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Research for Buffy Panel -- Wisewoman, 20:51:32 10/05/02 Sat

Hey guys, wanna help me out?

I've been asked to participate on the BtVS panel at the upcoming VCon 27 Science Fiction and Fantasy Conference which happens next weekend. My Anya character profile from the summer before last caught someone's eye. My area of "expertise" is listed as "Buffy cyber-fandom." Yikes!

I've been dutifully browsing the big Buffy sites, but I'm going to fall back on what I know best, which is basically this site. I don't have any trouble justifying why I think it's the best Buffy site around, but I thought it might be interesting to do a little survey amongst the regulars and see if there are varying views. You could help me out by answering some or all of the following questions if you get a minute, either in this thread or to my e-mail.

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?

2. How did you find this discussion forum?

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?

Please feel free to add whatever comments you'd like, or to suggest alternative questions.

Thanks for the help!

;o) dub

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- HonorH (forcibly restraining Honorificus), 21:30:59 10/05/02 Sat

Here are my answers, completely unpolluted by my evil alter ego:

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
Just a couple of months, though I did have a friend sending me selected posts for about a year before that.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?
Aforementioned friend sending me threads.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?
I've looked at it, but I wouldn't say I frequent it.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?
No other discussion forums. They're too uncivilized.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?
The Sunnydale Slayers. They've got great ep reviews, quotes, fanfic--the whole shmeal, all in one place.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
This one, because it's civilized. The others are scary. I'd have to exist as Honorificus if I posted on them.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
It was recommended to me by a bunch of Highlander fans when I was in withdrawal, so I decided to start watching. A friend sent me tapes to get caught up on the storyline.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?
The writing. It's just amazing. A lot could be said about the actors, themes, characters, storylines, shirtlessness, etc., but really, it's the writing. Just the best I've seen on TV, hands down.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?
Not enough goats. (Shaddup, Honorificus!) Sorry about that. Actually, I have a hard time coming up with anything I really dislike about the show.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?
Only this one at present, but I used to participate in Xena and Highlander fandom. I'll probably participate in Firefly fandom if it gets off the ground (so to speak).

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?
Yes, about three to five times a week.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?
Nope. Live too far away from most of 'em.

13. How old are you?
28, with a 2-year-old alter ego. (Hey!) (Suck it up, H.)

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Rob, 21:37:16 10/05/02 Sat

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?

Almost 2 years!

2. How did you find this discussion forum?

I typed in "Buffy mythology" as a search command in "Google," and found a site that linked to the ATPoBtVS website. From there, I found the forum.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?

As you can tell from my answer to #2, yup!

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?

No, I don't. I don't find any of the others nearly as friendly, courteous, and smart as this board.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?

ATPoBtVS's main site, truthfully. No other place will you find such thoroughly detailed episode guides, complete with analyses of every aspect of every episode, and a deconstruction of every aspect of the complex "Buffy" and "Angel" mythologies. And all cross-referenced! It's truly an amazing accomplishment.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?

Uh...this one! The posters are uniformly brilliant. I'd never, on any other messageboard, felt compelled to print out posts. Here, I do that regularly. I also love how post-length does not matter. You can go on and on as much as you want, and there are people who will help you sort through your thoughts, clarify them, etc.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

I first started watching during the first run of "Ted" in the second season of "Buffy," because I had recently seen the movie and enjoyed it. I had heard that the TV show was much better, from a lot of reviews. So I checked it out, and it definitely was. I watched the rest of the second season first-run, and then rewatched the first 2 seasons in rerun during the summer.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?

I liked the mix of comedy, horror, and, most importantly, the metaphors, which really made the show, monsters aside, the most emotionally realistic show on television about people my own age. And that is the second reason I love the show so much. The characters are exactly my age, and I really identified with their stories, because they were (and are) experiencing growing up at the same time as I.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?

Honestly, nothing. I have never had any problem with anything on the show. I love it all (except for about 3 or 4 episodes of the second season).

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?

Yes. I also participate in "Six Feet Under" and "Farscape" internet fandom.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?

I do sometimes, although not often, because my computer kicks me off the chat every few minutes.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?

Yes, I've met about 12 of them at a group meeting, 2 of whom I've seen on other occassions.

13. How old are you?

I'm 21.


Rob

[> [> Oh...forgot to add... -- Rob, 21:39:43 10/05/02 Sat

re: internet fandom...I used to be very involved in Xena fandom on-line. (Please add that to my answer. :o) )

Rob

[> [> [> Re: Oh...forgot to add... -- Rob, 07:57:03 10/06/02 Sun

D'oh! I forgot something else!

Here's my revised answer to Question #10:

"Yes. I also participate in "Six Feet Under," "Farscape," and "Firefly" internet fandom. I used to, also, be involved in "Xena" internet fandom.

Rob

[> *shrug* Okay... -- ZachsMind, 21:58:36 10/05/02 Sat

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
About a year or so I think. Though aware of Buffy from the beginning, I wasn't much of a fan until season six and then I couldn't get enough of it. I've since gone back & seen all the shows on videotapes from friends. I came here about this time last year, when I sought out places on the Web to fuel my interest in the series, and learn all the backstory.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?
Through ATPoBtVS. I went there first to read about the moral ambiguities of the series, and found a link to here.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?
Yes. I find this forum a supplement to that site. Not the other way around. =)

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?
Pretty much any I can find. Predominantly Whedonesque.com and I used to frequent Cross & Stake but I think I'm still banned from posting there. I had a little disagreement with that site's owner which caused me to become an outcast. I'm not a Spuffy Shipper. I call myself a "Plotter." This didn't set well apparently with the others there.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?
Ooh that's a toughy. ATPoBtVS definitely is in the top there, because it's more than just a fan site. It approaches the material seriously, and dissects Buffy writings to reveal the series on equal calibre with some of the best writing in the television age. Buffy has yet to "jump the shark" which is difficult for any tv series to do in over seven years. Most tv series don't make it this long without getting ineptly stupid. I also enjoy buffyguide.com, buffyradio.com and far too many fansites to mention with any judicial equality.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
Whedonesque.com. More than just a discussion forum, it involves fans of Buffy seeking out the web and bringing to one place links to the latest and most interesting websites and news tidbits about all of Joss Whedon's efforts from around the world, including Angel, Firefly, and the rumors about Ripper.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
Some friends were really into Buffy in its early seasons and encouraged me to watch. I judged the book by its cover though at my own folly. I was aware of the original movie from which the tv series is based. I'd seen it, and even the incomparable talent of Donald Sutherland couldn't salvage the thing. Damn shame. I've always felt the idea a fun one, but on the surface it wasn't my kind of entertainment.

I did catch a few of the episodes involving Seth Green as Oz during their first-run (before reruns). I was fascinated with the idea of a werewolf in a modern urban setting, and found Green's very lowkey approach to the character quite heartwarming and creative. And damn funny. Green's comic timing is impeccable, and he can say volumes with very few words, simply by their delivery. When they wrote Oz out of the show, I just left. The one character I identified with at the time, and he's gone? I saw no reason to continue watching.

