# I'm in Love with Willow Rosenberg

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [August 17, 2005, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383 "2005-08-17T03:31:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/21 "2005-08-17T15:18:33Z")

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> [@Aesiron](#):
>
> I’ll probably give it a shot but I expect to hate it. I really look forward to _Kitchen Confidential_, the series with Nicholas Brendon, though. It looks good independent of its cast and … uh, well. Ahem. I love Xander only a fraction less than Willow.

Have you read the book it’s based on, Anthony Bourdain’s _Kitchen Confidential_? I love this book and recommend it to everyone. It’s a fascinating look at the dark underbelly of the restaurant industry – the violent and disturbed people who end up in professional kitchens, the ultra-macho locker room atmosphere, the drug use, the sex, the partying. It’s also a great first-hand account from a master chef and restauranteur about what goes on behind the scenes. Bourdain is a real character: a great writer and raconteur as well as a top-notch chef, and the sitcom (which promises to be quite dark) will draw heavily from his book and real-life stories. He also has a new show on the Travel Channel about his international adventures in search of great meals and experiences.

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**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/22 "2005-08-17T15:21:50Z")

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> [@Aesiron](#):
>
> And can you elucidate on Hannigan’s attitude, **FriarTed**? I’ve heard some less than flattering things about her but most seems so out there that I dismiss it out of hand.

Maybe “attitude” was the wrong word, but I’ve read interviews where she comes across as more “American Pie” vulgar than “Willow” endearing, plus the fact that she dated one of Marilyn Manson’s group really gives me pause. Anyway, she just doesn’t seem the vulnerable lil’ darlin’ with a wicked witchy streak (that’s gotta be provoked) that Willow Rosenberg is.

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**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/23 "2005-08-17T15:33:06Z")

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I do seem to remember a really hot layout in Out Magazine awhile ago with Alyson recreating several vintage garage pin-up poses…Definitely a sexy “girl-next-door” style.

I dearly loved the character of Willow. She was the heart of the show. She was the one that I related to when I first started watching “Buffy”, during the high school phase of the show. Then when she came out during the college years, I knew why!

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**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/24 "2005-08-17T15:54:21Z")

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Hoshi Sato would be crushed, Aes.

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**Author:** ![AmericanMaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e480ec/32.png) [@AmericanMaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AmericanMaid)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/25 "2005-08-17T16:09:07Z")

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> [@FriarTed](#):
>
> Maybe “attitude” was the wrong word, but I’ve read interviews where she comes across as more “American Pie” vulgar than “Willow” endearing, plus the fact that she dated one of Marilyn Manson’s group really gives me pause. Anyway, she just doesn’t seem the vulnerable lil’ darlin’ with a wicked witchy streak (that’s gotta be provoked) that Willow Rosenberg is.

I’ve read the same kind of thing **FriarTed**. In fact, I’ve heard worse. What I’ve heard is that she was a passive aggressive jerk on set. She also messed with the Dark Willow arc because she didn’t want fans to hate her. Between that and the whiney post-Buffy interviews she has given, I am an Alyson Hannigan-hater and a Willow Rosenberg-liker.

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**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/26 "2005-08-17T16:26:19Z")

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How can anyone NOT be in love with Willow?

I never understood what the hell was wrong with Xander – and for that matter Buffy. Willow was smart and sweet and had no idea that she was heart-thumpingly beautiful, which in itself made her more beautiful than if she had known what she was.

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**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/27 "2005-08-17T16:49:10Z")

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Gotta love Willow! The episode in Season 2 where she puts the ice cream on her nose to get Xander to notice her, is just about the cutest thing I have seen on tv. At the same time, being a very sad scene.

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**Author:** ![Taran](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/edb3f5/32.png) [@Taran](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taran)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/28 "2005-08-17T17:08:36Z")

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This thread used to have a different, less well-comma’d title, right?

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**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/29 "2005-08-17T17:14:20Z")

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> [@Fabulous Creature](#):
>
> How can anyone NOT be in love with Willow?
> 
> I never understood what the hell was wrong with Xander.

