What other shows remind you of Joss Whedon? by reginaroadie

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

What other shows remind you of Joss Whedon?

POSTED BY: REGINAROADIE
UPDATED: Wednesday, November 9, 2005 16:45
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VIEWED: 4462
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Monday, November 7, 2005 12:33 PM

Hey

Here's another pointless thread that I'm devising just to test out my new sig line. While you're channel surfing or watching TVD's, have you come across something that has nothing to do with Joss, BUFFY, ANGEL or FIREFLY that reminded you of him?

I had recently discovered KIDS IN THE HALL, and there was this one Foley/McDonald sketch that reminded me so much of Joss. It was this sketch called "Pit of Ultimate Darkness". Kevin McDonald played this guy, Sir Simon Melligan, who was this variation of the Count Floyd character Joe Flahrety played on SCTV, who was this host of a bad late night horror show. And in his opening monologue he says "Now, for those of you with a brave heart, look into my face. And know that to look into my face, is to look into the face...of evil." And it cuts to a close up of Kevin's face, which is anything but scary or evil. And the remainder of his opening monologue is below. It's my new sig.

And Dave Foley was "the spawn of Satan himself", manservant Heccubus. Who isn't really evil, but more impolite. Like he refuses to take a card, and spoils "PRESUMED INNOCENT" for Kevin's character. The whole point of the sketch was showing these two guys that tried to be scary, but just couldn't pull it off. And it reminded me of BUFFY so much, with these guys trying to be villainous but failing spectacularily. And I think that Joss would have done this of the Kids in the Hall didn't beat them to the punch.

Kevin and Dave were my two favorite Kids. They definitly were a highlight in SKY HIGH ("Remeber when we used to use real civilians?"; "Ah, yes."), and I think if FIREFLY was still on the air, they would have made great guest stars. I don't know who they'd be, but their mere presence would have been funny enough.

So what other shows have you seen that have nothing to do with Joss remind you of him anyways.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"YES!!!I'm a man posessed by many demons....Polite demons that would open the door for a lady carrying too many parcels...BUT DEMONS NONETHELESS!!!! Yes. I have walked along the path of evil many times, it's a twisting, curving path that..actually leads to a charming plot garden, BUT BEYOND THAT EVIL!!!"

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Monday, November 7, 2005 12:49 PM

WHISPER

Veronica Mars.
Well, it used to not have any associations with Joss, but he proclaimed fan-boy love for the show and now he's guesting on this weeks ep.

This show has everything that the "Joss shows" have. Humor, intriguing secrets, great characters, and dash of angst thrown in for good measure.

I watched this show from it's premeire last year and have been hopelessly hooked. My first thought was, "Hey it's Buffy, without vampires!" I was so happy to find a show that was a worthy Buffy descendant.

Want Firefly/ Serenity/ BtVS/ Angel desktop wallpapers? Take a look at the ones I've created at:
http://www.whispergraphics.org
Now hosting the Firefly Extended Gagreel

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Monday, November 7, 2005 1:20 PM

HEB

Yep that sounds Joss like to me too.

Over in the UK the new Dr Who reminds me a bit of Joss Whedon. Russel T Davies and a couple of the other writers are fans of Buffy and it's definitely noticeable in Russel T Davies' writing. Plus Rose is clearly influenced by Buffy.

...................
Well, my sister's a ship... we had a
complicated childhood
.................
I wear the cheese. It does not wear me.

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Monday, November 7, 2005 4:55 PM

CHRISISALL

Dark Angel sometimes contains Joss-like witty dialogue and such...and great fight scenes easily on par with Buffy.
Northern Exposure has great, quirky characters akin to the type Joss creates.
There are others, but those two come to mind first for me.

Chrisisall

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Monday, November 7, 2005 5:00 PM

DIETCOKE

"Profit" DVD. Granted "Holtz" from Angel is in it ten years younger and it was written and produced by David Greenwalt.

This is a must see for Whedon fans. It's why Joss hired him.

NY/NJ Browncoats: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/firefly_nyc

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Monday, November 7, 2005 5:08 PM

CHINDI

Not the same in ANY WAY except it is so damned well written and performed... Deadwood. It is like shakespear in the old west... bit violent of course.. not for the squeamish and not much humor. But really quality writing and acting.

Chindi

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Monday, November 7, 2005 5:12 PM

DIETCOKE

I've heard Deadwood is good. I really trust my fellow Browncoats. They have turned me on to so many shows I NEVER would have thought twice about and instead got hooked on and now are my favorite.

I find that Browncoats are almost like a film/DVD/TV club. They know the good stuff.

