frelling_tralk | Sarah Michelle Gellar was "annoyed" to play Buffy

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Sarah Michelle Gellar was "annoyed" to play Buffy

ACTRESS Alyson Hannigan says Buffy co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar was "annoyed" at having to play the vampire fighting hero.
In a TV interview, the How I Met Your Mother star was asked who was most annoyed to be on Buffy the Vampire Slayer by the seventh and final season.

"Sarah," the 39-year-old replied. "Well, she had a big career going on ... It was a lot of work."

Hannigan was then asked after what season did Gellar start hating Buffy.

"Uh, three," Hannigan answered.

Gellar, 36, spoke years ago about the problems she had with committing to a series.

"I was 18 when I started the show; I'm 26. I'm married. I never see my husband [Freddie Prinze Jr.]," she said. "This has been the longest span of my life in one place. There've been times where that's been difficult - you want to pick up and go, try other things, live in different places. It feels right, and you have to listen to that."

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Because it would have been too professional for Alyson to just respond with, "I can't comment on that"?

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I dunno, it's not like SMG made any bones about how unhappy she was the last few years of BtVS.

The quote used was from the seventh season though, and yeah it's well-known that Sarah was tired by then, but I find it hard to believe that she was annoyed and desperate to leave ever since the third season. All she's ever said about it publicly was that she wanted the seventh season to be her last, and then given her reasons why

ETA I suppose the article is aggravating me a bit lol because it feels out of context to include that quote on Sarah wanting to leave when it took place as part of an interview when she was specifically asked to explain why it felt right to bring the show to a close after seven years. It seems off for a fellow actor to suggest that Sarah "hated" working on Bts ever since season 3, and for the interviewer to then use a quote from a specific context to add credence to that

Edited 2013-05-12 14:38 (UTC)

The writer of the article isn't the interviewer. It's just someone picking an old quote to try to back up what Aly said.

I really didn't have a problem with it until she started attempting to defend herself on twitter, ultimately making herself look worse.

I watched the interview and kinda got the impression she was joking about the Season 3 part, but either way she should know better.

Ah okay, thanks!

Do you know where I could find the video? I've only seen what she said in printed form

I'm going to check out the twitter comments as well lol, I'm curious now. I do think people are being more cynical about it quite honestly because Alyson has been very passive-aggressive towards Sarah in the past, i.e the fuss over the Entertainment Weekly article, so people are taking it as another dig towards a fellow actress the way that they might not have if one of the other actors had said something similar

It's from a talk/interview show called Watch What Happens Live. Might be on youtube.

Someone tweeted that it wasn't cool what she said, and she replied it wasn't a diss, Sarah said it in an interview.

I've read a lot of interviews and don't recall anything such as that.

I'm going to check out the twitter comments as well lol, I'm curious now. I do think people are being more cynical about it quite honestly because Alyson has been very passive-aggressive towards Sarah in the past, i.e the fuss over the Entertainment Weekly article, so people are taking it as another dig towards a fellow actress the way that they might not have if one of the other actors had said something similar

Considering how often they still bandy about that stuff regarding EW, I don't think they're cynical about it. People still believe it. Hell, lots of people still say she didn't have onset friends because Aly said it. LOL Considering it's like the third time it's happened, I can't help but think she does it on purpose.

ETA: See? ;)

I'm not even sure why it's getting so much hype, tbh.

Edited 2013-05-12 15:16 (UTC)

I don't even know if I blame AH, to be honest. I heard it got pretty ugly BTS by s7. I don't think any of the cast really got fully over her announcing the show being over via a magazine interview instead of talking with them privately first. I have to admit that if I found out I was unemployed via an article instead of in person and privately, I'd be hurt.

That said, I think that AH could have said no comment more easily than dragging out stuff that's a decade old even if prompted and, frankly, if I'd had to play Buffy in s6 and s7 that I'd be freaking tired of her too!

