Conversations with Dead People

Podcasting is hard and it’s painful and it’s everyday. Except when it isn’t. Turns out there’s this thing rather unimaginatively called “real life” that sometimes pounces on people, and I guess my number was up. Soooo...sorry guys. But hey, to make up for it I’m giving you a really, really long episode this week! So that’s something. Right?

This time around I’m joined by the delightful Mary Ellen Iatropoulos, Director of Education and Experience for The Art Effect, a nonprofit arts and media education organization, editor on Joss Whedon and Race: Critical Essays, and, most importantly, three-time winner of the Mr. Pointy Award for Best Work in Whedon Studies. Together we spill a LOT of words on episodes “The Wish,” “Amends,” and “Gingerbread.” We discuss visions of duality and unintended consequences, Cordelia Chase as the embodiment of the construct of white privilege,

Also Mary Ellen teases her new podcast Supposedly Great, coming soon! And the new “Buffy Bang Watch” segment is pitched...though maybe not with that title?

Next: I’m joined by Jennifer Walsh, writer, producer, and Buffy scholar published in Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies. We’ll be discussing episodes 312, “Helpless” and 313, “The Zeppo.”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:22:33)

Main Topic (00:22:33 - 02:33:19)

Outro / Next (02:33:19 - 02:38:14)

THE LIBRARY

Joss Whedon and Race: Critical Essays, edited by Mary Ellen Iatropoulos and Lowery A. Woodall III

THE LINKS

Mary Ellen Iatropoulos’ Website

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“Don’t Call Me White” by NOFX, Punk in Drublic (1994)

THE SCHOLARS

Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.

http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

Podcasting is hard and it’s painful and it’s everyday. Except when it isn’t. Turns out there’s this thing rather unimaginatively called “real life” that sometimes pounces on people, and I guess my number was up. Soooo...sorry guys. But hey, to make up for it I’m giving you a really, really long episode this week! So that’s something. Right?

This time around I’m joined by the delightful Mary Ellen Iatropoulos, Director of Education and Experience for The Art Effect, a nonprofit arts and media education organization, editor on Joss Whedon and Race: Critical Essays, and, most importantly, three-time winner of the Mr. Pointy Award for Best Work in Whedon Studies. Together we spill a LOT of words on episodes “The Wish,” “Amends,” and “Gingerbread.” We discuss visions of duality and unintended consequences, Cordelia Chase as the embodiment of the construct of white privilege,

Also Mary Ellen teases her new podcast Supposedly Great, coming soon! And the new “Buffy Bang Watch” segment is pitched...though maybe not with that title?

Next: I’m joined by Jennifer Walsh, writer, producer, and Buffy scholar published in Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies. We’ll be discussing episodes 312, “Helpless” and 313, “The Zeppo.”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:22:33)

Main Topic (00:22:33 - 02:33:19)

Outro / Next (02:33:19 - 02:38:14)

THE LIBRARY

Joss Whedon and Race: Critical Essays, edited by Mary Ellen Iatropoulos and Lowery A. Woodall III

THE LINKS

Mary Ellen Iatropoulos’ Website

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“Don’t Call Me White” by NOFX, Punk in Drublic (1994)

THE SCHOLARS

Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind p

“You're not friends. You'll never be friends. You'll be in love till it kills you both. You'll fight and you'll shag and you'll hate each other till it makes you quiver, but you'll never be friends. Love isn't brains, children, it's blood. Blood screaming inside you to work its will. I may be love's bitch, but at least I'm man enough to admit it.”

Spike’s dropping knowledge and everyone else is dropping shoes. First time guest Michael Holland, Manager of Television for Warner Bros. Post Production Creative Services, joins me to discuss 307, “Revelations” and 308, “Lovers Walk.” It’s all fun and games until actual, real head trauma finally happens; Willow makes a reference which should be dated but sadly isn’t; standardized testing might need to be reevaluated; Faith learns a new word, as Nikki Stafford warned us she would; and William the Bloody proves that even evil soulless things can have their hearts broken.

