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"In every generation, there is a Chosen Podcast."
Episodes
Saturday Aug 31, 2019
Saturday Aug 31, 2019
Stage and screen legend Joel Grey joins the series, and so from this point on Conversations with Dead People is a Joel Grey fan podcast. Sorry Buffy fans.
Okay, seriously, we’re into the darkness of the near-end of Season 5 now, which of course is also a LOT of foreshadowing of the darkness awaiting us in Season 6. To help me get through the pain of these episodes Melane Scala is back, bringing with her a refreshing appreciation for the character of Dawn. In 517, “Forever,” the Summers girls, with Spike’s help, just barely manage to stay out of full-blown zombie mom territory. Episode 518, “Intervention” gives us a Buffy and Giles wearing turtleneck sweaters and jackets in the desert, Spike’s post-coital hair, and a Scooby Gang that inexplicably can’t recognize a Buffybot just weeks after instantly spotting the Aprilbot. And 519, “Tough Love” struggles with writing/pacing issues, but still gives us our first glimpse of Dark Willow. And my questions about the way the show treats issues of mental health, raised way back at the beginning of the season, are brought back for further consideration.
Next: things get seriously dire in the next couple of episodes, so what better time to welcome a shiny new guest to the podcast? Margaret Ann Robbins joins me for her debut Conversation as we discuss episodes 520, “Spiral,” and 521, “The Weight of the World.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Run Time: 01:35:25
00:00:55 - Intro / Guest
00:03:35 - Main Topic
01:31:35 - Outro / Next
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Tales of Brave Ulysses” by Cream, Disraeli Tears (1967)
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 Aug 17, 2019
Saturday Aug 17, 2019
“But I don't understand! I don't understand how this all happens. How we go through this. I knew her, and then she's—there's just a body, and I don't understand why she just can't get back in it and not be dead ... anymore! It's stupid! It's mortal and stupid! And ... and Xander's crying and not talking, and ... and I was having fruit punch, and I thought, well, Joyce will never have any more fruit punch, ever, and she'll never have eggs, or yawn, or brush her hair, not ever, and no one will explain to me why!”
Next: someone (TBD) will join me to discuss episodes 517, “Forever,” 518, “Intervention,” and 519, “Tough Love.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Run Time: 01:44:16
00:00:55 - Intro / Guest
00:06:27 - Main Topic
01:40:56 - Outro / Next
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Now Only” by Mount Eerie, Now Only (2018)
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 Aug 10, 2019
Saturday Aug 10, 2019
Jessica Hautsch is back in the cemetery to discuss two more episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Being massive Spike fans, episode 514, “Crush” gives us both a lot to talk about. Episode 515, “I Was Made to Love You” gives us...less. We have plenty to say about the performative nature of Spike, the arc of his moral continuum, and how wisely (or not) vampires are able to love. We go on and on about how problematic he can be, how much we love him in spite of all that, and how intensely, annoyingly metatextual and condescending Quasimodo comparisons are.
“Doesn’t seem to me it matters very much how you start out.”
When it comes to long, compelling conversations about misogynistic geeks and sex robots...we do all right.
Next: My hetero life mate Arlo Wiley returns to help me tackle the heartbreaking 516, “The Body.” Have the Kleenex ready.
THE BREAKDOWN
Run Time: 01:42:05
00:00:55 - Intro / Guest
00:02:28 - Main Topic
01:38:30 - Outro / Next
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“I Was Made For Lovin’ You” by Kiss, Dynasty (1979)
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 Jul 27, 2019
Saturday Jul 27, 2019
Wait, Ben is Glory?!
THE BREAKDOWN
Run Time: 01:11:53
00:00:55 - Intro / Guest / R.I.P. Rutger Hauer
00:06:24 - Main Topic
01:06:33 - Outro / Next
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” by R.E.M., Monster (1994)
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 Jul 13, 2019
Saturday Jul 13, 2019
Jessica Hautsch is back and prepared to face off with me about the Buffy / Riley breakup. In 510, “Into the Woods,” I finally come to the presumed end of my Quixotic mission to defend Riley Finn...because the writers FINALLY dump him unceremoniously. Did Captain Cornfed get a fair shake, from the writers or the audience? Was Xander unfair to Buffy? Was Buffy’s slaying of the Junkie Vampire Girl problematic? There might not be any easy answers. In 511, “Triangle” however, there ARE some easy answers. Is Anya’s talk with Xander about wanting a ticking bomb clock for any future breakup heartbreaking? Yes it is. Is Buffy’s sobbing a little too cartoonish? Affirmative. Is Spike’s continued fetish for greasy bar food adorable? Abso-bloomin-lutely.
Next: I and a mystery guest TBD will be discussing episodes 512, “Checkpoint” and 513, “Blood Ties.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Run Time: 01:41:35
00:00:55 - Intro / Guest
00:04:55 - Main Topic
01:35:22 - Outro / Next
THE LIBRARY
Fan Phenomena: Harry Potter, edited by Valerie Frankel
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Don’t Turn Around” by Bonnie Tyler, Hide Your Heart (1988)
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.
Friday Jun 28, 2019
Friday Jun 28, 2019
No good deed goes unpunished, and so Michael Holland pays for being such a great guest last week, where we got to discuss one (maybe two?) of the best episodes in the entire series. His penance? He’s back with me again, which is perhaps punishment enough, but in fact he’s here to talk about Buffy the Vampire Slayer episodes 508, “Shadow” and 509, “Listening to Fear.” In the former he’s forced to endure the worst CGI snake demon the show ever conjures up, and in the latter he struggles to survive the show’s embarrassing X-Files envy.