So I missed most of season four and all of season five in first-run. Then when I saw the press about Buffy moving from WB to UPN, and that at the end of season five they killed off the lead character, I was curious how they were going to write themselves out of that hole, so I tuned in basically to watch a corny tv series tank. To my surprise the exact opposite happened. Suddenly this corny idea for a tv show seemed infused with deep philosophical questions and complex uncertainties about life and purpose and meaning in existence.

I realized, and perhaps this is what's important about truly understanding Buffy, I realized that the vampires & demons were metaphorical representations for the real fears in all our lives. The fear of that first date. The fear of graduating from high school or college. The fear of facing the world. The fear of obstacles to overcome, and the realization that its not the obstacle that must be conquered but one's internal fears of that obstacle. If one conquers the fear, the obstacle suddenly becomes not a monster but a mission to accomplish or a journey to explore.

Buffy's still corny on the surface, but underneath the camp and the one-liners there's some real thick meaty stuff going on about relationships and personal discovery. It's really quite fascinating writing.

Oh, and the music's cool too. =)

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?
Didn't I just answer this question in the last question? LOL!

The works of Shakespeare are timeless because even though they may involve histories of kings or tragedies of monarchs or warring families of ancient history or fictional worlds, the actual interaction between the characters deal with issues and concepts that people can easily relate to today. Love and longing. Hardship and fear. Family loyalties and mistrust of foes. Brother turning against brother. Uncertainty. Indecision. Misplaced emotions. These are things that even hundreds of years later people can still identify with.

Whedon's no Shakespeare, but in this fictional world he contemplates real issues that face people day to day, and he puts them in the subtext of a world where there are monsters both in the shadows down the hall and in the shadows of one's own soul. There's bravery in Buffy, there's loyalty in Xander and there's indecisiveness in Willow. Though if Shakespeare were alive today he'd no doubt scoff, deep down I think even he'd find appreciation for what Whedon's painting with his producer's brush.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?

Occasionally there are decisions the writers make which I find could be improved. Due to external factors, the writers were forced to work characters like Faith and Oz out of the picture far too soon, just when their characters were getting interesting.

The way Dawn has been handled has caused many to dislike her. They threw this character into the mix in season five, and made her whine too much. She complained too much and it was unnecessary. They're making strides to correct that now but I fear it may be too little too late. For the record I adore Dawn's character but she's not being properly realized. She has much more potential than what they're putting on the screen, and hopefully soon that will be more evident.

To be honest, the things I dislike are simply choices I would make that the writers actually on staff did not make. This is Whedon's world, and being overly upset with the decisions of he and his writing staff ultimately come out nitpicky. It's fun to nitpick sometimes, but ultimately I must admit Buffy's world is in very capable hands. I enjoy far more than I could dislike.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?

Over the years I've been interested and involved with online discussions about X-Files, the Star Trek franchise, Friends, reality based television shows like Big Brother, Road Rules, Real World, Amazing Race and Survivor, and shows that didn't get a chance to fluorish properly like Quantum Leap, Freaky Links, Strange Luck and VR-5. Most recently I've been looking for fandom sites devoted to Crime Scene Investigations Vegas & Miami, because I think without a doubt those are the best programs produced for a major network in a very long time. Ironically I've seen very little substance on the 'Net about CSI, which is kinda disappointing.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?

I think I went into an online chat forum for either this place or Cross & Stake once or twice, but the people in there at the time scoffed at any serious attempts to discuss the series with any substance, opting instead to contemplate the romantic or sexual prowess of the characters. Not my cup of tea. I probably entered the chat forum at an improper time when it wasn't filled with serious plot-oriented fans.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?

Nope. I have met people 'in the flesh' who I originally met online, but those individuals are usually involved in some form of online diary writing, like weblogs or personal narrative websites. A different beast than these fansites.

13. How old are you?

Thirty-four.

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Rufus, 22:11:51 10/05/02 Sat

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
I've been here about the same amount of time as OnM...so that would be about October/2000. I luked for the summer before to get an idea on how to work a computer, I knew nothing about them.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?
I searched the Buffy section of Yahoo and this site was highly recommended.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?
Yup...cause Masq has all the history of both Angel and Buffy and gives definitions for the Big Words.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?
Buffy Cross and Stake, Beta Bronze, An Angels Soul, BAPS, Tabula Rasa, Fan Forum, The Stakehouse, The Kitten, Conversebuffyverse aka: The Trollop Board....and lurk on many others.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?
ATPoBTVS, of course....followed by Psyche's Transcripts.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
This one cause it's where I started and are attached to the people here.....emotionally, not literally..;)

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
I saw the movie and liked some of it....when they announced a series I just had to take a look and was hooked right away.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?
The ensemble cast...there are many stories to be told. Plus, the detail the writers have gone into establishing characters....they make you care for them.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?
It's not long enough.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?
Firefly

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?
I chat almost everyday...sometimes it is connected with running the Trollop Board.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?
I met you, of course, and we will never tell what we talked about.....will we.....

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?
46

Please feel free to add whatever comments you'd like, or to suggest alternative questions.

Thanks for the help!

;o) dub

[> [> Sh*t.......dropped a tag....can someone (herb) go inot voy and close it? -- Rufus, 22:14:10 10/05/02 Sat

[> [> [> dH is away from keyboard - but I'm sure he'll pick things up late tomorrow. -- Rahael, 06:27:21 10/06/02 Sun

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Robert, 22:36:55 10/05/02 Sat

>>> 1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?


Posting for 1-1/2 years with an additional 3/4 of a year of lurking.

>>> 2. How did you find this discussion forum?

Through ATPOBtVS which I found through a link from another fan site, though I no longer remember which one.

>>> 3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?

Yes.

>>> 4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?

No.

>>> 5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?

Jenoff's Peripheral Visions, with ATPOBtVS being a close second. I very much enjoy the thoughtful reviews jenoff writes. When he agrees with me, I feel good. When he disagrees with me, I understand his position, and sometimes change my own. Of course, ATPOBtVS provides the most technical treatment of BtVS that I have seen.

>>> 6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?

This one of course. It is the only board I've seen not replete with jackasses.

>>> 7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

I started with the very first episode. I watched for the simple reason of the subversive title.

>>> 8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?

I like the depiction of strong women best, not agressive but strong. My mother was a strong women. She had to be to raise four unrulely boys while my father spent two years in Vietnam and many more on board ship. I also have enjoyed other strong women in the movies, such as Ripley and Sarah Connor. My definition of a strong women is one who survives and does what needs to be done, with or without the assistance of members of the male population.

>>> 9. What do you dislike about it? Why?

This is a difficult question. The show sometimes moves in directions which I wish it did not, but I have always approved of them later on. The show is sometimes gruesome and painful to watch, but I revel in the emotion it evokes. It seems specious to claim that there is nothing I dislike about BtVS, but this is how I feel.

>>> 10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?

No. Many years ago, I participated in the Star Trek usenet group, but I found it unfortunately replete with jackasses.

>>> 11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?

No.

>>> 12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?

No.

>>> 13. How old are you?

43, but my heart is much younger, say 42 ...

