Modern Exposure

a kate west reflection





What IS it with our modern generation and everyone's constant need to over share? I know I sound old when I say this, but back in my day, we never told each other every single detail of our lives. None of this minute-to-minute update of life's minutia, sexual exploits, bathroom habits, every single damn thing each of us is thinking every single second. I don't need to know all that and neither does the rest of the world. What happened to privacy, decorum, tact and just plain class? Kids these days demand screaming attention in order to validate their existence and are uncomfortable with the more reserved. Isn't one of life's mysteries the actual mystery? And do I even have to complain about people on their cellphones? Private is now public apparently. Maybe this is an American problem and Europeans are grown ups and Americans are children. I often think so.

In any case, no wonder we exalt celebrities and people get famous simply for being famous and not for contributing significantly to society. We are fascinated with the fishbowl culture of needing to know everything about their private lives. Is it because it makes us feel better or are we just nosy? Believe it or not, I know next to nothing about several nameless super celebs apparently in the news lately - I don't watch FOX News or read PEOPLE and am told that I can't help knowing about it since that knowledge is everywhere, but honest to God, since I'm not looking for it or talking about it, I've missed it. Hooray for me.

Granted I watch too much television (but at least not the commercials). So I need to get back to reading. And avoiding the fishbowl. Yes, I will keep blogging (oh hush)!

p.s. And while I'm in the mood, can I once again complain about television characters mentioning other television characters from shows on the same network? Tacky boo. Oh and is it just me, or is it enough already with self-congratulating, self-absorbed Hollywooders and their insider everything (Oscars especially)? Ugh.

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Quarterlife

Quarterlife Trailer

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a kate west reflection

"Quarterlife" is the latest offering by Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick (of the poignantly talky shows "thirtysomething", "Once and Again" and "My So-Called Life"). But rather than premiere it on television, they're taking the modern route by posting it on the Internet and more specifically, everyone's main source of networking, MySpace.com. A natural incarnation of the blog frenzy among our youth, "Quarterlife" depicts the angst we all experienced fresh out of college, when we were liberally over-educated but working in a coffee shop. It should speak volumes to anyone of a certain generation.

As in their other projects, Herskovitz/Zwick gives us lots of dialogue, little action and mucho reflection. It can be a little boring (and certainly whiny) in parts, although you may also find it hits all too close to home. To paraphrase cast member Laura Carson, "Quarterlife is the twenty-something's identity crisis. In other words, Life."

Series Directed by:
Marshall Herskovitz (2 episodes, 2007)

Series Writing Credits:
Devon Gummersall (2 episodes, 2007)
Marshall Herskovitz (2 episodes, 2007)
Edward Zwick (unknown episodes)

Series Cast:
Bitsie Tulloch ... Dylan / ... (5 episodes, 2007)
Mike Faiola ... Eric (4 episodes, 2007)
Scott M. Foster (1 episode, 2007)
David Walton ... Danny (unknown episodes)
Michelle Lombardo ... Debra (unknown episodes)
Maite Schwartz ... Lisa (unknown episodes)
Barret Swatek ... Brittany (unknown episodes)
Kevin Christy ... Andy (unknown episodes)
Barbara Williams ... Maggie (unknown episodes)
Jill E. Alexander ... Mary (unknown episodes, 2007)
Adam Bobrow ... Young Man (unknown episodes, 2007)
Lolita Davidovich ... Mindy Krieger (unknown episodes, 2007)
Emily Happe ... Intern (unknown episodes, 2007)
George Ketsios ... Richard (unknown episodes, 2007)
James Kiriyama-Lem ... Husband (unknown episodes, 2007)
Rodrigo Lopresti ... Claude Sabbatier (unknown episodes, 2007)
Bree Turner ... Carly (unknown episodes, 2007)
Laura Carson ... Editor (unknown episodes)
Will Tiao ... Editor (unknown episodes)

www.quarterlife.com
www.myspace.com

More Herskovitz/Zwick:
thirtysomething

Once and Again Seasons 1 & 2 Bundle DVD Set

My So-Called Life - The Complete Series (w/ Book) Read more!

Wolves

Wolves
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Wolves never had it easy. Although Wolves are considered endangered and protected in most of America (at least in 48 states anyway), Gray Wolves (sometimes called Timber Wolves and the largest member of the Canine Family) are still hunted down in places like Alaska. There is some light at the end of the tunnel however, due to reintroduction strategies like bringing wolves back to Yellowstone Park.

The bad rap comes mostly from the rich folklore and mythology throughout the ages. Usually cast as the villain, the insatiably bloodthirsty wolf menaces little girls and defenceless women. In reality, however, wolves very rarely attack humans and in fact have a complex and strict social order to keep them in check. They are strongly loyal family members and are quite intelligent. True, they hunt in packs, which can seem fearfully intimidating, but it is this discipline which helps them survive and maintain order.

So instead of reviling them, we should show more respect and honor to these noble beasts. Any wild animal is dangerous, of course, so admire them from a distance please.

Visit Wolves:
www.wolfmountain.com

Read More About It
In Barry Lopez's:
Of Wolves and Men Read more!

SF Giants

The San Francisco Giants
a kate west reflection
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com



I became a real San Francisco Giants fan in about 1993. Before that, I became mildly interested in the sport itself after re-watching "Field of Dreams" (originally released in 1989). I asked my Dad why we had never played catch. Because I'm a girl? So I had to go out and buy a baseball and glove. And a Louisville Slugger bat, for good measure. One of the only times I visited a sporting goods store back then. (Before I tried hiking, rock climbing, martial arts, yoga and now marathon running, of course!)

Anyway, baseball to me now symbolizes old Americana, the simple perfection of a game played in a sacred circle. I love it. And home runs are spectacular, but not the heart of the game. It's really about strategy, inching your way around the circle with bunts, line drives, doubles and triples. Just don't ask me to explain the infield fly rule. Baseball is good when it's heroic, when a team member sacrifices himself for the good of the win, when fans cry their hearts out over losses and lose their minds in ecstasy when they win. Peanuts, popcorn and cracker jack, hot dogs and now burritos, nachos and gourmet coffee. Opening Day used to be as exciting as a theatrical Opening Night. It used to be that die hard loyal fans were rewarded with playoff tickets and maybe getting to see their team make it all the way to the World Series. Then you know you're really in the "Show" (the big leagues). In "The Iowa Baseball Confederacy" by W. P. Kinsella ("Shoeless Joe" a.k.a. "Field of Dreams" author) said that theoretically baseball could go on forever. You could just tie it up in extra innings and have the quintessential existential game. Theoretically. Now that's poetry.

Back then the Giants played in Candlestick Park. (I sound like New York old timers who lamented their team moving to the west coast decades ago.) It got so cold with the wind from the bay that you could earn a Croix de Candlestick pin for sticking out extra innings. I remember Will Clark, Robby Thompson, steadfast Matt Williams, J.T. Snow, Jeff Kent, Rod Beck, Willie McGee, John Burkett, Kirt Manwaring, Robb Nen and of course, Barry Bonds (pictured below). Remember Robby Thompson out with a busted cheekbone in '93? Wasn't that against the Padres? We saw our guys come so close and do battle against the hated Braves, Cardinals and most notoriously the stupid Los Angeles Dodgers. Sorry, but as a Giants fan, I'm practically obligated to hate the Blue Team.

