Considering Whedon reportedly wanted to create a temporary intro for S1 that included Jesse as a main cast member, so that his death would be a bigger shock, but wasn't allowed due to budget constraints, this really shows how far the show has come.
I feel like Superstar is one of those episodes that showed how brave and unique Buffy was as a show and also how dedicated the fans were/are and the creators for being able to flesh out so many characters. Incredible.
Oh, regarding Danny Strong's singing at the Bronze, it was Brad Kane who provided the vocals, but he (Strong) did have at least one fun connection to Broadway that I know of. Some time ago, I went to a staged concert of _Chess_ (with a _killer_ cast: Raúl Esparza, Karen Olivo, Ramin Karimloo, and Ruthie Ann Miles!) that he worked on; he did some rewrites on the musical's book. Strong's bio is actually insanely impressive, with him popping up as an actor here and there, his screenwriting credits on the two _Mockingjay_ films, writing (and producing?) on _Empire,_ and such. Quite the resume, honestly.
I was waiting for Superstar!! I have a tattoo that says "Don't speak Latin in front of the Books" a quote from this episode ❤ My husband and I both got Buffy inspired tattoos for our anniversary last month, 11 years!
A really weird trend in buffy is that when her hair is curly she is usually weird for some reason ot another in the episode. Like caveman in bear bad, helpless buffy in superstar
For the record, Anthony Stewart Head can absolutely sing and has even played Dr Frank N Furter in a live rocky horror performance, I believe there are videos out there on the internet. Also he was in Repo! The Genetic Opera which I think you would both enjoy, it's a horror musical (got some good gore in it) that came out in 2008 which also starred Alexa Venga and Paris Hilton.
@@sugardaresso unusual to say this for anyone, but .....Prom was probably one of the worst roles he's had🥴. BtVS has been great for a lot of careers, accentuated some that were established. But for him... Not really a highlight, at least not on screen 🤷♀️ BtS glad he popped in 🥰
Superstar was a strange episode that a lot of fans loved and disliked in equal measure. Personally I loved it, Jonathan being the central character was an unusual concept, harping back to Earshot when he felt so useless and unwanted he was going to commit suicide. Here we see him as a James Bond type hero who can basically do anything and is universally loved. Even at the end when he talks to Buffy once reality is restored Buffy once again doesn't judge him but as in Earshot offers her help and support showing who the true hero and Superstar is. Great comedy at the end when Buffy and Riley are aboput to make out and she whispers 'Jonathan'.
I love “Superstar” so much, the details in this episode are so, so funny! The posters, Buffy fixing Jonathan’s coffee for him, “Jonnie-Os” cereal, the doofy Austin Powers-like spy music…it’s so good. I think the interesting part of Jonathan’s spell is that in order for him to be “the best”, Buffy not only had to be lesser, she had to be subservient. And then there’s everyone’s favourite episode: The One Where Buffy and Riley Bone the Entire Time. Beloved by all 😂. But if you want to see more of Anthony Head singing, definitely check out Repo: the Genetic Opera! Mileage may vary on the movie itself, but he is very good in it.
4x17 & 4x18 - Take a drink every time Jonathan is seen and every time sex is referenced. Warning: You'll get alcohol poisoning if you play with those rules.
Where the Wild Things Are is Joss' reply to critics saying that BtVS has too much violence. He was, like, you don't like violence? Here is a lot of sex.
I think it was also meant to highlight the hypocrisy of the network's homophobic policies. Buffy and Riley have hot, sweaty sex for most of the episode, while Willow and Tara can't even hold hands.
Superstar is one of my top 5 Buffy episodes, so glad you enjoyed it as much as I did when i first saw it, too many reactors freak out instead of just going with it.
@@leniloubettyboopbossyboots247 He certainly does! But using magic like that is cheating...a lesson some people ignore... (Note to self - hide the Jonathan swimsuit calendar...)