Quite simply, he was a teenage boy. Thus, by definition, he’s an insensitive idiot obsessed with shiny things he can’t have (namely: Buffy). The thing I really liked about Xander though, was in the episode where almost all the women in Sunnydale were under a love spell for him, he fought off not one but TWO of his female love interests because he refused to take advantage of them in their current state. I know **I** would have a hard time resisting Willow wearing one of my shirts after she had ambushed me in my room.

Willow is one of the few characters I could actually feel my heart going out to in a TV show. The other one I can think of off the top of my head is Kaylee from Firefly/Serenity. The first time this happened to me for Willow was in the Media Room at Sunnydale High School in the season 1 finale.

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**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/30 "2005-08-17T19:36:31Z")

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> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#):
>
> Have you read the book it’s based on, Anthony Bourdain’s _Kitchen Confidential_? I love [it] … and the sitcom (which promises to be quite dark) will draw heavily from his book and real-life stories. He also has a new show on the Travel Channel about his international adventures in search of great meals and experiences.

I’ve not but I’ll look it up at your suggestion. It sounds interesting and I love dark comedies so now I’m even more excited to see the series.

> [@FriarTed](#):
>
> Maybe “attitude” was the wrong word, but I’ve read interviews where she comes across as more “American Pie” vulgar than “Willow” endearing, plus the fact that she dated one of Marilyn Manson’s group really gives me pause. Anyway, she just doesn’t seem the vulnerable lil’ darlin’ with a wicked witchy streak (that’s gotta be provoked) that Willow Rosenberg is.

> [@supervenusfreak](#):
>
> I do seem to remember a really hot layout in Out Magazine awhile ago with Alyson recreating several vintage garage pin-up poses…Definitely a sexy “girl-next-door” style.

> [@](#):
>
> I’ve read the same kind of thing **FriarTed**. In fact, I’ve heard worse. What I’ve heard is that she was a passive aggressive jerk on set. She also messed with the Dark Willow arc because she didn’t want fans to hate her. Between that and the whiney post-Buffy interviews she has given, I am an Alyson Hannigan-hater and a Willow Rosenberg-liker.

I’ve seen and heard all that as well and I’m doing my best to just ignore it. I know Rosenberg isn’t real and that Hannigan isn’t her character but I want to believe she is and hearing that Alyson’s not the angel Willow is or seeing her in suggestive layouts (I have a bit of a Madonna/Whore Complex in regards to her) ruins the fantasy.

> [@The Controvert](#):
>
> Hoshi Sato would be crushed, Aes.

It’s actually worse than that. I just did a mental tally and Hoshi’s not even in the Top 5 anymore. As it stands right now, it’s:

1. Willow Rosenberg
2. Xander Harris
3. Kira Nerys
4. Amélie Poulain
5. Ezri Dax

Hoshi’s probably at #6 right now but I’ve also been getting into Firefly lately and both River Tam and Kaylee Frye are tugging at my heart-strings already.

Poor Hoshi. ☹

> [@Taran](#):
>
> This thread used to have a different, less well-comma’d title, right?

I asked a mod to fix it and probably should’ve asked for some other touchups after rereading my OP but _c’est la vie._

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**Author:** ![Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Hey\_It\_s\_That\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hey_It_s_That_Guy)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/31 "2005-08-17T19:56:45Z")

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Funny, I’ve had the hots for actresses lots of times, but Willow is the only character I ever gave a second thought to. I just give props to Joss Whedon and the Mutant Enemy staff for writing such multifaceted, developed, intriguing characters.

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**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/32 "2005-08-17T20:03:05Z")

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Well, Willow and Xander are the only two on my list that I have true feelings for, much like I would a friend. The others are more conventional actress crushes and the roles they played when I fell for them so it shoud really read:

1. Willow Rosenberg
2. Xander Harris
3. Nana Visitor as Kira Nerys
4. Audrey Tautou as Amélie Poulain
5. Nicole de Boer as Ezri Dax
6. Linda Park as Hoshi Sato
7. Summer Glau as River Tam
8. Jewel Staite as Kaylee Frye

I could see Summer and Jewel being usurped by River and Kaylee though, so yeah: kudos to Joss.

