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"In every generation, there is a Chosen Podcast."
Episodes
Saturday Oct 20, 2018
Saturday Oct 20, 2018
Melanie Scala is back for the penultimate discussion of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 3, and this podcast continues to come dangerously close to just being an open therapy session to work through my own personal issues. Sorry ‘bout that. But it’s not all about me...we also talk about episode 319, “Choices” and the cost-benefit analysis of trading the Box of Gavrok for Willow, and episode 320, “The Prom” where we see WAAAAAY more persons of color than we have ever seen before or will ever see again on the show.
Also the show very clearly sets the stage for at least two of our beloved main cast to leave forever; we discuss whether Joyce is more cruel than the Mayor; and I continue to be impressed by the hints, however tiny (or imagined) that Wesley was ALWAYS more than just the idiot comedic foil for Giles and the Scooby Gang.
Next: still trying to confirm my next guest, but whoever the lucky winner is they’ll be joining me to wrap up Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The High School Years as Season 3 closes on “Graduation Day (Part 1)” and “Graduation Day (Part 2).”
THE BREAKDOWN
Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:08:24)
Main Topic (00:08:24 - 01:37:57)
Outro / Next (01:37:57 - 01:44:29)
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Wild Horses” by the Sundays, Blind (1992)
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 Oct 13, 2018
Saturday Oct 13, 2018
“It’s really nice that you guys miss me. Say, y’all didn’t happen to do a bunch of drugs, didja?”
This week I remind everyone how awful I am by utterly and completely blanking on the name of that one amazing series where Tatiana Maslany gets to play a bunch of clones of herself. I’m sorry, I’m the worst. Joining me in spite of my awfulness is fabulous French philosopher (and soon-to-be-published author) Matthieu Cravatte. We discuss the mirroring and doubling of characters in 316, “Doppelgangland,” real vs. performative trauma in Faith’s arc through 317, “Enemies,” and Oz’s normally sardonic humor getting a really chilling twist in 318, “Earshot.” Plus, after breaking our hearts last week, sugared up mocha Willow brings the adorable back, and Wesley schools all y’all on how to ACTUALLY pronounce Angelus.
Also, somehow, in the midst of trying to get my guest to promote himself, I wind up pimping my own stuff...because as we’ve already learned, I am literally the worst. (Go listen to The Avatar Returns Podcast!)
Next: Melanie Scala returns for the penultimate discussion of Season Three with episodes 319, “Choices” and 320, “The Prom.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:10:16)
Main Topic (00:10:16 - 01:41:10)
Outro / Next (01:41:10 - 01:44:56)
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Virgin State of Mind” by K’s Choice, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (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.
Friday Oct 05, 2018
Friday Oct 05, 2018
My beloved, incomparable Wesley Wyndam-Price finally arrives just as Faith succumbs to the pull of the Dark Side, and Philosophy Professor James Rocha returns to the podcast to help me explore all the existentialism surrounding both events. The double whammy of episodes 314, “Bad Girls” and 315, “Consequences” forces us to ask some uncomfortable questions... Are to-do lists evil? Why do you need to have sex with all of your friends? And is Faith to Buffy the Vampire Slayer as P.J. is to Family Circus?
Next: first time guest Matthieu Cravatte joins me all the way from France to discuss the ethics and philosophy of episodes 316, “Dopplegangland,” 317, “Enemies,” and 318, “Earshot.” From what I understand, Matthieu learned everything he knows about America from watching...which may or may not be true, but it makes for an interesting tease, and hopefully you’ll all tune in to find out.
THE BREAKDOWN
Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:03:22)
Main Topic (00:03:22 - 01:25:45)
Outro / Next (01:25:45 - 01:30:52)
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Bad Girls” by Donna Summer, Bad Girls (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 Sep 08, 2018
Saturday Sep 08, 2018
We’re back and we’re brief! Yes cats and kittens, this week we manage to keep the show down to under 14 hours. You’re welcome. Joining me this time around is writer, producer, Buffy scholar, and, most importantly, Twitter manager for Star Talk Radio, Jennifer Walsh. In episode 312, “Helpless” we talk about Buffy’s daddy issues, how well the premise of Giles’ betrayal has aged since its original airdate, and what kind of weirdo vamp ‘roids Kralik must be on to do the things he does. And in 313, “The Zeppo” I finally ease up just a little bit on poor ol’ Xander Harris as we discuss what may arguably be his high-water mark in the series, and recognize that it isn’t always about him doing or saying problematic things, sometimes problematic things are done or said to him.