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Deeva, 23:02:27 10/05/02 Sat

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
About 2 years.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?
Umm, I think I just googled it one day and it looked interesting so I bookmarked it.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?
Yes.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?
Nope.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?
Spoiler Trollop and Spoiler Slayer. Need I really say why?

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
This is my favorite discussion forum because it has a semblance of coherent thought. Which is not to say that the occasional Nekkid!Spike comments are not entertaining and unwelcome to me. Just good to not have it be in EVERY thread.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
Saw the promo and just tuned in.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?
The stories are great. The actors are so talented. The writers are amazing. In the 6 years of watching Buffy, I often wonder how intentional some things are. Or are some things accidental? Or am I just reaching to make all the connections that I make cause I'm a fanatic who is sitting on her butt for far too long thinking about the show?
I like how there is a great balance of writing in the show. Which, of course, seems to keep it from being one thing or another when comes down to pigeon holing it for an award nomination. Is it a drama that is funny sometimes? Is it a comedy that is also dramatic? They need a dramedy category, really.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?
There is nothing that I would phone up ME on and say "Get rid of that!"

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?
Nope. Buffy eats up most of my time.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?
I've only done it 3 times in the 2 years I've been here. the chat only works on my work computer.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?
Yep. Met 4 other posters. Just once over dinner.

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?
Eep!

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- TRM, 00:35:59 10/06/02 Sun

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
6 months

2. How did you find this discussion forum?
Don't recall, I think I just stumbled into it from a link.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?
Not really -- besides to connect to this page.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?
nope

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?
I tend to go to www.buffyguide.com, probably because its the first one I went to and thus I feel attached to it. I'm starting to go to www.buffyworld.com more because they seem to get transcripts up quickly.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
This one -- for generally the reasons the others give. Oddly enough, I like how the people on this board can be critical about Buffy because other boards that I go to seem to just rave about Buffy without having given it thought. Sortof like troll opposites, and in my opinion, almost as annoying. Indeed, the pseudo-troll incident a while back epitomized why I like this board so much. It was handled with such finesse. The troll opposites tend towards the "well you suck! obviously you ..." argument which is rather unfortunate.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
Turned on the TV. Oddly enough, I thought it would be bad sci-fi/fantasy; which is one of my guilty pleasures. Yet it turned out to be good sci-fi/fantasy, and I felt no guilt at all in talking about it.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?
I would probably rank character development as the highest. While the philsophical talk on this board is great, I think what drew me into the show the most was that the characters were not cardboard. They evolved, and they possessed moral ambiguities. As someone who doesn't really believe in "truths" such moral ambiguity I find both intriguing and sympathetic.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?
Contrary to the others, I will criticize Buffy. I don't think the writing is generally that consistent. I'm never really upset with the overall story arc and I tend to find redeeming factors in most episodes, but there are some episodes that I really don't like -- and it always seems that when I do ask my friends to watch, they tune in during those. Obviously Bad Eggs and Beer Bad have been mentioned previously -- though these aren't really my least favorite. Buffy vs. Dracula, which I understand many liked, seemed to me very campy and very poorly timed. Teacher's Pet (which is oddly the first episode I saw), never really appealed to me nor did I Robot, You Jane though I like the punchline at the end of the latter and it seems to make up largely for my lackluster appeal to those. Go Fish also seemed to me to break the limits of plausibility and didn't really strike any chords with me. So for me, I like the quality of the writing, but I don't think it is necessarily consistent and I do believe that it veers at times towards the bad.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?
Nope... well, I just started posting on the Firefly board.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?
No

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?
No

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?
21

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- meritaten, 01:16:19 10/06/02 Sun

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
I just found it in June 2002.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?
I was shopping at amazon.com and saw a reference to ATPoBtVS. Intrigued, I did a search for it, and found the forum from there.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?
Yes.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?
No. I have visited others, but this one is the only one I have found that draws me back.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?
All Things Philosophical. It has massive amounts of information on both Buffy and Angel, including information on various aspects of the Buffyverse. Wonderful fun.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
All Things Philosophical. Massive amounts of info on both series, the episodes, and things that come up on the show.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
My couisn is a huge fan and would talk about it constantly. I watched it so that I could carry on a conversation with her! I soon came to understand her obsession.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?
Wonderful mix of comdey and drama, with excellent character development and intense, complex storylines.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?
I'd have to really pick at little things to find someting to dislike.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?

Only Angel. I would have for Start Trek if I had found a site like this one. I do visit sites for Star Trek and Stargate SG-1, but not regularly.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?

No. I just don't visit chat rooms very often. I prefer forums.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?

No.

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?

30

Please feel free to add whatever comments you'd like, or to suggest alternative questions.

Thanks for the help!

;o) dub

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Rahael, 06:25:36 10/06/02 Sun

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?

Since the time I went online to try and find spoilers for the end of Season 5, which was going on in America, but wouldn't cross the Atlantic for a while.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?

Sitting at work, I did lots of Google searches, mostly 'Buffy+ spoilers'. But then I started to search for stuff like 'Buffy + Satre' and 'Buffy + Plato' etc etc. I kept getting hits for pages from Masq's site. I read the individual stuff, before eventually reading everything.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?

See above.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?

I used to post on one other, but the demographic appeared to be very different from the one here. I find this board more congenial. I decamped very quickly. Now, I don't post on any other forum, Buffy or otherwise.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?

I like Spoiler Slayer. It's the only other site link in my 'Buffy' links folder which is not AtPO or Psyche or Rob's Annotated Buffy (Which I consider as AtPO related!)

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?

This one. It fills all my Buffy discussion needs. It probably fills all my illicit historical and poetry discussion needs as well. It's about more than Buffy. Which is fitting, because Buffy encompasses more than it appears to, at first sight.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

I came back from University to be told to watch this new import. I missed it that vacation, but started watching an ep mid way - it was called 'Halloween'. I found it a little confusing when the main characters didn't recognise each other, but I hung on for the ride. I remember being hooked enough on B/A to have my jaw hang open for Innocence.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?

I like TV. Buffy is the best dramatic series I've followed. It has a way of insinuating itself into my life. I can date the big drop in my tv watching (addict to Buffy watching machine) to the day I bought my Buffy Season 1 Videotapes and watched the whole season in one sitting. More than any novel I've read, it has a certain sadness and the danger (emotional and physical) that Buffy confronted resonated with me. BtVS' challenge to grand narratives and its refreshingly sophisticated take on some of my current concerns is the icing on the cake, as far as I'm concerned. Finally, Buffy's strength, wit and fashion sense is a constant inspiration.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?

Well, it's hard for me to say - Buffy encourages me to think and reflect, whether I'm being critical or enthusiastic. Anything that does that is placed within a special category - I accept that it's already passed certain quality benchmarks. However, I tend to be more troubled by philosophical issues than things like direction, pacing, dialogue etc. If an episode presents me with interesting ideas, I tend to forget the rest. However. I find the whole soul business really quite annoying. I don't believe at all in souls, and sometimes it gets treated as if it's the only non-metaphorical thing on the show! I suppose it's because a lot of people believe in souls, while tending to be sceptical about the existence of werewolves or Vampires. So where some fans get irritated by drug addiction anvils, I tend to get testy about Souls and other things I categorise as wet and sappy. Like Christmas snow. I like the darkness, the edginess and the ambiguity better. Much less stressful.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?