Love’s a funny thing.

Next: another mystery guest will (presumably) join me to discuss 309, “The Wish,” 310, “Amends,” and 311, “Gingerbread.”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:10:20)

Main Topic (00:10:20 - 01:26:20)

Outro / Next (01:26:20 - 01:30:30)

THE LIBRARY

Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow

THE LINKS

Michael Holland’s blog - Holland Imaginarium

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“My Way” by Sid Vicious, Sid Sings (1979)

THE SCHOLARS

Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.

http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

“You're not friends. You'll never be friends. You'll be in love till it kills you both. You'll fight and you'll shag and you'll hate each other till it makes you quiver, but you'll never be friends. Love isn't brains, children, it's blood. Blood screaming inside you to work its will. I may be love's bitch, but at least I'm man enough to admit it.”

Spike’s dropping knowledge and everyone else is dropping shoes. First time guest Michael Holland, Manager of Television for Warner Bros. Post Production Creative Services, joins me to discuss 307, “Revelations” and 308, “Lovers Walk.” It’s all fun and games until actual, real head trauma finally happens; Willow makes a reference which should be dated but sadly isn’t; standardized testing might need to be reevaluated; Faith learns a new word, as Nikki Stafford warned us she would; and William the Bloody proves that even evil soulless things can have their hearts broken.

Love’s a funny thing.

Next: another mystery guest will (presumably) join me to discuss 309, “The Wish,” 310, “Amends,” and 311, “Gingerbread.”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:10:20)

Main Topic (00:10:20 - 01:26:20)

Outro / Next (01:26:20 - 01:30:30)

THE LIBRARY

Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow

THE LINKS

Michael Holland’s blog - Holland Imaginarium

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“My Way” by Sid Vicious, Sid Sings (1979)

THE SCHOLARS

Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.

http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

All men are beasts. Always keep your campaign promises. Our parents were obnoxious teenagers once too. All this and more is revealed to us in these episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Three. Nikki Stafford is back again, this time to answer the call of the wild in 304, “Beauty and the Beasts,” to flip through our own non-existent high school yearbooks as we watch 305, “Homecoming,” and wax rhapsodic over Jane Espenson in 306, “Band Candy.” We rejoice at the introduction of Mayor Richard Wilkins III! We cringe at all the grown-up kissage! And I pump my fist in agreement with Giles’ assertion that there are two kinds of monsters! Plus we share our (possibly outdated by this point) thoughts on the recently announced BtVS “reboot.”

Next: guestage is still to be determined, but some lucky scholar will join me to examine 307, “Revelations” and 308, “Lovers Walk.”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:12:30)

Main Topic (00:12:30 - 01:35:44)

Outro / Next (01:35:44 - 01:39:13)

THE LIBRARY

Bite Me!: The Chosen Edition The Unofficial Guide to Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Seven Seasons One Book), by Nikki Stafford

THE LINKS

Nikki Stafford’s Great Buffy Rewatch Archive

“‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Series Reboot With Black Lead In Works From Monica Owusu-Breen & Joss Whedon” by Nellie Andreeva, Deadline

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf, Steppenwolf (1968)

THE SCHOLARS

Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.

http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

All men are beasts. Always keep your campaign promises. Our parents were obnoxious teenagers once too. All this and more is revealed to us in these episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Three. Nikki Stafford is back again, this time to answer the call of the wild in 304, “Beauty and the Beasts,” to flip through our own non-existent high school yearbooks as we watch 305, “Homecoming,” and wax rhapsodic over Jane Espenson in 306, “Band Candy.” We rejoice at the introduction of Mayor Richard Wilkins III! We cringe at all the grown-up kissage! And I pump my fist in agreement with Giles’ assertion that there are two kinds of monsters! Plus we share our (possibly outdated by this point) thoughts on the recently announced BtVS “reboot.”

