Joss Whedon: Conversations

by David Lavery, Cynthia Burkhead

No recent television creator has generated more critical, scholarly, and popular discussion or acquired as devoted a cult following as Joss Whedon (b. 1964). No fewer than thirty books concerned with his work have now been published, and ten international conferences on his work have convened in the U.K., the United States, Australia, and Turkey. Fitting then that this first volume in University Press of Mississippi's Television Conversations Series is devoted to the writer, director, and showrunner who has delivered Buffy the Vampire Slayer (The WB, 1997–2001; UPN, 2001–3), Angel (The WB, 1999–2004), Firefly (2002), Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog (Webcast, 2008), and Dollhouse (FOX, 2009-10).

If Whedon has shown himself to be a virtuoso screenwriter/script-doctor, director, comic book author, and librettist, he is as well a masterful conversationalist. As a DVD commentator, for example, the consistently hilarious, reliably insightful, frequently moving Whedon has few rivals. In his many interviews he likewise shines. Whether answering a hundred rapid-fire, mostly silly questions from fans on the Internet, fielding serious inquiries about his craft and career from television colleagues, or assessing his disappointments, Whedon seldom fails to provoke laughter and reflection.

Genres: Nonfiction, Pop Culture, Tv, Film

198 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2011

Reviews

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book over the dates 9th-11th. This is a statement of fact; there are no normative implications. I have no further comment at this time.

[Mjhancock · Rating 4 out of 5]

More of a 3.5 kind of thing. Essentially, this book is a collection of interviews various people have conducted with Joss Whedon over the course of his career, starting in the early Buffy TV series days and culminating to the point just prior to cancellation of Doll House. A lot of Whedon's long-standing interests come into light here, including the influence of his mother on his feminist views, his atheism, and his love of Broadway and theatre. There's also a lot of behind-the-scenes details on TV and movie production--I didn't know about his involvement in movies such as Speed and X-Men, for example, nor his satisfaction with the former and disappointment with the latter. In all, the interviews present Whedon as an extremely creative individual, pursuing film, cinema, comic books, internet options, and even crocheting (his interview with a knitting site is one of the more esoteric, if still interesting, reads) with an open mind. I wouldn't recommend it to someone who didn't already have a pretty high interest in his works, but if you do, it's a must-read. A word of caution for those seeking to use this book for academic purposes: the questions asked here were asked generally by people associated with pop culture websites and zines. That means that while they're almost always insightful, they're not really very academically focused. So it does make for good research material, but some analysis will be necessary first.

[Ginny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even if you aren't a fan of his work (and why the hell are you NOT a fan???) you will find these interviews insightful. Anyone who wants to be a writer, filmmaker, producer or just wants to get to a little deeper into Whedonverse will not be disappointed.

[Library Ghost · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting insights on TV shows that, let's face it, will always be among my favorites despite my grievous disappointment in their creator. I sighed and sadly shook my head whenever I read a part praising him for empowering women or whenever he called someone ELSE a misogynist. Oh for the innocence of 2009.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection. I think I've read most of these before, but it's wonderful to have them all in one place. Only downside: Still want more!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even when the man is being interviewed, he's clever and thoughtful. Good inspiration for writers.