El Diablo Robotico
Ensouled Vampire
Robo Pimp-Daddy
"Surely you have heard about our great victory over the Devil's Robot."[Mo0:3]
Posts: 1,199
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Post by El Diablo Robotico on May 9, 2008 18:18:11 GMT -5
I don't know how many people have read the book "Seven Seasons of Buffy: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Discuss Their Favorite Television Show", but one of the essays mentions "Beer Bad", and it's actually a pretty interesting tidbit about the origin of the episode.
Back in the late-'90s, the government offered the TV networks a deal: if they'd work anti-drug and anti-alcohol messages into their programs (especially the ones with largely teen and twenty-something audiences), they'd allow them to not have to show those federally-mandated anti-drug commercials during primetime... which was a good deal from a business standpoint, because then the networks could sell that extra little bit of commercial time, and make more money.
So the WB was one of the networks that took them up on the offer, and told the producers of their shows like "Buffy" and "Dawson's Creek" that they had to do at least one episode with an anti-drug/alcohol theme in it. The "Buffy" writers weren't happy about it, and their answer was, basically, "Okay, we have to do an episode about how beer is bad? Then we'll do the dumbest, most low-brow story possible, and call it 'Beer Bad'". I think the episode was funny enough already, but when you realize that it was done pretty much as a raised middle finger at the network that forced the mandate on them, it's even funnier... ;D
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Post by buffysmglover on May 9, 2008 21:30:28 GMT -5
I don't know how many people have read the book "Seven Seasons of Buffy: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Discuss Their Favorite Television Show", but one of the essays mentions "Beer Bad", and it's actually a pretty interesting tidbit about the origin of the episode. Back in the late-'90s, the government offered the TV networks a deal: if they'd work anti-drug and anti-alcohol messages into their programs (especially the ones with largely teen and twenty-something audiences), they'd allow them to not have to show those federally-mandated anti-drug commercials during primetime... which was a good deal from a business standpoint, because then the networks could sell that extra little bit of commercial time, and make more money. So the WB was one of the networks that took them up on the offer, and told the producers of their shows like "Buffy" and "Dawson's Creek" that they had to do at least one episode with an anti-drug/alcohol theme in it. The "Buffy" writers weren't happy about it, and their answer was, basically, "Okay, we have to do an episode about how beer is bad? Then we'll do the dumbest, most low-brow story possible, and call it 'Beer Bad'". I think the episode was funny enough already, but when you realize that it was done pretty much as a raised middle finger at the network that forced the mandate on them, it's even funnier... ;D Wow. The government really does get into everything in one way or another. I never knew that. Thanks.  |
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Post by Wyndam on May 9, 2008 21:41:17 GMT -5
I didn't know that either. I'm going to have to look into that book.
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El Diablo Robotico
Ensouled Vampire
Robo Pimp-Daddy
"Surely you have heard about our great victory over the Devil's Robot."[Mo0:3]
Posts: 1,199
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Post by El Diablo Robotico on May 9, 2008 23:13:37 GMT -5
I didn't know that either. I'm going to have to look into that book. It's pretty interesting to read, at least once. Don't let the "Beer Bad" tidbit fool you, tho--it's not a behind-the-scenes tell-all or anything, just essays from different writers, talking about different aspects of the show. I didn't always agree with their opinions, but I thought it was an enjoyable read. The same publisher also did similar books for "Angel" ("Five Seasons of Angel") and "Firefly" ("Finding Serenity"), which were also good. The "Angel" one actually does have a section written by a guy who worked on the crew, that talks about a few little behind-the-scenes things... |
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Post by Wyndam on May 9, 2008 23:44:36 GMT -5
Well I need some new stuff to read so I ordered "Seven Seasons of Buffy," "Five Seasons of Angel," and another Angel book called "Reading Angel: The TV Spin-off With a Soul." Found them for pretty cheap on the Barnes & Noble marketplace. Can't wait to get them!
