure he won’t be the last but that doesn’t mean I have to condone it. Besides, I happen to like Shannen Doherty.

That said, let’s play "fly on the wall" for a taste of his "stand-up" act performed during an event at the winter TV Critics Association press tour where he spewed these gems:

"The WB had a lot of firsts in 2002. For instance, we aired the classic movie The Wizard of Oz, which was the first time the Wicked Witch was on The WB, and it wasn’t Shannen Doherty." "For everybody who [doesn’t know] what a dramedy is, it’s a show that’s part comedy, part drama. You know what you call a show that’s neither comedy nor drama? Dinotopia." Friends will be back for its 10th and third final season…Just in case the deal couldn’t be made for another season, they were ready with the series finale, which was to be called ’The One Where [NBC Entertainment president] Jeff Zucker Craps His Pants.’ " "The Norwalk virus affected thousands of people who became violently ill on luxury cruise liners. There hasn’t been this much nausea associated with a cruise ship since UPN’s remake of The Love Boat." CSI: Miami has been a great addition to the CBS lineup…I heard they’re also developing CSI: Special Victims Unit, Dateline CSI and CSI: FOX, because everything’s dying over there." So much for playing nice.

Reigning in an abundance of Mutant Enemy news on and off the sets

Blame it on the approaching full moon or something in the cosmos perhaps, but this week Mutant Enemy dominated the news. Granted, the TCA press conference always generates a buzz but information on Buffy, Angel and even Firefly seemed endless.

First, congratulations are in order. Alexis Denisof (Angel) proposed to girlfriend Alyson Hannigan (Buffy) in December. Full details are available in ScoopMe!’s Side Notes.

Also to be congratulated is Andy Hallett (Angel) on his new status as a regular cast member. Beginning 02/26/03, with the episode "Release," Andy goes from recurring to regular cast member and fans can see Andy’s names in lights, or rather in the new opening credits. "They just announced it two days ago (01/09/03), so you’ll be seeing more of Lorne, which I never expected, by the way." Hallett said in a recent interview.

After all that good news, I’m pained to report some bad news for Firefly. According to Mutant Enemy president Christopher Buchanan, ABC, CBS, NBC, UPN and the SCI FI Channel have all turned down deals to resurrect the SF series, at least so far. "The status of Firefly as of today is, ... the clock is running down in the fourth quarter, and we’re 90 yards away from the goal line, and the Hail Mary is coming up."

The Firefly team is still holding on to hope and Buchanan admits that the series’ elaborate sets remain intact for now although, "We’ve explored some of the networks and haven’t really made a lot of progress [because], the cost of the show, the timing, the fact that we didn’t finish a full season and have other networks out there figuring out what they have in terms of pilots, what they have in terms of their own series cancellations. Timing is just horrible."

The fate of three original episodes that have yet to air also remains unanswered.

Moving on to Buffy; much has been rumored, denied, speculated and wished about the return of Buffy the Vampire Slayer for an 8th season. The clock is ticking down to a decision and everyone seems to have an opinion. While I’m a believer that opinions are a good thing, the abundance of them does nothing to clear up the question of "will it or won’t it return." To further the confusion, CBS President Leslie Moonves, who also oversees UPN, said at the TCA press tour that UPN is currently in talks with the show producer 20th Century Fox, about keeping the show for another season, which raises the question of "if the shows returns, will Sarah Michelle Gellar?"

Most recently, various options for an 8th season have been tossed about. Though SMG herself has remained mum, those close to the set say she isn’t likely to return in a fulltime capacity, if at all. If SMG opts not to return full-time, there is the possibility of her appearing part-time or creating a spin-off of sorts with a different slayer or actually canceling the show altogether.

Fortunately for fans, WB honcho, Jordan Levin knows how to play nice. After the UPN/WB feud when Buffy changed networks, crossovers have been limited to a spoken line here or there but Levin says he’s "given Joss permission to reunite Buffy and Angel on UPN for Ms. Gellar’s finale, if she’s quitting the role. I told Joss that if it was creatively justified, and in the best interest of the show’s storytelling, and something he feels is necessary, I certainly wouldn’t stand in the way."

Marti Noxon, James Marsters and Nicholas Brendon had this to say about next season:

?? Executive producer Marti Noxon says she’s leaving the door open to coming back, "I had really mixed feelings, and I think one of the reasons I wouldn’t want to come back would just be that I feel like we’re still doing a really, really good show, and if Sarah leaves and the show changes, it might be time to just say, Look, we left while it was still fantastic." James Marsters remains open to more seasons, "I’m interested in continuing with the show. Contractually, it depends on if it’s still Buffy or not whether I’m committed to it. That’s the legal sense. But artistically I’m interested in continuing with the writers and producers." Nicholas Brendon also remains open to returning, "I’m having a great time. I would love to [do another season]. ... I think we have some great stuff in it still." Over on Angel, the cast and crew are also gearing up for contract renewal talks.

Additionally, Amy Acker mentioned in an interview that the team is currently filming the three-episode story arc with Eliza Dushku returning as Faith. On working with Eliza, Amy touts, "She’s great. Fred and Faith haven’t had too much interaction. But it’s a good, you know, tough energy to have on the set."

Alexis Denisof, who worked with Eliza during his Buffy days says, "I love her character, and she’s great to work with. She just gives you so much, and she’s spontaneous and fun and dangerous, and it’s a blast. I’m always happy when they put our characters together. Because I think exciting things happen when our characters are together."

Show Spoilers .

Angel

Pictures for "Long Day’s Journey" and "Awakening" are now posted on Comics Continuum:

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0301/13/index.htm.

