I find it hard to believe that this person has ever even watched an episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. If he had, he'd understand why so many people think it's a great show with a great message. I've said this before and I'll say it again, I watched this show, Angel and Firefly with my kids and it opened so many avenues of dialogue for us to talk about current issues in the world, the good and the bad and what is right and wrong. There was always a simple underlining message in Joss' shows that doing the right thing is the right thing. That there always are consequences to all your actions and try and do the right thing by choosing wisely in the first place. And it was a universal message too - not aimed at any religion - just a good overall message. At least that's what I got from watching his shows. Life, love, trust, growth and redemption are the stories I got from the Whedonverse.

Firefly Flanatic | May 21, 07:33 CET

In the words of Xander Harris: "How? What? How?"

FearsomeBrowMop | May 21, 07:34 CET

I just wonder if his head and the stick split the rent on his ass.

DarqueGuy | May 21, 07:38 CET

Yes, this person has definitely never watched the show, or visited The Online International Journal of Buffy Studies.

I'm never read such a negative opinion of the show.

"This pathetic, infantile attempt at turning another sitcom into something with dramatic character by the injection of action and violence does nothing to allay my suspicion that TV entertainment and much of the rest of that "industry" strongly resembles pornography, according to a past definition, in having no redeeming merit, none whatsoever."

First of all, that's a run-on sentence. Second - pathetic? infantile? f*cking sitcom!? The show has more than just action and violence. This guy clearly has never seen "The Body." And "no redeeming merit"?

"There is no literary base, as with older films, nor is there any metaphoric content, such as in "Salem's Lot," nothing other than the same silly, hollow lot of people so prominent in TV shows: loud, unattractive, stupid and unbelievable."

I never seen "Salem's Lot," but I have never seen a television show more metaphorical or literary than "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Maybe this guy was just too dense to pick up on any of it.

Invisible Green | May 21, 07:49 CET

To quote:

The article ... is one more example of the ability of speakers to say the most ludicrous things and the press to publish them.

Well said. If even this guy's letter got published, maybe one day he can be a real boy, too!

... loud, unattractive, stupid and unbelievable."

Resorting to the personal insult is the last resort of the unimaginative. If you have a problem with the show, say it: criticize the writing, casting, production quality, values, etc. Sinking to the level of calling the cast ugly, on the other hand, is the intellectual equivelant of shoving your thumb up your ass and saying "oh, yeah? Well, I'll-- I'll-- I'll--- give me a sec." A large vocabulary doesn't make you smart, observant or worthy of anyone's attention.

And I bet he smells bad, too. =)

[ edited by Dave! on 2004-05-21 06:00 ]

Dave! | May 21, 07:50 CET

Formula for this letter - take a few facts heard about show in newsmedia, mix in with 30 seconds of "Smashed" accidentally caught while flipping channels, throw in a few references to characters like Sisyphus to make one feel intelligent (and thanks, but I knew that myth in fifth grade, doesn't mean I would've been able to appreciate the philosophical depth of Whedon).

Ooh, and use a lot of multisyllable words, because obviously your position is so superior that anybody who does not agree simply didn't understand. Lace, on occasion, striking terms like "pornography" to incite a strong feeling of revulsion.

Oh, yeah. I feel revolted.

I'm as pretentious as the next fellow, but this is dross.

TheJoyofZeppo | May 21, 07:52 CET

Uh-hem. =)

Main Entry: dross
Pronunciation: 'dräs, 'dros
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English dros, from Old English drOs dregs
1 : the scum that forms on the surface of molten metal
2 : waste or foreign matter : IMPURITY
3 : something that is base, trivial, or inferior
- drossy /'drä-sE, 'dro-/ adjective

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

Dave! | May 21, 08:01 CET

FearsomeBrowMop Three very good questions.

lycoming | May 21, 08:18 CET

HEY! Pornography has quite a lot of redeeming merit! ;)

Tycho | May 21, 08:32 CET

Wow, did this person toss a dart at TV guide just to have something to rant at? And a well-thought out criticism is always a good read even when you don't agree with it, but this is just a list of gibberish and name-calling. I cannot picture this person any other way but literally frothing at the mouth.

And no metaphors in Buffy??? Hah, I don't know any other shows that have so many metaphors in them! There are whole volumes written on the spritual and filosophical merits of the Buffy metaphors!

I have the impression this is one of those religious fanatics who'd consider Tom & Jerry 'sinful porno'. Could be wrong.

EdDantes | May 21, 09:56 CET

Yup, Dave! Basically what I meant.

I'm very fond of the word.

TheJoyofZeppo | May 21, 10:26 CET

"Well said. If even this guy's letter got published, maybe one day he can be a real boy, too!" - Dave!

Dave, that's briliant! You provided me with a great late night laugh.

And yes, EdDantes, "Buffy" is definitely the metaphor champion, followed by shows like, well, "Angel," obviously, and also "Roswell" (especially in it's first season), and I've heard that "Star Trek: Enterprise" uses them too.

Invisible Green | May 21, 11:03 CET

This guy obviously ran out of viagra!

"If you think that's enough to kill me.You really don't know what a slayer is. Trust me when I say that you're gonna find out" Buffy - The I in Team

Somone was clearly using their thesaurus! It is individuals like this who get too much fun out of pissing on someones else's parade - Where is natural selection when you need it!

magdelena | May 21, 16:12 CET

You know what, I'm not gonna judge this guy until I read the article he is referring to in this *repsonse*. Anybody know which one it was?

wissxwe | May 21, 17:00 CET

It was the one on Buffy and spirituality or perhaps the "What Would Baffy Do?" those are the two I thought the person was refering too.

RavenU | May 21, 18:21 CET

I don't need to read an article to judge this guy's letter. I've devotedly watched the
Whedonverse for years and feel I am well-poised to say that, in my opinion:

1. he's clearly never watched the show ("sitcom" -- hello???)
2. his arguments are rooted in bile and attacks ad hominem -- I despise his style and find it terribly ineffective
3. his position is idiotic

Note, please, that I didn't call HIM an "idiot," which elevates me immediately at least a touch above this fellow in the grand scheme of things.

I appreciate that people have very different views about the ME shows and I enjoy reading well-written arguments from all sides. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say that I respect well-reasoned arguments even if I don't agree with them. But this is just inflammatory nonsense. I don't respect it one whit.

phlebotinin | May 21, 20:33 CET

People who were repeatly dropped on their heads at infantcy have a right to express their opinion.

splay | May 21, 21:09 CET

hehe! splay you rock!

pezwitch | May 24, 12:14 CET