Joss' Kids

Joss' kids is the nickname that Birdie and I give to all of our favorite actors that have ever been under Joss Whedon's umbrella. And there have been a TON of amazing people under his umbrella. Enjoy the vids. There are more to come.

I Know What You Are

My favorite new show this year - by a mile - is Kevin Williamson's Vampire Diaries. It has everything a girl like me is looking for. Hot guys, great romance, amazing music and best yet - total escapism. After this week's episode, it looks like Elena has figured out what Stefan is. But that is not the end. Not even close. Here are my other favorite "in the know” couples. Some of them make it. Some of them don't. Some of them are left to our own imaginations.


5. Blood Ties – Vicki & Henry = Things are getting a bit wiggy for P.I. Vicki until hottie Henry shows up. Is he a suspect or the best crime solving partner she has ever had? He can, of course smell the blood left behind. She is convinced that the supernatural happens. Can she be convinced that Henry has feelings for her?

4. Twilight – Bella &Edward = Bella was sure of Edward even before she knew what he was. She knew he was something else. But, to her, it did not matter what the “else” was. She was in from the word go. No talk of fangs or blood or undead was going to keep her from what she wanted most.

3. Moonlight – Beth & Mick = The P.I. Mick has learned to mesh with the humans as best he can. He keeps his blood in the fridge and minds his own business. Until Beth captures his attention – and his heart. Now he has to protect her. From the truth and from himself. She doesn’t want to care what he is. But, maybe they both care just enough to make their love impossible.

2. True Blood – Sookie & Bill = She knew what he was from the get go. And that made her all the more attracted to him. His world provided a peace she had never known. Except that his world proved to be anything but peaceful. Regardless of being used and abused, Sookie will stand by Bill. No matter what his world does to her.

1. Buffy The Vampire Slayer/Angel – Buffy & Angel = Their story is so tragic it should be written in old English. A human girl chosen from millions to be the ONE to slay the demons. The ONE demon of millions cursed with a soul. And the two meet. And fall in love. The love created will never be matched nor will it ever be fully realized. And that is the true tragedy.

Life in the Whedonverse

Brought on, I'm sure, by Dollhouse's season premiere, a couple of publications have been posting lists of the best of the best in the land of Joss Whedon. I mostly agree with both lists (one ranks them by number and one does not) and they do overlap quite a bit. But, I have one major problem. Mood. And for me, in the Whedonverse, that means everything. What do I watch when I want to laugh? When I need a good cry? When I need a WTF moment I know is coming? The brilliance of Joss' work is that it can be all of these things all at once and then still be separated into groups. Want romance? Want danger? Horror? Humor? There is something for everyone. Here is my take.

Best real life situation = "The Body" Buffy, Season 5: For anyone who has ever dealt with the loss of someone close this one really hits home. Especially the silence. When you are alone with death there is no background music, no sweeping crescendo. Just silence. And fear. And pain. This episode was so beautifully done that I felt like I had lost my own mother all over again.

Best I'm really gonna kick your ass = "Not Fade Away" Angel, Season 5: This came too soon and too fast but the moment when Angel vamps out on Hamilton and when Illyria puts her fist through Vail's face, you just can't stop yourself from cheering out loud! And in case we expected anything less from our favorite hero, his final wish is to slay dragons. Poor dragons.

Best family that doesn't know it's a family = "Out of Gas" Firefly: Until this episode (if you watched them in order on DVD instead of Fox's f'd up way) the crew of Serenity seemed to be a pretty loose knit and just sort of fond of each other bunch (at best). This episode was so intense in showing love and devotion that it fully cemented the 9 of them as a family unit that you would never doubt again. And one of the best lines I have ever heard (still brings tears) 'When your miracle gets here, call us back"

Best WTF = "Needs" Dollhouse, Season 1: I knew when this episode started that it had to be some kind of trick or device. But, that didn't stop me from gasping out loud almost every 5 minutes. I loved getting to find out some of what the dolls were before they were Dolls.

Best could have done without that = "I Will Remember You" Angel, Season 1: This entire episode is just a gratuitous meal for the hungry Angel/Buffy shippers. And I loved every minute of it. I have watched A LOT of television and A LOT of movies and yet I have never witnessed anything quite as heartbreaking as this episode. It builds up so much hope and love and then just rips it all away before you even realize what's happening. I'll never again feel the same way about yogurt.

Best was that really necessary = Dr. Horrible's Sing-along Blog: I want all of my friends to see this. It is a masterpiece of creation. However, they're not really into sad. So, I always advertise it as a hilarious and catchy musical. Which it is. Totally. And then Penny dies. And then they all hate me. However, they are all hating me while having the songs stuck in their heads for life. So I consider it a win.

Best are they allowed to show that on TV = "Smashed" Buffy, Season 6: Until this episode sex in the Buffyverse had always been sweet and lovey dovey. And then there was Spike. Holy crow was this hot or what? And the "I can't believe they are showing this on TV" sex continued in "Gone," "Doublemeat Palace," and "Dead Things." If Spike wasn't a permanent fantasy object before this, he became one very soon after.