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**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/33 "2005-08-17T20:13:55Z")

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…y’know, reading over that list and ignoring Nana Visitor’s portrayal of Kira as a minor aberration, I’m noticing a pattern in the kind of people I fall for so I suppose my love for Willow shouldn’t really come as much surprise.

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**Author:** ![parthenokinesis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/cc9497/32.png) [@parthenokinesis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/parthenokinesis)\
**Post date:** [August 17, 2005, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/34 "2005-08-17T23:51:58Z")

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All this love for Willow, and nary a mention of Fred. \<Sigh\> Willow’s all right, but she’s just a girl. Fred is special. And what was done to Fred and Wes in _Angel_ season five made me want to find the writers and invent tortorous ways for them to die.

Aah, Fred.

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**Author:** ![Ezekiel25\_17](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@Ezekiel25\_17](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ezekiel25_17)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/35 "2005-08-18T03:59:50Z")

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> [@parthenokinesis](#):
>
> what was done to Fred and Wes in _Angel_ season five made me want to find the writers and invent tortorous ways for them to die.

Really? I’m damn fond of Fred and Wes, but I thought their developments in season 5 were quite interesting. It was painful, but in some ways I felt like the way they dealt with it was a testament to their love. I get misty everytime I hear “A place called home” on the Angel soundtrack.

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**Author:** ![JoeSki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b487fb/32.png) [@JoeSki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoeSki)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/36 "2005-08-18T05:01:01Z")

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Allison Hannigan is the only actress I would actually _go out of my way_ to see in a movie despite it’s quality. Of course I say this and I’ve never considered myself a Buffy fan. Hrm. Unfortunately, she seems to have dropped off the face of the Earth. I really would like to see her star in something again.

Anyways, does anyone remember seeing her one of the MTV award shows? She had long hair, a beautifull dress…without a doubt one of the most stunning women I’ve seen on tv or otherwise. Anyone know if there’s a picture of that appearance online anywhere?

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**Author:** ![ouryL](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ouryl/32/6067_2.png) [@ouryL](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ouryL)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 7:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/37 "2005-08-18T07:51:05Z")

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Why? Do you play the flute? 😛

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**Author:** ![bobkitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c67d28/32.png) [@bobkitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobkitty)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/38 "2005-08-18T14:47:34Z")

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> [@JoeSki](#):
>
> Anyways, does anyone remember seeing her one of the MTV award shows? She had long hair, a beautifull dress…without a doubt one of the most stunning women I’ve seen on tv or otherwise. Anyone know if there’s a picture of that appearance online anywhere?

Well, let’s see…

[Here she is at the 2001 MTV awards… not her best look, IMO…](http://www.absolutenow.com/photos/5686-Hannig88070204.html)  
[Here she is at the 2001 TV Guide awards… much better…](http://www.absolutenow.com/photos/5624-Hannig88010475.html)

[2003 MTV awards…](http://www.absolutenow.com/photos/5971_hannig88640537.html)

With Alexis at the 2003 awards… cute couple!!

[Movie premiere… looking adorable…](http://www.absolutenow.com/photos/5994_hannig88695135.html)

Any of these the pic you had in mind?

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**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/39 "2005-08-18T18:26:50Z")

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Just so that no one thinks they’re seeing double or having memory lapse or nothin’ like that: **Aesiron** first titled the thread “Im in Love with Willow Rosenberg” (note absence of apostrophe) and asked me to fix it to “I’m in love with Alyson Hannigan” and has now asked me to change it back to “I’m in love with Willow Rosenberg.”

Last title change for this one, OK, **Aesiron**?

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**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\
**Post date:** [August 18, 2005, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-in-love-with-willow-rosenberg/317383/40 "2005-08-18T19:09:30Z")

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Sorry 'bout that. I’m the one suffering memory lapses and just didn’t want to misrepresent myself.

Willow rocks, Alyson not so much.

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