If Joss Whedon Builds It....They Will Come

Alright, to start this sucker off I Just need to claim that this is the business of Buffy, I don't know a lot about the show but after a little research I have found that the guy behind this show is possibly a creative genius and in light of the recent post on money, Joss Whedon proves with a good story you can tell those with the dollar, dollar bills yo! to take a hike.

Whedon comes from a family of Writers. His dad is behind such classics as the The Golden Girls, and the Sesame Street alternative The Electric Company. His brother had his hand in the beautifully demonic yet far from supernatural Deadwood. And they say talent isn't hereditary. He got his first writing credits on the sitcom series' Rosanne and Parenthood. Then out with the big guns, Whedon crafts the original Script of the Film Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Toy Story. Buffy grossed a messily 14 million total at the box office while Toy Story knocked out the competition a 191 Million domestic gross alone. It also snagged him an Oscar nod. After that Whedon was on a new level allowing him to do whatever wanted. Apparently what he wanted was a retake on his vision of Buffy which he felt didn't get the justice it deserved.

Buffy Numbers
Toy Story Numbers
Joss History

So what did he do? He created a show around his Buffy universe. It wasn't picked up by the major 4 networks, but it was snagged by lowly UPN and given a minuscule budget. Despite this, it developed a fan base. A mighty fan base at that, drawing in as many as 6 million viewers a week. Sure it never got the respect from the Emmy's, and for critics it was almost a guilty pleasure, but no one can stop the power of a good story and the fandome it creates. Even after it's 7 season run Whedon felt he had cheated his fans of a true ending so the series continued in comic form to the Buffy "buffs" delight. In 2003 Amazon had it posted as the highest selling DVD and at that same time it was in the top 10 merchandised shows behind classic programing such as Sesame Street and The Simpsons.

Merchandise

And this wasn't just a one time deal. The Buffy Spin off Angel was also a great success but once again the network pulled the plug even though it was pulling in "Buffy" ratings even getting a higher viewer ship for its finale. The network was forced to deal when fans rallied behind the show pledging money for a movie. The Network refused to comment.

Angel Info

And once twice three times a lady. Along comes Whedon again with his Sci-Fi Western which FOX decidedly canceled after airing only 11 of the original 14 episodes without airing the pilot episode and showing the serielized series entirely out of sequence. I mean if that won't bring viewership what will? But the Whedon drones Caused a racus baning their suportive war drums for more of this show and low and behold Universal gave the guy 40 million to make a movie which just became profitable a year and a half after it's release. It's like the little sci fi flick that could. A Sci-Fi western epic for under 40 mill. Not Bad Whedon.....Not bad.

Firefly and Serenity info
Profit Turn

This guy proves all you need is a good story and a fan base that resembles a pack of ravage wolves and then you can do whatever your little occult heart desires.

Whedonesque.com