None at all. I don't think I can call myself a fan of any other show. I appreciate good moments here and there. Other shows don't seem to be aimed at me, or speak to me in the same way. I always feel my otherness - especially since the other shows I tend to watch are British which don't seem to acknowledge me or my presence in any way. Ironic considering the criticisms made about Buffy and race. I just feel comfortable in Sunnydale, and figured I'd feel comfortable with others who liked it.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to
this site? How often?

I used to chat nearly every day, but rarely chat any more. There used to be this reason I turned up day in day out. Nowadays, it's just tea for two.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?

I met my partner in Campbell-scepticism, bookshop haunting and of course Cordelia worship right here. I just dropped him off at the airport this morning after our third, wonderful holiday together. Apart from that I got to meet 7 other posters here, some of them more than once. They totally lived up to my expectations. I had a great time.

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?

24

Please feel free to add whatever comments you'd like, or to suggest alternative questions.

Thanks for the help!

;o) dub

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Rattletrap, 06:51:20 10/06/02 Sun

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?

Since summer 2001

2. How did you find this discussion forum?

I had read Masq's analyses for about a year, and decided to check out the forum link.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?

Yes, see above.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?

No

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?

ATPoBtVS -- consistently insightful analysis; honorable mention to Allan Jenoff's TV reviews for the same reason

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?

ATPo -- the best, most insightful, coolest posters around!

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

Saw a few articles on the censorship of the "Earshot" episode during S3--several of them actually seemed to take the show seriously. I had difficulty believing that a show called Buffy: The Vampire Slayer could be intelligent and well-written. I have been duly humbled and eaten my portion of crow (the trick is to cook it with Lemon Pepper).

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?

The show mixes action, comedy, and drama in a way that few other series on TV have mastered. Episodes of most shows seem annoying and repetitive on repeated viewings, Buffy episodes usually seem richer and more layered every time--like fine wine, these shows get better with age. I should also add that I love to see strong female heroines, and Buffy offers them in spades.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?

My complaints tend to be restricted to individual episodes. That said, they do sometimes go a bit overboard with dramatic angst, but that is mostly a matter of personal taste.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?

All Things Debatable on Firefly

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?

3 or 4 times a week

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?

I met two of them once.

13. How old are you?

26

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- David Frisby, 07:12:33 10/06/02 Sun

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site? 2-4 years off and on, mostly lurking with occasional bursts of posts

2. How did you find this discussion forum? serendipitous web search, simple heuristic manouvre (mis-spellings there)

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series? yes, frequently

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones? have before, 3-4, including for a short while the "official" site, but not anymore, just this one

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why? this one, because of the philosophy angle, which includes insight into life gleaned from the show

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why? this one, because of the type of things I read on it, and because of the people who write them -- I don't know of any others that approach this one, but there are indeed of course other great websites and essays posted etc

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer? about 2/3 the way through season two, at the tip from a friend of a friend of my wife, and all I could at first get from it was "what IS this" -- but then Giles paved the way and Buffy opened the door and Willow and Xander provided instruction or direction and Spike and Angel and and and (once the roots were planted the thing just grew and grew stronger and stronger -- Josh and Co really are touching on artistic greatness and there's genius making its way into all of this somehow or other)

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why? I think it was just mainly Giles at first, he as the occult librarian and all that, and then the interesting dialogue caught my attention, and then the ongoing narrative with its intertextual cues and hypertext commentary, and foreshadowing -- generally, the writing and the acting, and the girl power theme generally is appealing and timely [although now, after over 1/2 a dozen years of development, it has become at least for me something utterly unique with regard to tv, with nothing else ever like it or close to it as far as I know -- and the future possibilities are cosmic -- assuming the integrity of the artists involved doesn't succumb to the greed of the exploiters, with regard to the quality of the show, and its eventual and necessary closure, as a work of art]

9. What do you dislike about it? Why? commercials, I'd love for it to be broadcast like HBO's shows, commercial free, with no breaks or interference with the narrative, and with no restraints on language (for example), and I'd be glad to pay too -- which is also why I love the dvds (slow as they are in coming out)

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)? no other ever, well, a explored Andromeda a bit when it began because of the Nietzschean connection

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often? no, but I might try it -- I prefer a forum though where participants put some thought into their submissions, like this one

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often? no, but that would be interesting

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you? 51, male, happily married with two children (11 and 13), work for a university, but for the most part am simply a student of philosophy (primarily Plato Bacon Nietzsche on the grand scale, and Heiddeger Strauss Grant as to contemporary commentary)

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Cactus Watcher, 07:18:35 10/06/02 Sun

1. About 15 months
2. I think I found it with the Altavista search engine.
3. Yes, but not as much as I should.
4. No
5. ATPoBtVS. Well organized. Well thought out
6. This one. It's not mostly drooling over the stars.
7. From the first episode.
8. It's a good mix of humor and intelligent themes.
9. It's drifting toward straight soap opera.
10. Only Firefly
11. No, because of problems keeping up with the conversation and problems staying on line.
12. No.
13. 54.

[> [> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Catus Watcher, 07:24:50 10/06/02 Sun

I misread question 7... I heard about the movie, but did not see it. Thought it was a cute idea.

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Lilac, 07:20:58 10/06/02 Sun

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?

Since the beginning of season six. Started lurking, and posted fairly soon after that. I don't post very often, because someone else almost always makes my point for me, but I always read it.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?

Link to the parent site on Yahoo, found the board after I had read everything on ATPOBVSA

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?

Yes,less often than when I first found it, but when new things are added.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?

No, well the Trollop board a few times.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?

spoilerslayer.com, because I can't wait to know and it doesn't ruin the experience for me to have read it ahead of time. (I do understand the people who feel otherwise, including those who live in my house, so I keep my spoiler knowledge to myself.)

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?

This is it for me.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

Started with the first episode because I had enjoyed the movie well enough to be interested. Of course, the series blows the movie out of the water.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?

Snappy writing, appealing characters who have grown believably over the years, serious treatment of apparently silly subjects, serious treatment of serious subjects

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?

Not too much, occasionally an individual episode leaves me cold, but over all I like almost everything.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?

I used to read XFiles boards, but never felt tempted to post -- the quality of discussion was nothing like it is here. I will occasionally look up info on some show I like, Farscape for instance, but this is the only sight that is a daily must see.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?

Nope, never, intimidated I guess.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?

No.

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you? 48

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Cleanthes, 07:36:41 10/06/02 Sun

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
September, 2000

2. How did you find this discussion forum?

From a link in a Buffy link site that I no longer have bookmarked because it went moribund.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?

You darn betcha! Masq does the very best writing.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?

No. Formerly, as mentioned, on alt.tv.buffy-v-slayer.
Setting my newsgroup preferences to 14 days and temporarily resubscribing, I see that alt.tv.buffy-v-slayer has had 11,331 posts in the last 14 days. I'm not reading them!

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?

