Spike in the Credits

[Samuel Reyes]

James Marsters joined the cast (and appeared on the show) long before Marc Blucas, Emma Caulfield, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Amber Benson, so when they were all promoted to main titles, why did Marsters' billing keep getting pushed back? Even for Amber's one-shot promotion in 'Seeing Red', James was still after her in the opening credits.

 

[bespangeled]

As I recall, the money and prestige go first to the special guest star (if there is one), then to the first person, then to the person who wraps up the credits. Given shows where there were no special guests or also starring this gives Marsters second billing to SMG. It's actually a compliment, and a larger pay check.

 

[white avenger]

As I recall, the money and prestige go first to the special guest star (if there is one), then to the first person, then to the person who wraps up the credits. Given shows where there were no special guests or also starring this gives Marsters second billing to SMG. It's actually a compliment, and a larger pay check.

Plus, remember, when James moved to "Angel" in Season 5, he immediately went to either second star, or first co-star status, following immediately after David in the opening credits, despite the fact that his character wasn't even included as part of the major plot line in every episode.

 

[bespangeled]

Actually Denisoff moved to last, which made him the 2nd in terms of pay and bragging rights. These are huge negotiations - billing is a key factor on any resume.

 

[thetopher]

Plus, remember, when James moved to "Angel" in Season 5, he immediately went to either second star, or first co-star status,

Yeah, he took Cordelia's place as the love interest main co-star didn't he?
I suppose JM was a big ratings draw to get more Buffy only watchers to come over and follow him, hence the prime placing It helped that Angel itself felt like an utterly different format.

 

[Silverspike]

Well the story put out there at the time was the WB wanted Angel to be more stand alone episodes as they didn't like the season arc format (something that actually crept back in later that season despite their instructions) and the WB also made a point of asking for JM to be added to the cast full time or there would be no season 5.

 

[white avenger]

Yeah, he took Cordelia's place as the love interest main co-star didn't he?
I suppose JM was a big ratings draw to get more Buffy only watchers to come over and follow him, hence the prime placing It helped that Angel itself felt like an utterly different format.

Yeah, they made the Spangel shippers happy in Season 5 and teased the Banders in Season 8. That just leaves the poor ol' Fuffies out there in the cold, all alone.

You hang in there, pal. You're day's comin'. We're all rootin' for you.

 

[Blaze]

I know that the first person is clearly the main star, with the highest pay. Then it would be the last person in the credit being the second most important, and the second person in the credit is the third billed.

Not sure if the rest actually have a specific order or not? Maybe it's just that the middle block doesn't really matter?

 

[bespangeled]

I know that the first person is clearly the main star, with the highest pay. Then it would be the last person in the credit being the second most important, and the second person in the credit is the third billed.

Not sure if the rest actually have a specific order or not? Maybe it's just that the middle block doesn't really matter?

This is what I've heard - ASH had last billing with a full credit for the first seasons

and
Anthony Stewart Head
as Giles

That actually is considered the highest billing order.