Wow, she was 18. A lot of us were in college at 18. Imagine being in college for seven years. But hey, she got paid and it was a successful role. Now she's got plenty of money and time to spend with her husband. But I bet she wishes for a really great role now and again.

It's such a long time ago. I don't mind knowing the truth. I've been watching Sarah since she was Kendall on AMC when she was 14. She started working early and it is hard on them when they start so young.

The thing was that when Sarah took part in the EW article to officially announce it,it was already well-known that Buffy was finishing. David Fury also said that they always knew it was a two season pick-up with UPN, just nothing was officially announnced. All season 7 seemed to be about bringing in closure and going back to the beginning. There were many discussions all season about how they would continue the show without Buffy, with plans for a Willow spin-off, or one centered around Dawn or Faith, even a potential slayer school idea. The fans by and large knew that the show was over, that's why there was always so much defensiveness whenever new characters like Dawn's friends in Lessons or the potential slayers got a lot of focus, because fans were worried about them being pushed forward in preparation for the spin-off. So for Alyson to then say that no one on the set had any idea that Bts was ending always struck me as being very disingenuous. Joss actually later came out in response to Alyson's comments to say that it was his responsibility to inform the cast and crew, not Sarah's, and he apologises if anyone felt like they were left in the dark.

But yeah all most fans remembered from that interview was how coldly Alyson painted Sarah, and how she feels horrible for the crew members to have to find out about their jobs ending through a magazine article, even though it didn't seem like there was a lot of truth to that and Nicky Brendon also said at a convention that that's not true and Aly needs to stop saying that

She had just turned 18 when they filmed the unaired pilot I believe, so yeah she was always quite a bit younger than the rest of the cast who were playing teens when they were in their mid-late 20's

Wow ... she definitely could have been a bit more professional about SMG ... I'm sure it was hard for everyone doing a show that went for so many seasons and basically kept you right where you were because of said show. But wow, I would never do that to a coworker ... if SMG wanted to talk about it, she'd talk about it without being forced to ...

Wow.

Ooh, Giles icon is pretty hot and I don't usually find him hot.

Now, however, I may have to go rewatch some Taster's Choice commericials!

:-)

Apparently she's now protesting on twitter that she didn't mean it in a bad way, but yeah I think that if an interviewer is digging for dirt and asks you if any actor was really annoyed with doing the show, that most actors would just respond by laughing it off and you know I can't comment on that :shrugs: She must have been aware that it would stir up some drama to put Sarah's name out there with that association, especially when Sarah already came in for a lot of hate from the fans for being the one to end Buffy (even though Joss also said that he was burnt-out and everyone on staff saw season 7 as the last. Scenes like Faith and Spike flirting in Dirty Girls were specifically included to test out different spin-off ideas)

Edited 2013-05-12 15:45 (UTC)

Especially since watching the season, the only ones of the regulars who didn't act like they were tired to be on the show, were SMG and James.

It's strange that after all these years AH needs to say these things. She could have been far more professional. The are two options: Sarah was really cold and uninterested in the show or Alyson still doesn't like Sarah and needs to express his feelings for her.

I was surprised that alyson would want to beig all that up again, because I got the impression they had put their past problems behind them when Alyson congratulated Sarah on the birth of her her daughter Charlotte

If you want to actually watch the show, it's here.

FWIW, I get the sense that Aly wasn't being malicious - she just wasn't prepared for those types of questions, especially when they're asked in a way that there really is no good answer. Like, she's just listed the cast mates she's still in contact with, and presumably she was trying to be diplomatic in not bringing up Sarah, but they she's asked point-blank about her, so what's she supposed to do? Lie and act like they're BFFs when they're obviously not?

The other two questions were asked in the context of a question game. Sure, she could've said "I won't answer that," but then she looks like a spoil-sport when the whole point of the game is to answer awkward or revealing questions.

