Guess what folks? We made Sci-Fi Wire!

[BBOvenGuy]

I could have put this in two or three different threads, but I think it's big enough for its own thread instead.

From Sci-Fi Wire, which is a part of the Sci Fi Channel's website:

[quote:7b12f41b8d][b:7b12f41b8d][i:7b12f41b8d]Quote:[/i:7b12f41b8d][/b:7b12f41b8d]

---

Tara's Death Riles Buffy Fans

The season-ending story arc of UPN's Buffy the Vampire Slayerin which Tara (Amber Benson) dies and her lover, Willow (Alyson Hannigan), turns evilis prompting a backlash among fans who argue in part that the finale undermined the series' otherwise positive portrayal of a lesbian relationship. Though many fans were dismayed at the loss of a crucial character, still others saw the turn of events as a repudiation of one of television's few realistic gay relationships.

"Devoted followers of Buffy the Vampire Slayer are left devastated by the producers' ... decision to destroy what many have felt was a wonderful portrayal of a loving, honest and natural long-term lesbian relationship," wrote Florida gay rights advocate R. Zeke Fread on the 365gay.com Canadian Web site. "Especially because such a relationship as that of Tara and Willow is rarely depicted on television programs."

More than 1,000 fans have signed a petition to resurrect Tara. Others have written in protest to various [i:7b12f41b8d] Buffy[/i:7b12f41b8d] fan sites, Salon magazine, the [i:7b12f41b8d] Boston Herald[/i:7b12f41b8d] and elsewhere.

"Examine that body count for a moment," the Herald wrote. "The most significant character deathsJenny Calendar, Joyce Summers and now Taraare all women. The show's two gay characters, Tara and high school jock Larry, both slain. (Alyson Hannigan's Willow does not count. Creator Joss Whedon told the Herald last year that she is at best bisexual.) The show's black characters? Kendra, Mr. Trick and, oh, yeah, that guidance counselor who hung around for half an episodeall dead. We knew Buffy lived on a hellmouth. Who knew she lived in Klan country?"

For his part, Whedon wrote on the official UPN Buffy posting board, The Bronze, shortly after the finale aired: "I killed Tara. Some of you may have been hurt by that. It's very unlikely it was more painful to you than it was to me. I couldn't even discuss it in story meetings without getting upset, physically. Which is why I knew it was the right thing to do. Because stories, as I have so often said, are not about what we WANT. And I knew some people would be angry with me for destroying the only gay couple on the show, but the idea that I COULDN'T kill Tara because she was gay is as offensive to me as the idea that I DID kill her because she was gay. Willow's story was not about being gay. It was about weakness, addiction, loss ... the way life hits you in the gut right when you think you're back on your feet. The course of true love never did run smooth, not on my show. (Only [NYPD Blue's] Dennis Franz has suffered more than my characters.) I love Amber, and she knows it. Eventually, this story will end for all of them. Hers ended sooner."

As for whether Whedon will bring back the character next season, he told SCI FI Wire cryptically, "Tara will not be back. But Amber will."

---

[/quote:7b12f41b8d]

So did you all notice what the link was for [i:7b12f41b8d] Buffy[/i:7b12f41b8d] fan sites?

[Rally]

[quote:97ae3e41e6][b:97ae3e41e6][i:97ae3e41e6]Quote:[/i:97ae3e41e6][/b:97ae3e41e6]

---

As for whether Whedon will bring back the character next season, he told SCI FI Wire cryptically, "Tara will not be back. But Amber will."

---

[/quote:97ae3e41e6]
Maybe he should be telling Amber this...

[VampNo12]

Bob I just read this before checking the board, and I am glad the article mentions the kitten in the fan sites, it's time they understand the back-lash. What I found most interesting is the line that Joss states "Tara will not be back. But Amber will". I guess this is the first official word the Amber will indeed be back, now we need to know in what capacity (ie who she will be playing)!

[helpful information perha]

I just read that too and I'd have to guess that whoever wrote it has been reading the kitten and our threads

which points out how important it is to keep them active and keep writing letters

time to write sci fi wire folks

scifiwire@scifi.com

about

www.scifi.com/scifiwire/a....30.fandom
Tara's Death Riles Buffy Fans

"As for whether Whedon will bring back the character next season, he told SCI FI Wire cryptically, "Tara will not be back. But Amber will."