Next: academics are so hard to pin down! Presumably I WILL have a guest with me, but I can neither confirm nor deny that at this time. Whatever the case may be SOMEBODY is going to be talking about episodes 314, “Bad Girls” and 315, “Consequences.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:08:53)
Main Topic (00:08:53 - 01:29:55)
Outro / Next (01:29:55 - 01:33:41)
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Father and Daughter” by Paul Simon, Surprise (2006)
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.
Sunday Sep 02, 2018
Sunday Sep 02, 2018
Podcasting is hard and it’s painful and it’s everyday. Except when it isn’t. Turns out there’s this thing rather unimaginatively called “real life” that sometimes pounces on people, and I guess my number was up. Soooo...sorry guys. But hey, to make up for it I’m giving you a really, really long episode this week! So that’s something. Right?
This time around I’m joined by the delightful Mary Ellen Iatropoulos, Director of Education and Experience for The Art Effect, a nonprofit arts and media education organization, editor on Joss Whedon and Race: Critical Essays, and, most importantly, three-time winner of the Mr. Pointy Award for Best Work in Whedon Studies. Together we spill a LOT of words on episodes “The Wish,” “Amends,” and “Gingerbread.” We discuss visions of duality and unintended consequences, Cordelia Chase as the embodiment of the construct of white privilege,
Also Mary Ellen teases her new podcast Supposedly Great, coming soon! And the new “Buffy Bang Watch” segment is pitched...though maybe not with that title?
Next: I’m joined by Jennifer Walsh, writer, producer, and Buffy scholar published in Watcher Junior: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies. We’ll be discussing episodes 312, “Helpless” and 313, “The Zeppo.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:22:33)
Main Topic (00:22:33 - 02:33:19)
Outro / Next (02:33:19 - 02:38:14)
THE LIBRARY
Joss Whedon and Race: Critical Essays, edited by Mary Ellen Iatropoulos and Lowery A. Woodall III
THE LINKS
Mary Ellen Iatropoulos’ Website
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Don’t Call Me White” by NOFX, Punk in Drublic (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 Aug 04, 2018
Saturday Aug 04, 2018
“You're not friends. You'll never be friends. You'll be in love till it kills you both. You'll fight and you'll shag and you'll hate each other till it makes you quiver, but you'll never be friends. Love isn't brains, children, it's blood. Blood screaming inside you to work its will. I may be love's bitch, but at least I'm man enough to admit it.”
Spike’s dropping knowledge and everyone else is dropping shoes. First time guest Michael Holland, Manager of Television for Warner Bros. Post Production Creative Services, joins me to discuss 307, “Revelations” and 308, “Lovers Walk.” It’s all fun and games until actual, real head trauma finally happens; Willow makes a reference which should be dated but sadly isn’t; standardized testing might need to be reevaluated; Faith learns a new word, as Nikki Stafford warned us she would; and William the Bloody proves that even evil soulless things can have their hearts broken.
Love’s a funny thing.
Next: another mystery guest will (presumably) join me to discuss 309, “The Wish,” 310, “Amends,” and 311, “Gingerbread.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:10:20)
Main Topic (00:10:20 - 01:26:20)
Outro / Next (01:26:20 - 01:30:30)
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE LINKS
Michael Holland’s blog - Holland Imaginarium
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“My Way” by Sid Vicious, Sid Sings (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 28, 2018
Saturday Jul 28, 2018
All men are beasts. Always keep your campaign promises. Our parents were obnoxious teenagers once too. All this and more is revealed to us in these episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Three. Nikki Stafford is back again, this time to answer the call of the wild in 304, “Beauty and the Beasts,” to flip through our own non-existent high school yearbooks as we watch 305, “Homecoming,” and wax rhapsodic over Jane Espenson in 306, “Band Candy.” We rejoice at the introduction of Mayor Richard Wilkins III! We cringe at all the grown-up kissage! And I pump my fist in agreement with Giles’ assertion that there are two kinds of monsters! Plus we share our (possibly outdated by this point) thoughts on the recently announced BtVS “reboot.”
