New Season Info / Season 5 AtS Spoilers / Spike Is In / 2004 Wall Calendar / 2nd Audio Book / Angel renewed / BtVS gets a Hugo Nomination / JM Reading for Star Wars / JM Young Tarkin?/ Giles sings! / Season 5

HOLLYWOOD - Acting nothing like his brooding character, Angel, the first vampire with a soul, was buying the drinks - all straight shots.

In what seemed like that perfect moment of happiness Angel must avoid, the stars of WB's "Angel'' and creator Joss Whedon celebrated the start of another season, one they weren't certain would happen.

"I'm excited about the new season. I'm going to hell with a sword in my side!'' star David Boreanaz joked loudly at a WB press party earlier this week for the Television Critics Association at the White Lotus restaurant.

WB decided at the last moment in May to renew "Angel'' and will air the series at 9 p.m. Wednesdays, following the popular "Smallville.''

Boreanaz said he's excited about working with James Marsters, whose Spike comes to "Angel'' this season.

Mum as ever about plot spoilers, Whedon said Spike's return will be long and complicated. Spike, the second vampire to get a soul, died saving the world in the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' series finale and could come back as a human, a ghost or whatever Whedon dreams up.

"He'll still have his soul,'' Whedon said, adding that he likes the tension between Angel and Spike: The two vampires have never liked each other.

Whedon said the final events of "Buffy,'' in which the vampire slayer shared her superstrength with women around the world, eventually will affect "Angel.''

"There are other slayers, and we'll deal with that,'' he said.

Another "Buffy'' spinoff is likely but won't happen for a while. "I'd like to get some people back together,'' Whedon said, referring to his producers, writers and crew.

"If Eliza (Dushku, the Boston native who plays Faith, the other vampire slayer) is interested in making it, absolutely,'' Whedon said. Dushku is starring this fall in Fox's "Tru Calling,'' about a college student with power to relive the last 24 hours.

Whedon said the new season of "Angel'' will emphasize stand-alone stories as opposed to the serial approach of previous seasons. Whedon, who's writing and directing the "Angel'' season opener, said he's happy to be working on just one show.

When told that fans weren't upset with the "Buffy'' finale despite Spike's death, Whedon made a funny face. "I failed to p--s them off!'' he joked.

He explained why he killed Anya (Emma Caulfield), the ex-demon who found her humanity.
"I knew she wasn't going to come back. And if I killed any of the core group, you couldn't consider it a happy ending,'' he said.

Whedon said he would like to make a "Buffy'' movie, but noted that Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred as Buffy, has been opposed to it. He said he thinks that might change after Gellar has finished some other films.

Spoiler Alert!!!

Angel The fifth-season opener, scripted by Joss Whedon, will introduce a young Wolfram & Hart liaison named Eve, who will explain in smirky detail why it behooves Team Angel to use the L.A. branch rather than trash it from the inside. Eve will also explain that Lilah won’t be a big presence this season, as keeping dead people on the earthly plane is pricey! Speaking of which, James Marsters insists in interviews that Spike won’t “pull a Darla” and return as a human. The prevailing rumor these days is that William the Bloody will “pull a Dennis” instead, and reappear as a ghost. (The same rumors suggest that the Spike-as-spirit idea was going to be a component of the “Faith on a motorcyle” spinoff, had it gone forward.) In any case, a non-corporeal Spike might certainly find his new status impeding his ability to date a certain newly-homeless vampire slayer.

Firefly Dang! Fox cancelled the best new series of last season! Still, there’s a big “Firefly” DVD coming in late autumn, with commentaries, bloopers, special features and three unaired episodes. One of the unseen installments (“Trash”) was co-written by “Tick” mastermind Ben Edlund, the second (“Heart of Gold”) was penned by the mysterious Brent Matthews, and the third (“The Message”) was directed by Tim Minear from a teleplay by Minear and Joss Whedon. (Minear subsequently wrote and directed the spectacular “Angel” season finale a few months ago.) Series mastermind Whedon says he’s hard at work scripting a prospective “Firefly” motion picture.

Despite the fact that he died in the series finale of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," Spike (James Marsters) will indeed be joining the cast of "Angel" in the fall. However, while Cordelia (Charisma Carpenter) isn't dead — she's just in a coma — that character won't be back on the WB series.
As to how, exactly, Spike will be resurrected after helping save the world from The First and closing the Sunnydale hellmouth, well, even the folks running the WB don't know.

"I'm waiting word from (creator/executive producer) Joss (Whedon) on that as well," said WB Entertainment president Jordan Levin. "He's obviously a very creative person who hasn't let us down in the past and I'm sure that he will figure out a way."

He's done it before. Buffy died and returned — twice. Lilah returned from the dead (as exactly what, we don't know) earlier this month.