I'd say whedon is trying to have his cake and eat it too - if it isn't tara alive and in willows arms its going to stink up the tube. If tara isn't back alive and with willow then the damage as this piece so nicely notes is not reversed. nothing changes the lesbian cliche still got played out on screen for sweeps

JAG has been playing this 'she looks just like Harms dead lover' thing and it sucks!

tara's twin is not tara
tara's ghost is not a suitable lover
and whedon can stick his games up his a$$
he snuffed the lesbian and wants us to keep watching
why?
so he can spit on W/T fans again?
Screw that

[WebWarlock]

Actually,

I have been hounding the guy, Patrick Lee, for the last three days.
He emailed me and we talked about it for a few emails.

I was expecting something, better really, but hey. It is there.

Warlock.

[Warduke]

[quote:9f9c80bac8][b:9f9c80bac8][i:9f9c80bac8]Quote:[/i:9f9c80bac8][/b:9f9c80bac8]

---

tara's twin is not tara
tara's ghost is not a suitable lover
and whedon can stick his games up his a$$
he snuffed the lesbian and wants us to keep watching
why?
so he can spit on W/T fans again?
Screw that

---

[/quote:9f9c80bac8]

Amen, which is exactly why I won't be watching this crap. I love Amber, but on BtVS it's not about Amber, it's about Tara, and if she's not there (our Tara) then to hell with it.

[xita]

Yes it is important to reply and to thank them for the article. And I don't know what those ME folks think they are doing... but killing Tara... not right.. never right.. can never be right.

Amber back behind the scenes only? Could be as well. Anyway they need to stop being coy, if they have Amber back out of respect for her it should be as a regular. If it isn't, it is a continuing insult to Amber's commitment. Shit or get off the pot.. contract or not?

[helpful information perha]

the piece sci fi wire refers to is a xine feature article


www.365gay.com/opinion/Index.htm

Special Feature

The Death of Tara Exposes Willow's Dark Side and Fans Outrage
by R. Zeke Fread

Devoted followers of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" are left devastated by the producers of BVS decision to destroy, what many have felt was, a wonderful portrayal of a loving, honest and natural long term lesbian relationship. Especially, because such a relationship as that of Tara and Willow' is rarely depicted on television programs.
Our gay youth, and all viewers of BVS, had for the past three years, the rare opportunity to see two women, openly express their love for each other as main characters in a television program. A devoted loving couple, who were trusting, unselfish and protective of each other, reflecting the many lesbian and gay long term relationships existing in the real world, but, seldom acknowledged.
Young people were able to see this relationship was accepted by viewers, both gay and straight alike, by the ever growing popularity of the program. A message that was desperately needed for them to hear and see, even though for some it may have been only an hour of drowning out the thoughts of the anti-gay messages they are exposed daily.
BVS's storyline of an openly gay loving relationship, made contributions toward promoting acceptance and tolerance, that could never be measured by ratings alone.
They say all good things must come to an end, but the fans of BVS are not the least bit accepting of the end of Tara and Willow's long term relationship.
It is not because, they don't believe good things do come to an end. It is how producers choose to end Tara's and Willow's relationship that has them disgusted and outraged.
Showing the couple in bed, suggesting they may have just made love, Tara is shot and killed by a stray bullet. Willow seeing this happen right before her eyes, becomes crazed, tracks down Tara's murder, tortures and murders him, attempts to kill his associates, two of her friends and attempts to end her pain by destroying the world.
Fans feel strongly this was not a fitting end for Tara and Willow's relationship and have taken to the net to vent their anger. This may sound like, "it's only a television show, what's the big deal?"
For BVS fans the big deal is, once again television producers are falling back on the Dead/Evil Lesbian Clich: introducing gay characters, only to kill them off or turn them in to villains.
In this case, BVS's producers have chosen to incorporate both, dead and evil.
After watching the storyline with Tara and Willow go on for three years, you become attached to these characters. We all have done the same thing. We, as they, are not delusional and don't forget these are actors portraying characters in a television. Nevertheless, we have developed a relationship with them that went far beyond the character and viewer relationship.
The storyline and the message that was being sent, acceptance of same-sex couples, had touched the hearts of many of our gay youth. For one hour a week for three years they were able to escape all the negative things said about them. Then without warning, this special message they looked so forward to seeing and hearing each week, was abruptly stripped away from them. And, in the worst possible way one can imagine.
I was not a fan or viewer of BVS and sadly had missed the opportunity to see this positive portrayal of a same-sex couple. However, after reading the many letters I have received on this matter, I can feel the great disappointment and outrage of that the loyal fans of BVS are experiencing. I am left asking the same question, I am sure they are, what possible reason was there for destroying something that meant so much to so many?
R. Zeke Fread is Director of the Tampa Bay Coalition a Florida GLBT rights organization.

