# Would I like Buffy the Vampire Slayer? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 8, 2005, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155 "2005-08-08T18:59:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 10:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/21 "2005-08-08T22:15:42Z")
I think Hannigan was terribly miscast on Veronica Mars. Maybe it was her acting, but she was not beleivable at all. ---
**Author:** ![pinkfreud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pinkfreud/32/17603_2.png) [@pinkfreud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pinkfreud)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/22 "2005-08-08T22:26:28Z")
I’d like to say that it is quite possible to dislike _Buffy_ and still have a modicum of aesthetic sensibility and intellect, and not be shunned by man and beast alike. Those who would use _Buffy_ as a litmus test of hipness and good taste sadden me. Of all the cultural icons that might be chosen, _Buffy_ isn’t a stellar example, IMHO. ---
**Author:** ![Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otto)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2005, 10:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/23 "2005-08-08T22:56:11Z")
> [@pinkfreud](#): > > I’d like to say that it is quite possible to dislike _Buffy_ and still have a modicum of aesthetic sensibility and intellect, and not be shunned by man and beast alike. Well sure, you’d _like_ to say that. If only it were true… :::shun::: ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/24 "2005-08-09T01:48:07Z")
I have nothing to add as I’m kinda doped up after having my tooth pulled earlier today and I’m not a Buffy expert to begin with anyway but I just wanted to say this is the most awesome thread ever in the history of the board and I’m inordinately proud to be its progenitor. That said, if you don’t like soapy cheese, BtVS might not be for you. I obviously love it but it’s got serialized storylines with genuine emotion that people dismiss as “soap opera-ish” and it’s very, very, incredibly super duper cheesy but it’s like the finest brie or camerbert, not individually sliced kraft cheese product. Give it a shot. If you don’t like it, just be sure to give your TV to someone who does. Like me. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/25 "2005-08-09T14:02:13Z")
> [@](#): > > I can’t really even have a rational conversation with anyone who doesn’t think “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is one of the best television shows of all time. This is from YESTERDAY’S “[TV Gal](http://tv.zap2it.com/tveditorial/tve_main/1,1002,276%7C96821%7C1%7C,00.html)” column on [Zap2It.com](http://Zap2It.com). How ironic! ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/26 "2005-08-09T14:15:45Z")
To the OP - did you like **Babylon 5**? It may be just a coincidence, but I’ve noticed (here and elsewhere) a pretty large overlap between B5 fans and Whedonites. No cite - just an impression. The two series did have a lot in common. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/27 "2005-08-09T15:19:38Z")
I have never seen it. It looked like a show inspired by Star Trek, which I did not like. ---
**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 9, 2005, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/28 "2005-08-09T15:31:47Z")
Well I’ve never seen Babylon 5, I’ve never had the time of day for any version of Star Trek, and I thought the pilot of Farscape was okay, but not something I’d ever seek out again. I’m just not a big fan of sci-fi on TV, but I love Buffy like crazy, and I think I will enjoy Firefly (another Joss Whedon show that happens to be sci-fi) just based on seeing the pilot. ---
**Author:** ![JerH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bb73d2/32.png) [@JerH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JerH)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/29 "2005-08-09T16:31:21Z")
> [@JerH](#): > > …I feel that Whedon can’t pace a complex story to save his life and is not particularly concerned with continuity or coherence, but he is excellent at creating interesting and complex characters. One thing to add: Though I’m not a Buffy fan and have never watched Angel, I was a fan of Firefly - I think Tim Minear forced Whedon to actually plan out where the show was going, rather than just having a vague idea of where he wanted things to end up. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/30 "2005-08-09T16:45:41Z")
> [@Big Bad Voodoo Lou](#): > > Well I’ve never seen Babylon 5, I’ve never had the time of day for any version of Star Trek, and I thought the pilot of Farscape was okay, but not something I’d ever seek out again. I’m just not a big fan of sci-fi on TV, but I love Buffy like crazy, and I think I will enjoy Firefly (another Joss Whedon show that happens to be sci-fi) just based on seeing the pilot. Yeah, but you have a reputation for liking entertainment offering with “tough girls.” 😃 ---
**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 9, 2005, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/31 "2005-08-09T16:47:20Z")
> [@middleman](#): > > Yeah, but you have a reputation for liking entertainment offering with “tough girls.” > > 😃 When did you see those tapes I keep under my mattress? To be fair, I loved the Kill Bill movies and She-Spies on TV, but Buffy has way more heart than any of them, and a lot more wit and intelligence. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/32 "2005-08-09T20:20:02Z")
I’m a latecomer to the Buffy fan club. Many friends raved about it, so I requested season 1 on DVD for Christmas. I liked it quite a bit. The snappy dialog is only part of it. You do need a willing suspension of disbelief to handle parts of it, but once that’s established you’re good to go. I watched the original movie _after_ watching season 1, and that was appropriate. I got season 2 recently, and I’m almost finished with it. I like season 2 quite a bit more than season 1. ---
**Author:** ![JThunder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e95f7d/32.png) [@JThunder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JThunder)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2005, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/33 "2005-08-09T20:24:41Z")
> [@middleman](#): > > I have never seen it. It looked like a show inspired by Star Trek, which I did not like. Yep. You’ve convinced me that you have indeed never seen it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Cliffy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/59ef9b/32.png) [@Cliffy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cliffy)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/34 "2005-08-25T21:41:09Z")
