J
Although I'm not a fan of that episode, I do love the songs. I listen to the CD more than I watch the episode. They all did a very good job of making a musical, especially as it a far cry from the normality of the show. I just don't like musicals lol
PurplePoof
Surgeon Of Mean
disturbedvanity, just tell us if you think the same thing once you've sobered up! 😀
Drunk I think I may actually even enjoy All The Way or The Cautionary Tale Of Numero Cinco...
Drunk I think I may actually even enjoy All The Way or The Cautionary Tale Of Numero Cinco...
InsaneMystic
Ex-Scooby
- Joined
- Apr 1, 2008
- Messages
- 2,505
- Age
- 52
Seriously? I feel like every berk and their mother are doing musical episodes after Xena and Buffy proved the concept to be workable. 🙂
I really liked the "Scrubs" musical ep btw, the explanation for why all those guys were (or rather, seemed to be 😉 ) singing for the ep was quite creative and fitting the genre.
J. Ruby
Scrubs karma. :) That WAS a good one.
ItMustBeBunnies
Scrubs karma:)
Ulrikke
No more frogs
Personally I love Once More, With Feeling! But then I usually like musicals and can deal with singing and dancing being part of a story - and the fact that - unlike most other musicals that I know of (which is not that many tbh) - the singing and dancing is part of the actual plot makes it even easier to swallow. And I don't find it cheesy at all - or not cheesier than it needs to be, I should say.
I'm not feeling very eloquent tonight, so I'll just copy and paste this review I wrote for tv.com a while ago. 😛
show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
episode: Once More, With Feeling
The Bottom Line: "Superb"
Once More With Feeling is without a doubt one of my favourite episodes of any television show. Of course, I've loved musicals since I as a young teenager saw my first musical on holiday in London, so that wasn't something I had to get past. Still, pre-watching I did had my concerns that suddenly doing a musical episode (after 100+ episodes) would ruin any credibility it might have had, but the mere fact that the musical-ness is actually integrated into the story takes care of that.
Another thing I love is its place within the story arc. They could easily have made an episode which worked entirely on its own and had goofy songs about the characters in general. Luckily Joss Whedon opted to write songs that gave real insight into the characters minds and what was going on with them (Buffy "going through the motions", Xander and Anya having doubts about their wedding etc.) and let them say things they wouldn't otherwise have done (Spike's love/hate feelings for Buffy, but most importantly Buffy's experience of Heaven), which means that the episode isn't just a fun filler, but actually serves to move things along.
And of course, last but not least, the actors. How incredible are they? Yes, I'm aware that they were by no means perfect, but this is where you need to get some perspective: First, none of these actors were hired for their singing voices. Second, considering that they are in fact playing characters who are not professional singers or dancers and are suddenly put under a spell which makes them sing and dance, I think it's perfectly reasonable that their performances are flawed. Taking those two points into account, I find every song absolutely listenable and enjoyable (and how fantastic is the song writing?! This from a man who couldn't play and instrument let alone write a song before this!). Sure I wouldn't buy an entire album with any of the actors except James Marsters (which I have in fact done) whose performance is the only one I find pretty flawless - the rest have moments - but then I guess his bits aren't too challenging range-wise. And Anthony Head, who has a pretty darn great voice. Of course I should mention Amber Benson here as well, who was rather amazing in her rendition of Under Your Spell (as well as the Under Your Spell / Standing reprise with Anthony). But really, every actor does such an amazing job with this thing - even Sarah who I've read the most complaints about; obviously she hasn't got the best singing voice, but I was able to enjoy her performance anyhow as 1) I honestly didn't feel she was terrible and 2) she still manages to bring a strength to her performance which makes up for what she lacks in technique.
Anywho, I think it's time to wrap this up as I feel I'm starting to repeat myself a little. Suffice it to say, I thoroughly enjoyed (and still do) this episode and its songs for what they are.
9.61005/24/2008 3:42pm | report abuse
On a just about unrelated note: Am I the only one who keeps reading OMWF as OMFG? : erm : lol
I'm not feeling very eloquent tonight, so I'll just copy and paste this review I wrote for tv.com a while ago. 😛
show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
episode: Once More, With Feeling
The Bottom Line: "Superb"
Once More With Feeling is without a doubt one of my favourite episodes of any television show. Of course, I've loved musicals since I as a young teenager saw my first musical on holiday in London, so that wasn't something I had to get past. Still, pre-watching I did had my concerns that suddenly doing a musical episode (after 100+ episodes) would ruin any credibility it might have had, but the mere fact that the musical-ness is actually integrated into the story takes care of that.
