How to Convert Buffy/AtS fans?

POSTED BY: Zoriah
UPDATED: Sunday, April 4, 2004 07:44
VIEWED: 5631
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ZORIAH

Tuesday, March 23, 2004 9:52 AM

Hi all,

It has shocked me how many of my fellow avid Buffy and Angel fan friends have not given Firefly a chance for various reasons. What can I do to get them to look past their prejudices?

Main stumbling blocks seem to be:

1) Resentment at Joss Whedon for abandoning BtVS and AtS in their final years for Firefly (in their opinion)

2) Complaints that Firefly is a sci fi.

3) They saw one episode when it aired and didn't like the western theme.

I am in awe of Firefly and find it hard to believe that so few of my friends who enjoy Joss Whedon's other shows seem willing to sit down and get introduced to this amazing new JW 'verse.

Any advice is appreciated.

BROWNCOAT1

Tuesday, March 23, 2004 3:53 PM

I have run into some of the same stumbling blocks Zoriah. It seems there is a bit of resentment from Buffy & Angel fans that Joss put much of his focus into Firefly and now the movie, especially in light of the recent cancellation of Angel.

I have found it best to explain to these hold outs that I too am a Buffy and Angel fan (though perhaps not to the extent I am w/ Firefly) and that I enjoy Joss's Firefly too. I have had to break down their resolve by wearing my Blue Sun t-shirt to get them to ask me what it means & the significance of it to the series, by having my Firefly DVDs set out in a conspicuous location when they come by to visit, and making references to the show whenever I can.

Given time, they will check it out.

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

DOCTORTAM

Tuesday, March 23, 2004 4:00 PM

I'm going to convert my Dad eventually "when he has time to watch it"
He's a big Buffy fan, but he hates Angel so he is reluctant to try another Joss show, but I know he'll love it when he gets around to it

Why doesn't it ever go smooth?

SHINY

Tuesday, March 23, 2004 4:12 PM

Three words: Chair. Rope. Gag.

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MISGUIDED BY VOICES

Wednesday, March 24, 2004 10:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Shiny:
Three words: Chair. Rope. Gag.

Saturday night?

"Pinky, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"
"I don't know Brain, where would be get lederhosen at this time of night?"

THEFOP

Thursday, March 25, 2004 2:55 AM

got into a mild argument with an Angel fan over that today. Her argument was that Firefly must suck, because it made Joss abandon Angel. Now, I love Buffy, and Angel's great too, but Firefly rocks my world. if it didn't, I frankly wouldn't be posting here. So I taught her a lesson that will serve her well later in life: Never argue with a rabid fanboy.

once the snow got so deep you almost couldn't hear margaret atwood

ZELDA

Wednesday, March 31, 2004 10:36 PM

This is a tough one, and it bugs me too. One thing I've noticed is that it depends on the type of Buffy/Angel fan. Being a latecomer to the Buffyverse (Season 4 summer reruns on), and somewhat sardonic by nature, I thought of it primarily as funny, dark and deeply moving. I've noticed that fans from the first couple of seasons tend to think of it more in terms of romance than I do - hence the eternal debates we have over Seasons 2 & 6 (I refuse to call Season 2 the best Buffy season ever, and I liked 6, in all of its sad twistedness). My experience has been that these earlier fans are either hostile toward Firefly, or just don't like it as much because the characters are more...well, Western. There's less interpersonal pulling of hair and gnashing of teeth, and more of the funny, dark and deeply moving.

My random 2 cents on the topic.

SERGEANTX

Wednesday, March 31, 2004 11:27 PM

Maybe you should point out that Firefly must be something really special to divert Joss's attention away from shows as good as Buffy and Angel.

SergeantX

"..and here's to all the dreamers, may our open hearts find rest." -- Nanci Griffith

ANGELDOVE

Thursday, April 1, 2004 5:14 AM

I've found that once I have deflowered a Whedonverse virgin with Firefly, I have the opposite problem of trying to convince him that if he enjoyed Firefly for its outstanding writing, he will enjoy Buffy and Angel as well, as long as he gives himself a chance to get into it. Just last week I was talking to a Firefly convert I had just created, and told her that I would convert her to a fan of Buffy and Angel as well, and she wrinkled her nose and said "I don't think so, I have seen those before and didn't like them" I responded with, "have you ever actually sat down and watched an entire episode uninterupted" and got the very response I was expecting, "no, not really". So I have to agree with the chair, rope and gag theory. It may be the only way to impose our whedonosophy onto others who will thank us in the end....especially when all quality tv has vanished from the airwaves and all that is left is TV on DVD.

I only fell is all.

LINDYCAT

Thursday, April 1, 2004 5:34 AM

Give them the same reason Buffy/Angel virgins who love firefly wind up watching those shows, More Joss. I didn't like Buffy until around the 10th episode, then I was hooked, I suppose it will be similar with Angel. Tell them eventually they will have to watch FF to get more good feelings that they previously got with BtVS or Angel. Have them imagine their favorie ep of their show, and then describe it to you. Then you relate that to FF and have them watch the FF ep that corresponds the most in your opinion. Personally I have had no problem hooking my friends who were Buffy/Angel addicts, they just wanted more Joss.

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