Next: guestage is still to be determined, but some lucky scholar will join me to examine 307, “Revelations” and 308, “Lovers Walk.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:12:30)
Main Topic (00:12:30 - 01:35:44)
Outro / Next (01:35:44 - 01:39:13)
THE LIBRARY
Bite Me!: The Chosen Edition The Unofficial Guide to Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Seven Seasons One Book), by Nikki Stafford
THE LINKS
Nikki Stafford’s Great Buffy Rewatch Archive
“‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Series Reboot With Black Lead In Works From Monica Owusu-Breen & Joss Whedon” by Nellie Andreeva, Deadline
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf, Steppenwolf (1968)
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 14, 2018
Saturday Jul 14, 2018
It’s been a minute since I’ve sat in the ol’ cemetery and knocked back a few with some dead folk (they prefer “life challenged”), so fan-scholar/scholar-fan wunderkind Nikki Stafford joins me once again to discuss the first three episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 3. Episode 301 introduces us to “Anne,” who bears a striking resemblance to Buffy Summers, but that’s probably just my imagination. In episode 302 Joyce and the Scoobies throw a “Dead Man’s Party” to welcome Buffy home. And 303, “Faith, Hope and Trick” introduces us to Hope, Trick, and Faith. In that order. For some reason. We talk about hell dimension systems of government and administrative change across centuries; the complete and utter lack of corpses in Sunnydale; Khaki Trousers being a fan of Harry Potter; and the significant difference between a boot and a boat.
But at the top of the show, before we get to all that goodness, Nikki and I reminisce about our time at the recent The 8th Biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which this year was hosted at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama. The Conference once again brought together interdisciplinary scholars and academics (and imposters like me) from across the globe to discuss the works of Joss Whedon. There’s way too much for us to cover in the loving detail it all deserves, but Nikki and I share some of our favorite memories from this year’s gathering. Can’t wait for 2020! (...for perhaps many reasons.)
Next: I keep my promise/threat to not let Nikki go home. She’s stuck in the cemetery to continue our season 3 discussion with episodes 304, “Beauty and the Beasts,” 305, “Homecoming,” and 306, “Band Candy.”
THE BREAKDOWN
Intro / Guest / Slayage Conference Discussion (00:00:00 - 00:32:43)
Main Topic (00:32:43 - 01:43:40)
Outro / Next (01:43:40 - 01:47:36)
THE LIBRARY
Bite Me!: The Chosen Edition The Unofficial Guide to Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Seven Seasons One Book), by Nikki Stafford
THE LINKS
Nikki Stafford’s Great Buffy Rewatch Archive
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boingo, Dead Man’s Party (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 Jun 16, 2018
Saturday Jun 16, 2018
Fan favorite Alexander Lester returns to our modest little graveyard to join the magical mystery flashback tour that is Angelus’ sordid history in 221, “Becoming (Part 1)” and rejoice at the very first Buffy/Spike team-up in 222, “Becoming (Part 2).” Is David Boreanaz’s Irish accent more or less abysmal than Bianca Lawson’s whatever-it-is accent? Mr. Pointy makes his inauspicious-but-important debut in the series; Spike likes Happy Meals; Joyce finally gets a clue; and Buffy shares her sword.
Next: after the feel good cabaret that was the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Two finale I’m taking an oh-so-brief hiatus to catch my breath before diving into Season Three. But in the meantime I’ll be attending the 8th Biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses. I will personally be participating in at least one roundtable panel discussion while there, which I intend to record. I’m also hoping to capture some other content as well, such as interviews and perhaps other panels or presentations. We’ll see how that all works out, but in any case look for a “Very Special Conversations” episode at some point in the near future.
THE BREAKDOWN
Intro / Guest (00:00 - 03:51)
Main Topic (03:51 - 1:40:16)
Outro / Next (1:40:16 - 1:45:26)
THE LINKS
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“Full of Grace” by Sarah McLachlan, Surfacing (1997)
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.
Sunday Jun 10, 2018
Sunday Jun 10, 2018
If you’ve made it this far into the podcast I have to assume you’ve just accepted that my audio quality is NEVER going to be worth a damn, so I apologize again and bless you for your forbearance. As for the episode you’re listening to today I’m joined by author and Georgia Tech Humanities and Science Fiction Librarian Karen Viars as we try to push through the static to discuss the complicity of Sunnydale’s adults, the pop culture acumen of Xander Harris, and how computers from the ‘90s worked.
Episode 218, “Killed by Death” introduces us to the Sunnydale strain of the flu, which apparently the doctors think can break bones? In 219, “I Only Have Eyes for You” the quality of mercy is not Buffy as we get what is perhaps the most effective (and affecting) ghost story that the series ever tells. And in 220 the gang plays “Go Fish” with a number of questionable sexual assault metaphors. And Xander in a speedo.
Next: Alexander Lester returns to the graveyard as promised to discuss the powerful Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Two finale, “Becoming (Part 1)” and “Becoming (Part 2).”
THE BREAKDOWN
Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:06:56)
Main Topic (00:06:56 - 01:29:54)
Outro / Next (01:29:54 - 01:32:18)
THE LIBRARY
Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow
THE MUSIC
“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)
“I Only Have Eyes for You” by The Flamingos (1959)
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.