Thanks for the link :) I can appreciate her answering the question truthfully when they ask whether she is still in contact with Sarah. Heh that reminds me of a TWOP report when a fan won some competition or other to visit the set and meet Aly and she was saying that Alyson listed the entire cast when asked who she was friendly with on set, then innocently asked did I forget anyone, and the fan had to prompt her to say Sarah's name. So this video probably isn't such a big deal in itself, I guess that a lot of people are responding to it with eye rolling and assuming that Aly was making a jab at Sarah more because she did make a few passive-aggressive swipes when Bts was airing and it's well known that they didn't get on, although it is starting to look like people are overreacting over how she meant it this time

She could have clarified that saying season 3 was a joke though IMO. It's one thing to state that Sarah had enough of the show and was ready to move on by season 7, and another to suggest that Sarah was annoyed by the show ever since season 3 which plays right into the diva rumours

Edited 2013-05-12 19:32 (UTC)

You know, that always seemed weird to me because Sarah doesn't have a twitter or facebook or a public online presence. Knowing that (or maybe Aly didn't know that), it sort of comes off as look at me congratulating instead of actually congratulating.

Rumors abounded while the show was on the air that SMG was all up in AHs face while the show was airing making sure that AHs costumes made her look less attractive than SMG and whittling away AHs dialog so that it never became the Willow show. Considering what happened to Shannan Doherty on Charmed I'm not sure I blame her, but it had to annoy AH. And considering that SMG never befriended her castmates the way they befriended each other I'm not surprised by any of this.

I've never heard that before, there were clashes between Alyson and Sarah by all accounts, but I find it hard to believe that Joss would let Sarah dictate how much dialogue he gave the supporting cast

ETA Joss is supposedly a real stickler for actors not changing dialogue in any way and he wants it said exactly as written, that's why he got so annoyed with Donald Sunderland on the Buffy movie because he kept rewriting everything. Joss complained in interviews that DS was an actor, not a writer, and all his little rewrites didn't make any sense and were ruining the movie. That's part of why he was happy to move to TV, because working on moves led him to believe that the writer got no respect when it come to keeping their words intact

Edited 2013-05-12 21:41 (UTC)

Honestly she should've said that she can't comment on that - after all, it's not her place to - even if it was in a joking way (which it could have been but still... so much flak comes from that. She would've been better not saying anything at all. I can understand where SMG was coming from - a series (and a long one at that) takes A LOT from a person.

There's an ONTD post on it now lol

http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/77732342.html

So yeah, it's defintely stirred up some unnecessary drama

No one wants to hear an actress being careful and acting like everyone is just happy. Hell, we can get that crap on the commentary tracks.

We all want to hear about personal disagreements, drama on the set, Xander's drug and weight problems, Seth Green launching himself into the geek land.

That's the interesting stuff that makes history.

And it's also kind of cool when Michael Boatman is still standing by Charlie Sheen no matter how crazy Sheen gets - to the point of getting work.

After all these years she's getting asked about these things. So she talks about them. No one cares if the cast of Spin City or NYPD Blue likes each other because not many people watch these shows.

However, people still watch Buffy.

It doesn't sound like there are problems.

Really, this is a case of people making mountains out of molehills. If people talk about an old fight because it's a funny anecdote then they do it. Doesn't meant that they are still fighting. Doesn't mean anything except there have been questions.

And Alyson Hannigan is the one that still has a job.

Why not? SHe worked on a show. She knew the person. She knew the drama. People want to know and she isn't sworn to secrecy.

This is the set of a fun vampire show. It's not the FBI.

I'm not sure what Alyson still having a job has to do with anything? No one said anything against Alyson's career, just that it's not all that professional to drag up dirt on your co-worker and suggest that they spend most of the time wanting to leave the show they worked on for a big movie career.

