It's over - Amber won't be back.

[justastraightdog]

From TV Guide:



Another setback for poor, lovelorn Willow (Alyson Hannigan) on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The recovering witchoholic's deceased love Tara (Amber Benson) will not be resurrected this season after all. According to series creator Joss Whedon, Benson — who was slated to be brought back to life as a different character — failed to reach a deal with producer 20th Century Fox.



"It was a question of negotiations, as it sometimes is," he tells TV Guide Online. "It's sad, because I love Amber. But that's between her and Fox." Adds Benson's rep: "She's very proud of her work on the show, but ultimately, we couldn't work out the right deal."



Well, Benson's comeback, like her alter ego, was shot down, but that doesn't mean Willow won't fall under the spell of another enchantress. Whedon reveals that the sapphic Scooby "is going to meet someone" new. "I can't say whether or not it's going to work out, but she's definitely not joining a nunnery." Another definite: The onetime hetero won't be going back to boys. "This I will tell you without any equivocation," he says, "Willow's gay."



Well, there was that whole Oz (Seth Green) phase... "It takes a while for some people to realize it," reasons Whedon. "Truthfully, when we first started the [Willow-Tara love story], we were like, 'Is [Willow] bi? Is she gay? What do we want to say? What do we want to do?'



"We decided it would be unfair of us, particularly considering the circumstances of Tara's controversial death, to say, 'Oh, now Willow's over it.' Or, 'Willow's bi so we can have more storylines,'" he continues. "So, we do have somebody in mind that Willow will meet in the future who might shake up her world just a little bit — and it'll be a girl." — Michael Ausiello



---



Dear Mods, if you think this belongs in any existing thread, feel free to move it.



I really would like to know the whole story. DrLloyd? Ech?



Going to cry now, sorry, I can't help.

_______________________________
Life's splendor forever lies in wait about each one of us in all its fullness, but veiled from view, deep down, invisible, far off. It is there, though, not hostile, not reluctant, not deaf. If you summon it by the right word, by its right name, it will come. -- Franz Kafka

[Grimlock72]

This begs the question, what alter ego are they talking about ? Since it's not going to happen they might as well tell us. Why in the frilly heck are they so incredibly late trying to arrange that deal anyway ? They were aiming for Feb-sweeps I'll guess, since Nov is too close and May is taken by Faith, so now they have to re-write an entire arc this late ? Kinda st00pid .



I doubt it was a problem 'between Fox and Amber' as is stated in that article. That would imply it was money only. I would like to think that Amber was/is indeed proud of (most of) her work on BtVS and wants to keep it that way.



Not that *that* is likely to come out anytime soon of course. "Artistic differences" is the term I believe, heh.



Grimmy

"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[WebWarlock]

Here is the link.



www.tvguide.com/newsgossi...21030b.asp



Can I add, that Whedon is a lying sack of shit.



Warlock

-----

Web Warlock

The Other Side,

home of Liber Mysterium: The Netbook of Witches and Warlocks

"What is it with you and witches anyway?" - My Mom.

Edited by: WebWarlock at: 10/30/02 4:31:52 am

[helpful information perha]

Tara was willows soulmate, she "would always find her", she was willows "everything" - I've no desire to see willow with another women - why the heck should I trust whedon with another lesbian relationship. screw ME



tell FOX - UPN - and since the writers and their moles police the boards heck let it be known there too - they want us back then work the deal - cuz we won't be back without Tara and Willow together

[maudmac]

Joss is definitely lying if he's trying to say it was only about money.



Amber never wanted to go in the first place and she certainly wanted to come back, but not as a tool solely to torture Willow (and the fans).



This is 100% "artistic differences."



Amber has this thing, you know, this rare and beautiful thing...integrity. I wouldn't have faulted her personally for taking any job she felt she needed to, since the moral high ground often doesn't pay the bills. But I am certainly proud of her for seeing what shit Joss intended for Tara, Willow, and W/T and wanting no part of it.



Amber gets it.

---------------------------
NO MORE SYMBIOSIS JUST PSYCHOSIS---CONSOLIDATED

[Sela]

I hate this show. I really, really hate this show. I knew Amber wouldn't be back. And I'm glad, really. But I don't want to hear about Willow's new girl. I just don't want to know. Can't Joss just shut his big trap?