I'm still going to say "The Watcher's Web" http://members.lycos.co.uk/jbugle/TWW/tww_main.htm

The updates have been much less frequent than last year, but I still check it a lot.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
This one. It has much the highest signal/noise ratio.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

Already a fan of Xena; already fond of vampire stories; watched from first episode.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?

Mythopoeia. Not enough mythopoeia in real life, and what there is amounts to venal politicians acting like gods as they claim to champion the poor while in fact championing the plaintiff bar, which is wholly demonic in religious affiliation.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?

TV used to have 26 episodes a year. 22 eps aren't enough. Also, episodic TV requires a smoothness to plotting, beginning-middle-end every 42 minutes. `Once More With Feeling` broke that rule and was very much better for running, what, 8 minutes over? Even two-part episodes suffer from this - many of them were really 75 minute stories padded to fit into 84 minutes.
But then, I've always wanted books to have a random number of blank pages at the end so that I wouldn't know when I was getting to the big finish.


10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?
Yes. Xena and (oh, this is hard) Charmed

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?
Once in awhile. 4 times maybe in the last year.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?
No, sadly. At least if you mean face-to-face. I have had private emails.

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?
email addy gives this info: 31x63 = birth year. Stalin died, I'm born. Makes you wonder, don't it? 49.

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- shadowkat, 08:01:49 10/06/02 Sun

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
Since February 2002

2. How did you find this discussion forum?

Another poster/lurker, Yoda, asked to re-post my essay "Dawn , Buffy's Inner Child?" to the Atpo board from B C & S, in February. I said fine, just tell me where...then after a month of reading started posting full time. Have since left B C & S due to spoilers.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?

Occassionally to find character posts and essays and episode analysis. Used it a lot when was working on a collaborative fanfiction project this summer.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?

Only Buffy Cross & Stake and Atpo.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?

www.slayage.com - it keeps track of all of the articles on Buffy in the media. And gives links to other sites.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?

Atpobtvs - because it is the most objective and analytical.
There's less flaming, the posters keep the trolls at bay, and I always learn something new. I also love the intellectual discussions.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

Started in 1997 - I began because of Anthony Stewart HEad who I first saw perform in the musical Chess in London in 1988 then saw in a sci-show VR-5 (he was the best thing in it) - when I heard VR-5 was canceled and Head would be doing Btvs next - I checked it out.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?

The writing and the acting. I love the layered stories and complex characters. The fact that the writers are willing to combine wit and dark themes and explore the dark side of human nature without flinching or beating us over the head with moralistic messages.

I am also currently obessessed with a certain blond vampire whose performances and character development and complexities continue to blow my mind.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?

When I first started it felt sort of juvenile with the high school stuff. That has since disappeared. Last year the show felt poorly executed in places...but the risks it took made up for it. It's hard to say what I dislike about it right now? Maybe the dread that it will go back to the juvenile high school focus it had in Season 1? I don't think it will but I fear that - I fear a return to two-dimension characters and high school kids fighting MoTW. I'm hoping it stays the complex multilayered show it became in the middle of Season 2. And from what I've seen so far - I'm pretty sure it will.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?

No.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?

Not really. Only once.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?

Yes - I met several NY posters. And I've become friends with at several by email or otherwise. (Approximately 10? Hard to count the number I met at last gathering in May.
I'm in contact by email or otherwise with at least 6.)

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?

35


Hope that helped. SK

[> [> Hey, s'kat-- -- HonorH, 23:29:16 10/06/02 Sun

What part did ASH play in "Chess"?

[> [> [> The American -- shadowkat, 05:28:25 10/07/02 Mon

He played the American Chess player and does the most moving rendition of the song "Pity the Child" that I've seen.

It's his brother Murry Head who does the recording for the album. But I saw ASH in the West London version.

[> [> [> [> Oh, ye GODS! I would KILL! -- HonorH, 12:44:29 10/07/02 Mon

I'd KILL to hear ASH sing "Pity the Child"! The guy in the Broadway cast is incredible, he really is, but I'd absolutely kill to hear ASH sing it. I hope he releases an album with it someday. I'd KILL, I'm telling you!

[> [> [> [> [> I think we all know you would, Sweetie... -- Wisewoman ;o), 19:09:42 10/07/02 Mon

[> [> [> [> [> [> There's to be no killin unless I'm invited.....;) -- Rufus, 23:32:44 10/07/02 Mon

[> [> [> [> [> Worth killing for...;-) -- shadowkat, 08:21:27 10/08/02 Tue

Well, it is sort of worth killing for...

I have the CD and I kept wondering why it sounded different than the version in London. Apparently Murray does the album. For a while I wondered if I imagined that it was ASH not Murray - but I got ASH's credentials in the Buffy Mag or on UPN site and it states that he starred in the West London version of Chess that I saw in 1988. I liked him better than the Russian (who was a reknowned singer).
His performance blew me away. And made the song one of my all time musical favorites.

(More of a Tim Rice fan than Andrew Lloyd Webber I'm afraid. Preferred Chess to Phantom...)

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- grifter, 09:38:41 10/06/02 Sun

1. Since a little over one year (summer before s6).

2. A link from another Buffy fanpage (don¥t ask me which though) lead me to your page, which led me here.

3. Yes I do, of course!

4. Not right now, used to frequent the Kitten Board though.

5. All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series. Because it makes Buffy even more fun for me to read your and the other posteres insights on the series.

6. See the above.

7. I saw the cover to issue #1 of the comic book and picked it up. Then I discovered Buffy is a tv series. So I started watching when they first showed it around here.

8. Hmm, hard to say, there¥s so much to chose from...the philosophical insights, the amazing storyline, the character development, Willow¥s cute little nose...
Seriously though, I think it¥s the way it makes me think about it after the show is over. Each episode is much more then just 45 minutes of entertainment, it¥s hours and hours.

9. Hmm, dislike? Not much...the translation into the german is really, really bad...but thanks to the wonders of the internet I don¥t have to endurethis anymore! ;)

10. I visit some websites of other shows from time to time, but not nearly as frequently.

11. No, I hate chatrooms, so I avoid this one too.

12. Nope, never seen anyone, being the only one from central europe around here (as far as I know).

13. 21

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Sophie, 10:52:23 10/06/02 Sun

1.Eleven months
2.from link at www.aptobtvs.com, which I found through google's search engine
3.yes
4.no
5.non-discussion fav sites are: atpobtvs.com and buffyguide.com
6.this one
7.during season 4, a friend of mine would come over and sit on my couch and watch Buffy every tuesday. I sort of started watching as a result. The show has grown on me over the years.
8.I love the metaphor of demons for the difficulties of high school and adult life.
9.Riley. Ok, scratch that. Too harsh. Uhhhh...I'll have to get back to you on that.
10.No. Tempted to for Star Trek DS9 or Voyager. Enterprise looks promising, but as a grad student I really don't have time.
11.Yes. Rarely, though.
12.Yes. I met about a dozen folks, once ñ which was very enjoyable. And the pizza was delicious!
13.32

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- celticross, 10:57:11 10/06/02 Sun