NY/NJ Browncoats: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/firefly_nyc

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Monday, November 7, 2005 6:09 PM

LIMINALOSITY

I agree that all of the shows named above have Joss-like voices. Except Dark Angel, which I've only just met. Bought it last week and watched the premiere, but the DVD had a big scratch, and I had to return & re-order. Waiting now....

I would like to add "Dead Like Me" to the list. It was a 2-seasoner on...one of the pay extra cable stations (STime or CMax). I rented it from my local Hollywood and Blockbuster.

Well written, good acting, character arcs, bizarre premise. The characters hang out some in a Waffle House with a bizarre menu. Here's a quote...

Daisy - Does anyone ever order the Elvis Presley?
Tiffany - Sure
Rube - What's in it?
Tiffany - Peanut butter, bananas, bacon and coolwhip.
Daisy - What's it taste like?
Tiffany - Death on a plate.
Daisy - Yeah, I'll just get the coffee.

Thanks to viral marketing...SERENITY: reopening soon in a theater near you.
Shiny Trees! Yavanna made Shiny Trees!

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Monday, November 7, 2005 6:25 PM

STARPILOTGRAINGER

Veronica Mars, which was mentioned before.

Also, it's not actually a TV show (although it'd make a damn fine one), but rather a comic, but from Marvel, Runaways reminds me a lot of Whedon's style, and Whedon himself is a fan of it (and rightly so, because it's damn good). It's a comic about a group of teenagers (and one pre-teen) who have parents who all know each other and get together regularly to perform charitable works. One day while the kids are again shoved together to hang out while their parents do their thing, they decide to spy on them... only to witness their parents killing a young girl, and learning they're secretly supervillains (at least, that was the arc for the first 'season'). It's got the same sort of metaphor-for-teen-angst in its concept as Buffy - Buffy was 'High school is hell... really!', whereas Runaways is 'Your parents are evil... really!' There's great characters (including many prominent female characters), big secrets, and hilarious dialog.

Star Pilot Grainger
"Remember, the enemy's gate is down."
LJ: http://www.livejournal.com/users/newnumber6 (real)
http://www.livejournal.com/users/alternaljournal (fictional, travelling through other worlds)
Unreachable Star: http://www.unreachablestar.net - Comics & SF News/Reviews/Opinions
This week: My spoiler-free Serenity review

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Monday, November 7, 2005 7:50 PM

DIETCOKE

Love "Dead Like Me." See it Brownocats.

NY/NJ Browncoats: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/firefly_nyc

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Monday, November 7, 2005 8:28 PM

JACQUI

I find 'Scrubs' has some really sharp humour, mixed in with some very well written drama. When it's serious (which isn't often, 'cause hey... it's Scrubs), the real tension is often broken by the most inappropriate, but human humour.

The characters are well written and consistent and it may be a comedy, but you end up caring for the characters.

And that, my friends, is Joss like.

Also, Chrisisall, how did I know you were gonna say Dark Angel? Which I agree is very Joss like as well.

*~*~*
"Your toes are in the sand."
"And your head's up your..."
"Hey!"

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Monday, November 7, 2005 10:01 PM

LIMINALOSITY

Quote:
Originally posted by StarPilotGrainger:

a comic, from Marvel, Runaways

Star Pilot Grainger
"Remember, the enemy's gate is down."

This sounds really good. Think I'll pick it up, there's nothing like a good graphic story...except maybe Sin City.

The enemy's gate is always down in Ender's Game as well, and that provides some interesting mindbending. If you haven't read it, you might like it.

Thanks to viral marketing...SERENITY: reopening soon in a theater near you.
Shiny Trees! Yavanna made Shiny Trees!

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Monday, November 7, 2005 11:23 PM

SUNDANCE

Hey there roadie - well i'm surprised you didn't mention Douglas Adams work as you have a Hitch Hikers quote in your profile thar!

I have always thought the two were very similar, in that their work contains extremely funny and very touching characters that you can connect with. They both developed their own use of language, and 'verses for their stories to exist in. I would say the original radio series of hitch hikers is every bit as appreciable as Joss' work, albeit in a very british way. But they have the same kind of tone and "nudge nudge wink wink" attitude for anyone that is listening/watching closely enough, stories behind stories and all that.

If you haven't already check out the radio series or the books. The original TV series was not quite so good and the recent film was a ok but not anywhere near as funny.

But just in my opinion!
x

"Who would want a motorised rock?
Another motorised rock?"

