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UNCOOLKIDS

Buffy Musical Shut Down (for now)

Help bring it back:
Sign our Buffy Musical appreciation petition.

Sad news today: Buffy (and all other Fox TV shows) have been pulled from theatrical distribution.

    Criterion Pictures notified me last night that Fox has pulled the license for ALL their TV shows from theatrical exhibition. This is effective immediately, and of course includes Buffy and “Once More With Feeling”. This means that we have to cancel all upcoming bookings of the Buffy Musical production. Notice for this was very sudden and unexpected, and I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience it will cause.
    I don’t yet have an official written statement as to why exactly this has happened, but from my understanding the circumstance around the suspension of the rights for our screenings isn’t greed or anything like that - so please don’t use this as an excuse to lash out at Fox. Basically, the idea of presenting television shows in a theatre is so new that there are a lot of details that still need to be resolved around payments of residuals, deals with the guilds and unions, etc (I don’t know any specifics, but these are some of the issues that usually come up). Both Fox and Criterion need to fix some of these issues before they can continue to do any theatrical screenings.
    I would like to state that the sudden timing of this came as a bit of a shock, and as far as The Buffy Musical goes, we were working to be in total compliance with everyone’s rules and wishes. We were always striving to make this official, and we even had Joss Whedon’s blessing at the L.A. Film Festival. To still be unceremoniously cut off is, well, it’s a bit of a downer.

    But what can I do???

      So, is there a glimmer of hope? Well, if a canceled TV series can jump to the big screen, here’s hoping we can find a way to make it work the other way around. If Fox feels that it is worth their time to find a resolution to this issue, then they will certainly do so. If not, then we are back to…well let’s not go there yet.
      What we can do is keep the Buffy Musical fanbase alive and let Fox know that we are here if they want to, you know, take our money in exchange for some Buffy action.
      You can start by singing signing our Buffy Musical appreciation petition. Let them know how much you enjoy the show, or still want to see it come to your area. If we can rally enough fanatical support (and who better than Buffy fans!), perhaps we can convince the powers that be to figure out a negotiation quickly because it will be completely worth their while.
      PS - This doesn’t just apply to “Once More with Feeling”, but to the whole Whedonverse. If screenings of Firefly episodes are selling out, why not let them. I am just focused on OMWF for now because I think it is easiest to get this one through the door, especially with all the momentum we have built up around this particular show (loads of press, national tour). It seems silly to make it stop now. If we can get the musical up and running the rest are sure to follow.

      Cancellation procedures.

        Tickets for St. Louis and L.A. Landmark Theatres shows will be refunded automatically if purchased over the web. All others can be returned at the box office for a full refund. Same goes for any tickets purchased from the Belcourt Theatre in Nashville.
        And there is good news for those of in St. Louis you who don’t want your weekend ruined (think how we feel), the Tivoli is offering free screenings of Serenity each night in replacement of the lost musical nights. It’s our way of saying “sorry for the short notice.”
        Refunds for shows in New York City and the Studio 35 in Columbus are still being organized. I’ll post here as soon as I have more details on those.
          Finally, please feel free to repost this notice and send people to the petition. The more Buffy fans we can get, the better.

        Posted: October 10th, 2007 under Buffy Talk, Upcoming Events.
        Comments: 41

        Comments

        Comment from Jen Strongin
        Time: October 10, 2007, 7:58 pm

        Wholeheartedly support big screen Whedon nights everywhere.
        Give the people what they want !

        Comment from Madeline E-Fic
        Time: October 10, 2007, 9:14 pm

        Please allow theatres to play the Buffy Musical. It’s a really fun event and it reminds us fans of the good times we had during the show’s tv run. Thank you!

        Comment from Jessa Boudreaux
        Time: October 10, 2007, 9:19 pm

        Please don’t take our joy.

        Comment from Headache Slayer
        Time: October 10, 2007, 10:59 pm

        I am SO sorry :*( I’m in FL and was so looking forward to this tour. Buffy has gotten me through some tough times.

        I signed the petition and hope they reconsider.

        Pingback from Mikey Likes TV » Buffy Sing-Along: The Day the Music(al) Died
        Time: October 11, 2007, 1:05 am

        […] We got some unsettling news yesterday. The ever-greedy suits at 20th Century Fox have pulled the plug on the traveling Rocky Horror-style screenings of Buffy’s musical episode, “Once More With Feeling.” The show has had a standing monthly gig here in New York for the last year, and it’s garnered a buttload of attention. You’d think that would please everyone at Fox (continued interest in a long dead show and all), but they decided to pull the license for all their TV shows from theatrical exhibition. Layman’s: unnecessary stomping on harmless fun. […]

        Comment from John
        Time: October 11, 2007, 4:38 am

        I would love to see it come to the NY area. It would be a pleasure to see it in some venue other then the small screen.