Dusty Baker was my first manager - I saw him all the way to the Series against the Anaheim Angels in 2002. I was out of town camping during that time and left secure in the knowledge they had it wrapped up. I had no electricity (or water) for three days and on October 27 driving back home I innocently turned on the radio thinking I could catch the wrap up. Imagine my surprise when it was Game 7 and the Giants were (yikes!) losing. I think that was the beginning of the end for me. Not because of the loss, although that really hurt (not as disillusioning as my Dad's heartbreak over JFK, Bobby, Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, but still). No, it was mostly because from 1993 to 2007, the Giants ended up with a brand new ballpark, two new managers and a whole new team except for the ever-controversial Barry Bonds. I'm pretty loyal in general, but in this case whom am I really following anymore? It's not that I don't like baseball anymore; I will forever love the game (it can be so glorious), but I just can't get into following a team, getting my heart broken and then having to learn a whole new lineup.

So now I enjoy my baseball in cinematic tributes and in enjoying countless retellings of people's first times. The green ballpark, the crack of the bat, the call of the vendors, endless renditions of our national anthem and of course, "Take Me Out To The Ballgame". I once made a bet with my brother that baseball was probably the sport most recreated on film. He named all the football movies he could think of and I named all the baseball films. I won. I could be wrong, but it was a pretty casual bet. And there are a lot of baseball movies. And novels. Small wonder - it's a great sport and so suprisingly lyrical, if you know where to look. All is well now with my brother, by the way, as he did take me to Cooperstown, Yankee Stadium AND the 2005 All Star Game. So I won't give up going to a game once in a while, I just need a little break. Or maybe some time in the Minors (as long as I still get to sit behind home plate).

Classics:
Total Baseball, Completely Revised and Updated: The Ultimate Baseball Encyclopedia (Total Baseball)

The Baseball Encyclopedia: The Complete and Definitive Record of Major League Baseball (Baseball Encyclopedia)

Great Baseball Films:
Field of Dreams (Widescreen Two-Disc Anniversary Edition)

The Natural (Director's Cut)

A League of Their Own (Special Edition)

Bull Durham

The Rookie (Widescreen Edition)

61*

The Bad News Bears

Famous Red Sox Fan:
Read more!

Sunflowers, Cacti and Camping, from Van Gogh to Joshua Tree

Sunflower and Cactus
a kate west reflection









I can't explain it but I'm fascinated by sunflowers. I think because they really are sunny and open and obvious. So maybe I can explain it. And I don't remember where it may have started but I have a great picture of me in front of a huge field of sunflowers somewhere in Austria, which I suppose I'll have to scan onto here at some point. My aunt is a really good amateur painter so I gave her the photo to recreate but she ended up painting me out of it. Boo. Nice looking sunflowers though. They just make me happy when I look at them, more than any other kind of flower.


Van Gogh loved sunflowers. His "Sunflowers" (left) are an abstract version of the real thing and really bring out that yellow intensity. But then again, everything about him was strong and intense, so they're the perfect flower study for him. It's a little cliché to be into Van Gogh, but there's no denying he was a colorful tradition-defying artist and did everything bigger than life, making it all that much more real. To simplify a point.

Van Gogh Images:
Van Gogh's Van Goghs





















And apparently I'm also into cactus. Or cacti. I never liked the desert before, but have developed quite an affinity for it the past couple of years. And I definitely do know where that started - my three day camping trip in Joshua Tree (see below). I have one cactus (which I named Harris) I received as a housewarming plant years ago and it's one of the only plants I haven't killed off, so I've greatly admired his hardiness.

Then I started thinking about the design of cacti and how they're able to survive in such harsh conditions and my appreciation grew. I have a second cactus now, a smaller one, called Walter and have dreams of cultivating my own beautiful cactus garden someday. Maybe when I have my own house with a huge backyard, big dog and maybe even a hammock. Sigh.

Best cactus garden around: www.huntington.org



Joshua Tree
a kate west reflection





So my trip to Joshua Tree a few years ago. It was a three day trek and climb, meaning camping out for two nights, hiking and rock climbing under the October stars. It was an incredible experience being out in the desert for three days. The cool thing about that environment is the silence. It's not just quiet, everything seems like it's under a big dome, a thudding kind of quiet. You feel really alive and realize that the desert itself is full of life, in spite of it's outer wear seeming the opposite. It is a truly beautiful place and I finally get why people go to commune there or have vision quests, though hell will freeze over before you catch me at the Burning Man Festival.
Read more!

The Simpsons Movie

The Simpsons Movie
a kate west favorite

It's only been a couple of decades in the making, but The Simpsons Movie is finally here! My brother and I have pretty much every episode memorized, between the two of us, so this is big deal for me. So much of my daily vocabulary is thanks to them. Mmmmm! D'oh! Woo-hoo! Mmh-mmh-mmh? (how does one spell that, anyway?) Excellent! Hah-hah! And HA! I'm a fan, in the very fanatic sense of the word. I even went to a Kwik-E-Mart early one Saturday morning to try a squishee. And the next day I had a pink doughnut. Mmmmm. Sometimes I'm mercilessly drawn to pop culture consumerism. I designed a Simpsons character for Kate West. See?



Anyway, I had great fun at the movie. It's one big long episode, really, but that's the fun of The Simpsons. We love them and want to see them in their element, with Homer doing something colossally stupid, this time on pretty much a national scale. He ruins the environment in Springfield, causing the evil government, run by Arnold Schwarzenegger (NOT Rainier Wolfcastle), to put a dome over the town. His family escapes through a sinkhole before the town can lynch him and they end up in Alaska, of all places. The main voice actors are featured, and I'm sure many people will complain about not seeing enough of their favorites, but the movie runs under two hours, so they can't fit everyone in. It's nice to see Bart appreciating Flanders, for once, and to see Marge being open and emotional with Homer. (You know all will be forgiven in the end, right?) The regular scenes are morphed into bigger emotional arcs, fit for the big screen. Fun sight gags and satirical references (you'll love "Spider-Pig" - so gloriously dumb), and of course you have to stay for the end credits. Well, I didn't, but that's not your problem.