[Rally]

Hmmm, tough to say where to post this, but Sci Fi Wire spoke with Joss at the Saturns on Tuesday and filed this tidbit yesterday:

------

Updated 11:26am ET on 12-June-2002
12:00pm PT, 11-June-02

Buffy Crosses The Pond

Joss Whedon, whose Buffy the Vampire Slayer took home the Saturn Award for best network
television series, told SCI FI Wire that he will move production to England for the
seventh-season premiere episode. "I am going to England ... in a couple of weeks to shoot
some second-unit with Tony [Head, who plays Giles,] and Alyson [Hannigan, who plays
Willow,] for the season premiere of Buffy," Whedon told reporters after receiving his award
June 10 in Los Angeles. "So that'll be fun. Our first production values ever. We're very
excited. Usually it's 'So we're in Venice. Hand me that goblet.' So it's a thing."

As for next year's storyline for the UPN series, Whedon remained coy, but promised a change
from this year's dark themes. "I can only tell you a little bit," he said. "This is something I've
been sort of gearing towards since the very beginning of the show. It's a question of bringing
it onto a much larger scale and at the same time making it much more personal and much
more personal to Buffy herself. This year was a chance to let the other characters [shine.] ...
The big climactic scene [was] between Xander and Willow, and that was because, as
characters and as actors, they'd earned that opportunity. And I thought it was right for them to
sort of be the spokespeople for what was going on at the end there. But next year Buffy will
be much less peripheral to the climax. The climax will be the biggest thing we've ever
done."

Whedon added, "You know, every year it might be the end. Except, actually, this year. This
year I really did sort of leave it up in the air. You could have said this could have been an
end, but the [cliffhanger] with Spike and the thing on Angel, this was sort of the exception to
the rule. But I am looking for closure next year in way because we're making a more positive
statement. This year was just about surviving the year. Sometimes the audience felt that
actually it's their chore too. What? You don't want to be depressed all the time like me? I
don't understand. But next year is something that's a lot more positive and definitive. And in
that it has to end with an exclamation point, not a question mark."

[Maclay Tara]

WTF? Willow is "bi at best"? Joss said that?

[xita]

Rally yeah that was posted a couple of days ago in the the Joss says Tara's gone thread

[AutumnT]

[quote:a1317079da][b:a1317079da][i:a1317079da]Quote:[/i:a1317079da][/b:a1317079da]

---

As for whether Whedon will bring back the character next season, he told SCI FI Wire cryptically, "Tara will not be back. But Amber will."

---

[/quote:a1317079da] Smug fucking bastard.

[VampNo12]

I never thought about it, but it does make sense what Xita said about Amber back on Buffy but "behind the scenes". Whatever the case I just hope in the near future we get information about contract status (ie how many episodes she will be in), but I am afraid Amber is never going to make the opening credits.

It seems like last year this was about the time we learned about Amber returning for season 6, so hopefully there will be more official confirmation soon. Also considering Amber was able to keep secret for over a year Tara was going to be killed off, I have a feeling she already knows if and how long she will be back, but is keeping quiet until Joss releases the information.

As for deciding to watch the show again I will only do so after I find out who Amber is playing and for how long.

[xita]

Ok, I just convinced myself that the only reason he'd bring back Amber is to torture the kitties. Not as Tara, not as a Tara, not as ghost Tara.... not as anything but someone that will only bring Willow pain.. Maybe Amber will finally get her wish and get to kiss some of the Buffy guys.

[VampNo12]

Yes ME could go the way of All My Children and have Amber playing Tara's twin sister who is straight. God the thought just makes me sick, but knowing Joss and his twisted ego I wouldn't put it past him.

[Rally]

[quote:56325251cd][b:56325251cd][i:56325251cd]Quote:[/i:56325251cd][/b:56325251cd]

---

Maybe Amber will finally get her wish and get to kiss some of the Buffy guys.

---

[/quote:56325251cd]
Thanks for those nightmares.

[helpful information perha]

Amber is a great actress and I will follow her career but not on this show.
She may well write or work behind the camera

but if she is on screen and not playing tara then whedon is just saying FU to the kitties,

I'm thinking his ego won't let him bring tara back now, more like spite thy name is joss

[Kalita]

[quote:e6b8eae304][b:e6b8eae304][i:e6b8eae304]Quote:[/i:e6b8eae304][/b:e6b8eae304]

---

"What? You don't want to be depressed all the time like me? I don't understand."

---

[/quote:e6b8eae304]
That's exactly it - the sorry excuse for a producer just doesn't understand. Fucker.