(That’ll teach him to be so smart and fun, huh?)
Next: PhD student, Slayage contributor, and fellow Spuffy fanatic Jessica Hautsch returns to discuss episodes 510, “Into the Woods” and 511, “Triangle.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Run Time: 01:25:50
00:00:55 - Intro / Guest
00:04:00 - Main Topic
01:18:15 - Outro / Next
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE LINKS
Michael’s Blog - Holland Imaginarium
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“The X-Files Theme” by The Dust Brothers, X-Files: The Album (1998)
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 Jun 22, 2019
Saturday Jun 22, 2019
I’m a bad podcaster, but I’m a good man. I’m just so into this Buffy the Vampire Slayer rewatch lately that I decided to get really sick just as we start getting into the episodes that deal with Joyce getting really sick. Fortunately I SEEM to have rounded a corner, and with luck (and maybe a little bit of magic?) this silly little podcast will now get back on some kind of regular track.
That track begins with the triumphant return of Michael Holland, Manager of Television for Warner Bros. Post Production Creative Services, who joins me for a very special episode. We kick off with 506, “Family,” where we talk about the way patriarchal systems dehumanize women and how the Jossian found family narrative is perhaps the most profound and moving aspect of anything set in the Whedonverse. And with 507, “Fool for Love,” we reach what is arguably, for me personally, the high water mark of the series. I know, there’s still a lot of great stuff coming up. But...well let’s just say I’m a Spike fan, and I kinda sorta like what this episodes does for the character. (WARNING: We talk about Spike, like, a LOT.)
Next: I have so much fun talking with Michael Holland that I’m not letting him leave. He rejoins me next week to find out if episodes 508, “Shadow” and 509, “Listening to Fear” can possibly live up to the wonders we witnessed this week.
THE BREAKDOWN
Run Time: 01:32:26
00:00:55 - Intro / Apologies / Guest
00:05:11 - Family
00:37:03 - Fool for Love
01:26:38 - Outro / Next
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE LINKS
Michael’s Blog - Holland Imaginarium
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” by Melanie Doane, Adam’s Rib (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 Jun 15, 2019
Saturday Jun 15, 2019
Plague demons worked their worst to keep this episode out of your earbuds, faithful listeners. But I have valiantly fought my way free of the mucous-based hell dimension to finally bring you my discussion with the inimitable Stephanie Graves about 504, “Out of My Mind” and 505, “No Place Like Home.” People still hate Dawn; Spike gets arguably the greatest five-word quote in the entire damn series; and there’s something about that boy Ben...I can’t quite put my finger on it...
Next: I, and presumably a guest, who shall remain a mystery for now since I can’t get confirmation from anyone, will be discussing episodes 506, “Family” and, a big one for me personally, 507, “Fool for Love.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Run Time: 01:26:39
00:00:55 - Intro / Guest
00:04:22 - Main Topic
01:22:20 - Outro / Next
THE LIBRARY
Joss Whedon vs. the Horror Tradition: The Production of Genre in Buffy and Beyond, edited by K. K. Woofter and Lorna Jowett
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“No Place Like Home” by Todrick Hall, Straight Outta Oz (2016)
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 25, 2019
Saturday May 25, 2019
Are season openers the weakest link in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer chain? Is Rudolf Martin an interesting Prince of Darkness? Are Xander’s days of being everybody’s butt-monkey finally over? Dax Stokes, host of the podcast The Vampire Historian, makes his Conversations debut to discuss these and other very, very important questions. In the Season 5 premiere, “Buffy vs. Dracula,” that poncy bugger turns up to feed Xander bugs and smolder ineffectually as he blathers on about the Slayer’s darkness. In “Real Me,” Buffy’s little sister finally gets an episode of her own, only 79 episodes into the series, and of course she has a crush on Xander. And in “The Replacement,” Anya almost gets to live the dream with two Xanders at once.
It’s a big week for the X-Man.
Next: Mr. Point Award-winner Stephanie Graves returns to discuss episodes 504, “Out of My Mind” and 505, “No Place Like Home.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Run Time: 01:47:15
00:00:55 - Intro / Guest
00:11:10 - Main Topic
01:40:29 - Outro / Next
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE LINKS
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Hungarian Dance No. 5 in G Minor” by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Walter Weller, Dracula: Dead and Loving It (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.
Friday May 17, 2019
Friday May 17, 2019
Multi-Mr. Pointy Award-winning author Mary Ellen Iatropoulos returns to discuss Franken-Forrest, Cabin in the Woods, and Joss’ obsession with concepts of hybridization in 421, “Primeval.” And then Season Four comes to it’s oh-so-welcome end with 422, “Restless,” which features some very unsubtle lesbian metaphors, Spike swinging really high, Mayor Meat, and the debate and confusion around the name of the First Slayer.
Oh, and we share our perhaps problematic love of the film Ghostbusters.
Next: I’m joined by Dax Stokes, host of the award-winning podcast The Vampire Historian to discuss the first three episodes of Season 5, “Buffy vs. Dracula,” “Real Me,” and “The Replacement.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Run Time: 02:01:04
00:00:55 - Intro / Guest
00:04:33 - Main Topic
01:53:30 - Outro / Next
THE LIBRARY
Joss Whedon and Race: Critical Essays, edited by Mary Ellen Iatropoulos and Lowery A. Woodall III
The Aesthetics of Culture in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, by Matthew Pateman
THE LINKS
Mary Ellen Iatropoulos’ Website
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“The Exposition Song” by Anthony Stewart Head (2000)
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.