Episodes
Saturday May 19, 2018
Episode 11 - Surprise / Innocence (feat. James Rocha)
Saturday May 19, 2018
Saturday May 19, 2018
“I slept with my boyfriend and he doesn’t call me anymore, and now he’s killing hookers in alleys.” Listen Buffy, if I had a nickel for every time I went through the exact same thing…
This week I’m joined by James Rocha, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Fresno State to commiserate over the Shakespearean tragedies that are episodes 213, “Surprise” and 214, “Innocence.” We talk about the pros and cons of the “Monster of the Week” format of storytelling; the confusing and inconsistent dichotomy of Angel/Angelus; the efficacy of gypsy curses; how Evil throws much better parties than Good; and I make my first (of likely many) references to the classic The Tick animated series. And as a special bonus you get a very, VERY early discussion about my unique frustration with one aspect of the series (not season, but series) finale. A not-so-subtle hint at what this whole podcast is building up to.
Next: I’m joined by Johny Ho, long time friend and very active fan and organizer in the Brazilian Buffy fan community. We’re going to be discussing episodes 215, “Phases,” 216, “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered,” and 217, “Passion.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:05:35)
Main Topic (00:05:35 - 01:35:23)
Outro / Next (01:35:23 - 01:40:50)
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Close Your Eyes” by Christophe Beck, Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Album (1999)
THE SCHOLARS
Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.
Saturday May 12, 2018
Episode 10 - Ted / Bad Eggs (feat. Kenn Edwards)
Saturday May 12, 2018
Saturday May 12, 2018
Renaissance Man Kenn Edwards jumps on the mic with me to discuss the possibly(?) underappreciated episodes “Ted” and “Bad Eggs.” He brings with him his unique sense of...let’s call it whimsy, and his particular gift for finding a metatextual angle to every pop culture conversation. For example we talk about how Ted Buchanan represents the “programming” of entitled white males; how Buffy the Vampire Slayer knows we hate how clueless Joyce is and keeps on beating that dead horse intentionally to make us all feel as frustrated as her daughter does; we ask what’s up with all those upside down items in the school vending machine; and Kenn say I really need to look at the ultra-cheesy rubber monsters on the series in a completely different way.
Bonus: I make a controversial confession. Cue the torches and pitchforks.
Next: I’m joined by James Rocha, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Fresno State and contributor to Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies. We’ll be discussing the one-two punch of episodes 213, “Surprise” and 214, “Innocence.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:10:20)
Main Topic (00:10:20 - 01:45:05)
Outro / Next (01:45:05 - 01:51:52)
THE LIBRARY
The Sandman Companion, by Hy Bender
THE LINKS
The Alex Jonestown Massacre - “What We Do Is Stupid”
The Joke, a film by Kenn Edwards
A / V, a film by Joseph William Lewis, starring Kenn Edwards
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“I Wanna Be a Cowboy” by Boys Don’t Cry, Boys Don’t Cry (1986)
THE SCHOLARS
Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.
Saturday May 05, 2018
Saturday May 05, 2018
Watcher-in-Training Melanie Scala joins me in the cemetery this week to discuss the first two parter of Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s second season, “What’s My Line? (Part One)” and “What’s My Line? (Part Two).” These episodes mark a significant turning point in the arc of the series. By introducing the concept of a second Slayer being activated, and fleshing out some further details on how the Slayer/Watcher dynamic works outside of the Buffy/Giles paradigm, the world of the Buffyverse expands dramatically. But what in the name of all the hell dimensions is up with that accent?!
Also, the Order of Taraka absolutely will! not! stop! hunting Buffy...umm, until they do; Bad Pants; our Jonathan Count reaches “Hostage Guy” status; the term Scooby Gang is FINALLY officially coined; and should said Gang ever have to contain Angel, for whatever reason, not saying they would, but you know, just in case, all they’ll need is a cheap padlock and it should be all good.
Next: my good friend and frequent podcast collaborator Kenn Edwards, actor, writer, director, and stand-up comedian is joining me to find something of value in episodes 211, “Ted” and 212, “Bad Eggs.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Intro / Guest (00:00 - 07:27)
Main Topic (07:27 - 1:19:29)
Outro / Next (1:19:29 - 1:23:16)
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Scooby Doo, Where Are You?” by Matthew Sweet, Saturday Morning: Cartoons Greatest Hits (1995)
THE SCHOLARS
Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.