Time Magazine 10 Questions for Joss Whedon

I've never really been a Shakespeare fan but I want to see "Much Ado About Nothing" so bad!

Joss Whedon '87 - Wesleyan University Commencement Speech

More wise words from the master. I love what he says about change at the end, in a typical Joss way he once again manages to drive the point home & really make it resonate.

Joss Whedon on Romney :D

Joss Whedon Equality Now PSA

Oh Joss, you extraordinary man.

Joss Whedon sums up t.v. then vs. now

Oh Joss, just when I thought I couldn't love you anymore ♥ :D.  Thanks for hilariously reminding us all to stop overthinking, and to simply enjoy the ride.

Joss Whedon new show in the works for FX cable?

With all the buzz of the awards season and of the beginning of a new late night feud, other news is somehow lost in the crossfire. Normally, a story like this would be big news. A major show runner like Joss Whedon talking to a cable network? Yup, It seems that Whedon’s work with FOX might finally be done now that Dollhouse is closing out.

FX President John Landgraf told reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour that he would be meeting with Whedon about potential future projects with Whedon. “You know, his representatives called and scheduled a lunch,” Landgraf said. “I think I’m supposed to have lunch with Joss in the next two or three weeks, and I have, you know, enormous respect for him. By the way, if you look at Shawn Ryan, who created ‘The Shield’ and is running ‘Terriers,’ Shawn learned at the feet of Joss Whedon in the Joss Whedon school and Carlton Cuse, by the way as well. So I don’t really know Joss, but I’m really looking forward to meeting him. I love his stuff.”

“I’ve been now at the channel for six years. We’ve made nine drama pilots, and we’ve picked eight of them up,” said Landgraf. “So we really don’t make very many pilots that we don’t order. Sometimes we have to go in and do a little reshooting or a little recasting, but I think we tend to grapple and struggle with that question of, if this show is really well executed, will we program it, will we put it on the air.

We tend to grapple with that question before we pick shows up. And, again, we don’t have to feed as large a mouth as a 15 hour a week broadcast network like FBC or a 22 hour a week broadcast network like CBS, NBC, or ABC. So we had the luxury of time and sort of careful consideration.

That said, I think we’ll probably only make one drama pilot right now because we have seven drama series currently on our roster. We have three that have not aired yet that we’re preparing ‘Justified,’ ‘Terriers,’ and ‘Lights Out.’ And I think, in all probability, if we make a drama pilot, we’ll pick it up, and probably we only need one sort of back up drama right now.”

This could be a major move for Whedon. FX is a great place for Whedon, it is a major enough cable network that would catch all the hardcore Whedonites, and plenty of new viewers that FX grabs with its edgy programming. Imagine if his last couple projects had been on a cable network where they could’ve played out a bit longer (and also had numerous repeats).

Source: reviewstl.com

Oh please let this be true!. It's about time!. I've been saying Joss should try cable for years now.

Although I'm not sure how I feel about FX (from what I've been able to gather that stands for Fox Extended).

You would think Joss would have had it up to here with Fox by now (considering their horrible habit of cancelling all his shows). But it's still cable, so I have hope.

Alyson Hannigan says no to Joss-less 'Buffy' movie

Remember that proposed Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie we told you about that wouldn't involve creator Joss Whedon or any of the TV show cast?

Well, Alyson Hannigan, who played Willow, says she wants no part of it.

Speaking to Cinemablend, the How I Met Your Mother star said: "Yeah, and that's a very big mistake, in my opinion," adding, "I mean, if Joss isn't involved, it's only the title."

And without Joss, there's no way they'll get her involved in it. Not even for a cameo. She says, "Not without Joss. Joss is the only reason that we would go back. I mean, it's just ridiculous to think of that TV show without Joss. That's just silly to me. ... And all the fans know that, too, so I don't know what they're thinking."

If you're like us, as much we loved Sarah Michelle Gellar as Buffy, Alyson's adorably nerdy Willow was always our favorite. Even when she got all veiny and evil. Maybe especially then.

As for this proposed remake, as Willow would say: "Bored now."

Source: scifiwire

Pretty much a no brainer, but nice to know Alyson is not afraid to voice her honest opinion on the subject.