Voice Actors in the Movie:
Julie Kavner as Marge

Nancy Cartwright as Bart/Maggie/Ralph/Nelson/Todd Flanders/TV Daughter/Woman on Phone

Yeardley Smith as Lisa

Harry Shearer as Scratchy/Mr. Burns/Rev. Lovejoy/Ned Flanders/Lenny/Skull/President Arnold Schwarzenegger/Kent Brockman/Principal Skinner/Dr. Hibbert/Smithers/Toll Booth Man/Guard/Otto/Kang

Hank Azaria as Professor Frink/Comic Book Guy/Moe/Chief Wiggum/Lou/Carl/Cletus/Bumblebee Man/Male EPA Worker/Dome Depot Announcer/Kissing Cop/Carnival Barker/Counter Man/Apu/Drederick Tatum/Sea Captain/EPA Passenger/Robot/Dr. Nick

Marcia Wallace as Mrs. Krabappel

Billie Joe Armstrong as Himself
Tre Cool as Himself (Green Day) (voice) (as Frank Edwin Wright III)
Mike Dirnt as Himself (voice) (as Michael Pritchard)

Tress MacNeille as Sweet Old Lady/Colin/Mrs. Skinner/Nelson's Mother/Pig/Cat Lady/Female EPA Worker/G.P.S. Woman/Cookie Kwan/Lindsey Naegle/TV Son/Medicine Woman/Girl on Phone

Pamela Hayden as Milhouse/Rod Flanders

Joe Mantegna as Fat Tony

Albert Brooks as Russ Cargill (voice) (as A. Brooks)

Russi Taylor as Martin

Directed by
David Silverman

Writing credits
James L. Brooks (screenplay) &
Matt Groening (screenplay) &
Al Jean (screenplay) &
Ian Maxtone-Graham (screenplay) &
George Meyer (screenplay) &
David Mirkin (screenplay) &
Mike Reiss (screenplay) &
Mike Scully (screenplay) &
Matt Selman (screenplay) &
John Swartzwelder (screenplay) &
Jon Vitti (screenplay)
Joel Cohen (consultant writer) &
John Frink (consultant writer) &
Tim Long (consultant writer) &
Michael Price

Worth seeing for Simpsons fans. And if you are one of the remaining holdouts and have never seens a Simpsons episode, you may as well start with this:

The Simpsons - The Complete First Season

www.simpsonsmovie.com
www.simpsonizeme.com Read more!

300

300 - Film
a kate west reflection















I'm not a fan of video-game film directing. By that I mean the screen looks like a live action video game, with all that frantic swirling camerawork that drives me crazy (the number one reason I couldn't watch television's "NYPD Blue" is that it made me dizzy). I realize I'm referencing a few different styles here, but to me it all comes from that same adolescent ADD* need to be fast and hip and isn't a truly sophisticated style. "300" is the latest version of this, combining Frank Miller's graphic novel with a computer generated slickness geared toward male teenagers blood lust.

"300" is the story of the battle of Thermopylae between the Spartans and the Persians, fought roughly about 480 B.C. Basically it's the heroic three day stand of King Leonidas of Sparta (Gerard Butler) and his loyal 300 soldiers against at least half a million Persians led by King Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro) and his "Immortals". At the cliffs of Thermopylae (a.k.a. the "Hot Gates"), the Spartans hold off the advancing hordes, but are betrayed by Ephialtes, a disfigured Spartan who knows a secret path to get around the pass, thus enabling the Persians to flank and surround the desperate Spartans. Despite sure defeat, they fight gallantly and indeed crush many more Persians than seems strategically possible before being cut down by a rain of arrows. This battle is often used as an example of extreme valiance in the face of insurmountable odds.

It's a great story, but I'm not into this retelling. Profound characterization can be lost when filmmakers get too graphic (as in computer graphics - I can take graphic violence like the best of them) . I left adolescence long ago but I do understand the appeal - the poster is very exciting, but the movie itself is pretty soulless. Not really my look either. The characters are fairly one-dimensional, especially the evil Persians with all their sexy eye liner countering the straight and true manliness of the Spartans. Please - it's a video game. I'd rather read a book. I love "The Matrix" (or at least the first one). Yes, it's a totally different style. But pure flashiness does not a movie make. At least it's not a Michael Bay movie. Points for that.

Director:
Zack Snyder

Producers:
Gianni Nunnari
Mark Canton
Bernie Goldmann
Jeffrey Silver
Distributed by Warner Brothers

Writers:
Zack Snyder (Screenplay)
Kurt Johnstad (Screenplay)
Frank Miller (Graphic Novel)

Cast:
Gerard Butler as King Leonidas: King of Sparta
Lena Headey as Queen Gorgo: Leonidas' wife
David Wenham as Dilios: Narrator and Spartan soldier
Dominic West as Theron: A corrupt Spartan politician
Michael Fassbender as Stelios: Young and spirited Spartan soldier
Vincent Regan as Captain Artemis: Leonidas' loyal captain and friend
Rodrigo Santoro as King Xerxes: King of Persia
Andrew Tiernan as Ephialtes: Deformed Spartan outcast
Andrew Pleavin as Daxos: Arcadian soldier
Tom Wisdom as Astinos: Captain Artemis' eldest son
Giovani Cimmino as Pleistarchos: Leonidas' son
Stephen McHattie as The Loyalist: A loyal Spartan politician
Peter Mensah as Persian messenger
Kelly Craig as Oracle girl
Tyler Neitzel as Young Leonidas
Robert Maillet as Über Immortal (Giant)

Music:
Tyler Bates

Cinematographor:
Larry Fong

Editor:
William Hoy

*ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder): a persistent pattern of inattention and hyperactivity or both, usually in younger individuals.

Film:
300 (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Graphic Novel:
300

Plutarch's Version:
On Sparta (Penguin Classics)

The Matrix:
The Matrix
Read more!

An Inconvenient Truth

An Inconvenient Truth
a kate west reflection
www.climatecrisis.net





If you haven't seen former Vice President Al Gore's movie by now, God help you when you're baking in the record-breaking heat each summer and freezing in unprecedented colder and colder winters. Our dependency on domestic and foreign oil will be our undoing as America consistently fails to be the environmental leader we know we should be. Other nations have adopted "green" standards and as the wealthiest superpower, we should have done so as well, a long time ago. Solar and wind power are only two options. More hybrid cars, more fuel alternatives - these are all no-brainers! To have to fight against corporate lobbyists who deny their countrymen the freedom to help the planet is criminal. Yes, global warming is real. The rest of the world is already well aware of it.

The movie is in documentary style, with charts and graphs and lectures by Al Gore and a team of scientists and it's all fascinating. And important. Hopefully, most of us already know most of this already - melting glaciers, disappearing species, more droughts, fires, heat waves, hurricanes and all kinds of other natural disasters coming our way. It's not too late to help the next generation though. Start today.

For more info, catch "The Green" on the Sundance Channel (www.sundancechannel.com) and "Planet Earth" on the Discovery Channel (dsc.discovery.com).

Listen to Al Gore - this time he really knows what he's talking about. You know that this, along with universal health care, will be the main political issues next election, right?

Directed by
Davis Guggenheim

Produced by
Lawrence Bender .... producer
Scott Z. Burns .... producer
Lesley Chilcott .... co-producer
Lesley Chilcott .... line producer
Davis Guggenheim .... executive producer
Jeffrey D. Ivers .... executive producer (as Jeff Ivers)
Laurie Lennard .... producer (as Laurie David)
Jeff Skoll .... executive producer
Ricky Strauss .... executive producer
Diane Weyermann .... executive producer Read more!

Frasier

Frasier
a kate west favorite




For those of you already familiar with the series, you know Psychiatrist Frasier Crane (Kelsey Grammer) used to hang out in the Bostonian bar at Cheers (of the hit show of the same name) and then moved back home to Seattle, Washington to star in his own radio program. Spin-offs can be annoyingly lame corporate marketing attempts, but this one was really superior. Great writing, great characters and great acting sell it all. You may see a few familiar "Cheers"faces too.