**bump** **Middleman** , it’s going to be the same thing as with Sandman. You fear it because you judge it by the irrational geekiness of its legion of fans, but that’s just because geeks are geeks. But look behind that, and you’ll realize that the reason it has such a legion of geeky fans is because it’s sooooo good. You’ll thank us for it. Oh, and it really hits in season 2, so while you’ll enjoy S1, that’s not as good as the show will be. –Cliffy ---
**Author:** ![cbawlmer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 10:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/35 "2005-08-25T22:23:48Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > Yep. You’ve convinced me that you have indeed never seen it. 🙂 Yeah, no kidding. I have an **extremely** low tolerance for _Star Trek_ and _Babylon 5_ is probably tied with \*Buffy \* for my favorite show of all time. It’s so incredibly brilliant. You want great story and characters, many of whom are portrayed by amazing actors? **Big Bad Voodoo Lou** , _Bab 5_ can be your next series-viewing project after you finish watching \*Buffy \* and, presumably, _Angel_. 🙂 I can’t recommend Buffy highly enough, though. It has its flaws, but they are \*\*vastly \*\* outweighed by its strengths. Give it a shot. You might start with a few key episodes from the first season, but some of them are totally skippable on your first go-round with the series; I never saw several of them until I’d seen most of Season 4! They’ll give you a good introduction to the characters and mythology, but the series doesn’t \*\*really \*\* start rocking until you get into Season 2. Now I have a jones to go home and watch \*Buffy \* DVDs all night. ---
**Author:** ![SlyFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@SlyFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlyFrog)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/36 "2005-08-25T22:36:02Z")
I have watched a few episodes. I did not really find the dialogue all that snappy, thought the acting was pretty one-dimensional, and found the plots to be fairly boring. In other words, I respect that others really seem to like it, but do not “get it.” ---
**Author:** ![Ludy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Ludy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludy)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2005, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/37 "2005-08-25T22:36:13Z")
> [@UrbanChic](#): > > Wow. I came here specifically to post I found the dialogue to be eye-rolling-inducingly bad. Talk about corny and poorly acted. The fight scenes were also badly choreographed, in my opinion. > > My husband loved the show. I hated it. > > My opinion is based on sitting through four or five half-epsidoes and overhearing some stuff while doing things in the next or same room as the television on which it was airing, so there you have it. Good, I am not the only one. my SO loves them and I gave in and sat through some episodes with him. That is a few hours of my life I will not get back. I definatly agree on the poor acting, sorry guys but Willow, come on give me a break. Oddly enough the movie was the right kind of cheese for me. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/38 "2005-08-26T03:46:51Z")
It’s one of the best shows out there, but I think that some people are let down when it doesn’t live up to all of the hype surrounding it. My advice is to watch syndicated episodes on cable so you don’t evaluate whether it was worth shelling out for the DVDs. Put the hype out of your mind. Just watch the show and enjoy. Chances are that after a few “good” or “okay” episodes, you’ll catch one of the many truly great episodes, and you’ll be hooked. Now, I have a question for those of you who have dissed or intend to diss one of my favorite shows: What, according to your taste, is a better show? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/39 "2005-08-26T06:27:01Z")
I’m a woman in my late 20s, and I’ve loved the show since the beginning. My other favorite shows include other scifi shows like The X-Files, Roswell and Charmed, plus a ton of other 1-hour dramas featuring actors in their 20s, who often play younger. I’m not a big fan of sitcoms, but I did find buffy often funny. Of those shows, I’d say it’s the most similar to the X-Files, but more often like the comedy themed episode than the darker ones. My dad, a guy in his mid-50s, likes it too. He’s never seen any Trek’s but the first one (and I’m extremely puzzled as to how you think they’re remotely similar anyway) and tends to like sitcoms like Becker, Malcom in the Middle, and Everyone Loves Raymond. His favorite shows are 24 and Numb3rs, so apparently you don’t need to have an interest in sci-fi to enjoy it. In any case, I don’t think the show finds its stride the first season, and neither does Angel. By season 2 the horror-comedy mold is set, moving away from the overt campiness of the first handful of episodes. Stick with it, and it’s an enduring favorite. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Angel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d26b3c/32.png) [@Johnny\_Angel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Angel)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155/40 "2005-08-26T15:36:03Z")
**elfkin477** wrote: > [@](#): > > His favorite shows are 24 and Numb3rs, so apparently you don’t need to have an interest in sci-fi to enjoy it. I would argue that both Numb3rs and 24 are science fiction shows. Numb3rs is of the best kind – an attempt to bring mathematical concepts directly to bear on a human drama like catching crooks. 24 deals heavily with technologies that don’t really exist as yet, and perhaps never will. At least in the first season, which is all I’ve seen. Can you imagine a world in which ID cards have an optical strip on the back that is actually a massive data storage medium, but you’d only realize that if you were being terribly clever, because even though lots of computers and some automobiles have devices designed to take advantage of that capacity, nobody ever needed that explained to them as a selling point for what was presumably a very expensive peripheral device? Not to mention that cars can pretty much teleport anywhere in LA in a few minutes – but here I’m just being a smartass. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/would-i-like-buffy-the-vampire-slayer/316155.md?page=3)