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Monday, November 7, 2005 11:29 PM

REGINAROADIE

Are you kidding about the movie version of HITCHIKER'S? I thought they did a really good job with it. The whale scene had me laughing so hard, tears were streaming down my face. I can't remember the last time something made me laugh so hard it made me cry.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"YES!!!I'm a man posessed by many demons....Polite demons that would open the door for a lady carrying too many parcels...BUT DEMONS NONETHELESS!!!! Yes. I have walked along the path of evil many times, it's a twisting, curving path that..actually leads to a charming plot garden, BUT BEYOND THAT EVIL!!!"

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Monday, November 7, 2005 11:33 PM

SUNDANCE

Hey no i'm not kidding, i didn't think it was awful, i just kind of knew alot of the jokes that were coming - guess i have listend to the series too much so i was used to a certain delivery so it's my own fault really, have you heard the original series?

Alot of it was funny, i thought Mos Def was really good but it just didn't work for me as well i would have liked - glad you enjoyed it to the point of explosion tho!

"Who would want a motorised rock?
Another motorised rock?"

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Monday, November 7, 2005 11:39 PM

REGINAROADIE

I never heard the radio plays, but I did read the books and see the BBC miniseries of it. I thought it was interesting to note that despite it having wuite possibly the cheapest fx budget of any sci-fi series ever, it still remained truthful to the spirit of the books. And that even with the advancements in sfx for the flick, it still had that wit and very British humor of Doug Adams's books.

I think the casting was pitch perfect, even though it took me a while to get used to Mos Def as Ford Prefect. The way the incorporated the Guide entries was genuis to me. All in all, a very good adaptation of a classic sci-fi novel.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"YES!!!I'm a man posessed by many demons....Polite demons that would open the door for a lady carrying too many parcels...BUT DEMONS NONETHELESS!!!! Yes. I have walked along the path of evil many times, it's a twisting, curving path that..actually leads to a charming plot garden, BUT BEYOND THAT EVIL!!!"

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Monday, November 7, 2005 11:53 PM

SUNDANCE

Ahhh cheap-fx that is what makes it almost more believable in a way tho - i loved those! Especially Marvin, although i did think that the Marvin in the movie was very cute, especially when he sort of died but didn't... i felt genuinely tearful.... I still think the original Arthur was better, but i guess if they were exactly the same there would be no point in doing the movie would there. I thought they did a good job of making a movie that appealed to today's audiences as well as the fans.

I highly recommend a listen to the radio series - they are hi-larious honest! And they recently recorded some of Douglas' later books and got all the original cast together, which was also brilliant.

"Who would want a motorised rock?
Another motorised rock?"

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 3:27 AM

STARPILOTGRAINGER

Quote:
Originally posted by liminalosity:
Quote:
Originally posted by StarPilotGrainger:

a comic, from Marvel, Runaways

Star Pilot Grainger
"Remember, the enemy's gate is down."

This sounds really good. Think I'll pick it up, there's nothing like a good graphic story...except maybe Sin City.

The enemy's gate is always down in Ender's Game as well, and that provides some interesting mindbending. If you haven't read it, you might like it.

Yeah. Runaways is available in collections... as it's always best to start with the beginning, there's either a big hardcover collecting all 18 issues of the first volume, or digests (approximately the size of manga, but color, and read in a conventional comic fashion), the first of which is Pride and Joy. If you happen to look for individual issues, just be warned that if you see an issue #1, it's probably issue #1 of volume two, and thus not the beginning. Just as a FYI. :)

As to the quote... yeah, I took the quote from Ender's Game, so I have read it already. I use the quote as sort of a short way of saying 'reorienting your perceptions can sometimes lead to new insights'

Star Pilot Grainger
"Remember, the enemy's gate is down."
LJ: http://www.livejournal.com/users/newnumber6 (real)
http://www.livejournal.com/users/alternaljournal (fictional, travelling through other worlds)
Unreachable Star: http://www.unreachablestar.net - Comics & SF News/Reviews/Opinions
This week: My spoiler-free Serenity review

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 3:37 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by Jacqui:
Chrisisall, how did I know you were gonna say Dark Angel? Which I agree is very Joss like as well.

An obsession is an obsession...
Also, The Adventures Of Brisco County, Jr., it has the Joss-like funny, if not his more serious side.

Hi-ho Comet! Away Chrisisall

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 3:39 AM

CHRISISALL

Quote:
Originally posted by liminalosity:
Except Dark Angel, which I've only just met. Bought it last week and watched the premiere, but the DVD had a big scratch, and I had to return & re-order. Waiting now....

My Transgenic sympathy is with you.

Maxed out Chrisisall

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 5:12 AM

HERO

Quote:
Originally posted by reginaroadie:
So what other shows have you seen that have nothing to do with Joss remind you of him anyways.

Different genre, but how bout GILMORE GIRLS?

