Guess what folks? We made Sci-Fi Wire!

[helpful information perha]

most excellent BOB !

[Dave V]

Great work, Bob. Not "too much" at all.

[sam7777]

Fantastic! It's great to have a professional writer like you to say it right. Please send it in.

[GiveMeChocolate]

More from Joss 'evil' Whedon as reported by Sci-fi Wire:


Updated 1:20pm ET on 20-June-2002


9:00am ET, 19-June-02

Buffy Season 7 Spoiled

[quote:d67f7714d8][b:d67f7714d8][i:d67f7714d8]Quote:[/i:d67f7714d8][/b:d67f7714d8]

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"Joss Whedon, creator of UPN's Buffy the Vampire Slayer, revealed plot spoilers for the upcoming seventh season of the series during a panel discussion at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles June 18. The fall season premiere begins with the grand reopening of Sunnydale High School, which was destroyed a couple of seasons back, Whedon told the audience.

"The reopening of the high school is where we're starting, and it represents a lot of what we're talking about in terms of getting back to the very first mission statement of the show, which was the joy of female power: Having it, using it, sharing it," Whedon said.

Willow (Alyson Hannigan) will have to pay for skinning Warren at the end of this season, the show's sixth, Whedon added. "There are consequences for everything," he said. "Not to the point where she'll spend all day crying, 'I'm so sad, why, why?' But she will have to deal with this. We don't let people get away with things, unless there's a reason. Giles, the year before, killed a person, but nobody found out."

In a separate interview, Whedon reaffirmed for SCI FI Wire that Amber Benson, who played Tara, will return next year, though her character died at the end of this season. But when asked to elaborate that Benson would return, but not as Tara, Whedon replied, "I'm not saying a word about that."

Whedon did tell SCI FI Wire that Willow's addiction to magic and Spike's (James Marsters) attempted rape would figure in the new season, despite an intention to lighten the tone from this year's dark themes. "We'll deal with issues, but we won't be hitting the incredibly depressing reality of being grown up quite so hard," he said. "Those things will still be issues, because Spike is still in the mix, and he did try to rape Buffy. Willow has been addicted, and both of those people have to be in the mix, so we'll deal with the things, and things are still going to be scary, depressing and confusing for our characters. It's going to be tough for them, but at the same time, they're going to reclaim that essential notion of the beauty of power and of their mission and not get so caught up in the questions."

Whedon added that he wants Anthony Stewart Head to appear as Giles in more episodes this season than last, and that he hopes to bring back Jonathan (Danny Strong) and Andrew (Thomas Lenk), the remaining duo of villains from this season. "We're looking for them to [return], because they make us laugh," he said.

One thing that won't be back is Buffy's (Sarah Michelle Gellar) job at the Doublemeat Palace. "Doublemeat Palace was the only thing we ever did to make advertisers pull out," Whedon said. "They did not like us making fun of fast food. Sarah's very upset about not getting to wear the hat anymore."

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[/quote:d67f7714d8]

Edited to add;
I know we've heard this, but there were a couple of things in there I hadn't heard.

[WebWarlock]

Some stuff on Willow, Spike and Dawn, I am just posting the Willow stuff here.

www.scifi.com/scifiwire/a...1/12.00.tv

[quote:2cc2b2659c][b:2cc2b2659c][i:2cc2b2659c]Quote:[/i:2cc2b2659c][/b:2cc2b2659c]

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Hannigan said in an interview that she thinks Willow's greatest challenge will be "winning the fans' love back" after turning evil at the end of the season. "They probably hate me now," she said. "I just hope they forgive my evilness in the last few episodes." Hannigan said Willow's addiction to magic will remain an issue for the character. "Oh yeah, once you go that far, don't you deal with it for the rest of your life?" she asked. After Tara's tragic death, will Willow begin dating again? "Oh dear, I hope not," Hannigan said. "She's got to have time to recover." Hannigan confirmed that she will travel to London to film scenes for the season premiere. When asked if those scenes included Willow's reconciliation with Giles, whom she tried to kill in the season finale, the actress was vague. "I don't know. Hmm. What makes you think that?"

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[/quote:2cc2b2659c]

Another round of "well at least Aly get's it!" everyone.

Warlock

[Warduke]

[quote:473ce13508][b:473ce13508][i:473ce13508]Quote:[/i:473ce13508][/b:473ce13508]

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After Tara's tragic death, will Willow begin dating again? "Oh dear, I hope not," Hannigan said. "She's got to have time to recover."

---

[/quote:473ce13508]

And again we have another reason to love Aly even more, like Amber, she just get's it. Now why can't Joss and the rest of them just get a clue?

[tabularasa]

God...I hate Joss...I really, really, really hate Joss Coy, smug, self-serving, egotistical, fuck. I hope that everything this former golden boy touches now turns to golden shit.