11 Things you may not know about Joss Whedon

Fox gives Joss Whedon's 'Dollhouse' the boot :(

This has been a busy week for cancellations. The latest addition to the TV graveyard: Dollhouse.

According to multiple insiders, Fox has informed Joss Whedon that it will not be ordering additional installments of his low-rated drama beyond the current 13-episode order. On the bright side, the network still plans to burn off the remaining unaired episodes beginning in December. Hey, it’s something.

Dollhouse has been averaging a mere 3 million viewers this season. Last season — when fan support, together with significant budget cuts, helped it to get an odds-defying second-year pickup — the show averaged 4.7 million.

Bottom line: Dollhouse is lucky it ever saw a second season. Remember that when you’re posting your eulogies below.

UPDATE: Whedon just posted the following statement on Whedonesque.com: “I don’t have a lot to say. I’m extremely proud of the people I’ve worked with: my star, my staff, my cast, my crew. I feel the show is getting better pretty much every week, and I think you’ll agree in the coming months. I’m grateful that we got to put it on, and then come back and put it on again. I’m off to pursue Internet ventures/binge drinking. Possibly that relaxation thing I’ve read so much about. By the time the last episode airs, you’ll know what my next project is. But for now, there’s a lot of work still to be done, and disappointment to bear. Thank you all for your support, your patience, your excellent adverts. See you again.”

Source: EW.com

Let's face it as much as I didn't want this to happen I knew it was only a matter of time.

It's too bad though once again a brilliant show got killed before it really got the chance to hit it's stride.

At least Fox is actually airing the rest of the eps that were filmed, that's something to be grateful for I guess.

Whatever Joss plans to do next I hope it doesn't involve anything with Fox.

Psst, Joss here is an idea next time screw the networks and just go with cable ;).

'Terminator' franchise in new bidding war

All the big studios, with Sony leading the way, as well as Summit Entertainment and Media Rights Capital, are interested in bidding when the Terminator franchise is auctioned off this month.

This news comes from the Financial Times' Matthew Garrahan who says the rights auction is for new Terminator films, TV program and other spin-offs.

Because we all know The Sarah Connor Chronicles on Fox did so well, right? that build on the popularity of the franchise. The sale is being conducted by FTI Capital Advisors for Halcyon which bought the Terminator rights 2 years ago for $25M from Mario Kassar.

Halcyon recently filed for Chapter 11 after a dispute with Pacificor, a Santa Barbara-based hedge fund that lent Halcyon the sum to buy the Terminator rights.

Sheesh, I think this character/concept is played out. Then again, Terminator 4: Salvation made $380M worldwide.

Source: deadline.com

Apparently Mr. Joss Whedon himself put in a bid as well. And wrote a hilarious open letter to boot!. LOL

Seriously, how cool would it be if Joss actually got it?. Oh, the possibilities.....

Why I watch 'Dollhouse' campaign

Click on the image to head to the site


Don't let another intelligent show get the axe.

Summer Glau returns to Jossverse in 'Dollhouse'

Yep, it's finally official Summer Glau joins the cast of Dollhouse in season 2. Woo-hoo!.


SPOILERS AHEAD







Summer Glau ("Firefly," "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles") reunites with Joss Whedon when the actress joins the cast of DOLLHOUSE this fall in a recurring role as BENNETT, a Dollhouse employee who shares a past with ECHO (Eliza Dushku). The second season of DOLLHOUSE premieres Friday, Sept. 25 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX.

Additional guest stars appearing throughout the upcoming second season include Alexis Denisof ("Angel"), Jamie Bamber ("Battlestar Galactica"), Michael Hogan ("Battlestar Galactica") and Keith Carradine ("Dexter"). DANIEL PERRIN (Denisof) is a U.S. senator leading a witch hunt to track down the underground organization. Mysterious, charismatic businessman MARTIN KLAR (Bamber) is Echo's new husband. BRADLEY KARRENS (Hogan) comes to the Dollhouse hoping to stop a psychotic family member's killing spree, while MATTHEW HARDING (Carradine), a nemesis of Dollhouse leader ADELLE DEWITT (Olivia Williams), stirs up trouble. Additionally, DR. CLAIRE SAUNDERS/WHISKEY (Amy Acker) and MADELINE/NOVEMBER (Miracle Laurie) return this season in multiple-episode arcs.