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dane5by5
Wise-cracking Techno Genius
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 734
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Post by dane5by5 on May 10, 2008 10:09:36 GMT -5
I don't know how many people have read the book "Seven Seasons of Buffy: Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Discuss Their Favorite Television Show", but one of the essays mentions "Beer Bad", and it's actually a pretty interesting tidbit about the origin of the episode. Back in the late-'90s, the government offered the TV networks a deal: if they'd work anti-drug and anti-alcohol messages into their programs (especially the ones with largely teen and twenty-something audiences), they'd allow them to not have to show those federally-mandated anti-drug commercials during primetime... which was a good deal from a business standpoint, because then the networks could sell that extra little bit of commercial time, and make more money. So the WB was one of the networks that took them up on the offer, and told the producers of their shows like "Buffy" and "Dawson's Creek" that they had to do at least one episode with an anti-drug/alcohol theme in it. The "Buffy" writers weren't happy about it, and their answer was, basically, "Okay, we have to do an episode about how beer is bad? Then we'll do the dumbest, most low-brow story possible, and call it 'Beer Bad'". I think the episode was funny enough already, but when you realize that it was done pretty much as a raised middle finger at the network that forced the mandate on them, it's even funnier... ;D I've read that, although I never knew they actually forced the producers to do an anti drug/alcohol themed episode. I didn't hate Beer Bad per se. I thought it didn't have the quality of writing of every other episode of Buffy & Angel. Yes even Where The Wild Things Are, Doublemeat Palace and Something Blue. I thought Beer Bad was the only episode lacking the usual sophistication that is a trademark of Whedon's shows. It did have it's redeeming moments, such as Giles scene's with Buffy, Xander at the bar and Willow talking to Parker. But it was overall lacking the qualities that make me love Buffy & Angel. That being said, now I know the writers did it to be subversive, I think I'll find myself liking it considerably more next time I watch it. |
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Post by themanwithoutfear on May 10, 2008 14:14:04 GMT -5
I'm with TMS and Toxicslayer on this one. I really didn't like the episode at all. It seemed like filler for the series. Overall, I think that Toxicslayer hit the nail on the head with " It just feels awkward to watch".  |
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Post by Rebecca on May 10, 2008 15:32:47 GMT -5
lol
The last time I watched Beer Bad I was actually drinking beer with my college boyfriend, and we were laughing really hard. Maybe it was the beer. I just think that a lot of Buffy episodes are just silly eps for filler... and this happened to be one of them. If you don't take it so seriously, it's really funny! Plus you have the whole scene where Parker hits on Willow, and she makes him feel like an ass.
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Mathieu
Ensouled Vampire
[Mo0:0]
Posts: 1,069
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Post by Mathieu on May 10, 2008 15:36:29 GMT -5
Beer Bad was indeed not that bad. I took it for what it was, a filler episode. It was almost a funny episode to me, let's say a nice silly episode. I guess it gets even funnier if you're drinking beer with a college fellow while watching it! And I agree that the whole scene with Willow/Parker was tricky and interesting to watch.
I feel like there is a real conspiration to persuade people that Beer Bad is the worst episode of the show.
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Post by Rebecca on May 10, 2008 15:48:13 GMT -5
haha, it's a conspiracy all right.
I think my least-liked episode was probably I Robot, You Jane.
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commandercool
Wise-cracking Techno Genius
DON'T PANIC![Mo0:37]
Posts: 744
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Post by commandercool on May 12, 2008 12:27:38 GMT -5
The 1 Angel episode I cannot stand is "The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco". That is one of the worst eps ever.... I always shudder whenever I get to that episode. Why is it that so many people dislike this episode i actually liked it at some points it did get a bit boring but was it really that bad? what was so horrible about it... How could you not love this episode? The mailman was a MEXICAN WRESTLER! That's SO DAMN COOL! |
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Post by Wyndam on May 12, 2008 13:43:59 GMT -5
I like the story of "The Cautionary Tale of Numero Cinco," but I just thought that the way the episode was executed was just way off. I don't know what it is exactly, but it is just so boring. There are a few great scenes (when Numero Cinco hits Angel through the glass window, and of course El Diablo Robotico), but overall that episode just bores me.
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Post by buffyfan21 on May 12, 2008 14:48:20 GMT -5
Guess I'm in the minority here, but I actually ::gasp:: LIKED Beer Bad. It is actually one of my fave eps of S4. I think that S4 had a lot of funny eps and moments like that. And Beer Bad IMO, actually had some priceless, hilarious moments.
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