The basics: Crane bonds with his estranged father, Martin Crane (John Mahoney), and fussbudget little brother Niles (David Hyde Pierce). His assistant Roz Doyle (Peri Gilpin) offers lots of sassy comedic moments, along with Dan Butler's neurotically overcompensating Bulldog Briscoe. Crane hires a kooky housekeeper, Daphne Moon (Jane Leeves) from Manchester, England, who inspires Niles to a true romantic ideal. I won't go into details here as most people have seen the show. And if not, do Netflix it.

What I really want to know is - how, in eleven whole seasons, did Niles never waver for his love for Daphne? C'mon, do guys really pine away like that? Is it really possible - the whole torch-carrying thing? I'm sorry, I don't want to be bitter, but every time a guy breaks up with me, he immediately starts dating again and 80% of the time finds his true love. Right after me. So does that make me easy to get over or just really good practice? O.K. that sounded a little bitter. And maybe a bit off the subject. Didn't mean to, just trying to figure guys out. And I don't get asked out all that much. I know, go figure. In real life, you know how it is - the guys you like don't like you back or you don't like the ones that like you. The trick is in two people liking each other at the same time. And then liking each other for a while. What are the odds.

But I guess that's part of the show's appeal. It's idealized romance, or what you want to be true. The characters are silly and flawed and still manage to find happiness. Granted, after a long, long time. Kudos, though, to the writers for leading us to hope that it can happen for us too.

So we'll see.



The Cast:
Kelsey Grammer - (Frasier Crane)
David Hyde Pierce - (Niles Crane)
John Mahoney - (Martin Crane)
Jane Leeves - (Daphne Moon)
Peri Gilpin - (Roz Doyle)
Dan Butler - (Bulldog Briscoe)
Moose the Dog - (Eddie, the dog)

Series Directed by:
David Lee (41 episodes, 1993-2004)
Kelsey Grammer (38 episodes, 1996-2004)
Pamela Fryman (33 episodes, 1997-2001)
James Burrows (32 episodes, 1993-1997)
Sheldon Epps (22 episodes, 1998-2004)
Philip Charles MacKenzie (21 episodes, 1995-1996)
Jeffrey Melman (19 episodes, 1995-1998)
Katy Garretson (11 episodes, 1999-2004)
Scott Ellis (9 episodes, 2000-2004)
Andy Ackerman (8 episodes, 1993-1995)
Wil Shriner (8 episodes, 2000-2003)
Robert H. Egan (5 episodes, 1999-2001)
Jerry Zaks (4 episodes, 2002-2003)
Rick Beren (2 episodes, 1994)
Gordon Hunt (2 episodes, 1996-1997)
Cynthia Popp-Landsberger (2 episodes, 2002-2004)

Series Writing Credits:
David Angell (53 episodes, 1993-2002)
Peter Casey (53 episodes, 1993-2002)
Glen Charles (51 episodes, 1993-2002)
Les Charles (51 episodes, 1993-2002)
David Lee (51 episodes, 1993-2002)
Joe Keenan (24 episodes, 1994-2004)
Danita Jones (23 episodes, 2002-2003)
Lori Kirkland (19 episodes, 1998-2004)
Christopher Lloyd (18 episodes, 1993-2004)
Anne Flett-Giordano (17 episodes, 1993-1997)
Chuck Ranberg (16 episodes, 1993-1997)
David Lloyd (15 episodes, 1994-2001)
Bob Daily (15 episodes, 1999-2004)
Sam Johnson (15 episodes, 1999-2004)
Chris Marcil (15 episodes, 1999-2004)
Jon Sherman (15 episodes, 1999-2004)
Rob Hanning (14 episodes, 1997-2002)
Rob Greenberg (11 episodes, 1996-1999)
Jeffrey Richman (10 episodes, 1997-2004)
David Isaacs (9 episodes, 1994-2004)
Suzanne Martin (8 episodes, 1996-1998)
Jay Kogen (8 episodes, 1997-2000)
Eric Zicklin (8 episodes, 2000-2003)
Ken Levine (7 episodes, 1994-2004)
Linda Morris (7 episodes, 1994-1996)
Vic Rauseo (7 episodes, 1994-1996)
Dan O'Shannon (7 episodes, 1999-2002)
Saladin K. Patterson (7 episodes, 2000-2003)
Heide Perlman (7 episodes, 2001-2004)
Sy Dukane (5 episodes, 1993-1994)
Denise Moss (5 episodes, 1993-1994)
Steven Levitan (4 episodes, 1994-1996)
Mark Reisman (4 episodes, 1999-2001)
Patricia Breen (4 episodes, 2002-2004)
Michael B. Kaplan (3 episodes, 1996-1997)
Jack Burditt (3 episodes, 1996)
Janis Hirsch (3 episodes, 1998-1999)
Gayle Abrams (3 episodes, 2000-2002)
Leslie Eberhard (2 episodes, 1993)
Don Seigel (2 episodes, 1994-1995)
Elias Davis (2 episodes, 1995)
David Pollock (2 episodes, 1995)
Dan Cohen (2 episodes, 1996-1997)
F.J. Pratt (2 episodes, 1996-1997)
William Lucas Walker (2 episodes, 1997)
Charlie Hauck (2 episodes, 1999-2000)
Alex Gregory (2 episodes, 1999)
Peter Huyck (2 episodes, 1999)

Season One:
Frasier - The Complete First Season

Even Funnier:
Seinfeld - The Complete Series Read more!

8 Simple Rules

8 Simple Rules
a kate west reflection






Dear John,

I'm sorry I missed you in the first couple of seasons of "8 Simple Rules". I only caught part of the third and last season so I really didn't get to see you spar with your annoying t.v. neighbors, love your t.v. wife or lecture your t.v. children. I tuned in on reruns when they were all lamenting your passing. I'm so sorry. But you've really got to hand it to the writers - they did a fine and sensitive job incorporating those inner and outer worlds (with the exception of the what-were-they-thinking "Freaky Friday" episode - ick). That's what grabbed my attention in the first place. I was intrigued by the genuine emotion from the actors. It really helped audiences deal.

Kaley Cuoco and Amy Davidson are evenly matched sparring night-and-day sisters as the blonde peppy Bridget and the red-headed passionate Kerry and Martin Spanjers is adorable as your son Rory. Oh and I'm a big fan of Katey Sagal - she was so great as your grieving widow Cate. Did you get to work with James Garner as your father-in-law? Classic. Or David Spade as your cousin-in-law C.J.? Love the sarcastic one-liners.

I never read W. Bruce Cameron's original book "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter" but I love the idea. I'll have to order a copy from Amazon now. And I'll have to Netflix your earlier episodes. It really is a charming show and I know everyone still misses you terribly. I watch when I can.

The 8 Simple Rules:
Rule One: If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure as heck not picking anything up.

Rule Two:: You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.

Rule Three: I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, In order to assure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric staple gun and fasten your trousers securely in place around your waist.

Rule Four: I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate: when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I WILL kill you.

Rule Five: In order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is "early."

Rule Six: I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make YOU cry.