1. Since the summer of 2001

2. through the link on the main ATP page

3. every week, to get my dose of Masq's yummy analyses

4. nope, just this one, though I am a lurking member of BAPS and TabRas

5. Sunnydale Slayers....they have really excellent reviews

6. This one (ATP), because of the intellectual tone of the discussions, and the relative lack of fandom in-fighting

7. I first started watching it seriously (I'd caught a few episodes here and there) with the beginning of the 3rd season. Not really sure why I didn't get serious with it sooner. :)

8. the intelligent writing, the humor, the clever twists on old conventions

9. it occasionally gets a little too impressed with its cleverness

10. I lurk a great deal at several Farscape forums, and at Television Without Pity

11. once every other week or so

12. none in person (nobody lives near me!!!) but I have struck up a close friendship with someone I met through this forum

13. I'm counting down to 23

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Majin Gojira, 11:56:52 10/06/02 Sun

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
- about 2.5 years

2. How did you find this discussion forum?
- linked from the main site, which I found linked on a Buffy review/spoiler site "Loey's Guide to Buffy"

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?
- Mulitple times per week

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?
- No really. no

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?
- the main site for this one, where else can I see in depth analysis of BtVS, a show that can actually be analyzed without sounding forced. second place goes to "Loeys Guide to Buffy" because of the quality of the reviews for each ep.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
- since this is the few boards I visit that isn't vapid and hollow...well, their's your answer.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
- sporadically at first. got drawn in by cool monsters and funny lines, stayed because of cool plot lines and character development

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?
- What's not to like?! The Depth of the writing and the symbolism of many of the monsters are my favorite aspects...cuz Depth is cool...and...I liked monsters - especially when they are treated as represenatives of our fears and problems, and not treated as cannon fodder "ooo! let's have a monster, it'll be cool!" type stuff.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?
- Nothing, really. Sometimes I get squee-ed by the darkness, but otherwise I'm cool with it...some fans might do some stupid things, but that's a problem I have with stupid people, not the show itself

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?
- Well, not for TV shows...I am a rabid Godzilla fan though.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?
- I do...I did so maybe...8 times, total...

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?
- I haven't met any yet...-_-;;

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?
- 19 years of age.

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Arethusa, 13:43:05 10/06/02 Sun

1. About one year.
2. Did a search for Buffy sites, and started checking them out.
3. Yes.
4. No
5. ATPoBTVS, because it examines and explains the shows in detail.
6. This one, because of the depth and quality of the discussions, as well as the occasional appearance of the posters' evil alter-egos.
7. I first started watching BtVS around the end of its third year, because I had read it was becoming a very good show, and I love fantasy and science fiction shows.
8. I was hooked by the characterization and, despite all the demon trapping (although I love a good demon), the emotional truth of the show.
9. Wow. I can't think of anything I dislike about the show.
10. No.
11. Very rarely-only three times so far.
12. No.
13. 40

And congratulations!

[> [> forgot- -- Arethusa, 14:12:41 10/06/02 Sun

I also participate on the Firefly board-but not as much as I want to.

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- d'Herblay, 15:31:04 10/06/02 Sun

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?

15 months.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?

From the link at ATPoBtVS.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?

Define "frequent." I realized a while ago that I would never get quoted, which dampened my interest somewhat.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?

I have posted at The Watchers' Council and Above the Law in the past. Not no more.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?

CharismaCarpenter.com -- I can't think of why.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?

This one. It's home.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

I saw parts of the premiere, but didn't get sucked in until "Nightmares." It was deep, complicated, cathartic. Plus, short skirts.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?

The humor. The pathos. The twisting up of my expectations until I am just wrung dry. The humor. Harry Groener, Charisma Carpenter, Robin Sachs.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?

The skirts aren't as short as they used to be. (Ok, I did and still have problems with Season Six. So far, I'm also having problems with Season Seven, but those are so far only technological.)

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?

I'm buried somewhere in the alt.tv.simpsons FAQ, and have posted to Usenet groups for Melrose Place, Homicide, Harry Potter, Philip K. Dick, and cigarette smoking. However, this is the only board in which I've participated for more than a couple of weeks.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?

Not so much now as I used to. "Tea for two" was the phrase someone used.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?

Ummm, yeah. In fact, I think I may hold the record for having met the most people who've posted on the board. Let's see: Rahael, Slayrunt, anom, darrenK, Kimberley and Edward, LittleBit, Matching Mole, mundusmundi, Dead Soul, Deeva, fresne, Masq, Vickie, dochawk, Liquidram, sheri, Rahael's sister (who's posted twice). But my lifelong dream to meet Boke has gone sadly unfulfilled.

13. How old are you?

Feeling pretty old now, but that's just jet-lag. Recently had a youthful spring in my step, though. By Groucho Marx's standards, I'm 24. Otherwise, I'm thirty.

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Sheri, 18:34:34 10/06/02 Sun

Here you go, dub. Hope this is helpful.

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
Since around June 2001. Didn't really become active until mid-September of the same year

2. How did you find this discussion forum?
Was jumping from link to link to link through different Buffy related websites looking for something interesting to read. Stopped when I got here.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?
Yep.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?
I posted on the Bronze once a long time ago... but this is the only one I post at nowadays

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?
Well, I've been good(ish) so far... but occassionally look at spoilerslayer.com (usually just during hiatus time when no new eps drive me nuts... try to stay spoiler free during the regular season).
When I miss eps I usually read Jenoff's wildfeed or look at Psyche. I made the goof of reading TwoP's recap for the Angel finale... so when I finaly got to watch it last week I couldn't stop snickering during all the serious moments. :)

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
This one because it lets me actually use my brain. I next to never post, but what everybody writes gets me thinking.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
My dad started watching it first, so I started watching it with him for some nice father-daughter bonding time

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?
I love that I'm always THINKING after watching an episode... feels more active than most shows. Plus, I know I can come over here and learn something new about religious/historical/literary/whatever references being made in the eps

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?
That it can be very difficult to get the tv snobs in my life to sit down and watch it. I tell them that they'll love it... but the second they see the surface image (ie a Pretty Blonde and her buds), they think it's fluff.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?
I'll sometimes read Star Trek fanfic on fanfiction.net (as do I read Buffy/Angel fanfic), but no actual participation of any kind

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?
Yup. Hmm... when I was, um, working... all day long (my job was boooooring). Nowadays... maybe once or twice a week

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?
Yup. liq and I visit often. And I met up with Ete when my flight had a 7 hour layover in Paris. and I went to the meet that everybody had in San Jose back at the end of august.

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?
24

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Scroll, 20:41:53 10/06/02 Sun

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
Lurking since last summer, posting since January.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?
Searched for "Buffy mythology", found Masq's site. After a few months, I tried lurking here.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?
Yup. Love it. Thank you, Masq, for all your hard work (though I know you're not here right now to read this).