Next: guestage is still to be determined, but some lucky scholar will join me to examine 307, “Revelations” and 308, “Lovers Walk.”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:12:30)

Main Topic (00:12:30 - 01:35:44)

Outro / Next (01:35:44 - 01:39:13)

THE LIBRARY

Bite Me!: The Chosen Edition The Unofficial Guide to Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Seven Seasons One Book), by Nikki Stafford

THE LINKS

Nikki Stafford’s Great Buffy Rewatch Archive

“‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ Series Reboot With Black Lead In Works From Monica Owusu-Breen & Joss Whedon” by Nellie Andreeva, Deadline

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“Born to Be Wild” by Steppenwolf, Steppenwolf (1968)

THE SCHOLARS

Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They a

It’s been a minute since I’ve sat in the ol’ cemetery and knocked back a few with some dead folk (they prefer “life challenged”), so fan-scholar/scholar-fan wunderkind Nikki Stafford joins me once again to discuss the first three episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 3. Episode 301 introduces us to “Anne,” who bears a striking resemblance to Buffy Summers, but that’s probably just my imagination. In episode 302 Joyce and the Scoobies throw a “Dead Man’s Party” to welcome Buffy home. And 303, “Faith, Hope and Trick” introduces us to Hope, Trick, and Faith. In that order. For some reason. We talk about hell dimension systems of government and administrative change across centuries; the complete and utter lack of corpses in Sunnydale; Khaki Trousers being a fan of Harry Potter; and the significant difference between a boot and a boat.

But at the top of the show, before we get to all that goodness, Nikki and I reminisce about our time at the recent The 8th Biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which this year was hosted at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama. The Conference once again brought together interdisciplinary scholars and academics (and imposters like me) from across the globe to discuss the works of Joss Whedon. There’s way too much for us to cover in the loving detail it all deserves, but Nikki and I share some of our favorite memories from this year’s gathering. Can’t wait for 2020! (...for perhaps many reasons.)

Next: I keep my promise/threat to not let Nikki go home. She’s stuck in the cemetery to continue our season 3 discussion with episodes 304, “Beauty and the Beasts,” 305, “Homecoming,” and 306, “Band Candy.”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest / Slayage Conference Discussion (00:00:00 - 00:32:43)

Main Topic (00:32:43 - 01:43:40)

Outro / Next (01:43:40 - 01:47:36)

THE LIBRARY

Bite Me!: The Chosen Edition The Unofficial Guide to Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Seven Seasons One Book), by Nikki Stafford

THE LINKS

Nikki Stafford’s Great Buffy Rewatch Archive

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boingo, Dead Man’s Party (1986)

THE SCHOLARS

Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.

http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

It’s been a minute since I’ve sat in the ol’ cemetery and knocked back a few with some dead folk (they prefer “life challenged”), so fan-scholar/scholar-fan wunderkind Nikki Stafford joins me once again to discuss the first three episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 3. Episode 301 introduces us to “Anne,” who bears a striking resemblance to Buffy Summers, but that’s probably just my imagination. In episode 302 Joyce and the Scoobies throw a “Dead Man’s Party” to welcome Buffy home. And 303, “Faith, Hope and Trick” introduces us to Hope, Trick, and Faith. In that order. For some reason. We talk about hell dimension systems of government and administrative change across centuries; the complete and utter lack of corpses in Sunnydale; Khaki Trousers being a fan of Harry Potter; and the significant difference between a boot and a boat.

But at the top of the show, before we get to all that goodness, Nikki and I reminisce about our time at the recent The 8th Biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which this year was hosted at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama. The Conference once again brought together interdisciplinary scholars and academics (and imposters like me) from across the globe to discuss the works of Joss Whedon. There’s way too much for us to cover in the loving detail it all deserves, but Nikki and I share some of our favorite memories from this year’s gathering. Can’t wait for 2020! (...for perhaps many reasons.)

