Dear Joss,
Big fan here (I could list all the various projects of yours, but you know what you've worked on and the only one I haven't cared for is the original Buffy movie — but from what I understand, that's not your fault). Suffice to say: Big fan here. I'm sure you're busy with Dollhouse andwrapping up Buffy: Season 8, but there's a void I would like to draw your attention to.
Here in America, we don't have any kind of "legacy" programming. We have shows that play for a couple of seasons and then disappear. We have the occasional show (Friends) that runs for ten years. We have reality TV. But we have nothing — and I repeat, nothing — like Britian's Doctor Who.
Doctor Who, according to Wikipedia, has had 753 episodes (and I'm assuming that's not counting Torchwood). The first episode aired 46 years ago. There was a bit of a lull (complete lack of episodes) in the 90's, but it's back now and arguably better than ever. And my question is, why can't America have something like that? It's like we're Marvel and Britian's DC. Marvel has all these really great, flashy characters. DC, on the other hand, has legacies. They have the Flash legacy, the Green Lantern legacy, and now they have the Batman legacy. They have characters who, at a certain point, pass down the cape and tights to a junior character. Why am I telling you this? Because I believe Buffy could be America's response to the good doctor.
We once thought Buffy was unique, that she was the only slayer this generation would see. But then we met Faith. And then, in the final arc of the show, we were introduced to more slayers than I could count. Using any one of these characters (Buffy, Faith, or the scores of slayers who survived Sunnydale's implosion), a new show could be spun. Since Eliza's busy with Dollhouse, I don't foresee a Faith the Vampire Slayer show, but that doesn't mean a Xander the Vampire Slayer or a Giles the Vampire Slayer Trainer or a I Was There When Sunnydale Went Kablooey the Vampire Slayer show can't be done. We could introduce a brand new character in a brand new circumstance, fighting off the legions of hell. The show could run for as long as said slayer was interested and/or interesting, and then a new slayer could be introduced for a new season.
The slayers could be from anywhere, fighting what mythology and folklore is familiar to their background or surroundings. The slayers could range in age, temperment, species, and even (dare I say it?) sex. It's a big world you've created, but one that doesn't feel completely explored. Yet.
Vampires are here to stay. Heroes (of the normal and super variety) are here to stay. Myths are here to stay. Buffy is all those things, and a bit more — which is why the fanbase would eat it up. And restarting a show every couple of seasons, giving new viewers a chance to hop aboard with no knowledge of past continuity? Sounds like a studio's dream come true.
I'm not saying "make it happen," but, you know, it'd be super cool if you did.
-=Scott
PS: And a Doctor Horrible TV show? That'd be very cool too. We haven't had very many (any?) supervillain shows and/or movies.
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T Scott Fogg: Writer. Director. Daydreamer.
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Please tell me you guys really sent this to him?? Sounds like a great idea.
I only have one nitpicky thing to say. "Into every generation a Slayer is born. One GIRL in all the world…"
But with Twilight currently brainwashing teens worldwide, we need a return of the Slayers more than ever to remind girls that being stalked by a possessive abusive monster is not every woman's fantasy. The chick who stakes his creepy ass and then goes home to her awesome friends and family is a much better role model. Bring back the vampire slayers to kick Edward Cullen's sparkly ass!
Jemma, did you watch Buffy? b/c you make me believe that you missed the last season. Please, re-read the letter. You just made yourself sound really stupid.
I watch the last season, my point wasn't about multiple slayers but the suggestion that the slayer could be male, hence the 'GIRL' being capslocked, not the 'one'. A show for various slayers is a damn fine idea, but the slayers wouldn't be male or from other species. The montage in the final episode of all the slayers being called didn't show a single guy, or supernatural critter, did it? So I'll thank you to think a little more carefully before replying to people, or you may find that you're the one coming off as stupid
I agree with John. NOT THAT YOUR STUPID, but a male slayer would weaken the whole concept of the show. Plus guys have been traditionally the vampire slayer anyway. Just wouldn't be as interesting.
oh, and I for one LOVE this idea.
"Here in America, we don’t have any kind of “legacy” programming."
Star Trek?
(UK bloke here) Doctor Who is (aside from being very flukey) a family show on the country's primary channel, as opposed to a more adult show on a lesser watched network. It's survived at least in part because of the effect had on the kids watching it, growing up and wanting to keep it for their own kids.
I can't see the Buffyverse becoming as large or as long lasting. Not that that wouldn't be awesome, I just doubt its possibility. Besides, you do have Star Trek which I always thought would outlive Doctor Who. After all, once people have gotten tired of one man's adventures and kill him off proper, Star Trek can still come back with a new team and ship exploring an infinite universe. (Don't get me wrong, I ADORE Doctor Who as much as I adore Joss himself, but I perceive it to be distinctly finite.)
Would Star Wars count as another legacy? If it isn't now it certainly has the same potential.
Could Buffy have a full-blooded franchise? If they ever get Ripper going that could be the start. Something like that over here coupled with a show in America (Willow? Xander? A Potential, indeed?) could be a kick-start to the franchise. In any case, I'm just grateful we have more Dollhouse, so I shall soak up whatever Whedony goodness I can.
I think it's a horrible idea. I wouldn't like to see a Buffy-related show without Buffy. Do you remember how Angel ended? It was horrible. And a show about Xander or Giles…They would die at the end of the show.
I loved the ending of Angel. Yes most died, but Angel, Spike and Illyria survived and saved the world..again. I would love to see something with Spike and Illyria together, they were both excellent and Spike was the reason I watched the last 4 seasons of Buffy.
You guys need to read the comics.
“Here in America, we don’t have any kind of “legacy” programming.”
As people have mentioned there's Star Trek
Dr. Who has only 15 days, 14 hours and 36 minutes of television while Star Trek has 22 days, 19 hours and 3 minutes (if you watched back-to-back).
Leave Buffy alone! Let Joss do what he thinks will be special and unique… I fell in love with the characters and storytelling, not the basic plot of the show… If there is a spinoff movie with Giles or Spike great! But don't try and push something based on the basic plot or myths, that's not what made it great in the first place!
This is exactly what I've said; brining the Buffyverse back to tV doesn't depend on any of the previous casts beign available
Joss is good at themes; one reason BtVS suffered after S-3 was that these specific characters were associated with the "high school as hell" metaphor and lost that dimension after.
There's no reason why a different Slayer with different friends and problems couldn't be a good show. Or a surviving Watcher and any Slayers he's able to find. Or a Willow/Tara/Amy style solitary witch, or coven, set *in* the B'verse. Or a Beauty and the Beast style show with CLem and a normal human woman. Or a Highway to Heaven style with ghosts of characters who died on the show righting wrongs. Or a werewolf/panther/tiger/etc. who has full human intelligence as a beast. Or (with clsoe to 1 million of them on earth) maybe there's a 3rd or 4th vampire witha soul. Or a story centering on a romance betweena human and an attractive demon type.
Two big problems. Fox seems leery about too much licesnign out of the Buffyverse; see ripper. Second, Joss has learned from experience he can't juggle 3 network shows or the equivalent without ruining his ehalth and relationships and the quality of the shows; he's said so himself. And he seems incapable of really trusting showrunners. So we'll have to wait for his palte to be clearer.
STOP THAT STUPID ASS BUFFY MOVIE!!!
Call your senator!
YES! on the Dr. Horrible TV show.