Digest

The Rewatcher podcast hosts celebrate 100 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, sharing their love for the show and discussing their favorite episodes. They delve into the casting process, comparing the unaired pilot to the aired pilot and highlighting the differences in tone, character development, and overall execution. The hosts discuss why they chose Buffy as the subject of their podcast, highlighting its unique blend of grounded high school drama and supernatural elements. They also share their experiences meeting cast members like James Marsters and Christine Sutherland. The hosts explore what makes Buffy stand the test of time, discussing its unique approach to relationships, its evolving darkness, and its grounding in real-life issues. They reveal their plans to cover a new show next, one that Ash has never seen, and tease its vibe. The hosts brainstorm ideas for potential Buffy spin-off shows, focusing on characters like Ripper and Drew, and discuss potential storylines and dream casting choices. They express their desire for a spin-off show that delves deeper into vampire lore, exploring the origins of Angel's curse and the history of vampires. The hosts share their favorite seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with a particular fondness for the first season's initial excitement and the third season's compelling storylines. They also rank their favorite big bads, with Glory, the Mayor, and the Master topping the list. The hosts discuss their favorite episodes to record, highlighting those featuring guest stars and those that sparked particularly engaging discussions. They also share their favorite fashion moments from the show, including Buffy's leopard coat and Cordelia's red Corvette. The hosts play a game called "Trust, Lust, or Dust," where they choose which Buffyverse characters they would trust, lust after, or dust. They discuss their reasoning and the complexities of their choices. The hosts imagine dream podcasts featuring various Buffyverse characters, exploring the dynamics between Giles and Spike, the stream of consciousness of Drew, and the camaraderie of Buffy and Willow. They speculate on which Buffyverse characters would be most likely to create a viral TikTok and who would be cast in the "Housewives of Sunnydale." They imagine the dynamics and potential storylines for this reality show. The hosts engage in a lighthearted discussion about which of them would be most likely to become a vengeance demon and who would have a doppelganger. They also share their personal experiences with falling in love with fictional vampires. The hosts celebrate the 100th episode of their podcast, expressing gratitude to their listeners and hinting at future plans. They encourage listeners to participate in their social media extravaganza.

Outlines

00:03:42

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: 100 Episodes and Beyond

The hosts of the Rewatcher podcast celebrate 100 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, discussing their love for the show, favorite episodes, and the casting process. They delve into the unaired pilot, comparing it to the aired pilot and highlighting the differences in tone, character development, and overall execution.

00:05:45

Why Buffy?

The hosts discuss why they chose Buffy the Vampire Slayer as the subject of their podcast, highlighting the show's unique blend of grounded high school drama and supernatural elements, making it relatable and aspirational.

00:08:11

Other Shows Considered

The hosts discuss other shows they considered for their rewatch podcast, including Charmed, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and others. They explain why they ultimately chose Buffy and what made it stand out.

00:09:40

Anticipation for Episodes

The hosts discuss the episodes they were most excited to cover, including "School Hard," "Lie to Me," and "Hush." They share their experiences meeting cast members like James Marsters and Christine Sutherland.

00:20:19

Buffy's Enduring Appeal

The hosts discuss what makes Buffy the Vampire Slayer stand the test of time. They highlight the show's unique approach to relationships, its evolving darkness, and its grounding in real-life issues.

00:21:56

The Next Show

The hosts reveal that they will be covering a new show next, one that Ash has never seen. They tease the show's vibe and express their excitement and nervousness about watching it together.

00:25:31

The Unaired Pilot: A Look Behind the Scenes

The hosts discuss their experience watching the unaired pilot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. They compare it to the aired pilot, highlighting the differences in tone, character development, and overall execution.

00:28:51

The Willow Casting Change

The hosts discuss the casting change for Willow, explaining why Allison Hannigan was ultimately chosen over Riff Regan. They highlight Hannigan's ability to portray Willow's shyness and quirkiness in a relatable and endearing way.

00:33:13

Alternate Casting Choices

The hosts discuss some of the other actors who were considered for roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, including Charisma Carpenter, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Mercedes McNabb, Katie Holmes, Ryan Reynolds, and Danny Strong.

00:36:03

Analyzing the Unaired Pilot

The hosts analyze the unaired pilot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, comparing it to the aired pilot and discussing the differences in music, camera angles, character introductions, and overall tone.

00:54:05

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Unaired Pilot Recap

This chapter recaps the unaired pilot episode of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, highlighting key plot points, character introductions, and notable differences from the aired series.

00:57:13

The Bronze and Angel's Absence

The discussion shifts to the absence of Angel's introduction in the pilot, emphasizing its significance in the aired series. The hosts discuss the impact of this omission and how it would have affected the overall narrative.

00:58:58

Fake Willow and the Vampire Boy

The hosts delve into the portrayal of Willow in the pilot, particularly her interaction with a vampire boy. They express confusion about the scene's purpose and how it deviates from Willow's character development in the aired series.