[BBOvenGuy]

If Amber comes back as a Tara lookalike who is straight, it won't take the media long to figure out that Joss is doing the same thing as [i:4c33610da4] All My Children[/i:4c33610da4] (especially if we help them a little ). Once people pick up on that, the critical pounding will be relentless and the ratings will probably drop even farther.

[AutumnT]

[quote:c37684d282][b:c37684d282][i:c37684d282]Quote:[/i:c37684d282][/b:c37684d282]

---

I'm thinking his ego won't let him bring tara back now

---

[/quote:c37684d282] Yup. And he's going to be "cute" about it. The scenario I was fearing the girl who looks incredibly like Tara but is not. I feel deep in my gut this is the route they are going to go. Whedon will probably even think he is being cliche' busting once again by doing this and in his mind making it work. Look it's Amber and she's now got brown hair!God I am a big ball of bitter right now.

Well, at least we are getting more and more articles written about this. At least we are being heard.

[Rally]

[quote:6dc484af5c][b:6dc484af5c][i:6dc484af5c]Quote:[/i:6dc484af5c][/b:6dc484af5c]

---

Amber and she's now got brown hair!

---

[/quote:6dc484af5c]
Don't forget the glasses.

[Penrose Orleans]

Joss is getting to be just like Steven Spielberg, doing good work but lovin himself and his talent so much that the work itself goes down the tubes... I swear, if they pull an Angel with Spike I'll impale myself with a rusty spoon...

[Kendahl897]

I sent this e-mail in response to SciFi's article:
This is in regards to your recent article about the death of Tara and the fan outrage it has provoked.
It was a great article, but one thing that was not addressed were the constant lies that were fed to the devoted fans who watched this show by Joss Whedon, Marti Noxon and their horde of writers. In the May issue of OUT magazine last year, Joss stated that "he had no plans to send Tara anywhere, that she was a big part of the heart of the show", later Marti Noxon responded in a Sunday weekly that the Tara death rumors were greatly overblown, at the beginning of the year Steven DeKnight posted at the Bronze that 'Tara would die over his dead body' and finally, as late as April, Doug Petrie stated that neither Amber nor Emma were going anywhere, so not to worry'.
Now I WAS a hardcore, devoted fan of the show. I bought the merchandise, the comics, t-shirts and etc. Hell, I even convinced friends to watch the show. And what did I get in return. I was repeatedly lied to for over a year by people whose attitude seems to be 'hey, if you don't like it, don't watch it.' I also got another dead lesbian on TV. Two things I just don't need in my life right now. So, I'll take ME''s advice and I won't watch. They screwed me, so to hell with them. And yes, I am somewhat bitter, because as a fan I deserved better than this......


As for Joss' little comment, right now I think I have more faith in Wanda and her secret source..............

[helpful information perha]

speaking of ratings
since FOX is looking to make its back end profits off the reruns I took a look at the syndicated ratings to see if they've been affected by the UPN first runs

the syndi ratings average was a steady 2.7 in the fall and the national number stayed a 2.7 average through March

but the ratings have been dropping post buffy/spike humping and tara's demise is continuing the trend

buffys FOX reruns are in the low 2's now

so whedons creative choices for season 6 of destroying the hero's and snuffing the lesbians IS sinking the reruns

[Pegalopolis]

The more I read about Whedon, the more I really think he's a dickweed.
Amber back, but what, as a straight lookalike? Wonderful. Shall I shove this pencil into my eye now or later?

P

[alyamber4ever]

Ok Kitties.....say it with me here....
WILLOW IS A LESBIAN!!!!!

I don't know what the hell Joss is talking about. "Bi at best". Yeah, whatever buddy...keep tellin' yourself that.

[tommo]

No you see, this is their plan; just as Willow is beginning to deal with her pain and loss, about halfway through the season, and she's learning to walk and talk and use basic motor functions once again...Amber appears in a three episode arc which features her as Tara's doppleganger. This of course, sends Willow spiralling into a catatonic dreamlike state where we then spend the rest of the season, ending up in the same freakin' padded cell as Buffy in [b:57def0d660] Normal Again[/b:57def0d660].

Bah.

Yep, bitterness central. Come right in.

[xita]

I have never seen the Joss quote "bi at best" anywhere but in that Herald article .. and it does not seem to me like it has any basis other than perhaps side conversation. I don't believe even he was stupid enough to say it.

[tommo]

Don't forget the three episode arc. Enough to see off Spike, Xander and anyone else who cares to step in.

[Puff]

I really don't see Amber back infront of the cameras, maybe behind writing or even directing? After all Drew has gone to Angel and Jane has also shifted a bit to Firefly.