Rule Seven: As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process which can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

Rule Eight: The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places lacking parents, policemen, or nuns. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka zipped up to her chin. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which feature chainsaws are okay. Hockey games are okay.


Goodnight John. Rest well.

Love,

Kate


Actors
John Ritter: Paul Hennessy (d. September 11, 2003)
Katey Sagal: Cate Hennessy
James Garner: Grandpa Jim
Kaley Cuoco: Bridget Hennessy
Amy Davidson: Kerry Hennessy
Martin Spanjers: Rory Hennessy
David Spade: C.J.

Production Credits:
W. Bruce Cameron (Book Author)
Lori Openden (Casting)
Tony Askins (Cinematographer)
Dan Foliart (Composer (Music Score))
Gil Junger (Director)
Joe Bergen (Editor)
Michael Bostick (Executive Producer)
Flody Suarez (Executive Producer)
Tom Shadyac (Executive Producer)
Tracy Gamble (Executive Producer)
Franco E. Bario (Producer)
Jay Pelissier (Production Designer)
Tracy Gamble (Screenwriter)


The Book:
8 Simple Rules For Dating My Teenage Daughter Read more!

Star Trek:Voyager

Star Trek: Voyager
a kate west favorite




(Jeri Ryan as Borg refugee Seven of Nine)

The Star Trek phenomenon is like no other. Before I started reading Issac Asimov, my introduction to science fiction consisted of me being mesmerized by reruns of the original and retro-heroic 1960's "Star Trek". I had a crush on Spock (Leonard Nimoy), my first cold intellectual. And then William Shatner was a nicely virile and quite hammy Captain Kirk, of course. I loved that show so much. James Doohan and his dire technological predictions as Scotty. George Takei as Sulu and Walter Koenig as Chekov and DeForest Kelley as "He's dead, Jim" Bones. And Nichelle Nichols as Lieutenant Uhura - a woman on the bridge of a starship! (Ask me if I know someone who looks like her). I saw every episode a hundred times and wished there were more. Wouldn't it be great to attend Starfleet Academy? I just couldn't get into "Next Generation" really. It didn't speak to me. I discovered "Deep Space Nine" well after it aired, but before that:

Came "Star Trek: Voyager". With a woman captain! And a female head engineer! And a converted Borg drone who becomes an essential member of the crew. Plus heartfelt story lines, emotional character development and lots of action. The Borg, introduced in "Next Generation" are featured prominently, once again threatening to assimilate inferior species ("Resistance is futile"). Lots of characters and lots of aliens, even a surprise visit from the annoying Q (John de Lancie).

Captain Janeway (the Katherine Hepburnesque Kate Mulgrew) has to lead her crew back to Earth in the Alpha Quadrant after getting lost in the Delta Quadrant, which is so far away, I can't even show you the map. Everyone is likeable and interesting, like Ethan Phillips as the Talaxian Neelix and Robert Picardo as the holographic doctor who learns what it means to be human. Roxann Dawson is the hot-blooded, half-Klingon, afore-mentioned Engineer B'Elanna Torres. She butts heads with anyone and everyone, until she learns to control that temper (sort of). They even have a Native American, First Officer Chakotay (Robert Beltran), complete with facial tattoos. Head of the rebel Maquis, he has to make some compromises in order to work with the Federation. Robert Duncan McNeill is the cavalier Tom Paris, best pilot in the quadrant and his buddy Harry Kim (Garrett Wong) helps him create black and white holonovels. And yes, they have their own Vulcan too, Tuvok (Tim Russ).

There's lots more and it's all fascinating. Totally fun in reruns. Look it up. Or rent it. It wasn't as popular as the other new Star Treks unfortunately (and I never could get into "Battlestar Galactica", sorry). But it did run for seven seasons. And I loved it. I know. I'm a dork. Live long and prosper.

Series Directed by:
David Livingston (29 episodes, 1995-2001)
Winrich Kolbe (19 episodes, 1995-2000)
Allan Kroeker (14 episodes, 1997-2001)
Michael Vejar (13 episodes, 1997-2001)
Terry Windell (11 episodes, 1999-2001)
Cliff Bole (10 episodes, 1995-1999)
Alexander Singer (10 episodes, 1995-1998)
Les Landau (9 episodes, 1995-2000)
LeVar Burton (8 episodes, 1995-2001)
JesúsSalvadorTreviño(5 episodes, 1997-1998)
James L. Conway (4 episodes, 1995-1996)
Kim Friedman (4 episodes, 1995)
RobertDuncanMcNeill(4 episodes, 1996-2000)
Anson Williams (4 episodes, 1997-1999)
Jonathan Frakes (3 episodes, 1995-1996)
Robert Scheerer (2 episodes, 1995-1997)
Marvin V. Rush (2 episodes, 1996-1997)
Robert Picardo (2 episodes, 1997-1999)
Kenneth Biller (2 episodes, 1997-1998)
Nancy Malone (2 episodes, 1997-1998)
Andrew Robinson (2 episodes, 1997-1998)
Allan Eastman (2 episodes, 1998-1999)
John T. Kretchmer (2 episodes, 1998-1999)
Victor Lobl (2 episodes, 1998)
Roxann Dawson (2 episodes, 1999-2001)
John Bruno (2 episodes, 1999-2000)

Series Writing Credits:
Brannon Braga (50 episodes, 1995-2001)
Joe Menosky (37 episodes, 1995-2000)
Kenneth Biller (35 episodes, 1995-2001)
Bryan Fuller (21 episodes, 1997-2001)
Michael Taylor (20 episodes, 1998-2001)
Jeri Taylor (19 episodes, 1995-1998)
Michael Piller (14 episodes, 1995-1998)
Robert Doherty (14 episodes, 1998-2001)
Rick Berman (13 episodes, 1995-2001)
Lisa Klink (13 episodes, 1995-1998)
Mike Sussman (11 episodes, 1996-2001)
Raf Green (8 episodes, 2000-2001)
André Bormanis (7 episodes, 1997-2001)
Jimmy Diggs (6 episodes, 1995-1999)
Gene Roddenberry (5 episodes, 1995-1998)
Mark Gaberman (5 episodes, 1996-2001)
Andrew Price (5 episodes, 1996-2001)
Nick Sagan (5 episodes, 1998-1999)
Harry 'Doc' Kloor (4 episodes, 1997-1998)
James Kahn (4 episodes, 2000-2001)
Phyllis Strong (4 episodes, 2000-2001)
Ronald Wilkerson (3 episodes, 1995-2000)
Robin Bernheim (3 episodes, 2000)
Greg Elliot (2 episodes, 1995-1998)
Steve J. Kay (2 episodes, 1995-1998)
Michael Perricone (2 episodes, 1995-1998)
Jean Louise Matthias (2 episodes, 1995-1997)
Anthony Williams (2 episodes, 1995-1996)
Thomas E. Szollosi (2 episodes, 1995)
Shawn Piller (2 episodes, 1996)
James Swallow (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Ronald D. Moore (2 episodes, 1999)


Series Cast:
Kate Mulgrew ... Captain Kathryn Janeway / ... (172 episodes, 1995-2001)
Robert Beltran ... Chakotay / ... (172 episodes, 1995-2001
Roxann Dawson ... B'Elanna Torres / ... (172 episodes, 1995-2001)
Robert Duncan McNeill ... Tom Paris / ... (172 episodes, 1995-2001)
Ethan Phillips ... Neelix (172 episodes, 1995-2001)
Robert Picardo ... The Doctor (172 episodes, 1995-2001)
Tim Russ ... Tuvok / ... (172 episodes, 1995-2001)
Garrett Wang ... Harry Kim / ... (172 episodes, 1995-2001)
Tarik Ergin ... Lieutenant Ayala / ... (116 episodes, 1995-2001)
Jeri Ryan ... Seven of Nine (104 episodes, 1997-2001)
Jennifer Lien ... Kes (71 episodes, 1995-2000)
Majel Barrett ... Computer Voice / ... (70 episodes, 1995-2001)
Stephen Pisani ... Starfleet Crew Member / ... (21 episodes, 2000-2001)
Scarlett Pomers ... Naomi Wildman (17 episodes, 1998-2001)

Old School:
(and my first love)


Starting Out New:
Star Trek Voyager - The Complete First Season Read more!