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?
Not regularly. I mostly lurk on Defenders of Wesley. I've posted once or twice on ScoopMe! and TVGal's message board.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?
1) Masq's site, because it's thorough, unbiased, intelligent, and incredibly ambitious in its scope. She approaches the shows from nearly every conceivable angle.
2) The Brat Queen's website. She writes simply amazing Angel/Wes fanfic, especially the "Epiphany" series.
3) Anything with fanfic, really. Sunnydale Slayers, Buffy Fiction Archive, even Fanfiction.net.
4) Psyche's Transcripts.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
This one. People here are just so bloody brilliant, articulate, polite, and diverse.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
I actually saw the movie but totally forgot about it and never connected it with the show until years later. My sister watched WttH/Harvest when it first premiered, I joined in, she eventually drifted from the show but I stayed.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?
Metaphors, witty dialogue, 3-dimensional characters, long seasonal arcs, subtext, complex mythology, Wesley. I love the incredibly strong bonds between the Scoobies/Fang Gang, that sense of "family". Loved how Joss takes risks and turns good guys bad while still making them incredibly sympathetic (Angelus, Faith). How things aren't always black and white, but in some ways, still are. Love the fact that you can think about "Buffy" and "Angel" for days/weeks/months and still not get to the bottom of it.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?
The fact that eventually Joss will end the Buffyverse. The two shows are so alive in my mind, it's hard to believe that the Buffyverse could ever just stop existing (on TV). There are so many stories still to be told! Also hate WB's no crossover policy. I don't mean gratuitous crossovers to boost ratings, but certain plots demand for crossovers we simply won't get.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?
I don't consider "Angel" to be a separate fandom. I've been supporting "Firefly" and posted on the official board (which has, on occasion, been plagued by bitter DA fans). I've posted at the official "Enterprise" board (which is regularly plagued by idiots), and I send feedback to authors of "Highlander", "Sentinel", and "Enterprise" fic that I read.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?
No. I've wanted to but can never figure out how to make my computer go into chat format.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?
Nope, though I came close once.

13. How old are you?
22.

[> [> Forgot to mention, also post on ATDoFirefly! -- Scroll, 22:21:29 10/06/02 Sun

[> Thank you, my friends! ;o) -- dub, 20:51:55 10/06/02 Sun

As usual, you guys are the best! Thanks for all your responses, they'll help a lot as I prepare what I'm going to say *urk!* *gulp!*

;o)

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- parakeet, 23:50:45 10/06/02 Sun

1. I think I've been lurking here about a year and a half, but my memory's not very good with such things.
2. Google
3. I check it out sometimes.
4. Nope, never found another one I liked.
5. Never really been tempted to return to them.
6. This one. Smart people, interesting posts, blah blah.
7. I saw part of the first episode, but wasn't really paying attention to it. I only focused in on the last scene and wasn't impressed. I started watching it for real during the reruns before Season 3 (heard too many good things and decided to give it another chance) and have been hooked ever since (and have caught up on the ones I missed).
8. Beautiful writing, great characters, above average acting, and it just has that special spark.
9. My first impulse is to complain that the puns can be too obvious. The writing isn't always top-notch, but this really is a minor complaint, as no show (not even the Sopranos) is always well-written.
10. There are other shows I like, but I don't attempt to follow the internet fandom. Well, maybe Farscape. (Does Angel count?)
11. I strongly dislike internet chat, so no. Forums are more like old-fashioned correspondence; you can think a bit. Chat rooms are too disconnected; immediate response without the ability to connect to the other people via visuals, sound, etc. If I'm going to engage in real-time chat, then I'd like the person/people to be in front of me.
12. Nope
13. I'm 30.

[> [> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Brian, 05:44:00 10/07/02 Mon

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site? Since December of 2000

2. How did you find this discussion forum? Used Google to look at Buffy the Vampire Slayer sites, and found AT P, and from there to the discussion group

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series? Occasionally for episode information.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones? None

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why? I visit the Complete Guide to BtVS for episode information. I actually print and save their info.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why? Here, of course, for the nice folks.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Started with Becoming part 1 & 2. Caught up with some esp. over the summer rerun season. Was delighted when FX allowed me to catch up on Season 1 & 2

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why? Most emotionally involving show I have ever seen.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why? Only the fear that it will end, but ìnothing gold can stay.î

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)? None

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often? Used to be pretty regular at the chat board, but not lately.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often? Only one, only once.

13. How old are you? 58

[> Better late than never?? -- matching mole, 06:14:59 10/07/02 Mon

1. About a year (first post around Oct. 2001, started posting regularly a month or so later).

2. Found Masq.'s site through Yahoo and eventually came here.

3. Yes - See above.

4. No. I have looked at a few others but never been inspired to post.

5. Parent site of this board. I haven't been to any other Buffy web site for a long time. It actually has analysis of events rather than simply regurgitating the action or a statement of opinion.

6. This board. Civility and intelligence.

7.Saw the movie when it first came out (and actually liked it). Decided to give the show a try when it began.

8. I really like the mixture of humour and drama, the complex and non-stereotypical characters. The snappy dialogue and the exciting and unpredictable plots.

9. Although I still really enjoy the show I do feel that in the last couple of years it has taken itself a little bit too seriously and the usually deft and light touch of the writers has been a bit heavy-handed at times.

10. No.

11.I've been to chat twice. Chatting with one or two people was fine but more than that was difficult.

12. I've met four other posters on one ocassion.

13. I'm 41.

[> Never too late! -- dub ;o), 06:35:41 10/07/02 Mon

I wanted to thank people, but didn't mean to imply that data collection had ceased. I'm hoping I'll get some more responses today from people who are returning to their computers at work (Hah!).

Thanks again all!

;o)

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- JCC, 08:48:21 10/07/02 Mon

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
2 years
2. How did you find this discussion forum?
Searching Yahoo
3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?
Yep
4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?
Nope
5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?
ATPoBtVS of course. Lots of yummy insight and thought provoking pieces.
6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
This one. Great people, other boards are always filled with bashers and trolls.
7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
The TV Network that shows it here (Sky One) advertised big time for Season 5. I said I'd watch the first ep (BvsD) to see what the fuss was about. I was hooked.
8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?
It seemed to have an intelligence that wasn't acknowledged until I found sites like this.
9. What do you dislike about it? Why?
Special effects verging on terrible. And fans' obsession with spoilers that are leaked and destroy the show for us non-trollops.
10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?
Dark Angel which has been cancelled by ruthless Fox.
11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?,i>
Yes. Once a week about.
12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?
No. I'm the only poster from Ireland, so I'm not near anyone from the board.
13. How old are you?
16

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Darby, 09:26:02 10/07/02 Mon

Okay, deep breath...

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
Since about October, 2001.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?
Doing searches for Once More With Feeling reviews, found Masq's site, and from there to here.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?
Not really - for background info, when necessary.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?
Nope.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?
Slayage news - like to see what's being said out there, although I'm avoiding most spoilers.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
This one. The others seemed more clique-ish and too much was too shallow.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
Back in the first season - partly for ASH, whom my wife liked in V.R., and partly out of curiosity.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?
The capsulized reason is sophistication, I guess - it has more levels than most shows, gives my family more things to talk about.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?
Its sexual sophistication can make watching it with a 12-year-old troubling at times. Too often I've felt that the characters were somewhat sacrificed to the season goals.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?
I'm working the companion Firefly board, but I fear we won't have a show to discuss for long.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?
I've chatted once - it was fun, and I keep meaning to go back, but there's a time commitment to it, and my opportunity tends to be late at night, so that I often resist.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?
I met several last Spring. I highly recommend it.