Best funny thing to happen to a group = "Tabula Rasa" Buffy, Season 6 & "Spin the Bottle" Angel, Season 4: An entire group of demon fighters losing their memories is hilarious the first time around. And the 2nd time around. Both of these episodes really forced the actors to act - outside of the characters they were so used to. And some of the funniest, laugh out loud, fall off the sofa hilarity ensued. "It was about time that the English got what's coming to him, I'm rooting for the slave." "I don't see any booze, I don't feel any head bumps, I don't see Allen Funt." And then cruelness came. Both episodes ended with tears (from me anyways).

Best I wish there was more = "Serenity” Firefly Movie: This was supposed to be the answer to all of the fans' wildest dreams. Which it was, in a way. All it did for me was make me even more attached to the characters and their stories than I already was. The movie did have some of the very best moments though (River against the Reavers) and will always make me cry. And scream for more!

Best so scary I peed my pants = "Hush" Buffy, Season 4: The moment when one of the Gentlemen glides across the screen right in front of Olivia makes me jump out of my skin every single time I watch this episode. I have seen this at least 20 times. It never becomes less scary. Just the thought of having my voice stolen makes me shudder. Brilliant story telling.

Best OUCH = "Innocence" Buffy, Season 2:  Yikes!  Can you imagine the horror!
Buffy: You just left.

Angelus: Yeah. Like I really wanted to stick around after that.
Buffy: What?
Angelus: You got a lot to learn about men, kiddo. Although I guess you proved that last night.
Buffy: What are you saying?
Angelus: Let's not make an issue out of it, okay? In fact, let's not talk about it at all. It happened.
Buffy: I-I don't understand. Was it m-me? Was I not good?
Angelus: [sarcastically] You were great. Really. I thought you were a pro.

Best friend = "War Stories" Firefly:  Mal does exactly what it takes to keep his pilot alive.  It sounds horrible coming out of his mouth, but it gets the job done.  I can only hope I have friends willing to be that awful to me if the situation called for it.

Best guardian angel = "The Target" Dollhouse, Season 1: I have had dozens of nightmares where I am being chases by something terrible.  This Dollhouse episode puts it all into perspective as I have never once been hunted by the hot guy I just slept with.  The entire situation is way too scary  - until Boyd comes to the rescue.  His love for Echo is all over his face.  What makes it even better?  Echo saving him right back!

Best sexy drink = "Graduation Part 2" Buffy, Season 3: I have screened the bit of this episode when Angel bites Buffy for a number of different people and I always hear a lot of "gross."  I don't get it.  There is nothing gross or icky or sick about this entire portion of the episode.  As a matter of fact, it is one of the sexiest, most intense love scenes I have ever laid eyes on.  I've seen True Blood, Moonlight, Twilight, Blood Ties and dozens of other vampire bite situations.  And still.  This is hands down the very best of them all.  Anyone know where I can find one of those arrows?

Your thoughts?  What did we miss?

More Dollhouse!

A couple more Dollhouse articles!  I LOVE that it's getting so much attention!!  Hopefully this will turn into amazing ratings that will make Fox want to keep it forever!  A girl can dream right?

Chigaco Tribune article on the show

SciFiWire article with behind the scenes photos!


I realized I hadn't posted the actual trailer yet.  So excited!!

Return to the Dollhouse!

Dollhouse is finally back tomorrow and I have spent all week collecting must see/read items in preparation for the premiere!  Thank you Twitter for hooking me up with all the goods!

Joss Whedon interview from Complex Magazine (talk of Dr. Horrible 2)

Fox interview with stunt man Mike Massa (p.s. he was David Boreanaz's stunt double for Angel)

Fox interview with Tahmoh Penikett (Paul Ballard)

Another great Joss interview

Joss on io9

Great article on Joss' amazing mind

io9's review of the premiere

New Moon Soundtrack!!

The song list for the New Moon Soundtrack has been finalized!!!  The album is due out October 20th and you can pre-order from Amazon here.

I am super stoked about the bands being included on the soundtrack (especially Muse and BRMC) and cannot wait to pick up my own copy in just a few weeks!  Here is the list:

• DEATH CAB FOR CUTIE — MEET ME ON THE EQUINOX
• BAND OF SKULLS — FRIENDS
• THOM YORKE — HEARING DAMAGE
• LYKKE LI — POSSIBILITY
• THE KILLERS — A WHITE DEMON LOVE SONG
• ANYA MARINA — SATELLITE HEART
• MUSE — I BELONG TO YOU (NEW MOON REMIX)
• BON IVER & ST. VINCENT — ROSYLN
• BLACK REBEL MOTORCYCLE CLUB — DONE ALL WRONG
• HURRICANE BELLS — MONSTERS
• SEA WOLF — THE VIOLET HOUR
• OK GO — SHOOTING THE MOON
• GRIZZLY BEAR — SLOW LIFE
• EDITORS — NO SOUND BUT THE WIND
• ALEXANDRE DESPLAT — NEW MOON (THE MEADOW)

2009 Emmy's

So the winners were a little disapointing (then again so were the nominees) but it was still a fun night.  Neil Patrick Harris rocked it out as host and Ricky Gervais was hilarious as a presenter.  My  favorite parts:

True Blood - The Aftermath

Sunday night's True Blood party was a wicked good time with an abundance of food and wine and even a newly invented shot.  The vampire cupcakes were also a huge success (see above).  Oh, and the episode was good too.  It looks like it will be back no later than June of next year so it should be another bloody good summer in 2010. 