--Sela

[Willowlicious]

Oooooooooh. This was definitely NOT about money or Fox. It was about Joss and his sick, twisted storylines.



This is fact, not speculation.



I'm not surprised by this statement. Joss has been laying the groundwork to pin it all on Amber for months.



I won't even comment on the NotWillow storyline, because I'm not watching, it is creatively bereft and characteristically inconceivable. Whatever.



Amy

[justastraightdog]

"Joss is definitely lying if he's trying to say it was only about money."



I second that. Given Amber's financial situation, she couldn't say no - even if FOX pays much less than she wished for. So there has to be another reason. Hopefully we will know it - in five years.



The good thing is, that it is out and official before Nov sweeps, before "Conversation...". Now the show will finally lose the last Amber fans and against-all-odds hoping W/T shippers. If Willow's new gf isn't a well known name (and an eye candy for the boy numbers), there is absolutely no chance that this turns out to be positive news for ME, UPN and - finally - FOX themselves.



You know how I have found the article? I was reading about a resurrection - yes, after a season off, Kenny returns to South Park. And then I saw "Buffy Star Dead Again"... A character like Kenny is worth a resurrection, someone like Tara isn't.



Nice message, indeed.

_______________________________
Life's splendor forever lies in wait about each one of us in all its fullness, but veiled from view, deep down, invisible, far off. It is there, though, not hostile, not reluctant, not deaf. If you summon it by the right word, by its right name, it will come. -- Franz Kafka

[rduffy24]

I'm pleased she isn't coming back. I miss Tara so much - but I wasn't intending to watch Buffy ever again, and I may have had trouble keeping my resolve if she had reappeared.



Now it will be no problem!



And isn't it amazing how drlloyd was right along and JW & ME were lying about her coming back?

[Little M]

God noooooooooooooooooooo

*cries* I hate it all....................

----------------------


'I go online sometimes, but everyone's spelling is really bad..it's depressing' - Tara

[helpful information perha]

we need to let ME know we aren't watching and won't be watching without tara



TV Guide takes feedback



TV Guide Online - [Contact Us]

www.tvguide.com/about/contact.asp



Letters Department

TV Guide

Rador, PA

19088

(must include name, address, home phone)







and you can get your post to ME via



newcassie@yahoo.com

[babs]

You know, right before sweeps was the best time for this news. ME can trip before the gate opens. Any bump they may have received due to the TV Guide blurb can be squashed with time to spare. We should make sure this article is publicized in big, bold print to everyone who thinks Amber is coming back and/or Tara is in Conversations. It should be sung from the rooftops before ANY new episodes air. Perhaps the last W/T hopefuls, the ones who are only watching this season waiting to see Tara, will bail before Him airs and ME can start sweeps the way they need, not the way that they want.



I respect Amber more ever before. Joss can blame who he wants, but I'd suggest a long look in the mirror before he does. Perhaps if he convinces himself of owns lies, he can sleep better knowing his production company didn't self destruct by his own hand, but that it was sunk by a bunch of hysterical fans he didn't think really mattered. It will be blamed on those who didn't understand his artistry of useless death and depression.





babs

[Dave V]

You can see the progression of the spin over the past 6 months

- Amber will be back, but not as Tara

- Amber will be back, if she's available

- Amber won't be back, but it's between her an Fox



drlloyd and the other spoiler hounds (thanks, folks!) knew the real deal awhile ago. Frankly, I too am glad Amber Benson won't be back on this hollow shell of a show. Artistic differences, indeed.



As for NotWillow's new gf? Do NOT even get me started...

[justastraightdog]

Yes, it is amazing - but it's also a dangerous spin. It makes it impossible for Amber to tell the truth. She could say (and she already did so) something negative about ME or the storyline, but she can never say anything negative about FOX. Murdoch, remember?



And it makes it much more difficult for us - because all we will hear in the future is that we have to blame FOX, not Joss. We know the truth (or at least we think so), but I can't see any way to get clear and convincing evidences for it anymore.



Hats off to ME - it's mean, evil, disgusting, but it's a clever spin. Except - hopefully - for the ratings, so UPN may not be amused.



On a personal note from someone who thought he couldn't stand it without at least a teeny tiny bit of hope - reading the official announcement actually makes it easier. And if I use this as my new mantra, maybe I can believe it.