And in response to Aly hoping the fans don't hate her for going all dark magiky:

I am here to say ALY! Please...we could NEVER hate you...its all about the Aly love!

As for Amber's return: I can't even begin to deal with a str8 Tara look-alike. That is so beyond insulting. I'd rather she stay dead as our Tara.... I love Amber as Tara, if she can't be Tara "our Tara" then ...no...can't..deal...bleh Of course, I want Amber to be succesful in all she does and it pisses me off to no end the disrespect she has gotten from Joss/Me (not even in the credits until the ep her character gets killed? Fuckers)...oh yeah...but he "loves Amber..."

Newsflash Joss you shit: It did hurt us more than it hurt you to see Tara killed and, ....it is actually the fans that will determine your career path NOT YOU! We won't forget...believe me. And we won't let you forget either.

[WebWarlock]

I could never hate Willow or Aly.
She does not need to be redeemed in my eyes.

If anything I am upset that Willow DIDN'T destroy everything. Or least the stupid freaking yellow crayon.

And yes, she does get it. That has been demonstrated over and over again.

Warlock

[BBOvenGuy]

I find it fascinating that both Aly and Amber get what we're upset about, but Joss and his writers don't. That tells me something, but I don't know exactly what yet.

[WebWarlock]

Bob,

They are not egotistical megolmaniacs who's supreme vision is being regected by a bunch of mere fans.
How [i:aa6f97d720] dare[/i:aa6f97d720] we speak against the holy writ of Whedon!

Aly and Amber know their fans. Amber knows some of them by face and when they get their hair cut too!

They have always demonstrated what they know to be true. Plus they do not waiver.

Has anyone else, just following SciFi wire alone, notice how cagey Whedon is getting when talking about Amber/Tara. A month ago it was "no way", then it was "maybe Amber will be back, but not as Tara" and now it is "Amber will be back." But he wont comment on Tara.

That is just 4 weeks people! What is he going to be saying in July or August? More lies? Or is the heat on?

Popmatters, Salon, SciFi wire and TBC have all been running stories on this, I am betting his ego demands that he know everything said.

When my son is playing and he shows he can't play with his own toys because he is going to break them or hurt himself, I take them away and tell him he can have them back if he can play with them right. My son gets that idea. He gets his toy back, plays nice and I tell him that he is doing a great job.

Anyone else find it odd that my toddler is more mature than Whedon?

Warlock

[BBOvenGuy]

With The Advocate coming on board now, we've definitely got momentum. Once the Advocate piece runs, we may be able to get the attention of other big-name media outlets.

It's very possible that Fox or UPN will get tired of the outcry and order Joss to make us go away.

[WebWarlock]

They can try.

But as my own family points out, I am more tenacious than a dog with two dicks!
(naw, I didn't grow up around rednecks at all did I!)

Warlock

[Oriyon]

I think I missed the post about the Advocate ... What do you mean about them coming on board?? And could Joss be meaning a behind the camara status when talking about Amber coming back... I haven't seen this thought posted and I was wondering what other people thought.

[Kendahl897]

Has anyone else noticed that the folks at ME can't all seem to get on the same ship? Remember several weeks ago when Joss said Willow wouldn't be an addict? Now Alyson says her addiction is something that she will have to deal with. Jane E. said Willow would be meeting a new love interest later in the season, Alyson seems to be saying 'I think not..'

[Dave V]

I know that for an actor it's just a job. However, Aly and Amber have both been unfailingly polite to their fans, and both understand that the characters they portray have had great impact, especially on GLBT youth. As Lisa has pointed out, lives have been saved.

I really cannot comprehend WHY the writers/production staff are so different in their treatment of the fans.

[VampNo12]

I took Aly's comments that indeed she gets it and understands Willow can't just easily mope for a few episodes, and then become the happy on the dating scene Willow. That's what I truly love and respect about Amber and Aly, that they truly know what these characters mean to the viewers, and therefore, understand how their characters show behave on the show. Too bad Joss doesn't seem to understand or care in this regard, and with this in mind, I truly believe what Aly and us might want unfortunately won't translate on the screen.

[helpful information perha]

Bob what is this Advocate piece you mentioned?

[Kendahl897]

You know, I'm starting to wonder about something.We know ME has gotten LOTS of letters from fans, especially gay and lesbian fans, expressing their outrage over Tara's death. But I'm wondering if they have gotten other letters from people, such as some that were posted on other websites, praising ME for killing off Tara because she was a lesbian, in other words, getting what she deserved for the lifestyle she led...she and Willow. I would think a letter like that would go farther in showing Joss and ME the harm they have done than a hundred from us, so in that sense, I hope they have gotten a taste of the homophobia they have inadvertently fed..............