And Darla (like Spike, a vampire) was resurrected on "Angel" — as a mortal. Which leaves open the question of what Spike will be.

As for Carpenter and Cordelia, nobody is talking much except to say that Charisma will not be part of the show next year. "It makes way for characters like Spike and others," said Levin.

"Others" like various members of the "Buffy" cast who will be making guest appearances. And, possibly, more. "Not full-time cast members, but there will be appearances from other characters, and we'll see how that evolves," Levin said. As to whether Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) herself shows up, he left open that possibility. "Who knows?"
(...)
"Part of the appeal was sort of getting the whole team back together and bringing this all back into the WB," Levin said. "We still, obviously, feel a real strong, proprietary interest in 'Buffy.' I know for all of us here the fact that when 'Buffy' had its finale . . . it was emotionally a big deal for all of us at the network. We were exchanging calls with Joss and Sara and (executive producer) Marti Noxon and the rest of the gang, congratulating them and letting them know what they meant for us and what they meant for TV. I was really proud."

And he expressed at least tentative interest in the idea of another "Buffy" spinoff — a possibility that is still being bandied about, possibly for 2004, provided "there's an idea there that, thematically, has something to say. I'm not sure that I would expect anything less from Joss."
(...)
(Source) Text

Handsome in a kind of menacing way, Spike takes bad boy appeal to new heights as the vampire turned love interest of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
AVAILABLE JULY 2003 at Cedco Publishing
Retail price = $12.99

Wall calendar, 12" x 12" ISBN #6239

They produced the beautiful "Spike" 2003 Wall Calendar.

Jim has only recently been able to confirm that Buzzy Multimedia, makers of the first Harry Dresden audio book, Storm Front, will be producing another audio book for Fool Moon.

Even more exciting, the book will be read as the first one was, by James Marsters, who plays Spike on the popular television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

No release date is set yet, but hopes are high it will be available by the time Dragon*Con rolls around

Storm Front -The 1st Audio Book Written By Jim Butcher and Read By James Marsters (great audio clips can be found on their site.) 8 CDs about $45-$48
You can also find some text excerpts at Amazon.Com It's the first book in a series. WizardsHarry.Com
FYI, JM does a great job on this project!

Returning Series
Hour Drama
Wednesdays 9/8c

Being undead for a few centuries and cursed with a soul, Angel has a unique perspective - and tons of free time. So, what does this righteous man do to pass the centuries? Put a team together and go vigilante on the City of Angels, which has become a lot less safe since evil demons and their scary minions started buying up all the real estate.

Last season, Angel narrowly managed to stop the apocalypse, which begs the question, "Where do we go from here?" Well, Angel reunites with Wesley, Fred, Lorne, Gunn (and SPIKE!) - to take over the L.A. office of a formerly evil and currently annihilated law firm. Of course, there's always a hitch. (What do you expect from demonic lawyers?) And a few surprises... like visits from some of the Sunnydale gang.

Executive producer Joss Whedon, co-executive producer Jeffery Bell and consulting producer David Greenwalt with Twentieth Television. (Source)

Last year BtVS's "Once More, With Feeling" (S6,Ep7) was nominated for a 2002 Hugo. This year 3 Mutant Enemy series were nominated! See Official Page

Buffy, "Conversations with Dead People" (S7,Ep7)
(20th Century Fox Television/Mutant Enemy Inc.)
Directed by Nick Marck; Teleplay by Jane Espenson & Drew Goddard

Joss Whedon get two more nods with episodes he wrote and directed for both Angel and Firefly:

Firefly, "Serenity"
(20th Century Fox Television/Mutant Enemy Inc.)
Directed by Joss Whedon; Teleplay by Joss Whedon

Angel, "Waiting in the Wings"
(20th Century Fox Television/Mutant Enemy Inc.)
Directed by Joss Whedon; Teleplay by Joss Whedon

The Modesto Bee published an interview yesterday with James Marsters, one of the stars of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and a graduate of Modesto's Davis High School. Obviously written before Friday's announcement, the interview mentions that Marsters read for Anakin, but also it offers this short anecdote. He didn't get to play Anakin, but he did get a gift.

"I would love to play Anakin after he goes over to the dark side," says Marsters. He recently read for a part in the next installment, but Vanity reports the role of Anakin will be played by Hayden Christensen.

Still, Marsters has a valuable rooting section. In his trailer, on his mantle is a homemade candle. It was a gift from George Lucas' daughters who are big fans of Spike.

Excerpts from an interview with JM about the Star Wars rummors.