Source: thefutoncritic.com

Joss & Eliza give the scoop on 'Dollhouse' S2

Joss Whedon & Eliza Dushku 'Dollhouse' Panel Comic-Con

I've been waiting for this. Joss never fails to make me laugh.



Joss and Eliza Comic-Con interview.

Joss Whedon talks 'Dollhouse' Season 2 @ Comic-Con

SAN DIEGO — Before the screening of the fabled lost episode of Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse,” “Epitaph One,” the man behind the hit show took a few minutes to talk to the media about the upcoming (and unexpected) season two.

“Epitaph One” has long been rumored to be a game-changing episode for the series, a rumor that was proved true both when the episode screened and when Whedon was asked if the episode could be considered a “second pilot” for the series.

“I wouldn’t call it a second pilot but it is definitely a different vision and it will contain a lot of things about the characters and who they are and where they’re heading that people might not have seen or expected,” Whedon said.

There are a lot of developments expected more specifically for the character of Echo, portrayed by Eliza Dushku. When asked if it was somehow the case that the other dolls and the other characters in the show were somehow “projecting” onto Echo, Joss replied, “Yes, you’re very right to say that they’re projecting on her. A lot of her life, not just because she’s a doll, but also just in general, has to do with the fact that people become obsessive about her. But we are going to learn and starting in this season that they’re not wrong, that there is something truly special about her and that she is going to be a major in factor in what happens to Dollhouse over the next few years.”

Tahmoh Penikett’s Paul Ballard, an FBI agent who was focused on finding the Dollhouse and eventually did, (In fact, at the end of the first season he appeared to be joining the Dollhouse in some capacity) is another character facing some changes for the new season.

“We had always intended for Paul to find the Dollhouse and for his interaction to change because we didn’t want him to be like the reporter in ‘The Hulk,’ showing up too late every episode,” Whedon said of the Ballard character. “And now they’ve been working on him from the outside with November and his alliance with Echo is going to be really tested, because he’s going to be in there with her partially to protect her but also to find out what’s really going on. You know you can gaze into the abyss or you can actually live in it, it’s going to affect you. so we are going to see that while (Echo) is starting to grow, we’re going to see that everybody else really starting to come apart a little bit.”

“Dollhouse” is certainly a kind of abyss — without a doubt, it is the only show on television to so brazenly portray such ethically questionable and morally deep actions and situations. This is not lost on Whedon.

“I think with this show, I want to say to the people who have, you know, felt a connection with me, that maybe you want to back away and avoid eye contact,” he said. “That maybe there’s something horribly wrong with me, and this is my very poetical way of expressing that. I think of it as a work that actually frightens me at times in a way that my shows seldom got to. At the same time I have that sort of jolly love of everything that’s going on and have to be reminded that what I’m doing is reprehensible. So it’s a mature work in the sense that I grew up and went insane.”

On a more serious note, the ethical dilemmas and the role of human nature embedded in the premise of “Dollhouse” are what interest Whedon and are what he will elaborate on more in the upcoming season.

“Well I think ultimately the thing that fascinates me is morality and personal politics; the politics of the personal, of the person in the moment as opposed to the statement,” Whedon said. “Yet I would say in terms of the second season, the abuse of power and the different kinds of forms it can take is going to become broader and more, in fact, political, and we’re going to see the Dollhouse in the world a bit more.”

Perhaps it is that same uncomfortable material that the show deals with that is partly to blame for why “Dollhouse” had a hard time getting renewed.

“I’d say it came extraordinarily close to being canceled,” Joss said. “I’d say it was probably pronounced on the table and we went, “Nooo!” (feigns CPR) and the camera pulled back and it went (gasps) and the music came up and we all cried,” Whedon dramatized. “It came down to some very simple numbers that people worked in a very complicated fashion to fudge laughs and ultimately the fact that my shows have never gone that big, you know they’re marathon runners, they’re not sprinters. This is the studio where I did those shows, even when they weren’t on that network. And they know that, so they fought hard to make it as easy for the network as possible. So it was really the hardcore fan base, the people who are here, to tip the scale. And that scale was tippy.”