The X-Files

The X-Files
a kate west favorite





"The X-Files" is my all time favorite show. I own every DVD and can watch any episode over and over. It's just one of those inexplicable cult phenomenon I guess, because the acting is pretty wooden, especially in the early shows, and the writing doesn't always make sense. But something about it - the sincerity of the creator maybe - touches the soul of a true sci-fi nerd. Although each season did get better and better, both in plot lines and acting - except for the final season (ninth) which was pretty much a viewer let down, so let's not even mention it.

David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson are F.B.I. Special Agents Fox Mulder and Dana Scully (pictured above). Mulder believes in the supernatural, and indeed has first hand knowledge of it in the weird cases he investigates. Initially hired to discredit Mulder, the scientific Scully comes to believe more and more in Mulder's take on things. Extraterrestrials, vampires, ghosts and demons are the norm in the world of the X-Files. Aided by solid Assistant Director Walter Skinner (Mitch Pileggi) and the rebellious Lone Gunmen, Melvin Frohike, John Byers and Ringo Langly (Tom Braidwood, Bruce Harwood and Dean Haglund), the steadfast duo try to solve the unsolvable.

Some cases remain a mystery and some answers are finally revealed, as the years wore on. There was even a feature film at one point ("X-Files - Fight the Future") that shed some light on certain back-stories. All in all, it was a pretty satisfactory run for X-fanatics and spanned multiple cult followings, not to mention enhancing many a sci-fi convention. I miss it from time to time, but all I have to do is pop in an episode and everything becomes clear.

"The truth is out there." Cue creepy theme music by Mark Snow.

Series Directed by:
Kim Manners (52 episodes, 1995-2002)
Rob Bowman (33 episodes, 1994-2000)
David Nutter (15 episodes, 1993-1995)
Ron Reedy (11 episodes, 1995-1996)
Chris Carter (10 episodes, 1994-2002)
R.W. Goodwin (9 episodes, 1994-1998)
Tony Wharmby (7 episodes, 2000-2002)
Michael W. Watkins (6 episodes, 1998-2000)
Daniel Sackheim (5 episodes, 1993-1999)
Michael Lange (4 episodes, 1994-1997)
Jim Charleston (4 episodes, 1996-1997)
Cliff Bole (4 episodes, 1997-2002)
William A. Graham (3 episodes, 1993-1998)
Peter Markle (3 episodes, 1997-2000)
David Duchovny (3 episodes, 1999-2002)
Thomas J. Wright (3 episodes, 1999-2000)
Rod Hardy (3 episodes, 2000-2001)
Jerrold Freedman (2 episodes, 1993-1994)
Joe Napolitano (2 episodes, 1993-1994)
Larry Shaw (2 episodes, 1993)
Tucker Gates (2 episodes, 1996-1997)
Vince Gilligan (2 episodes, 2000-2002)
Richard Compton (2 episodes, 2000-2001)
Frank Spotnitz (2 episodes, 2001)

Series Writing Credits:
Chris Carter (85 episodes, 1993-2002)
Frank Spotnitz (48 episodes, 1995-2002)
Vince Gilligan (30 episodes, 1995-2002)
John Shiban (24 episodes, 1995-2002)
Howard Gordon (20 episodes, 1993-1997)
Glen Morgan (15 episodes, 1993-1997)
James Wong (15 episodes, 1993-1997)
David Duchovny (8 episodes, 1995-2002)
David Amann (7 episodes, 1999-2002)
Alex Gansa (6 episodes, 1993-1995)
Darin Morgan (5 episodes, 1994-1996)
Jeffrey Bell (5 episodes, 1999-2001)
Steven Maeda (5 episodes, 2000-2002)
Greg Walker (3 episodes, 2000-2001)
Paul Brown (2 episodes, 1994)
Chris Ruppenthal (2 episodes, 1994)
Kim Newton (2 episodes, 1995-1996)
Jeff Vlaming (2 episodes, 1995-1996)
Sara B. Charno (2 episodes, 1995)
William Gibson (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Tom Maddox (2 episodes, 1998-2000)
Tim Minear (2 episodes, 1998)
Daniel Arkin (2 episodes, 1999-2000)
Thomas Schnauz (2 episodes, 2001-2002)
Valerie Mayhew (1 episode, 1996)
Vivian Mayhew (1 episode, 1996)


Series Cast:
Gillian Anderson ... Dana Scully / ... (196 episodes, 1993-2002)
David Duchovny ... Fox Mulder (175 episodes, 1993-2002)

Mitch Pileggi ... Walter Skinner / ... (82 episodes, 1994-2002)
Robert Patrick ... John Doggett / ... (40 episodes, 2000-2002)
Tom Braidwood ... Melvin Frohike (39 episodes, 1994-2002)
William B. Davis ... CGB Spender / ... (37 episodes, 1993-2002)
Bruce Harwood ... John Fitzgerald Byers (36 episodes, 1994-2002)
Dean Haglund ... Richard 'Ringo' Langly / ... (35 episodes, 1994-2002)
Nicholas Lea ... Alex Krycek / ... (24 episodes, 1994-2002)
Annabeth Gish ... Monica Reyes / ... (23 episodes, 2001-2002)
James Pickens Jr. ... FBI Deputy Director Alvin Kersh / ... (19 episodes, 1998-2002)
Sheila Larken ... Margaret Scully (16 episodes, 1994-2002)
Don S. Williams ... Elder #1 / ... (14 episodes, 1995-1999)
Steven Williams ... Mr. X (14 episodes, 1994-2002)
Chris Owens ... FBI Special Agent Jeffrey Spender / ... (13 episodes, 1996-2002)
Jerry Hardin ... Deep Throat (11 episodes, 1993-1999)
Rebecca Toolan ... Mrs. Teena Mulder (10 episodes, 1995-2000)
Laurie Holden ... Marita Covarrubias (10 episodes, 1996-2002)
Arlene Warren ... Skinner's Assistant / ... (10 episodes, 1998-2002)
Brendan Beiser ... Agent Pendrell (9 episodes, 1995-1997)
Brian Thompson ... Alien Bounty Hunter (9 episodes, 1995-2000)
John Neville ... The Well-Manicured Man (8 episodes, 1995-1998)
Bill Dow ... Dr. Charles Burks / ... (8 episodes, 1993-2001)
John Moore ... Elder #3 / ... (8 episodes, 1995-1999)
James Riker ... Baby William / ... (8 episodes, 2001-2002)
Travis Riker ... Baby William / ... (8 episodes, 2001-2002)
Mimi Rogers ... Agent Diana Fowley (7 episodes, 1998-1999)
Peter Donat ... William Mulder (6 episodes, 1995-1999)
Morris Panych ... The Grey-Haired Man / ... (6 episodes, 1995-1997)
Cary Elwes ... FBI Assistant Director Brad Follmer (6 episodes, 2001-2002)

Start Now:
The X-Files - The Complete First Season (Slim Set) Read more!

