The series' influences

[weredog]

I've decided to open up a discussion on the series' influences, either based on factual reports (ie. articles, dvd commentaries etc.) or pure speculation. I'm interest in knowing what films, television shows, and novels that inspired Joss and his team in delivering their episodes.

One influence that I'm sure had an effect on the series (especially on its last two seasons) is Paul Thomas Anderson's Magnolia. I recall hearing Joss stating on the DVD commentary for 6.06 "Once More, With Feeling" that Xander's joke ("Respect the cruller. And tame the doughnut") is a direct tip of the hat to Tom Cruise's character's declaration: "Respect the cock. And tame the cunt."

Also, season seven's "Sleeper" invited musician Aimee Mann to appear on the episode at The Bronze. She performed twice, both of which were mildly integrated in the episode's events: her performance was interrupted during a vampire's dusting before she mutters to her bandmate that she dislikes attending vampire towns. Magnolia was also great inspired by Aimee Mann's work, with one song being intereprated by the characters themselves ("Wise Up") and two other songs, one set at the beginning of the film ("One") and its end ("Save Me").

Any other inspirations? Thoughts?

[Hellbound Hyperion]

The X-Files "monster of the week" setup.

[rebeccaplant]

Well, I know Joss said somewhere at some point that he intended the show to be a mixture between My So Called Life and The X-Files - the light-hearted wit coupled with the teenage problems personified as actual monsters and the monster-of-the-week aspect as HH mentioned.

[Watcher J]

Ok, I'm sure it's extremely obvious and has been mentioned a million times on here...but what about the X-Men? I mean Willow growing so strong and losing control is pretty similar to Jean Grey/Phoenix.

[Hellbound Hyperion]

Aug 20, 2009 15:11:52 GMT -5 Watcher J said:

Ok, I'm sure it's extremely obvious and has been mentioned a million times on here...but what about the X-Men? I mean Willow growing so strong and losing control is pretty similar to Jean Grey/Phoenix.

Oh I'm certain comic books of some sort played a role in Joss's stories. He is rather a fan of them, and he did show Kitty Pryde some love in the Astonishing X-Men run he did.

[Watcher J]

Yeah great point! I remember him saying that if there had never been a Kitty Pryde, there would have never been a Buffy...I had forgotten about that. Great point with the Kitty reference. He does pay a great deal of attention to her in Astonishing.

[stakey]

I don't know if anyones seen the classic film The Red Shoes?

Well its really well known as a landmark film (amongst film buffs at least) by the legendary director Michael Powell...and I dont know if its mentioned by joss in the commentary or anything but everytime I watch it I see loads of connections between the Red Shoes and Waiting In The Wings.

Whenever I rewatch waiting in the wings I always see it as Joss' homage to Powell and The Red Shoes.