Certainly Whedon is no stranger to one of his shows getting axed. The cancellation of “Firefly” infuriates embittered fans (and Whedon, himself) more than half a decade later. With “Dollhouse” so close to the brink, almost from day one, people did wonder if Whedon treated the new show differently than he did “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” or “Firefly.”

“I have been hurt before, it’s true. So I made the decision early on just to phone it in. I really feel that that’s better for me,” he joked. “No, you know what — I’m a little bit wiser and a little bit more removed in terms of how I deal emotionally with the whole business of it, but when I get into the story that’s the only world I live in. And I love the characters and I love the cast so much, so that when I get into the writer’s room, and we’re talking about them, that’s our life. And in the same way that’s our only life and all we do is get excited and come up with things that we’re a little embarrassed we thought of.”

Source: blastmagazine.com

And if that's not enough good news for all Whedonites out there.

LATimes Blog revealed that more Buffy alums would be joining the Dollhouse in the new season.

Aside from Summer Glau (which was already reported on earlier in the year) Felicia Day (also from Firefly) and Angel's Alexis Denisof will be making an appearance (yay!!).

Hmm...could his appearance mean a possible one for his wife Alyson Hannigan as well?.

Nah, that's probably asking too much. But I can dream.

A Whedon-less Buffy movie?, no thanks.

Players meeting with writers for new take on the franchise

By Borys Kit

May 25, 2009, 11:00 PM ET

1992's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

A new incarnation of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" could be coming to the big screen.

"Buffy" creator Joss Whedon isn't involved and it's not set up at a studio, but Roy Lee and Doug Davison of Vertigo Entertainment are working with original movie director Fran Rubel Kuzui and her husband, Kaz Kuzui, on what is being labeled a remake or relaunch, but not a sequel or prequel.

While Whedon is the person most associated with "Buffy," Kuzui and her Kuzui Enterprises have held onto the rights since the beginning, when she discovered the "Buffy" script from then-unknown Whedon. She developed the script while her husband put together the financing to make the 1992 movie, which was released by Fox.

Kuzui later teamed with Gail Berman, then president of Sandollar Television, bringing back Whedon to make the TV series, which was produced by Fox TV and launched on the WB in 1997. Kuzui and Sandollar received executive producer credits on "Buffy" and its spinoff, "Angel."
The new "Buffy" film, however, would have no connection to the TV series, nor would it use popular supporting characters like Angel, Willow, Xander or Spike. Vertigo and Kuzui are looking to restart the story line without trampling on the beloved existing universe created by Whedon, putting the parties in a similar situation faced by Paramount, J.J. Abrams and his crew when relaunching "Star Trek."

One of the underlying ideas of "Buffy" allows Vertigo and Kuzui to do just that: that each generation has its own vampire slayer to protect it. The goal would be to make a darker, event-sized movie that would, of course, have franchise potential.

The parties are meeting with writers and hearing takes, and later will look for a home for the project. The producers do not rule out Whedon's involvement but have not yet reached out to him.Speaking from Tokyo, Fran Kuzui said the company is constantly approached not only about sequels but theater, video games and foreign remakes for "Buffy." When Vertigo's Lee contacted them, they were intrigued.

"It was Roy's interest in taking Buffy into a new place that grabbed us," she said, noting that original exec producer Sandy Gallin also was consulted. "It was based on our respect for what he does, and his particular sensitivity to Asian filmmakers, that we wanted to work with him."

Kuzui, who is prepping do direct a movie in Japan in the fall, added: "Everything has its moment. Every movie takes on a life at some point, and this seems like the moment to do this."

Source: THR.com

I've always thought if the Buffy the Vampire Slayer cast were to reunite it would be for a movie.

But I always pictured the t.v. cast not the movie cast from which the show was born. Because let's face it that movie sucked (no pun intended).

A movie based on the t.v. show and it's characters would be much more bankable in my opinion.

To not include Joss Whedon on top of everything else is just stupidity in by book.

On the other hand I don't think even his brilliance could save this disastrous idea.

