No More, With Legalese

[filkertom]

dandelion_diva informs us that Fox, in yet another example of Fox dickishness, has put the kibosh on sing-along showings of the Buffy musical episode, "Once More, With Feeling".

Now, it does in fact look as though admission was being charged for those showings. I can understand them wanting to be paid some kind of licensing fee. And the whole situation could make it difficult for conventions that want to host Buffy sing-alongs. But, to my mind, the biggest thing is that, again, a corporation sees a potential lost income stream and, again, rather than work something out, starts treating the fans like criminals.

But then, it's Fox.

Sigh. So, what's your favorite song from that episode?

Comments

[scifantasy.livejournal.com]

"Walk Through The Fire."

[valarltd.livejournal.com]

I second "Walk through the Fire."

"These endless days are finally ending in a blaze."


Also, Anya and Xander's song.

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

I wonder what's to stop fans from doing the same thing in their private rooms rather than in a con room? Distribute the crowd over 3 private consuites rented by individuals, and Fox can't say squat to the convention. They are welcome to try and say something to me in my room. But they'll need to bring cops and a warrant.

All the media companies have put their heads up their butts while trying to get to their wallets.

[jimhines.livejournal.com]

I've always been fond of "Standing in the Way". Giles has a kick-ass voice.

"Under your Spell" would probably be a close second.

[fuuberry.livejournal.com]

I agree with "Standing in the Way".. Potentially hearing Anthony Stewart Head sing is what's got me *most* excited for Sweeney Todd.

"Sweet's Song" is a very close second, though.

[scifantasy.livejournal.com]

Now, with the vote out of the way...

I can understand them wanting to be paid some kind of licensing fee.

The bitch of it is, they were. Fox shut this down by slapping down the company doing the licensing agreements.

[atalantapendrag.livejournal.com]

That's the part that infuriates me.

[djonn]

There is much goodness in that episode, but I am a sucker for a snazzy patter song, so my vote goes to "I'll Never Tell" (followed closely by "I've Got A Theory").

[tomreedtoon.livejournal.com]

Only seen bits of it. I still can't tolerate vampires in just about every form they've been portrayed. And yes, that includes Buffy.

However, this kind of self-destructive stupidity is all too typical of...as you say...Fox. It's curious that TV shows that were canceled or strangled by Fox like Family Guy, Firefly and Futurama have thrived once they got away from the Murdock regime. Not only does Fox management look Draconian, right-wing, Bushian and other things...they don't even realize they're doing something wrong.

I'm reminded of the way Disney was considered before Michael Eisner (in his early days) changed things. George Lucas considered bringing Star Wars to Disney instead of Fox, because they had the special effects capability he needed, but he was afraid that Disney would screw up his creation and ultimately cheat him out of control. I'd bet that if he was shopping around Star Wars today, he'd choose Disney over Fox for the same reasons.

[fredhuggins.livejournal.com]

Yeah, but then Disney showed 'em all by producing that enduring sci-fi classic, The Black Hole. Who's got the last laugh now?

My favorite song is probably "Rest In Peace."

[devospice.livejournal.com]

"Fans are getting continued enjoyment out of our copyrighted work? This must be stopped!"

Morons.

Anyway, I liked all the songs in the episode except the one Buffy sings at the end- Give Me Something To Sing About, or whatever the proper title is. I never liked that weird rhythm they used in it.

As for favorites, I don't know if I could pick just one. Spike's Rest In Peace is a beauty. Walk Through The Fire and Standing In My Way are also fantastic. Although there's always been a special place in my heart for They Got The Mustard Out.

[scifantasy.livejournal.com]

I liked all the songs in the episode except the one Buffy sings at the end- Give Me Something To Sing About, or whatever the proper title is. I never liked that weird rhythm they used in it.

I feel the exact same way, especially in the faster sections (where she's beating up the henchmen): "Where there's life, there's hope. Every day's a gift..." Drives me nuts.

[fraggedone.livejournal.com]

I love Rest in Peace. Of course, it helps that it's in my range, and I don't have to change octaves to keep up.

As for Fox, it's sounding more and more like someone had his behind handed to him by a sci-fi/fantasy lover in the past, and still hasn't gotten over it. "Wait, geeks love it, but they're bringing in the show's ratings .1 unit lower than the top show? Cancel! We must appeal to a larger demographic! No, don't let the geeks tell their friends how awesome the show is!"

[selenesue.livejournal.com]

The idea had practically gone mainstream. From a fannish home party game, when fans opened up the close captioning, to a featured event at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Joss Whedon, Emma Caulfield [Anya] and Hinton Battle [Sweets, the dancing demon] were guests.

Admittedly, an online petition is worth the paper it's printed on, but if someone wants to "sign" one, here it is: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/BuffyMusical

[selenesue.livejournal.com]

Oh, and Buffy's pained solo "Give Me Something To Sing About" has become my personal anthem when the depression really hits hard. Like today, for example.

[lizreay.livejournal.com]

The reprise of "Wish I Could Stay" with Giles and Buffy's girlfriend (whose name suddenly eludes me). Their voices work very very well together.

[morpheus0013.livejournal.com]

Tara. And that's a gorgeous song, I agree.

[morpheus0013.livejournal.com]

I've gone through periods of just about every song being my favourite. Currently, it's probably "Walk Through The Fire." With the ending group song a close second. "The battle's done, and we kinda won..." is a line of such awesomeness.

