Blog 1

Buffy the Vampire Slayer, an American television show, first aired in March 1997 after an unsuccessful movie premiere. The show lasted for seven seasons and ended in May 2003. The show was created by Joss Whedon and was produced by David Solomon and Gareth Davies. The major stars of the show were Sarah Michelle Gellar, who played Buffy, Nicholas Brendan, Alyson Hannigan, Anthony Stewart Head, David Boreanaz, Charisma Carpenter, Michelle Trachtenberg, James Marsters, Emma Caulfield, Amber Benson, Marc Blucas, and Seth Green (“tv.com”).

The show centered on sixteen-year old Buffy, played by Sarah Michelle Gellar, who lived in Sunnydale, California and was forced to slay vampires and demons due to her status as the “Chosen One”. Buffy’s high school was illustrated as being placed over the entrance of hell. Buffy feels as though her superpowers are a nuisance, as she deals with the everyday ordeals of a normal teenager, such as cheerleading, parties, friends, and family. However, throughout the show, it is indicated that her view changes, with her finally embracing her powers. She is joined by her friends, who are known as the “Scooby Gang”, who she grows up with during her high school years (“tv.com”).

Buffy the Vampire Slayer became considered a classical program due to the subtle parallels to reality portrayed in the show. These parallels included the “complexities of growing up, going out into the world, and accepting one’s destiny” (Dillard). These real life issues allowed for the audience to form connections with Buffy’s character, allowing them to relate to the issues that she dealt with, such as those with friends, family, and relationships. Additionally, Whedon stated, ‘”I was watching a bunch of horror movies and there was the petite ditzy blonde who got cornered in the alley and killed, and I got tired of it. I felt sorry for her and wanted her to have a champion.”’(Collins). In that way, Whedon managed to create a heroic icon for women everywhere.

One of the most famous episodes was called, “Once More, with Feeling”, the only musical episode in the show’s entire history (“tv.com”). The episode used a different technique to investigate the relationships of the characters, and incorporates a demon’s curse that caused the people of Sunnydale, California, to randomly burst into a song- songs which expressed truths that were otherwise kept secret. When all the secrets are out in the open, the demon challenges them to “say you’re happy now, once more, with feeling”. While this was a risky episode and had the potential to have failed miserably, it was this very risk that caused the episode to become famous.

The show was loved by all types of people, including science fiction and horror show fans alike. The show was widely watched, due to its empowering messages such as the ordeal between doing what we want to do versus what we have to do. Buffy the Vampire Slayer influenced several other television shows, such as Dead Like Me, Torchwood, and Doctor Who. Buffy the Vampire Slayer was a show that allowed the viewers to somewhat relate to the characters and their everyday ordeals, causing it to be called a classical program by many.

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” tv.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Jan 2011. <http://www.tv.com/buffy-the-vampire-slayer/chosen/episode/232720/summary.html?tag=episode_header;summary&gt;.

Collins , Dan. “Bye-Bye Buffy.” CBS News (2003). Web. 18 Jan 2011. <http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/20/entertainment/main554813.shtml&gt;.

Dillard, Brian J. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer [TV Series].” All Movie. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Jan 2011. <http://www.allmovie.com/work/174873&gt;.