Q: Can you address the rumors on the Internet that you are being considered for a role in the next Star Wars movie?
JM: I would love that! I got interviewed for the Darth Vader role because George Lucas was aware of me. His daughter is a fan and like every good dad, he loves everything his daughter loves so he loves me. [Laughs] They came to the set. I still have a candle from his daughter. I went on this interview for the Vader role, in which he was supposed to be seventeen. [Chuckles] I said ‘I don’t want to cut myself off at the knees here but I’m not really seventeen.’ And they were like “We know we just wanted to meet you and see if there is anything down the road.” So, I don’t know. Maybe they are percolating something – probably not. (Text)

Q: The stuff I was reading mentioned the role of the young Grand Moth Tarkin.
JM: Yeah, the Peter Cushing role? He and I have those cheekbones, right? [Laughs]
Oh, he destroyed Alderaan, didn’t he? Affecting a British accent he says “Foolish child”
Oh, did you guys notice in that scene, Carrie Fisher has an English accent? Affecting a female British accent saying her line…You can just tell that was the first day of filming and they got the dailies back and George was like “Carrie, never mind the accent, honey.” (Text)

BBC - Buffy - Boreanaz not Superman

Angel star David Boreanaz, recently linked to the role of Caped Crusader Superman for a planned new movie, was quick to deny that he's be donning a pair of blue tights any time soon.

"I'll just kill the rumour now - it hasn't happened," Boreanaz announced during a live chat for the E!Online web site. "I did go in and read for the part, but I can't do it because of my schedule with Angel."

James Marsters, meanwhile, has been linked to the part of Grand Moff Tarkin in the third of George Lucas's Star Wars prequels.

By: ABBIE BERNSTEIN (Correspondent)

MUSIC FOR ELEVATORS may have a title that’s a little too hip for some rooms – I mentioned to a friend of mine that I was going to give the album a listen and she sympathized, assuming it was a CD of Muzak. In reality, there’s nothing elevator-like about any of the 16 tracks on this album by Anthony Stewart Head and George Sarah.

It will come as no surprise to fans of either London’s West End theatre scene or TV’s BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER that Head has a beautiful, assured tenor singing voice, but it turns out he’s a talented songwriter as well. In addition to performing lead vocals here, he penned the lyrics for the majority of the songs on the album, also playing piano, casio, sitar, guitar, bass, beats, organ and Wurlitzer on various tracks. Album producer Sarah plays synth, piano, beats, Wurlitzer, analogues, bass guitar, strings, bells and analogs and collaborates with Head on much of the music-writing (although each man has one or two solo compositions).

The first song, “What Can You Tell Me,” with lyrics by Head and music by Head and Sarah, introduces itself with a rumbling, mournful piano and menacing vocal respiration that is eventually joined by Head’s melodic tenor, singing of betrayal, confusion and hope. The tune and arrangement are reminiscent of David Bowie, elegiac and dreamy. Famed acting coach Milton Katselas contributes a spoken-word riff.

“Babies (The In-Between)” is Head’s composition all the way, a frank, emotional confession of a father missing his children: “Feel guilty for not being there for you.” Sigmund’s (no last name) guitar strums urgently over a bed of synth, piano and beats, all played by Sarah. While there are no specific comments on the mix in the liner notes, a 5.1 sound system puts the vocals in the center and mains, while sending the accompaniment throughout mains and rears alike.

“Owning My Mistakes” veers toward soul territory, with the music by Sarah and Head relying largely on a throbbing synthesizer (the performance on synths is credited by both men) as Head’s lyrics mull over what happens when you dwell on guilt. One instrument in the mix sounds a bit shrill, but there’s some lovely guitar finger-picking, especially at the end. Head’s BUFFY colleague James Marsters contributes some backup vocals.

“We Can Work It Out” is a near-reimagining of the Beatles classic, with Head sharing vocal duties with the sultry/vulnerable Holly Palmer. Turning the song into a duet makes the familiar lyrics seem much more a plea for common sense in a generally loving relationship, with both singers sounding as though they are really weary from fighting, in contrast to the Beatles original, where Paul McCartney sounds as if he’s got energy enough to argue his case all day. Palmer gets a gently playful refrain at the end, turning it into a pure love song.

“Qu-est ce que j’ai fait” continues the Beatles theme in spirit if not in material, with Sarah’s twinkly music recalling “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds.” A Francophone may be able to interpret Head’s French-language lyrics, but the song is appealing even to the uncomprehending.

“All the Fun of the Fair” starts off with a menacing, driving synthesizer that goes into a rhythm-heavy tune by Sarah and Head that sounds rather like something from a rock opera. Head’s lyrics deal with depression that is apparently brought on by depression – the singers are getting the blues simply from dealing with emotional ups and downs (sample: “I’m finding it hard to feel good/’Cuz each time I’m up there, I know I’m gonna fall… And this constant change of feelings is making me reel”). Smoky-voiced Justina Machado carries the lead vocals for awhile before being joined/counterpointed by Head, backed by Suzy Prudden and BUFFY’s Amber Benson. The end of the number, with a clicking telephone, suggests that perhaps it’s meant to be seen as someone talking to a psychotherapy help line.