[Magrat70]

How could we hate Willow. Aly and Amber are so nice love them both

[BBOvenGuy]

[quote:4272c8a251][b:4272c8a251][i:4272c8a251]Quote:[/i:4272c8a251][/b:4272c8a251]

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Originally posted by helpful information perhaps
[b:4272c8a251] Bob what is this Advocate piece you mentioned?[/b:4272c8a251]

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[/quote:4272c8a251]

Yowza, I thought everyone saw that. Xita put up a post about it in the Lesbian Clich thread. She wanted some quotes answering some questions for a piece The Advocate is doing.

Since the post in the Lesbian Clich thread is now gone, I'm just going to shut up now and say you'll have to wait for Xita to come along and explain everything.

[AutumnT]

I am amazed that Aly is so worried about the fans hating her and being able to win them back. Hell, no one blames Aly for this. She and Amber are the only ones at ME to seem to have a clue as to why this is important. And I love how the way she sees things seems to contradict everything coming out of the producer's mouths. Especially this gem:[quote:23b985f615][b:23b985f615][i:23b985f615]Quote:[/i:23b985f615][/b:23b985f615]

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After Tara's tragic death, will Willow begin dating again? "Oh dear, I hope not," Hannigan said.

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[/quote:23b985f615] I think she gets the once an addict always an addict thing and that perhaps it just may take a little while to get over having the love of your life splattered all over you. Meanwhile ME is all "Willow won't be a junkie any more and wow she might get a new love interest". At least for those of us still watching we can count on Aly to layer her performance to get at the emotional truth behind things. Thank God for that.

[The Rose24]

YAY!!! I am glad Aly is finally commenting on Willow's situation. Finally, someone who understands how us kitties feel. There is no way Willow can get over what has happened this season in one year.

[xita]

You know what Autumn, everyone is too busy doing press and spin, Aly is being a person. She knows what w/t meant and she knows Willow better than anyone and she knows how much she loves Tara. I love Aly always will. I have been so scared of her post season interviews but she again proves that she gets it. Nothing to be worried about.

No the article is not a secret. I just pulled the post cause I didn't want people responding anymore cause I had enough responses. The advocate will be doing a little article on this situation and they contacted us for some quotes. Hopefully we expressed ourselves well and we won't come off too hysterical Though you know any press is good press it will give us a reason to write letters.

[Epicurus]

It's funny, Joss idea of giving the fans what they need is by killing off a great character while Aly and Amber give us what we need by showing a little compassion and understanding in their interviews.
Ya know kittens, we sure picked a great relationship to ship. Not only are these characters wonderful but the actors who play them are too.

[AutumnT]

Amen to that. It is just heartbreaking when you find out actors you thought you admired are nothing like you'd want them to be. And as none of us really know them it's always so very wonderful to find out that people you give a lot of time and energy too get it.

I remember when Gillian Anderson's episode that she wrote and directed episode aired on X-Files. And in it was a lesbian couple that were treated like any other including a kiss goodbye as one left for work. I was, at that moment, so gratified that she totally got it.

It's always a wonderful feeling. As I like to say. God Bless enlightened straight women.

[tommo]

I've discussed this off the board and honestly, I don't understand how Amber and Aly could get this and Joss clearly doesn't. That, to me, just goes to show how wonderful they are and how far he has to go with this issue.

[relativegirl]

I think it just goes to show that Aly and Amber made a commitment to their characters, and to truly exploring and understanding their characters and what it might be like to be a lesbian in RL, that went far beyond whatever commitment or investment Joss made in the characters. Willow and Tara were just part of Joss' well-populated pantheon but for Aly and Amber they were/are their principal livelihood for several years and they really embraced their characters. Which is so ironic since it was Joss' decision to make Willow gay and to make W/T a couple, Aly and Amber had no say in the matter. Irony is kinda ironic that way.

[drlloyd11]

I rather like to think of my self as "exuberntly" involved, and like to remind others that I have rare "tearduct condition: that just pops up from time to time ,,
*drlloyd, fooling no one"

[quote:762ada1ebc][b:762ada1ebc][i:762ada1ebc]Quote:[/i:762ada1ebc][/b:762ada1ebc]

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Hopefully we expressed ourselves well and we won't come off too hysterical

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[/quote:762ada1ebc]

[Coma123]

Just read what Aly said. And everyone's right, I really do think she understands the impact the role has had on people.
See here's the thing, even if they killed off Tara, and used the cliche ME could have saved themselves the controversy, the bad PR and even the basic need to defend themselves if they had of treated the fans with respect that Aly and Amber have showed people. If they had of made an effort to show some compassion and be kind, then I don't think people would be so personally hurt.
Instead they made it personal they went out of there way to lie and insult some of there most senstive fans. And there's no forgiving them for that.

[xita]

Coma, I have to agree with you. I didn't feel rage after learning of Tara's death, or when I knew there would be no reset. I still had a certain amount of faith in the writers and wanted to hear an explanation and I also thought there were good possibilities for season 7. Then SKD opened his big trap and I learned what blinding anger felt like. Then Joss didn't make it any better. If they had shown respect things might have been different. Too bad for them.