In season 3, when Faith first meets Giles and flirts with him, “If I knew they came that young and cute, I would have put in for a transfer,” Buffy says “raise your hand if _ew,”_ and Buffy and Xander raise their hands. Willow just smiles.
Tank you guys this is much needed! Lost my house and almost all my stuff 2 weeks ago from a hurricane....now on day 4 with no power from this current hurricane...your videos bring me joy
"Superstar" is such a wild twist on the typical _Buffy_ episode; it just cracks me up. giles having the calendar is maybe my favorite detail. And, speaking of Giles, he is the only thing worth watching in "Where the Wild Thing Are," IMO. Since I love the Maurice Sendak book, I wanted to love the epidose but ... (snooze).
Love revisiting the show through your reactions. Especially when there are really fun episodes I'd kind of forgotten abbout (its been a whike since ive seen this season). These are 2 of those episodes.
I really like Superstar. For the 2nd episode, the part with ASH singing was the best. His older brother Murray Head had a big hit in the 80s called One Night In Bangkok from the album and musical Chess. I think you will like the music video.
This episode was designed to cut SMG’s workday from 5-6 days to 1/2 on Buffy so she could be on the other show. My favourite part is the Riley bathtub/creepy horror ice cream jingle transition. I’d have loved a full on creepy David Lynch episode like that.
Danny Strong went on to Create Dopesick and Empire, and write the screenplays for the final two Hunger games movies. Anthony Head has released music. I love these eps. Something happened in Superstar that you didn't talk about in your discussion (on YT), that is important later.
Amthony Head has done musical theatre my sister saw him pre Buffy in the Rocky Horror show. I have a Buffy comic with Jonathan on the front signed by Danny Strong..
Love both these eps, especially "Superstar." BUT it really shouldn't be forgotten that Jonathan committed SA in this ep by robbing the twins of their ability to consent. Neither one would be sleeping with him if not for the spell. This is far worse than what Xander did in "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered." That said, it is hilarious and so well done. And, contrary to possible first impressions, it is not a filler episode. You've just been given some very important information.
**No spoilers, guys! feel free to read** already can't wait until you guys get to season 5! It's a rollercoaster but it has my favorite big bad of all time!
4x18 is one of the less good episodes but there are still great moments, Anya and Spike, Giles singing, Xander's character and his relationship with Anya.
Not me loving the moment of Xander and Anya agreeing that Jonathan is hot and that it’s sex time. It’s always fun to watch reactors see this ep, see how fast they catch on. And in the early 2000s it was a big message to have everyone against sex shaming, and calling that religious monster out on her shit. It is definitely exciting that Willow touches Tara, even though she unfortunately is posessed to freak out.
jonathan has one of the most wild arcs in buffy history, he goes from loser to unaliver to giving buffy a umbrella to this pact with a demon to...well another pact but let's stick to non spoiler territory. dude has one consistent trait and it´s being a nerd. and wild things is such an great ep, it taps into that supernatural aspect of sunnydale that a slayer has absolutely no way of dealing without a team and goes against all the bs about "you must be alone" from the first slayer and the consel. really, without tara getting the ick, anya and giles knowledge, buffy would be still stuck boning riley. also, willow fear of horses but 100% on board of riding one with tara is iconic baby gay behavior.
Love Superstar. Used to avoid re-watching WTWTA but it doesn't make me cringe quite as much these days. But I admit the main reason I'm watching is for Giles' dreamy singing.
I've been wanting to ask for the longest time what is the source of your theme music? it sounds so recognizably 80s and the guitar makes me think of the band Living Colour.