The True Blood girls and I had a lot of conversations about the show on Sunday night but the most interesting by far was regarding certain character look alikes (thank you Paige!).

The first was her comparison of Jason Stackhouse to George W. Bush.  You can just imagine how fast all of our jaws hit the floor.  Come on!  Jason is the yummiest of the yum and any comparison that detracts from that is just not ok with me.  However, as much as I hate to admit it, there is an uncanny resemblance:

Scary right?  I'm not even sure I want to know how she figured this out.

The second was the Eggs/Obama match.  Again.  What?  And again, no matter how much we would love to deny it, here it is:

It works better without the eyes but they do have similar smiles and (yes Paige) ears.  I wonder if the President looks as good with his shirt off.  Yikes.

Vampire Odds and Ends

Thank God!  The new New Moon trailer was leaked online and I do not have to suffer through the VMAs today in order to see it.  And, now, neither do you! It's a GREAT new trailer:

<

And in case you are completely oblivious to the world, you haven't forgetten that the True Blood season finale is just hours away! Here's a bit of a taste:

New (to me) Must Read Series

When one of my best friends first handed me this series of books to read all I gave her were raised eyebrows.  The series by Rachel Vincent is about Faythe Sanders and she is a Werecat.  Yes.  A Werecat.  I don't know why I thought this was silly at first.  After all, I've read and loved dozens of books about flying broomsticks and vampires who go to high school and date waitresses.  So it was no surprise to me that it took a little while to get into the first of the series, Stray.  What did surprise me was how hard it became to put down.    Faythe lives in a world she is dying to escape, constantly under the supervision of her Werecat family and their hired protectors.  She has complicated relationships with almost everyone in her life and is just looking for a little independence.  That is, until her entire world threatens to come crashing down around her.  Once the action starts there is little time to do anything but breathe as the whirlwind continues through all 4 books (each of which I devoured in just a few hours).  Not since Scarlett O'Hara has there been a heroine so fallible and at the same time so endearing.  Not to mention the ass kicking she can dish out, the likes of which you haven't seen since Buffy Summers hung up her stake.  The world she lives in is full of danger, politics and mystery with a healthy dose of love and devotion so strong that the first tear is sliding down your cheek before you even realize how invested you've become.  Four of the six planned novels are out in paperback now (see above) and the 5th is due out March 1st of next year which, for me, feels like a lifetime to wait after tearing through the first 4 so quickly.  You can order Stray from Amazon here and you may as well order the other 3 while you're at it.  You'll thank me later.  I'd bet all nine of my lives on it.

Vampire Diaries - My First Impression

Well, so far, so good. I have to say, all I have heard about this series for the last couple of months is how much like Twilight it was going to be and for the most part, I disagree. Of course the books this show is based on came out about a decade before Stephenie Meyer had her infamous Twilight dream so any similarities would be purely coincidental either way. And while I did get similar feelings watching this pilot as I did reading the first few chapters of Twilight, the sameness stops there. Actually, I felt a lot more of a Dawson's Creek mood (they have the same creator, Kevin Williamson) and Stefan throws off much more of an Angel vibe (his brooding brows and manly man jaw line, hello!) than an Edward one. Other immediate thoughts as I was watching:

1. The soundtrack is AWESOME! Silversun Pickups, Placebo, MGMT and more! I hope they put out a soundtrack.
2. How great was it to see fangs in the first 60 seconds?
3. Nice shout out to my home, the Witch City. Go Salem!
4. As a general rule, I hate teenage girls and that Caroline ditz is doing nothing to change that. I hope Damon bites her.
5. The fog coming into the cemetery when Elena was there looked like bad concert effects.
6. All of the boys are delicious. Even the human ones.
7. What's up with that older guy calling Stefan Uncle?

Final thoughts? This is a show I will be following closely. If only for the good vampy fun. Your thoughts? Are you gonna tune in next week?

True Blood - We're almost there!

The finale is just a couple of days away and I'm so excited!  Here are a couple of things to get you through to Sunday night.  First, a TV Guide interview with the maenad herself, Michelle Forbes and a People interview with the very sexy Jason Stackhouse (Ryan Kwanten).  I'll have my review of the finale on Monday and then it's a good thing regular TV starts back up again - what else would I do?!!

Also, Stephen Moyer (Bill Compton) was on Live with Regis and Kelly the other day.  It was a pretty cute interview.