Show has strange and quirky supporting characters, very fast and smart dialogue, and very empowered female leads alongside very distinct male archetypes.

Plus they're both hot.

H

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 5:56 AM

GWEK

As many folks have mentioned, I think "Veronica Mars" is the most obvious heir to the Whedon tradition.

"Smallville" and "Charmed" have both wanted to be BTVS to some extent, especially in their earlier days.

Assuming that non-Whedon shows by Whedon folks are okay (since I know "Profit" was already mentioned): "Wonder Falls" and "The Inside."

Even thought it's more in the X-Files vein, "Miracles" reminded me of a Whedon-type show.

Other than "Veronica Mars," though, the show that most reminds me of a Whedon one (in terms of pacing, character development, etc) is "The Shield."

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 6:02 AM

QUEENOFTHENORTH

I'd have to agree with Veronica Mars. Also, I'd like to throw another one in the mix. It's a Canadian-made cartoon called King. It takes place in a different 'verse of its own called Under, which is a whole world under the main character Russell's bed, of which he is King. The show just reminds me of Joss in so many ways. There's villains that try to be bad, but never really succeed and are very funny at the same time. Namely the main villain, Bob Wire, who's always trying to steal the crown, the despot queen of a neighboring country, Auntie First, and her right-hand man, Captain Darling. Captain Darling is an enemy commander who's extremely polite all the time.
For example, one time Captain Darling kicks Russell out of the country, then says, "Awful sorry about that, chap. Do come back soon."
Then, finally, there's the best part of the whole show, Russell's dog, Gus, who can talk in Under. He's a Scottish terrier who's always proclaiming that it's "terrier time" or something equally funny.
Even though it's a kid's show, it always manages to insert wry humor in. For example, one time the dog, Gus, says, "Oh, you're a regular James Bond, you are." To which Russell replies, "Pierce Brosnan, or Roger Moore?" Gus then says, "Ach, Sean Connery, you daft git."

So yeah, that's a good show that you should check out if you've got the opportunity.

I give to you the Seeker of Serenity, the Valkyrie Warrior, the Gourmet Cook and the Truth Scoper.

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Tuesday, November 8, 2005 7:45 AM

CYBERSNARK

I second the vote for Gilmore Girls, third it the new Dr. Who, and, uh, how many are we up to with Dark Angel? And The Inside should go without saying. Also NCIS, Supernatural, and Threshold (whenever Ramsey or Fenway are on screen).

There were (believe it or not) a couple of episodes of Enterprise that actually had bits of Whedonesque humour (when Trip and Archer nearly lost a shuttle by the Star Trek equivalent of forgetting to set the parking brake

). I'd advise the third season (the Xindi arc) as the show's golden age (personally, I liked it all, but it's not popular to say so).

A few Saturday morning shows: Xiaolin Showdown, Teen Titans (Starfire is like Anya without the greed and bitterness, Raven is like a cross between Spike's attitude and Willow's sarcasm ["Evil beware. We have waffles."]), Danny Phantom (the world according to Xander), Avatar, and Shaman King (though I'd recommend the VIZ manga instead of the Fox-sanitized TV series).

Also, again, not a TV series, but a couple of book series: Sir Apropos of Nothing and Star Trek: New Frontiers, both by Peter David. The New Frontiers books can range a bit darker (they're absurdist, but they exist within the universe of the Star Trek franchise), while Sir Apropos tends to be a bit more outright satire.

There's a wide range of New Frontiers materials, and Sir Apropos was a trilogy last I checked (I may have missed a fourth book coming out): Sir Apropos of Nothing, The Woad to Wuin, and Tong Lashing, which I haven't gotten around to reading yet.

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Wednesday, November 9, 2005 11:06 AM

FALLENANGEL

House MD on Fox, cuz of all the smart-ass remarks that Dr. House makes, Veronica Mars, Dead Like Me, Gilmore Girls, and Dark Angel all come to mind.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"I am a leaf on the wind. Watch how I soar."

-Wash.

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Wednesday, November 9, 2005 4:45 PM

JUTIN

I hate to be negative, but no one mixes genres like Joss... Dark Angel (I Love James Cameron) focuses more on action and comedy than drama and horror... Gilmore Girls has great writing and is on par with Arrested Development... what I love about Whedon is that he mixes genres so perfectly... to undercut (I believe the term was) a sad moment with a funny moment to scare you and make you real sad... I wish that there were other shows out there with the right blend of genre mixing...

I'll have to vote for Dead Like Me and Wonderfalls (both created by Bryan Fuller) are the closest matches... the Rue McClanahan episode of "Wonderfalls" and the pilot episode of "Dead Like Me" practically scream Whedon...

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