13. How old are you?
Old guy alert! 49.

- Darby

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Sophist, 09:38:07 10/07/02 Mon

On the better late than never theory:

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?

Since the start of S6.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?

Someone (grifter?) recommended it on the Kitten Board.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?

Yes. The archives are great. I highly recommend them to anyone with a year or so of free time. Masq's summaries and the character posts are very valuable.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?

No.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?

This one. There being no others.....

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?

Ditto.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

My then 8 year old daughter saw the promos and asked me to watch it with her. I was hooked on the first episode.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?

The emotional impact. The humor is great and the characters also.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?

Someone who didn't know me might suspect I had some issues with the ending of S6. There have been individual episodes in the past that were weaker.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?

No.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?

Yes. Once a week or so, maybe, except during baseball playoffs.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?

No.

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?

In the words of the Kingston Trio (and that alone should be a clue) "entirely too old". 49.

[> A little late but... -- ponygirl, 10:02:18 10/07/02 Mon

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?

Lurking? Popped in a bit last summer, got a bit intimidated but came back with the start of s6. Actually started posting in Jan. or Feb.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?

Had checked out Masq's site a couple times in a search for all things Buffy. Kept seeing this board referenced in posts on BC&S and MightyBigTV so I thought I should check it out.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?

Yep, but the board has become an almost daily thing, the site not nearly as often.

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?

Maybe once or twice on BC&S but avoid it now because of the spoilers. Also the discussions there seemed to get too divisive. I gave up on MightyBigTV too, because I got sick of the snark. I know it's their mission statement but it seemed to lack a real purpose.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?

Probably slayage for its roundup of Buffy news, and Psyche for the scripts.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?

This one of course! I never fail to learn something from the discussions, and if it's an educational obsession it's healthy right?

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?

Heard some good reviews of the series after the first season, so I tuned in for the start of season 2. When She Was Bad was my first episode. It also spawned my first Buffy-related purchase because I bought a Cibo Matto CD (they played in the Bronze in that episode) shortly after.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?

Let me count the ways... The writing first and foremost. The use of metaphor and symbolism; the show's willingness to take risks and explore. It makes me think, it makes me feel and it makes me question. What more could I ask for from any kind of art?

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?

There are some episodes I'm not fond of, on occasion there's a bit of an anvil with the message we're supposed to be getting. If they start spelling things out for us I know I'm not going to be happy. Even after all this time I still worry that they're not going to be able to pull off what they seem to be attempting. I have so little faith sometimes.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?

Years ago I used to lurk on an X-Files forum. It was kind of interesting watching that community evolve and devolve over a couple years, but these days I am Buffy-only.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?

No, I can't at work and my home computer is too crappy. Someday perhaps...

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?

No, but the last time I was in NY I kept walking around looking at people and wondering if they had secret posting identities.

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?

31

Please feel free to add whatever comments you'd like, or to suggest alternative questions.

Thanks for the help!

;o) dub

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- J, 13:07:03 10/07/02 Mon

1. Since the beginning of S6

2. Through ATPoBtVSaAtS

3. See above.

4. Nope.

5. Slayage.tv. I dig on the pomo crit.

6. This one.

7. Stumbled into it -- I saw "The Body" and it blew my mind.

8. The characters and plotlines are more well-developed than any other TV show I've ever seen, and the metaphors are generally outstanding. I'm still baffled how a show about the supernatural can deal with the stuff of day-to-day life ins such a brutally honest way.

9. When things don't work, they *really* don't work.

10. Nope.

11. I do. Occasionally, and usually only after a particularly great episode.

12. No, although there are at least two other posters who live in my metro area.

13. 31, single, lawyer.

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Sofdog, 10:10:12 10/08/02 Tue

1 . How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
For years. Since before there was a forum. A few of my comments are on the site itself.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?
Through the site.

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?
Yep.
4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?
Oh yeah. Primarily, Phase 5 at www.bibliora.com/phase5. I used to post at the BuffyBB, Slayer Show, Raven's @ Fandom.com, JamesMarsters.com and The 11th Hour.com.
5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?
Romance on BtVS. Great screencaps.
6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
Phase 5. I love the people. They're all really smart and bring a variety of knowledge to the subject. Some are historians, comic book fans, mythologists. It's a great exchange of information.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
One night in a hotel room, I caught the premiere episode.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?
The essence of it is pure myth. Buffy is an archetypal hero and the series has adhered to that outline with incredible cohesion and resonance for the fans.
Every episode is a message to go out and do the best you can with what you've got.

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?
Sometimes, Buffy's wardrobe. And an infrequent tendency to make ëreal world' aspects completely absurd. Like letting a girl with one year of college counsel children in any capacity, without any training. That's just silly.

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?
Yes, Farscape, Witchblade, Xena, pretty much anything genre.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?
No.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?
No.

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?
29

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- Silky, 11:18:20 10/08/02 Tue

1. How long have you been lurking/posting on this site?
Lurking since Smashed. Only posted once or twice - so far.

2. How did you find this discussion forum?
From ATPoBtVS main site (love the index).

3. Do you also frequent the parent site, All Things Philosophical on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel: The Series?
Occasionally. Love the index!

4. Do you post on other BtVS discussion forums? Which ones?
Did last year - got disgusted with lack of consideration and obssession with the stars, not the characters, so dropped out.

5. Which is your favorite (non-discussion forum) Buffy site? Why?
Slayage.com - can keep up on news without getting unexpectedly spoiled.

6. Which is your favorite Buffy discussion forum? Why?
This one. The brilliant and insightful and thought-provoking posts.

7. How/why did you first start watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer?
Had watched the first few eps - but then started up again in season two while sitting home with a broken wrist. Luckily, they were showing season one on another night.

8. What do you like best about Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Why?
The writing (except for Riley and Sam in AYW), the acting, the acknowledgement of people's feelings and dilemma's without preaching, and the humor!!

9. What do you dislike about it? Why?
Not much. A few Season 6 things discussed here. The lack of emotional resonance with S6 ending eps - I mean, compare to The Gift!

10. Do you participate in internet fandom devoted to any other television show(s)? Which one(s)?
No. May do it for Firefly though.

11. Do you participate in the on-line chat connected to this site? How often?
No.

12. Have you ever met any of the other posters on this site? How many? How often?
No. I wish.

And finally, completely optional of course,

13. How old are you?
47 - and glad to see there are others in my age bracket.

[> Re: Research for Buffy Panel -- HumanTales, 11:44:17 10/08/02 Tue

1. Lurking since May 2001 (immediately after The Gift aired).

2. A link from All Things Philosophical on BtVS and AtS.

3. Yes.

4. No.

5. ATPoBtVS&AtS.

6. Here.

7. Nothing else was on that we were interested in and it looked like it might be bad enough to be funny. Pleasantly surprised.

8. The fact that it addresses religious issues (even if it doesn't name them as such) in an intelligent, complex manner.

9. I can't stop thinking about it! (I'm listening to the CD right now.)

10. No. Of course, I watch very little right now but BtVS and AtS.

11. No.

12. Yes, once met 4.

13. Just under 40.