Why did Joss write less for "Angel"?

[AmongFriends]

I have noticed that Joss wrote a significantly less amount of episodes for Angel than he did for Buffy. I think he racked up like about 4 or so. I don't really know the number because I know it's nowhere near the number of episodes he wrote for Buffy. He even did a fair amount of writing for Firefly's short run. I always wondered why Angel was the most "Joss-less" in terms of writing out of his 3 shows. Joss also isn't credited as an executive producer either on Angel. Given, there was one point where he was juggling 3 shows on the air at one time so his focus may have been diverted. I know he wasn't able to direct/write "Not Fade Away" for Angel because he was filming Serenity at the time.

It may not be a bad thing. Joss may have wanted David Greenwalt more in control of Angel than him or something like that.

Or, Joss just didn't like Angel and considered it the "bastard child" of his Tv shows...lol, highly unlikely though.

Anybody know why?

 

[charmingslayer]

I always wondered that too and why he or David didn't direct and write
"Not Fade Away"i mean c'mon thats the series finale and they asked someone else to direct

 

[Lindsey McDonald]

Well, according to the writers in almost every commentary I've heard, Joss' writing was much more pervaisive than the credits would suggest. They often say things like whenever someone compliments them on a line in an episode they wrote that they've had to say, "Joss wrote that one...". I think because he was so busy, he didn't have the time to actually sit down and write a full episode, but he probably looked over much of the material and made changes where he saw fit.

 

[Silum]

Well, according to the writers in almost every commentary I've heard, Joss' writing was much more pervaisive than the credits would suggest. They often say things like whenever someone compliments them on a line in an episode they wrote that they've had to say, "Joss wrote that one...". I think because he was so busy, he didn't have the time to actually sit down and write a full episode, but he probably looked over much of the material and made changes where he saw fit.

I agree. Apparently i need to share my karma before i can give you anymore but just because Joss isn't getting formal credits, hes evident in every single episode. I guarantee every single episode went through his hand as a script, even if he left it as it was.

 

[ILLYRIAN]

Yep that seems about right.
Buffy was written for a specific age group, Angel was written for a slightly older age group. It may have been that the writers were doing a good enough job that Joss let them continue, it may have been that he let others have their names on screen, Joss may have been content to direct the writers as to what was wanted.
Whatever the reason was, the outcome was sufficiently good that he didn't need to stamp his authority and write as many episodes as he had done.

 

[Cohen]

Also, Buffy was his first baby, and Firefly was too, in a way, it being his first non-Buffyverse venture. I think he probably felt like those were his biggest priorities. He knew how Buffy was meant to go down, so he went in writing the beginning and end of each season of Buffy. He didn't necessarily need to do that with Angel.

Am I making any sense at all? I kinda feel like I'm not for some reason. Could be the stabbing pain in my eye. (Don't ask.)

 

[LadyLavinia]

Buffy was written for a specific age group, Angel was written for a slightly older age group.

I don't buy that. I think that both BUFFY and ANGEL were for all ages or anyone interested in both series.

I don't buy the argument that ANGEL was a more mature series than BUFFY. Both shows, in my opinion, were very complex and morally gray. But since the major character of BUFFY started out as an adolescent, we're supposed to assume that the series was mainly for teenagers or twentysomethings. Oh please. Considering that the series managed to attract the attention of many adults over the age of 25, I find that argument irrevelant.

 

[AmongFriends]

Yeah, i do think Joss had a big hand behind "Angel" behind the scenes but no so much in terms of writing complete episodes. Not unless they are amazing.

 

[Randy Giles]

I don't know why Joss wrote less full episodes, but ultimately it doesn't seem to matter much, especially to me, as Angel is a better series regardless.

 

[Joan the Vampire Slayer]

I think it had alot to do with the fact that Joss only had so much time. After all, there was a time where he was doing three shows at once. Firefly was his new baby, his new venture and he was committing most of his creative energy to that at the time.

He left Angel in charge with some good, talented people - nothing wrong with that. Also, I know that Joss had to approve every script before it was finalized. And I'm sure, as Lindsey said, he tweaked them quite a bit to his liking.

Let's not forget that television is a collaborative effort. Joss is the creater of the concept - but many other people contribute to the finished product.
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I don't know why Joss wrote less full episodes, but ultimately it doesn't seem to matter much, especially to me, as Angel is a better series regardless.

Interesting. I don't talk to many people that think Angel is better than Buffy. I wouldn't say Angel is better than Buffy, but I seem to be one of the few that thinks Angel is as good.

 

[Buffyverse Fan]

Well, according to the writers in almost every commentary I've heard, Joss' writing was much more pervaisive than the credits would suggest. They often say things like whenever someone compliments them on a line in an episode they wrote that they've had to say, "Joss wrote that one...". I think because he was so busy, he didn't have the time to actually sit down and write a full episode, but he probably looked over much of the material and made changes where he saw fit.

Yeah David Fury (who wrote the most episodes and was the head writer by the time Angel finished up) said that regardless of the ideas the writers had, Joss always had certain ideas in mind, and would usually come in at least once a week and tell the writers how things were going to go down. Then the writing staff would work from where Joss told them the story was going.