A week after the WB network announced that it would not renew the show Angel for another season, hundreds of fans of the series turned out in Los Angeles to attend the Wolfram & Hart Annual Review. The event – a fundraiser that raised $18,000 for the Al Wooten Junior Heritage Foundation – also attracted cast and crew from Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Joss Whedon’s critically acclaimed (but still cancelled) Firefly.
Despite several amusing interruptions from Firefly‘s show runner Tim Minear, our roving reporter managed to snag a few of the on-hand celebs to answer some quick PopGurls questions.
Julie Benz
Role in the Buffyverse: Darla on both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel
POPGURLS: If you could write an episode in this universe, who would you kill off and who would your character sleep with?
I would sleep with Angel and Spike together, then I would have to kill myself at the end. It would be too much.
Tim Minear “kindly and graciously” interrupts the interview to talk to Julie. He asks her to consider doing one of his upcoming projects. Perhaps we’ll see her on an upcoming episode of Fox’s Wonderfalls? Mr. willa stands by patiently.
POPGURLS: If you could play a different character for just one episode, who would it be and why?
I would play Joss Whedon. It would be really amazing to live with that mind and creativity. And he doesn’t have to wear any prosthetics.
David Fury
Role in the Buffyverse: Writer, Director and Producer for both Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, and the guy who “got the mustard out” in the BtVS musical “Once More With Feeling”
POPGURLS: If you could change one story line over the course of the series what would it be and why?
I would probably not have raised Cordelia to turn her into a higher power with great wisdom. All the fun of her character came from her ability to speak the truth and be funny, that’s where her wisdom came from.
Tim Minear interrupts David to declare that the most pompous answer he’s ever heard. The two bicker good-naturedly, while Mr. willa stands by.
POPGURLS: Name one Angel episode that you felt was unfairly vilified by the fans.
I’m going to say “Apocalypse, Nowish” by virtue of the Cordelia/Connor hook up.
James C. Leary
Role in the Buffyverse: Played the demon Clem on Buffy The Vampire Slayer
POPGURLS: If you could write an episode in this universe, who would you kill off and who would your character sleep with?
I would sleep with Faith and I would kill off….Spike. We would have a big Kung Fu fight. He wouldn’t be able to get through my folds. That would be my secret weapon.
POPGURLS:If you could play a different character for an episode who would it be and why?
I would be Tara so I would be able to make out with Willow.
Mere Smith
Role in the Buffyverse: Writer, Angel
POPGURLS: If you could change one story line over the course of the series what would it be and why?
I think making Cordy goody-goody, because she then became saintly, and saints aren’t fun!
POPGURLS: Name one episode that you felt was unfairly vilified by the fans.
“Hero.” That was a great episode, but because of the end result, [Doyle’s death], people were up in arms about it.
Jonathan M. Woodward
Role in the Buffyverse: The characters Knox on Angel, Holden Webster on Buffy the Vampire Slayer (and also Tracey on Firefly)
POPGURLS: If you could write an episode of Firefly, who would you kill off and who would your character sleep with?
I think Tracey should sleep with Jayne and then kill him off.
Tim Minear interrupts. Finally realizing that it’s become a habit, Mr. willa stands by patiently.
POPGURLS: If you could change one thing about any of your characters for an episode, what would it be?
I would totally take a crack at Willow, because she is awesome.