Buffy and Angel

BUFFY AND ANGEL
a kate west favorite

It's a tumultuous relationship and why wouldn't it be? A Vampire Slayer and a Vampire? They're natural enemies. In Joss Whedon's popular television shows, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and its spin-off "Angel", Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Angel (David Boreanaz) find true love with each other but are destined not to hold on to it. And we get a lot of supernatural fun and magic throughout. Demons, witches, vampires and all sorts of dark beings inhabit these worlds and we enjoy it all the more through the sharp dialogue and imaginative perspective of Joss Whedon. Sci-fi fans can rejoice that Whedon cleverly expanded the original movie with Kristy Swanson into a fascinating successful television franchise.

One example is the BUFFY episode "Once More, with Feeling" - an entire mini-musical in which the characters are compelled to express their innermost thoughts through song and dance. Well, that's what happens when you accidentally summon a musical demon. It has since become a cult phenomenon and often performed in local theaters throughout the country.

In both shows, many of the main characters come into their own, like the adorable Willow the witch (Alyson Hannigan) in BUFFY and the adorable Winifred Burkle (Amy Acker) in ANGEL. By far, the most remarkable transformation is that of Cordelia Chase (Charisma Carpenter), who starts out as a spoiled rich high schooler in BUFFY and becomes an impressive, fearless and strong-hearted warrior in ANGEL. Great writing. ANGEL is BUFFY Part Two and quite a dignified sequel and natural character progression. Be warned though, Whedon is not afraid to kill off favorite characters and defy expectations in either show. The real fun is in the way he humanizes the inhuman. Every character has depth no matter what dimension he/she comes from. (Oh and the men? Just keep getting sexier and sexier every season. I'm looking at you British, undead especially ....)

And it's so realistic. Not the monster bit, no. But the character bit. In fact, William Goldman, award-winning screenwriter, said it best when he claimed "Bambi" was more realistic than "Deer Hunter" because in one movie the mother died and in the other there was all this coincidence about Russian Roulette. So which one was more true to life? The same can be said for our Vampire Slayers being more real than Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda and Samantha in "Sex and the City". Who lives that kind of lifestyle? Michael Patrick King addressed relationships sure, but spent much less time on the everywoman. Miranda was the only character who dealt with an obvious parent, for instance, and how many single women never have to explain themselves to their mothers on a weekly basis? In BUFFY/ANGEL, the characters have deep family histories and complex growth patterns.

But really, the best way to explain these shows is for you to see for yourself. Best part is, if you can't buy/rent, you can see the rerun cycles on TNT and FX, over and over. Enjoy!

BUFFY
Series Directed by
Joss Whedon (22 episodes, 1997-2003)
James A. Contner (20 episodes, 1998-2003)
David Solomon (19 episodes, 1997-2003)
David Grossman (13 episodes, 1999-2003)
Michael Gershman (10 episodes, 1998-2003)
Bruce Seth Green (8 episodes, 1997-1998)
Nick Marck (7 episodes, 1999-2002)
James Whitmore Jr. (5 episodes, 1998-1999)
David Greenwalt (4 episodes, 1997-1998)
David Semel (4 episodes, 1997-1998)
Michael Lange (4 episodes, 1998-1999)
Douglas Petrie (3 episodes, 2001-2003)
John T. Kretchmer (2 episodes, 1997)
Ellen S. Pressman (2 episodes, 1997)
Daniel Attias (2 episodes, 2000-2001)
Marti Noxon (2 episodes, 2000-2001)
David Fury (2 episodes, 2002-2003)
Rick Rosenthal (2 episodes, 2002)
Marita Grabiak (2 episodes, 2003)

Series Writing credits
Joss Whedon (145 episodes, 1997-2003)
Marti Noxon (25 episodes, 1997-2003)
Jane Espenson (23 episodes, 1998-2003)
David Fury (17 episodes, 1998-2003)
Douglas Petrie (17 episodes, 1998-2003)
David Greenwalt (8 episodes, 1997-1998)
Rebecca Kirshner (8 episodes, 2000-2003)
Drew Z. Greenberg (6 episodes, 2001-2003)
Dean Batali (5 episodes, 1997-1998)
Rob Des Hotel (5 episodes, 1997-1998)
Steven S. DeKnight (5 episodes, 2001-2002)
Drew Goddard (5 episodes, 2002-2003)
Tracey Forbes (3 episodes, 1999-2000)
David Tyron King (2 episodes, 1997-1998)
Ashley Gable (2 episodes, 1997)
Matt Kiene (2 episodes, 1997)
Joe Reinkemeyer (2 episodes, 1997)
Thomas A. Swyden (2 episodes, 1997)
Dan Vebber (2 episodes, 1998-1999)

Series Cast

Sarah Michelle Gellar ... Buffy Summers / ... (145 episodes, 1997-2003)
Nicholas Brendon ... Xander Harris (145 episodes, 1997-2003)
Alyson Hannigan ... Willow Rosenberg / ... (144 episodes, 1997-2003)
Anthony Head ... Rupert Giles (122 episodes, 1997-2003)
James Marsters ... Spike (97 episodes, 1997-2003)
Emma Caulfield ... Anya / ... (85 episodes, 1998-2003)
Michelle Trachtenberg ... Dawn Summers (66 episodes, 2000-2003)
Kristine Sutherland ... Joyce Summers (58 episodes, 1997-2002)
Charisma Carpenter ... Cordelia Chase (57 episodes, 1997-1999)
David Boreanaz ... Angel / ... (57 episodes, 1997-2003)
Amber Benson ... Tara Maclay (46 episodes, 1999-2002)
Seth Green ... Oz (40 episodes, 1997-2000)
Marc Blucas ... Riley Finn (31 episodes, 1999-2002)
Danny Strong ... Jonathan Levinson (29 episodes, 1997-2003)
Tom Lenk ... Andrew Wells / ... (27 episodes, 2000-2003)
Eliza Dushku ... Faith / ... (20 episodes, 1998-2003)
Armin Shimerman ... Principal Snyder (19 episodes, 1997-2000)
Juliet Landau ... Drusilla (17 episodes, 1997-2003)
Mercedes McNab ... Harmony Kendall (16 episodes, 1997-2001)
Adam Busch ... Warren Meers (16 episodes, 2001-2003)
Robia LaMorte ... Jenny Calendar (14 episodes, 1997-1998)
Charlie Weber ... Ben (14 episodes, 2000-2001)
Harry Groener ... Mayor Richard Wilkins (14 episodes, 1998-2003)
D.B. Woodside ... Principal Robin Wood (14 episodes, 2002-2003)
Clare Kramer ... Glory (13 episodes, 2000-2002)
Bailey Chase ... Graham Miller (13 episodes, 1999-2000)
Iyari Limon ... Kennedy (13 episodes, 2002-2003)
Leonard Roberts ... Forrest Gates (12 episodes, 1999-2000)
Sarah Hagan ... Amanda (10 episodes, 2002-2003)
Alexis Denisof ... Wesley Wyndam-Pryce (9 episodes, 1999)