Episode 4-10: "Awakening" airs 01/29. In an attempt to locate the Beast and restore the Sun, Wesley brings in a dark mystic to extract Angel’s soul and release Angelus, who Cordy foretold would make a deadly pact with the demon. DETAILED specifics can be found on this episode in the 12/19/02 Inside Dish.

Episode 4-11: "Soulless" airs 02/05/03. With Angel’s soul locked away in a safe, the gang begins interrogation. Angelus has the gang arguing after he reveals the truth behind their recent actions. Cordelia makes a deal with Angelus to "give herself to him," providing he can give the gang the information they need. He agrees and tells them that in 1789, The Beast needed his help while trying to kill a group of Nordic Svea Priestesses. Angelus declined to help and the Svears successfully banished The Beast from Earth. Angelus reveals the Svears’ current location, but when the gang locate them, they are already dead. Cordy decides the deal is null and void because the information Angelus provided came to late to help the gang. The gang prepares to restore Angel’s soul, but there is just one problem.... the safe is empty.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

January 28th is a repeat of "Help".

Last week I filled you in on "Potential" so this week, let’s delve into "The Killer in Me" and "First Date."

Episode 7-13: "The Killer in Me." Airs 02/04/03. Amy and Warren make appearances. Willow and Kennedy have moved into a more "familiar" relationship but Willow manifests into Warren and goes about recreating Tara’s death. Kennedy is able to snap her out if it. Her transformation may be due in part to guilt or shenanigans pulled by Amy. Spike’s chip causes him pain so Buffy attempts to contact Riley (though he does not make an appearance) for information. Riley sends help who inform them that the chip was never meant for long term and it’ll kill the Hostile 17 if not removed or repaired. Buffy decides to have it removed and from all accounts, she makes the decision and no one else appears to like it much. Giles takes the SITs on a desert retreat but not Kennedy who feigns illness to stay behind. Xander, Anya and Dawn find out that Giles was attacked by a Bringer while still in England and they worry that he is the First, so they interrupt the retreat to quiz him on his unusual behavior and he proves he isn’t the First. An interesting analysis from a reputable source claims, "Episode 13 also calls to our attention yet another thing that Spike and Buffy share - a feeling that they’ve lived longer than they were expected to."

Episode 1-14: "First Date," airs 02/11. Possibly Xander-centric. Ashanti guest stars and a new Potential is introduced, Chao-Ahn. Giles found her somewhere in Asia and her English is minimal. Buffy goes on a date with Principle Wood and he reveals that his mother was a slayer. All indications point to it being Nikki, the gal killed by Spike in New York. Wood also gets a visit from the First in the form of his mother. Xander takes out a gal (much to Anya’s chagrin) who turns out to be a vamp that wants to ’bleed’ him to raise another Turok-Han.

The First may also visit Andrew in the form of Jonathan.

Episode 1-15 "Get It Done" airs 02/18/03. Buffy time-travels to meet the original slayer and Aimee Mann makes an appearance.

Miracles (David Greenwalt)

Episode P-1: "Pilot." Airs 1/27/03. Show background, courtesy of www.abc.com: Paul Callan, an investigator of modern miracles, finds the result is always the same: a mundane explanation and a crowd of disappointed believers. Then something happens to change all that. Paul’s life is saved by Tommy Ferguson, a young boy with the power to heal. But Tommy pays for the miracle with his life. Just before Tommy dies - and Paul is given a second life - they both see the words "God Is Now Here" written in Paul’s blood. And suddenly, nothing will ever be the same. As Paul tries to understand what has happened to him, he joins forces with Alva Keel, a former Harvard professor and current investigator of the paranormal. Both men feel the other possesses the key to a larger mystery - the rapidly growing number of "strange occurrences" that happen all over the world and which may point to a frightening and deadly "large event" that is coming. With the help of former police officer Evelyn Santos, these investigators will go anywhere and do anything to uncover the unexplained, and try to find a solution to the coming "darkness"… before it’s too late.

Where are they now?

Adam Baldwin (Firefly) stars in Control Factor, airing 1/18/03 on SCI FI. Metro Entertainment holds autograph signings at their retail store in Santa Barbara, California. Next up: Amber Benson (Buffy) 1/25/03 and Anthony Montgomery and Dominic Keating (Enterprise) February 1st. Check the site for more details: http://www.metroautographs.com/upcomingevents.html Bradley Cooper (Alias) stars in The Last Cowboy airing on the Hallmark Channel tonight - 1/17/03. Cooper plays a horse trainer. Derek de Lint (Alias) guest stars in the pilot episode of Veritas: The Quest premiering January 27th. Simon Cowell (American Idol) and CBS are collaborating on a dating show with elements of American Idol, Sex and the City and The Bachelorette, tentatively titled Cupid. According to reports the premise revolves around a young single woman who cavorts across the country to audition prospective mates. Seth Green (Buffy) is set to guest-star on That 70’s Show 2/26/03. NBC’s upcoming special In Style Celebrity Weddings, airing 1/21/03, features Vera Wang discussing what went into designing Sarah Michelle Gellar’s (Buffy) wedding dress. Jonathan Frakes (Roswell) directing the Thunderbirds remake, a live-action movie based on the cult 1960s British marionette TV show. Chad Michael Murray (Gilmore Girls, Dawson’s Creek) stars as the Lone Ranger in The WB’s 2-hour TV flick The Lone Ranger. Airs 2/26/03, check your local listings for times. Although the network’s options with the cast have expired and "producing a western on a regular basis is an extremely costly proposition," should the movie do well, a series might be on the horizon. They said it:

"What we saw with Birds of Prey was even though we felt we didn’t do a good job of executing that series, that there was a core male audience there that was available for fantasy-type programming. With Fastlane vacating that time slot, Angel becomes the only real male drama in the time slot." - says Jordan Levin, entertainment president of The WB on moving Angel to its new night.