Joss Whedon says yes to Summer Glau on 'Dollhouse'

Question: With Sarah Connor Chronicles canceled, please tell me there is a possibility of Summer Glau making an appearance on Dollhouse! --Jenn
Ausiello: The noise you're about to hear is the sound of the Whedonverse exploding. Joss confirms to me exclusively that, well, he's one step ahead of you. "If anybody thinks [bringing Summer onto Dollhouse] hasn't occurred to me already then they have not met me," he says. "I mentioned it to her before [SCC] was canceled. I was like, 'You know, we should get you in the 'house.' But first we have to come up with something that works." And casting her as a doll would not work, insists Whedon. "Summer would be perfect to play an active, but she's done that [type of role] a lot," he says. "I'd rather see her play someone who talks too much. The most fun I have is when I get somebody who's good and comfortable at doing something, and then I make them do something else. Summer said to me, 'I would like to play a normal girl before I die of extreme old age.'" Got any ideas? Head to the comments section!

I have a couple of ideas. How about a new love interest for Paul Ballard, or even better how about Topher.

After all geeky geniuses need love too;).

Source: EW.com

'Dollhouse' picked up for second season!

UPDATED: In a stunning move, sources say Fox has renewed Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse” for next fall.

The official announcement will not be made until Monday at the network's upfront presentation, but sources confirm a deal has been struck for another 13 episodes. Fox plans to continue the show on Fridays next fall.

The low-rated series was last seen given up for dead by the media in a field somewhere.

But the show's DVR numbers are huge (averaging a 40% bump), online streaming is strong. It’s a sci-fi show, which tend to bring in strong ancillary revenue such as DVD sales for sister-company studio 20th TV. And it’s said that Fox execs rather like the series, especially the latter half of the season. Besides, a show airing in the fall on Fox is a bit like running in midseason on most networks -- it’s not the network's strongest part of the year and maybe ... maybe ...

All right, fine.

The move is tougher to explain than most, especially based on the show's ratings. A “Dollhouse” pickup is a shock, an underdog comeback that blows away NBC’s will-they-or-won’t-they hand-wringing over “Chuck” (psst, they almost certainly will). In fact, "Dollhouse" might very well be the lowest-rated in-season scripted drama to ever get a renewal on a major broadcast network. Almost certainly if based on where the show concluded -- a 1.0 among adults 18-49.

Basically this is a case of a bunch of minor decision-making factors successfully ganging up on the biggest factor (ratings). In addition to DVD sales, streaming and DVR influences, Fox received some serious budget concessions from 20th TV and Whedon to continue the show, with 20th now shouldering a greater portion of the load.

Another factor was the show's unaired 13th episode, which Whedon shot on a shoestring budget for the "Dollhouse" first season DVD set. Whedon presented it to the network as an example of how "Dollhouse" can achieve a high-quality production with a lesser budget.

The renewal also means Fox is bringing back all three of its freshman dramas for a second season -- "Fringe," "Lie to Me" and "Dollhouse" -- which is a nice boast in challenging year for broadcasters.

Along with NBC renewing low-rated "Friday Night Lights," and strongly considering modestly performing "Chuck," and the CW stations considering bringing back very weakly rated "Reaper," there's seeming trend this spring toward networks looking beyond live-viewing ratings when contemplating the fate of shows with passionate fanbases that they can monetize in non-traditional ways.

Last year, in the wake of CBS canceling fan favorites "Jericho" and "Moonlight," the sense was that vocal minorities could no longer sway the suits.

This year, cult TV shows have been like creatures in a George Romero movie; you can never trust that they're dead.

Source: thrfeed.com

I think I'll hold off doing the celebratory happy dance until the official word on Monday (I'll just do an internal one for now).

I was actually going to say that FOX is finally wising up, but then I read the part where they decided to keep the show on in the Friday timeslot. So never mind. Can't have everything I guess.

Also very happy to hear Better Off Ted got a pick up from ABC as well (woo-hoo!).

Now if we could just get the word on Sarah Connor Chronicles 3rd season pick-up my t.v. schedule will be complete *crosses fingers*.

Save 'Dollhouse'

Nothing gets your attention better then a well done PSA :). I wonder if there's one for Sarah Connor Chronicles.

Joss Whedon on Humanism

More food for thought from Mr. Joss Whedon at Harvard University's Memorial Church. Receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award in Cultural Humanism.



"Faith is something we have to embrace. Faith in God means believing in something absolutely with no proof what's so ever. Faith in humanity means believing absolutely in something with a huge amount of proof to the contrary"

Now that's what I call a Joss-ism. ♥ ♥♥