        Comment from Blood sucking fiend
        Time: October 11, 2007, 7:55 am

        Let’s still have the Halloween party in New York! We can get a bar or something to have it. We’ve already started working on our costumes. Let’s not go down without a fight!

        Comment from MuscleCrampInYourPants
        Time: October 11, 2007, 9:23 am

        I agree with Blood Sucking Fiend. I’d definitely still dress up just for the sake of it with a whole lot of other fans.

        Comment from David Adams
        Time: October 11, 2007, 11:11 am

        Since OMWF was featured in Entertainment Weekly, has anyone thought of contacting someone at EW about this?

        An article about this would shed alot more light on what’s going on and will help the movement to get this resolved.

        Comment from a reader writes
        Time: October 11, 2007, 1:50 pm

        So instead of developing a revenue stream around this sing-along idea, which is something the public clearly wants to participate in, Fox is pulling rights and sending the phenom back underground. Mainstream Media Morons.

        Comment from Ido
        Time: October 11, 2007, 2:37 pm

        Though I’m European I would probably not be able to attend a further screening, yet I’m politely asking you: Please give the Buffy musical on screen back to the American fans and those in spe :-D

        Pingback from Grr. Argh. « Jeffrey Ricker
        Time: October 11, 2007, 4:08 pm

        […] So this turn of events is the ultimate in poor timing. We were really looking forward to it. Thank heavens I didn’t find a set of blue silk pajamas to dress up in (it’s what Xander wore while he and Anya sang their book number [as opposed to a breakaway pop hit]). […]

        Comment from Puck
        Time: October 11, 2007, 6:09 pm

        arg! what super-fail news! i hope that this change-in-life works out ok for you, clinton.

        Pingback from ghosts are good company » the shoe drops
        Time: October 11, 2007, 7:11 pm

        […] the curator, if you will, of the buffy musical sing-a-long has been notified that “Fox has pulled the license for ALL their TV shows from theatrical exhibition.” […]

        Comment from Stef Emptage
        Time: October 11, 2007, 7:30 pm

        It would be a shame to destroy even more buffy, all we have left is shows such as this or comics :(

        Comment from TA
        Time: October 11, 2007, 9:05 pm

        I was really looking forward to haning out and singing with a group of Buffy Junkies.
        TA

        Comment from Becky Graves
        Time: October 12, 2007, 1:42 pm

        Oh man, I was totally going to go to the Tivoli tomorrow night for this! :( Oh well, I will still head over there for the free Serenity screening. CAN’T STOP THE SIGNAL!!!!!!!!

        Comment from Tara’s Chance
        Time: October 12, 2007, 1:44 pm

        I was going to fly across the country to see this show. I want to see it so badly. I would do anything! Come on FOX! This is ridiculous! Oi Ve!

        Comment from b!X
        Time: October 12, 2007, 6:39 pm

        It hit the AP wire this afternoon, with the first quote from a Fox spokesman.

        Comment from Becky Graves
        Time: October 12, 2007, 7:18 pm

        I posted the story on Digg, and here it is on Yahoo news’s front headlines tonight as well:

        http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071012/ap_on_bi_ge/buffy_sing_along

        Comment from steve
        Time: October 12, 2007, 9:16 pm

        So insane. We really enjoyed the show

        Comment from b!X
        Time: October 13, 2007, 2:42 pm

        Since I’m fairly certain that media people are reading info from here, I’d like to suggest something to those of you writing about this: Without taking anything away from the Sing-Along, please remember that it’s not the only thing impacted here. The first we heard about this move was regarding a monthly Buffy/Firefly event in Oakland.

        As problematic as the move is to the Sing-Along and those behind it, the scope here is wider than one thing, and coverage isn’t quite accurate if it suggests otherwise.

        Secondly, someone please ask Fox why this particular moment is when they did this. What was the trigger?

        Comment from Nancy
        Time: October 14, 2007, 12:38 am

        We are so many Buffy fans, they must bring back the TV Serie Buffy The vampire Slayer, they will be millionarie with so much audience. Please give us more Buffr chapters!