_______________________________
Life's splendor forever lies in wait about each one of us in all its fullness, but veiled from view, deep down, invisible, far off. It is there, though, not hostile, not reluctant, not deaf. If you summon it by the right word, by its right name, it will come. -- Franz Kafka

[Dumbsaint]

Oh, thank God. Blessings heaped upon Amber Benson.



And Joss... wow. My utter lack of esteem for the guy just reached a proud new low. Abysimal behavior from everyone's favorite dickhead.

"And never let it be said that I left a Tara craving unsatisfied." Willow, Wilderness Pt. 1

[kpmuse]

Thank God Amber is not coming back to this show. I am so happy that she is the person she is and we all know the real reason that she is not coming back.



So let me say thank you Amber. You are a goddess and I pray everyday for your happiness, prosperity and all the blessings to come to you.



Folks, it's not often we will see a person like Amber

[starlitefaeriegrrrl]

Although I'm crazy-glad that Amber isn't coming back to such an awful show, the idea of Willow meeting someone who will "rock her world", not even a f--king year later, makes me need to vomit continuously. I mean, I won't watch but just knowing that Whedon would do that...wait, that's wrong- I knew that he would do it, but just the fact that he would equals much grrr. If that doesn't make sense I apologise- I'm very distraught. It's not pleasant.



I would like to agree with everyone else in saying that Amber is a Goddess and I love her.

[Coma123]

HIP your wrong on one account. Write to TV Guide and tell them the real reason Ambers not coming back to the show.

[tommo]

Well credit where credit is due. That means that none will go to Mr Whedon. I seriously doubt that man's ability to see the world the way others see it. At one time, I loved that view. Now I'm afraid, it only makes me feel nauseous.



I for one am glad that Amber won't be returning. For whatever reason. Good for her.

You exquisite little tart!" ~ Diana Letharby

[Sheridan]

Amber has said she wouldn't want to reappear if it hurt the fans, and from the spoilers it's pretty clear which ep they wanted her to do; thus Amber's refusal was near inevitable and I'm sure Joss was well aware of that. He can spin it how he wants the reason Amber isn't on the series is because he was obessessed with murdering Tara, end of story.

Willow: ...I have to tell you....



Tara: No, I understand you have to be with the

person you l-love



Willow: I am

[xita]

It's not about Money, that man was so disgusting, he could not bring her back for any other reason than to torture Willow, he couldn't do it. He couldn't fucking do it. Amber Benson is a goddess who needs to be worshipped. I guess I'd been hoping she could convince those people to do the right thing, because this hurt. This really hurt. IT is really over but you know it's a good thing and I can REALLY move on. How can they try to pair her up already. I am disgusted.

-------------------------------

Buffy?

Let's change it, the Discovery channel has koala bears.

[justastraightdog]

Well credit where credit is due



Oh yes. To quote the goddess herself:

Quote:

---

['Vixen' clip from Family] "I didn't know going into Buffy that I was going to be portrarying a lesbian character, but I think if I had known it wouldn't have bothered me in the least just because as an actor you want to play a cool parts. And I also think because it was really the first real long-term lesbian relationship on network television in the States that we were doing a service to the world, I think. So going into it I think that I was really pleased that I got to be the person to step into Tara's shoes and play her and kind of send my support and love out there to everybody who was kind of going-- people that were going through hard times.



In the beginning I truly believe that the magic was sort of an allegory for the lesbian relationship. It was very orgasmic! I mean, Alyson and I truly felt like we were, you know, 'gettin' it on' without actually taking our clothes off. [Clip of the spell from WAY]



Really we're talking about the relationship and how we're different. And it can frighten some people even though it's crazy because it doesn't really matter who you're sleeping with; it matters what you do with your life and how you treat other people." [Clip of W & T dancing from Family]

---

This is a transcript from a clip from Spaceflow, which is apparently a Canadian cable channel, 2002-10-25. Amber is talking about W/T. If you want the clip, go the the Essence of Amber Forum, I didn't ask for the permission to post the link here. If this is old news, sorry - I didn't knew this one.

_______________________________
Life's splendor forever lies in wait about each one of us in all its fullness, but veiled from view, deep down, invisible, far off. It is there, though, not hostile, not reluctant, not deaf. If you summon it by the right word, by its right name, it will come. -- Franz Kafka

[Coma123]

That line about the money thing just shits me, it really does. It really frustrates me to think that he can say shit like this and people will believe him.