01:00:28

Buffy's Banter and the Vampire's Death

The hosts analyze Buffy's dialogue and fighting style in the pilot, noting its campy nature and how it contrasts with the show's later, darker tone. They also discuss the vampire's unusual transformation into ash.

01:03:03

Darla's Introduction and the Ending

The hosts critique Darla's introduction in the pilot, finding it underwhelming and lacking the character's later menacing presence. They also discuss the episode's ending, which they find too on-the-nose and lacking in subtlety.

01:06:21

Changes Made to the Aired Series

The hosts discuss the significant changes made to the aired series, highlighting the positive impact of recasting certain characters and the overall improvement in tone and narrative.

01:07:38

Buffy Spin-Off Ideas

The hosts brainstorm ideas for potential Buffy spin-off shows, focusing on characters like Ripper and Drew. They discuss potential storylines and dream casting choices.

01:11:14

Vampire Lore and a Potential Spin-Off

The hosts express their desire for a spin-off show that delves deeper into vampire lore, exploring the origins of Angel's curse and the history of vampires. They envision a show that combines their individual ideas and features Ripper as a side character.

01:12:36

Favorite Seasons and Big Bads

The hosts share their favorite seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, with a particular fondness for the first season's initial excitement and the third season's compelling storylines. They also rank their favorite big bads, with Glory, the Mayor, and the Master topping the list.

01:16:19

Favorite Episodes and Fashion Moments

The hosts discuss their favorite episodes to record, highlighting those featuring guest stars and those that sparked particularly engaging discussions. They also share their favorite fashion moments from the show, including Buffy's leopard coat and Cordelia's red Corvette.

01:22:53

Trust, Lust, or Dust Game

The hosts play a game called "Trust, Lust, or Dust," where they choose which Buffyverse characters they would trust, lust after, or dust. They discuss their reasoning and the complexities of their choices.

01:26:01

Dream Podcasts

The hosts imagine dream podcasts featuring various Buffyverse characters, exploring the dynamics between Giles and Spike, the stream of consciousness of Drew, and the camaraderie of Buffy and Willow.

01:27:38

Viral TikToks and the Housewives of Sunnydale

The hosts speculate on which Buffyverse characters would be most likely to create a viral TikTok and who would be cast in the "Housewives of Sunnydale." They imagine the dynamics and potential storylines for this reality show.

01:29:59

Vengeance Demons and Doppelgangers

The hosts engage in a lighthearted discussion about which of them would be most likely to become a vengeance demon and who would have a doppelganger. They also share their personal experiences with falling in love with fictional vampires.

01:30:57

The Rewatcher's 100th Episode

The hosts celebrate the 100th episode of their podcast, expressing gratitude to their listeners and hinting at future plans. They encourage listeners to participate in their social media extravaganza.

Keywords

Q&A

• What makes Buffy the Vampire Slayer stand the test of time?

  Buffy's unique blend of grounded high school drama and supernatural elements, its evolving darkness, and its grounding in real-life issues make it relatable and engaging for viewers of all ages.

• What were some of the other shows considered for the Rewatcher podcast?

  The hosts considered Charmed, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and other shows with a similar spooky and lighthearted vibe. They ultimately chose Buffy because of its unique blend of genres and its enduring popularity.

• What were some of the differences between the unaired pilot and the aired pilot of Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

  The unaired pilot had a different tone, with more caricatured characters and a less refined overall execution. The music, camera angles, and character introductions were also different.

• Why was Allison Hannigan ultimately chosen to play Willow?

  Joss Whedon loved Hannigan's approach to the role, her ability to portray Willow's shyness and quirkiness in a relatable and endearing way. He also felt that she had better chemistry with Sarah Michelle Gellar than the other actresses who auditioned.

• What are some of the key differences between the unaired pilot and the aired series of Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

  The unaired pilot featured a different portrayal of Willow, a less developed Darla, and a campier tone overall. Angel's introduction was also absent, which significantly impacted the narrative of the aired series.

• What are some of the changes made to the aired series that improved the show?

  Recasting certain characters, such as Willow and Giles, and shifting the tone to a darker, more mature direction contributed to the show's success. The changes allowed for more complex character development and a more engaging narrative.

• What are some potential spin-off ideas for the Buffyverse?

  A spin-off focusing on Ripper's early days as a Watcher, exploring his journey and encounters with vampires, could be compelling. Another possibility is a show centered on Drew, delving into her transformation into a chaos demon and her interactions with Angel.

• What are some of the hosts' favorite seasons and big bads from Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

  The hosts particularly enjoy the first season for its initial excitement and the third season for its compelling storylines. Their favorite big bads include Glory, the Mayor, and the Master, who they find particularly memorable and well-developed.

• What are some of the hosts' favorite episodes to record and their favorite fashion moments from the show?

  The hosts enjoy episodes featuring guest stars and those that spark engaging discussions. Their favorite fashion moments include Buffy's leopard coat and Cordelia's red Corvette, which they find iconic and stylish.

Show Notes