Where The Wild Things Are…. Most everyone does not like. The Giles is singing reaction is a classic …. But…. You have to get in your DeLoresn and remember this was a show aimed at 14-29 year olds. This was before easy internet access to sexy scenes, Victoria Secret models were the top of the beauty pyramid, and wardrobe malfunctions had not happened. Television was still PG and my Buffy group of girls thought this episode was HOT. This was the only time they liked Riley unconditionally. It’s tame in 2024 but in 2000 this episode was sexually cutting edge for network drama. After this show I know 8 High School Seniors ( all girls ) that loved the episode, wanted more Riley/ Buffy in bed, and thought the sex themes were so mature. Now it’s tame, lame. and has lost its appeal but on a night in April of 2000…. This was hot and exciting.
Throwing us right in. It’s giving heist movie vibes. Jonathan is back! What in the fan fiction? 😂 Trouble in paradise. Superstar Jonathan is wild but I kinda love it 🙌🏼 Adam being the only one aware of Jonathan & the spell. Willow & Tara 💚 Yes Tara & the spell 🙌🏼 All Jonathan everywhere all at once. Anya being her hilarious self. Okay but the Spike/Buffy tension tho 🥵 “Xander don’t speak Latin in front of the books” 😂 The final fight w/ Jonathan fighting & hiding was hilarious. Tara is hanging with the group! I always enjoy the episodes with Jonathan. The romance refresher. Loving these episodes starting in the heat of battle. At this point I’m pretty sure Riley’s actor’s contract stated he has to be shirtless in every episode 😂 Oop Anya & Xander trouble in paradise. Spike & Anya are the duo I never know I needed. Aww Willow 💔 Anya bringing Spike to the military party. Relationship chaos! Poor Julie. Ghosts? Worst house party ever. Spike volunteering to help then talking himself out of it 😂 Giles singing & playing guitar in the coffee shop! 💚 Poltergeist? Yes Giles getting in on the spell casting 🙌🏼 The house is clean reference 😂 Not the creepy circle of ghost children. Xander & Anya rescue mission! These were both interesting episodes. Curious to see how the end of the season plays out from here. Absolutely slaying these y’all 🖤
James Masters man spreads in THE most ridiculous way ALL the time, it actually always bothers me 😅 It's comically wide...I have no idea why anyone would sit that wide lol
Where The Wild Things Are I thought was one of the poorer episodes of the whole series. The situation with Anya and Xander becoming somewhat tiresome, in that Anya is constantly pressurizing Xander for sex, we know she is a demon and doesn't understand human emotions and desires, and while it is as funny at first it is really overdone here. A very ropey plot here, and a real filler of an episode which sums up a few episodes of S4, even though it does have some brilliant individual episodes it has bad ones too. Best part of this is the reaction of the Scoobies to Giles playing the guitar. So much better to come.
If you like Giles' singing, get ready for a musical episode in Season 6 😉 Also you should DEFINITELY react to the horror musical movie "Repo! The Genetic Opera" done by the director of a handful of Saw films, and you also has Anthony Stewart Head singing.
Where The Wild Things Are has ridiculous plot and it's all because they needed to create sexual tension between Buffy and Riley so bad. They were that desperate. So they came up with the episode where they mostly had sex and that was all. That's the actual story of their episode, and not some p*rn. And it failed tremendously. That's why it's freaking funny. Like trying to set a piece of ice on fire. It is just not good at that. Don't do that, you're just embarrassing yourself. And if we speak about sex there is only one character who can relate to such plotline. And this is Spike. And in this case (If he is possessed with the spell even) I fear for the safety of the entire building. And you know why and you know that I am right.
Does anyone else absolutely hate Superstar? Lol. The way they talk down to Buffy and undermine her really irritates me. And to me, the jokes are mostly leaning into cringe and away from the usually hilarious comedy.
Nope..not his (Jonathan’s) voice..scarily enough, it’s the voice of the actor that plays the guy (Warren..I blanked) that makes robots, Adam Busch..for the first episode..but yes, it is Giles’ actual singing in the second episode..sorry for my comments below when I got confused as to which episode we were talking about.. The second episode is one of the truly standalone, silly episodes of the entire series.