        Comment from Shatter24
        Time: October 15, 2007, 10:15 am

        The show was really good in Bangor. My wife and I attended and had a lot of fun. Its unfortunate the studio has to be such a killjoy. A Buffy, Angel, or Spike movie is probably out of the question until this gets resolved.

        Comment from Janai Lowenstein
        Time: October 15, 2007, 11:13 am

        NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This canNOT be cancelled!!!!! I heard about the EXTRAORDINARY FUN EXPERIENCE from my son in L.A. and was thinking about FLYING to L.A. from Drain, Or. for a future event.

        Does whoever’s thought seed to cancel this GIFT to the universe have any sense of its potential and purpose? Nah. Couldn’t. Or maybe did……..and, once again, from the depths of vampire-ism wanted to destroy the Buff and her team!!!!!!!!

        Comment from Robert Alvarez
        Time: October 15, 2007, 12:42 pm

        I immediately signed the petition, and shall be saying some major Prayers. I have been looking forward to this Friday’s show at IFC Center for almost two weeks now. I assure you, I have no hate for Fox. In the meantime, I, too, must give kudos to Entertainment Weekly for mentioning the Buffy Sing-A-Long. I shall need to renew my subscription.

        All you guys are the best. Stay strong! We shall overcome.

        Goddess Blessings,

        Robert Alvarez.

        Pingback from Fox Ends Midnight Showings of Once More, With Feeling » Great White Snark
        Time: October 15, 2007, 9:48 pm

        […] Now, Fox is raining on the Buffy parade. It has put the kibosh on fan-organized sing-a-longs at midnight showings of the musical episode Once More, With Feeling at movie theaters around the country. (Think Rocky Horror Picture Show for this generation of geeks.) […]

        Comment from Kae Cooney
        Time: October 16, 2007, 2:49 pm

        This is a very sad thing to have happened to Buffy fans and to the Buffy Sing Along group. I am not sure of the reasons WHY it has been shut down, but if it has anything to do with rich people not getting richer off of this event, I will be very disappointed with Fox. What is the explaination, Fox? We want to know why the fun can’t continue.

        Comment from Chris Rickabaugh
        Time: October 19, 2007, 7:25 pm

        Fox is being ridiculous. Give the fans what they want. Without them, where would the networks be?

        Pingback from   Delay Due to Fox… by Buffy Between the Lines
        Time: October 20, 2007, 11:53 am

        […] Due to the current situation with Fox our servers have decided to go on strike until the Buffy Musical is brought back. So maybe you should sign the petition to help this process? […]

        Comment from Maggie Hartman
        Time: October 21, 2007, 10:58 pm

        Bring it back!!! NOW!

        Comment from classless
        Time: October 30, 2007, 5:13 pm

        If you can’t sing along, you can still dance to it:

        http://www.classless.org/2007/10/30/buffy-the-slayer-the-angel-of-death/

        Comment from renton`
        Time: October 31, 2007, 5:39 am

        Just for that, I’m not going to do my planned “24″ sing-a-long tour.

        Damn you, Fox!

        Comment from Stephanie Jones
        Time: November 7, 2007, 9:15 pm

        I really miss Buffy! They had a sing-a-long for the musical in Ann Arbor this year that I wasn’t here for. This is very important.

        Comment from Stretch
        Time: November 8, 2007, 3:20 pm

        Buffy - Buffy come back to me….

        Comment from Nick
        Time: November 15, 2007, 11:44 am

        I’m from the UK and have never had the opportunity to go to one of these events, but would dearly love to one day. C’mon Fox the reason you exist is to provide entertainment for the people and to make money. This is a prime way to do both. Please get the Bufster back on the big screen soon.

        Comment from Jennifer Perkins
        Time: November 28, 2007, 1:17 pm

        Bring back Buffy the Musical!

        Comment from R E G
        Time: February 9, 2008, 1:00 am

        This is too good to sit on a shelf for later generations. Let’s keep enjoying it today !!!!!!!!!!!

        Comment from ben carrillo
        Time: May 12, 2008, 10:37 am

        Please Please please bring this back! I was so excited to hear about this and now its cancelled!!!

        Comment from Becca Martin
        Time: May 16, 2008, 9:42 am

        I want to see this!! Bring Buffy back!!

        Comment from Cheryl Ackerman
        Time: September 22, 2008, 7:00 pm

        I need my Buffy ( specifically …. Spike!)
        BRING BUFFY BACK!!!!!

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