“This Town in the Rain” is a heartfelt gripe about Los Angeles when it’s wet. Anybody who lives in the city will agree with the observations about everything from motorists (“Didn’t anybody tell them you can’t drive the same – drive insane in the rain?”) to the lack of decent storm drains, while at the same time feeling that perhaps it’s not quite as universally depressing as Head’s lyrics would have it. The music by Head and Sarah has a slightly ‘50s-beat-by-way-of-Kurt Weill quality, while Head sings in a more clipped, higher voice than he employs elsewhere on the album.

“Talk to You” has a lovely string arrangement by Sarah, incorporating finger-picking guitar, violin, viola and cello, highlighting Head’s brief but ardent composition about the joys of speaking to a loved one on the phone. Head’s vocals are surpassingly tender and the song is sweet without being cloying.

Helen Shingler provides a brief instrumental entitled “Mum’s Song,” which compares agreeably to some of Elton John’s wordless piano riffs.

“Last Time” is a “guest” contribution, with words and music by BUFFY creator Joss Whedon. The number sounds as though it might have been written for the BUFFY musical, not for the character of Head’s resolute librarian Giles, but rather for Marsters’ lovelorn vampire Spike (as noted, Marsters appears elsewhere on the album). The BUFFY connection is further strengthened here by the presence of Benson on backup vocals, along with Machado. Head emotes affectingly as the anguished narrator, contemplating an affair he can’t bear to leave, no matter how badly the woman treats him.

“One Man’s Rain” has a bit of Peter Gabriel-esque ululation in the vocal arrangement. The music by Sarah and Head is anchored by a rumbling bass piano, adding extra gravity to the plea, both ecological and sociological, in Head’s lyrics. Head’s vocals, backed by Colleen Fitzpatrick, Justina Machado and Camille Saviola (Kai Opaka on DEEP SPACE NINE), have a tinge of gospel fervor as he urges listeners to give balance a chance.

“Change,” words by Head and music by Sarah and Head, returns to the Bowie sound that begins the album, in a contemplative but ultimately optimistic number extolling the virtues of self-knowledge and moving along in life (“It’s all too easy to say, ‘I am who I am’ – to allow yourself to/Shrug your shoulders and say, ‘Accept me, I accept myself’/Change”).

Although the track lists provides only 14 titles, both your CD player and the sleeve insert booklet, which considerately provides not only complete lyrics but also credits on every song, acknowledge that there are actually 16 tracks. There’s a long pause after the end of “Change,” but if you allow the CD to proceed (or just hit the “skip forward”), “Staring at the Sun” rises with dreamy synthesizer effects and a gently rolling piano accompanying Head’s echoing, near-whispered vocals.

Track 16, “End Game,” is a song full of aching regret, conveyed by Head in both his vocals and lyrics as he mourns not having enough time with a now-deceased loved one (“I’m not ready to think these thoughts in the middle of the night”). The music by Sarah and Head, with its deliberate chord progressions, has delicacy, yet suggests a stage musical ballad. Alyson Hannigan, yet another BUFFY mainstay, provides the spoken-word background voice of memory.

For those who let the last track continue in silence for about another six minutes, there’s an additional hidden bit, as Marsters (rather than Head) delivers a section of the “Owning My Mistakes” lyrics as spoken-word poetry.

MUSIC FOR ELEVATORS would seem to be something of a necessity for fans of Head (and completionist fans of Whedon, Marsters, Benson and Hannigan, for that matter). The good news is, Head and Sarah’s work stands on its own musically and lyrically as affecting, gentle rock. Title aside, this album is nobody’s idea of background music – it elicits listener involvement. If you want to hear the survival of Beatles and Bowie influences with enticing vocals and strongly-felt lyrics, this is music to own.

By: FRANK KURTZ / By: News Editor / Source: Los Angeles Times

Tonight will see the debut of BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER on the UPN TV network, and the event has prompted two of its principals to talk about what lies ahead on the program.

While talking to the Los Angeles Times, executive producer Marti Noxon spoke of this seeming new start, saying, "This really will be a new direction for us. All of us on the show feel a new commitment and energy. There will still be monster mayhem, of course, but the themes will become more internal. The show will be very character-driven."

More specifically, Noxon talks about the path ahead, saying, "There are no more authority figures in Buffy's life, and she must take on a motherly role for her sister Dawn [Michelle Trachtenberg]. Their mother has died, and the two sisters only have each other. And we can also deal with some high school issues with Dawn that we didn't address with Buffy the first time around."

James Marsters, a.k.a. Spike, puts in his two cents on the new season, saying, "It's particularly exciting because the show is going to be about how one becomes their best self in the face of having the toughest job. In a way, the show is the same, but it's being allowed to grow organically. We're not making the mistake of keeping Buffy in high school."