There's really not a stinker in the bunch.

[twfarlan.livejournal.com]

At this point, I'm watching any Fox-based show on any channel other than Fox, such as catching new episodes of Family Guy on [Adult Swim]. If Fox didn't have Bones, they wouldn't have a single thing I would need their channel to watch. As is, I TiVo that show and fast forward through all the commercials.

I've said it before, I'll say it again: I truly wish stupidity was painful to the person being stupid rather than how it is now, to all of those around the idiot. Days like this, I think that "legalese" ought to cut one's own tongue for daring to speak its cursed words.

[hiddenriver.livejournal.com]

I'll have to go with "What You Feel".

[kshandra]

The Parkway and Cerrito Speakeasy Theatres (a FANTASTIC theatre chain, if you're ever in the SF Bay Area) had been alternating between OMWF and Firefly screenings, arranged through the same distributor - they've ALL been yanked.

Yes, Joss is aware, and (according to a comment forwarded from Whedonesque) is looking into it.

[brigidsblest.livejournal.com]

For me, it's a tie between 'Rest in Peace' and 'Under Your Spell', with 'Wish I Could Stay' right behind them.

[hsifyppah.livejournal.com]

They Got The Mustard Out! I am helpless with laughter every time that comes up.

Maybe cons will start listing the singalong as Never Again, With Indifference or something to fly under the radar. It'd be sad to see an end to singalongs. It's a good gateway drug for filk - we have Whedon-verse sing-a-longs (of filk songs about buffy/angel/firefly) at the Giant Local Gen-Con and always pack the room with people who mostly thought it was going to be a Once More With Feeling singalong. But once they hear new-to-them fan songs about buffy, they sure don't leave the room.

[catnip13.livejournal.com]

I love the "I'm Under Your Spell/Wish I Could Stay" reprise with Tara and Giles. Especially the lines:
Wish I could trust
that it was just
this once, but I must
do what I must.
Plus, it's one of the most challenging bits in the whole thing, largely because Anthony Stewart Head and Amber Benson are the best vocalists of the bunch. I really thought it was remarkable how he took a cast with 2 really top notch singers, 4 good ones (Nicolas Brendon, Emma Caulfield, Michelle Trachtenburg, James Marsters), one decent one (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and one who can't sing to save her life (ah, Alyson Hannigan, good to know you aren't completely perfect).
Buffy's bits are all really simple to sing, which makes them fun.

[purpleranger.livejournal.com]

You will note that Alyson didn't have many singing lines. According to what I have read, she specifically requested that. So if she can't sing to save her life, she at least is smart enough to realize it.

[the-dark-snack.livejournal.com]

Is that you making a cameo in today's SP 1937?

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

I think it is. Well, hey. :)

[wildcard9.livejournal.com]

I heard the bad news over the weekend. Feh!! This is the episode that got me to start watching Buffy via DVD.

To answer the question: it is a dead heat between "Walk Through The Fire" (probably in the lead by a nose) and "I've Got A Theory" (it was the bunnies!!)

[purpleranger.livejournal.com]

Probably "Walk Through The Fire." According to the script that was published, there was one verse that was cut from the final version. I really wish they had kept it in.

[ldhenson.livejournal.com]

Ah, Fox. Is it any wonder that I've harbored a bitter grudge towards you ever since you axed The Tick, which was not mitigated in any way by what you did to Firefly?

As for favorite songs from OMWF, if you make me choose: Toss-up between "T'll Never Tell" and "Standing in the Way" (ASH's performance is beautiful). Though there isn't really a clunker in the bunch.

[nightmarewriter.livejournal.com]

The Tick? I've held a grudge against them since Crusade.

'Sure Joe', they told him, 'a fight at the beginning of a show will be great! Just like Wrestling!' Dicks.

And I like "I've got a Theory".

[ttamsen.livejournal.com]

I'm Under Your Spell, absolutely. I ship Willow/Tara unashamedly, unreservedly and beyond all logic or reason.

And I actually have tickets to two (!!) Buffy singalongs (not the 'official' variety) in my neck of the woods, and we're all quietly keeping our heads down and hoping like heck Faux doesn't notice us until after we've got our Kum-bay-yayas out at the end of the month.

On a related note, if anyone has a Tara costume (corset bodice in some shade of green, that could conceivably be adjusted to hang over a 6'4" male Tara fan), I'd dearly love to hear about it. If I can't have any more big screen singies in the future, I ought to try and make these ones memorable.

(I've got a couple of screencaps from the episode up at http://s215.photobucket.com/albums/cc89/TTamsen/Buffy/ for reference, if someone thought they might have suitable costuming available..)

[drfilk.livejournal.com]

The way I've seen it, this nonsense only shuts down public showings for profit. As such, the con ones shouldn't be affected. That being said, I'll be surprised if some con organizers aren't scared off by the very possibility of legal complications. If we're discreet about promoting such screenings, I'd say the risk is minimal.

[madmanotl.livejournal.com]

It is sad to see what FOX did. I know it sold out a 1500 seat theatre back to back nights two different weekends in Chicago this year. Hopefully someone will realize that there is money making potential and eventually change their mind. As with others, this episode is what got me interested in Buffy in the first place.

My favorite song from the episode is Theory.