The New York Times Book Review - J. D. Biersdorfer
For the obsessive viewer, Slayers & Vampires is a new primary text to pore over, with plenty of behind-the-scenes tidbits about who hated whom and how TV shows are made.
From the Publisher
Praise For Edward Gross & Mark A. Altman
"Slayers & Vampires is a new primary text to pour over, with plenty of behind-the-scenes tidbits about who hated whom and how TV shows are made."— The New York Times
“The authors have done an exhaustive, masterful job of collecting interviews and editing memories, opinions and reflections of hundreds of creative artists, business executives, critics and even the occasional social scientist. What emerges is an intriguing look inside the sausage-making process that is television and film production.” – The Wall Street Journal
"At last, the final word on the final frontier!” – Scott Mantz, Access Hollywood
"Breathtaking in scope and depth, this is a must-read for Star Trek lovers as well as anyone who wants a better understanding of how television and film production works" – Booklist
"A tantalizing Star Trek tell-all… perhaps the most comprehensive compendium of Star Trek knowledge you'll ever find" – Emmy Magazine
“Authors Mark A. Altman and Edward Gross do an unbelievable job organizing large quantities of information. What went on behind the scenes? Which casting decisions almost weren’t? If you’re just dying for juicy secrets about the famous franchise, then your search is over. We just know you’re going to love this book; resistance is futile” - Bookish
"An unprecedented behind-the-scenes look into the making of a TV series. Some days you have liftoff, and other days you blow up on the pad. Trust me, this is what it's like. A must for genre fans and aspiring filmmakers alike." - Jesse Alexander (Executive Producer: Lost, Heroes)
"An absolute must for any Star Trek fan" - Kirkus Reviews
“Mark and Ed tell the fascinating story of that rare Hollywood product that actually means something to mankind” – Seth MacFarlane
Library Journal - Audio
01/01/2018
Twenty years after the debut of fan-favorite television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gross and Altman (The Fifty Year Mission) have compiled commentaries from those involved in its creation and production, as well as that of spin-off Angel. Buffy's groundbreaking female-centered story tackled the idea that "high school is hell," while Angel, which briefly outlived its parent, concentrated on the struggles of twentysomethings trying to find their place in the world. While the genius of creator and showrunner Joss Whedon is the persistent focal point of many anecdotes from staff and actors, the work also includes in-depth looks at pivotal episodes and more general information about the nuts and bolts of making TV. James Patrick Cronin and Julie McKay split narration duties along gender lines, providing some nuance in an otherwise straightforward reading that does little to differentiate among viewpoints. VERDICT Oral history, when done well, can provide perceptions that capture and reinvigorate the zeitgeist of a particular moment, and the audio format can do even more to bring that energy alive. This will appeal to nostalgic fans, but as an audio production it fails to reach the heights of As You Wish or As If, the oral history of Clueless. Inessential purchase for libraries. ["Reading the reflections of the many people responsible for producing Buffy and Angel will be like watching the must-see extras in the DVD boxed set": LJ 8/17 review of the Tor hc.]—Anna Mickelsen, Springfield City Lib., MA
Library Journal
08/01/2017
Buffy the Vampire Slayer and its spin-off Angel continue to resonate with fans 20 years after their initial airing. Coauthors Gross and Altman (The Fifty-Year Mission: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek) have compiled a comprehensive oral history of the Buffyverse using anecdotes and observations from creator/writer Joss Whedon (Firefly, The Avengers), lead actors Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers) and David Boreanaz (Angel), as well as writers, producers, media commentators, and other cast members. The authors provide a frame of reference to each section, pointing out season highlights, story themes, and insights into the creative process. The cultural impact of both series is referenced, most notably the theme of female empowerment depicted in the character of Buffy, a strong young woman defending her friends and community against monsters and demons. Similarly, Angel explores some of the same themes from the original show, such as the acceptance of diversity and the "outsider" as a normal part of society. VERDICT For fans of the shows, reading the reflections of the many people responsible for producing Buffy and Angel will be like watching the must-see extras in the DVD boxed sets, getting behind-the-scenes scoops and insights into the making of their beloved TV shows.—Donna Marie Smith, Palm Beach Cty. Lib. Syst., FL
Kirkus Reviews
2017-06-27
The oral history of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel.Gross and Altman (The Fifty-Year Mission: The Complete, Uncensored, Unauthorized Oral History of Star Trek, 2016, etc.) follow up on their successful two-volume oral history of an iconic work of American popular culture with a similarly organized book on an iconic TV show. They bring together hundreds of comments from actors, directors, writers, and producers to tell the story of Buffy and its spinoff, Angel. In 1992, Joss Whedon wrote the screenplay for the movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer because he wanted to see a movie in which a blonde girl confronts a monster in an alley and "kicks its ass." That movie flopped. When the director, Fran Rubel Kuzui, asked Whedon later if he had any interest in reprising the story for the fledging WB station, he agreed. Whedon wanted Buffy to be both an ordinary teenage girl and a powerful slayer: "I want the show to be remembered as a consistently intelligent, funny, emotionally involving entertainment that subtly changed the entire world—or a small portion of pop culture." It did just that for seven years and 144 episodes. Inevitably, repetition occurs throughout the book as different participants describe similar material, but there is plenty of insider information and trivia to please fans. Whedon had always thought of himself as Buffy's friend Xander but later realized, "Oh, I was Buffy! The whole time." Sarah Michelle Gellar had auditioned for the role of Cordelia (who they originally thought would be black), but Whedon knew she'd be perfect as Buffy: "I think if we hadn't found Sarah, the series might not have happened or lasted." Nearly half of the book deals with Angel. Although Whedon—who moved on to Firefly—wasn't closely involved, it found success for five years and 110 episodes. Surprisingly, neither series won an Emmy or Golden Globe award. An absolute must for any Buffy or Angel fan.