ANGEL:
Series Directed by
James A. Contner (13 episodes, 1999-2004)
Joss Whedon (7 episodes, 1999-2004)
David Greenwalt (7 episodes, 2000-2004)
Tim Minear (7 episodes, 2000-2003)
Bill L. Norton (6 episodes, 2001-2003)
Terrence O'Hara (6 episodes, 2002-2004)
Skip Schoolnik (5 episodes, 2001-2004)
Marita Grabiak (5 episodes, 2001-2003)
Vern Gillum (4 episodes, 1999-2004)
David Grossman (4 episodes, 1999-2002)
Michael Grossman (4 episodes, 2001-2003)
Frederick King Keller (4 episodes, 2001)
Jefferson Kibbee (4 episodes, 2003-2004)
David Straiton (3 episodes, 1999-2003)
Bruce Seth Green (3 episodes, 1999-2000)
Turi Meyer (3 episodes, 2001-2002)
Jeffrey Bell (3 episodes, 2003-2004)
Steven S. DeKnight (3 episodes, 2003-2004)
Scott McGinnis (2 episodes, 1999-2001)
R.D. Price (2 episodes, 2000-2001)
Thomas J. Wright (2 episodes, 2000-2001)
Michael Lange (2 episodes, 2000)
David Semel (2 episodes, 2000)

Series Writing credits
David Greenwalt (111 episodes, 1999-2004)
Joss Whedon (111 episodes, 1999-2004)
Tim Minear (18 episodes, 1999-2003)
Jeffrey Bell (13 episodes, 2001-2004)
David Fury (12 episodes, 1999-2004)
Steven S. DeKnight (12 episodes, 2002-2004)
Mere Smith (11 episodes, 2000-2003)
Elizabeth Craft (8 episodes, 2002-2004)
Sarah Fain (8 episodes, 2002-2004)
Shawn Ryan (5 episodes, 2000-2001)
Ben Edlund (5 episodes, 2003-2004)
Drew Goddard (5 episodes, 2003-2004)
Jeannine Renshaw (4 episodes, 1999-2000)
Howard Gordon (3 episodes, 1999-2000)
Jim Kouf (3 episodes, 2000-2001)
Jane Espenson (2 episodes, 1999-2000)
Douglas Petrie (2 episodes, 1999-2000)
Tracey Stern (2 episodes, 1999-2000)
David H. Goodman (2 episodes, 2001-2002)
Scott Murphy (2 episodes, 2001-2002)

Series Cast

David Boreanaz ... Angel / ... (111 episodes, 1999-2004)
Alexis Denisof ... Wesley Wyndam-Pryce (101 episodes, 1999-2004)
J. August Richards ... Charles Gunn (91 episodes, 2000-2004)
Charisma Carpenter ... Cordelia Chase (90 episodes, 1999-2004)
Andy Hallett ... Lorne (76 episodes, 2000-2004)
Amy Acker ... Winifred 'Fred' Burkle / ... (70 episodes, 2001-2004)
Stephanie Romanov ... Lilah Morgan (35 episodes, 2000-2003)
Vincent Kartheiser ... Connor (28 episodes, 2002-2004)
James Marsters ... Spike (24 episodes, 1999-2004)
Christian Kane ... Lindsey McDonald (21 episodes, 1999-2004)
Julie Benz ... Darla (20 episodes, 2000-2004)
Mercedes McNab ... Harmony Kendall (18 episodes, 2001-2004)
Elisabeth Röhm ... Detective Kate Lockley (15 episodes, 1999-2001)
Daniel Dae Kim ... Gavin Park (12 episodes, 2001-2003)
Glenn Quinn ... Allen Doyle (11 episodes, 1999)
Keith Szarabajka ... Daniel Holtz (11 episodes, 2001-2002)
Sarah Thompson ... Eve (10 episodes, 2003-2004)
Mark Lutz ... The Groosalugg (9 episodes, 2001-2002)
Laurel Holloman ... Justine Cooper (8 episodes, 2001-2002)
Jack Conley ... Sahjhan (8 episodes, 2001-2004)
Vladimir Kulich ... The Beast (8 episodes, 2002-2003)
Sam Anderson ... Holland Manners (8 episodes, 2000-2001)
Jonathan M. Woodward ... Knox (7 episodes, 2003-2004)
Juliet Landau ... Drusilla (7 episodes, 2000-2004)
John Rubinstein ... Linwood Murrow (6 episodes, 2001-2002)
Eliza Dushku ... Faith (6 episodes, 2000-2003)
Matthew James ... Merl (6 episodes, 2000-2001)
Gina Torres ... Jasmine (5 episodes, 2003)
Adam Baldwin ... Marcus Hamilton (5 episodes, 2004)
Thomas Burr ... Lee Mercer (4 episodes, 1999-2000)
David Denman ... Skip (4 episodes, 2001-2003)
Jennifer Griffin ... Trish Burkle (4 episodes, 2001-2004)
Brigid Brannagh ... Virginia Bryce (4 episodes, 2000-2001)
Carey Cannon ... Female Oracle (3 episodes, 1999-2000)
Randall Slavin ... Male Oracle (3 episodes, 1999-2000)
Alexa Davalos ... Gwen Raiden (3 episodes, 2002-2003)
Sven Holmberg ... Delivery Guy / ... (3 episodes, 2000-2002)
Sarah Michelle Gellar ... Buffy Summers (3 episodes, 1999-2000)
David Herman ... David Nabbit (3 episodes, 2000)
Gary Grubbs ... Roger Burkle (3 episodes, 2001-2004)
Jarrod Crawford ... Rondell (3 episodes, 2001)
Ryan Alvarez ... Demon Slave (3 episodes, 2003-2004)
T.J. Thyne ... Lawyer / ... (3 episodes, 2003-2004)
Mark Colson ... Izzy (3 episodes, 2004)
David Fury ... First Worshipper / ... (3 episodes, 2001-2004)
Julia Lee ... Anne Steele (3 episodes, 2001-2004)
Alyson Hannigan ... Willow Rosenberg (3 episodes, 2001-2003)
Gerry Becker ... Nathan Reed (3 episodes, 2001)
Jackson Bolt ... Pylea Demon / ... (3 episodes, 2001)


Find Both at:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - The Complete First Season

Angel - Season One (Slim Set)

The Original Musical:
Buffy the Vampire Slayer - Once More, with Feeling

More Whedon (and vastly underrated show):
Firefly - The Complete Series

The Next Obsession:
Lost - The Complete First Season Read more!