It's just stirring up things unnecessarily when Sarah already came in for a ton of hate from the fans for ending Buffy in season 7, there was no need for someone she worked with to come out and say that actually she wanted to escape Buffy ever since season 3. Yes I'm aware that she was asked which cast member had had enough of the show, but she didn't have to answer like that. Ditto with the end of season 7 when she was so annoyed at Sarah getting the EW cover and solo interview that she came out and complained that Sarah was the only one choosing to end the show and leave everyone in the lurch, even though Joss and Nicky Brendon have both denied that having any truth to it.

Weird how everyone is allowed an opinion and that is mine. If I was part of a show I wouldn't talk shit about someone even if I wasn't friends with them. But to each their own.

Some people just love drama though :\ (and to cause it)

I'll always love SMG no matter what :)

:)

And really with even people like Joss snarking on her in the Firefly commentaries ("bitter like a seven year tv star"), it's like at least she was there and working her ass off for seven years to make the show as good as it could be. Joss left to pursue a new venture with Firefly in season 6 so I absolutely believe him when he says that all the writers were burnt out and ready for the show to end by season 7. (Drew Goddard also said it was a confusing time because he came in all excited to work on the show and half the time the other writers weren't even present and there was no one really running things in the writers room).

Joss was just lucky that he could go do new things and take a break from the show with someone to fill in for him, Sarah had no option but to be on set every day for 15+ hours for 7 years. Yet still it's mostly Sarah alone that gets crap thrown at her for wanting to branch out and not play Buffy forever, as if it was just her personally that decided to end the show

Edited 2013-05-14 15:28 (UTC)

Aly has posted on Twitter and then also more in-depth discussed it on a Huffington Post live interview that she was more caught off-guard by the question. Sarah made a statement on her official FB that she isn't mad at Aly, but is at the situation (I guess that it gone blown out of proportion or maybe what people asked her/said in response?).

Oh that's interesting, I didn't know if Sarah would respond or not. And I can understand that, I think it was the interviewer that was really stirring things up, but I was surprised at the way Alyson responded as the births of their daughters seemed to have put Sarah and Alyson on better terms. I'm glad that I wasn't just imaging that *g*

In a way it's kind of funny to know that Buffy can still cause so much fuss ten years since the last episode aired, it just shows how strong the fandom for still is!

I was surprised (but glad) to see she responded.

The fandom is definitely still strong - which is both awesome and totally crazy. that they still get asked questions and that we still want to know more and more and more.

Hannigan being Hannigan. Major roll eye. Never liked her.

["And considering that SMG never befriended her castmates the way they befriended each other"]

Unsubstantiated rumor. Sarah befriended Boreanaz, Amber Benson, Seth Green and Michelle Trachtenberg for sure and probably others.

["And it's also kind of cool when Michael Boatman is still standing by Charlie Sheen no matter how crazy Sheen gets - to the point of getting work."]

I don't think anything is cool about anybody standing by Sheen.

["And Alyson Hannigan is the one that still has a job."]

What, acting in a stupid sitcom? SMG has done some excellent work in movies since Buffy.

I wanted to clarify my statement. I did not say she did not befriend anyone. I stipulated "the way they befriended each other" meaning supposedly she never attended the out of work events that most of the other cast mates attended like the weekend outings at Whedon's house.

Also, as someone who never attends out of work events, myself I meant no judgment by the statement. I was probably unclear about that.

I saw Aly's "explanation" on HuffPost and then later on another HuffPost interview, Sarah was asked not about the initial comment Aly made but the later one that Sarah worked the hardest - and Sarah per usual talked about how hard everyone worked and how proud she was of the show, etc.

I'm not saying Sarah can't be "difficult" (men are particular women are difficult, blah blah) but somehow everything I hear her say in interviews and things her friends like Seth Green say don't quite square up to that, as opposed to hte stupid things that sometimes come out of Aly's mouth. (I like her performance as Willow but really not impressed with Aly herself at the moment.)

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Sarah Michelle Gellar was "annoyed" to play Buffy

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