Next: I keep my promise/threat to not let Nikki go home. She’s stuck in the cemetery to continue our season 3 discussion with episodes 304, “Beauty and the Beasts,” 305, “Homecoming,” and 306, “Band Candy.”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest / Slayage Conference Discussion (00:00:00 - 00:32:43)

Main Topic (00:32:43 - 01:43:40)

Outro / Next (01:43:40 - 01:47:36)

THE LIBRARY

Bite Me!: The Chosen Edition The Unofficial Guide to Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Seven Seasons One Book), by Nikki Stafford

THE LINKS

Nikki Stafford’s Great Buffy Rewatch Archive

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“Dead Man’s Party” by Oingo Boingo, Dead Man’s Party

Fan favorite Alexander Lester returns to our modest little graveyard to join the magical mystery flashback tour that is Angelus’ sordid history in 221, “Becoming (Part 1)” and rejoice at the very first Buffy/Spike team-up in 222, “Becoming (Part 2).” Is David Boreanaz’s Irish accent more or less abysmal than Bianca Lawson’s whatever-it-is accent? Mr. Pointy makes his inauspicious-but-important debut in the series; Spike likes Happy Meals; Joyce finally gets a clue; and Buffy shares her sword.

Next: after the feel good cabaret that was the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Two finale I’m taking an oh-so-brief hiatus to catch my breath before diving into Season Three. But in the meantime I’ll be attending the 8th Biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses. I will personally be participating in at least one roundtable panel discussion while there, which I intend to record. I’m also hoping to capture some other content as well, such as interviews and perhaps other panels or presentations. We’ll see how that all works out, but in any case look for a “Very Special Conversations” episode at some point in the near future.

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00 - 03:51)

Main Topic (03:51 - 1:40:16)

Outro / Next (1:40:16 - 1:45:26)

THE LINKS

Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“Full of Grace” by Sarah McLachlan, Surfacing (1997)

THE SCHOLARS

Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.

http://www.whedonstudies.tv/

If you’ve made it this far into the podcast I have to assume you’ve just accepted that my audio quality is NEVER going to be worth a damn, so I apologize again and bless you for your forbearance. As for the episode you’re listening to today I’m joined by author and Georgia Tech Humanities and Science Fiction Librarian Karen Viars as we try to push through the static to discuss the complicity of Sunnydale’s adults, the pop culture acumen of Xander Harris, and how computers from the ‘90s worked.

Episode 218, “Killed by Death” introduces us to the Sunnydale strain of the flu, which apparently the doctors think can break bones? In 219, “I Only Have Eyes for You” the quality of mercy is not Buffy as we get what is perhaps the most effective (and affecting) ghost story that the series ever tells. And in 220 the gang plays “Go Fish” with a number of questionable sexual assault metaphors. And Xander in a speedo.

Next: Alexander Lester returns to the graveyard as promised to discuss the powerful Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season Two finale, “Becoming (Part 1)” and “Becoming (Part 2).”

THE BREAKDOWN

Intro / Guest (00:00:00 - 00:06:56)

Main Topic (00:06:56 - 01:29:54)

Outro / Next (01:29:54 - 01:32:18)

THE LIBRARY

Library Closed For Filing - Please Come Back Tomorrow

THE MUSIC

“Conversations (feat. Wesley Mead)” by Azura (2017)

“I Only Have Eyes for You” by The Flamingos (1959)

THE SCHOLARS

Whedon Studies Association is a non-profit academic organization devoted to the study of the works of Joss Whedon and his associates. They put out Slayage: The Journal of Whedon Studies, and Watcher Junior​: The Undergraduate Journal of Whedon Studies, both blind peer-reviewed twice-yearly online publications. They also host the biennial Slayage Conference on the Whedonverses, which brings all these incredible scholars together to present papers, discuss ways of incorporating Whedon Studies in education, and basically just geek out together.

http://www.whedonstudies.tv/