It also makes me wonder about Ambers "rectify" comment and the story behind that.

[Jimmi Magnus]

I love the smell of integrity in the morning

It smells like...victory

-I feel as if a kitten sat on my face all night

[Little M]

Gaaah what frustrates me is that somewhere in a interview Alyson Hannigan was asked about Willow dating in season 7.......and she replied something like: God I hope not, she has to have time to get over it first.....(meaning Tara's death)





Well guess Joss doesnt even listen her or anyone at all for that matter

----------------------


'I go online sometimes, but everyone's spelling is really bad..it's depressing' - Tara

[Grimlock72]

justastraightdog,



The easiest way to get to the truth is to ask Joss just what that planned storyline with the alter ego was. Without Amber they won't be able to do that story anyway so there's no point in keeping it hidden. (well okay, there IS a point but I doubt they want to tell the world that).



Second; ME and Amber were pretty much on a collision-course from the ending of season6 onwards. Neither adjusted course so this result was predictable. The low ratings and such don't really factor into this collision much, those become important when/if ME is forced to adjust their course (UPN Excecs).



Problem now is that Joss will likely tell UPN that he tried to get Amber/Tara back but that she didn't want to cooperate . So even if UPN decides something needs to be done to adress the falling ratings, it likely won't be resurrecting Tara I'm afraid. (unless Amber actually told Fox/UPN *why* she didn't want to come back)



Politics....BWAH... .



Grimmy

"You hurt Tara," Willow said too calmly. "The last one who tried that was a god. I made her regret it." -- Unexpected Consequences by Lisa of Nine

[helpful information perha]

whedon "didn't care" about the issue he introduced with Tara or the issue he raised by killing her - correct? so why the heck should I trust him with another lesbian relationship?



You don't kill off willows soulmate - cart her off in a bag never to be mentioned again - treat the W/T fans like dirt and expect to bring them back by tossing them a bone/another lesbian relationship - so what tara wasn't willows soulmate?

she can be replaced just like that? BULL





AMBER made a heroic stand here not to come back on principle - not to hurt the fans more



support that/her any way you can



the NOW site lists these numbers for FOX and UPN

FIRST:



CALL FOX

You can voice your concern here (310-369-1000)

CALL UPN

You can voice your concern here (310-575-7000)



tell them you are not watching - why your not watching and that you won't watch until Tara is back!



THEN:



Send Fox and UPN postcards

Let them know how you feel about Buffy (Willow/Tara). Emphasize what you dislike about this.

Let them know who you are.

Mention your demographics: age, sex, occupation, place of residence.



Send a postcard that represents yourself or where you live



Send the postcard to:



FOX BROADCASTING CO

ATTN: SANDY GRUSHOW, CHAIRMAN, FOX ENTERTAINMENT GROUP

10201 WEST PICO BLVD

LOS ANGELES CA 90035



Gail Berman, Entertainment President

FOX Broadcasting Company

10201 W. Pico Boulevard

Los Angeles, CA 90035



E-mail Fox at askfox@foxinc.com.





AND



UPN



Dawn Ostroff,

Entertainment President,

United Paramount Network

11800 Wilshire Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90025



ALSO:

contact your local UPN affiliate and let them know what you think/why you are not watching. Find your affiliate at UPN’s website http://www.upn.com/affiliates/



and you can send an email to ME via their cassie website

newcassie@yahoo.com

[Wiccagrrl313]

Well, pretty much backs up what we've known for a while now. Amber/Tara won't be back on the show, Amber is a complete class act, Joss is an asshole.



And the Willow will meet someone bit- just .

Tracy

******************


VILLOV

I troost yuu. Hurty flurty schnipp schnipp!

*******************

Tara. Accept No Substitutes.

[Grimaldi]

its really disgusting reading the lies that Joss and Co. say when giving interviews. i know its a foriegn concept to the man but just once tell the truth, don't say it was a problem between Amber and Fox if it wasn't, don't say it was about money and don't say that she will be back on the show if she wasn't going to.



as far as Willow getting a new girlfriend, i could care less.

Dude, we're surrounded by perverts!
No! Well, okay. No. Pez!

[helpful information perha]

Rally - you know something? she isn't coming back - so please spill