Another thing I love is its place within the story arc. They could easily have made an episode which worked entirely on its own and had goofy songs about the characters in general. Luckily Joss Whedon opted to write songs that gave real insight into the characters minds and what was going on with them (Buffy "going through the motions", Xander and Anya having doubts about their wedding etc.) and let them say things they wouldn't otherwise have done (Spike's love/hate feelings for Buffy, but most importantly Buffy's experience of Heaven), which means that the episode isn't just a fun filler, but actually serves to move things along.
And of course, last but not least, the actors. How incredible are they? Yes, I'm aware that they were by no means perfect, but this is where you need to get some perspective: First, none of these actors were hired for their singing voices. Second, considering that they are in fact playing characters who are not professional singers or dancers and are suddenly put under a spell which makes them sing and dance, I think it's perfectly reasonable that their performances are flawed. Taking those two points into account, I find every song absolutely listenable and enjoyable (and how fantastic is the song writing?! This from a man who couldn't play and instrument let alone write a song before this!). Sure I wouldn't buy an entire album with any of the actors except James Marsters (which I have in fact done) whose performance is the only one I find pretty flawless - the rest have moments - but then I guess his bits aren't too challenging range-wise. And Anthony Head, who has a pretty darn great voice. Of course I should mention Amber Benson here as well, who was rather amazing in her rendition of Under Your Spell (as well as the Under Your Spell / Standing reprise with Anthony). But really, every actor does such an amazing job with this thing - even Sarah who I've read the most complaints about; obviously she hasn't got the best singing voice, but I was able to enjoy her performance anyhow as 1) I honestly didn't feel she was terrible and 2) she still manages to bring a strength to her performance which makes up for what she lacks in technique.
Anywho, I think it's time to wrap this up as I feel I'm starting to repeat myself a little. Suffice it to say, I thoroughly enjoyed (and still do) this episode and its songs for what they are.
9.61005/24/2008 3:42pm | report abuse
On a just about unrelated note: Am I the only one who keeps reading OMWF as OMFG? : erm : lol
Joan the Vampire Slayer
Nice review :)
hannahfngrl26
Captain Forehead
If you dont like the musical episode then you are crazier than season 7 Spike in the basement under the school. This episode really shows just how talented not only the actors are but how amazing Joss is. Seriously, there is nothing more awesome and I will sing horribly with it no matter how many people are there to bear witness and that is the truth.
J
JCC
Guest
Mozzymandias
I'm back baby.
Firstly, Grow Up! Respect other people's opinions about the episode.
On topic, I love Once More, With Feeling, its different from many of the other episodes. I loved the singing and dancing but I've always had a soft spot for musicals. More recently however I'm enjoying it on new levels my college course has made me view things in a different way and analyse everything I watch, it's kinda instinct now. I appreciate the writing much more now.
J
JCC
Guest
PurplePoof
Surgeon Of Mean
disturbedvanity
Five by Five
Ok people, so first I said I don't like OMWF. Then I watched it drunk and said I LOVED it lol. Some of you suggested that I watch it sober, so I did last night and guess what...
Still loving it. I'm so pumped I can appreciate the episode for all it's worth now. Everyone always raved and raved and I never understood why. Coming from a person who really is not a fan of musicals, I have to say Joss did a very great and entertaining job. (no surprise really, he's a freakin genius)
Anyway, just thought I should let you lovers know. Drunk, sober....entertaining either way. :happy53: Finally I can watch season 6 in it's entirety....not skipping over this pivotal episode.
Yay!!
Couldn't have done it without you guys:happy53:
Still loving it. I'm so pumped I can appreciate the episode for all it's worth now. Everyone always raved and raved and I never understood why. Coming from a person who really is not a fan of musicals, I have to say Joss did a very great and entertaining job. (no surprise really, he's a freakin genius)
Anyway, just thought I should let you lovers know. Drunk, sober....entertaining either way. :happy53: Finally I can watch season 6 in it's entirety....not skipping over this pivotal episode.
Yay!!
Couldn't have done it without you guys:happy53:
Joan the Vampire Slayer
Carpe Spuffy!
Yippee! I might go watch it now...I too thought it was pretty absurd when I intially saw it, but it grew on me, and once I saw it's pretty much sopposed to be a parody...I loved it even more 😉
fly on the wall
you have but-face.
Am I the only one who would TOTALLY summon Sweet if I could?
I would *love* to live in a musical. Even if it meant a few people burst into flames now and then, psshhht. Big deal.
I would *love* to live in a musical. Even if it meant a few people burst into flames now and then, psshhht. Big deal.
Joan the Vampire Slayer
Carpe Spuffy!
Man, you don't even know. My life seems to boring and uneventful sometimes...it would be rad if everyone just burst into song and dance..say, at the bus stop...
Ah, why can't life be like Buffy?
😉