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Nice, that can definitely be filed under 'F' in my personal filing system for "F*** me, I never expected news on that one!" 
Posted: 21:20 Aug 29 2007
Ripper to go ahead?
Just found this on Digital Spy:
Of course the original quote was from the Star so it might be rubbish, but how cool if it does go ahead. The BBC has a great track record with its collaborations with US networks.
The BBC and Fox will collaborate on a Buffy The Vampire Slayer spin-off starring Anthony Stewart Head entitled Ripper, according to a report.
The Daily Star quotes a source as saying that Buffy creator Josh Whedon is "keen to work with the BBC" and that "they've got the green light to start filming".
According to the alleged insider, Ripper, which has been mooted since Buffy finished in 2003, "will follow Bufyy's mentor Giles (Head) after he decides to come out of retirement in his native England to solve ghost stories and other mysteries".
The report claims that the show will enter production next year. The BBC has yet to confirm or deny the claims.
6 Replies and 4878 Views in Total.
Posted: 21:20 Aug 29 2007 
Ripper defines development hell. (Or indeed, given its Buffyverse origins, Hell.) It's been on the cards since at least 2001.
So if it finally rises from the grave, hoo-bloody-ray.
Info of its many travails can be found here at Wikipedia.
With certain changes to the Doctor Who cast, I'll be eagerly seeking my cult-TV fix elsewhere, so should it go ahead Ripper's got itself a eager viewer, and I very much doubt that I'm alone on this!
So if it finally rises from the grave, hoo-bloody-ray.
Info of its many travails can be found here at Wikipedia.
With certain changes to the Doctor Who cast, I'll be eagerly seeking my cult-TV fix elsewhere, so should it go ahead Ripper's got itself a eager viewer, and I very much doubt that I'm alone on this!
Posted: 17:41 Sep 01 2007 
So, what do we predict the format is going to be?
A one off telefilm would be closest to the original intention, but the most disappointing, and also the most unlike the BBC, unless its viewed as a backdoor pilot for a series. That smells a whole lot like the '95 attempted, and failed revival of Dr Who.
A series of 45 or 60 minute episodes? The no doubt instrumental popularity of Dr Who might suggest a series, and the American interest in the character might suggest the advert friendly 45 minute format, but even Whos near 'lightspeed' approach to plotting struggles in 45 minutes, and with Giles' likely sedate english charm, it might struggle to barely start a story in 45 minutes let along finish one.
If this were ITV I would bet all my money on a Morse / Touch of Frost / Midsommer Murders style short series of 90-120 minute episodes that could be comfortably cut in two for foreign networks, but this isn't a path the BBC take too often.
If we do get a series, its unlikely that Joss could stretch himself to write more than one or two, who would you like to see recruited to write the others? Its easy to rattle off some Buffy-alumni. Jane Espensen, Doug Petrie, Tim Minear et al, but would the BBC want some home grown talent?
The prime choice for me would of course be golden boy Stephen Moffat, aka the one who can REALLY write Dr Who well, and given that Who producer RTD based the revival of Who on the dynamics of Buffy, having its best writer work on a Giles series is just too perfect a brand of karma to conceive.
A one off telefilm would be closest to the original intention, but the most disappointing, and also the most unlike the BBC, unless its viewed as a backdoor pilot for a series. That smells a whole lot like the '95 attempted, and failed revival of Dr Who.
A series of 45 or 60 minute episodes? The no doubt instrumental popularity of Dr Who might suggest a series, and the American interest in the character might suggest the advert friendly 45 minute format, but even Whos near 'lightspeed' approach to plotting struggles in 45 minutes, and with Giles' likely sedate english charm, it might struggle to barely start a story in 45 minutes let along finish one.
If this were ITV I would bet all my money on a Morse / Touch of Frost / Midsommer Murders style short series of 90-120 minute episodes that could be comfortably cut in two for foreign networks, but this isn't a path the BBC take too often.
If we do get a series, its unlikely that Joss could stretch himself to write more than one or two, who would you like to see recruited to write the others? Its easy to rattle off some Buffy-alumni. Jane Espensen, Doug Petrie, Tim Minear et al, but would the BBC want some home grown talent?
The prime choice for me would of course be golden boy Stephen Moffat, aka the one who can REALLY write Dr Who well, and given that Who producer RTD based the revival of Who on the dynamics of Buffy, having its best writer work on a Giles series is just too perfect a brand of karma to conceive.
Posted: 23:18 Sep 01 2007 One-shot telefilm is the leading candidate (if only because Joss Whedon's latest comments point in that direction), and I wouldn't mind that. Traditionally the BBC have excelled at telefilms. (The Naked Civil Servant, The Lost Prince, and indeed, most of Stephen Poliakoff's output). If it's a back-door pilot, all the better. If not, a decent stand-alone movie would force the writers to keep their product lean.
by Wobag
So, what do we predict the format is going to be?
My main worry is whether the Buffyverse can work in a British setting. The bedrock of the shows' charm lay in juxtaposing Old World monster fighting with bubblegum Americana. They might have featured decent English characters (at least, for American TV) but those characters were there to reinforce that contrast. Set it here and all that goes. Might break down the forth wall if they're not careful.
Of course the blatant audience manipulation of the later seasons did that well enough on its own.
Maybe I should just be pleased if they have a moratorium on the characters saying "bloody" every five seconds.
Posted: 03:05 Sep 02 2007 
Hope it does go ahead. If it does I think it'll be very very different to Buffy and Angel. Possibly slower moving, not as action packed and darker. I would like to see it as a pilot which may then lead into a 6 part hour long series if it is any good.
I can't imagine it being bad, but will it live up to Buffy, I don't think so, but I imagine it'll still be enjoyable to watch.
I can't imagine it being bad, but will it live up to Buffy, I don't think so, but I imagine it'll still be enjoyable to watch.
Posted: 14:19 Sep 02 2007
My understanding is that JW, Tony Head, and the BBC have all basically said they want to do a ninety minute one-off and see how well it's received but nothing's finalised yet.
This will probably be quite light on the background, don't expect cameos from half the BtVS cast. It'll be set now(or whenever)ish, so of the order of 5 or 6 years after S7 depending on when it comes out. Ostensibly the S8 comics are cannon, not sure but I expect they'll be ignored in terms of Ripper continuity. The existing buffyverse provides the background and setting for the new show, it's not the focus of it.
This will probably be quite light on the background, don't expect cameos from half the BtVS cast. It'll be set now(or whenever)ish, so of the order of 5 or 6 years after S7 depending on when it comes out. Ostensibly the S8 comics are cannon, not sure but I expect they'll be ignored in terms of Ripper continuity. The existing buffyverse provides the background and setting for the new show, it's not the focus of it.
Posted: 14:04 Sep 20 2007